My Auction Empires

know your buyers

While watching a TV program the other morning while I waited for a delivery I noticed how many auction type and antiques programs there were – this means one thing people like them and they are popular. 

Anyway I noticed a new one, this was where to antique collectors went head to head and used their own money to buy, and then they had to resell at a profit and the one with the biggest profit won.

The day I saw the program they had to buy from an Antique Market (other programmes they had to buy at Auction, Car Boot etc), and by the looks each week saw a diiferent pair of people.

Anyway I watched it while I waited, the guy was first and said to make a profit, he would buy quality – Good idea, another was in good condition, and I forgot the third point he made. 

Next up was the young lady Kate Bliss – she said a few points, but what jumped out straight away to me was this sentence ” I will buy what my buyers wanted” –  Know your buyers. Kate Bliss went into this programme knowing what her core client base wanted or what her other dealer friends out there were looking for.

She did not just go yes that looks good, that looks nice , the price is right I will buy it. Ok she did a few of those points but on the whole she went out knowing that she could sell that little silver box to a silver dealer in London, and the Label bottle to a collector.

Kate Bliss knew her buyers, she went out that day with a plan in her head because she knew her buyers.

How can you put this into your ebay or online business ? Well I hope you have an email list of people, of lookers and of buyers.

Let’s paint a little picture here -Let us say that you sell kitchen items on eBay and over the past monts you have built up a mailing list of kitchen item buyers you now know your buyers and their needs and wants. While you are out and about at a trade fair you see some new kitchen items that will be hot this year. You can go ahead and buy some stock for all it will take is you to list them and email your list saying hey I have just added this item to my shop, they will come and buy.

So please get to know your buyers and their needs and wants.

Another item bought to you by Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires 

Tags: Education, eBay by andyuk
No Comments »

I guess many of you reading this have not really thought about Christmas this year – 2008, well I am sorry to say if you are in the retail business either as a Brick and Morter business or as an Online Trader you need to be thinking ahead, and January means Christmas 2009 and it happens in Harrogate.

This year the Christmas 2009 Trade fair in Harrogate runs from Saturday January 10th right through to Monday January 12th 2009.

As Usual The Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair runs over several venues around the town. Please do not let this put you off visiting this great buying and networking event as they are all very close to each other.

Venue one for the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair is the St George Hotel and Harrogate International Centre. These venues are for the Christmas and Gift buyers, and the venue is open from 11th – 14th January between 9am -6pm (except the last day when they close at 4pm)

Venue Two is the Clearence section and is always a very popular part of the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair. The Venue is at The Cairn Hotel and is open between 9am 6pm each day 10th – 12th January.

The Final venue of the Harrogate Christmas and Gift fair is The Old Swan Hotel and here you will find all the cards and gift wrap you will ever need for Christmas 2009.
This venue is open between January 10th – 12th. And the times are 9am – 6pm.

As well as going as a buyer the show is still open for Trade stands, so if you are interested in having a stand at the Harrogate Christmas and Gift fair contact the show organiser – Janet Morley on 01932 240130.

For further details you can pop a long to http://www.harrogatefair.com or drop them an email at info@harrogatefair.com

Another resource bought to you from Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires

Tags: Trade Fair, Trade Shows, UK Product Source by andyuk
No Comments »

The UK Product Source this time takes us into the life of Handbags, shawls, and jewelery. The founders of Rich Bags have a vast experience of products from the Far East as they both lived and worked there for many years. And on the return to the UK they decided to set up Rich Bags and source the products from a county where they had the knowledge yes the Far East.

This is just a small sample of the beautiful handbags that they stock :

To Contact Rich Bags :

2 Hilltop Road
Stockton Heath
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 2DP

http://www.richbags.co.uk

or you can see them at many of the leading Trade Shows here in the UK.

Another UK Product Source, bought to you by Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires

Tags: UK Product Source by andyuk
No Comments »

Is There Still Life On eBay?

There are times when you have to smile to yourself, and even times laugh at people. I have lost count recently of times people have said to me Is there still life on ebay?

I must look at them puzzled, for quite often they say why you looking at me like that, or why are you laughing like that at me. I often say why did you say Is there still life on eBay? And before they even open their mouths you know what they are going to say………… Well there is a recession on you know……… Or people have not got the money to spend………. etc, etc.

I say well you listen to too much bad news and read the wrong the papers, for yes there is still life on eBay and for that online businesses in general.

An online business does not have the massive overheads a normal business has, plus we can sell world-wide at the touch of a button. Quite quickly we can move into other markets within a few days if we see a need ot want out there.

Another thing is we have out customers and if we treat them well they will treat us well too and stay loyal to us.

So yes there is still a lot of life on eBay.

Keep listing and list more. We are about to enter the big holiday season, and people will be coming online more and more to find items.

Keep a look out for growing trends and if you think it is right to, move into these trends and make some money.

Well little rant over and I hope you got it………. Yes there is still life on eBay.

Another tip from Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires

Tags: Education, eBay by andyuk
No Comments »

UK Product Source 15

Today for our UK Product Source I am taking a look at the fashion and hair accessories industry.  This is a massive industry and grows year in and year out. Even when things in the world look down people will always find the money and time to make sure their hair looks good.

The company I would like to show you today has been around for over 30 years and sources its products from all over the world.

Introducing :

Creative Max operate out of 30,000 square feet of warehouse and office space and offer a fast delivery service to the people who sell. They stock some of the best known names in the hair , fashion and baby industry including

To see their full range and to sign up for a Trade Account pop along to :

Creative Max
Unit 5
Fourth Avenue
BlueBridge Industrial Estate
Halstead
Essex
CO9 2SY

http://www.creativemax.com

Another online UK Product Source, bought to you by Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires.

Tags: UK Product Source by andyuk
No Comments »

Did you know that many eBay buyers out there only search by titles?  So you need to learn how to write eBay titles that sell.

So here are my ideas to help you write eBay titles that sell. Do they always work……… No but when they do not work, I learn from my mistakes and take action to improve them next time.

When you write eBay titles to sell you need to think like a buyer and write fun, titles.

1) Remember when you write your eBay title you are limited to 56 letters and this does include spaces, so please do not waste it with thinks like WOW or !!!! or *****. Write your title so that it will sell. And use words that bring attention to your auction or Buy it Now.

2) When writing an eBay title that sells you need to put your buyers hat on. You need to use words like a buyer would use, not a seller. I know this may sound hard, but once you have done this a few times you will be able to do this in your sleep.

3) To save space when you are doing your ebay titles you can use things like BNWT – Brand New With Tags, or NIP – New In Packaging. And if it is New but without tags just put New.

4) If and only if your item is a brand name or is a designer label can you use this in your ebay title to sell your item. Please do not keyword spam – (this is a process where people just fill their eBay title with keywords to bring in buyers and the words have nothing todo with the item) Also do not use such as, or Like, as again this can harm your auction.

5) If your item includes a size put this in the title as people will often search for a certain size.

6) If your item is often mis-spelled and you have room in your eBay title put this in as well.

Well I hope that by following these simple little rules you will soon be writing eBay titles that sell.

Another posting bought to you by My Auction Empires and Andrew Milburn

Tags: Education by andyuk
No Comments »

Well we are Now at UK Product Source 014. Can you believe it. But one thing for sure there are many more UK Product Source to go before we ever start to run out. But do not worry that will never happen for each day new people are coming up with ideas, plans, and products and businesses that will keep the UK Product Source buisness going for a long time.

Before we get into this weeks Uk Product Source I just want to say that although the companies are based here in the Uk many source their products from all over the world and as time goes by we will added product sources from other countries.

The company I have choosen this week is http://www.puckator.co.uk they are a large wholesaler and also they do dropshipping (they do, charge for this but only £25.00 is it sounds a good deal).

Pukckator ltd
Head Office
Lowman Works, East Taphouse
Cornwall PL14 4NQ
England

Phone Number : 0870 240 1981

Skype : customerservices.puckator

Below are some samples of the great products this company sources for you.

Another Uk Product Source bought to you by Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires.

Tags: UK Product Source by andyuk
No Comments »

Have you been looking for items to sell on eBay, found something then thought to yourself will this sell on eBay? Well at long last help is at hand with this cool ebay Research tool from Terapeak. To help you understand more about this eBay research tool then spend a few minutes and Watch a Terapeak eBay Research Demo . This demo will show you how this is a must have eBay Research Tool.

With your monthly or yearly fees to TeraPeak you will get all the upto date information you need to be the leader in sales. You will be able to do eBay Research at any time of day or night.

So go and give it a go and you and your business will not be sorry.

Another blog post bought to you from Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires

Tags: eBay Tools by andyuk
No Comments »

Gift Baskets are all the rage at the moment. A Gift Basket can be given for any present, as a thank you gift, or as a business promotion.

A Gift Basket can either be brought in from a wholesaler and then resold on your own site or sites such as eBay or Amazon.

But stop for a bit and think – what do I sell ? Can I group some of the items together ? If you can answer yes to that question then you can make up a gift basket. Now as soon as you group a few items together, add them to a simple basket, but some tissue paper in the bottom of the basket and then added a see through wrapping to hold them into place and put a ribbon and gift card. You have a lovely gift basket.

Now not only do you have a lovely Gift Basket you can charge a lot more for the products as people see this as a premium gift.

To get your juices flowing here are some ideas for Gift Baskets : -

Baby Gifts

Bridal Gifts

Pet Gifts

Gifts For Her

Gifts For Him

Etc, Etc.

Hope this gives you some ideas for the up and coming holiday season.

Another idea from Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires.

Happy Gift Basket making

Tags: Education, Marketing by andyuk
No Comments »

One of the questions that I am often asked by classes and students is : “How To Write Good eBay Descriptions“.

Now the way I like to look at eBay Descriptions is the fact they are you sales letter or sales pitch. An eBay Description is your shop front it is the way you are going to sell your item – or if it is poor not sell.

So lets get going and I will tell you my way of writing eBay Descriptions.

Stage 1. – Write a good title, this is the first thing people will see, and this is what buyers will click on to get to the full Descriptions. Use all the Characters. Do not fill it out with silly things like @@ !! etc. Use the words that your buyers will use to search for the item.

Stage 2. – Now you have written, the title you come to the eBay Description, a good idea is to repeat the item title at the top of the eBay Descriptions. This helps both the buyer and the search engine spiders.

Stage 3. – Once the title has been written, you come to the main body of the sales letter and the eBay description. Write it as if you are chatting to a mate in the local bar or over a cup of coffee. Make it sexy, if it has a story about the item tell it. This is where you do the selling.

Stage 4. – If you are selling clothing give people the sizes, what it is made out of, if it still has the tags, if it is still in the bag. Tell them and show them with pictures as well.

Stage 5. – If the item you are selling has a fault in it tell and show the people it in the eBay Description. Be very honest with the people, tell them where the problem is with the item.

Stage 6. – A good thing I find to put in is your shipping and postage costs this lets people read what the prices are. I always put this at the bottom of the eBay Description and put it in 10pt Times New Roman Font and put it in blue. This lets it stand out. Normally I put some thing like this:

Postage to the UK is £1.75 this includes 1st Class recorded Delivery. The Rest of the World is £4.99.

Stage 7. – If you have any terms and conditions put this at the bottom of the item description.

Above all write to sell, but do not go over the top and always tell the truth.

Another selling idea brought to you by Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires.

Tags: Education by andyuk
No Comments »