Feb 17, 2011

How ERIM Saved My Shipment

Situation
2 weeks ago, a customer from Tagbilaran returned a Sophie wallet due to wrong item shipped. It was a case of mistaken identity. The item code was DSM214, and by some reason DSM241 was given to me which I hastily shipped to the customer. The box and contents looked like a wallet, so I left it at that without thoroughly checking the item I was getting.

February 8, Tuesday

I drove several kilometers after 6pm to return the item where I got it. Almost missed the store, since they were ready to close when I came. To top it off, it seems that they didn't receive any of my messages regarding the item that I want to exchange. So, I had no choice but to leave the item on the store and wait for Saturday when they said the replacement item will be available.

February 12, Saturday

With my 2 exuberant boys, I went to the Sophie store to pick up my replacement wallet and other items that a dealer texted me. There were several other dealers inside the store and we were cramped. The store manager wasn't there and only a friend of her or an assistant was left to see to all the dealers. I had to wait until the other dealers were catered too. I gave my story of the wrong item. She checked it with the store manager to be true. Looks like my luck is finally making a turn. The correct wallet I need is there! Hooray!

The assistant picked my other items and went on creating a sales invoice; but she has no change for my bill. So, I went back to the car and picked some loose changed here and there. After going back to the store to check out, the assistant remembered to add in the catalog on the invoice. I paid for the item and carried the plastic bag supposedly containing all my items and put it on the trunk of the car.

February 13, Sunday
Since I have an 8 – 5 work, I had to ready all my items for ship a night before the shipping. I packed the items on the pouch and written the address on the waybill. When it's time to pack the faithful wallet; lo and behold! The wallet is not on the plastic bag I thought it was on! Frantically, I looked on my other bags and items, but it's not there. What rotten luck! After going all the trouble of getting the wallet, I had the gall to leave it on the store! Or the assistant was distracted enough to forget to add the wallet on the bag! Either way, I was left with a dilemma of having a no item to ship to a customer who's been waiting for almost 3 weeks now!

The Solution!
At exactly 10am Monday, I texted ERIM and told that I have an item for pick in Imus and want it delivered to a customer. I also, have an item at home to be delivered to another customer. After a few minutes, the sweet voice of ERIM's assistant phoned me and told me that they will pick up the item in Imus first, and then proceed on picking up my other shipment at home.

At 2pm the rider was already in our door-step with the wallet from Imus, ready to pick up my 2nd shipment, and bring them both to their final destination!

ERIM saved my shipment! More power ERIM!!!

Discount? Free Shipping? or Freebies?

Selling online is a steep competition. Swaying your customer to click the 'Buy It Now' button or send an order form is a critical moment of just mere second. Giving an incentive to your buyer is one-way of tipping the scale and making online shopping a rewarding experience. So what are the effective ways of enticing your buyer to buy?

Discount - giving discounts to loyal customers and bulk buyers is one-way of rewarding your customers. Just make sure the discount doesn't eat out the profit margin.

Free Shipping - this is a big deciding factor for buyers. With the increasing number of online sellers selling almost that same wares, the decision will boil down to the postage cost. Giving out free shipping on high ticket items or bulk purchase can make a first time buy again.

Freebies - based on buyers I've asked before, freebies is not really a big deal for them; but is very much appreciated when received.  So, to save some of your profit margin, give out freebies to customers truly deserving them.  A loyal customer perhaps? or during missed shipment deadlines, or any mishap that had happened on the deal.  Giving a freebie as a token of amendment shows that you care for the customer.

To my fellow online sellers and buyers? Which of these tactics do you use or have experienced? Share us your thoughts and leave a freebie knowledge about online selling on the comment section.

Happy Selling!

Feb 15, 2011

Payment Options – The Best Way To Pay

Keeping the shopping convenience motto high, online sellers should be able to offer several payment options for the customer to choose from. Each option should be (1) convenient; (2) safe; and (3) light on the pocket.

So what are the payment options available today and how do they rate on the three categories mentioned?

Acceptance MarkPaypal is by far the most convenient way to pay. With just the click of your fingertips you can bid/buy and check out your items. It is equipped with all the encrypting technology available online since we're talking about money here. Buyer can also file a dispute with Paypal or reverse the entire payment should the transaction prove to be unsatisfactory; for a period of 30days. But is it light on the pocket? This entirely depends on the buyer-seller agreement. Since Paypal is charging the seller a payment fee1 for every transaction, not all sellers are keen on offering Paypal. Others would allow Paypal payments if the buyer agrees to shoulder the charges or even half of it. All in all, Paypal is still a must to offer especially if you're selling high value items.

Bank Deposit is not high on the convenience chart, but definitely pose a safer way to pay compared to GCash or SMART Money transfer. If the buyer is within the Metro then bank deposit is no problem. Not so true for people living in the province. Also, a seller should be aware if there are inter-branch charges that the bank is collecting during deposit. BDO is an example that collects 50pesos for deposits on personal accounts from different provinces. This may surprise some buyers, so always give prior notice.

Bank deposit also gives a buyer some sense of security since they know that the person they're transacting with is existing.



GCash or SMART Money Transfer

These mobile payment options are both high in convenience and risk. Many online scams are transacted thru mobile payments. A scammer can just buy any SIM card, subscribe for a GCash or SMART Money2 number and be able to transact anonymously. The transaction is non-reversible to be accurate in giving your card number. Globe and SMART also doesn't keep track of all GCash or SMART Money number, so refund is not 100% guarantee.
 
 
Mobile payment method should also be light on the pocket, since depositing to a GCash or SMART Money number is virtually free. Buyers can drop by any BDO branch and fill-up a merchant slip containing the seller's GCash or SMART Money number and pay only the amount to be deposited. This could very well be used as an alternative to BDO bank deposit that might incur inter-branch fee.

LBC, Cebuana, M Lhuillier or Wester Union

These payment options are a definite NO-NO, both for buyers and sellers. They are not convenient, and definitely not light on the pocket. Buyers should think twice, or even thrice when these are the only payment option a seller is offering.

Foot Notes:
1 Paypal charges 3.4% + 15pesos per transaction when receiving payments
2  Unclaimed SMART Money number can only transfer up to 1000pesos.  After that, it must be linked to a named SMART Money card before any other transaction can be done.

Feb 11, 2011

MYSH My Shopping Heaven


Store Name: MYSH My Shopping Heaven

URL: http://myshmyshoppinghaven.multiply.com/

Email: shielib2000@yahoo.com



MYSH My Shopping Heaven primarily caters to resellers and wholesale buyers though sometimes i also have few buyers who purchase in retail. My items are all fashionable and yet affordable because we believe that one should not spend more or slash one's budget just to look fab and stylish. All the clothes that I sell are locally made and direct from the manufacturer, hence, the cheap prices. We really make it a point to pass all our products to resellers and business partners at very low prices so that they can earn good income and together we can sustain a long term business partnership.

Feb 8, 2011

Flowers by Bliss – Real flowers to express real emotions

Store Name: Flowers by Bliss

Flowers by Bliss – real flowers to express real emotions offers beautiful flower arrangements for all occasions. We simply love flowers. We understand how flowers can help bridge the gap between feelings and words. Every flower in each arrangement is personally hand-picked by us to make sure that we only give you the best.
 

See our samples or better yet, drop by the store here.



















Photo courtesy of: flowersbybliss.multiply.com
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