Hi!
Another travel weekend for me. This time I was working in Ohio. I have found that I get a lot of writing done on airplanes–I am currently working on story #89. I see a light at the end of the tunnel!
- Special Announcement: The Whole Kit & Caboodle special pricing ends tonight at midnight–This is a fantastic offer! Don’t miss out.
- Feature Article: What to do When Times are Tough on eBay
- Lynn Recommends: Our Teleseminar is definitely on regarding investing in Nicaragua–Sign up below!
- The Queen’s Update: Our 11th 100 Best Story from YOU!
This ezine is published once a week.
April 26, 2007 Volume III, Issue 16
Dear friends,
This week has flown past. It didn’t help that I flew to Columbus, Ohio (an awesome city) last Thursday night on a red-eye and returned Sunday night. I went to work and attend a seminar hosted by business strategy whiz Kevin Nations.
The cover for my new book must be finalized today and sent to the printer. We are including a copy for your feedback. We always love to hear from you–both the positive and the constructive criticism.
Click on the image for a larger view.
We have also put together an incredible package of every single product I have ever released. It is called The Whole Kit and Caboodle (a phrase my grandmother used to use). The pricing is amazing and ends tonight at midnight. So, if you have ever wished you could assemble a complete ‘Lynn Dralle’ library for a reasonable price–now is the time. Order now and don’t miss out–the price will be increasing by about $400 in less than 12 hours.
My feature article this week is about what to do when times are tough on eBay. My April has been one of my worst months on record. I am only on track to do $7,000 and I have some tips for what to do when you feel a little discouraged.
The response to our FREE teleseminar about Nicaragua has been incredible. It is definitely a go and will be held May 2nd from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Pacific. Sign up now. And read more about it below in the Lynn Recommends section.
Finally, this week we have another great story about the things you all have sold on eBay. This one comes from Teri in Southern California. She picked up a doll from the giveaway box at a garage sale. Trash or Treasure? Read her story to find out.
Here’s to Successful eBaying!
Lynn Dralle, ‘The Queen of Auctions,’ Creator of the best-selling eBay Boot Camp in a Box.
During our last strategy session, we realized that we needed to offer the products that you all ask for. A lot of you have been asking for The Whole Kit and Caboodle. So, we have bundled every single one of my eBay products together and are offering the bundle at an amazingly low introductory price.
We are talking every teleseminar, every special report, every book, and all that the Boot Camp in a Box has to offer–plus the lost Bellingham video footage.
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I am an owner of Boot Camp in a Box. And I love it. I am not yet up to 100 things a week speed, but am enjoying eBaying a lot more!! When it got here, you would have thought it was Christmas. I was listening to the CDs at home, in the car, and my husband was looking at me pretty strangely! I can’t wait to try more of Lynn’s ideas. –Diane B., Flint, MI eBay ID: greatlakestennisfan |
Click here to learn more. We are even offering terms that make it a deal that you can’t possibly pass up! This special offer ends tonight, Thursday, April 26th at midnight so don’t delay!
‘What to do When Times are Tough on eBay‘
by Lynn A. Dralle, ‘The Queen of Auctions’
Every now and then we all experience a slow month on eBay. My April slowdown could be attributed to many things. Tax time, rising gas prices, and a lot of folks on Spring Break could be the reason.
So mid-month when I saw that my sales weren’t on track to hit the $10,000 mark, I made some adjustments.
The first thing I tried was Markdown Manager. I put 4 to 6 different categories on sale each week. I set the markdown amount from 25 to 50%. I ended up selling a ton of stuff, but keep in mind that by selling things on sale, my ultimate sales ending prices were 25 to 50% less. Because of this, my total sales for the month are about 30% off. So that definitely relates to the markdown prices.
Watch for my Markdown Manager special report coming out by the end of May that will be a free download for everyone who owns my eBay Store Report. I am waiting to write it until I have done enough research and have some good results. One issue I have, that I mentioned on the eBay Radio Show with Griff, is that once the sale ends with Markdown Manager, the regular prices show up on the auction pages, even for items that sold at the sale price. It is very confusing and I hope that they fix it soon.
The next thing I did was to try and list 125 to 150 items per week. By increasing the number of auctions, usually helps my sales.
My final trick for saving a month is to list as many things as I can on the 7th day before month-end. So, on Monday night, April 23rd, I listed 80 extra items to end on April 30th and hopefully bring the month up to my goals. Well, a $7,000 month is not necessarily a terrible month, but it is not a $10,000 month either.
On Tuesday morning, I couldn’t wait to check my auctions and see how many bids I had garnered overnight. Unfortunately, no one had bid on those extra items. I am a little disappointed because it really seems as if no one is bidding on anything this month.
However, there are still a few days left in the month and I will let you know how it all turns out. I haven’t had many surprises this month either with things selling for big bucks but I did have a 75-cent purchase sell for quite a bit. It was a strange little canoe from Pottery Barn that was really cute but I couldn’t believe that over 134 people looked at the auction and it ended up selling for a very nice return.
Pottery Barn miniature canoe for decoration.
Click here to see what it sold for.
Just remember that we all have tough months–it is a fact of eBay. Don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of things that you can do if you think offensively. As soon as you see a downturn in sales, start strategizing about what you can do to turn it all around in your favor.
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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEBSITE? Yes, you may – just as long as you include all links as they are and append this complete blurb with it: The Queen of Auctions and eBay Power Seller, Lynn Dralle, publishes ‘eBay Tips & Tricks’ a weekly ezine with 9000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your eBay business, make more money and have more free time, get your FREE tips now at www.thequeenofauctions.com
Our trip to Nicaragua was amazing. The tiny town that we stayed in, San Juan del Sur, reminded me of Cabo San Lucas about 30 years ago. My college friend, John (see ezine v3is10 for his photo), is the one whose development we went to see. His wife, Lelia, and he are developing a 30-acre parcel of land.
Peter and I bought four lots this week and are currently in escrow. The prices are very reasonable and start at just $25,000. Many of the lots have peek-a-boo ocean views and you can see Costa Rica in the background. John is offering favorable terms and financing on a certain number of lots – with only 30% down. The entire project is backed by First American Title Company. I know that I can trust John with this transaction in Nicaragua, I have known John for 23 years and he is of impeccable character.
Photo from Lot 35 that we bought last week
They say that Nicaragua is the next Costa Rica. It also boasts the title of being the safest country in Latin America at this time. The people were friendly and the food and living expenses were remarkably reasonable. Peter and I had a wonderful Lobster dinner one night for $8 for the lobster and $5 for pasta with clams. Also, a glass of chardonnay is just $1.50 in a nice restaurant! I am sold in this country!
We stayed in a wonderful inexpensive hotel with many other Americans and the majority were all there to invest in the country. Instead of buying a new car this year, I am going to put that money towards land in Nicaragua. My grandmother always believed in investing in real estate. She often quoted Will Rogers who said, “Buy Land. They ain’t making any more of the stuff.”
I really believe in this project and what John is doing for the country. John’s fifteen-year relationship with Nicaragua started in the early 90s when he worked there for five years. Since then, he travels back at least every summer to visit his wife’s family and friends. Peter and I are considering building a retirement home but we also know that these lots are an incredible investment. I think that within three years the prices will have at least doubled.
Another photo from Nicaragua showing San Juan del Sur
We are holding a free teleseminar with John and Peter on the line to answer any of your questions. It is scheduled for Wednesday night, May 2nd from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Pacific time. To sign up, please click here.
I am happy to present our eleventh story for The 100 Best Things You’ve Bought or Sold on eBay! This week’s story is from Teri in Southern California. She writes about a doll she rescued from the giveaway box. Click below to read…
Click here to read the story…
Please patronize Teri’s auctions (distinctive*home*and*garden) and store (Distinctive Home and Garden) and make her business this year even better.
We are looking for more great stories of your eBay adventures. We know there are many great tales out there, so please submit your story along the lines of the stories from the 100 Best Books and a great side story with photos will help. If we use your story, you will receive a $35 merchandise credit on my website and you will have your story featured–along with your user ID–in my ezine! It may also eventually end up in a published book!
By the way, when I mention my ezine readers’ user IDs with links to their auctions–it actually helps their sales! Amazing how that works. Click here for the guidelines for submitting your stories.
eBay Power Seller and third-generation antique dealer, Lynn Dralle, is the creator of Boot Camp in a Box, the home-study course where you can learn to implement the Dralle Method to maximize your eBay profits.
If you liked today’s issue, you’ll love this step-by-step course that is guaranteed to be the most complete and enjoyable guide to selling on eBay that MAKES YOU MONEY.
Read all about it here.
The Queen of Auctions also offers free articles, teleseminars, how-to books, tracking guides, DVDs, eBay Boot Camp training, and other resources to help entrepreneurs make their eBay business a six-figure sales machine. Click here to learn more.
The Queen of Auctions/All Aboard Inc.
PO Box 14103
Palm Desert, CA 92255
760-340-6622
Lynn@TheQueenofAuctions.com
Happy eBaying!!
Lynn
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Lynn is an experienced eBay Power Seller, author, and teacher. If you want to know the eBay tips, tricks, and tools that Lynn uses for buying and selling at an online auction click here.