Don't forget when quoting shipping charges that the USPS is instituting a rate hike effective today, July 1, 2001. While initially it doesn't seem like a large increase, some rates for packages over 15 lbs have increased over $3! David has updated the USPS/UPS comparison chart to reflect the new rates. (There are definitely some price savings by using UPS shipping.)
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Yellow_Pages/postratesnew/postratesnew.html
PayPal may be considering a partnership with Citigroup, according to a report from ePayNews.com. "If this is true, PayPal would win on two fronts, by overcoming its biggest rival, Citigroup's c2it P2P service, and by synergizing its sophisticated back-end processing systems with Citigroup's global customer base."
http://www.epaynews.com/links/topstories.html
Strong Numbers Guides & Tools provides fair market values for the most popular products based on actual transactions from online auctions and prices from online retailers. Strong Numbers sorts the raw data into specific related categories based on how consumers actually search for products. Strong Numbers culls the pricing information from 250 auction sites and 2000 retailers.
http://www.strongnumbers.com/bluebook/index.shtml
Auction site Just Glass has launched online dealer shops. The Just Glass Express Storefront software will enable dealers to create a custom Web site within the Just Glass dealer mall.
Reyne Haines and Rosemary Trietsch, co-owners of Just Glass, have been working to create the most complete glass information portal on the Web. "Our aim has always been to create a site that provides for all aspects of glass collecting. Although JG began as an auction site, it has grown to include a monthly magazine, research library, comprehensive reproduction section, dealer shops and a bookstore, all in addition to our auction and Classified listings."
The Just Glass Express Storefront software allows users to design their own shop. There are several different home page templates and color/backgrounds to choose from so that individuals can create a shop that suits their style and needs. Just Glass Express Storefronts offer 3 cost effective dealer shop options: Business - $25 per month, E-Commerce - $45 per month, and Enterprise - $70 per month.
All three options include picture hosting for each item, an on-site search engine and order form and credit card capabilities. Dealers can keep a record of all orders, send items to auction and manage their inventory from one page. The software also provides the exact number of hits the site has received for any given period of time - including a detailed breakdown by day and time - and a list of the Top 10 items viewed so dealers can see what inventory attracts the most attention. http://www.justglassmall.com
Carnaby.com launched a marketing campaign to drive membership growth and to promote its online auction site. The "Cash Cow Sweepstakes" marketing promotion offers Carnaby members the opportunity to earn points and "Carnaby Dollars" every time they browse, list or bid on items throughout the site. The points earned are converted into sweepstakes entries giving them the chance of winning great prizes, while the Carnaby Dollars can be used as discounts at participating merchants.
Carnaby is an online auction and fixed price marketplace offering members features such as a Live Auction Ticker, Chat Boards, Bulk Loader, a unique Patent-Pending Want Ad Center, and a complete B2B Marketplace designed specially to provide small and large companies a quick and easy way to sell or liquidate their excess inventory.
http://www.carnaby.com
Andale got quite a bit of attention last week when it announced its new "Commerce Management Service"
an integrated suite of sales automation products for merchants selling across multiple online markets, including Internet auction sites, branded storefronts, Web sites and via direct email.
Andale CEO Munjal Shah and Mary Camarata, Director of Corporate Communications, spoke to AuctionBytes last week about their new line of "Quick Packs," three new packages designed to meet the needs of different sellers (see June 25th's Newsflash for details). I was struck by their no-nonsense approach. When I asked Mary if she actually used online auctions (because she sounded like she truly understood them), Munjal said everyone at Andale is required to use online auction sites weekly!
What do you think? Have you used Andale's services? If you want to share your opinion, leave a review of Andale in the AuctionBytes Yellow Pages. This URL will take you right to Andale's listing (the URL is long
