SO YOU WANT TO SHOP ON LINE!!!!

Shopping on-line can be intimidating to say the least. I know it was for me. I was a skeptic...how do I know who I am buying from...are they trustworthy....will they just take my money and not ship...will the the item be not as described or will it be over embellished...or will it be the deal of the century?


These are all questions a smart buyer should be considering before making a purchase on line. Buyers have to do their homework (and you thought homework ended when you left school...Ha Ha Ha...not). In this blog, I will try to give you some pointers on what to look for. These tips helped me get over my phobia of on-line shopping. (A phobia...Kind of silly when I sell on-line.)

So here goes....


Honest and Trustworthy Sellers


I think most vendors are honest and trustworthy....they would not be in business if they were not (There are some who are scammers). Check the feedback of the vendor...not just the number but actually read the feedback. One or two negative or neutral comments does not necessarily mean a bad vendor. Each situation has its own story...remember there are two sides to every story. Ebay does not allow the seller to respond to this type of comment. On Bonanzle, if there is a situation arise, both parties can tell their story. A new seller with a low feedback number may also be honest and trustworthy. We all had to start somewhere....so give them a chance too if they have what you are looking for. And if all else fails...follow your gut instincts.



Quality Products

Most vendors do extensive research on an item before they even list the item. They do the listing trying to describe the item as if there were no picture. (A challenge for me...I am camera challenged LOL). Then they photograph the item as if there were no description. If these two items are in place, then you should have a fairly good idea of the items condition and quality. This is especially true for vintage collectibles. Know the item you are looking for....if it is a designer item you want then verify its authenticity. Ask the seller questions ...make sure there is paperwork etc. There seems to be a lot of knock offs out there. (I personally cannot afford those items so I am OK with a knock off as long as it is described as such) I have champagne tastes on a beer budget. Bottom line ....ask questions.....even if they seem trivial. I would rather answer the questions than to have a buyer who is not satisfied with an item. At Bonanzle, you can chat live in the booth if the seller is on-line and get your answers immediately...if not, then email will get you the required information.



Reasonable Pricing (Value for your Dollar)

This is where your shopping savvy comes into play and it reverts back to the above. There are a lot of good deals on the web but you have to know what it is you are buying. You would not pay $100 for a "thingy" if you know the same can be purchased at your local mall for $20. And you would expect to pay big dollars for a designer "thingy". I have some afghans listed at http:www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff at very reasonable prices.....why you say....because these items are a labor of love. I probably would not be able to sell them if I charged for materials and labor. They are time consuming to make. So I made a decision to sell them at a reasonable price. I love to crochet and knit but I do not want a gazillion afghans. Bottom line....know your prices.



Customer Service

Read the TOS(Terms of Service). A seller will state their TOS in their profiles. Check what the return Policy is. Is there any warranty? Check what methods of payment are accepted. Check when they ship. Here again, reading feedback will give you an insight as to what previous customers say about the service they have received. Another place to check is the "personal endorsements" section provided by Bonanzle in the User Profile section. As a buyer, please leave feedback for your vendor. Doing so helps make on-line shopping a little safer.

Shipping

This information is usually listed in the booth details section. I, as a seller, ship within 24 hours of receiving a "Cleared Payment". If a buyer pays by Money Order it only makes sense to ship when you have received and cashed the MO. (Postal MO are the best...some banks hold funds on a deposited MO just as they would a personal check) Postal MO's can be cashed and cleared immediately at the Post Office. Some sellers only ship once a week due to their geographical area while others ship daily. Also check the sellers shipping and handling costs. At jinx'stuff I do not charge any fees for handling. (I have an excellent source for bubble wrap, packing peanuts etc.) I do however, require the buyer to contact me for shipping. Shipping is based on Weight, Carton Size and Destination. We all know that the cost of postal services is very expensive . Most shipping calculators are not reliable and result in overinflated shipping costs. Another reason why I prefer to quote the shipping to my customers. I only charge what I am charged. Some selling venues dictate how much a vendor can charge to ship certain items. This is not right and may result in shoddy packaging to reduce shipping costs or inflated item costs. As a buyer, please be aware that there may be delays in the length of time to receive your item after shipping from seller. This is especially true if you purchase from a seller who is international. Your package could be held up in Customs or Post Office is super busy (like Christmas time). So a little patience is in order here.



Good Selling Platform

This in itself may be the most crucial to have a happy on-line shopping experience. If the on-line site has very little inventory then you may or may not find what you are looking for. If there is a large inventory and the "search" does not give you appropriate results for your search criteria then that can be very frustrating. The site should be easy to navigate. The site should also offer an easy to use check out system as well. Bonanzle.com is a great on-line selling venue. Here a buyer can find "Anything but the Ordinary" as well as day to day needs and wants.



I hope that the above has given you, the buyer, some insight from behind the scenes. Shopping in your Jammie's and bunny slippers, your hair in rollers and a cup of coffee in hand(or beverage of choice) can be very relaxing and enjoyable. No time schedules...just you and your computer. No rushing to the mall and being trampled on by other shoppers especially now that the "Holiday" season is just around the corner. You can take your time to find that "special" gift for whomever is on your shopping list and do it with no pressure all the while making intelligent informed choices.

So, why not start at http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff .....there is something for everyone here.....

Until the next time ...........be happy....be safe

jinx

PROMOTING MYSELF AS A BONANZLE SELLER

Self Promotion



One of the hardest things I have found since joining Bonanzle is Self Promotion.


I am not the kind of person who goes about town or country screaming from the rooftops

"hey, look at me ...here I am.....buy from me".


I am instead, relatively quiet and believe in the "soft sell" approach. I have done everything that has been suggested. I have joined so many groups from Facebook, Twitter, Plumdrop, Oodle, Link Referral and all. I could go on to list a gazillion places. All of these require an enormous amount of time to be constantly keeping them updated. This also includes this blog site. The Bonanzle forums. The Bonanzle games. The self promotion on Yahoo.


The one thing that I have gained the most enjoyment and self satisfaction doing is my blogs.

I hated composition when I was in school. But now I find that it gets the mind working and trying to be creative. Hopefully, some of my topics get you to thinking as well...or at the very least gives you a chuckle for the day.

I only have one question. Is all this work worth it? That is questionable. Has it increased traffic to my booth? Yes. Has it brought in buyers? No. All sales I have gotten have come from Google or other sellers on Bonanzle. Everyone is blaming the economy for lack of sales. Do I truly believe this? NO! Do I believe that some are cutting way back on their spending? Yes! But NOT everyone. So, what is the answer to this dilemma?



I believe that the following has a great deal to do with whether one is successful or not in on-line selling.

• trustworthy and honest vendor
• quality products
• reasonable pricing (value for the dollar)
• great customer service
• quick shipping
• good selling platform
  

If the above list is what you are looking for in an on-line seller, then you must stop by my booth at http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff . You won't be disappointed. I have an eclectic variety of items. Something for everyone. Some new and some gently used. If I would not buy it myself ...I do not list it.

I strive for Customer Satisfaction!!!!

If you are not a happy customer and are not satisfied, then you will not tell your friends and family where you made your great purchase. I admit it.....I want you to spread the word. So you know I will do everything in my power to ensure YOU are happy.

With all of the above said, I will now stop my tirade of SHAMELESS PROMOTION. I will also take off my socks and learn to count because that was more than one question.....oops!!!!!

A short post script from my previous blog about Mickey and his escape escapades......he has been a good boy and has not been trying to escape the back yard. I guess I have installed enough lattice to block every conceivable opening. With that said...he'll probably find a way out tomorrow.

Until next time everyone....

Be Happy ......Be Safe......

jinx

http://www.bonanzle .com/booths/jinx_stuff

PROJECT TIME

Well everyone, it is that time of year again......must be fall because we have not had summer yet and July is almost over....



I'll be paying heating bills instead of air conditioning bills.(Only had the A/C on 2 days)






The gardens are already starting to look sad... All this rain and cool weather has not been kind to my flower beds and I added about 20 feet to the front beds. Some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow. Their feet are cold and wet.






So, what does one do when you can't go out and play in the sun? My house has never been cleaner (except when hubby goes hunting---clean once and it stays that way---at least until he gets home).






Crafts, that's what. I have gotten a head start on another afghan, made some baby sweaters, bonnets and booties. I guess you can say Mother Nature is my motivation to get these projects done now! Now my fingers are stiff and sore from all that knitting and crocheting and not from listing items for my Bonanzle booth. I will also be making some Christmas Peppermint Candy wreaths.( I have listed some things...I am not slacking off totally ).





All of the above brings me to my point of this blog. Don't waste the bad weather days. Things are pretty quiet on the e-commerce sites during the summer months. Use this time to build up inventory, clean up your booths, do listings and above all else make your business plan for the upcoming holiday season. This will save you a tremendous amount of stress come September when things start hopping again. You will be so proud of yourself....and you will feel contentment knowing that your shelves have been dusted, the floors are washed and polished, inventory all neatly placed in your booth and you are sitting waiting for the onslaught of all those holiday shoppers. (okay....now I am tired...did I just clean all of your booths).






I don't know how you all feel about this, but something I have incorporated in my "Business Plan" for the upcoming season is a LAYAWAY PLAN. This is not something new. It has been around for eons. I cannot think of a better way to motivate buyers to spend, especially in this tough economy. I think it is good customer relations too... inspire them to plan ahead and reduce their stress over holiday shopping. They can choose their purchases wisely, stay within their budget and have it all paid off before having ever given the gifts to their loved ones. (Does that not make you feel all warm and fuzzy....does me).



Another thing I have been trying to do is source out some relatively inexpensive and useful stocking stuffers. I have managed to come up with a few and I hope they will be a hit.







You can check out my booth at







http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff







Am I rushing the season? Nope I don't think so. All the B&M stores are buying next springs fashions now. Lets all have a stress free holiday season. Okay so now I'm motivated... I'm going to go check my Christmas lights.....maybe I should put them up now.......








Just kidding.





Til next time ...be happy ...be safe...



Jinx

PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX EVERYONE

Hi everyone....



Okay so I said I would try to increase the frequency of my blogs.....oops



I guess life just happens to get in the way of trying to do everything. It has been a hectic summer already and it has only just begun.....I am going to have to learn to either say no or get some lessons on how to set priorities.

Anyway, what I want to talk about today is something that has been bothering me for quite some time and now feel that I have to deal with it. It is not a pleasant subject so here goes....



Why oh why are people so mean. I have been reading the forums on several sites and have noticed that some people can be really mean, arrogant and very opinionated to the point of belittling other sellers.Do these people not have enough of their own work to do? They should not be telling other people how to run their business or their lives.



This not only happens at Bonanzle but other venues as well. I came across a poem which might give people some food for thought.



GRANDMA'S PEARLS OF WISDOM



I've travelled paths you've yet to walk

Learned lessons old and new

And now this wisdom of my life

I'm blessed to share with you



Let kindness spread like sunshine

Embrace those who are sad

Respect their dignity, give them joy

And leave them feeling glad



Forgive those who might hurt you

And though you have your pride

Listen closely to their viewpoint

Try to see the other side



Walk softly when you're angry

Try not to take offense

Invoke your sense of humor

Laughter's power is immense



Express what you are feeling

Your beliefs you should uphold

Don't shy away from what is right

Be courageous and be bold



Keep hope right in your pocket

It will guide you day by day

Take it out when it is needed

When it's near, you'll find a way



Remember friends and family

Of which you are a precious part

Love deeply and love truly

Give freely from your heart



The world is far from perfect

There's conflict and there's strife

But you can still make a difference

By how you live your life



author unknown



I hope everyone will think about the words in this poem....and the next time before you take a strip off someone's back you will stop and think before you type.



I have been fortunate that no one has taken a strip off my back, but I cannot help but feel some emotions for those that I have seen this happen to. Life is too short. And so now I say



PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX..... we all have to get along.



I have not injected much humor into this blog as I believe this subject is just way to serious to joke about.



Now for some fun stuff....check out my booth at http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx

I have added some new items and will be adding more over the next few days. I also plan to add a "Layaway" program. Christmas is coming..... LOL (not that far away actually)



So till next time...Be Safe ...Be Happy...



Jinx

MY AVATAR (MICKEY) IS AN ESCAPE ARTIST

I am shortening the time between blogs.

Pretty good for an almost senior citizen.

Okay my camera is still neglected but I have at least added a few more items to my booth....

and when I find my camera and take some pictures I will be adding more items. The listings are done ... I just need to add some pretty pictures. But as usual I am wondering aimlessly.

My aimless wondering today was because of Mickey (my avatar). We call him several things...


Mr. Congeniality....because he has all his little doggie friends in the neighborhood that he likes to go visit.


Mickey Mouse....because my husband calls him a rodent (he is so small) ..not like the bigger dogs we have had in the past


and my almost favorite nickname.....



Houdini....because he escapes from everything.......



I cannot begin to tell you what we have had to do to keep him from escaping the back yard.

The wrap around deck has had the underside totally cordoned off with lattice. We first put it up around the stringers... but he was still escaping. Turns out he was going under and then up over the headers..... so we had to put lattice there too. That stopped that escape route.


Then he was going under the fence.... so out came more lattice around the perimeter of the yard..... that route blocked off...


Oh Oh ...now he has learned to dig in the flower beds.....sure Mickey just dig up my flower beds and get out under the fence there.....more lattice. I think I own shares in the company that makes lattice.


The purpose of all of the above..... My aimless wondering today trying to find my "Dear Little Mickey"




You have to picture this in your mind...





An older woman in her late fifties, wearing only a negligee and a long down filled housecoat and bare feet running down the street calling MICKEY...MICKEY....MICKEY (have you got that picture in your mind?)



Yep that be me......I was scared to death that I would find that he had gone down the hill to the main street and had been hit by a car... I was beside myself almost in tears. I decided that if that was the case then before I went down the hill I would go home, get dressed and then get into the van and drive down. I feared the worst.


But on my way back to my house I thought hmmmmm .... Mr. Congeniality, Mickey Mouse, the great Houdini had escaped under the gate in the back yard... perhaps I should check the court behind us.... so here I am still in my sleeping attire and bare feet.... checking out the court and low and behold there he was. He actually came when I called him. My Dear Little Mickey.



Needless to say, I picked him up and carried him back into the house, where he is safe and sound.

Oh and yes .....more lattice has been put up!!!!



So that is my excuse for doing absolutely nothing today......just this blog.



It also serves as my excuse to go shopping at you guessed it...



http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff for anything but the ordinary.



Does anyone have little dog restraints????



until next time be safe....be happy.....



Jinx

SQUEAKY WHEELS FOR THIS BONANZLE SELLER

PROMOTING AN ON LINE BUSINESS

I am still on my learning curve. In my last post, I challenged everyone to learn something new every day. I have to admit that I was disappointed that no one responded with their new knowledge. I was hoping to get some feedback as to what people had learned. But it is okay as long as you met the challenge for your own personal goals. I also got some followers to my blog. Thank you .

I am still doing the dog paddle and am getting a little tired. There is so much to be learned.

I am learning a great deal on how to promote an on line business. My head was reeling.....do a blog, join this group, join that group, google feed, do follow-ups on those groups yada yada yada.

Well, I gained some knowledge on the subject. IT'S A LOT OF WORK. My eyes were going crossed from the monitor screen, my chair has a permanent indentation in it (not to mention my flat bottom), my fingers are not as limber as they once were for typing and it is time to file down my fingernails. Thank heavens for spell check. And I have only partially listed a few more items. Have to get back to that camera. It is probably feeling a little neglected.

Through it all I have learned that anything worth going after requires a lot of work. I have seen some fruits of my labor....increased traffic to my booth. Heck even a few small sales. I must be on the right track. Next... I have to learn how to increase sales. Hmmm........at least the mind is working.... the wheels are turning even if they are a little squeaky. Anybody have any WD-40?

If you haven't checked out Bonanzle yet, do so... you won't be disappointed. It is a fast and upcoming new venue for on line shopping. There are over 1.8 million items listed and thousands more added each day. Wow talk about shopping till ya drop! We all have to do our bit for the economy. I say spend spend spend. I am not sure hubby agrees with me but I just tell him I am helping the economy. He gets this silly grin on his face, shakes his head and walks away. He knows he won't win this one. LOL. There is no controlling me.

Anyway, you can start your pilgrimage at the following booth

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff

Have a great day and I hope I put a little smile on your face.

Till next time take care.

Jinx

I AM A NEWBIE- THERE I SAID IT!!!!

Welcome Everyone!!!







This is my first Blog ever!!!







So, if any of my ramblings do not make sense to you-- oh well! A literary expert I am not.
I am trying. This is all new to me. It has been a wild ride on the learning curve and I am sure I still have a lot to learn.


My goals in writing these blogs are hopefully to enlighten and encourage everyone to continually strive to be a better person. Continue to educate themselves no matter what their age is. Trust me I am not young .... for that matter I am not old either. Hopefully I can manage to put in a little humor too!!


I want to share with you my recent experiences with On Line Selling. (Another first for me) Yep, I jumped in with both feet...not knowing the first thing about it. I guess you can say sink or swim. I think I am doing the dog paddle right now or is it the jelly fish float?

I tried the ebay thing-- yeah right --- that just cost me $$$$. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way. Lo and behold , I found another venue. Wow..... what a wonderful site. BONANZLE......the people are friendly, always willing to help the "newbies", and the buyer/seller support is terrific not to mention the live booth chat. From what I have learned in the last three weeks, it is the fastest growing shopping site on the web.


I have learned how to set up my booth, crop pictures, write listings, write attributes, feeds, set up links to other sites.... the list goes on and on. The best of all of this is ......I have met a lot of new people from all walks of life, all different circumstances and all parts of this great world. I have not sold anything YET but I have grown as a person. This you cannot put a dollar value on.


So now, my challenge to you.... What have you learned recently? Are you keeping your mind active? Are you willing to learn at least one new thing every day? Share it with all of us--- who knows you might teach us something.

Feel free to see what I accomplished......follow the link below

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff

Thanks for reading this... I do hope you enjoyed it and it put a little smile on your face...

Until the next posting .... Be happy and be healthy

Jinx