to-may-to, to-mah-to ... may prove as an easier method ad
On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 5:49 PM, David <[email protected]> wrote: > You say tomato I say tomato (which obviously doesn't always translate > well on paper in this case!) :) > > But I absolutely disagree, because every company does NOT build the cost > of shipping into the items they sell - I can provide a myriad of examples > where the item price is the same between company A who does not offer free > shipping and company B who does offer free shipping, therefore that means > it is (likely) a cost to the margin (to B) which therefore makes it a > marketing strategy specially if it is a standard every day offer - a > gimmick would be Uncle Bob's Carmart offering a free pony ride with every > car purchased this week-end. which I found out to my annoyance was not for > people my height and weight, but I digress... > > Anyway, it seems to me the fact you are able to take advantage of other > website offers of allowing free ads about your business/services etc means > you just disproved your statement: "tanstaafl" - and that is not a > criticism because if you can get a free ride in the marketing and promotion > of one's business then all power to that person/business. > > > Bruce Hershenson wrote on 7/08/2014 7:14 AM: > > Free Shipping is a gimmick in that the cost of the shipping is built > into the cost of the item, but it tricks the buyer into thinking they are > getting something for "nothing". The buyers premiums are a similar gimmick > in that the seller pays them as part of his commission, but they trick them > into thinking they pay a lower commission than they actually do. > > You are absolutely correct we do virtually no paid advertising. We > advertise where it is free (on MoPo, Facebook, and Movie Poster Forum). As > those eventually go to a "pay" model, we will cease those free ads. > > We USED TO have a massive ad for our auctions on every eBay auction from > 1999 to 2002 or so. Then the powers that be declared an end to that. > > Free ads are better than free shipping, because they are truly free. And > remember "tanstaafl"! > > > On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 2:10 PM, David <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Bruce, with respect I think you mean you *pay* for almost zero >> advertising because there is no way you can claim you *do* almost zero >> advertising. On the other hand free shipping is a globally accepted >> marketing strategy to encourage people to buy it is not a gimmick, buyer's >> premiums are not a gimmick it's a tax. >> >> >> Bruce Hershenson wrote on 6/08/2014 9:02 PM: >> >> I have taken a different approach. To me, free shipping is a "gimmick", >> just as "buyers premiums" are. I eliminate the gimmicks, and just focus on >> *treating >> my buyers EXACTLY as I want to be treated when I am the customer (accurate >> descriptions, gorilla-proof packaging, actual cost of shipping or under, >> etc).*. I also do almost zero paid advertising or printing of any kind, >> and I use all those savings to treat my customers even better. >> >> My goal is to keep my existing customers (and have them provide great >> "word of mouth" that finds me lots of new customers at zero advertising >> cost), so that I don't have to endlessly find new customers to replace the >> old ones I lost. >> >> It might not work for others, but it works for me. >> >> >> On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 2:14 AM, Tom Martin < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> i am not sure what you just where speaking about.... Ive had a >>> memorabilia business , both bick and morter , mail order , wholessale, >>> retail and manufacturing since 1977 when I started there was no internet we >>> advertied >>> in collector magazine like ffilm collectosr world, stalog. classic Image >>> sthe Big Reel..and many more My ad budget was sometimes 100K a year but >>> then I had larger costs likeoverhead, employees and we also adverstised n >>> Local papers Radio and TV a spot on local NBC Carson was 200.00 for a 30 >>> sec spot... we also printed catalogs and mailed them my largest mailing was >>> 10,000 but we charged 1-2.00 for them // then the internet and ebay came.. >>> I think we 1st went on in 1999 well I also manufactured items and I did >>> Huge tradeshows,at the javitts center in NYC and at the Mcormic place in >>> chicago average cost was 4,000 and hotel tavel etc.. after a series of >>> things like defending a rademark close to 40K and paying off a 100k in >>> chap13 reorganiazation , paying off my house and then a divorce I found the >>> indutsry had collapsed esp Comics as there was just to much gred and False >>> collectable... those made with percieved scarsity but where just cranked >>> out crap... then I saw a shaleout as several of my huge customers went >>> down.. I supplyed suncoat picture, media lay and a few others that stopped >>> paying vendors ..Musicland sam Goody owned them...Luckily they paid me >>> 30,000.00 they owed me before folding as most BIg companys pay on 30 days >>> net terms.. Universal paid me by letter of credit as that compant eats >>> small vendors for appiizers and I refused to givethem terms a average order >>> was 80,000.00 so letter of credit means you present the docs to bank when >>> the truck picks up and they release the funds,, its the only way I felt >>> they would honor the deals... Bi companys have BIG turnover and its hard to >>> fnd peopel inside that honor deals... Berie swartz aka Frank Ludlow who >>> made commercail stills asked me once wht do you del with these big guy as >>> they can take you down witha few bad invoices.. it was true I saw lots of >>> guys go down... why?? greed... he said stay with MOM and pops they pay >>> prompt and you spread the risk around..so true I tell nebies this as >>> everyone wantsthe big deal ,expansion and all but when things get slow the >>> big cost are still there... Better to sya effcient and small you can always >>> expand,, the idea is how to survive thru evevry kind of blow... all these >>> get rich quicl schemes that bilk investors are because very few like the >>> long haul... and building a company.. they all want to cash in and get >>> out... I like the old school way... lke Mary see pies in san farn.. they >>> uses good materials and have integrity in service and ingreiaents,, I think >>> free shipping is fine If I am paying he shiping it is Free shipping But its >>> a ploy ebay uses as it makes peopel buy more impulse..fact is your paying >>> for it its just included with the cost of the item.. sounds better then 500 >>> item and 500 shipping..10,00 postpaid free shipping...its still 500 >>> shipping now if someoen can sell a 5000 item with shipping for 500 then >>> Ill be impressed.. But it a person sells a 5.00 poster and it costs 5.00 >>> to ship there is no way he can sell it at all unless he gives it away free >>> and supplies all the materials to ship and no cost.. society has played >>> with peopel minds with decption tricks on home loans , car loand and all >>> they think its marjeting ,,ITd not its swindling and while peopel get bait >>> and switch.. I try to deleiever more then they ask for as a way to build >>> customers sure some peope you will never please as they get a idea in there >>> mind what they want..thats not realistic..but I know whay I was able to be >>> here this long was because Of my customers that I look at like family and >>> frieds and they have returned so much love, help and understanding whenIve >>> fallen and had nothing and was disorganized and sick..so what i would tell >>> eveyone is just ne yourself and the ones that understand will also be fair >>> and treat you right..Mel blanc told me ... there are some good guys and >>> some not so good guys,,try to network with the good guys and all will be >>> well... and he was dead on...Godnite Kids.. Ill be 58 next week I cant >>> believe im still here thank You God ! >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 2014-08-06 01:05, David wrote: >>> >>>> I think using eBay as the benchmark for doing business is not good >>>> analogy. When you choose to do business inside someone else's business >>>> then of course they will charge you for that privilege and yes that is >>>> going to have to be passed on; it is no different to shopping mall >>>> owners charging the shop owners rent, and taking a percentage of your >>>> take and another fee for promotional activity and so on - they bring >>>> the customers to you, they want you to pay for that and frankly that >>>> seems fair to me. >>>> >>>> Let me ask this (general) question: How much money do you (the eBay >>>> seller) spend on advertising and other promotional activity? I'd >>>> venture to suggest almost all who exclusively run their business on >>>> eBay spend NOTHING on advertising and marketing. If you built your own >>>> online shop (not a home made one) and then spent roughly each month >>>> what you used to give up in fees to eBay on a proper advertising and >>>> marketing campaign there is a high probability you would generate >>>> sales and get to keep that customer as a permanent client to do future >>>> marketing to (for free). >>>> >>>> Of course there is no free ride, yes someone has to pay - but the >>>> consumer doesn't really care if it's you who pays, he just knows if >>>> feels he has saved a dollar or two on the way to spending a dollar or >>>> two with you then it's a good shopping experience and he is happy. >>>> >>>> The quote you use and variations of it: "Sales is vanity, profit is >>>> sanity, cash is reality” comes from 1989, before the internet changed >>>> the way business is done. Indeed profit is the key but ask yourself: >>>> was the bricks and mortar shop keeper from the 80s who had to do his >>>> own marketing, his own advertising, pay his rent, his staff, his >>>> utilities, packaging, deposit the takings at the bank, pay clearance >>>> fees etc more or less profitable than the eBay seller of today who has >>>> little or no overheads in comparison but may have to take less margin >>>> in order to compete with every other seller? >>>> >>>> Remember being a poster seller on eBay is like being a fast food >>>> outlet on a 50m street of 100 fast food outlets - all with the same >>>> store front, remind me what your point of difference is again? >>>> >>>> So, for Alan he may not have the advertising might of eBay, but by >>>> offering freight free (on say minimum order size) perhaps free >>>> insurance or whatever that might give him the edge he needs, I >>>> certainly don't think it deceives the customer at all, it gives the >>>> customer what they need - a positive shopping experience. >>>> >>>> David Rew >>>> >>>> Tom Martin wrote on 6/08/2014 2:13 PM: >>>> >>>>> free shiooing?? there is NO free shipping as some has to pay... >>>>> eitherYOU or the buyer all ebay has done is deceive sellers and buyers as >>>>> either the seller gets less... or the shipping is Rolled into ( amortized) >>>>> into the sale.. what a JOKE... ebay make out as they take a fee for the >>>>> shipping charges... which to me should be illlegal.. >>>>> so when You sell your poster... If you want 10 and it costs 30% with >>>>> paypal, listing and endof sale fees thats 3.00 if its 8.00 to ship you are >>>>> a a give away the poster... you needto pay your costs to put tape on a >>>>> TUBE >>>>> and time to wrap and foam and padding costs,,, so you need to make the >>>>> sale >>>>> either higher so the shipping can be part of the sale as a cost,,, and if >>>>> is a 300 poster you can figure you giving away 10% or 30.00 in profit and >>>>> netting 270 - cost of poster say 100 so you have a net profit of 70.00 on >>>>> a >>>>> 300 gross sale after costs.. now consider this a grocerystore make 3% >>>>> after >>>>> costs but they do 20 million gross a month whats 3% of 20 million More >>>>> then >>>>> I can think of at moment but heft profit margin..." Volume is vanity , >>>>> Profit is sanity" >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 2014-08-05 19:17, Alan Adler wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I always have charged insurance in the past. >>>>>> >>>>>> but the shipping costs, rules and country limits are all over the >>>>>> place these days and changing. >>>>>> >>>>>> Makes me just want to give free shipping and insurance and sort it out >>>>>> without bothering the buyer. >>>>>> >>>>>> I know it will cost me something - but on my new website, the toughest >>>>>> thing to get programmed is a shopping cart plug in that actually and >>>>>> correctly handles all the options. >>>>>> >>>>>> Alan >>>>>> >>>>>> On Aug 5, 2014, at 2:57 PM, Susan <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> For you dealers out there shipping posters, do you require a >>>>>>> customers to take insurance on the poster they have bought from you? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sue >>>>>>> www.hollywoodposterframes.com [1] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2014 07:32:30 +1000 >>>>>>>> From: [email protected] >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [MOPO] Free Shipping? >>>>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Why not offer free shipping? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Postage is often a consideration when a buying is contemplating a >>>>>>>> purchase. Remember it is entirely possible/likely the buyer is >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> pricing >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> similar/same products elsewhere, free shipping can make the >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> decision >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> very easy. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I offer free shipping as standard on all purchases over $399, as >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> standard. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> David >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Alan Adler wrote on 6/08/2014 6:51 AM: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Howdy all. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Am considering Free Shipping and Insurance for all sales on my >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> upcoming website. US and Intl. I will also be selling objects. Art. >>>>>>> Toys in boxes. Props. Wardrobe. So not all flats and tubes. Much of >>>>>>> the business is also foreign. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Any of you ecommerce mavins who use or have tried the free >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> option care to log in on your thoughts about it? Or buyers who have >>>>>>> ideas on the matter. Love to hear what you have to say. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance for your time. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Alan Adler >>>>>>>>> Museum of Mom and Pop Culture >>>>>>>>> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com [2] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Send a message addressed to: [email protected] >>>>>>>>> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The author of this message is solely responsible for its >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> content. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com [2] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Send a message addressed to: [email protected] >>>>>>>> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ------------------------- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>>>> >>>>>>> [3] >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ------------------------- >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>>>> [4] >>>>>> >>>>>> Links: >>>>>> ------ >>>>>> [1] http://www.hollywoodposterframes.com/ >>>>>> [2] http://www.filmfan.com/ >>>>>> [3] >>>>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>>>> <https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1> >>>>>> [4] >>>>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ---- >>>>> >>>>> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >>>>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>>>> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>>>> Send a message addressed to: >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>>>> The author of this message is >>>>> solely responsible for its content. >>>>> >>>> >>>> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >>>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>>> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>>> Send a message addressed to: >>>> [email protected] >>>> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>>> The author of this message is >>>> solely responsible for its content. >>>> >>> >>> ---- >>> >>> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >>> ___________________________________________________________________ >>> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>> Send a message addressed to: >>> [email protected] >>> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>> The author of this message is >>> solely responsible for its content. >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Bruce Hershenson and the other 29 members of the eMoviePoster.com team >> P.O. Box 874 >> West Plains, MO 65775 >> Phone: 417-256-9616 (hours: Mon-Fri 9 to 5 except from 12 to 1 when we >> take lunch) >> our site <http://www.emovieposter.com/> >> our auctions <http://www.emovieposter.com/agallery/all.html> >> >> * Complete Buyer Protection >> <http://www.emovieposter.com/unused/20120625ad_emovieposter_no_buyer_beware_buyer_warranty.jpg> >> - *No time limit on our guarantees & *NO* buyer beware >> * Hershenson Help Hotline >> <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/20120906_mcw_ad_hershenson_help_hotline_forsite.jpg> >> - *Direct line to Bruce (our owner!) for urgent problems >> Also, please read the following three pages of in-depth* Customer >> Reviews *of our company * - Page 1 >> <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page1.jpg>, >> Page 2 >> <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page2.jpg>, >> Page 3 >> <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page3.jpg>*, >> which shows you in our customers' own words exactly what makes our company >> and our auctions so very different from all others! >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >> > > > > -- > Bruce Hershenson and the other 29 members of the eMoviePoster.com team > P.O. Box 874 > West Plains, MO 65775 > Phone: 417-256-9616 (hours: Mon-Fri 9 to 5 except from 12 to 1 when we > take lunch) > our site <http://www.emovieposter.com/> > our auctions <http://www.emovieposter.com/agallery/all.html> > > * Complete Buyer Protection > <http://www.emovieposter.com/unused/20120625ad_emovieposter_no_buyer_beware_buyer_warranty.jpg> > - *No time limit on our guarantees & *NO* buyer beware > * Hershenson Help Hotline > <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/20120906_mcw_ad_hershenson_help_hotline_forsite.jpg> > - *Direct line to Bruce (our owner!) for urgent problems > Also, please read the following three pages of in-depth* Customer Reviews > *of our company * - Page 1 > <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page1.jpg>, > Page 2 > <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page2.jpg>, > Page 3 > <http://www.emovieposter.com/images/announcements/buyerreviews_page3.jpg>*, > which shows you in our customers' own words exactly what makes our company > and our auctions so very different from all others! > > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: > https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 > Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
