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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
05/31/07 11:57 AM
Markdown Manager  

Has anyone used Markdown Manager? I just read about it, and it sounds like a good way to reduce prices of BIN items (apparently, the original price is shown with a slash through it; you can schedule the mark-downs in advance; you can allow them to run for a limited period of time; etc).

Can the reduced prices be imported to AW???

Sue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
05/31/07 12:04 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Yes I have used and do use the Mark Down manager. And it works wonderfully.

For instance, I have a 75% off clothing sale right now. I listed a group of clothing at the full retail price, then used the Mark down manager to set the 75% off sale for the full 30 days the Store listings run. Super slick.

You can either allow the Mark Down manager to select all of a category. Or you can manually select individual auctions. Just remember. Once you set a sale you cannot add anything else to it. So if you do a jewelry sale for an entire category and list jewelry two days later in the same category, the newly listed jewelry will not be on sale.

And yes, the reduced price is store properly in AW2000.

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
05/31/07 12:27 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Ok, I'll give it a try ASAP. Sounds great.

Judy wrote: "Just remember. Once you set a sale you cannot add anything else to it. So if you do a jewelry sale for an entire category and list jewelry two days later in the same category, the newly listed jewelry will not be on sale."

That sounds like a good thing. Wish I could use Markdown Manager for my B&M stuff. I hate that I can hang up signs for 20% off, but then when I take in new items, I have to mark the tags FIRM to keep them from being instantly "on sale". The only other option is to price them 20% higher than I really think the market will bear, but then when the sale signs come down, the prices are too high. Mall woes. It's another reason malls are closing their doors right and left -- just so much harder to manage than online sales.

"And yes, the reduced price is store properly in AW2000."

Do you mean the prices are changed in AW when you do an Update All?

Thanks, Sue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
05/31/07 12:35 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

It doesn't matter what Start/BIN price you use to list your Store auction lots. What it sells at is what stores in the Invoices and the Sale price field on the Auction lot tab.

So if I list a $19.99 shirt and then have a 75% off sale, when the shirt sells, $5.00 is what appears on the Invoice as well as the "Sale Price" field on the Auction lot.

I understand completely. I have the same problem here in my B&M store. For the regular retailer, online sales are just a no brainer. Since we already have the fixed expenses, etc, going online does nothing but broaden the customer base and generate more revenue. Not to mention getting rid of inventory. Especially here where I am---population 3500.

And it sure teachs the customers a lesson too. If something doesn't sell here, I take it off the retail floor, put it in AW2000 and list that dude. Then my customers wonder why the 75 to 90% off racks are not as big as they use to be. Why should I give stuff away when I can put it online and someone will buy it. Plus, some stinker doesn't steal it or tear up the package and then want a discount because the package is defaced.

Can you tell it has been a long retail week

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
05/31/07 12:47 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

What I meant was....do the discounted prices get adjusted on the unsold Lots when you do an Update. I'm sure, now that I think about it, that they don't. How 'bout if you did an Import? I just mean the prices on the Lots would still be the original prices -- you'd have to just remember you had discounted groups or individual items, right?

The mall customers around here are almost all clueless about the internet and seem to be very anti-eBay (had one bad experience -- probably their own damn fault! -- and claim they'll never try it again). I want to hang up a big sign that says, "IT'S ABOUT TO BE OFFERED TO THE WORLD, SO IF YOU WANT IT, BUY IT NOW"

And boy, can I relate to the theft issue! If I could lock up everything, I would, but then nothing would sell. Customers are too unassertive to ask for help or don't like waiting for someone to grab the keys.

Eventually, malls will have to acknowledge eBay/the internet and somehow become bedfellows.

Sue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
05/31/07 01:21 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Do we live in the same town!??? It is the same around here. No one wants to try the Internet. They would rather pay their staff to lean their butts against the front cash register than to give them something productive to do, like taking pictures and putting inventory in AW2000. Why that takes work. And besides, "Why--I've heard about the Internet""!! You are right, probably was their own fault.

I may try the sign. You know it might just work. We do put flyers in our customers sacks explaining how we work. We price stuff and put it out. If it doesn't sell in the first 30 days, it starts getting pulled off the retail floor and moved to the Internet. Customers are learning to get it while the getting is good. Of course, they could go online and bid.

And I am seriously considering putting a computer on the sales floor so customers can log into eBay, pull up bluepennylady auctions, use the BIN and pay at the front register. I bet I have a least two or three people ask almost everyday if they can bid and pay here. Well of course you can.

Thieves just irritate the daylights out of me. AND when you catch them, they act like they are mad at you for thinking they shouldn't be stealing. I have had some of the darndest experiences with shoplifters.

Okay, back on task here---(can't get me started with shoplifting)

I don't know which would be imported, the BIN price or the mark down price. But I will find out for sure and let you know.

Judy/blue



Ned
(journeyman)
05/31/07 02:58 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy wrote

In reply to:

And I am seriously considering putting a computer on the sales floor so customers can log into eBay, pull up bluepennylady auctions, use the BIN and pay at the front register. I bet I have a least two or three people ask almost everyday if they can bid and pay here. Well of course you can.


And you're educating them too. They've bought something on eBay.

Does seem to me you'd want to lock that computer down so it acts as a bluepennylady kiosk--that is, they can't get anywhere else on your computer, not even other eBay auctions. No clue how to do that.

'Course, if you could confine the PC to eBay only, but not just your stuff--you could open an eBay cafe. Really expensive coffee and access to online auctions.

Ned




bluepennylady
(veteran)
05/31/07 03:08 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: Ned]  

Ned,

You have no idea how close you are to what I would love to do. There isn't a coffee shop here in Columbus. And I would love to have one here in the store with wireless Internet availabililty. Would be so cool.

I am looking into exactly how I would want the machines locked down. I know how to do some of it. As I have to lock and unlock computers at the college. I just have to determine precisely what I want allowed.

Judy/blue



Ned
(journeyman)
05/31/07 03:23 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy,

I think what you want is best controlled from the router. Even if the cafe uses the same broadband access line as other JudyCo enterprises, the cafe should have its own separate wireless network. With the cafe on its own router you can deal with security & access entirely independently. Much easier.

Ned




bluepennylady
(veteran)
05/31/07 03:27 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: Ned]  

Ned,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll run a completely different line for that. And another router. There isn't any way in the world, I want a public Internet tied into the same network as mine.

But I sure think the coffee shop would be oh so cool.

Judy/blue



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
05/31/07 10:10 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy:
Locking down the computer can be fairly easy. If you use Zone Alarm Pro (paid edition) you have full control over where the computer goes or does not go. There is a section in there that you type either where it can go or can't go. In your case once you decide where it can go it would be easier to enter that information. Other software firewalls also would probably have something similar. I'm not sure so won't comment though. Also there is opensource software that can be used to achieve the same thing. Let me see if I can find it and I'll let you know. By the way -- if you are using a fixed IP on the computers AND you have access to the router you can do it that way on an allow basis.

Garry



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 03:01 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Garry,

Thanks for the info.

Zone alarm I am familiar with. Used it before. When you find the other infoon the opensource, let me know.

Judy/blue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 10:10 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue and all.

I created an auction using SYI form and waited for the Mark Down manager to mark it down. When the auction lot imported into AW2000, the Sale price stored. Not the original Start/BIN price (eBay store listing)

So now we know. If you create the auction at eBay and import, the Mark down price is what is stored.

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 11:33 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Good to know. Thanks. :)

Sue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 11:40 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Well I am glad I used the SYI form. Other changes have been made in the last three weeks which is since the last seminar I did. I found a few surprises. So I am super glad I did a "test"

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 11:59 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy, you are just the person to do this, that's for sure.

There was a huge, three-story local mall about 5 or 6 years ago that attempted something along these lines, where walk-in customers were encouraged to bid on items that were currently on eBay and on the floor. The things that had been listed on eBay had tags indicating the item was in limbo until the auction ended (sort of maddening right there -- the things were just mixed in with various dealers' regular merchandise, and as I recall, the "buy-it-here" price was considerably higher than the eBay opening bid). They had a few computers set up under a tent-like enclosure where the staff would help you find the item and place a bid (dark, dreary area -- maybe that contributed to its lack of success). Who knows exactly why the mall shut down a couple years later, but it's gone now (it was in a good location, so that wasn't the problem). I bet it would do better if tried now -- people are more internet-savvy, connections are faster, and eBay has become more newbie-friendly, I think. I wonder how many antique malls around the country are trying to integrate internet sales and/or eBay into their B&M set-up.

Sue




tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 01:01 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Hmmmm...... (another thing probably everyone but me already knew about):

http://pages.ebay.com/antiquemalls/

Sue





tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 01:09 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Lots of the eBay Antique Malls listed on that page are messed up in one way or another. Not maintained, no listings, etc. I'm hoping someone on this Forum will recognize a mall local to them and visit it to see how in works for walk-in customers. Is the stuff that's online still for sale in person?

Sue



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 01:15 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Some of the sellers I know who have B&M stores as well as sell on eBay, they allow the customer to bid on the item and pick up at the store. Some of them have the product on the sales floor in a special area and it is marked that it is online. Others I know make a weekly little catalog thing to hand out.

I don't know about how the malls do it though.

Judy/blue



moonstruck22
(journeyman)
06/01/07 05:00 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,
You weren't alone, I didn't know about this either!
I am going to have check into this further also.

Marty



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 05:42 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: moonstruck22]  

I wonder how in the world you are suppose to find out about the antique mall on eBay. I have never seen anything in the site map--at least that I recall.

I am going to look further as well. Because I have had a host of students in classes that want to sell antiques on eBay. And directory searches are the hotest thing right now.

Judy/blue



moonstruck22
(journeyman)
06/01/07 06:18 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  


Well Judy it's simple just let Sue do all the detective work she loves to do and she tells us, and we all share it with the world together!!

Just spent some time looking at the antique mall area and just like Sue I was disappointed. Seems like not many are maintained. It is interesting that the "to sell" requirement is a certain amount of listing per week. Many hadn't had listings, or feedback since 04, 05 but were still listed as valid sellers. I also thought we may be in luck as to being able to personally visiting the b and m. One of the listings is a mall within 30 minutes that I have been in many times. But I never saw any indication that they were selling on eBay. Now when I check their listings they don't have any, no links are maintained, my guess that they don't do eBay sales!
I know the featured mall, heart of ohio, been there physically and they are a great experience. But don't know how they handle the eBay thing either.
So we research further.

Marty



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 06:22 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: moonstruck22]  

Marty,

I can't find a hint of the antique mall directory anywhere on eBay. I have already combed more thoroughly in the "site map" nada. Unless I am blind as a bat.

In the Antiques category main page, I found no links. So I am a bit lost as to how in the world anyone is suppose to find it. But it is a great idea.

I did the same thing. Clicked on some of the links. Wasn't impressed. Perhaps I'll email eBay customer support on Monday and see what is up with it. Or maybe LIve chat that way we can get some really confused information

Your wife feeling better today??

Judy/blue



moonstruck22
(journeyman)
06/01/07 06:48 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Judy,
Today has been another tough one, however, there has been much improvement in the last hour or so. She is at least sitting up and able to eat a little.
Things are looking up as we continue to look up!
Thanks again for asking!

Marty



bluepennylady
(veteran)
06/01/07 07:18 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: moonstruck22]  

Marty,

YES!! that is great news! Chow down girl.
Well maybe not chow down yet but at least poke a little food down

Judy/blue



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 08:36 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Sue, Marty, Judy --

I seem to remember about a year ago or could be longer (the mind goes as one gets older) there was a big blowing of trumpets and throwing of confetti and eBay announced an Antique Mall and promises of other boutique type Malls.

After the grand Ta da's were over I checked it out and believe it or not there wasn't a lot more going on there than there is now. There were a lot of stores but nothing in them. Now I see there are less stores and half of them are no longer registered on eBay.

I'm not sure what happened. But Judy you are right - they hid the fact that the mall existed. I had forgotten about it until Sue mentioned it.

There is a fairly active Mall on PayPal (I'm sure that it is almost if not entirely free). All you need is a PayPal Seller account. Also it may be interesting to check out RubyLane Mall Stores at http://www.rubylane.com. You may remember them from the days of free counters.

Garry



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
06/01/07 08:46 PM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: bluepennylady]  

Marty:
I second Judy's sentiments. It's truly one day at a time, I know, but how great it is when the day turns out well. It takes tiny steps but when your wife is feeling a tad better and ready to try eating it's a time to rejoice. I remember one of the best days with my Dad's chemo - out of the blue he asked me if I would go get him a Checkers Hamburg. I drove like the mad man I am. He ate over half of it. That was a good day!

Garry



globalduk
(stranger )
08/15/07 08:03 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: AquilaStamps]  

I know this thread isn't to active and was started quite a while ago.

But it was mentioned in this thread about setting up a pc in ones b/m store to allow customers to bid on your auctions or bin and pay there.

I would NOT do this - if the location and connection is also where you list from.

You could be accused of shill bidding and have your auctions shut down and asked to take a tutorial.

Something about ebay monitoring the IP address of the bidder vs seller.

amy



bluepennylady
(veteran)
08/15/07 08:14 AM
Re: Markdown Manager new [re: globalduk]  

Amy,

Yes you are correct. If I set up computers in the front part of my Bricks and Mortar Store, they will be on a different network and router. So the IP addresses are different than the network from which the Auction lots are listed.

Judy/blue




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