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Where Can I sell online besides eBay?

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Where Can I Sell Online Besides eBay?

Many of the forums I used to visit are full of comments from sellers angry at the changes eBay has made over the years and continues to make even now. The eBay seller boards are especially angry all the time now. The same question is asked over and over: "Where Can I Sell Online Besides eBay?"

If you're among the hundreds of online auction sellers looking for a new online auction venue to sell online, I offer you the tips on this page.

On this page are the criteria that I used for choosing new eBay alternative auction sites to sell on. I will also suggest some potentially successful sites that I have reviewed, based on my own criteria. Be sure to bookmark this page as I may add and/or change content as I find information. This is my own list, shared so that maybe you can use it for ideas to develop your own criteria.

As of May 2009, I no longer list on any online auction sites as I have built my own web sites instead. I do hope to return as a seller at some point, but for the moment ~ I'm an avid online auction buyer.

We're in the business of selling. The more we help each other, the better chance we have of succeeding.

I hope that these criteria are helpful to you in some small way.

Contents at a Glance

My Top Ten Criteria For Choosing An eBay...
Traffic: Something To Remember
Online Selling Help
My Top Ten Criteria For Choosing An Onli...
Blogs About eBay alternatives
It's Time To Find An Alternative To eBay...
Resources For Online Sellers & Shopp...
These Are The Online Auction Sites I Cho...
More About eBay & Alternative Online...

Honored to be chosen Lens Of The Day, November 3, 2011. Thank you, Squidoo!

My Top Ten Criteria For Choosing An eBay Alternative Auction Site

Part One

Taking a much needed break from online auction sites in 2007-2008 gave me a chance to consider what exactly I want from an eBay alternative auction site. I had time to observe a number of sites, new and established. This helped me form my own criteria for what I want from an eBay alternative auction site. I still observe existing sites & check out new ones. I'm no expert, but I've been an online seller since 1997. Talk about frontier days!

I'll share these with you here, but remember that these are what I'm looking for as a seller. You may need or want something else entirely. No one site fits all sellers as we all have different merchandise, selling styles, payment preferences, technical abilities and more. But you are welcome to use my list as a starting point in setting your own criteria.

Choose an established site; No brand new, just-opened sites. Been there, done that. I don't see myself as not being supportive of new online auction sites, just burned out with trying them. I've listed on well over 20 online auction sites in my "career." Among them were Yahoo Auctions, Bidville, Romahawk, YourHighBid, WeBidz, HiBidder, and others. Some aren't even around anymore. New sites just don't have enough traffic or exposure.

Too many new sites are being started every day by individuals who may not have the experience or knowledge to run an online auction site, much less compete with the 900 pound gorilla in the room - eBay. As sellers, we are in the business to make money, therefore we need sites that are in the best positions to help us do just that.

It's okay to support new sites and try them out, but if you're looking for a new online auction site home base, you need one you can depend on. Established sites have worked out the kinks, have their own reputation established and therefore ~ have the best chance of bringing you sales.
Choose a site with demonstrated TARGETED traffic. I use my own methods for checking this, and Alexa is only one small part. Other ways to check traffic can be sites like Compete.com, MarketLeap and others.

Also, watch sales as they occur on the online auction site over time. Check the feedback of BUYERS. If the people doing all the buying are other sellers, run the other way.
Choose a site with multiple payment options available. You want the flexibility & control to be able to offer your customers choices. This does not mean that the site allows ME, the seller to pay the site their fees in different ways. This means that I, the seller can offer my customer several options for payment, such as Paypal, Google Checkout, Revolution Money Exchange, Amazon Payments, MoneyBookers and/or a number of other options that are out there. And they should WORK.

Continued....keep going...

Important!

Traffic: Something To Remember

Don't expect the same traffic and immediate sales results from *any* alternative online auction site that you may have gotten on eBay. It takes time, lots of self-promotion and patience to get started and succeed on an eBay alternative auction site. eBay has had the benefit of being around for many years and spending millions in advertising. A very good reason for taking care in choosing a new online auction home. Choose one that has some traffic and is in the search engines.

Online Selling Help

My Top Ten Criteria For Choosing An Online Auction Site

Part Two

If you have a lot of items to list, look for a site with a working bulk lister. Emphasis on the WORKING part. No workarounds, no frequent breakdowns, no "we're working on one." The bulk-lister must be working, all the time and as close to error-free as it can possibly be made.

There may be big fans out there of listing items one at a time, but I am not one of them. As sellers we need to save time. A bulk lister also gives you the ability to save your listings in it, in case of emergency.
Choose a site that markets & promotes & advertises itself OUTSIDE of its own forums and other internet forums. To me, this means the site actively searches for ways to bring BUYERS (and not just more sellers) to the site. Its marketing speaks to SHOPPERS, not just sellers.

This should include social media marketing, which is for the most part--FREE except for the investment in time. Need I say that if you target shoppers, the sellers will come?

This does NOT mean just traffic exchanges, yahoo and other groups and forums. It does NOT mean pushing sellers to do all the marketing themselves.

There are a host of free marketing & promotion ideas that online auction sites could avail themselves of, but I see so few using or using them well.
Choose a speedy site; one that is rarely down and loads pages quickly. All advertised features should be working consistently. 'Nuff said.

Blogs About eBay alternatives

What are bloggers saying about where to sell online besides eBay?

PayPal Is Coming to a Brick-and-Mortar Store Near You: But online auction powerhouse eBay, owner of PayPal, thinks there's room for one more competitor to bank-issued debit and credit cards with a logo such as Visa or MasterCard on the front: The company plans to roll out PayPal in brick-and-mortar ...
Top Online Auctioneer Saffronart Launches First-Ever Sale Of Western Art In India: Saffronart was founded in 2000, taking a page from eBay's book, as an online auction house ? yet one that specializes in modern and contemporary Indian art. Almost immediately, the company found an audience, quickly selling $125K worth of fine art.
PayPal soon to be a payment option at major retail stores: PayPal, the online payment processing service owned by eBay, recently revealed that it was conducting a test run of being a payment option at 51 Home Depot locations across the country but will likely be available in all of the hardware chain's stores ...
eBay Tests New Design of Completed Listings Page: eBay UK described the changes to the design of the completed listing page: "It will feature an overview of key details related to the listings that has ended. From there users will be able to access alternative listings from the same seller, ...

It's Time To Find An Alternative To eBay!

eBay has frustrated its sellers *and* its buyers more with their 2008 and forward changes than with all previous year changes put together. Buyers can no longer find items they want from their favorite sellers. Sellers are closing down shop and leaving due to fee increases, the feedback debacle, not being found in search and/or the payment method mess (no checks or money orders; Paypal required).

Warning: Spam will be removed!

So What Are You Gonna Do?

Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Are You Going To Stay With eBay & Hope For The Best?

elancep says:

I think the best approach is stay with eBay while exploring other venues as well. It never hurts to be selling on more than one site. More eyeballs = more sales.

Posted December 26, 2011

jadehorseshoe says:

I will stay with EBAY and use many other sites, too.

Posted December 20, 2011

michaeloc says:

Ebay is best.

Posted December 16, 2011

NancyOram says:

I sell on six or seven sites including eBay. The others added together still don't add up to sales on eBay, but are worth the additional income. Hating many of the changes, but sticking with eBay as long as it's profitable.

Posted November 07, 2011

4U2C says:

Oh, dear! I need another option for my answer. I buy and sell on ebay a lot, but I also have my own websites, and sell on other sites. When I needed to sell some things for a special trip we had to make overseas, ebay was wonderful, and all of my items sold. Daily, I sell on my own website, and occasionally on some others. They have all been good to me, so I am going to vote for staying - with reservations, as I do not particularly like some of the changes implemented by ebay in the past few years.

Posted November 05, 2011

Are You Going To Leave eBay For An Alternative Auction Site?

Steve_Kaye says:

I avoid ebay because of their high fees. Now I use craigslist or I just donate the item.

Posted February 13, 2012

melodie higgins says:

i am rating ebay below standards in all feedback catogries im tired of the site with no suport that only takes half of your sales has top sellers with pinpals a rude space to try and sell your namebrands only the dishonest sellers can get add coverage ebay is a drowing company with no suport or friends they will colapse you have to suport your boilding or sooner or latter the building will colapse and not one person would miss this cacer riden company they are destroying them selfs i give them 4 more years tops some good sales by honest people who really do care about comester satflction can not sell on ebay the canceh sells eat and distroy any healthry sells so the cancer can survie im leaving i know sales and i love it but not on ebay i will make it by good suport of my walls my foundation will be comster service and honest qulitey purses and clothing

Posted February 12, 2012

nancycarol says:

I don't use ebay or any of these sites. I've not been happy with any of them but Amazon and AllPosters. Thanks for sharing.

Posted February 12, 2012

Valerie says:

I shut my premium store down after 15 years. Tired of being pushed and beat up by corporate america.

Posted January 18, 2012

andradar says:

I sell on Ebay, but Ebay is expensive service if they are determined for each product placement fees and at the end take another 10 per cent - it is expensive. I'm trying to find other options.

Posted January 02, 2012

view all 94 comments

Resources For Online Sellers & Shoppers

Every Place I Sell - Free online merchant directory for ecommerce shopping!: Find and track your favorite sellers to locate all of their products at the best prices!
Creative Shop Talk: Forum peer support for online business webmasters running a website store.
Auction Sellers Motivators: ASM is a cooperative community of online sellers working to improve their businesses. Whether you sell on eBay, Amazon, Etsy, your own web site or any number of other venues, we're your source for top quality advice! We welcome everyone from those just starting out to seasoned, online professionals.
Repatoo - you know what they say - online auction feedback/reputation manager: We believe that your reputation and feedback profile are your most important assets when transacting online. Be it auctions, classifieds or any other kind of peer to peer exchange, you should be able to bring it with you wherever you go. Repatoo makes your reputation portable across any site on whic
Amazon Payments: Getting started with Amazon Payments is easy. If you already have an Amazon.com account, an Amazon Payments account has already been created for you; this account will be activated when you make your first payment on any third-party website that accepts Amazon Payments. Your Amazon Payments account is linked to your Amazon.com account, and you can use the credit cards associated with your Amazon.com account right away.
Google Checkout - Merchants: Google Checkout is a fast, convenient checkout process that brings you more customers and allows them to buy from you with a single login - and you can process their orders and charge their credit or debit cards for free.
Independent news and resources for online retailers: EcommerceBytes. Independent news and resources for online retailers.
Powersellers Unite - Online Auction Industry Discussion Forum: PSU was "born" when eBay implemented rate increases that significantly impacted sellers large & small. The fee hikes affect buyers also, as most sellers have no choice but to pass on the eBay fees to buyers. Our focus has now shifted away from the eBay boycott in early 2005 to helping sellers, and buyers, find the best alternative auction site(s) for their needs.

Ebay self employed mug by occupationtshirts

These Are The Online Auction Sites I Chose

Answer to my own question: Where Can I Sell Online Besides eBay?

As of May 2009, I do not list on any venue as I now have my own web sites. However, I still keep up with the industry (can't help myself) in case I should decide to return.

WeBidz Auctions - An eBay Alternative Auction Site - Online Auction Site with Free Auctions: WeBidz Auctions is an eBay Alternative Auction Site. Buy or sell with our online auction community today. Bid low to get your next great deal. Free auction listing is a great alternative to eBay. WeBidz is an online bargain shopping mall with thousands of online auctions at bargain prices.
eBid Online Auctions - Buy & Sell in our Fee Free Internet Auctions for United States: Visit eBid United States, the Online Auction House without the Fees - buy and sell today.
AlsoShop A Free auction site for auction sellers by auction sellers!: Alsoshop, A free auction site for auction sellers by auction sellers, where sellers offer items they possess for sale in auction or fixed price format

More About eBay & Alternative Online Auction Sites

My Top Ten Criteria For Choosing An Online Auction Site

Part Three

The site you choose should be consistently submitting their "buy now" item listings to Google Shopping at the very least; ideally to as many other shopping directories, RSS directories and search engines, shopping aggregators, etc. as possible.

The point is - consistently and submitting to as many places as possible. Want to check? Google some items in Google Shopping and see which eBay alternative auction sites are showing up. Then go to Yahoo search and Bing and do the same.
Choose a site with no listing fees, free gallery, some enhancement fees and a decent FVF (final value fee). I do believe in paying a site when my items sell and I believe in paying for using enhancements such as "Front Page Featured."

An online auction site with no fees is usually using Google AdSense or other ads for income. These ads may appear next to YOUR items and inadvertently drive buyers away from your items.

Seller stores should NOT always be free on eBay alternative auction sites. They should bear a tiered cost; from a free store level to a premium store level; with additional features as applicable. These store fees should be a part of the sites income.

If an online auction site does not earn enough income on fees, how can they expect to stay in business? Free online auction sites are NOT a good idea. Bad business model. When they can't make a go of the site, what will you do then? Move again?

The site should charge a FVF for items SOLD, to have some revenue coming in; 5% is fair in my book.
Choose a site that provides you with tools to market your listings. You should have an RSS feed for your items WITH IMAGES. If you have a store on the site, the link to your store should be search engine friendly - not a bunch of code. Perhaps some of the alternative auction sites should provide their sellers with free banners for listing on the site. The sellers can then use these banners to advertise elsewhere.
Choose a site with no drama! You don't need to have your business associated with members who are involved in putting down other auction sites. Things to watch out for are:

*People who are registering on one site in order to send messages to members recruiting for another site;

*Posting non-constructive criticisms of a site's sellers or of the site on other forums. There is a professional, business like way to raise concerns.

*The site owner is: combative, uncommunicative, absent from the site, silent, unwilling to listen to members and ACT on viable suggestions, unwilling to accept responsibility.

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SudokuNut Feb 12, 2012 @ 11:36 pm | delete

I've sold on Amazon and eBay, much prefer Amazon to be honest, it's far less trouble setting up the listing although their fees suck too. It's hard to turn a significant profit when everyone wants a piece of the pie. I tried some smaller auction sites without a lot of luck but I mostly do affiliate stuff these days anyway. I found I'm better at driving traffic than selling things myself.

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grannysage Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:32 am | delete

We sold on E-Bay for several years and did quite well. Then sales dropped off because people were hit with phishing scams and were afraid to use PayPal. We finally quit and I was relieved because it was a lot of work. Now I enjoy letting Squidoo handle the details for me. You've provided some interesting alternatives here.

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nancycarol Feb 12, 2012 @ 12:45 am | delete

Thanks for sharing your alternatives. I may investigate a few.

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arperinos Feb 10, 2012 @ 2:16 am | delete

Very interesting lens. Good work !

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andradar Jan 2, 2012 @ 2:05 pm | delete

Thank you for this lens, I used your information and begin to sell products on Webiz and try Auctionbiz (Australia) website, now I look at Bonanza. Your lens very helpful to me! Thank you!
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I am a wife, mother, and grandmother with a real passion for knitting, crochet, reading, and Squidoo. Here on Squidoo I am a Giant Squid, member of the... more »

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Where Can I sell online besides eBay?