Today we talk with Bonanzle Boardroom co-host
Phaedra Stockstill
I'm tempted to open this up by stating surely you've heard of Bonanzle by now, but then again the last two sellers I've spoken with who've expressed frustration with some of eBay's recent policies had not yet heard of Bonanzle. Well, after speaking with me they have. Here's the thing though, those folks planned to check Bonanzle out after hearing about it from me personally--that personal touch likely gives them a little extra incentive.
Perhaps you are aware of Bonanzle at this point but have yet to try it out. Believe me, I know how these things go, I probably have two dozen sites bookmarked right now that relate to my business in one way or another, but as the old saying goes our most precious commodity is time. Chances are I won't get to check out most of those sites as I'd like too. But what we're going to do today is try to give you that little extra personal push to check out Bonanzle.
Today in this space I have the pleasure of asking a few Bonanzle related questions to my friend Phaedra Stockstill. Like myself Phaedra joined Bonanzle during it's early Beta period during the second half of 2008. Unlike myself she stuck with it and has not only carved out quite a presence for herself on the site but has made a name for herself through her own Bonanzle related ventures.
Phaedra is currently:
- National Bonanzle Examiner
- Host with Judy Oglesby of the Bonanzle Boardroom Podcast
- Co-Author of BonanzleBoardroom.com
- Pioneer Bonanzle Educator at LearnToSellOnBonanzle.com
Far from just a talking head, Phaedra is in the trenches selling with the rest of us. You can find her at the self-explanatory WholesaleIncenseSticks.com and find more of her handmade products such as soaps and oils inside her AtTheBoutique Bonanzle Booth.
She also gains praise from the top dawg at Bonanzle, Founder and CEO Bill Harding, who says:
Phaedra really knows her stuff. Since the early days of Bonanzle, she has been a resource that our seller community has relied upon to save time, make more sales, and generally leverage Bonanzle to its fullest potential. Not only that, but she has a knack for delivering her wisdom with a lightheartedness that makes learning fun. I'd highly recommend her to any Bonanzle seller, new or old.
While I still keep a small presence on Bonanzle I haven't been especially active on the site since this past Spring, and so that is the perspective that I questioned Phaedra from. Basically I wanted to know if things were still going strong and what I'd been missing out on. Here we go:
Q: As somebody who has a clue about Bonanzle but has otherwise fallen off the grid could you tell me what I've been missing out on?
Phaedra: Anyone not involved with Bonanzle has missed out on quite a bit. The marketplace has continued an unprecedented rate of growth and has implemented a large number of new features, including but not limited to, a markdown manager, published coupons, calculated international shipping, and more. On top of these, Bonanzle opened its API to developers and an iphone app is on the way with many more to follow I am sure.
Q: Simplicity was possibly the key attribute when I was most active on Bonanzle, but I suppose this has to give way naturally as features and functions are added to the site. Is it still easy for someone to set-up a Booth on Bonanzle and how quickly is the typical listing composed?
Phaedra: Bonanzle has remained true to its goal of simplicity for the most part. A fresh new listing can still be done in about 2 minutes or less, without bells and whistles. It is still a one page listing implementation. I believe the opening of the API was Bill Harding’s way of sticking to his goal of simplicity for the site itself, yet allowing for all the bells and whistles to be created as a choice for each individual seller.
Q: What's your favorite feature that's been recently added?
Phaedra: Bonanzle was one of the first marketplaces to implement the site wide Google feed to remain in compliance and keep the sellers items in Google Shopping after Google's recent changes. Definitely my favorite as the top issue for most sellers was getting this feed set up initially. This is no longer an issue.
Q: What would be your top tip for brand new sellers to the site?
Phaedra: Tell yourself every day, this is not eBay and yes it is this simple to do. Do not make it more difficult than it actually is.
Q: Beyond your top tip for the newbie seller what would be your hidden gem piece of advice for anyone currently selling on the site?
Phaedra: It is your business, and Bonanzle allows you to conduct your business as such. Take ownership, treat your booth as if it was your own site, and take advantage of all the communication available to you as a seller to your clients. It can and does make a huge difference. Take the time to read, learn, and get to know the site. As I stated above it is a different venue, with a different attitude – take the time to acclimate yourself to it.
Q: One of the unique features Bonanzle sported when it came on the scene and continues today is a Live Chat in Booth. Do you find a majority of buyers want to engage you inside your Booth or do they prefer to shop without interaction? Do chatty customers make good customers?
Phaedra: For me it has been a good mix. For my particular product line communication is a huge key. Clients have questions about their skin care, and when I am right there available and willing to help them answer those questions, the value is increased and cemented. The booth chat has been and continues to be a valuable tool for me. I use it connected remotely to my Google Talk client as I am working elsewhere on the internet and can be available. Those clients that I have had conversations with, are always the ones who become fans, not just buyers. And as we all know, fans sell your products for you.
Q: Is Bonanzle doing anything special targeted towards this Christmas?
Phaedra: Bonanzle has made some major feature implementations for the holiday season, and quite frankly a huge improvement over last year’s. The marketplace has implemented a bit of ‘bling’ on the home page (look for the image shown to the right). Here potential buyers will find the newly implemented gift guides, recent seller coupon codes and Bonanzas (a short 1 to 3 hour sale in a booth, usually with big discounts). Bill (Harding) also implemented a markdown manager for sellers to take advantage of in creating sales.
Thank you so much, Phaedra, I really appreciate your taking the time to do this!
Be sure to visit Phaedra Stockstill at her sites mentioned above the interview, her Bonanzle Booth, and she invites you to strike up a conversation with her on Twitter as well.
You can also find me talking e-commerce on Twitter.
Comments
I sell on Bonanzle, and although the sales are a little slow at times, the atmosphere is family like. Bonanzlers are some of the nicest buyers and sellers that I have ever known. I hope more people join this wonderful site, I know I'm glad I did :)
"Tell yourself every day, this is not eBay.....Take ownership, treat your booth as if it was your own site, and take advantage of all the communication available to you as a seller to your clients."
Ain't THAT the truth!
Also take responsibility for your listings, don't price your product higher than elsewhere and be surprised when nothing sells. With immensely lower fees you have room to drop prices and still turn a profit.
90% of my Bonanzle buyers are direct from Google or Bing.
I never did any serious selling online before besides a few items here and there on 'the bay'. When we decided it was time to clear a very large teddy bear collection we inherited I tried ebay-spent way to much in fees with little return and went looking for another place. Found Bonanzle, set up a booth, read as much as I could-and there was always someone willing to help. That was 5 months ago. I have since done better than I expected considering the economy and have since opened a second booth. For a beginner this site is a great place to learn. It IS easy and I am grateful that I found it and for all those that have helped me.
My thanks to the "Boyz", Phaedra, Bluepenny and the list just goes on!
Cindy
CindyBear's Den
ccmom (It's Your Turn)
As a "Bonanzler" and the Birmingham Music examiner, I can tell you this 'Little Spa Lady' knows Bonanzle! Her show with Judy aka Blueppenylady is packed with information from start to finish for both the newbie and veterans alike.
I personally have turned to Phaedra many times, and she has always had a willing ear to listen and help with problems with straightforward answers.
She is known as the go-to person on Bonanzle and trust me, the title is well deserving!
GREAT article Cliff!
Bonanzle is a wonderful venue that has come along way in a short time, and has done amazing things. Great article Cliff!
Having sold at ebay for nearly eleven years I am just finishing up my first year at Bonanzle and I am pleased beyond describing. As Phaedra said in the interview, at Bonanzle you are free to establish and conduct your own business within Bonanzle site policy. It's in my opinion capitalisim at its BEST. I am free to display up to 10,000 items in my booth, and market them as I choose. Every day I am thankful to wake up and go to my Bonanzle Booth and do whatever.
I thank Bill Harding and the Bonanzle staff for providing a venue to occupy and Old geezers mind and time.
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