Today we're going to take a look at www.bonanzle.com. I've got a lot to share with you - so I'm going to have to break this up into two days :) In this post I'm going to share the response I got from a seller on Bonanzle. I'm just getting to know Terri, she's one of my twitter friends, and she's been incredibly helpful! The next post (in a day or two) will take a more in depth look at the site itself.
~ How long have you been selling with this site?
Selling on Bonanzle Since September 16 2008, (Just out of Beta) there were about 1700 members, and 30,000 listings then, now there are over 16,000 members and 600,000 listings.
~ On a scale of 1-10, (1 being hardest and 10 being easiest) how hard/easy is it to navigate and use the site?
Site is sooooo easy to navigate I have to give it a 8.5 to a 9, as I would give it a 10, but no site is ever completely perfect...only because there is a small learning curve. The live chat and active forums, plus the Human nearly immediate support response make it very easy to find answers to your questions.
~ Have you had success selling on this site?
My top selling category is Jewelry and Jewelry findings. I also sell quite a few semi-precious and real gem stones.
~ Are there any key features that find especially helpful on this site?
The live chat is awesome, the forums are very warm and welcoming. I especially like the fact that I have over 1000 separate items listed, and have not paid a penny in listing fees....I can also include up to 4 photos, free. Final value fees are incredibly low. Up to $10 the fee is $.50, up to $50, it is $1.00.., and up to $100 it is $3.00. If you post a question in the forums, you most likely will get a hundred responses and welcomes from the members. You can chat right in your booth with friends or customers, either publically or privately. You can have 1 advertised "Bonanza" (sale) per month, and as many self promoted sales as you like. I am also an administrator of the site wide Meet & Greet called Tickle Me Tuesday, which allows people to get out and visit participating booths, have a sale, and get exposure for their own booths.
~ What's the community of artists like?
There is a huge on line community, not only artists, but sellers of many items. A large part of this community is comprised of ex-eBay Power Sellers, who have left for a variety of well known reasons. There is an entire thread of Hand Crafters, who chat, and help to promote each other. I belong to the Jewelry Integrity Group, (JIG) myself. Because we are a relatively new site and all know the bad feelings of poor customer service and high fees, the entire community bends over backwards, for the sake of Customer Service. The owners are very approachable for ideas and to solve problems.
Woohoo! Doesn't that sound pretty cool folks? I'm going to be doing some more research into the lay out and everything for the next post, but I have to say that this site sounds pretty awesome just from my initial research. Now to tell you a little more about Terri...
You can find her shop on bonanzle under blarney_stone, and she wasn't kidding when she said she had over 1000 listings! *whew* It wears me out just thinking of all that work... Terri is doing a SALE TODAY from 1:00pm to 10:00pm Central time - 20% off everything in her booth.
So what can you find in her shop? Well, being a jewelry-freak I of course started out by checking out her jewelry and findings section. Look at this awesome butterfly pendant I found! Only $3.99 :)
~ How long have you been selling with this site?
Selling on Bonanzle Since September 16 2008, (Just out of Beta) there were about 1700 members, and 30,000 listings then, now there are over 16,000 members and 600,000 listings.
~ On a scale of 1-10, (1 being hardest and 10 being easiest) how hard/easy is it to navigate and use the site?
Site is sooooo easy to navigate I have to give it a 8.5 to a 9, as I would give it a 10, but no site is ever completely perfect...only because there is a small learning curve. The live chat and active forums, plus the Human nearly immediate support response make it very easy to find answers to your questions.
~ Have you had success selling on this site?
My top selling category is Jewelry and Jewelry findings. I also sell quite a few semi-precious and real gem stones.
~ Are there any key features that find especially helpful on this site?
The live chat is awesome, the forums are very warm and welcoming. I especially like the fact that I have over 1000 separate items listed, and have not paid a penny in listing fees....I can also include up to 4 photos, free. Final value fees are incredibly low. Up to $10 the fee is $.50, up to $50, it is $1.00.., and up to $100 it is $3.00. If you post a question in the forums, you most likely will get a hundred responses and welcomes from the members. You can chat right in your booth with friends or customers, either publically or privately. You can have 1 advertised "Bonanza" (sale) per month, and as many self promoted sales as you like. I am also an administrator of the site wide Meet & Greet called Tickle Me Tuesday, which allows people to get out and visit participating booths, have a sale, and get exposure for their own booths.
~ What's the community of artists like?
There is a huge on line community, not only artists, but sellers of many items. A large part of this community is comprised of ex-eBay Power Sellers, who have left for a variety of well known reasons. There is an entire thread of Hand Crafters, who chat, and help to promote each other. I belong to the Jewelry Integrity Group, (JIG) myself. Because we are a relatively new site and all know the bad feelings of poor customer service and high fees, the entire community bends over backwards, for the sake of Customer Service. The owners are very approachable for ideas and to solve problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Woohoo! Doesn't that sound pretty cool folks? I'm going to be doing some more research into the lay out and everything for the next post, but I have to say that this site sounds pretty awesome just from my initial research. Now to tell you a little more about Terri...
You can find her shop on bonanzle under blarney_stone, and she wasn't kidding when she said she had over 1000 listings! *whew* It wears me out just thinking of all that work... Terri is doing a SALE TODAY from 1:00pm to 10:00pm Central time - 20% off everything in her booth.
So what can you find in her shop? Well, being a jewelry-freak I of course started out by checking out her jewelry and findings section. Look at this awesome butterfly pendant I found! Only $3.99 :)
With over 1000 items you can well imagine that Terri has MANY different things to offer. One of the other items that I just fell in love with was this little miniature shaving mug and brush. It's adorable! Also only $3.99 :)
18 comments:
wow - I can't imagine 100 items!!! We are finding that there are tons of sites out there - this series may take us awhile :P
Hi Rose, Thanks so much for the nice write up!! I hope you will come and visit me, and enjoy looking around. If you choose to join Bonanzle, I don't think you will be disappointed. Please leave any questions for me in my Bonanzle Booth at the Contact button. My booth is at http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/blarney_stone Thanks!!
Great post! I am on Bonanzle but new so I am going to check out some of the groups and features mentioned. I LOVE, love, love the shop live chat feature.
My shop is http://www.bonanzle.booths/gallerialinda
Intersting series you are doing!
WOW! Great write up! you are indeed an analytical journalist! Love your work chica! I just joined Bonanze...just to be able to look around for now.. views are limited when you are not an active member. It seems very overwhelming and a wee bit confusing but I do like that it imports your Ebay feed back! will look around and see what else I find! Take care and talk soon.
left an award for you on my blog sweetie...you for sure qualify for Spreading Love :)
http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/2008/12/award-time.html
Found this review on Bonanzle! Pretty cool
http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/news/news/article.php/3762231
Hey Rose -- I'll have to check it out, thanks for the info! -- your other twitter and blogger friend :)
I've never heard of this site - have to go by and take a look. Great post! Thanks! {:-D
Very informative post Ruthie! I hadn't heard of Bonanzle but it sounds very interesting so will have to check it out!
BTW, you've been chosen to receive the spreader of love award! http://storybeader.blogspot.com/2008/12/spreader-of-love-award.html
Hi, Thanks for ur comment... I love ur blog too..lots of info and awe-inspiring jewelry..
I blogged about your series on my business blog:
http://indieCEO.blogspot.com
That should be some good SEO for you too!
I'd never heard of this one before--I had no idea there were so many to look at!
Happy New Years!!
Hi Rose thanks for the wishes.
Happy New Year to you too. All the best for 2009!
Great review on this up and coming venue and great interview of one of Bonanzles finest sellers! Bonanzle is THE site to watch in 2009
Thanks for the write up, Rose! I'm honored that you chose to feature Bonanzle in your selling series -- the incredible growth of the site so far has been a tribute to the good spirit of our community, as personified by sellers like Teri. Judging by your blog, it feels like you and your readers personify exactly that friendly and creative spirit we've worked to instill.
Keep up the great work, and drop us a line at support@bonanzle.com if you come up with any questions while you're learning the ropes.
Cheers,
Bill Harding
Founder, Bonanzle
I want a picture like everyone else! :)
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