Online Selling: Alternatives to eBay

[DPopTart]

While eBay fees rise and their marketing efforts focus on the big mega-mall sort of sellers, and Etsy limits sellers to vintage and handmade goods, it's important to note there are a few new marketplaces in "Beta" that I'm working with (disclaimer! lol) that are worth checking out...

Collectors' Quest has a new Marketplace & Twolia has Shops.

Collectors' Quest is dedicated to collectors and so the Marketplace is for sellers of antiques & collectibles -- naturally ephemera fits in. *wink*

Currently, while in Beta, there are no fees for sellers & listings are "permanent," not for a set time period. I have sold several items -- including ephemera -- already through Collectors' Quest, so I've been adding more. Listing is easy & pretty flexible with bulk uploading; just register, create a collection and "toggle" if the item is for sale (and/or if others can make you an offer).

As Twolia is a community that promotes and fosters talented women from around the world, the online shopping mall is specifically for women. (If you have a "mom & pop" shop, have "mom" register.) All women are welcome to sell their merchandise -- whether it's vintage ephemera, handmade or altered art, &/or new products, like collecting supplies.

Twolia charges a a $0.20 listing fee for a four month listing period (this includes the upload of 3 pictures for each item) and when your item sells, Twolia charges a 3.5% sales fee on the final sale price of each item (not on shipping).

Twolia's pushing hard this month, offering $50 to those who join & set up a shop with 20 listings in August. Other than a handful of items to help them test for bugs, my Twolia shop started this week, so it would be premature to judge... But the listing/uploading etc. is easy. And starting now not only gives you a $50 bump, but your listings last through holiday season.

[Susan Price]

thanks!lots of great info!