Whiskey Jack’s News Round-Up for April 24, 2011

Each day I scour the web in search of relevant news articles relating to antiques, collectibles and online selling, and each week I hope to present them to you here on the Whiskey Jack’s Trading Post blog. If a particular article looks interesting, just click on the headline to view the entire article. I hope you enjoy these articles and find them informative as well! Thanks for stopping by!

Internet Sales Tax to be Introduced in US Senate

Online companies already pay state taxes in the states in which they reside, but many politicians -- including those in New York, Illinois and Connecticut -- recently pushed to collect taxes from customers on purchases made outside the state if the sites have vendors that physically reside within their states.

Durbin's proposal intends to push internet vendors to collect state taxes on items purchased out of state….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Big Values for Antiques featuring Bugs

Insects spark great drama in the world of art and antiques. Since ancient times, bugs have had their rightful place in art and decorative objects. For instance, in ancient Egypt, bugs were revered in Egyptian culture and religion. The Egyptians believed that a divine….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Turn Your Collectible DVDs into Cash

If you've been buying DVDs for a while, there's a good chance that a few of those old, dusty boxes on your shelf might be worth a little something. We've heard of specialty out-of-print titles selling for as much as $500 on eBay….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Collectors Corner: Mining the eBay Exchange

eBay is the largest auction marketplace in the world - right? Actually, one could make a greater argument that the stock market is. However, there is a burgeoning "commodities" market on eBay. Gold and silver are bought not only for their numismatic value but also their intrinsic bullion value. Where a commodities exchange and eBay differ is that, on eBay, you always take physical delivery of the commodity.

But do not be under the false impression that the market for gold and silver is large,...it is in fact very small compared to the stock market. But there isn't a lack of buyers and sellers on eBay….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Antique shops shelved in downturn

Antique dealers have been forced to sell items from their personal collection to stay afloat, while Tirau once the nation's antique capital has just one antique shop left.

Business owners say the combination of online auction sites, selective buyers and selling a discretionary product during the recession had impacted sales…… (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Instill a love of antiques in your children

When our kids were little, we were always dragging them with us to antique shows, stores and flea markets…… (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Antiques: Ayer's collectibles full of deceptive advertising

Deceptive advertising has been a problem for centuries. The "cures" of Victorian times were promoted with posters, trade cards, almanacs, recipe books, calendars and other testimonials.

One of the prominent makers of cures, remedies and hair and skin products was James C. Ayer & Co…. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Promoting your business with inexpensive collectibles

Although the economy is making some recovery, we would like to find some cost-saving ways to promote our business. Can I benefit from giving away inexpensive promotional items to customers, and where can I find them….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Economic problems cut into antique store sales

The smell of old leather, dust, mildew and furniture polish assails the nose as you enter a shop full of odds and ends of all sizes and shapes…. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Authentic objects relating to a royal wedding hold their value long term

Which royal collectibles should you buy? I always advise people to collect objects that chronicle a historic event or relate to historic figures. It has been proven that in the market for art and antiques these historic and genuine objects will hold their value long term….. (Click on the headline to read the full article)

Analogue artists defying the digital age

Dusty vinyl records, vintage film cameras, rickety typewriters and antiquated recording equipment … these are the creative tools being used by some emerging artists. Pure nostalgia? Or a laudable refusal to escape the speed and sanitised perfection of contemporary digital culture? (Click on the headline to read the full article)

The Continuing Adventures of Whiskey Jack’s Trading Post

As some of you know, I have reached a point in my life where I simply cannot do all the things I was once able to do. Some of this is the inevitable result of age, and some due to health issues. Both were instrumental in my decision to retire two years ago. Because of this, however, I am now limited to just what I can do in the way of employment. Therefore I decided to really put forth an extra effort into my online sales ventures. Selling on eBay and Bonanza has been okay, but as with us all, an increase in sales would be very welcome! In my attempt to increase sales, I soon learned that I am woefully ignorant of the many ways to increase online sales.

Thanks to some excellent information out there on the web, and in books, and more importantly thanks to some very friendly and helpful folks out there who are extremely generous with their time and knowledge, I am working hard at expanding my customer base, and also engaging in several marketing venues.

As I mentioned above, to achieve this I have started selling on Addoway. You can view my store front by clicking here. I have also set up my Google Profile (here), as well as a profile on HotFrog (here) and LinkedIn (here). If you are also on LinkedIn, let’s connect up. One of the groups I have connected with is Bonanza Sell, which provides a venue to promote my booth, and visit with others who have joined this group. I am also looking into other “business profile” type sites as well, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress with those as well. These sites are free to set up your business profile, and can go a long way toward getting your name out there with regards to internet searches.

I have also signed on for both Twitter (click here), Google Buzz, and Face Book (click here). In fact, I have also started a second Face Book page exclusively for the genealogy research I do. You can view it by clicking here. You can find and either “friend”, “like” or “follow” Ol’ Whiskey Jack by clicking on the links here, and I’d love to see you on these sites! In the not too distant future, I will be exploring Digg, StumbleUpon, and Google Reader as viable marketing venues. And, of course, I will let you know how they work out.

As I mentioned above, I am now selling on Addoway, in addition to Bonanza and eBay. Along side of these online selling sites, I have also signed up with eCrater, BluJay and iOffer. As of yet, I do not have anything in these stores, and I have yet to personalize my profiles on these sites, but I am working on it. One step at a time, ya know. As soon as I get these stores up and running, I’ll let you know. I’ll also let you know if my plan, which is to expand my potential customer base by utilizing additional selling sites, is a success or not.

I did look at some other online selling sites, such as Yardsellr, Etsy and ArtFire, but as yet I have not made a decision on whether or not to use them. Except for Yardsellr that is. I realize some folks really like Yardsellr, and have had success on that site as well, but I have to say that when I visited the site my first impression of Yardsellr was less than positive. One of the first photos I saw of the Yardsellr team (see below), makes me feel as if the Yardsellr team is somewhat lackadaisical in their commitment to professionalism. Which leads me to wonder if their commitment is somewhat less than desirable in other areas, such as customer service, as well. I also do not care for two of their main policies. First, although they do not charge listing fees or final value fees, they do charge your customer $1.00 for the privilege of buying something on their site. I can’t say I like this idea, as it may discourage buyers. Although I do not like the idea of listing and Final Value fees (and who does?), I think they should charge the seller rather than the buyer, and leave it up to the seller to recoup those fees as they think best. More importantly, the number one thing I do not like, is their policy which states that the seller must ship the items before being paid for the item. I think this policy leaves the seller at a distinct disadvantage, and offer too many opportunities for the buyer to somehow defraud the seller.

Also on the horizon I will be utilizing some of the many free advertising sites on the web, to advertise not necessarily specific items, but primarily my online stores.

Hopefully, all of this will translate into the increased sales that have eluded me thus far. As in many things, time will tell. But I will keep you updated as the (hoped for) success, or lack of success that I experience, and will hopefully be able to pass along any hints, tips, and tricks that I learn on the way.

Until next time, stay good, stay safe, and I hope you all will prosper in all of your endeavors!

A Little Bit of Shameless Self Promotion!

Howdy Folks!
Well, in case you couldn't tell, I've been fiddling around with the way the blog looks (I hope you like the new look!), and I have added the "share" buttons at the bottom of each article. This way anyone reading the articles can tweet them, or buzz them, or email them, or post them to their Face Book wall, or whatever. (yes, this is a hint! So tweet, buzz, email and post away!).

Christmas is coming, and is just around the bend, so I hope everyone is getting ready as best they can. I know I am. Just in case anyone needs some great gift suggestions, I would suggest heading over to Bonanza.com. There are some great folks over there with some really great booths just loaded down with some of the best Christmas gifts you can hope to find anywhere!

While you're over there on Bonanza, be sure to stop by and say howdy to my good friend, and brand new grandma, Peg, at the Finding Friends Friday booth! And if ya don't mind some shopping suggestions, just check out these great booths:
The Latch String (I love the "Out Montana Way" book!)
@ The Boutique (Wonderful oils, soaps, lotions and more!)
Steamheat (Some great Steampunk items!)
The Old Grainery's Booth (Great vintage furniture and more!)
The Unique Boutique (Great vintage jewelry and more!)
The Auction House (Beautiful Christmas cards - with free shipping, and so much more!)
Dakota Gold and More (Beautiful gold jewelry!)
Bargain Hunter's Web Mall (All sorts of great items at great prices!)
Beetique (Vintage jewelry and accessories!)
Roger's Stuff (One of the best selections of great items on Bonanza!)
Indizona's Variety (Great Selection and Great Prices!)
Shopatusm (Home and garden items, candle holders and more! Beautiful items!)
The CDVD Mart (Great CDs, Old Time Radio, DVDs, Great Items!)
The Secret Garden (Gorgeous jewelry and more!)

And there are just so many more great booths over at Bonanza, and each one featuring wonderful items! Of course, while you're over there at Bonanza, be sure to stop by the Trading Post, and say howdy to Ol' Whiskey Jack! I have all manner of items in my booth from jewelry to western items, to books and much, much more!

So I hope to see y'all around on Bonanza, and also over on Face Book, where I try to be on at least every other evening or so. I sure would like to visit with ya, so stop on by!