| When I tell people I sell my Antiques online they | | | | for your customer as possible. |
| immediately jump to the conclusion that I sell at Ebay. | | | | Look at the cost carefully. Imagine you have 100 |
| Although selling on eBay has its benefits there are | | | | items and sell one item for $500. Then compare cost |
| also additional ways to sell online. Consider the fixed | | | | taking into consideration monthly fees, listing fees, |
| price online Antique Mall. There are many benefits | | | | monthly maintenance fees, commissions and fees to |
| when selling on an online Antique mall. | | | | gain exposure within the site. The above example |
| Important benefits are you sell at a fixed price, you | | | | appears very inexpensive initially but as you can |
| benefit from the co-operative effort of many items | | | | imagine it can add up. |
| within the mall site which brings repeat customers | | | | Getting noticed within the online mall: |
| and more links into your shop from Google than you | | | | Most malls are set up so the last item listed is listed |
| can possibly get on your own website. Important | | | | first within the category or search. You must list and |
| functions are part of the shop, for example a | | | | list but this becomes expensive. If you do not list |
| shopping cart where customer can add to cart, input | | | | you can pay for listing enhancements. You can opt |
| their payment information and your antique is sold. If | | | | for the Featured Listing for example where you pay |
| you have considered opening a shop at one of the | | | | a set price and you are listed higher or in a highly |
| Antique malls available there are many thing you must | | | | visible spot on the site. Take the time to look at the |
| consider when determining which fits your needs. | | | | cost of using this feature and compare. When |
| What is the REAL cost? | | | | comparing also look at the time your listing is given |
| What is the REAL cost of opening a shop? In our | | | | the elevated listing status. |
| example we will talk about a well known Antique Mall. | | | | Is it easy for customers and shop owners to |
| Initial Signup Fee $50. Once you are open you pay a | | | | navigate the site? |
| monthly fee which includes 50 items within the price. | | | | Is the site confusing? Can you get lost easily? |
| This is where it can get costly. In addition to your | | | | How many pictures can you add per item. Remember |
| monthly fee you will be charged a $0.30 cents for | | | | Antiques can be expensive and 4 pictures per item |
| uploading your item to your shop | | | | just does not give the buyer the security they need. |
| You are also charged a monthly maintenance fee of | | | | Is it easy for shop owners to manage their |
| $0.30 cents per item. | | | | shops?Can you view a demo or login to a demo |
| Another well known mall has options for members | | | | account? |
| A one year contract | | | | What will your neighbors be like? |
| $79 - unlimited items + 6% commission or | | | | What are the restrictions? Is there any type of |
| $39 - unlimited items + 10% commission | | | | quality control. Are shop owners listing correctly? |
| What Features Are Offered To Shop Owners? | | | | Does the mall owner so much control that it |
| Another important consideration is functionality | | | | nowappears tacky. Is it a high end venue with high |
| provided to shop owners. Does it provide your shop | | | | quality control standards or does anything go? Will |
| with a shopping cart system making it easy for your | | | | the type of Antiques you are selling fit the site? |
| customers to buy or do your customers need to | | | | Selling at malls definitely has its benefits and I would |
| send emails back and forth before the actual | | | | consider the bestoption out there but there is much |
| purchase takes place? Remember make it as easy | | | | to consider. |