Big Deal launching this summer (for Canada only)

[coxengines]

We received an invitation to participate in this program. Following a copy and paste from the offering:

The BIG Deal
• Items with a purchase price under $20 are most attractive to buyers
• Substantial discounts (40-70%) off MSRP are most effective
• Free domestic shipping and delivery within 5 business days is expected

So, under $20, 40-70% off and free shipping. Since parcel post in Canada costs $10-12 that leaves $8-10 for an item that has already been discounted 40-70%.

What on earth are they smoking?

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

I wish they invited me!

I have thousands of items at or under $25

With stamps I can offer free shipping within Canada - no problem!

40% to 70% off catalogue is the norm in stamp dealing! 😉

[coxengines]

Since my cost of goods is 3-5% I would have no problem participating but I was thinking about the majority of sellers who just don't have the margins.

The price also has to be at least 10% less than the least expensive comparable on-line offering (they say they will research this).

The email came from Ira Grossmann's email address. Send me an email and I'll forward you the mail.

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

Thank you Bernie.

I contacted Ira and invited myself! 😉 We'll see what happens.
Since I rank 103 by feedback rankings among active Canadian sellers, I feel i deserve a crack at it!

[coxengines]

You are welcome Pierre.

Since I rank 103 by feedback rankings

Where does one pull those stats?

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

Take a look at this http://www.sellerdome.com/default.asp?rs=26

[coxengines]

Thanks Pierre.

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

These invitations were sent yesterday morning to a few select Canadian PowerSellers giving tomorrow afternoon as a dealine for submission ("no later than End of Day Thursday, June 25, 2009").

I sent them my submission yesterday afternoon and have not received the courtesy of a reply yet. 😞

Cannot understand the urgency for an immediate reply. One would think eBay would plan such programs months in advance.

[hhind_design]

I got my invitation at noon today with the same deadline and laughed my butt off reading it.

I'm with the query "what on earth are they smoking?" cause man I could really use some of that right now!!!!

Especially the received in 5 days thing - sure if delivering in my province or the one next door but all the way east or west or heaven for fend Nunavut?

I wonder what the FVF for this "Deal" is.....

[coxengines]

220449364384

Now, if someone can explain the logic behind this listing:^O

Parcel will cost $10-12. I pay $6 incl shipping. Seller ends up with a $4-6 deficit plus whatever his/her cost is for the shirt.

Ordered one just for the heck of it]:)

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

"Parcel will cost $10-12"

I suspect they will ship lettermail within Canada ($1.96 for up to 200g or $2.75 if more than 200g but less than 500g)

[bcbeautiful]

I purchased one of the shirts for my Mom, she is a survivor. Just got shipping notification from seller...there is a tracking number and it says it is going Expedited.

[coxengines]

The listing said “expedited parcel” and they shipped it “expedited parcel” (we received a notification with tracking). That’s gotta hurt!

Bernie

[coxengines]

Also thinking... why would a "newbie" get invited to participate and not Pierre.

Oh well, perhaps she is better lookin' than Pierre;-)

This is the seller:

About AuctionJAM Inc.
AuctionJAM is a leading online auction management firm in the field of strategic brand cause marketing & charity fundraising. Since 1999 we have been at the forefront of creating and implementing innovative, strategic marketing programs for corporations and nonprofits through the use of online auctions. Our team specializes in working with corporate marketing, public relations, and media professionals to develop strategic cause programs via online auctions.

[coxengines]

And when I thought I knew it all, here is the reply I got from the seller when I asked them to share their secret marketing strategy with me:

Thank you for your interest. Because this is an item where the proceeds are supporting a charity, there are various sponsors involved.

Sometimes, I just need to get my head out of "Uncle Scrooge" mentality and realize that some sellers have other motives than collecting money 🙂

Bernie

[pierrelebel]

The BIG DEAL started six days ago and only one item has been offered so far, by the same seller!

eBay.ca should take a look at what they do on eBay.com where several new products from different sellers are offered daily.

The sales of these T-shirts at 50% off are definitely slowing down.

Time for new blood!

[surplusdealdude]

Well, I'm not going to apply. My stuff isn't really mass-market stuff anyway ( although I could push a bunch of the keypunch card printing plates out - hmmmm......)

Nope, got enough to do as it is.B-) -------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. Carl Sagan

[bcbeautiful]

Got my t-shirt today in the mail...was in a ebay mailer...had tracking...also had a catalogue from Joe Fresh...Real Canadian Superstore...still had the price tag from the store on it.
Hmmm...interesting...sponsored by Telus, Chatelaine, Flare...for charity.

[coxengines]

Got ours yesterday. Stunningly professional!

From shipping time, packaging, tracking, included flyers. These guys are not newbies by any stretch of the imagination.

I think I will auction off the thing on eBay today 🙂

Bernie

[bcbeautiful]

The BIG Deal
• Items with a purchase price under $20 are most attractive to buyers
• Substantial discounts (40-70%) off MSRP are most effective
• Free domestic shipping and delivery within 5 business days is expected

Latest offering...not exactly under $20.00!!