Paper Bag Bandits
Did you hear about the rather lucrative printer cartridge deal?
The highlight for me was the public servant who:
‘… bought enough black toner cartridges to supply the government department for 40 years — despite toner cartridges expiring after two years.’
As my taxes paid this person’s salary, I felt encouraged by her initiative and commitment.
Then I wondered [...]
Special Treatment
Some eBayers are less equal than others.
I’m pretty miffed at eBay.
Yet again, a firm has punished my loyalty by excluding me from special deals offered to new customers.
We’ve seen this time and time again.
My latest experience teaches the value of:
Avoiding sudden moves.
Keeping customers informed.
Ensuring your definition of ‘good’ matches theirs.
We’ll also see how ‘online [...]
Can You Kill a Category Killer?
This might sting a bit …
Here’s a mystery I hope we can solve.
Seth Godin says that, while we should aim high with our goals, we should stay in the realm of reality.
In other words, we shouldn’t try to out-Google Google, or out-Amazon Amazon.
So why is Cash Converters (CC) trying to out-eBay eBay?
eBaying for [...]
Auto Destruct
I tried to find a brick wall.
This was the best I could do.
Every so often, the real world slaps you so hard, you lose the breath to cry out.
Enter new car salesmen.
New for Old
The ‘new’, I learnt this week, applies only to cars – not salesmen.
In the decade since [...]
Lessons shared
Earlier this month Paul’s post ‘eBay Learnings’ ended up being a wonderful example of the small business community coming together to provide support, guidance and advice to a business owner in need of it. It really showed the true nature of our readers! Love Your Work!
We have invited Megan Stones from Envi Fine Accessories to [...]
eBay Learnings
A man dug up these trees and took them away in his truck.
He saved me 4 hours, 2 vertebrae and $140.
And he paid me!
I used to think eBay was just about car parts, beanie babies and signed Gilligan’s Island photos.
Lately, however, I’ve found business uses for this medium.
Some of these may help [...]
Speak or ZING?
Alas! My business coach, Winston Marsh , gave my expensive new online shop the thumbs down! On the topic of ZING-based copywriting, we’ve long been at odds. It’s time to analyse the sticking place.
In the blue corner is me. I believe the message is everything. As I used to tell my Copy School students:
If you have [...]

