How to Market with Niche Auction Sites

Online auctions are big business. But they can be big headaches.



During the past year, trading in online commerce was valued at

$60 billion, according to "Business Standard.” Online trade among

small businesses makes up 1 per cent of USA's GDP (Gross Domestic

Product) and is expected to reach 10 per cent or $400 billion of

USA's GDP by 2010.



“But setting up and maintaining operations on huge auction sites

like Ebay is not always easy,” said Rich Moc, owner of

Performance Cars at Pcars.com, a niche automotive auction site.”





“People can spend a lot of time sifting through cluttered pages

of auctions, bidding, setting up accounts and managing multiple,

confusing and expensive fees that can take an accountant to

figure out. And trying to figure out how to submit a simple email

or place a quick call for help can be a pain in the neck.”



The solution or pain relief for big auction headaches? Smaller,

niche sites with personalized service. For example, Performance

Cars offers easier management, one-on-one help and plenty of

options to help with automotive solutions and aftermarket

selling. Some of their auction tips are:



· Customer Service - When you have an item listed and a potential

buyer contacts you with a question, respond quickly. It is

important and actually critical to your success to check your

email account several times a day. Answering a question could be

the difference between you getting the sale or the buyer going

someplace else.



· Description - When you list your item(s), write an accurate

description. No need to write long paragraphs of rambling

information. But do provide exact measurements, colors,

condition, etc. Be precise.



· Exceed Expectations - You want every customer to be happy. So

do a little more research on shipping, or negotiate on price. But

remember that the customer is the reason you will have success.

Be prepared to go the extra mile and provide superior service

every time.



· Digital Images - While auctions without photographs can and do

sell, auctions with photographs sell much better. People like

visualizations and want to see what they will get with their

money. Make sure your photograph is clear, focused and offers

more than just a straight view.



With Pcars.com, sellers can instantly create their own account

and setup their own homepage. Next they add their product

information and links. Then upload images, up to eight photos

included with the no-cost membership. That's it.



“It is THE BEST site to host photos and one of the best to sell

and buy things for your car!” shared Lefteris from Greece who

sells Jewels for Porsches regularly on Ebay and now on Pcars.com,

too.



“And the site is very easy to use.”



The site is developing to meet needs of the buyers and sellers.

In the works are Photo Gallery for hosting pictures, AV Center

for racing videos, and a Forum for comments and sharing

automotive tips.



“As a seller I find the PCARS site very easy to list and I like

that I can have large photos for my items,” Lefteris explained.

“I use Ebay also, but I find the PCARS site much, much better.

I'm here

to stay.”



Progressing Discount Price Plan



Also under way is a new Progressing Discount Price (PDP) plan.

Sellers will have the option to list their prices so that they

decrease over time, while waiting for someone to buy. This option

benefits the sellers by allowing them to discount their

inventories as time progresses. Additionally, this ensures that

inventories may get sold at the end of the listing period (usually 30-day). The

benefit for the buyers is that they get to buy the items cheaper

the next



day if the items have not been sold.


Automotive sellers and buyers are invited to setup Dealer

Accounts and Private Party Accounts at Pcars.com and see how

simple the site works. They can sell and buy new and used

performance vehicles, parts, accessories and auto care products

of all types, quickly & easily online.