New Store Set-up

[RPShields]

I see that there are new members trying to figure out how to go about selling stamps on bidStart. I have been a stamp collector and dealer for over 50 years. Point new members to my store and they will see how to organize stamps by Description alone. I use Private Ids which allows me to download all my "Items for Sale" and "Items I have Sold" to separate Excel spreadsheets. My occupation is Database Consulting. Using my expertise in data processing, I take the spreadsheets and upload them to my Pick Multi-user/Multi-value Relational Database system. I have a program that parses the description and all the other fields and converts them to Items in my Relational Inventory Control System. My database represents approximately 1,000 stamp issuing entities. I wrote an article entitled "Philatelic Numbering Systems" that was published by Scott Publications over 15 years ago. I believe that the article was used to help develop some of the Philatelic Database systems currently available today.

Selling stamps on bidStart (basic store is best Start-up option) once items are in a store, they can be sent to Auction, if they don't sell, they can be automatically re-listed back in the store. Price items higher and set up sales to lower prices over a period of time, this eliminates re-pricing on items that don't sell. Here are my 9 Store steps as follows:

Step 1 - Catalog the Stamp(s) - Catalog Number, Short Description, Condition, Value and Selling Price
Step 2 - Scan the Image(s) - Scan at 600dpi against a Black background and save as a *.PDF file (Makes for easy croping)
Step 3 - Edit the *.PDF file, crop the image(s) and save them as *.jpg files in a folder you will use for uploading images
Step 4 - Enter the data and image(s) via the "Sell a new item" or "sell a similar item"
Step 5 - When you received an order, print 2 packing slips, one for your records and the other to pick the item(s) for shipment
Step 6 - Using one of the packing slips, pick the item(s) for shipment
Step 7 - Carefully pack the items for shipment and include one of the packing slips
Step 8 - Print the Envelope or mailing labels and attach to envelope or package, attach postage based on Country and Weight
Step 9 - Notify Customer that his order was shipped. Include comment that you appreciate the order. Send and ask for feedback

Hope this will help people set up a store and begin selling like a professional. Please feel free to ask me questions about my methodology or maybe how to develop a solid marketing plan based on the above information.

Sincerely,
Richard Shields
rpetershields@aol.com
(770) 862-5530