Using Email To Create a Lasting Relationship With eBay Buyers
Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called “Spark an idea Thursday.” As part of this tradition, I’ll be sharing with you my experiences and interpretations for each week’s topic for those of you who sell products or services online.
I invite you to grab our image over there to the right and carry the tradition through to your own blog. If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!
The theme of this week’s Spark an Idea Thursday is: Spark an Idea about Email.
This is a great Spark an Idea topic! In one of my previous posts, I spoke briefly about the eBay DSR (Detailed Seller Rating) Scores.
Communication (one part of the DSR score) is such an integral part of everything eBay, especially as an eBay seller.
It all starts with your first email to the buyer who purchased one of your items. This is the email that will ultimately win the future relationship of repeat sales. You’ll want to walk through every step of the transaction from the begining, to the end and beyond.
Do you do a little Happy Dance when you sell something from your eBay store, or have an auction that has ended way higher than your wildest expectations? I know I do a little dance! 
Well, so does the person who won that auction or found that something special in your eBay store! They’re pumped and ready to receive their items as soon as they submit payment!
Here are a few tips to follow up with, using email to create a lasting relationship.
Let them know you’ve received their payment and say Thank – You, for their business.
Pack up your item neatly, including a receipt personally signed by you – and say Thank – You, once again. I know sometimes if I have the same buyer purchase mutiple items from my store, I’ll include an eBay gift certificate as an added touch. You can purchase them for as little as $5.00. eBay gift certificates can be printed out or emailed directly to the recipient.
Email clear expectations for shipping time up front as soon as you receive payment. If you do not ship on weekends, state that in your email. You can customize your ’shipping notification’ email in your Selling Manager and personalize it with their name by using the email auto text feature.
Promptly and clearly communicate – respond to emails from your buyer and proactively provide order status updates as needed. Email them a tracking number. Or, if you’re using USPS, or UPS – there is an option to enter in an email address to send automatic updates on the status of their order.
Once you know the item has reached its destination safely, send a follow up email thanking them one last time. Invite them back and invite them to add you to their favorite sellers and/or stores list to receive updates on any specials or new items that are being listed.
When you start to build your email list, you will want to utilize the email marketing tool on eBay. This is a wonderful tool and can be fully automated. Mine is set to shoot out an email once a week, showing any newly listed items.
Before you know it, you’ll begin to see repeat buyers and track your progress to see what is working best.
Happy Selling!
