CollectibleCorner has the honor of being the first. I met her when I first opened my booth on Bonanzle. She was my first customer and we have been great friends ever since.
On to the interview!
How did you get started selling online?
My husband collects lapel pins. I used to buy them in lots on the bay for him, he’d sort through them to take what he wanted and left the rest. I ended up with literally thousands I didn’t know what to do with. So I started selling them.
How long have you been selling online?
Since 2002
What venue do you sell on?
Bonanzle exclusively.
Why did you choose that/those venues?When I first came to Bonanzle I found it to be refreshingly different. Even though there were less than 10k members at the time, it felt like the right place to be. Ease of listing, friendly community, fair fees and ownership that actually listens to and directly communicates with the community have kept me here. Since I have no time for multiple venues I had to make a choice (I used to sell on 5 different sites). There was never a question in my mind about which site to choose.
Do you have your own website?
Not yet. Hope to have one within the next year.
How did you come up with your Business name?
I wanted something that made it clear what I sell, with a warm and cozy feel to it.
What kinds of items do you sell?
Collectibles of all kinds, from vintage to newer.
Why did you choose those kinds of items?
I love them! Love hunting for them, researching them, and selling them to people who are just as excited about finding them as I was. I love hearing stories from my buyers about how a particular item is meaningful to them. So many collectibles, particularly the vintage ones, invoke fond memories in people. I like being a part of that connection!
What should we know about you & your business?
I take great pride in providing the best possible experience for my customers. I don’t want them to have any unexpected surprises when they open their package, so I do my best to provide accurate information. I believe that exceptional customer service includes good communication, fast and safe shipping and immediate follow through if there’s a problem. I’m in this for the long haul and do everything I can to make people want to come back to visit again and again.
What makes your store unique?
There’s a lot of “stuff” out there, but when I’m out treasure hunting I try to find items that aren’t widely available. I like the “oooh’s” and “aaaah’s” and “heck yeah’s” that I hear from my customers and try to fill my booth with items that will continue to elicit those kinds of responses. You never know what you’re going to find at Collectible Corner!
What advice would you give to other online merchants?
Hmmm. Selling online is hard and lonely work sometimes. Make friends in the community to keep yourself sane, and be willing to listen to new ideas as they come along. And I think the most important thing is to never become complacent. Always look for ways to tweak your presentation to bring in more traffic, and don’t be afraid to change course if what you’re doing isn’t giving you the results you want. Own your success and work hard for it.
Does she interview well or what? Thank you CollectibleCorner for allowing me the chance to feature you in Antiques Vintage Retro Collectibles Spotlight!
If you haven't already please take the time to visit her booth CollectibleCorner on www.bonanzle.com where you'll find anything but the ordinary!
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