Newsletters
Ruby Lane's newsletters are designed to celebrate the antiques and art, vintage collectibles and jewelry communities around the world. Our Past Times newsletter focuses on antiques and collectibles. Our Creative Hands newsletter celebrates fine art and handcrafted jewelry on Ruby Lane. Our shop owners are frequent article contributors, sharing their expertise and their passions for the items they collect and create. Enjoy!Subscribe Now to our Newsletters
| Notes From the Secret Shopper - September Issue | May 2013 |
• Ruby Lane Launches Amazon Payments
• Refer A Shop: Benefit From the Current Fee Waived Promotion!
• Notes from the Secret Shopper: September Issue
Ruby Lane Launches Amazon Payments
We're pleased to announce that Ruby Lane has added Amazon Payments to its choice of payment options for buyers. Shop owners can now choose to offer it along with the many other payment options already accepted. Amazon Payments is a service that lets customers pay for goods or services with the payment methods in their Amazon.com account. To make a payment, buyers can use a credit card, bank account, or Amazon Payments Account balance.
Safe, Secure Payment Method
Amazon has spent over a decade developing, testing, and operating a robust payments infrastructure to support millions of transactions. Amazon Payments allows you to benefit from these highly reliable, scalable, and safe systems. Amazon leverages Amazon’s proven fraud detection technology to provide shops and customers the same trusted payment experience available on Amazon.com.
As online shopping continues to grow and mature, our research tells us that not all buyers prefer the same payment methods. Allowing buyers a choice when making their payment makes good business sense, and increases the overall chances of sales success.
Amazon Payments is now available for U.S.-based shops only, however more countries will be added in the near future. For shops who accept it, Amazon Payments deposits all payments into your Amazon Payments Business Account immediately after the transaction is processed.
You'll find the tool to set up an Amazon Payments account on your Edit Shop Info page. To view the video on setting up Amazon Payments visit: Set Up Amazon Payments
For more information on Amazon Payments visit the: FAQ
Refer A Shop: Benefit From the Current Fee Waived Promotion!
As many of you may know, currently Ruby Lane is conducting a promotion where new shops who sign up between now and October 31st, 2012 will have the $75 shop set-up fee waived. This is a reminder that current shop owners can benefit from this attractive promotion by referring a shop, and receiving the Ruby Lane Shop Referral Fee.
Why Refer A Shop?
While it is a secondary focus to bringing quality buyers to the site, Ruby Lane considers it extremely important to attract quality shops. While some shops may view the addition of new shops as a form of potential competition, the vast majority of buyers tell us that they appreciate the dynamic, one-stop shopping experience they get on Ruby Lane as opposed to smaller sites with much less inventory to choose from, thus offering a less exciting buying experience.
Shops receive the following credit amounts, which are based on the length of time the referring shop has been continuously on Ruby Lane at the time the new shop is opened:
Referring Shops open 1 year or less: $40
Referring Shops open more than 1 year but less than 2 years: $60
Referring Shops open between 2 and 5 years: $80
Referring Shops open more than 5 years: $100
How Will Ruby Lane Know When I Have Referred A New Shop?
We ask each new shop owner when they request to open "Who referred you?" The referred shop must input your shop's name or nickname at the time they request to open in order for your shop to get the credit, so please be sure they have it when referring them.
NOTE: This program is automated. We cannot accept requests for Referral Bonus after a shop has opened - there are no exceptions. An existing shop cannot receive referral credit for opening a second shop, even if their shops are not linked. The credit will be issued at the time when the referred shop is approved and officially opened on the site.
If you know of other great sellers whom you feel would be a good fit on Ruby Lane, we appreciate your referrals during this generous promotion.
Notes from the Secret Shopper: September Issue
Shining Star – Dolphin Designs Artwear
Congratulations to Pamela Brown of Dolphin Designs Artwear.
The Secret Shopper stated: “A good buying experience. Very quickly responded to all communications and the emails were more personal than my other buying experiences both on Ruby Lane and elsewhere. Lovely (Item details removed), personal communication, a 'real person' type of experience.”
Tracking Numbers Benefit Both Sellers and Buyers
Top US retailers offer tracking on most orders, you should too. Tracking numbers keep your buyers informed as to the status of an item that has shipped, its location and the shipping transit time. Be sure to take time to let the shopper know what that tracking number is. It shows your honesty and thoroughness as a seller and gives them a third-party verification source regarding their purchase. Tracking numbers are also valuable to shop owners should there be any questions regarding confirmation of delivery or for returns, should they be necessary.
Accurate Descriptions Reduce Customer Dissatisfaction
While the overall trend is improvement in the Accuracy of Description category, Secret Shoppers still found that 6% of shops deserved the poorest score, 1 out of 5, in the 2nd quarter of 2012. Even this small percentage is unacceptable. The descriptions were sometimes simply inaccurate, but other times the Secret Shopper felt the shop owner had purposely listed items in a dishonest manner. Requirements state that all items on Ruby Lane must be accurately and honestly represented. It is not just the reputation of one shop that is on the line, but the reputation of the Ruby Lane site as a whole that is at stake. No business can afford negative 'word of mouth' feedback, which in the digital age can multiply via social networking sites. We all depend on each other to keep thousands of shoppers per week trusting our site and the honest description of every item listed on it.
Create Outstanding Item Descriptions
Most item descriptions should include measurements, what the item is made of, accurate color descriptions, explanation of marks and labels, and full disclosure of any damage or imperfections.
Accuracy and honesty are key. Secret Shoppers have been disappointed by items described with the term 'excellent used condition' that arrive with significant stains, chips, or other imperfections that were not noted anywhere in the listing. Carefully measure and describe each item clearly noting any defects, damage and signs of wear. Don't rely on the photo or make blanket statements like 'item is in vintage condition so it is not perfect.' Don't guess at the age or history of any item and don't use key-word spamming.
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