Quote Originally Posted by gamerfan View Post
Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to increase and maintain a good customer base? Beyond just using Ebay for marketing I know there are things that are just good business practice across the board.
I do, I have a few odds and ends of advice that have done me well in the short time I’ve been a retailer.

1.) I keep a database of all the people who have purchased from me. Real basic excel spreadsheet and you have to make sure to keep up with it. It makes for a good way to see what is selling best and who my highest or most often purchasing customers are.

2.) Ask first, but you can use that same database to keep track of customer emails and send out promotions or coupons. If you have a few bits of unsold inventory you can send a mass email letting your existing customers know you’ve dropped the price temporarily. Make them feel special by offering them first dibs.

3.) Again, you can use database to keep track of points toward a loyalty type program. Give them some kind of reward, coupon, and money back, whatever floats your boat, once they’ve spent so much money with you and reached so many points. This helps keep people coming back to you rather than buying their product from a similar retailer. Along the same lines, you could offer an affiliate program where you give discounts for customers that refer friends and family to you.