Every online retailer dreams of becoming one of the elite top sellers on online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon. The good news is that with the right guidance and tools, any new business can reach this power seller level.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Dash, president and CEO of Car Parts Kings, a full-service aftermarket and performance auto parts online reseller, to find out how his company became an eBay Platinum Seller. Check out our Q&A with Michael to find out how he reached $6 million in revenue this year!
Can you tell us a little more about Car Parts Kings?
Michael Dash: We are a full-service aftermarket and performance auto parts reseller. We provide the best all-around customer experience possible to make purchasing the auto parts you need online easy.
Why did you start using eBay as a selling platform for your ecommerce business? How did you get started?
Michael Dash: We started using eBay because it was the easiest way for us to reach the largest audience we could as quickly as possible. We started by partnering with third-party resellers and offering the parts through their online API (Application Programming Interface).
How long did it take you to become an eBay Platinum Seller?
Michael Dash: It took about 4 months to achieve Platinum Seller status.
What were the specific steps you took to make sure you reached the platinum level?
Michael Dash: We narrowed our focus down to three main things: free expedited shipping, free returns and the best customer support possible.
How do you keep your online customers happy?
Michael Dash: Communication is key. We try and respond to all customer inquiries within one hour of receiving them. We also provide free return shipping regardless of the issue.
Did you face any challenges reaching the Platinum Seller level? How did you overcome them?
Michael Dash: When we started selling on eBay, we soon realized that we needed to have a dedicated eBay customer support specialist. eBay customers demand quick responses and effective customer service. Now we have dedicated staff that focuses only on eBay, including responding to customer queries, resolution cases and returns.
What advice can you share on differentiating your company from others and solidifying your status among ecommerce retailers?
Michael Dash: Our customer support team is top notch. Nothing is more important than our customers!
If you’re a Mac user and you sell on eBay, check out this video to learn how Endicia can help you import orders and print shipping labels from your eBay store!
For more inspiring stories, check out our online business success stories page.