Ruby Lane is an online marketplace specifically designed for vintage and antique enthusiasts. Unlike general marketplaces, Ruby Lane carefully curates its inventory, ensuring the authenticity and high quality of the items offered. Established in 1998, Ruby Lane has been a trusted source for vintage and antique treasures for over two decades.
Why sell on Ruby Lane?
- Ruby Lane connects you with a passionate and knowledgeable audience of vintage and antique buyers.
- While it requires consistent effort, Ruby Lane’s curated marketplace attracts serious buyers, fostering a loyal customer base.
- Recent changes to its fee structure make Ruby Lane more affordable and competitive compared to other platforms.
Table of Contents:
- Getting Started on Ruby Lane
- Listing Items on Ruby Lane
- Marketing Your Shop on Ruby Lane
- Managing Transactions and Customer Service
- Selling on Ruby Lane FAQs
- Conclusion
Getting Started on Ruby Lane:
Ruby Lane’s curated approach extends to its sellers. The platform vets its shops to maintain a high level of quality and professionalism. Here’s how to take your first steps as a seller on Ruby Lane:
Joining Ruby Lane:
- Setting up a shop on Ruby Lane is free.
- Navigate to the “Join Ruby Lane” section on the website.
- Carefully review the vendor agreement to understand the terms and conditions of selling on the platform.
- Submit the required business and personal information for verification.
- Set up your payment information. A credit card is required for account validation, and you’ll need a PayPal Business Account for processing transactions and collecting sales tax.
Setting Up Your Shop:
- Choose a shop name that reflects your brand and is memorable to customers.
- Upload a professional logo that represents your shop aesthetic.
- Write a captivating tagline that captures the essence of your shop’s offerings.
- Craft a compelling welcome message that introduces visitors to your shop and sets the tone for their experience.
- Utilize your “About Us” page to showcase your expertise and build trust with potential buyers.
- Clearly list your accepted payment methods, including both online and traditional options.
- If applicable, you can set restocking fees and outline layaway plans for your customers.
- Provide detailed shipping information and sales tax policies to ensure transparency.
- Customize your shop banner and image background to create a cohesive brand identity that visually attracts customers.
Listing Items on Ruby Lane:
Successful selling on Ruby Lane depends heavily on creating high-quality listings that stand out to buyers. Here’s how to ensure your listings attract attention and drive sales:
Understanding Listing Requirements:
- Ruby Lane is organized into different “lanes,” each representing a specific category with its own listing requirements.
- Each lane has minimum price thresholds and may have restrictions on the types of items you can list. For example, the Antiques lane only allows items that are at least 100 years old and have a minimum value of $50, while the Collectibles lane has a $5 minimum and prohibits reproductions.
- Familiarize yourself with the listing requirements for your chosen lanes to avoid any issues with your listings.
Creating Compelling Listings:
- High-quality Photography: Showcase your items using clear, well-lit photos that highlight the details and condition.
- Remove Image Backgrounds: Ruby Lane automatically removes backgrounds from item photos, allowing your items to stand out and creating a uniform look. You can also set a custom background for your shop to enhance brand consistency.
- Detailed and Accurate Descriptions: Clearly and accurately describe your items, using descriptive language that appeals to buyers.
- Include Relevant Keywords: Optimize your descriptions with keywords that both customers and Google Shopping use to find items.
- Additional Qualifiers: Provide as much relevant information as possible, including style, age, theme, room, and other qualifiers that help buyers discover your listings.
- Condition: Be transparent about the condition of your items, whether they’re new, used, or refurbished.
- Pricing: Determine the true cost of each item, factoring in the purchase price, listing fees, maintenance costs, overhead, and your time. This ensures you price strategically for profitability.
- Offer Options: Consider allowing buyers to submit offers on your items and setting parameters for acceptable offer ranges.
- Shipping: Set domestic and international shipping options, including shipping costs, insurance, and package dimensions.
- Preview Your Listing: Always preview your listings before publishing to ensure all information is accurate and visually appealing.
Marketing Your Shop on Ruby Lane:
Driving traffic to your Ruby Lane shop is crucial for generating sales. Utilize a combination of online marketing strategies and Ruby Lane’s built-in tools to reach potential buyers:
Optimizing for Google Shopping:
- Google Shopping has transitioned to a paid auction format.
- Optimize your listing descriptions with relevant keywords and accurate item attributes and data to improve your chances of appearing in Google Shopping search results.
- Provide accurate and detailed shipping information, as well as concise titles and descriptions, to increase your chances of approval by Google Shopping.
- Understand the potential reasons for item rejection by Google Shopping, such as prohibited items, inaccurate information, or violations of their policies.
Leveraging Ruby Lane’s Marketing Tools:
- “Today’s Arrivals” and “This Week’s Arrivals”: Track newly listed items to gain insights into current trends and identify popular items that are selling quickly. This valuable research can help you refine your sourcing and listing strategies.
- Monthly Finds Newsletter: Submit one of your items each month to be featured in Ruby Lane’s widely distributed Monthly Finds newsletter, giving your listing increased exposure to potential buyers.
- “Relax” Section: Explore trending items and category-specific sales data to better understand market demand and adjust your inventory accordingly.
- Search Clicks: Consider utilizing Ruby Lane’s paid search placement feature to enhance the visibility of your listings within site-wide searches.
Building a Community:
- Social Media Marketing: Utilize social media platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to showcase your items, share engaging content, and connect with potential buyers.
- Groups and Forums: Join or create groups dedicated to your niche or specific items to interact with fellow collectors and attract buyers interested in your offerings.
- Blogging: Share your expertise and showcase your items through a dedicated blog.
- Email Newsletters: Build a mailing list and send regular newsletters to keep your customers informed about new arrivals, promotions, and events.
- Targeted Advertising: Consider placing banner and print advertisements in publications or websites that cater to your target audience.
Managing Transactions and Customer Service:
Providing a smooth and positive buying experience for your customers is paramount to your success on Ruby Lane. Here’s how to handle orders efficiently and build lasting customer relationships:
Handling Orders:
- “Manage Transactions” Tab: This centralized hub provides access to all open orders, offers, and customer inquiries.
- Add Tracking Information: Provide buyers with shipping updates to keep them informed about the status of their orders and ensure timely delivery.
- Finalize Orders: Once an item is shipped and the 3-day return window has passed, mark the order as “sold” to complete the transaction.
Providing Excellent Customer Service:
- Prompt Responses: Respond to inquiries and messages quickly and professionally.
- Handle Returns: Be prepared to accept returns within Ruby Lane’s 3-day policy and address any issues promptly and courteously.
- Accurate Descriptions: Provide honest and thorough item descriptions to minimize the potential for returns.
- Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the small details to create a positive customer experience and encourage repeat business.
- Offer Unexpected Extras: Go above and beyond by including a thank you note, sending a follow-up email, or adding a small gift.
Selling on Ruby Lane FAQs:
- What are the current fees for selling on Ruby Lane?
- Ruby Lane charges a $25 monthly maintenance fee, which is waived if you list at least 15 items during the month.
- There are no listing fees, but a 9.9% service fee is applied to each sale (capped at $250), calculated on the purchase order total before sales tax.
- How does the 3-day return policy work?
- Buyers have three days from the date of delivery to contact the shop owner and request a return for any reason.
- Once the seller acknowledges the return, the buyer has three days to ship the item back, paying for the return shipping themselves.
- What is Search Clicks and how can it benefit my shop?
- Search Clicks is a paid feature that allows shop owners to bid for higher placement in Ruby Lane’s site-wide search results. This can increase the visibility of your listings to potential buyers.
- How can I promote my Ruby Lane shop effectively?
- Focus on building a community and engaging with potential buyers through social media, online groups, blogging, and email newsletters.
- Consider utilizing Ruby Lane’s marketing tools, such as Monthly Finds submissions and Search Clicks.
- What are “Buyer’s Wishlists” and how can I use them to my advantage?
- Buyer’s Wishlists allow shoppers to save items they’re interested in. You can use these wishlists to track the popularity of your items and engage with interested buyers. Consider promoting items with multiple “watchers” or offering special discounts to those who have wishlisted your items.
- Is feedback important on Ruby Lane?
- While Ruby Lane utilizes a third-party feedback system (Trustpilot), it’s not as prominent as on other platforms. Excellent customer service is prioritized over feedback ratings.
Conclusion:
Selling on Ruby Lane offers a unique opportunity to connect with a passionate community of vintage and antique buyers. By embracing the platform’s curated approach, creating compelling listings, actively marketing your shop, and providing top-notch customer service, you can find success in this specialized marketplace. Ruby Lane’s recent fee changes and loyal customer base make it a compelling platform for anyone serious about turning their love of vintage and antiques into a thriving online business.