The three main problems that may arise in online selling business under the marketplaces.

Hello,

I am here with a very important topic. I will discuss about some obstacles that you may face when selling products through popular marketplaces like amazon, flipkart, club factory etc. You have to get understood about these problems so that you may have idea how to overcome these problems and earn a good profit. I will also suggest you some solutions for these problems. If you are a beginner as a seller, then it is very important to know about these problems so that you will be able to solve that problems and continue your business.

Three main problems that may arise in online selling business are -

1. Pickup problems by courier partners - By this term, I mean to say the negligence by the courier person on picking up the courier from you. It is a big problem that you may face in this business. If you have taken easy ship service i.e. the courier service provided by the marketplaces, then you may face this problem. If you have taken self ship service then the matter is yours. But, in self ship the risk is more. So, I prefer the easy ship service. But, in easy ship service, this kind of problem may arise. I personally faced this problem. If they do not pick up your courier, then the parcel will not be delivered to your customer and your seller rating may go down. If it causes at a big extent then it may create a big problem for you.

2. High return rates - Return is a really big problem for all the sellers. Return may be of two types -

(a) Courier Return - It means the returns that come from the end of the courier partners. If a customer orders a product but after reaching the destination, when the courier boy call that customer and he/she refuses to accept the parcel then the courier partner will return it back to the seller. Or when a courier boy tries to call the customer and the phone is out of reach, after a couple of tries the courier will return it back to the seller. So, in both of the cases the return will be generated from the courier. It is very painful for the sellers because in this case, the seller is not responsible. But, the seller must pay the return charge.

(b) Buyer/Customer Return - When a customer doesn't get satisfaction with the product then he/she may return that product if return facility is available on that product. It may arise because of the product's size fit issue, quality issue, material issue etc. In this case the product will be returned to the seller and a return charge will be taken from the seller. Sometimes return facility is not available for some products. So, in that case, the product can not be returned by the buyer.

3. High competition - In online selling business, competition is very high. Obviously you can target the customers of all over the world. But, you need to compete so many sellers also. Let's consider you have brought a product and list it under a marketplace like amazon and you are receiving a good no. of orders and earning a very good profit. You will notice after a couple of days, a new seller will come with the same product and with a better price. After that, one more seller will come in this way and with a more better price. So, in this case, you will be bound to decrease your price. otherwise, you will not receive orders. Instead of you, your competitors will get orders. Day by day, your price will be decreased in such a way that your profit margin will also be decreased at a big extent.  

Now, I will suggest some solutions for the above mentioned obstacles that may occur in online selling business.

Some solutions are -

1. In case of pickup problems by the courier partner under easy ship service (courier service provided by the marketplace), you need to complain against your local courier agent or the courier boy. You may register a complain under the marketplace by sending an email to the respective marketplace or call them and describe your problem. You need to mention your area, name of courier agent, every about their behaviour. After that, you can note down the case id. If your problem persists, call them again and mention your case id to get the solution. Seller support will help you in all aspect. Also, tell them not to create any negative impact on your seller ratings for the fault of the courier partner. If the order cancelled due to late pickup then the cancellation charge should be reimbursed as it is not your own fault. If it is charged then request the seller support to reimburse the cancellation charge.

2. If you want to minimise your return rates then follow the steps given below -

a) Always ship your orders in time. After getting the order, process the order, pack it and handover to the courier partner as soon as possible. If you do it lately then your customers may cancel the orders. Thus your return rate will increase.

b) Always check your product in the time of packing. Match your product with the description of your order. Check the product whether it is defective or not. Thus your customer will get satisfied with the product delivered and they will not return it.

c) If you don't have the product in stock, then you may contact the buyer through message and inform them about it. If they approve any substitute then only you ship that substitute product so that he/she will be satisfied.

d) Always give the right information about your products in the listings. Do not mention any wrong information about your products such as color, size, features etc. Thus your customers will not get confuse about your products.

3. Competition is always high in online selling business. But there are also some ways to minimise this problem - 

i) Always try to introduce unique products. Research the market and find some unique products for your business. There are so many products are launching everyday in the market. So, it is not very tough to get such a unique product.

ii) Do not go with any such products which already has a big competition in the market. If a big no. of sellers are selling a product then you should not try to list that product. instead of that you bring some less competitive products.

iii) The most reliable way is to produce your own products. If you can do it then you will be able to register the trademark of that product. Then no one can copy that product or sell that without your permission. If they do so you can claim for copy right.

Every problem has a solution. If you can follow my solutions then you will not face any obstacle in your online business life. You can run your business without any problem and earn a big profit.

Thank you.