I well keep my ideas to myself.
Login to Like
this post
Jerry suggested if it is possible to set up a system that sends email alerts to a seller's prior buyers about new books (or auctions?) being posted. I assume these would be notifications that buyers could "opt-in" to receive (?).
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
This type of thing would be possible. What is the general feeling about this?
Regards ... Tim.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
07:47:02pm
It would be helpful. I often ask my buyers what else they are looking for because I like to allow them to do multiple purchases if they choose to do so, to make their purchase worth the postage fees. The problem then is having to remember to individually message each individual.
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
Sounds like a great idea to me, if it can be done :-)
Login to Like
this post
a subscription that creates a reminder when a selected seller puts new approvals online would be very helpful - to both sides because it will also increase sales, I think.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
I think it is a good idea. As long as the buyer is able to opt out if they no longer want to receive those e-mails.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Ok, here is what I propose. Please tell me what you think.
1. On the cover page of each Approval Book we add a button labelled "Subscribe to New Books Notifications".
2. Once or twice a day we have a program that runs automatically that sends an email to those who have subscribed to receive email notification when a selected seller posts a new Approval Book. The email would list the books that have been posted by the selected seller since the last time that the notification program was run. I'm thinking that a summary email would be better than sending an email every time a new book is posted.
3. At the bottom of the email notification, we add an "unsubscribe" link so a buyer can easily unsubscribe from email notification for a certain seller.
How does that sound?
Regards ... Tim
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Will the notification include books that are already active, but have been edited or price reductions?
Login to Like
this post
I like it Tim.
Login to Like
this post
Michael,
The emails could include those extra things.. I hadn't thought of including them. Do you think that there is enough value in them to include them?
Tim
Login to Like
this post
I was just wondering if you had included them. I think it would probably be too much if they were. I'd exclude them, unless you put a qualifier in the message to let people know what has changed, such as:
Dear SOR Member. This is to notify you that Michael78651, an SOR member from whom you purchases stamps in the past, has (as indicated below):
[ ] Listed # of new approval books
[ ] Lowered pricing on # of approval books
[ ] Edited # of approval books
That is just off the top of my head. The box would have an "X" in it if true. I don't know exactly how you are planning the notifications. Just a quick thought from me.
Login to Like
this post
I like the inclusion of Alerts when Approval Book prices have been reduced....but only if price reductions impact a sizable portion of the book... say 50% of the pages or more, and also if the price reductions are not just token...say amounting to 20% or more of the old price.
lol 
...how simple can one be?
It is all dependent on the ease of software implementation. Without some limits, I am not sure how much Price Alerts are going to create other problems, such as people abusing of the feature an capability to post "pseudo" sales to drum up added interest. So a qualified yes.
rrr...
Login to Like
this post
04:51:38pm
I like it Tim.
Gives the buyers an opportunity to make that choice and also helps the sellers not feel like they are shoving their new books down previous buyers' throats by sending them unwanted messages.
As far as books that are already in existence - why bother including them? If you are interested in that seller, at this stage of the game, you are already reviewing their current books. In the future, if you choose this option, then you'll simply be updated with the new books available.
Just my two cents.
Kelly
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
05:00:26pm
Kelly is "spot on" on this one! I really like the notification idea, but want to keep it simple. If I am excited enough about a Seller's goods to want to know when new ones are available, I will keep a watch out for price reductions among his/her existing offerings; I do not need a notification each time things change (isn't that what the sweet little icons Tim has already provided are for?).
-Bobby
Login to Like
this post
I also feel the notifications should just be for new books, not adjustments to already existing ones. Need to keep it simple or something that could be informative becomes a nuisance.
Login to Like
this post
I agree with you all. Let's keep it simple.
I'm off to Rhode Island this weekend and the next week for my son Brendon's wedding. When I get back I'll take care of this. Hopefully, I'll also have some photos to share. 
Regards ... Tim.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Hi Everyone,
I have implemented a New Approval Book Subscription Service. You can now subscribe to receive email notifications when your favorite sellers post new Approval Books.
To subscribe to receive emails when a particular seller has posted a new book, go to the cover page (first page) of one of the seller's books and you will see a new section half way down the page called "New Book Notification Subscription". Just click on the Subscribe button to subscribe to receive email notifications. You will notice that once you click on Subscribe, the button changes to Unsubscribe, so that you can easily unsubscribe from the email notifications for that seller.
The email notifications go out in a summary format once a day at about mid-day. You will see all the new books for all your subscribed sellers in the one email. At the bottom of the email there is a link that allows you to Unsubscribe to the emails, which effectively deletes all the subscriptions that you have setup for all sellers.
Here is where I need your feedback: The email program is currently set to run once each day at mid-day. Is this often enough for you? If not, how often would you like to receive it? The email includes all new books that have been posted since the email program was last run. I will go with the most common opinion on how often this needs to be run.
Regards ... Tim.
Login to Like
this post
In my mind, once a day is plenty.
I think any more than that and I'd just find it annoying.
Login to Like
this post
Hi Tim,
nice to see this implemented. Perhaps twice a day would be even nicer.
One question: mid-day at which timezone?
Jan-Simon
Login to Like
this post
Good point Jan-Simon, it is currently set at mid-day Eastern Standard Time.
Tim
Login to Like
this post
The initial time selection that I setup for the job that ran at mid-day didn't seem to pickup any new books so it didn't send out any emails. I have just adjusted the initial time for the first run and have reset the time so that it runs again at 1:00pm EST.
Regards ... Tim.
Login to Like
this post
That message was by no means to promote or brag of approvals but just a experience of example the others could use that idea. I deleted as suggested of emeberancement. I never look at myself unless it help others.
I well keep my ideas to myself.
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Jerry suggested if it is possible to set up a system that sends email alerts to a seller's prior buyers about new books (or auctions?) being posted. I assume these would be notifications that buyers could "opt-in" to receive (?).
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
This type of thing would be possible. What is the general feeling about this?
Regards ... Tim.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
12 May 2014
07:47:02pm
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
It would be helpful. I often ask my buyers what else they are looking for because I like to allow them to do multiple purchases if they choose to do so, to make their purchase worth the postage fees. The problem then is having to remember to individually message each individual.
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
03:02:48am
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Sounds like a great idea to me, if it can be done :-)
Login to Like
this post
Auctions - Approvals
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
a subscription that creates a reminder when a selected seller puts new approvals online would be very helpful - to both sides because it will also increase sales, I think.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I think it is a good idea. As long as the buyer is able to opt out if they no longer want to receive those e-mails.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Ok, here is what I propose. Please tell me what you think.
1. On the cover page of each Approval Book we add a button labelled "Subscribe to New Books Notifications".
2. Once or twice a day we have a program that runs automatically that sends an email to those who have subscribed to receive email notification when a selected seller posts a new Approval Book. The email would list the books that have been posted by the selected seller since the last time that the notification program was run. I'm thinking that a summary email would be better than sending an email every time a new book is posted.
3. At the bottom of the email notification, we add an "unsubscribe" link so a buyer can easily unsubscribe from email notification for a certain seller.
How does that sound?
Regards ... Tim
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Will the notification include books that are already active, but have been edited or price reductions?
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I like it Tim.
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Michael,
The emails could include those extra things.. I hadn't thought of including them. Do you think that there is enough value in them to include them?
Tim
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I was just wondering if you had included them. I think it would probably be too much if they were. I'd exclude them, unless you put a qualifier in the message to let people know what has changed, such as:
Dear SOR Member. This is to notify you that Michael78651, an SOR member from whom you purchases stamps in the past, has (as indicated below):
[ ] Listed # of new approval books
[ ] Lowered pricing on # of approval books
[ ] Edited # of approval books
That is just off the top of my head. The box would have an "X" in it if true. I don't know exactly how you are planning the notifications. Just a quick thought from me.
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I like the inclusion of Alerts when Approval Book prices have been reduced....but only if price reductions impact a sizable portion of the book... say 50% of the pages or more, and also if the price reductions are not just token...say amounting to 20% or more of the old price.
lol ...how simple can one be?
It is all dependent on the ease of software implementation. Without some limits, I am not sure how much Price Alerts are going to create other problems, such as people abusing of the feature an capability to post "pseudo" sales to drum up added interest. So a qualified yes.
rrr...
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
14 May 2014
04:51:38pm
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I like it Tim.
Gives the buyers an opportunity to make that choice and also helps the sellers not feel like they are shoving their new books down previous buyers' throats by sending them unwanted messages.
As far as books that are already in existence - why bother including them? If you are interested in that seller, at this stage of the game, you are already reviewing their current books. In the future, if you choose this option, then you'll simply be updated with the new books available.
Just my two cents.
Kelly
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
14 May 2014
05:00:26pm
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Kelly is "spot on" on this one! I really like the notification idea, but want to keep it simple. If I am excited enough about a Seller's goods to want to know when new ones are available, I will keep a watch out for price reductions among his/her existing offerings; I do not need a notification each time things change (isn't that what the sweet little icons Tim has already provided are for?).
-Bobby
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I also feel the notifications should just be for new books, not adjustments to already existing ones. Need to keep it simple or something that could be informative becomes a nuisance.
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
I agree with you all. Let's keep it simple.
I'm off to Rhode Island this weekend and the next week for my son Brendon's wedding. When I get back I'll take care of this. Hopefully, I'll also have some photos to share.
Regards ... Tim.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Hi Everyone,
I have implemented a New Approval Book Subscription Service. You can now subscribe to receive email notifications when your favorite sellers post new Approval Books.
To subscribe to receive emails when a particular seller has posted a new book, go to the cover page (first page) of one of the seller's books and you will see a new section half way down the page called "New Book Notification Subscription". Just click on the Subscribe button to subscribe to receive email notifications. You will notice that once you click on Subscribe, the button changes to Unsubscribe, so that you can easily unsubscribe from the email notifications for that seller.
The email notifications go out in a summary format once a day at about mid-day. You will see all the new books for all your subscribed sellers in the one email. At the bottom of the email there is a link that allows you to Unsubscribe to the emails, which effectively deletes all the subscriptions that you have setup for all sellers.
Here is where I need your feedback: The email program is currently set to run once each day at mid-day. Is this often enough for you? If not, how often would you like to receive it? The email includes all new books that have been posted since the email program was last run. I will go with the most common opinion on how often this needs to be run.
Regards ... Tim.
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
In my mind, once a day is plenty.
I think any more than that and I'd just find it annoying.
Login to Like
this post
Auctions - Approvals
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Hi Tim,
nice to see this implemented. Perhaps twice a day would be even nicer.
One question: mid-day at which timezone?
Jan-Simon
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
Good point Jan-Simon, it is currently set at mid-day Eastern Standard Time.
Tim
Login to Like
this post
re: New Approval book Alert for buyers
The initial time selection that I setup for the job that ran at mid-day didn't seem to pickup any new books so it didn't send out any emails. I have just adjusted the initial time for the first run and have reset the time so that it runs again at 1:00pm EST.
Regards ... Tim.
Login to Like
this post