I recently, out of the blue, got an e-mail from VendorPro offering to help me sell my books. I replied, asking what I feel are essential questions before hiring someone to provide any sort of author services:
1. How long have your been in business?
2. What are the titles of some of the books you are
currently marketing?
3. What are your fees?
4. Provide reference information for at least three
of your authors.
5. Provide a list of bookstores that have purchased
books from your site.
Here is their reply, with my commentary:
First of all, it appears that Vendorpro was originally set up to sell crafts and other manufactured items, not books. It seems clear that their "book" letter is merely doing a search-and-replace on their letter to crafters., with no recognition that there are two different markets.
Thank you for taking the time to write. As per your email, while we
have over 4000 suppliers on our site, it is against our policy to release,
sell or disseminate the information of registered members to nonregistered
users.
Typical of any scam. They refuse to give out any information that would let you track down their customers to make an informed decision.
We've been in business for over 4 1/2 years and have approximately 4000 sellers on our site showcasing thousands of products. Every month we
have over 2 million hits so there's a lot of business being done.
Fancy statistics, but note they don't claim their sellers actually
sold anything. 4000 may have signed up, but how many have had any success? 2 million hits only means people are looking at the pages (and a page can have multiple "hits" with a single viewing). How many are buying?
This total does not even include the over 100,000 stores in our database we email new products to.
They e-mail new products? Since some of their products are craft items, that's a neat trick. I'm curious as to how someone were to download scented candles. Oh, they're e-mailing 100,000 stores an
ad for their products. Glorious spam! I'm sure that's highly effective; stores read all their e-mail messages avidly.
There's definitely a larger market for your book.
Probably, but the fact that it's out of print kind of makes it difficult to provide copies even if the stores order it. Granted, it's in electronic form, but I don't know many stores that stock ebooks on their shelves. They've obviously researched my book quite diligently.
In fact, with over 450 publishers/authors registered, the book category is one of our most popular sections.
This explains their success, not the authors'. 450 people were convinced to pay for their services, but he makes no claim that any one of them sold a single book through them.
Other than helping you reach the bookstores, we can help you
target a market traditional book distributors don't go after. There
are millions of large retailers, gift stores, specialty shops, mail-order
catalogs, and Internet shopping sites looking for products like yours
to sell in their stores. They buy up front, do not return, and will
continue to order from you once your books sell.
Gift stores looking for a science fiction book? I would think they'd be looking for gifts, not books. Non-bookstores are always looking for new product, but only if that product fits their specialty. Adding an obscure science fiction novel won't bring in customers. Even adding a best-selling author won't do it; people who want the author's books will first think of going to a bookstore to get it.
Buyers are always on the lookout for products that will bring customers into their stores. That's how they stay in business. To supply their stores they'll buy products from you in massive quantities
. First two statements are true. Third sentence would be true of they left out "from you." They'll buy from wholesalers, not me.
Some stores routinely spend millions of dollars on each product. Landing just 1 account is guaranteed to boost your profits. Can you imagine what 10, 100, or even 1000 new accounts will do for your business? Imagine all the fun you'll have. Best of all, once your book sells in their stores like you know they can, sit back and watch the repeat orders roll in.
Craft products boilerplate. First sentence is true. Second sentence: Sure, but what are the odds? Who has gotten these 100 new accounts due to you? Who has even gotten one?
The key is getting your book seen by the right people . the people who are responsible for making the purchasing decisions for their stores. You
need key contacts. That's where we come in. Thousands of key buyers have come to us and asked for our help in locating products for their stores.
Why not name the key buyers, or at least the store they represent? Is it because you've can't find any?
We search the globe for products we think are ideal for them. Once your book is posted on our site it's showcased to our network of stores and
emailed to buyers requesting email alerts when products just like yours are
posted.
How many buyers have requested these? No answer, of course.
Keep in mind, we're certainly not the answer to all of your prayers.
Probably the most factual statement they're making. It's also their way out.
Some products move the instant they are posted, some need a kick start (that's why we email your products to buyers), while other products don't move at all. That's just the nature of business. We're here to give you an opportunity .... a chance to reach more stores than you'll probably ever
have the time to reach on your own.
The disclaimer. They don't promise a thing. They just give you "a chance." And a pretty slim one.
As per your question, to register your business it costs $340USD per
year. This allows you to post as many products as you want, as often as you want, throughout the time you are signed on with us. Every one of your
products will have its own page that we create for you based on the questions you answer. You can even upload images. It's a cinch to do and takes just a few minutes.
The nitty gritty. $340 a year with no promises and no specifics. Hey, if you give me $340 a year, I'll post your product on my website, too. I'll even do it for $100, and promise the same success VendorPro claims.
The only other optional charges are adding a link to your website
($45USD per year) and placing your products in special advertising sections
like "Looks What's New" (normal cost $85USD per product). If you do
register please send me an email and I'll enhance your account by adding the
link for free (save $45USD), plus I'll place your book in the "Look What's New"
section at no charge for three months (save $255USD).
An attempt to make this look like a real bargain, but it obscures the main question: is this worth it?
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results you get once you
decide to put yourself out there more.
You may think so; I don't.
EXPOSURE
VendorPro has quickly become the world's premier online marketplace.
Thousands of buyers from around the globe visit our site actively
looking for products to sell in their stores, mail-order catalogs, and online
shopping sites.
"Looking for products." Not "buying products." Like most of the previous, this information is useless in evaluating the service.
SIMPLE
Getting started is simple. Once you register we'll showcase your
products. Every one of your products will have its own page that we create for you. You can post as many products as you like, as often as you want,
throughout the time you are registered with us. You can even upload images. We'll have you up and running in just minutes.
You can do this on any web page and it doesn't cost you $340 a year.
WE CONTACT BUYERS FOR YOU
Once your products are posted they are instantly showcased to our
enormous network of buyers. But we do much more to make sure your products get seen by the right people. Your products are instantly emailed to purchasing agents who are looking for products just like yours. We work hard to get your products sold by targeting the right buyers for you.
Translation: you'll spam a bunch of companies. Do any of these purchasing agents ever buy from your e-mails? And I still want to know how you e-mail a scented candle.
YOU WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH BUYERS
Buyers prefer to deal with you directly, especially if they are
purchasing large quantities. As a result, no transactions are run through our
website. Buyers will contact you directly to ask their questions and to place
their orders. You work with them to establish the payment terms and shipping dates that work best for you. It's a snap.
No transactions through their website: convenient -- you couldn't give any real numbers about the success even if you wanted to. All VendorPro knows is how many people have logged on to your website (you need a login to view anything), but there's no way to quantify results.
SAVES TIME
We realize that as a business owner you are the President, Vice
President, secretary, and accountant all wrapped into one. That leaves very little time for marketing. But VendorPro knows that marketing directly affects the growth of your business. So we have done the research for you. And
have tracked down thousands of the world's premier retail buyers, legwork
that would take the average business owner years to accomplish. VendorPro
saves you time and helps you reach your business goals quicker.
Again, where are some names?
GROW AT YOUR OWN PACE
You may get more orders than you can handle . that's a good problem.
Since you'll be able to pick and choose who you want to work with you can
pace the growth of your business. Having 24-hour access to your site allows you to edit and/or remove the products once they've been sold. Whether you're a small one-person business or a large corporation, we'll make sure you grow right.
Hardly an issue with books; once again, we're talking actual gift manufacturers.
COST EFFECTIVE
Registering your company with VendorPro may be the most cost-efficient
marketing investment your company will ever make. There are many free
advantages to membership, like a fully self-administered listing in
VendorPro, giving you exposure to thousands of qualified buyers,
unlimited product listings with no commission charges, access to valuable
databases and more! All for only $340 per year.
Aren't these the advantages they mentioned before? By saying it twice, it might catch people thinking they are offering more. But ultimately, it's only cost-effective if it brings in at least $340 a year. How many of your clients can claim that?
PLUS IF YOU REGISTER BY APRIL 27
The ACT NOW! scam.
. You'll receive contact information and descriptions for over 20,000
mail-order catalog companies. Every single on of them is looking for
products to sell in their catalogs.
Assuming the information is accurate, so what? They're looking for products, but are they looking for MY products?
. We'll show you how to get your products featured in over 60,000
newspapers and magazines
Buy an ad or send a press release. Are there any other options? I don't think so, but you can pay for the privilege.
CUTTING EDGE
The world is quickly moving to the Internet as the new way to do
business.
The Internet is not really a new way to do business. It's merely a communication medium. There is no essential difference between Internet sales and the Sears Roebuck catalog of a century ago, other than you can place your order faster.
We've revolutionized the way buyers and wholesalers interact and have quickly become the world's premier wholesale marketplace. Our ability
to bring buyers and sellers together on a global scale have put us on top.
Your opportunity awaits.
It's only a revolution if it works. Does it? Nothing in this letter makes that claim. And if you're the premier wholesale marketplace, what are you sales figures.
SUCCESS STORIES
Your business success depends on its amount of exposure and how well
you market your products. We're here to give you the opportunity ... a
chance to grow your business beyond your wildest dreams. If you're serious
about your company and want to take your business to the next level, this is
where you begin.
First sentence is true. And sure, they're giving you an opportunity -- just a bad one.
Just read what some of our newest sellers are saying.
http://www.VendorPro.com/testimonials.htm
I will. And here's what I see: four testimonials. No one was willing to give their last name. (I don't know about you, but I've always noticed that's typical for scams: the anonymous testimonial from Joe R.)
So you're revolutionizing the business and can only list four customers who are willing to praise you? And none are willing to go on the record? Note, too, that only the first two say anything about getting orders; the other two merely say VendorPro is good at answering the phones (not minor, given the PA situation, but still meaningless).
If you have more questions please feel free to write back or call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Sincerely,
Brian Miller
Is the devil playing ice hockey?
