Business

If you own a Quickdrop Ebay Drop Store Franchise, what will you do now?

QuikDrop says goodbye…

In an article written by Ina Steiner of AuctionBytes.com this morning, it is reported that QuikDrop, one of the largest eBay store franchises in the United States, will close franchise sales and support operations by the end of this month. Existing franchisees (store owners) are free to continue store operations, but will do so without corporate franchise support or software.

…at least one store owner was concerned about QuikDrop’s announcement that it would stop offering stores use of its proprietary software program on December 31st. Bob Golub, a QuikDrop franchise owner from Massachusetts, said he wasn’t surprised by the news of the shutdown, but he is concerned about finding replacement software and learning a new program in such a short amount of time. “We are all fighting,” Golub said. Extract from: Ina Steiner AuctionBytes.com

If you own a QuickDrop franchise, what will you do?

Will you go ahead and continue trading with newer and even better software provided by a third party like AuctionLogic (powered by AuctionSound)? Or will you try to do your shipping with the eBay Turbo-Lister?

There are services available like AccountingLogic that will help you convert your data from your existing software or accounting software and import that data into your new listing software. Learning more modern web-based consignment list software suites is not as difficult as QuickDrop store owners might imagine. Training is available through software vendors or their consultants, and in the end, your costs will be much lower, while your ease of use and efficiency will improve.

My advice would be to weigh the options and evaluate this change as an opportunity. QuickDrop may have given the entire franchise the best Christmas present possible. But by shutting down the bleed and operations, they have given franchisees the chance to control their own destiny and run their businesses how they want. The reduction in overhead will give each franchise owner breathing room to implement new advertising, website development and eBay store upgrade options that were not available to them as a franchise owner.

Beyond highlighting the many valid reasons to avoid purchasing an eBay store franchise, as detailed earlier in this post… This development also highlights a business practice that I believe every small business owner should avoid…

Relying on one company or entity to provide your business with all the necessary software and branding and, ultimately, revenue… is nonsense. Throwing all the proverbial eggs in one basket is unwise in any business, relying on one company for software and branding is risky.

Although this lesson is demonstrated very clearly with this latest development of QuickDrop. The same lesson can be applied to the practice of placing all of your product sales on a channel like eBay. It is not wise for a business owner to depend so completely on the stability, generosity, or whims of another company. If you only sell through eBay or if you have an eBay franchise store of any brand, you should take today’s news as a wake-up call. Look at your operation and analyze where your income is developing. If your stream is a river, then you need to branch out. Find a way to sell elsewhere, look for other support options, check out other software providers…

Always look for ways to extend your reliance on other entities and your business will be healthier and better able to survive when a supplier hits a snag. Your business is no different than an investment portfolio, investing all your cash in a single stock is never a good idea…

Everyone in the QuickDrop family has corporate offices to thank for this decision. There are other software suites available that are easier to use and better supported and are available at less than the cost of a franchise and royalty fee.

Congratulations to all QuickDrop franchise owners – you have been set free.

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