Hi Everyone:

While bemoaning that fact that I have had very few sales lately, my husband suggested that it might be because of my seller name. He thinks it is too frivolous and cutesy, and not professional enough. I told him that most of the sellers had non-professional names and seemed to do very well.

Anyhow, I wanted your opinions on this. I will not get my feelings hurt if you don't like my seller name. I am too old for that.

Phyllis
Auntiefoof

Thanks for the response, Dale.   The "foof" part of my name comes from my niece, who when she was little, couldn't pronounce "Phyllis" my first name.  It is now a family pet name, as my niece, nephew, and nephew's wife call me "Auntiefoof."  I guess I picked it sentimentally.  I really didn't put much thought into it when I started selling.  I think I should have. 

You brought up another issue I was wondering about.  If I did want to change my seller name, would I lose all my feedback? A paltry 25, as it is, but it was sure hard to get.  

As to buyers shying away from names that are too wierd or cutesy, I think that probably is true.  My postoffice buddy wanted to buy the new Phil McGraw book.  Of course, I told her to check Amazon first.  She did, but wound up buying it on Half.com. (darn)  I asked her who she bought it from on Half.  She told me the name was something like "serenity books", "peace books," whatever.  She said she picked the seller because she liked the name!

I, like you, am a one-woman operation, and need all the help I can get to attract the buyers.  I really don't want a name that turns them off. 

BTW, I think Columbus_books is kinda middle-of-the road.  Not cutesy, somewhat professional.  As a buyer, I would think it meant that you are from Columbus, OH!

I, too, will be interested to see what the others think. ..Nice chatting with you.

Phyllis

Dale, love the name! Your logo would be perfect -- don't forget to put books in the cart.

I am such a night owl -- gotta get some sleep.

Talk later.

Phyllis

**f I did want to change my seller name, would I lose all my feedback? **

No - you don't lose it when you change the seller name, Phyllis.

I think your name is cute -- it definitely does communicate that this is a person behind the name, not an assembly-line crew. It gives (to me) the picture of a little old lady who I'd like to have a cup of tea and home-baked cookies with. (Not that you ARE a "little old lady" -- but that's the image I get, and it's a really positive image, I'd say!)

If your descriptions look professional, then I'd say you are all right with that name. If they don't, then the name you've chosen together with that might say "amateur."

So, to answer your question -- the name is important, but it's not enough on its own to bring you a sale. It CAN be enough to destroy chances for getting a sale (think "bugger books" or "dumpsterdiverbooks" -- I have seen both), but a sweet and friendly name ought not to turn folks off unless it's overly cutesy (Ixoxoxoxobooks, for example, or PattilovesBobBooks, or Snuffythedoggiedeals -- all of which I've seen.)

Good luck to you, Phyllis, whatever you decide -

Caramora

___

P.S. Just read through the thread and agree with you 100% about Dale's proposed "littleredcart" -- very nice indeed and what a GREAT logo that would be!

Phyllis,

As a frequent Marketplace buyer, I can back up these other opinions: the name "auntiefoof" would have a positive rather than a negative influence on me. Auntiefoof sounds like she'd take her time, carefully and lovingly packaging each book, maybe even enclosing a dried flower from her old-fashioned garden! :-D

As for "Columbus_books", I would envision that seller as small bookstore somewhere, branching out into online sales. I would not at all be deterred from buying; I would check the number of feedbacks and see immediately it wasn't a giant operation (which I do shy away from). The overall affect would be neutral.

As for "littleredcart", I like it; it sounds friendly and inviting. But it also sounds to me like a seller of children's books for some reason. I guess I am getting it mixed up with kids' little red wagons. But even so, that would in no way, ever deter me from buying from that seller; in fact it would have a positive effect, if any, because of its friendly sound.

. Like Caramora, for me, the seller name has to be very bad to actually steer me AWAY from a purchase -- I saw one yesterday with the word "junk" in the title!

Marth

Well I love the name auntiefoof and I would also buy from someone with that name.  I also picture a kind, sweet lady who has a sense of humor and will take great care with my book order!

I hate to be a "me too" but I also see Columbus_Books as a larger seller or a bookstore, and LittleRedCart is very cute - gives a nice image and sounds friendly and personable. 

I agree with Cara, most names are not going to matter one way or another to the sale unless it's something horrible that is a real turnoff.  BuggerBooks - Eeeeewwwww Cara!    :)  lol   Now that is one I don't want to order a book from!  (No that's not glue stuck to the cover!)

:>  earthmom

I am not from Ohio.  What's funny is that a few weeks after changing the name, I thought...hey, people may assume I'm from Columbus, Ohio...you have proven me correct in that assumption.

Please don't laugh, but I was thinking of changing my name to LittleRedCart.  I am always scouting for books dragging my little red shopping cart behind me. If I had a logo, it would be of a woman with reading glasses on, pulling a little cart behind her.  I can just visualize it. :-)

When you first changed your name, I too assumed you were in Ohio.  Later you mentioned something about NYC so I decided you must live on Columbus Ave.  I agree with the other posters who said that seller name doesn't matter unless the name is really out there.  I've toyed with changing my seller name to Fugee Books.

As for the OP, I don't think the name auntiefoof hurts you as a seller.  Especially if you describe your books well and professionally and rack up good feedback!

Sandy