Services: Frequently Asked Questions About Shopster

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FAQs

Overview

Commissions

System

Operations

Setting up your Store

Dropship with Shopster

Reports

General Shopster Information

Overview

What is Shopster? (Top)

Shopster empowers entrepreneurs, Webmasters and affiliates to become retailers. Shopster provides the tools for you to become a retailer and sell online without the headaches of customer service, inventory costs and shipping, product fulfillment, merchant accounts, and returns.

You pick your inventory and use the Shopster system to create your store on your Shopster storefront. You create the sales and we handle the rest. To your consumer, you are a retailer like any other. You offer them products on your site that they want to buy and may have trouble finding elsewhere. In reality, you are a business owner who doesn't have to deal with all of the administrative and overhead requirements of a traditional retailer. You pick targeted merchandise from our selection of over 1,000,000 products without having the cost associated with a traditional bricks and mortar store.

With Shopster, you open your ultimate retail store but you don't have any costs other than the monthly fee. The products sold on your store are delivered by Shopster to your customers and you determine your profit for each sale when you set your selling prices.

Shopster also provides the opportunity for retailers to sell products on 3rd party websites. For no additional cost you are able to sell Shopster inventory on sites such as eBay, Yahoo stores, or Overstock. Our system makes it easy for you to list and manage your products across all stages of the sales life-cycle. Place your order through one of our sales channels once you have sold the product and we will have our suppliers ship that product directly to your customer.

As a complete suite of multichannel sales tools, Shopster provides the technology, the customer service and the supply chain management for your business. By allowing you to focus your efforts on what's important to you: your business and your sales, we give you the power to sell more.

Does Shopster provide all the e-Commerce, Product Fulfillment and Customer Service? (Top)

Yes. As a Shopster Retailer you generate sales and get paid monthly commissions on those sales; we handle the rest. There are no costs for you associated with product delivery. Shopster delivers your orders and provides customer service as part of the Shopster service.

Is my Shopster store a cookie cutter store? (Top)

No. Your store is one of a kind. Shopster's system is designed for you to create the ultimate niche store, with a look and feel you can create, to target the visitors of your Website. For example, if you have a Website about horror movies, your users are probably not going to be purchasing their home audio from your site. They will however, be interested in purchasing hard to get horror movie related goods like toys, DVDs, posters, apparel and paraphernalia. On the other hand, if your Website is about the newest tech gadgets, then you will want to sell the newest home audio tech gadgets. Your store might have only thirty or forty products on it or it might have a few hundred, but the more you target your product selection to your niche, the better your sales ratio will be. Remember, as a Shopster retailer, you don't stock any of your inventory, you just pick the items that you want to sell, and we ship it for you.

Do I have control over the products that I sell? (Top)

Yes, you have total control over which products you want to sell. Shopster's virtual warehouse is currently home to over 1,000,000 products. You create categories for your store and add inventory to them. In addition, you can easily create and delete categories in your store.

What products can I sell? (Top)

Shopster currently has over 1,000,000 products to sell. At this point, you are not able to sell your own products through the system unless you qualify to become a Shopster Supplier. For supplier inquiries please use our contact form here and select "supplier inquiries" from the drop down menu.

Please Note: Exact inventory numbers in the warehouse change on a daily basis

Do I have control over the pricing of my products? (Top)

You choose the pricing for your products. The prices you set will determine your profits. You make the difference between the wholesale price in the warehouse and the price that you sell your products for. You can run sales, use coupons and more, but you always have control over the pricing of your products.

What does my store look like? (Top)

Shopster provides over a dozen high-end templates for you to choose from. Alternatively, you can upload your own template to the Shopster system. You have full control over the look and feel of your store. You can even copy the look and feel of your current Website, or you can manipulate a Shopster provided template to suit your needs.

How much does it cost to start my store? (Top)

Shopster offers our retailers the best e-Commerce solution on the web at a very reasonable price. Our initial start-up fee is only $99.00 with a monthly price of $69.95 per month. Or sign up for an annual account at $549.95 and save over 70%.

To find out what your fees cover, visit How it works?

Am I responsible for shipping costs, or is that part of your service as well? (Top)

No. Your customer pays shipping when they checkout, you are not responsible for shipping fees.

What is my obligation should I decide to quit after the 7 day trial? (Top)

If you would like to maintain your account beyond your seven day free trial period, do nothing. Your credit card will be auto billed once your trial is complete and you will become an official Shopster member. We will send you commission checks monthly and you can make unlimited commission. Should you decide to quit during the 7 day trial, please contact customer support at 1-866-680-7467 and we will handle your request in a friendly and professional manner.

Is there any contract or can I stop at any time? (Top)

You can stop at any time. Once you have given your notice of cancellation, your account will remain fully operational for the remainder of that billing cycle as Shopster does not pro-rate its membership fees. Cancellation of your account will occur the day prior to your next billing date and you will not be subject to any fees beyond that point. You can easily reinstate your account should you desire to do so.

Is it necessary for me to create an LLC to be a Shopster retailer? (Top)

No, it is not necessary to create an LLC in order to be a Shopster member. We can pay your monthly commission via personal check or PayPal account.

Commissions

How does Shopster make me money? (Top)

When you activate your account with Shopster, you will gain access to the Shopster virtual warehouse which currently stores over 1,000,000 products. Within the virtual warehouse, you can select which products and product categories make the ultimate retail mix for your target customer or Website visitor. You are able to see the wholesale price of the product and you can mark up the product to whatever price you think you can sell it at. Your commission is the difference between the wholesale price and the price you sell to your consumers. Product lines like computer hardware usually have lower markups but higher per unit prices, so you can still make large profits. Some lines, such as sunglasses, movie posters and vitamins, have large markups. Shopster pays out monthly commission on the sales that you make.

How much can I make? (Top)

You can make as much as any other retailer on the internet. You choose the markup on your goods. You get the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price that you sell your products for. This is identical to the traditional retailer's business model. The difference is: you don't have the costs, headaches or time commitment that traditional retailers do.

  • No Inventory Costs.
  • Shopster handles the customer service and keeps your customer happy so that you get a repeat customer.
  • Shopster handles product fulfillment. We deliver the product to your consumer promptly.
  • Shopster handles any potential returns.
  • You focus on what you are best at: marketing and promotion of your website and products.
  • You make a healthy percentage for every good sold, just like traditional retailers.
  • You get a repeat customer and you get the lifetime customer value.

When and how do I get paid? (Top)

Shopster processes your commission within the first week of that month. There is a 30 day hold on the first payments to account for returns. So your first payment goes out to you on the first week of the second month after your sale. For example, if you join Shopster in July, then your first check (or PayPal payment) will be sent out the week of September 1st and then within the first week of every month thereafter.

System

What are my responsibilities as a retailer? (Top)

Shopster is a powerful system. In many ways, you become a retailer with a full inventory of goods. Because of that, there are certain responsibilities you must adhere to. If you do not, you will not only face being removed from the Shopster system, but you could face legal repercussions. This isn't meant to frighten or intimidate you, it's only meant to help make the Shopster experience an enjoyable one both for you and for your customer. We've compiled a list of basic responsibilities that will help ensure customer satisfaction and a positive retailer experience for you. The responsibilities of Shopster Retailers are listed below.

  • Do not falsely advertise.
  • Do not SPAM. In the US any email you send out as marketing must conform to the standards set out by the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which you can read by going here.
  • Do not use customer information in any inappropriate way.
  • Do not misrepresent who you are.
  • Do not copy content from other websites.
  • Do not post offensive or adult material on the same URL as your store. Shopster is a family oriented system. Any websites deemed to post overly offensive material may have their account suspended.
  • Do not hack or reverse engineer the software. Intentionally causing harm to the system will result in your automatic suspension.
  • Do not upload viruses, worms, or other malicious files. Only use the memory you are allocated to host images and other files that pertain directly to your Store.
  • Do not use the system for phishing, or any other fraudulent activity.

These are very basic and intuitive responsibilities that should not be difficult to follow. As a retailer, think about two things:

  1. How do you want other retailers to treat you? You probably don't want them to steal content from your site, or pretend to be you.
  2. How does your customer want to be treated? If you were shopping in a store you wouldn't want to be lied to about products, and you wouldn't want the store giving away or otherwise misusing the information you give them. And remember: nobody likes spam.

Who handles customers? complaints? returns? etc. (Top)

Shopster handles all customer order issues relating to your storefront. We are here to make sure that you have a satisfied customer who goes back to your Website to buy again and again. Should you sell on another sales channel such as eBay or Amazon, as you are the primary point of contact for your customer, you are responsible for fielding any questions they may have. We are here to support you and facilitate your business processes; however in this instance, you act as the liaison between your customer and Shopster.

Is there a toll free support phone number for consumers? (Top)

Yes, the toll free number is 1-866-680-7467. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11:00am - 6:00pm EST. Note: Currently consumers cannot order over the phone. All orders go through your store. They can however call to check on the status of their orders. Our goal is to create a repeat customer for you.

Who handles all of the back-end? the transactions? the shipping? (Top)

The back-end and all transactions are handled by Shopster's secure payment system, Secure2U. We use an industry standard 128-bit data encryption system to ensure that your customer's credit card and personal information is secure and safe. We ship via all major carriers and base this decision on cost and anticipated delivery time. All dispute resolution is handled by Shopster. Customer satisfaction is key to the Shopster system and Shopster prides itself on providing world class customer support.

Who owns my URL? Who owns my Web business? (Top)

You own your URL (provided you purchase your own domain name), as well as your own online business. You create the value of that business and its brand. As such, you can resell it, change it and pretty much do what you please with it within the bounds of our retailer agreement.

Where do all these products come from? (Top)

All products are shipped from Shopster's select distribution partners. We carefully monitor all shipments and ensure that any questions your customer might have about an order are answered in a friendly and professional manner.

What is Secure2u? (Top)

Secure2U is the secure payment gateway we provide for you and your customers. This system handles the processing of all transactions that pass through Shopster and your store.

Who is hosting my site? (Top)

The hosting of your Shopster online storefront is included with your package, so you do not have to worry about obtaining a third party webhost. Should you choose to purchase a domain name, you also have the ability to easily integrate that URL into your Shopster storefront.

Since Shopster is hosting my store, how much space am I allotted, and what kind of bandwidth am I allowed? Also, are there any fees regarding this hosting? (Top)

Currently, you are allotted unlimited bandwidth and you have 5MB of space. Should require additional space, you can easily purchase it by visiting the add-ons services section within your account. Your monthly subscription fees include the cost of hosting. Please note that you cannot host things that are unrelated to your store on your account (for example, you can't host your favorite family video). So if you have a separate website altogether, you can link your Shopster store to your website and keep the same look and feel. Or you can use your Shopster store as a stand alone business.

Can I use my own domain name? (Top)

Yes, you can assign your own unique domain name to your Shopster store. Initially, when you register for your account, your store domain name is automatically assigned by Shopster. However, once logged in, you have the opportunity to redirect a domain name of your choosing to your storefront.

Can you incorporate products from wholesalers that you don't deal with into the site? (Top)

Shopster is always on the lookout for quality suppliers and wholesalers to enhance our existing product offering. Should you be interested in merchandise from a wholesaler that we do not currently do business with, please email us the name of the company; we would be happy to touch base with them to assess their suitability as a Shopster Supplier. Please use our contact form and select "supplier inquiries".

How much per transaction do I pay for the financials? Who implements them, e.g., who processes a VISA transaction and what does it cost me? (Top)

Our transaction fees are included in the price of the product. Should you register for a monthly account your costs comprise of your monthly membership fee as well as the initial, one time $99 registration fee. Should you decide to register for an annual account your costs would include the annual membership fee plus the registration fee.

Operations

Who is responsible to pay state sales tax? (Top)

Shopster assumes responsibility for the state sales taxes. You as a Shopster member are not held accountable for these taxes.

How much does the customer pay for shipping? (Top)

Shipping charges are strictly cost recovery. We currently use a shipping table based on weight that calculates the same price for anywhere in the United States. Should the order be international, your customer will be responsible for any duty fees that may apply. All items are shipped via traceable shipping method and your customer is able to login and get their tracking number once the order ships.

How long does it take to deliver the goods after the customer pays? (Top)

Delivery time is order dependent. We always provide excellent customer service and if your customer has any questions, comments or concerns pertaining to the status of their order, we are happy to address those in a friendly and professional manner.

What delivery service do you use...UPS, FedEX, DHL, or Postal? (Top)

We use DHL, UPS, FedEX, USPS, as well as other providers depending on the best option for the items ordered. We also always ship with tracking number so that your customer can trace the status of their order.

Do I have to guarantee each sale made by the customer by filling out verification forms or making a deposit before you will ship? (Top)

You do not need to do anything besides sell goods! Shopster is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of integrity, reliability and transparency for all of our users; as such we do not subject you to any hidden costs or fees. This includes shipping deposits or other costs associated with guaranteeing a sale.

Where do my products ship to? Do you ship internationally? (Top)

Shopster currently offers shipping to the United States and Canada (with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, and the three territories). We do not ship products outside of North America. This does not mean that you can not be a retailer if you do live in North America. We have many successful international retailers from all over the world that are doing very well selling to the North American market.

Does my name show up somewhere to my customers? (Top)

Your business name and logo go on the customers' receipt, which is included when they receive their order. To protect your privacy, Shopster does not pass on any of your personal details beyond this. We do not include information such as your name (should it differ from that of your business') or home address.

Setting up your Store

Can I change the look and feel of my store? (Top)

Yes. You can easily change the look and feel of your store. Shopster's technology is highly flexible, we provide you the ability to move categories around, change surrounding images and colors, change menu sizes and fonts. You can also create a customized storefront to highlight your product. Don't know how? Then use our ready-made store templates to build a professional looking online store. You can add your own unique elements as you learn the in's and out's of e-commerce.

So, to get the store up I simply link to it from my existing site? (Top)

Yes. You can promote your store and the products in your store however you would like. You can link directly to product pages from anywhere on your site, or you can link to product categories or to the home page of your store. Then you simply promote your store, and create links to it.

Can I sell my own products? (Top)

At this point, you are not able to sell your own products through the system unless you qualify to become a Shopster Supplier. For supplier inquiries please use our contact form and select "supplier inquiries" from the drop down menu.

How easy is Shopster to integrate into my current site and to use? (Top)

Shopster is a powerful business creator. You can build your store and begin selling in a couple of hours, but you'll want to spend more time on it if you want it to be optimized. We highly recommend that you follow watch the getting started videos and try out "Shopster 101" which are available to you when you start your 7 day trial.

I have more than one URL, can I start different stores on each of my URLs? (Top)

Yes. Once your initial account has been approved, you can add extra stores for only $9.95 a month. You manage all of your Shopster stores from a single account. Each store can have a completely different look and feel as well as offer a completely different product selection, pricing structure and category system. That part is up to you.

Can I use Email Marketing? (Top)

Yes, you can use opt-in email marketing in accordance with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which you can read by going here. Shopster provides an email newsletter tool within the system that will help you collect emails and send out campaigns. Please do not SPAM.

Can I see what products you have available before I sign up? (Top)

Yes. You can browse the Shopster warehouse by clicking here. If you'd like to see more details of the products, prices or features, simply start your free trial and you'll get full access to the Shopster system.

Dropship with Shopster

Can I sell Shopster products on eBay? (Top)

Yes. Shopster's fully integrable eBay platform makes it easy to sell our products there. Shopster offers recommendations to our members on which of our products are eBay friendly. This recommendation is designed to protect your eBay DSR (detailed sellers rating), so we highly advise that you adhere to it. Look for the eBay friendly rating within each of our product descriptions in the Shopster virtual warehouse.

I already have an e-Commerce store front; can I sell Shopster products on it? (Top)

Yes. Simply use Shopster's Dropship Services and select the products you want listed in your store. Use the product description and images provided to help you sell. Once you have sold a product, order it through Dropship Services and we will take care of the delivery for you.

Reports

What reports are currently available to me? (Top)

With Shopster's reports you can see what products are selling on your site, review your total sales to date, assess your commissions and more.

What type of tracking will I have once I have sold a product and can I view my sales? (Top)

Shopster will send you an email each time you make a sale. You can then log in to our system and check your sales details (including your customers' information in the payments center). This will tell you which of your items are selling, which are being viewed and who your customers are. It also allows you to own your customer and use their contact information for follow up opportunities. Please remember that all your communications must be compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.

General Shopster Information

Who is Shopster? How do I contact you? (Top)

Shopster is made up of a team that wants to make you more money and provide great service to your customers. You can email us at support@shopster.com or you can call us from Monday – Friday between the hours of 11:00AM - 6:00PM EST at 1-866-680-7467.

I noticed your head office is in Canada, and you indicate that you ship to both USA and Canada. Do you ship across the border? (Top)

Even though our head office is in Canada we ship to both Canada and the United States. Based on the products within your order, the delivery could come from either country.