If you own a Quickdrop Ebay Drop Store franchise, what will you do now?
QuikDrop says goodbye…
In an article written by AuctionBytes.com’s Ina Steiner this morning, QuikDrop, one of the largest eBay store franchises in the United States, is reported to be shutting down franchise sales and support operations by the end of this month. Current 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 by QuikDrop’s notice that it would stop offering stores use of its proprietary software program on December 31. Bob Golub, owner of a QuikDrop franchise in Massachusetts, said he wasn’t surprised by the news of the shutdown, but worried about finding replacement software and learning a new program in such a short amount of time. “We are all fighting,” Golub said. Excerpt from: Ina Steiner AuctionBytes.com
If you own a QuickDrop franchise, what will you do?
Will you go ahead and continue operations 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 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 drop 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 see this change as an opportunity. QuickDrop may have given the entire franchise the best possible Christmas present. But by shutting down the bleed and operations, they have given franchisees the chance to control their own destiny and run their businesses the way they want. Reducing overhead will give each franchise owner breathing space to implement new advertising, website development, and eBay store upgrade options that were not available to them as franchise owners.
Beyond highlighting the many valid reasons to avoid buying 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 the revenue… is silly. Throwing all the proverbial eggs in one basket is unwise in any company, relying on one company for software and branding is risky.
While 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 unwise for a business owner to be so completely dependent 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 develops. If your stream is a river, then it must be diversified. Find a way to sell elsewhere, look for other support options, check out other software providers…
Always look for ways to extend your dependency on other entities and your business will be healthier and better able to survive when a supplier is in bad shape. Your business is not unlike an investment portfolio, investing all your cash in a single stock is never a good idea…
Everyone in the QuickDrop family has the corporate offices to thank for this decision. There are other software suites available that are easier to use and have better support and are available at less than the price of a franchise and royalty fee.
Congratulations to all QuickDrop franchise owners – you have been released.