Affiliate Expectations
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Equip-Bid Affiliate Expectations
We have worked hard to raise the standards that buyers and sellers expect on Equip-Bid.com. In order to uphold that reputation and high standard of services provided, we have certain expectations of new affiliates as they join the affiliate program explained below.
COMMUNICATION
Our ability to effectively communicate with affiliates is crucial to our relationship with them. Due to the volume of customer interactions we have each day, Equip-Bid uses Podium’s customer support features to communicate with buyers, sellers, and affiliates. Most of our communication with affiliates is done through email and text as it allows us to keep a history of all interactions. Our expectations for how you communicate are as follows:
- Respond to communication from buyers, sellers, and Equip-Bid within 1 business day.
- Bidder questions/concerns should be dealt with in a timely manner.
- Have clearly written terms and expectations for buyers and sellers.
- Detail and complete consignment contracts with sellers.
- Include explicit instructions for bidders in Auction Details and Terms.
- Maintain professional and appropriate communication with buyers and sellers at all times.
QUALITY
The quality of the auctions produced on Equip-Bid is a direct representation of the services we provide. We have some of the most talented online auction companies in the country (from which new affiliates can learn a lot). High-quality and well produced auctions are an expectation of affiliates of Equip-Bid. Further quality expectations are as follows:- Post great pictures of auction items, accurately portraying the condition of the items being sold.
- Include clear and detailed descriptions that provide buyers with the information needed to make informed bidding decisions.
- Share professional and organized auction inspection details and removal locations.
- Ensure you hire and manage professional staff and workers on-site.
PERFORMANCE - KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)
Sales amounts are not the sole performance indicator we look at, however, it is important that affiliates recognize that unsuccessful sales have a negative impact on everyone in the affiliate network. By raising our expectations for auction and item sale amounts we are able to recruit clients with more profitable items to sell and attract buyers for those items. Performance expectations are as follows:
- Equip-Bid’s average auction sale amount is $7,500. Affiliates should aim for $3,000-$5,000+ minimum each auction to ensure you have the resources to dedicate to the auction.Include clear and detailed descriptions that provide buyers with the information needed to make informed bidding decisions.
- Our average late value is $25-$50+. Lower value lots lead to higher rates of no-shows and less competitive bidding.
- Reserves should be an exception, not the rule. Any reserves taken should be thoroughly researched and should not exceed 70% of auction value.
- Educate sellers on pros and cons of reserves.
- No-bid lots on an auction should not exceed 10% of total lots sold. This is an important number to watch as it directly impacts your bottom line and wastes your time on items that will never sell.
TRANSPARENCY
Trust is everything in our business, and we work extremely hard to build and uphold our reputation. We sell mostly used items and understand that there will be occasional issues. That said, nearly 100% of issues can be eliminated up-front by providing a clear and accurate portrayal of the items being sold. Some things to keep in mind about transparency expectations are follows:- Understand that buyers and sellers are equally important to the auction process. Our role is to serve as an intermediary between the two parties and to provide accurate information so a true price can be discovered.
- Respond to bidder complaints and issues as soon as possible.
- Admit when we are wrong or inaccurate and take the necessary steps to rectify the issue (refund a buyer, discount prices, etc.).
- Wait 7-10 business days after the auction before settling with the seller to potentially deal with any unforeseen issues or damage that was not disclosed by the seller. Do make sure to settle with the seller within that time frame, though.
- Understand that “As-Is, Where-Is” does not relieve us from our responsibility of transparent pictures and descriptions.
- Submit refunds in a timely manner. This takes 4-12 business days after processing in PayTrace for this refund to hit the bidder’s account, so make sure to do this as soon as possible once the refund is approved.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM EQUIP-BID?
Equip-Bid is committed to our affiliate network and will continually work to improve our service and partnership with affiliates. We promise:
- Continual improvements to software.
- Quick communication with affiliates through the proper channels.
- Fair and transparent policy creation and administration.
- Remaining at the forefront of technology and marketing changes to adapt in an ever-changing market.
- Upholding our company value listed below, both internally and within the independent affiliate network.
