Finding the right help during the holiday season isn’t always easy but it is critical, as these are the people who will get the job done for you during the busiest time of year.
Three small merchants that sell on eBay shared recently about how they approach hiring and managing seasonal staff for their fulfillment and customer care operations during this year’s peak.
Sound of Tri-State
The online company uses eBay as its ecommerce platform to sell mobile audio and video electronics, performance, security, navigation, telecommunication, home audio and home theater products. It enlists its local community for the holiday season staffing.
“We are hiring from our local community high schools and colleges as a seasonal internship to help with students requirements for graduation or degree they are pursuing,” said Joy Woodruff, director of ecommerce for Sound of Tri-State. “We are also teaming up with our community to get involved in the local sports programming and donating a lot back to the community to help lift up our community.”
Loucon/Snow Sports Deals
Loucon/Snow Sports Deals, an eBay seller of used ski equipment, buys much of its merchandise directly from larger ski resorts. It resells the products to other ski resorts or direct to consumers through eBay and other online platforms.
Owner Chris Chapman partners with a friend to ensure enough staff are on hand during the holiday season.
“I have an arrangement with a friend who owns a landscaping and nursery business,” Chapman said. “Every winter, we hire the two workers they employ during the summer for the winter season that might otherwise have lost a work opportunity.”
Now in the third year of this arrangement, Chapman said these workers can step right into the job. “They get year-round employment and my friend doesn’t have to worry about staff not returning,” he said. “It’s a win-win- win for everybody.”
7th Ave Costumes
7th Avenue Costumes, which sells its products on its own website as well as on eBay and other platforms, has its busy season from before Halloween and straight through Christmas.
Owner Jason Sanchez hires temporary customer service and warehouse employees one to two months ahead of the busy season. During off-peak times the company has about 40 employees.
“As a costume seller we generate more than half of our yearly sales in September and October,” Sanchez said. “Around Halloween and throughout the holidays, our workforce nearly quadruples. Of the 150 people working during our busy season, five or six are hired specifically for customer service, and we significantly ramp up our employees in the warehouse.”
Sanchez said it’s important to make the most of your peak labor resources by identifying each employee’s strengths and plugging them into the right role. “This results in happier employees, reduced labor turnover and increased efficiency that positively affects our bottom line,” he said.