Is The Online Outpost an “Incredible Franchise Opportunity”?
May 14, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
Despite the myriad problems facing iSold It, the largest of the eBay auction drop-off store franchise concepts, and despite the claims of critics who claim the entire auction store concept is fundamentally flawed and the business model not viable, franchise companies continue to tout the eBay auction drop-off store as the hot new franchise opportunity, and a great investment of your time and money. Have some of these companies – such as The Online Outpost – figured out systems, software, marketing and operational practices that enable them to succeed where others are failing?
On its website, The Online Outpost claims that it has put together an “Incredible Franchise Opportunity.” With an initial investment range from $69.5K-126.5K, is The Online Outpost truly an “Incredible Franchise Opportunity”? Have they developed a superior approach to pioneering this huge potential market? Here are the claims that you need to scrutinize and research to determine if The Online Outpost is the incredible opportunity you’ve been searching for. The words in quotes are from the The Online Outpost website:
1) ” If you’ve been watching the news, you know that the eBay drop-off business is red hot.”
2) “We have put together the most comprehensive and exciting offering in the industry.”
3) “We take pride in knowing we have focused our efforts on the keys to success in this business. The value of the franchise opportunities in this industry depend on three key concepts. Superior Technology. Exceptional Training. Franchise Support.”
4) “Our technology continues to position itself as the leading eBay certified application for eBay consignment and asset management for B2B solutions.”
5) “…As a new franchisee you will attend The Online Outpost’s one-week Trading Assistant training program. If your store or budget doesn’t allow you the flexibility to travel to us, you can always complete our web-based training and view the live training via streaming webcast. Our comprehensive program will cover step-by-step use of the operations manual, proprietary software and all the areas important to your success.”
6) “The quality and experience of our corporate staff, area developers and our franchise owners is simply second to none in the industry! Every member of our corporate staff from President to Application Developer has worked at a store level and understands what it takes to make an eBay store work.”
7) eBay Kiosk program: “The Bolt-On model was designed to enhance any existing retail business by adding eBay consignment services and packaging and shipping. This model was created by us and continues to be the fastest growing segment of this industry.”
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE ONLINE OUTPOST FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? ARE THESE STATEMENTS ACCURATE? IS THE ONLINE OUTPOST AN INCREDIBLE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? IS THE BOLT-ON MODEL VIABLE?
SHARE YOUR OPINION; LEAVE A COMMENT.
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See which NEW franchise concepts are getting rave reviews. Visit Top New Franchises.
Online Outpost is one of the nicest companies out there. They have said they are not promoting franchises any longer, but are continuing to support the stores they still have open. I understand they are licensing a system for selling on ebay only, and that their bolt on’s are for people who are already in another business, who are looking for an additional revenue stream.
In fact their software “Auctionsound” is GREAT, and their support staff go out of their way to be of help. In fact Auction-it-today, and eAuctiondrop, as well as many iSoldit’s are all using it. (That should tell you something about the other companies!)
This is one company that has recognized the flaws in the system, and admitted it, and made changes to sell a good product – SOFTWARE!
Again, THE EBAY DROP OFF STORE CONCEPT DOES NOT WORK!
Hi. I tried to buy a bike from a guy selling through Online Oupost. I sent him $2000, and recieving nothing. The whole system is a complete scam unless someone can tell and prove it to me otherwise. I suggest no one ever use it.
There is a person overseas that is using the Online Outpost name and is scamming people. Here’s the gist of it. You contact a person on Craigslist about a “too good to be true” cheap item. They email you back stating that they are out of town and they dropped it off at The Online Outpost to finish the transaction.
Then you get an email but if you look closely, it’s not from theonlineoutpost.com, there’s probably a – or 0 instead of an O in the address. They ask you to wire transfer the money. That should be a red flag right there!
The Online Outpost does NOT accept wire transfer AND you can always stop by the location (if there is one where these scammers are advertising) and you are allowed to see the product, pick up the product and pay over-the-counter.
To sum it up Cameron, this is a scam not by The Online Outpost, but someone using their name.
Hmm. Well this I now know, believe me. After contacting every investigator possible, I know, and apologize for my earlier bashing. However, if it is a KNOWN person and KNOWN overseas, how come no one can do anything about it?? Are there people somewhere working on stopping these scams? I realize now I made a poor decesion, I flew through the process, but if some location is known is there someone you know I need to be contacting about my situation to help prevent others? I have another person with different email on the lead now …
Someone tried to scam me the same way on Craig’s List, selling a boat worth $13,000 for $3000. Wouldn’t give me the VIN or let me see it. He wanted me to pay him through the Online Outpost, but I went on the website and called all the phone numbers . They were all fake. The addresses were fake too. Beware!
The Online Outpost is a complete and total SCAM. We brought items to be sold to the 1151 Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida store. The items were sold and we were NEVER PAID. We are owed about $1,000 and it has been 10 months since we first entered the transaction. We attempted to file a small claims suit against the company The Online Outpost but the address is incorrect and our paperwork was returned because the office is VACANT. We have not heard any kind of response from the Ft. Lauderdale branch after sending several demand letters. Unfortunately we can’t go in and demand our money daily because we live in Cali. The fact is we entered into a business contract with these scam artists, our items sold and we were never sent the money we were owed. STAY AWAY!! As far as I’m concerned our items were stolen.
I was going to buy an embroidery unit through craigs list. Once I said I had family in Boise, where the unit was and they could look at it and pick it up, the seller told me he had moved back to Canada. He directed me to the OnLineOutpost to buy it and wanted moneygram used. he told me not to tell moneygram that it was a person receiving the money or they would charge me taxes and higher fees. When I asked to have it shipped C.O.D. he said to use another moneygram store. I decided OnLineOutpost is a scam because the story changed each time I pushed for details or payment methods be changed.
@Cameron… was he selling a maverick durance? I’ve seen this same bike being “sold” over and over through craigslist for about $2000. When contacted, he diverts to this online outpost. very fishy and I don’t want to get burned. Thanks for your post.
Bob