Are you considering selling security cameras through eBay? Don't do ANYTHING till you've read this article.
Today we see many homes and offices equipped with the latest security cameras but these are time bombs waiting to go off for resellers?
For the past few years,
there has been a steady increase in the online buying sector.
However, the waters around the security industry are still very murky and this can cause a lot of problems for eBay resellers, especially if they are getting their security cameras from an online source.
While reception can be an issue for wireless security cameras and wireless surveillance set ups the biggest problem resellers face is that of the incompatibility between different formats and resolutions.
So let's take a look at the different formats and how they, can make your lives difficult as resellers:
NTSC and PAL
NTSC (National Television System Committee): North America and most of South America uses this video system. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 525 individual scan lines.
PAL (Phase Alternating Lines): PAL is the one of the standard video systems used in Europe, Africa, Oceania and Asia. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 625 individual scan lines.
What happens when you put a NTSC camera with a PAL system or a PAL camera with a NTSC system?
Since NTSC is the format used in North America, both the security camera and the video system must use the same format. In case of a mix up between PAL and NTSC in some older systems you will get a blank video output. This happens because of format incompatibility.
1080i and 720p
720p A high definition resolution which has pictures made up of 720 horizontal lines which is more prone to flicker than 1080i
1080i A high definition resolution which is made up of 1080 horizontal lines which has a better picture than 720p and is less prone to flicker.
Why can this create a problem for resellers?
Customers may not be aware of the drawbacks of the security camera when used with their system.
They would encounter slight interruptions in the display or no display at all. This could lead to problems and returns.
As a reseller, it is very important to mention these details in the security camera specifications. It is a good idea to have recommendations for security cameras for the customer based on the video system they have – 720p or 1080i.
How can a resellers prevent negative feedback from customers?
To establish yourself as a seller of security cameras online, you must be unique in the way you deal with customers.
Give them all the details upfront about the security camera and its compatibility with their system. This would not only educate them, but also prevent problems of returns for you.
The customers would be a happy lot with more recommendation on the way!
At the same time, as a reseller you must also provide insurance and warranty for all your security camera models as they could have some issues.
Packaging and shipping of products should be handled with care to avoid damages to the fragile equipment.
You must ensure that every product return is accompanied by warranties. Your website must include both benefits and disclaimers in simple language about every security camera to educate the customer.