Frequently Asked Questions

What is the initial investment cost?

The estimated initial investment range is $108,900 to $145,900. This includes our franchise fee, start-up costs, construction, equipment, software, supplies, and training. Recommended working capital of $20,000 to $40,000 is not included. Actual costs vary depending on individual locations and other circumstances. For current royalty and to check if there are any ad fees link to Price & Value

Does iSold help find business financing?

Yes.

iSold It works with several funding sources. We have arrangements with several financial sources. They are a commercial loan brokerages and can provide a quick-qualification analysis for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. We have no fiduciary relationship with any lending sources.

But with today’s economy, it’s important to explore many sources for funding. iSold It also has a source to fund a major portion of the initial investment using a capital lease. (See the FAQ above: "What is the initial investment cost?”) We also offer assistance with other financing methods such as a 401K/IRA investment, SBA Patriot Express Loans for ex-military, home equity lending, and other methods. See Business Financing

Will I get a protected trade territory for my store?

Yes.

Each iSold It store has a protected territory based on population density and minimum geographic area. It ensures that no other iSold It store will be placed within that territory without your approval. Territories are determined once a store site has been selected.

Will iSold It help with design and installation of my store?

Yes.

iSold It has an arrangement with experienced store builders. F.C. Dadson is a professional, quality builder and installer of retail space for clients that include national retail chains. F.C. Dadson creates a space plan for you and us to approve. This will enable you to give accurate instructions to local installers of phones, internet, and power. The space plan is what you use to acquire local permits.

Permanent fixtures-cabinets, counters, decor and other equipment are all installed in three days. Flooring also is included with the installation of your store. F.C. Dadson oversees all aspects of the construction for your store. At the end, you are provided with a quality checklist to inspect the job. All this is done according to a proprietary process we call Instant Centers. This enables your store to be built quickly and efficiently.

iSold It helps you through every step of this process. We will answer all of your questions, assist with vendor sourcing and guide you on how to acquire the items necessary for your new store.

How long does it take to get open for business?

Your new store can be open within 45 to 90 days, in most cases, from the time you sign a location lease. Because of our unique build-out system and arrangement with F.C. Dadson, we can move quickly. Your staff trainer will be on site when you open. (See FAQ above: "Will Postal Connections help with the design and build-out of my store?")

Financing snafus often delay the signing of a space lease and the opening of your store. This is why we thoroughly discuss these issues as you work through the decision making process needed to become a franchisee. iSold It can assist in this process by providing multiple lending sources. We understand your need to move rapidly so you can conserve your financial resources to support your new business. Ask us for more details.

What is included in my training?

iSold It business training begins when you receive our manuals for Opening, Operating, and Marketing your store.

A total of nine days of comprehensive training is provided. This includes 5-days of “live-action training” in one of our regional training stores working with customers, operating the business management system, and learning how the equipment works. You also will learn how the eBay and Amazon marketplaces function and rules and regulations they impose. You will spend time with our Operations VP learning how to operate efficiently and reach the sales levels needed to cover costs and earn a profit.

Your Comprehensive training also includes 4-days in your new store with our Operations VP who is a former iSold It franchisee. He will be with you to help set up software systems, check that installations have been done correctly, make sure that the eBay and Amazon accounts are in place and systems are working, verify that the shipping accounts are in place, ensure supplies have arrived, and finally check that the retail items are set up in displays and ready to be purchased when your first customers arrive!

You also get a week-by-week grand opening campaign planner for advertising and special sales promotions. Of course, you will have a complete set of manuals and access to our private franchisee online system.

The process provides for ongoing training, updates, and “coaching” that makes sure you receive the proper business guidance. Part of the guidance plan is implementation six months from opening of a proprietary operations & marketing system called Act (Action Controlled Techniques). This system helps franchisees analyze the store's sales potential and provides techniques for improving results.

What assistance will I receive after initial training?

iSold It provides ongoing assistance online, on the phone, and with a store visit when needed. This includes direct access to our senior management team and all key company personnel. We also have a private franchisee internet system: www.isoldit.centraldesktop.com. We usually return calls within 24 hours.

Much of the support is delivered through franchisee network meetings. The most important of these is our Annual Franchisee Conference. Here we provide accessibility to business experts and offer exciting ways to improve the business acumen of our franchisees. New products are also unveiled at the Conference.

iSold It is proud of a strong affiliations with industry's trade associations that provide additional assistance. We also have national agreements with key vendors who have excellent track records for user service. iSold It staff regularly works with vendors to improve their products and ongoing services. iSold It staff regularly assist franchisees in their relationship with eBay, software support, and FedEx shipping.

Our internal communication system gives franchisees 24/7 access to updated marketing materials, operations manuals, best practices tips, logo graphics, links to vendors, links to other iSold It franchisees, a message Forum and much more. Every new store is provided with an individual store web site within the www.877isoldit.com domain as part of the turnkey package.

iSold It's goal is two-fold. One, we want to provide all the tools needed to start up your store and two, we will be there on an ongoing basis to guide you in operating and marketing your store.

How easy is it to own multiple iSold It stores?

iSold It encourages multi-store ownership. Several of our franchisees own more than one store. In fact, we have financial incentives if you or your family to enter into a multiple store arrangement. Our franchise fee for the 2nd store is reduced to $11,900. After that, each store's franchise fee is $9,900.

What is iSold It’s vision for the future?

iSold It plans steady growth over the next decade. We expect to grow to several hundred stores across the country with our two synergistic brands—iSold It and Postal Connections.

We believe there is a strong demand for personalized attention and dedicated customer service. The term “customer service” loses all meaning online and on the phone when you are caught in a fill-in and search process or endlessly listen to recorded voice chains or on hold music. A recent newspaper article explains it well:

[Lacking satisfying customer service] “The Web is killing megastores, but it might make room for the shop around the corner.”—WSJ, 9/20/10, Peter Funt.

When people want the best price they go to the Web. When they want service, they visit stores where personalized, trustworthy transactions can be made. We believe there are millions of small business people and consumers who are seeking personalized local service.

How do I get started?

Just call 1.800.767.8257 and speak with us. Or email us at info@isolditcorp.com. But the fastest way to get started is apply online. It is simple and confidential. Plus, we have added security software on our website to protect your privacy. You can also fax us at 1.619.294.4550. However, you choose to reach us, we will respond rapidly.