posted on May 19, 2001 04:27:12 PM new
Well, this is my very first post. But I was trying to find out what everyone is thinkin bout the upcoming "no links Law" on ebay. Personally, it will hurt my business bad. My items are way low profit.. so I need to add to my sales with no commission and it's not easy. Now it's gonna get worse.
I went to epier.com to check it out. I'm all for it! I'm gonna sign up there now. Even if the sales aren't that great.. at least it is free!
So count me in for helpin out other sites! I'll be sure to do what I can. Thank you so much!
posted on May 19, 2001 04:57:02 PM new
Seems to me that even many die-hard ebay fans would welcome some compitition.
In America, compitition is good, isnt it?
I am reminded of that comidian --- Lilly Tomlin maybe? The one who snorted when she talked, and played "the phone company" reminds me of ebay sorta.
If you have bought or sold anything at all on ebay, ya gotta love the place. Its giant, its fun, its interesting, and its easy to see how and why folks rush to defend it whenever any suggestions of some "other" site arise.
Nevertheless, with each new fee, restriction or silly rule users are saddled with, many of us scratch our heads and wonder if there isn't a better way somehow.
This is the reason that these discussions come up from time to time. And I think they are appropiate on the ebay board.
As to why these types of threads tend to get so heated, I can't speek to that, just general and predictable sturborness I susupect, a human affliction common to both the ebay cheerleaders, and defenders of non-ebay sites alike...
posted on May 19, 2001 07:37:31 PM new
good try, REDDEER!
*if you're still lurking in the corner*
Were you referring to anatomically female at birth?
exclusive sellers or can they "switch teams" and buy, too?
The reason this thread isn't in "other auctions"?
IMHO, so our "new" friend Fargo can harass as many posters as possible. There's a much bigger audience on the eBay board, (kinda like their auction site).
Welcome to AW, "ladyfargo".
posted on May 19, 2001 08:48:58 PM new
ladyfargo---------did you register, if so shoot me over your user id and i will list you as my referring person,
every 20 seconds in america a woman is giving birth:SHE MUST BE FOUND AND STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................................
posted on May 19, 2001 09:53:10 PM new
Something to ponder before you put too much effort into building up another auction site:
ePier, BidVille, and others are owned by individuals or small qroups. ePier, especially, and according to information on its site, is owned and operated by slightly starving college students [or recent grads]. I suspect if they became [even] a tiny threat to eBay, eBay would buy them and shut them down. Isn't that what eBay did with "Up4Sale.com?" Remember Up4Sale!
Seems the smart choice would be the much talked about CoOP auction site. I think it's AuctionPie.com, but don't hear much anymore.
posted on May 19, 2001 10:15:17 PM new
THAT IS NOT THE POINT, ITS HERE, IT OFFERS US THE FREEDOMS WE HAD AT THE DAWN OF EBAY, AND DOES NOT EAT UP ALL OF MY PROFFITS IN FEES, FVC'S, AND LISTING GARBAGE. IT IS EASY TO USE, AND MAYBE THESE STARVING STUDENTS WONT BE STARVING IF WE SUPPORT THEM.
every 20 seconds in america a woman is giving birth:SHE MUST BE FOUND AND STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................................
posted on May 19, 2001 11:03:28 PM new
Perposterous!! EPIER IS NOT OWNED BY STARVING STUDENTS! where did you hear that GO TO EPIER HOME PAGE CLICK ON NEWS for news article of how one of the founders SHELLED OUT A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY!!
to start the site..
posted on May 20, 2001 01:33:52 AM new
Ladyfargo...I'm so happy to see that your idleness has helped restore some of your sense of humor and you are laughing again
May I wish you a belated good-night (I just got home, otherwise I would have done it much earlier). Hopefully you will awake refreshed.
I remember when my children were younger...when they got cranky I would put them down for a nap, which they would fight against, but once they finally fell asleep I could be sure that they would wake up with a much sweeter disposition. It works for adults too
[ edited by amy on May 20, 2001 01:37 AM ]
posted on May 20, 2001 04:48:09 AM new
Hi all. I've just been sitting here reading over the thread and thought that some of you might have been slightly misinformed.
<P>
As for how long ePier will remain free....of course that still remains to be seen, but their explanation makes total sense for any of you wanting to take the time to read it. The "optional" auction enhancements generate income as will advertisers. Also, on their homepage you will see a link to news, announcements, size comaprrison, etc. it is explained within those links that they will eventually be creating their own online payment service like paypal or billpoint and that is where they expect to generate enough funds to keep from "ever" having to charge listing fees or FVF!
<P>
Also, my opinion is....(take it or leave it)...I list at eBay also and will probably continue, but I am also listing on several other sites as well. I have had very good success with ePier and once the ban was announced, I contacted them and asked for the additional categories to accomondate sellers I list for that sell in those categories and within 20 minutes they contacted me back and told me the categories were up and ready to use. In just a week they have rapidly gained an audience for their use as well as acquiring many, many bids...and not just on "junk", but on very high dollar items.
<P>
I mainly list items there rather than have them sit since it is free, and I have been selling a lot lately. I just closed 18 successful auctions in the last 3 days, so I know the buyers are coming! I am able to list items there and make more profit due to not having the expenses, and as for buyers, I am also one of those and I can get better deals there right now because the site IS new and the competition is lower. At eBay I have to compete with others as well as snipers (which I am proudly one also) and many times I end up paying much more than I would have had to on a smaller site because there is so much more competition. So sellers and buyers can both benefit from adding items to other places as well as looking for them!
<P>
In closing...I think the bottom line is...if you are truly in this for the money, then as a good business person you won't overlook oportunities that could possibly make money simply because of lack of willingness to spread out. I'm certainly not saying leave the bay, because I won't until I am making more elsewhere, but in the meantime, I don't keep relisting items there and decrease my profit line, I list on the free sites and let them auto relist while I wait for bids...and so far, I have made money on every single thing I have sold as well as not loosing a penny to the site for the listing or FVF...good luck all, no matter where you choose to sell, but if you want an alternative to the bay...try the pier, maybe you will be selling the types of items that will sell there too )
posted on May 20, 2001 05:44:26 AM new
Hi well I have read all of the comments in this link and I must say I LOVE EPIER!! I have been there for 2 to 3 months and i HAVE SOLD A FEW ITEMS BUT THE POINT IS NO FEES.......
You have been warned many times about the tone of your posts - they are insulting, disruptive, and caustic in nature, which is a violation of our CG's.
posted on May 20, 2001 06:12:08 AM new
Not to worry, ladyfargo! I have read all 113 posts (so far) and you have used marvelous restraint. Same for dottie who has been most helpful with explanations and using more restraint than I could have.
Also thanks to who posted just recently all about epier.
Hope your name really is ladyfargo as I used it when registering (so maybe you'll get a bonus?)
posted on May 20, 2001 07:36:36 AM new
After 5 years, I left eBay last year and went to Yahoo, and sold like crazy, almost doubled what we were doing on eBay and for free!!! BUT then Yahoo went crazy, I didn't mind their charging for auctions, but they starting disallowing all sorts of items, and canceling auctions for TOS violations, that were a total mystery. I returned to eBay - BUT I also went in search of other homes - I tried:
ePier - poor but I still post there since it is free :I continue to post here because it is free and they allow my links to my web site which promotes business there.
AuctionAddict - fair, free and I have done a number of sales there - I continue to post here because it is free and they allow my links to my web site which promotes business there.
BidVille - awful, and have only had one sale there :I continue to post here because it is free and they allow my links to my web site which promotes business there.
Specialty sites - we have done wonderful & do a great deal of selling on one of these niche sites, plus they allow links to our web site which promotes business there.
Lycos poor to fair – but try to keep a few up there to promote web site and get any possible sales
Recently, I tried Yahoo again, and to my surprise, sold 5 out of 6 items.
I believe in spreading my auctions around, because it promotes the smaller auctions, and some day one will become another Yahoo which can compete with eBay – and because if it is free to post, then it keeps our web sites before the public and sales result often not through the auction, but from those who when to one of the web sites and purchased.
You can live in Rome, but have lots of free summer homes and make money on the side, AND help support the someday competition for eBay.
posted on May 20, 2001 08:10:05 AM new
Good Morning Folks!
jwpc: Excellent post. Thanks for sharing. *smile*
I also wanted to say that I really think the moderators of AW were sorta unfair to ladyfargo - perhaps because she is NEW. I've seen worse behavior from long time posters here... and nothing was done about it. Suspending ladyfargos posting privileges for no more than what she posted here, really has turned me OFF.
And lasty, the motivation for my return to here this morning was that since this thread started out about ALTERNATIVES to eBay and the originator of this thread had mentioned GOLD'S AUCTION, I wanted to let folks know that it seems the old Gold's Auction is alive and well at:
www.sellyouritem.com
I didn't believe it at first, but went over there to take a look for myself. Was able to register on the SellYourItem site and IMPORT all of my GOLD'S AUCTION feedback, Stored Auctions and MY PAGE.
Incredible!!
So there's another alternative for folks like jwpc who believe in diversity... especially for folks with WEBSITES who want to keep THEIR OWN Business(es) available for viewing and shopping!!
posted on May 20, 2001 08:35:56 AM new
Marty: *giggle* - I actually did BOTH, right about the same time.
Thanks for the reminder about all the secrets regarding moderation. (my lips are sealed & my fingers will quit tapping on that subject) - no more comments regarding THAT in HERE! *wink*
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