posted on October 26, 2001 03:40:46 AM new
What's the possibility of starting this up as a newsgroup sans popups and banner ads. I come here for info. Does anyone know how to do that?
posted on October 26, 2001 04:54:43 AM new
Apparently all the folks who are leaving are not AW users. And apparently you can still read, but not post, in these boards. I see nothing wrong with that. As a fees paying member of AW, I tire of supporting the free-loaders with all of their opinions, many of which question my intelligence just because I find AW the finest and most comprehensive support site. Many of you say you have learned so much and will miss these boards. Well, the ebay boards will welcome you. As for looking for a place to "get together", there are literally 100s of them. On most, other than ebay boards, you will get a lot more spam and pops than you did here. I can just not understand why you belittle AW for discontinuing your free forum and trying to dedicate their resources to those of us who are paying the freight. Some of us will not miss you, your opinions, and your "help". There is plenty of that available on the ebay boards. And the AW users left here can help us more, anyway.
posted on October 26, 2001 05:15:35 AM new
Just replace "must file a CC" with "must be an AW user" in all of the rhetoric, and it makes a whole lot of sense. I Sure do hope the goat guy leaves us.
posted on October 26, 2001 05:19:51 AM new
AW.... I asked you this and you have not answered, so I will
"shout" the question in hopes you will "hear" it this time.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A CREDIT CARD?
More than one person asked you...
WHAT ABOUT TAKING TELEPHONE OR OTHER UTILITY BILLS or A DRIVERS LICENSE, AS A FORM OF ID?
IF THAT IS ALL YOU REALLY WANT, (AN ID) WHY NOT ACCEPT ONE THE ABOVE?
posted on October 26, 2001 05:22:40 AM new
Well of course it makes sense, but considering all the good advice and help that has been available here from users of AW and those who don't use AW's services, it's still a bad move.
While I may be way off base, my view is that those who have less computer skills make up the largest segment of those who use AW's services. (don't flame me, I know there are exceptions to this).
If you think the level of help and advice will stay the same with only the users of AW being allowed to post here, then you're sadly mistaken.
posted on October 26, 2001 05:27:17 AM new
psalms139,
What's the point of taking something that they can't use to charge a fee with later on?
I mean, that's the obvious next step, since traffic on the boards will be rendering their banner and pop-ups ads a valueless commodity.
AW will have to do something to get more funds in, as those MBAs are really expensive to upkeep. And getting a credit card allows them to make all the "accidental" charges they could ever want...instant solvency!
posted on October 26, 2001 05:31:01 AM new
Good luck and best wishes to the moderators.
You are appreciated for your professionalism and grace under difficult circumstances.
posted on October 26, 2001 05:38:09 AM new
Well, here's another "freeloader" saying goodbye.
I supported AW and was an active user of their services until they started charging fees. Then I found other alternatives that, while not entirely "free", were a lot cheaper than what AW wanted. As many others have stated from time to time, particularly recently in light of the new pricing structure about to go into effect. Perhaps, even though I didn't become a "paying" user, maybe someone I recommended this place to might have. So I say the "freeloaders" like myself might still have brought some paying business here.
These message boards have been a great place to share ideas, debate, (OK, maybe argue sometimes ), and I've learned a lot and, I hope, have improved my business practices because of this place.
The argument for requiring CC verification is a thin one. They do just want paying members to have a voice here. They know most of us won't register a CC just to post. They do intend to start charging for the use of these boards if you don't use their other services. I can see them adding another line to the fee structure right now.
Message Boards: FREE if you use image hosting services and/or Auction Manager/Pro. For all others: $ .XX per post or $X.XX per month flat rate for unlimited posts, your choice.
I'm happy to give my CC number for any service that is worth paying for. But, IMO, this isn't it, not as long as other message boards are out there and you can use them for free. To me, the only way AW could reasonably expect to pull this off, would be if all auction message boards started to charge for the privilege of posting. And that I can't see happening.
And as long as you're an eBay member, their message boards are always open. I'll have to start lurking there a bit. I'd thought them inferior, but maybe if enough of us start posting there, we can give the joint some class!
posted on October 26, 2001 05:46:00 AM new
Good Morning,
I read more than I post here.
But I have been with you for a long time.
First everything is free.
Then you charge for auctions.
Then you raise that amount as in double it with in a months time maybe less. I did not notice. Going from the .05 to .10 and then after the 50 items listed per month I get charged the .05 again.
Now you want to have a CC on file? so we can post?
I remember the Heck ebay went through when they wanted CC information for people to view the adult sections, that was a long time ago, but it stays fresh in my mind.
Yes I do have a CC and it is on file.
But what about the ones with out a CC? I see no reason for someone to have a CC on file if they are only going to post.
And I also noticed, DianaAW.. That you said something to the effect of, we are not charging for the message boards, but if we do later we will give you warning?
I can not remember exact words, but..
I am sorry, if I am going to be charged to use a message board in furture useage.. I will just find some place else to go, And that may be for listings, also, I am not sure about listing yet.. it depends on how I feel, right now I am keeping the listing part.
But for a company I used to admire so much has fallen to the fee queen and king. I do not mind paying something to list my items your software is good and user friendly..
But for me or anyone to post in the future you may want to charge us??
I do not think so..I would rather post on other boards in stead
posted on October 26, 2001 05:49:51 AM new
meya, your views are certainly not off base. There is plenty of room in this issue for thoughtful conversation, something that has been lacking on the boards. I find that my ebay help comes primarily from ebay boards. My AW/ebay interface help comes from AW boards, BUT by posters who are using the AW interface. And just now I read BJGrolle's thoughtful post, and he has his points. However, I disagree. I guess the question is "How much is the unmeasured, unproven 'help' by non-AW users worth?" We will know the answer in a couple of weeks.
posted on October 26, 2001 07:06:00 AM new
There were 111 posts on this thread..then it dropped to 106.
One person came on here with a hatred for Americans...he said he was from Kuwait.
To Yid...who posted that disturbing message. I am sorry you have so much hatred in your heart.
"Many of you say you have learned so much and will miss these boards. Well, the ebay boards will welcome you"
See you there unless you plan on posting on a board that does not exist?
As for "freeloaders" that is a low shot to all the good people on these boards who have helped many and likely even yourself.It is obvious to me there will be no posting board here in the near future as many sites have done away with them for their own reasons(no profit comes to mind).But don't call me a freeloader just because I post on a public board.After all is that not what it is here for?If you wish to pay for everything on the Internet then go ahead but don't criticise those of us who look for the free things.
On the bright side it won't take long to read through the new posts after October and we all might get some work done!
Thanks to all for your great posts and see you at some other freeloader board.Sheeesh
posted on October 26, 2001 07:54:32 AM new
actually, I can understand why they would want just AW subscribers to use this list since it's an AW product, and "just" giving a credit card number for posting privileges isn't the end of the world.
But my assumption is that many of the most insightful, funny, helpful, and witty people who post here don't use AW services for one reason or another and it will be a sad thing to see them go because of this.
posted on October 26, 2001 08:18:51 AM newAs a fees paying member of AW, I tire of supporting the free-loaders with all of their opinions...
Well, that's certainly an interesting take on the situation.
If I recall correctly, all of AW's services were entirely free for quite a while, which would have made everyone participating a "free-loader". I would also tend to believe that it was the contributions of those "free-loaders" which made AW succesful enough that they could begin to charge fees for some of those previously free services- contributions which were made freely, by the way.
If you now enjoy the services provided by AW, I would think that instead of ridicule, you owe those "free-loaders" a debt of gratitude, but that's just me...
posted on October 26, 2001 08:40:30 AM new
mrpotatoheadd> Exactly!! Right on post! Seems it is always the relativly new posters that are the ones to cheerlead the loudest. Some of us have been here since the start of AW, seen the changes in the auction industry and the other venues like this that go along with them, change. I would even venture a guess that more of us would have stuck with AW even with the rates, had they not been so steep when they jumped into charging, and had they implemented a number of viable plans to accomodate their customer base. Again a prediction. Not only will they start charging for using the message boards to post, but I think everyone using their services should start looking into alternative places for hosting or learn some HTML. AW is killing its'self piece by piece, cutting off it's lifeline, the posters, just like it cut off the thousands that used to use their services before they got greedy and started charging FVF. A charge for using their servers and services yes, but a FVF on auctions they did not help to promote? NO!
[ edited by furkidmom on Oct 26, 2001 08:45 AM ]
posted on October 26, 2001 08:44:02 AM new
I came to these boards about 2 years ago
and was pleased to find a forum where
eBay- and auction-related topics could be discussed without eBay's censorship.
I don't post often, but I have learned SO
MUCH from the rest of you. Thanks!
I will NOT put a credit card on file just
to use these forums. I don't want my CC# out there unless I am actually BUYING something.
posted on October 26, 2001 09:36:00 AM new
Well it's been nice while it lasted. I learned so much about auctions here. I have no intention of providing one of me cc number.
Goodbye ,mods. Wish you the best.
I guess this is the time to sell your AW stocks if you have any. The future of this site doesn't look good. Looks to me like AW will be filing for chapter 11 soon.
I'll be holding on to the t-shirt they once mailed. Once AW folds it will join the ranks of other dot com bomb souvenirs.
###########################################
For the others looking for where most are moving to, it's at www.otwa.com. Look for the eBay related board there.
posted on October 26, 2001 09:36:42 AM new
Freeloader..hmmm?
3 years ago almost to the day, I found AW. It was supposed to be a place for the auction community to gather and discuss auctions...and to socialize too.
And it was free...so I wasn't a freeloader then.
When AW started hosting pictures..for free...I didn't need the service as I have plenty of space to store pictures with my ISP so I never utilized the free service. But it was free so my use of the boards wasn't freeloading then.
Then AW brought out it's listing service, and it was free. I already had purchased Auction Assistant and Ebud, both of which were working fine for me, so I didn't need AW's services...but I know of two people who started using AW's free services because of my recommendation. Since these services were free I wasn't freeloading then either.
Then AW went to a fee for service situation. the two people who I had recommended became paying customers (and still are)...they probably wouldn't be paying customers now if I hadn't of pointed them to AW. So I don't think I am freeloading now.
A couple of months ago I checked out AW's services as ebud wasn't working right anymore...unfortunately the bottom line cost of AW's services were to high for me...the $80-$100 a month I projected using AW fee schedule seemed excessive.
I don't see that I have freeloaded here. I accepted the services I could use at the price they were offered at...free. The ones I couldn't use, even when they were free, I didn't use. If AW wants to keep the boards for the paying customers its ok with me and I will leave ...but don't say I have been "freeloading"
Because Rgrem...without those of us who used this board from the beginning, who made it interesting enough, who made it a great place to get information on buying and selling in the online community, Aw wouldn't have had the user base it did to have enabled it to have a fee based auction tool business. We came, we brought in more members, we enabled AW to build itself into the company it is today.
Without us Rgrem, you wouldn't have to be worrying about freeloaders because there would be nothing to freeload on.
AW doesn't owe us anything for having helped them grow because we gained benefits too...the auction help and the comraderie...but the fact is that without us freeloaders AW wouldn't have the paying customers today.
We aren't freeloaders...we are the building blocks the AW structure was built on
