marcn
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posted on April 1, 2003 04:19:28 PM new
I gave been a member of the Auctionwatch bulletin boards for a few years now and am finally considering using AW auction listing/management services. I currently use Ebay's SA Basic, Shooting Star, Ruby Lane Premium Counters and host my images at my own domain.
I will soon pay $10 for SA Basic, Ruby Lane is $2 per month, My domain is $8 per month with 200 megs storage and Shooting Star is paid for. This equates to $20 per month roughly in support services.
I have been researching many listing services and for some reason, never considered AW as it always seemed to be more expensive. Also I do like the way my ads look with SA Basic.
I would like to get some opinions of people who actually use AW to create listings and handle post-sale management using AW services. I currently run about 100 listings per week and want to increase it a bit more. Do you feel AW would provide a good service for the money and the amount of listings I am creating?
Marc
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tsstuff
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posted on April 1, 2003 05:22:14 PM new
You couldn't do any better as you already seem to know. I have tried every other available auction service, and AW beats them all hands down. Listing 100 auctions a week with AW offers the biggest pictures, and all the holding necessities. Compared to the ither auction servers, dependability is more important than anything. They've never been down when I needed them.Occasionally a new service will pop up, but they turn out to be losers. Ebays overcharging for pictures is sure not any competition.
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gina50
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posted on April 1, 2003 05:29:12 PM new
I have been using AW since day one and also Auction Manager Pro. I LOVE IT and a bargain for all you get. Makes my eBay selling so much easier.
They are hardly ever down, it's rare when that happens
Also, the staff is very helpful when you do have a problem, they get right back to you.
I think that you will be thrilled with it
Good luck!
NOT gina50 on ebay
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MAH645
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posted on April 1, 2003 06:53:48 PM new
I use Auctionwatch and I love it,even when they change things around,its still easy to use and sure saves alot of time. I run alot of auctions for the same items and it makes it so easy to relist.I wouldn't use anybody else myself.
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meadowlark
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posted on April 1, 2003 07:46:42 PM new
I've been using AW's Auction Manager Pro for iover 2 years. I would not use anyone else. Very rarely ever down, staff very helpful and give fast responses. Thumbs up.
Patty
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marcn
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posted on April 1, 2003 08:05:12 PM new
Thank you for the inputs! I am going to mess with a bit tonight and see what I can create with it. Sounds like the annual plan seems to be the best value. If I can save sometime and money by combining everything into 1 service, I'm all for it!
Marc
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marcn
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posted on April 1, 2003 09:00:16 PM new
I just tried to create a listing and after about 45 minutes or so decided it takes way tooooooo long to create an ad with AW. I also could not find where to enter the eBay checkout details. Looks like AW would really slow me down.
Marc
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nanntique
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posted on April 1, 2003 11:28:47 PM new
You need to use AMPro.
After you fill in the recurring templates (which are where the Check out details are), it takes me about 30 seconds per listing, and you can build up profiles, of items you repeatedly list, and then it takes me about 2 minutes to relist up to a 100 items.
-------------------------------------------
Invest in the Future, by saving some of the Past!
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marcn
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posted on April 2, 2003 06:46:04 AM new
I'll give the AMPRO a shot...
Marc
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2003 09:18:53 AM new
I use TimberCreek's SOLD which cost me a flat fee. And use my a web host to run my web store and eBay auction images. I think its a better deal since you pay the one time flat fee.
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marcn
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posted on April 2, 2003 09:33:59 AM new
sun818:
Can you provide a link to an auction that was created with "Sold" so I can take a look. Does it also do post-sale management?
Thanks,
Marc
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2003 10:27:56 AM new
Here is a link of all 22,000 items currently running launched by SOLD. Yes, it also handles post sales management. I think it has one of the best customer management and bulk e-mail features if you are comparing PC programs. You can read about some of the benefits from an OTWA Thread.
Services like Vendio and SOLD obviously have different models -- one is web based, and the another is desktop based. There are advantages to using both. I personally prefer the desktop model because I also can use the Access database for my web store as well.
I just feel like we pay enough "service fees" with eBay and Paypal. And if you don't know computers, you only benefit in the long run by learning to do things yourself and not having to be dependent on others. Yes, focusing on selling is important. If you have great profits... great for you. But for those who are still struggling, I think it helps to minimize your fixed expenses.
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marcn
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posted on April 2, 2003 11:39:33 AM new
The listings created by Sold look very nice. One problem...I downloded it and it is the most complicated piece of software I have ever seen. I could not begin to figure out how to create a listing with it.
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tomwiii
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posted on April 2, 2003 11:47:30 AM new
PLUS, if I remember correctly, ya have to fool with FTP for yer pics 
Whereas, VD don't go there...
As Caesar said: "Venci, vecci, vendio!"
OTOH: it may have been Pinky Lee!
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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mcjane
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posted on April 2, 2003 11:57:56 AM new
Check out inkfrog.com
It does everything including WBN emails, inventory post-sale management & more for just 12.95 a month.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3124&item=3125111505
[ edited by mcjane on Apr 2, 2003 12:01 PM ]
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2003 02:05:22 PM new
it is the most complicated piece of software I have ever seen.
Granted, there is a learning curve. The help files are there to give you an overview of the program. And anything not covered in the help file, the support forum can handle.
PLUS, if I remember correctly, ya have to fool with FTP for yer pics
tom, you set it up one time. After that, you can use the internal editor that will change the description URL (from c:\image.gif to http://mywebsite.com/image.gif) and upload it for you. Its very transparent to me.
Let me ask you this, is it worth saving money every month (after your initial investment) and spend some time learning a new program? Or is it worth paying for a monthly service?
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marcn
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posted on April 2, 2003 02:17:19 PM new
sun818:
It would definitely be worth learning the software. I am trying to ramp my auctions up to about 200 per week and I just find it frustrating trying to take the time to set this up. Most of the other services and software I looked at have support message boards but there is nothing on the TimberCreek web site. I'll spend some time and see if there are some getiing started help files within the software.
Marc
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2003 02:32:12 PM new
Here is link for the TimberCreek Software Support Forum -- They're good about responding quickly.  Are auctions a full-time endeavor for you, or part-time?
For the longest time, I was able to manage about 50 successful endings per week using just e-mail. But closer to the holidays, it was just too much. I used SOLD (AuctionTrakker back then) and it helped me to boost my processing to 200 successful endings per week. It still takes a lot of time to pack  but no program is going to do that for you.  Well, it wasn't all SOLD. Also using Dazzle by Endicia was the key.
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marcn
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posted on April 2, 2003 04:01:06 PM new
sun818:
i tried and tried to get a preview of a listing and there was just no way. All it would show was a blank page with a generic title heading. Looks like I need to try something else.
I sell part time only but want to maintain at least 150 to 200 listings per week.
Marc
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koto1
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posted on April 2, 2003 06:54:24 PM new
I suggest http://www.inkfrog.com
"Who's tending the bar?  Sniping works up a thirst"
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2003 07:06:11 PM new
marcn, if you need help you can e-mail me at sun818 [at] mindspring.com and I'd be happy to help you out. Or you can also IM me, sunk818 (AOL) or sunk818 (Yahoo)
Thanks.
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marcn
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posted on April 4, 2003 05:25:25 PM new
After giving AuctionWatch, AuctionHelper and Sold a good looking over, the best choice for me is still SAB and Shooting Star. Actually Shooting Star is supposed to release thie "Poster Toaster" beta today.
Marc
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