posted on September 28, 2001 12:20:29 PM new
I know it's not officially another auction site, but I was wondering if anyone has tried Ruby Lane and what their experience is?
It seems fairly simple to set up and not too expensive. Has anyone tried it?
posted on September 28, 2001 05:28:31 PM new
I don't use Ruby Lane, as yet, but from everything I've seen and heard it is an excellent site. The 'Take to Auction' feature really appeals to me. I have been corresponding with some sellers who do business there and without exception all have been very happy with the site. I'm also watching keeping a close eye on Carnaby and think that I will probably try both sites early in October. Perhaps someone else who is on Ruby Lane will check this board and offer some input.
posted on September 29, 2001 10:09:24 AM new
I have had a shop at Ruby Lane since January. I couldn't be more pleased with the layout, personalized service, low fees and many improvements made since then. There is a new chat board there where you can read what other shop owners say about Ruby Lane. No registration necessary. Good luck!
posted on September 29, 2001 10:22:37 AM new
Hi , I have been on rubylane for about two years and am happy there .To sum it up - heavy traffic , the owners are out of this world (very responsive ), the cost is very reasonable , and it is easy to use ( one button uploading of pics ) fill out the form and you have a site .We have some owners with little or no computer knowledge . Many of us continue to use auctions for a quick buck but don't depend on them for a living . Meg
posted on September 29, 2001 10:37:23 AM new
Hi All:
Heard you were looking for feedback from sellers who use Ruby Lane. After almost 8 years in a Bricks and Mortar store and 2+ years on ebay, I discovered Ruby Lane.
I no longer do ebay except on rare occasions and I'm totally out of the Brick & Mortar setup.
Check it out. It's everything the 2 posters above have said and Lots LOTS more. Come join us and have a ball selling!!!
posted on September 29, 2001 11:24:18 AM new
Hi all, I have been a member of Ruby Lane since January 2001. I opened my second shop in May, and my third in July! I love Ruby Lane. I have received lots of support while opening up my shops, and have met many super people. I don't use EBay, the fees are too high, and I sell more on RL and the people are very nice that I do business with. It's better than my B & M shop, because I reach people all over the world. I have had very positive responses from my buyers, and encourage everyone interested in selling, to check out Ruby Lane. They are a great group of people with quality items, and maintain very high standards. There are sections for Fine Art, Antiques, Collectibles, and Arts & Crafts. Our forum Boards are open to shop owners and non-shop owners. There is also a private forum for the shop owners only. Cheers! Dinah.
posted on September 29, 2001 11:34:15 AM new
I have been a member since July of 2000, I have four shops on Ruby Lane and RL is the best! A great "community"..it is not tooo big and not toooo small..
You do not get LOST and become anonymous as you do on e-bay, you get answers to questions and problems are solved either by management or other shoip owners....and you do not get junk sellers as you do on many other auction sites (though Ruby Lane is NOT an auction site I DO use their send to auction to check all the auction sites and markets...so you get the best of both worlds!)
There are quality shops, quality sellers, quality products, quality management... hey.. if you want quality and the best selling site on the net..I say ruby Lane to Buy or Sell!
posted on September 29, 2001 01:01:25 PM new
The antiques and auction worlds have always been linked. As an antiques dealer I both buy and sell at auction. The majority of my customers, however, are neither comfortable nor particularly adept at buying through an auction - be it Sotheby's or Ebay or Joe Bobs Bait Barbecue and Country Auction down the road. Skill necessary in this arena is not just in having the ability to recognize a good piece of furniture or pottery, we must also be good at judging the market itself in general and the players therein in particular. I can think of no better, more interesting or entertaining way to make a buck than to be an antiques dealer.
With that said I must say that I think the phenomenon that eBay so swiftly became has blinded many dealers to the concept of building a loyal customer base. And customers of old have taken the low road by always seeking the auction bargain over the personal relationship that used to be the core of this business. But even the most avaricious of customers, taken again and again by the lies or ineptitude of amateur sellers, will soon see the value in knowing a good dealer and paying them their due and their price. Where do many good dealers choose to set up shop on the internet? Ruby Lane.
Stale stock and high end or one of a kind items that I know at least two people are likely to fight over are what I sell at auction. And that's all. The remainder of my stock is placed for sale with a price tag attached. And after November, when my lease is up and I will close permanently at the Brick and Mortar, it will all be in my shops on Ruby Lane.
When a customer buys an antique or collectible from me they don't just get the piece itself. They get my time to answer any questions, now or later, they get my personal guarantee that the item is authentic (very valuable in today's market swimming with fakes), they will get historical information, advice on how to properly care for the item, the names of other dealers that I can recommend as having similar items and standards. In short, they buy access to everything it took me decades to learn and it costs them nothing extra, incurs zero risk. I chose Ruby Lane as an internet portal because they treat me, their shop owning customer, the same way that I think it important to treat those who buy from me. With honesty and respect. I feel more like a partner than a customer. That's my experience, since you asked.
If we shop owners sometimes sound like Moonies in dire need of de-programing when we rave about Ruby Lane, that's the reason why.
posted on September 29, 2001 01:20:40 PM new
I have had a shop on Rubylane since April 2001. Today I had a problem getting my item transferred to ebay for auction. I emailed Rubylane, and almost immediately they emailed me back with a solution to my problem.
Now that is customer service!!! Imagine! They helped me with an ebay problem!
RL is a very user friendly site for both buyers and sellers, and the support is prompt and accurate.
I recommend Rubylane to anyone wanting to open an online shop.
Gail Dickrell owner of A Wild Goose Chase.
posted on September 29, 2001 01:53:07 PM new
Ruby Lane? Neat place, nice shops, friendly dealers, guys that run it are top of the line. Have had a shop there almost a year now and it has been great. Check it out.
Countryjoe
Mae West
