posted on January 16, 2003 08:15:21 AM new
We only put up around 600 auctions yesterday for the free listing event, that's about half of what we used to do for a free listing day. As we've been moving more on ebay and our website, we had less inventory left over... and the Seller's Manager glitch gave us trouble for most of the day, so we largely could only list auctions one at a time.
But we'd love to see the count of total listings on Yahoo before and after FLD. I don't know how to get them though. Does anyone have the numbers?
Thanks!
Jennifer
posted on January 16, 2003 11:59:23 AM new
I have calculated the listings today on six categories. I will be doing more as I get time. I am estimating 450,000 listings. Before it was around 220,000 listings. Below on the chart the number on the left is from 1/06/2003, and the number on the right is 1/16/2003
Yahoo Auction Counts
Antiques & Art 16544--40391
Automotive 1522---5994
Books & Comics 12020--33247
Clothing & Accessories 15345--23387
Coins,Paper Money & Stamps 34466-40231
Collectibles 13032--31101
Computers 5787--20203
Electronics & Cameras 2655--8114
Food & Beverage 892--1240
Home & Garden 6649--31605
Jewelry & Watches 18940--25362
Movies & TV 7231--17405
Music 6275--17884
Sports & Outdoors 3144--4925
Sports Cards & Memorabilia 44733--89700
Toys, Games & Hobbies 23602--56456
Video Games 1914--3425
Other 3966--10521
posted on January 16, 2003 04:28:15 PM new
Thanks! Our listings have only sold about 10 items so far, and we listed everything as a first bid wins auctions. So not too good... it's hardly worth listing on Yahoo anymore, I guess... even for free.
posted on January 16, 2003 04:35:26 PM new
I think almost all of the Yahoo bidders have gone on to ebay or elsewhere. It may be a case of "What happens if they have an FLD and almost nobody buys anything?". A very low selling ratio may convince Yahoo it's time to shoot the old horse.
posted on January 16, 2003 06:19:13 PM new
Tooltimes its not the bidders who left, it was the sellers. The bidders are there, but the listings are so low and if you dont have what they want then the bidders check out other sites. Yahoo will never shut down the US auctions and concede to ebay. If it comes down to free listings and FVF vs closing up shop, they will go back to free. Ending the auctions would be a negative for their stock reports.
posted on January 17, 2003 08:47:59 AM new
Blair - how are you sure about the future of Yahoo auctions? I agree with you that it would make sense to try free listings and higher FVF before closing - but has Yahoo always done what has made the most sense to its users?
Not trying to be sarcastic as I want Yahoo to succeed as much as anyone - it's just that you seem to be the only one so confident in their auction future.
posted on January 17, 2003 10:22:57 AM new
The users with the most at stake are almost always the biggest site cheerleaders.
Many Carnaby sellers and store owners were convinced their site would be there forever. Now they will have to find a new site to use as their secondary or even primary internet selling venue.
posted on January 17, 2003 12:56:25 PM new
Ok guys there is the final count. Not bad for one day, but it wont last.
emak I am not "sure" about anything, but yahoo ending auctions is like ebay ending their stores. It just isnt going to happen. What I am saying is if listings keep dropping they are going to do something. I think the best thing is a flat FVF, and use the neighborhood watch to get rid of ads, recipe, and coupon auctions.
Tooltimes I am far from a "cheerleader". If it would not be for my ebay buyers yahoo would be a bust for me too. If yahoo goes under I will keep my items on ebay.
posted on January 17, 2003 01:51:09 PM new
Thanks for the input BW. I sure hope you're right and something is done soon - I still think there is so much potential with that site if it was just set up in the right way.
posted on February 1, 2003 08:50:42 PM new
There is potential, that is true – 2+ years ago, we were selling so much on Yahoo, we could hardly keep up with the packing, and they were pushing eBay – then the end of “free” listings, and the bottom fell out, we tried about a month more, but nothing, and we returned to eBay. We would LOVE to see Yahoo go back to FREE listings, with FVF, and kill the neighborhood watch, that is another reason for not listing on Yahoo, since Yahoo will cancel an auction with no explanation – I wouldn’t mind if I were in the wrong, AND there were an explanation beyond violation of TOS....but that covers about anything Yahoo wants to think up....If Yahoo doesn’t want recipes, etc., then they should monitor their own site – but giving power to the “neighborhood watch,” is simply giving some a way to shut down competition....
If Yahoo ever goes back to “Free” listings, with FVF, and doesn’t tie in their payment program, then I’ll do back with all my auctions, as I know others will....but they haven’t caught on to what will work in over 2 years now, I don’t foresee them changing, but I’d love it...
posted on February 10, 2003 07:42:12 AM new
No listing fees were a total failure as they proved when the instated them. Sales have never been better and the deadbeat rate is almost non-existant. They put listing fees in place to keep the crap off of the system, mostly items like JWPC wishes to list. Now that the crap is out of there, bidders find my items much easier and my sell through rate is much higher. Don't get me wrong, ebay is king and should not be abandoned. But Yahoo is the queen and should not be ignored. And for proof that the crap ruins auction sites, look at bidville and now defunt Carnaby for proof. The crap sellers moved their items to those sites and totally ruined them for any real seller or bidder. Don't know about anyone else, but my sell through rate for the last FLD was 25% which for a second tier site is pretty darn good. Considering that ebay is only running at 35% right now site wide.
posted on February 17, 2003 09:18:12 AM new
Yahoo died quite a while ago. I didn't mind the listing fees, they were still cheaper then Ebay but it slowed the traffic. You had to put what you wanted as a listing fee or take a beating.
My biggest problem with them was with the lack of customer service. They screwed up on my credit card and I was never able to pay a $3.plus bill. I tried changing cards and everything else. Finally got someone (a person) to talk to on the phone. A moron. Asked to talk to a supervison and they tranferred me to a small chip making company that had no ida what I was talking about. I still want to send them the $3. plus. Can't even find an address to do that. It's been a two year project.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
Check
our websites.
posted on February 24, 2003 05:44:12 AM new
stonecold613,
My sites and links to my feedback are up to view. I'm selling are you? Want to talk about losers?
Amen,
Reverend Colin
Rt. 67 cycle
http://www.rt67cycle.com
