AuctionAce
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posted on October 7, 2003 11:19:26 AM new
http://sweepstakes.yahoo.com/auctions_survey
At least they are still trying. I took the survey and gave 'em my input. Good chance at the $1,000 prize as few will probably fill out the survey. 
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 7, 2003 11:57:30 AM new
I just answered the survey, and entered the contest. From what I read there are fee changes coming soon, since that was the pressed issue. I told them to contact me and I would give them ideas. Seems like they are trying.
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 7, 2003 12:48:29 PM new
I didn't see anything about fees? That's odd. I don't think Yahoo gets the reality of their failed auction. There are no bidders and few page views. There is little reason to browse or sell at Yahoo. It may be too late for even free listings to save the auction.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 7, 2003 01:30:53 PM new
I saw the fees mentioned several times, and also the FLD was mentioned as well. I think they are trying to figure out why they are failing, and hopefully will do something about it. You wont get bidders till you have the goods, and you need sellers for that. Every FLD the numbers double so a free listing period would work. Let them put a minimum FVF of a dime and that will keep the junk from the site.
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replaymedia
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posted on October 7, 2003 04:17:19 PM new
Although there was some mention of fees, I wouldn't call this survey "fee centric."
Looked like just another general survey.
Time will tell. Hopefully they'll do SOMETHING over there.
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Replay Media
Games of all kinds!
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 7, 2003 05:52:52 PM new
Everytime there is a survey there will almost certain be changes. The NPB system, eliminating canadian users, lower fees, and the 3 digit CC requirement all occured after surveys. The site is not growing, so they must do something, and I personally think it will be another fee structure. Lets hope they do something!
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 7, 2003 07:20:06 PM new
Yahoo has the money to advertise. One lousy TV commerical about Yahoo Auctions would do wonders. The Yahoo commerical with a talking dolphin in a lagoon was funny but did zip for the auctions. How can Yahoo be so blind?
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 8, 2003 08:26:29 AM new
Advertising would be nice, but there are not enough items yet. They need at least a million quality listings. They need to fix their past mistake and put the free listings back till the numbers come up again. I cant see anything else working.
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 8, 2003 12:53:22 PM new
Yes, the TV auction-specific ads after a month or so of free listings.
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replaymedia
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posted on October 8, 2003 01:01:21 PM new
If I listed stuff on Yahoo for a month with no sales, I wouldn't waste my time for long, even WITH free listings.
What's wrong with getting lookers FIRST?
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Replay Media
Games of all kinds!
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 8, 2003 01:35:08 PM new
With around 200,000 items listed any advertising would be a waste of money. If a bidder goes to the site and sees nothing they want you lose them for good. There will never be buyers if there is no supply. If free listings would return the numbers would climb rapidly, maybe more than their servers could take, and then you advertise the hell out of the site like ebay does. Someday the right person at yahoo is going to realize this.
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 8, 2003 02:42:58 PM new
It's the old 'which came first the chicken or the egg' thingie. Yahoo needs the sellers to attract the bidders and the sellers need the bidders to come before they list.
If Yahoo would say they were going to start TV ads just about the auctions in a month or two and that all listing fees would permanently be done away with I bet a lot of sellers would set up shop. For many sellers it's only a matter of loading up the bulk loader anyway.
Yahoo could generate all of it's revenue off of FVF's. If Yahoo gained momentum they could give ebay a run as the odious listing fees and low sell through rate no longer make ebay not seem so glamourous.
A minimum FVF of 25 cents or even 50 cents would keep the junk of the site. Yahoo could also promote PayDirect with reduced FVFs for using PayDirect.
Here's a TV ad idea. Have that same dolphin or porpoise in the other Yahoo ads talking to the same yokel tourist in the lagoon. Have the fish wearing a goofy hat and shades and then have the yokel ask him where he got the cool attire and the fish answers " Yahoo Auctions " in his matter of fact style.
New Yahoo profits link
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15201884
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[ edited by AuctionAce on Oct 8, 2003 02:46 PM ]
[ edited by AuctionAce on Oct 8, 2003 03:58 PM ]
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Blairwitch
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posted on October 8, 2003 06:27:43 PM new
Thanks for the link ace. Yahoo continues to do well, so its only a matter of time they start thinking about the auctions. With the current store changes, the auctions may be next in line for change.
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