If we could have a new AUCTION SITE what would you like to see in it?
Ranked #5,702 in Business, #116,286 overall
How would you like to see a NEW AUCTION site?
My name is Joyce and I have been an Ebay user since 1999. I have both sold and bought on Ebay and loved it and it has saved me in a pinch.
However I see Ebay changing it's format in a way that is making it expensive, uncomfortable and unsafe to be trading there. Many of us users have become so used to the way it works and the overall success of what Ebay used to be.
What I propose
In order to have a site where everyone would feel comfortable to trade on I would like some ideas from all of you not just a select few. Buyers and sellers alike.
This is not a place to whine or get nasty - please.
This is a place to share ideas while I build.
This would be a site where everyone has a voice...
This will be a serious site which would grow and evolve and yes unfortunately some type of fee would have to be collected to keep the site operational and advertised to bring the buyers by.
I shall be adding a few good surprises that no one else has to keep a steady flow of users.
Here are some ideas......
Listing Fees
Flat 5 cent listing fee per itemGallery - Free
Featured - 10 cents (would prefer not to have this option but realize that some people really would want it)
Relist up to two more times for free if not sold on the first 3 tries then charge Listing fee again.
Final Value Fees
$1-$25 of cost - 5% Final Value Fee
$1-$1000 of cost - 2% Final Value Fee (for items sold at above $25)
$1-(over $1000) 1% Final Value Fee (for items sold at above $1000)
Fee Structure Poll
Let me know what you think so far.
All opinions count
Auction Durations
I see on other sites that they have auctions lasting 30 days. That does not make much sense to me as I know that I forget about an auction if it lasts too long.I propose 5, 7, & 14 day auctions. This way you don't sit on your inventory for ever and buyers don't get bored waiting for an auction to end.
Stores
Stores
Feedback
Feedback
Suggest that Buyer leaves feedback first BUT seller does not get to see what feedback they received all they will know is that they received oneAt this time seller can leave feedback and once both have left feedback than and only then with both feedbacks be shown.
THERE is a catch:
If either party tries to leave a negative or neutral they will be encouraged to start communication with other party before leaving FB. The seller will set up in their profile time allotted for dispute to evolve. Example: Buyer is unhappy and from that point will have 3 days (based on seller profile) to initiate communication. Once communication has started FB will be frozen for 14 days (within US - more time for international)to resolve issues. This time should allow for back and forth mailings and buyer cannot hold on to item for extended period of time if they want to resolve problems. FB will be kept confidential until both have left it.
Feedback
Give your opinion on Feedback ideas
SHIPPING FEES
Will be encouraging ACTUAL shipping costs. Handling must reflect proper amount based on packaging of item(s). I know buyers feel like they are being taken advantage of when one lists $5.00 shipping and then realize it cost you $1.20 to ship for a piece of jewelry (as an example). After all it does is help the seller FVF are not taken off either the shipping or the handling.Will be including shipping calculator for various carriers such as USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, etc... You choose your favorite carrier.
Shipping
People complain about shipping fees and in many cases there is nothing we can do about this BUT we can differentiate between the item's value and actual shipping.
Unpaid Items
This one seems to be almost unanimous...but keep voting!
Unpaid Item Dispute
Let me know how you feel about Unpaid Items handling
Online Payment Methods Accepted
Paypal (as many in the auction community already use this)Google Checkout
This would be also including Money Order and check.
The online payments could also be used as a member verification for BOTH seller and buyer.
If anyone should have any other suggestions for online payment that they have used successfully please let me know below.
Payment Method
PHOTO allowance
And In Conclusion For Now....
These are initial ideas.I welcome your ideas so as to ensure a site everyone wants to use. I must keep in mind the reality is that anything worth while is not free and will require fees to keep the site working smoothly.
I also want to tank all of you who have visited so far - This informational site started 18 Feb 2008 and in 7 days I have had the honor of having over 900 visits.
Fantastic! Keep it coming....
Please give in your ideas below After the other user comments (your's will pop up first)
Investors and Journalists
Contact Me
Reader Feedback
After you have read what other say go ahead and share your thoughts and opinions.
If you wish to be on the mailing list go ahead and contact Me and write NOTEBAY in the subject.
Absolute-parties wrote...
As I currently only sell on e-bay any other alternative would be welcomed.
My only worry is my products been seen as with any new site this all takes time to climb up the search engine rankings.
I would like to know what steps you are thing of taking to that customers will get to see our products.
You will only have a small window of oppertunity before the shareholders kick Mr let shake up e-bay out. As profits are rapidly doing down.
Posted March 16, 2008
egadfly wrote...
Thank you for the lens! Please encourage people to visit and use ola.com, ecrater.com and blujay.com. ola.com (onlineauction.com) is $8.00 per month with no listing fees and no Final Value Fees. ecrater and blujay.com are both FREE, and their listings appear on Google. Please check out my lens, with continuous updates on the antics of eBay.
Posted March 13, 2008
Les wrote
(Where did that person who posted get the $5 e-check info? I don't get charged any xtra fees for e-checks.)
Regarding fees, (and everything else) sneak over to PlunderHere website and look what they're doing. It looks like the old ebay, before ebay got screwed up. Also free to list and 3% FVF.
Would be a good idea to check the non-ebay competition for fees and everything else, for ideas. (PlunderHere, uBid, eCrater, etc.)
Posted March 11, 2008
ocdgirl2000 wrote...
The only thing I would do differently, is when listing fees are offered, they should be a straight shot right across the board. The easier, the better, saving time and expense of accounting that would have to be done for the varied prices. Or why not just one flat fee per month/quarter/year? I always thought a more "home based" quality would be nice for a theme or name. Similar to "Cash in the Attic" or "Clean House" shows. The "home" quality bringing back what ebay used to be like...
Posted March 07, 2008
ocdgirl2000 wrote...
The only thing I would do differently, is when listing fees are offered, they should be a straight shot right across the board. The easier, the better, saving time and expense of accounting that would have to be done for the varied prices. Or why not just one flat fee per month/quarter/year? I always thought a more "home based" quality would be nice for a theme or name. Similar to "Cash in the Attic" or "Clean House" shows. The "home" quality bringing back what ebay used to be like...
Posted March 07, 2008
Margie wrote
I have been hoping for a couple years that someone out there would start a new Ebay type site and I wouold be more then happy to leave Ebay for a better alternative!Hope you get something going!
Posted March 01, 2008
soolenoup wrote
I suggest a different way to handle negative feedback left by either trading party. When either a buyer or a seller indicates "negative", rather than having the feedback immediately appear, it should be placed on hold for a few days. The person leaving feedback should immediately be linked directly to the trading partner so that the partner can be given an opportunity to fix any problem, with a waiting and "cooling off" period in the meantime. It would cut down the "knee jerk" reactions and if blackmail were suspected, it would give the administrators an opportunity to investigate or intervene.
Posted February 29, 2008
embark wrote
It used to be that eBay let buyers know " Your bid is a contract." I don't remember at the moment if the phrase "legally binding" was ever used, BUT IT SHOULD BE!
A "safe trading" environment is more important then ever now - safe for Buyers AND Sellers !
I'd love to see some support!
When a seller describes an item accurately, spells out all terms, includes exact shipping costs, explains any handling fees(bubble wrap, oversized packaging,double boxing, etc)
Details their shipping schedule, answers every question a bidder poses(and includes the answers within the listing itself)
I'D LIKE A VENUE THAT STANDS FIRMLY BEHIND THE SELLER?
Any ratings system should be geared more to -
DID THIS SELLER FULFILL HIS/HER PROMISES AS STATED IN THE LISTING?
Posted February 29, 2008
ilovelife wrote...
There need to be fees to keep the site running and for basic site upkeep, after all the site must keep bringing in traffic and that is not free. Look at the amount of advertising EB does in comparison to the other sites.
Posted February 29, 2008
TTCukdotcom wrote...
I think that listing fees in general are a bad idea. I think that a FVF of 1% no matter what the selling price is adequate. Why do auction sites feel it necessary to have tiered FVF in the first place???
If a Store fee is being charged then there should definaltey be no listing fee and I think a discount on FVF should be in order for store owners also.
Posted February 29, 2008
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Numa Numa
Now we need a little mental break from all this seriousness...
Do we really need another auction site??
I think we do but seriously we need to involve you!
Dare me!
Do you think it can be done?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
Absolute-parties says:
E-bay's world wide reach will be your first stumbling block.
Second stumbling block will be getting a high page rank for a new website from the main search engines.
If you have enough money to throw at these problems, they can be over-come.
My question is do you?
If the new auction treated both sellers and buyers more evenly with low selling fees, had great visability. Was a hit with buyers. Then yes I would sell on it like as shot.
Posted March 16, 2008
ocdgirl2000 says:
Of course! Many times over! All you need is a warm and inviting theme!
Posted March 07, 2008
soodlenoup says:
The unhappy sellers and buyers are scattering to the winds! We need a united front!
Posted February 29, 2008
BFuniv.com says:
FerTom: Walmart will fall just like Kmart has, and Fedmart before them, and Sears, and ... Nothing is forever; including ebay. This has a chance, perhaps not a big one, but the rewards can be huge compared to the risk. At a sufficiently low cost folks can even list on both, sequentially or concurrently.
Posted February 28, 2008
ilovelife says:
FerTom - Well I believe that some of these big name companies are too busy to create something new...they seem more interested in takeovers for the already existing. Don't knock the little people, after all it was the little people who made Ebay and now the little people have decided Ebay no longer works!
Posted February 26, 2008
randomstore says:
Its a good possibility.
Posted February 18, 2008
No
TTCukdotcom says:
There are so many up and coming auction sites out there already that cannot attract the customers needed in order to keep the sellers!! Catch 22
Posted February 29, 2008
FerTom says:
ilovelife,
I hear what you are saying, but times are different now. eBay started out small and now is a giant, who is monopolizing internet sales... just like Walmart does in the BM retail sales, but Kmart can't compete and so on. I don't like it. I hate it! I want eBay to have competition, I want a choice, but it is going to have to be a place that attracts buyers, not just sellers. And that is the reason eBay changes things up... to attract buyers... it is a double edged sword, but it has to work for both the buyer and the seller. eBay has the buyer market cornered, right now... Believe me, i will go where the traffic is... it could be your site, who knows. Right now it is eBay and that is where I can make money... yes there is always going to be a way to make money on eBay. But, i do hope for another online market place. I would much rather it not be an auction site, but more of a market place where sellers have their own store fronts or mini websites to sell from.
Posted February 27, 2008
FerTom says:
seriousl!
Posted February 26, 2008
FerTom says:
Seriously! I am not interested in some poe dunk site that has no traffic. This needs to be done by one of the big dogs like GOOGLE... seriously if Yahoo went under and Overstock struggles... what is a little guy/girl going to bring to the table? I am very skeptical about starting another auction site...
Posted February 26, 2008
rhythmdog says:
I think the best way to go is to collect the ideas via discussions like this, create a set of ideals, and then to approach some on-line giant with them, rather than try to create yet another new site. I certainly agree that in an ideal world, a coop by and for users would be preferable, but the main problem is capital- and without capital, if the site is successful it will very quickly crash whenever there is heavier traffic than expected- when this happens it drives users away, so that in the end, the site obviously fails if does not attract users, but has just as much likelihood of failing if it DOES attract users.
So, reluctantly, the best bet is to go to a company that has proved it can handle growth, such as Google.
The time is certainly ripe!
EBay/Paypal's new policies appear to me to be designed to force out the small part-time dealers, and this is a very bad business decision on their part. If someone else can make a major start-up now that is small-seller-friendly, it would not take long to make major inroads.
EBay seems to have forgotten what led to their success in the first place- as the world's flea market- they seem to want to be Amazon instead, and they are leaving themselves vulnerable to someone who wants that flea market business.
Posted February 19, 2008
John says:
These questions above are so vague...
Posted February 19, 2008
cubcowboysgirl says:
Do you mean 'tailored'?
Posted February 18, 2008
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