posted on July 7, 2001 04:23:51 PM new
twinsoft, I am kind of computer ignorant. But I have always listed auctions from my computer to the site. But Internet Pioneers requires a URL listing. So I guess I will have to wait until it gets easier. Thanks, Hillbilly
posted on July 7, 2001 04:51:21 PM new
it dont get more simple then the IP site click the link new listing type in you Title ad a picture if you have one you can even use auctionwatch as your picture host.
type in your discription set you starting bid number of auto relists and cilck the preview button and list.
There is no bulk listing tool but the scripts for it are out there and in time it can be added im sure.
In fact I think I seen on the other board a few users saying they were going to be in contact with auction tamer to see if it would be posable for them to add suport for Internet pioneers in there listing and snipping tools ..
since this Site is a cooperative efforts sellers must work with IP to help make these things posiable
posted on July 7, 2001 07:29:34 PM new
When this discussion began six months or so ago, our group was called "Online Auction Sellers Cooperative." It was shown to me recently that we must not use the word "co-op" in our name unless we are a real co-op. Thus the new name "Internet Pioneers."
... that certainly appears to be due to the founder's realization that by labeling a site -- which he clearly intends to run for the forseeable future as a sole proprietorship -- as a co-op, he faced the possiblity of legal challenges."
Gaffan, you've been attacking and criticizing me for two years. You've never had a kind or pleasant thing to say. Ever. So now let me tell you that your criticisms mean zilch. Right now we have 100 registered users and 150 live auctions, so please take a minute to reflect on how your flip comments might affect those 100 individuals, and think before you post again.
As for running Internet Pioneers as a "sole proprietorship," IP is a free site. I don't make anything off of it; in fact, I pay for it. I do that because the free site will be a model for the co-op that we will build. If people don't like the way I run the site, nobody is forcing anyone to participate. Anyone can do what I did, to start their own free site.
In fact, we have new volunteers showing up all the time. I've made our status clear in this thread and on our site. If you want to make an issue out of our URL, I suggest you contact the SEC and lodge your complaint there. Otherwise you are engaging in thoughtless and hurtful speculation at the expense of many individuals.
We may not like each other personally, but I hope you stop and think because what you are doing for your own amusement has the potential to hurt a lot of people, not just me. You have no idea how Internet Pioneers will be run "for the foreseeable future" so please don't pretend otherwise.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:35:19 PM new
Hillbilly, I assume you mean the URL of the photo. We do not support photo uploads right now. There may be a free image hosting site you can use, but right now sellers will need to use their own server space to park their pictures. In the future, I'm sure we will add image hosting but we can't do that and keep the site free.
. Internet Pioneers
In all of my dealings with Twinsoft, and the many discussions we have had while troubleshooting the software, he has never *ever* given any indication that he considers this effort to be a sole proprietorship; to the contrary, he has great hopes that the site will gain popularity, and thus provide motivation for solidarity among its members, enabling them to operate it as a cooperative effort.
posted on July 9, 2001 05:30:46 AM new
Hi DMan, Gaffan, gingertree and twinsoft.
Gaffan, Internet Pioneers is a completely free site. It is not a sole proprietorship. The auctions that I will run there have no financial connection whatsoever to twinsoft and could never benefit him personally and are not part of his business, nor do I pay him fees. His business has no connection to my business, which I can choose to conduct on the free site or not, and has no financial connection to twinsoft.
I believe it would be more correct to say it is a free site on which a group of sellers, each of which is either a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC as the case may be, have banded together for the common purpose of advancing and planning each of their individual businesses.
I am a sole proprietorship but I am not Internet Pioneers. I am just a seller and buyer who will be using the site.
Internet Pioneers (IP) does have a discussion board on which there is a currently ongoing discussion regarding what the members of IP want to happen to the free IP site if and when a co-op organization is formed. There are differences of opinions expressed on that thread. You could contribute to the discussion and affect the future planning both for the co-op and the free IP site.
Not all the members agree what should happen to the free site or how it should develop, which is the beauty of the members discussing it with each other before it happens.
I'm learning and discussing and hope that you will too.
I am a new registered user there and will be selling there as well as other sites.
I fully anticipate there will be many challenges, problems, bugs, changes, etc. as the site progresses and people use it. It's not perfect and never will be. But it's free, which I like.
posted on July 9, 2001 06:50:17 AM new
enchanted -
I don't believe your explaination of IP is entirely correct. Maybe twinsoft will have the opportunity to provide a more specific response.
There is an "owner" of IP and at this time I understand that to be twinsoft. That is, he owns the rights to the name etc. as the person registered to have control of the URL and to have arranged to use the services providing the hosting, EZboard connection etc.
He then is offering the venue as "free" for others to use and has stated what he is willing to consider what will happen to the 'ownership" in the future.
For example, to become a co-op there would first have to be a legal identity created as a corporation, the ABC corporation, a co-op formed under the laws of the state of ----- and then the ownership of all the individual rights and ownerships connected with IP would have to be specifically transfered to that corporation.
I do believe it would be correct to say that it would be similar to a plot of land that someone owns, offers free to others to use as a flea market, the expenses are being paid by the owner and so it is an expense to him, and he has said that he will consider transfering the ownership at a later time to some other form of business identity.
posted on July 9, 2001 11:33:46 AM new
Hi, all. I suppose it is correct in that the web site was created by me (using a free Hypermart account). It is also true that anyone could download the free auction software, get free server space, and create their own auction site in the course of an evening. What sets Internet Pioneers apart from other free sites is its goal to build a co-op of auction sellers. Without that goal to bind sellers together, IP would be just another free auction site. Considering the nature of the goal, this could never be the work of one individual.
With a large group of dedicated volunteers, one person - even a site owner - could not take advantage. If an unscrupulous site owner closed the doors, or tried to introduce fees, the members would simply pack up and move elsewhere. In fact, a situation similar to this recently occurred at another web site. The site "owner" was left holding an empty bag, while the volunteers packed up and moved elsewhere.
The real appeal of Internet Pioneers is that it gives sellers a chance to participate in the planning and building of their own cooperative auction site. That, I believe, is why we have been so well received by the community. Sellers see this as a opportunity to affect positive change, both for themselves and the online auction community at large. Without that purpose, there is nothing to bind sellers together, and nothing to distinguish Internet Pioneeers from the hundreds of other free auction sites.
It is true that the final form of Internet Pioneers has not been decided - whether the formed co-op will be located at the same URL, whether it will be called Internet Pioneers, and what might happen to the old free web site. There are several approaches we might take. This is something we are publicly discussing now. Sellers will want to take their customers to the new co-op site. Some sellers won't want to join a co-op, and will want to continue using the free services. We may decide to leave Internet Pioneers as an educational portal.
I understand the concerns of some users but in my mind this is not a big issue right now. It won't even become relevant until AFTER a co-op is formed. And we are just at the beginning stages of doing that. There are certainly other hurdles that we will need to overcome before this issue needs to be fully addressed. If we succeed in establishing a co-op, (or network of co-ops), then we can worry about what happens to the old site. Until that time, we will continue to use the free site as our model. The real purpose of Internet Pioneers is to be a meeting place for co-op discussion, not to build a free auction site.
. Internet Pioneers
posted on July 9, 2001 02:56:59 PM newyou've been attacking and criticizing me for two years
Steve, you might mention that it started with you attacking and criticizing me, at every opportunity. But as that does not serve your present purpose, I'm sure you'll deny it. Everyone who's been around long enough knows the truth about this.
There will come a time when a vast majority of your whateveritis members will think it's a good idea to do X, and you will disagree, strongly. The outcome of that disagreement will be the first indication of the principles under which you truly intend to operate. BTW did you consult them about the "blacklist" which you've already started?
Also please note that I never implied that twinsoft was in this effort for personal financial gain. I suspect the ego boost he's receiving from the sometimes fawning adulation he's receiving is reward enough.
Moderator: in case it appears I have crossed the "personal attack" line, let me point out that I am addressing Steve qua auction site operator, not Steve qua board poster. Restriction of non-complimentary comments in this context would be granting IP disparate treatment.
-gaffan-
posted on July 9, 2001 04:19:30 PM new
Okay, Gaffan. So forget who started it.
There will come a time when a vast majority of your ... members will think it's a good idea to do X, and you will disagree, strongly. The outcome of that disagreement will be the first indication of the principles under which you truly intend to operate.
Well, I have already made some concessions, though I personally disagreed. For example, I don't believe links should be allowed to sellers' web sites. The reason is that sellers should be bringing buyers to the site, instead of taking buyers away. Since listings are free, and we propose to work together for our mutual benefit, there is no reason not to post those items at the site. If everyone does that it will increase our customer base. If everyone is trying to steer customers away, it will diminish our customer base. One of the fundamental co-op principles is that members buy from other co-op members. Drawing bidders off-site to make sales is contrary to co-op principles, IMO. I believe links should not be allowed, especially ads which are no more than free advertising for the seller's web site.
However, most members disagree with this and I have conceded to the majority, as in several other cases. That does not mean the matter is closed, I will continue to raise the issue, as I have advised others to do when the chips didn't fall their way. Hopefully when members are better educated vis-a-vis co-op principles, this matter can be re-examined.
To address the second part of your comment, until such time as a co-op is formed, or at least there is a large, participating, educated membership base, I will run the site to the best of my ability towards the goal I have described. No doubt some will see me as a benevolent monarch, others as a tyrant. Remember that even in a pure democracy (which Internet Pioneers isn't at this time), there will always be an unhappy minority. And I think all of us realize that we are not building Shangri-La. But just because someone doesn't like the way I administer the site, doesn't mean I'm going to give away the store. I will be the first to admit that is an imperfect solution. On the other hand, I am trying hard to provide the tools necessary to build a co-op. When that is accomplished, members can do whatever they please.
BTW did you consult them about the "blacklist" which you've already started?
Some members requested a "blocked bidder" list, exactly as eBay implemented for years before adding this feature to their software. Their reasons are personal and obviously it would be inappropriate for me to discuss them here. Nobody is being blacklisted. But to answer your question, it was the members who requested this. So, yes, I consulted them.
posted on July 9, 2001 06:44:31 PM new
I agree Internet Pioneers like any other Idea on the Internet is a learning experiences and a lot of give and take what the majority agrees they want now many turn out to be totally different later as the Idea progresses.
as far as the features of the site its self they were discussed and decided by users over the past few weeks that includes the block bid feature it was requested by users of the sight and then installed as part of the site .
As far as the who Started what and with who between gaffen and twinsoft in the past, I think we need to remember the past is gone, today is a new day and when you choose to live in the past lots of life passes you by.
When I was young , pre teen to my mid 30's I was a person who couldn't let the past go and held grudges always reminded people of the wrongs they done to me. when I hit my mid thirties I started looking at the world around me realized Lots of life and the people I use to know had passed me by.
many died or moved away and here I was in my mid 30's livening with grudges and hate that was some 15 year and more in the past none of it met anything Half of my life had past me by the people that I would never let forget the past wrongs there lives moved on I didn't stop them from moving ahead with life they had families home jobs business and successful lives I was the one who lost out livening in the past.
Since that day I decided That I would learn from my past and live for today, Yes things in life happens people will do wrong some how to you everyday but today is a new day and a new start Tomorrow my not come for you or some others around you Don't let Today Happen while your holding on to bad feelings for others from yesterday it don't pay in the end.
The world with its billions and trillions in weapons and warheads and nukes and still in the world there is no more powerful a weapon as the tongue, It can kill with a single swipe and it start wars and bring nations to there knee's or it can give happiness and life which of these is it you really want to be remembered for today if there was no tomorrow ?????
posted on July 10, 2001 04:50:29 AM new
dman3, I really like your attitude. It's like a breath of fresh air.
Twinsoft, I like the idea of members being encouraged to buy from each other first. Just yesterday I was making a commitment to myself to look first at Internet Pioneers for anything I want to buy for holiday presents this year, in past years I went straight to Ebay for my holiday shopping. This year will be different.
posted on July 10, 2001 07:26:47 AM new
enchanted- I liked the thought of buying from within the co-op group too! It's like shopping locally to support hometown businesses!
There a lot more cooperative businesses to choose from too! The National Cooperative Business Association has an interesting list of businesses that are cooperatives. Check out http://ncba.org/ -- besides finding information on how to form a cooperative; you may find other co-ops that you can buy from! I though the information that there are about 47,000 co-ops in The US with over 100 million members was interesting!
posted on July 10, 2001 11:14:27 AM new
Hi, Enchanted. Yes we should definitely buy from other members. It may seem irrelevant with 100+ members, but with 1,000 or 10,000 members, the sales become significant. In addition to Christmas and birthdays, there are many goods we buy on a regular basis. For example, shipping and office supplies, clothing, health and beauty, household items and the like. As we grow, we will find sellers to supply these goods, and those sellers will find a ready-made customer base.
Our sales will not come only from our own members. We've already received favorable attention in two major online auction newsletters. Yesterday we were featured by Krause SuperSeller (circulation 55,000) in an article right next to Gegy.com. We will be issuing more press releases soon. We've also begun to offer free, promotional auction software to target the auction community at large. I believe other promotions are in the works.
Right now we're getting about 100 unique page views per day on our front door. That is the page that links to Internet Pioneers auction site, not the site itself, so the indication is that we are getting a lot of new visitors. That number will increase as we become better established.
If you compare the numbers published for the other sites mentioned in this forum, you will see that our sell-through rate is very good. In fact, better than those other sites. Obviously, with 3%-5% sell through there is much room for improvement, but I think the numbers are amazing considering we have been open for business less than a week. I think the best way to improve our numbers is to work towards gaining co-op status quickly, to show everyone that we are serious about what we propose.
posted on July 11, 2001 11:29:08 PM new
Just finished posting a few items. I like it! No frills approach....Easy to use....very basic & simple, but gets the job done without all the bells & whistles.
Now.....if we can only get sellers to list quality items & not just the "junk" laying around that wouldn't sell on other sites. That's soooooo irritating.
Let's all make a commitment to list desirable items to give this great new venture a fair shot in the online auction marketplace. Trading is only fun & interesting if items are worth bidding & buying......also equates to the desire to check back often to see what's new!
Anyone agree????
[ edited by mslargo on Jul 12, 2001 06:34 AM ]
posted on July 12, 2001 12:25:13 PM new
Hi, Mslargo. Welcome and thanks!
Yes, we have a no frills setup. You might call it a poor man's eBay. Ha ha. We need to remember that even when we upgrade our software, we will never be as grandiose as eBay, with all the bells and whistles. (On the other hand, eBay's software has some drawbacks, too, like crashing on the busiest night of the week!)
I believe that rather than try to compete directly with eBay on the basis of eBay's strongest points (their huge budget), we should focus on where we can offer our customers an advantage. For example, we do not support Dutch auctions and we do limit sellers to one unique listing per item. This has the effect of lowering the number of mass-produced junky listings. When I first joined eBay, back when it was still AuctionWeb, one great pleasure was simply browsing the listings to see what people were selling. And window-shopping did lead to making purchases. Browsing should be fun.
Another way we can improve our site is by establishing a reputation for fair dealings. While our policies are still being discussed by our members, I believe we will hold both sellers and buyers to the highest standards of conduct. In the days of the Rochdale Pioneers, it was common practice for merchants to adulterate goods, for example by adding water to milk or alum to flour. It was a fundamental princple of the Pioneers to deal honestly with their members. By establishing a reputation for quality and honest dealings, we can differentiate ourselves from the big auction houses whose only goal is to realize a profit. We already offer more security than most online venues, by blocking registration from "free" email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) and we can block a banned user from re-registering.
Internet Pioneers has been open for only a week, and in that time we registered 100 new users and listed over 200 auctions. Our sell-through rate is higher than the other venues mentioned in this forum, and hopefully that trend will continue and increase as we become known. Although we are still small, and still in the planning stages of building a co-op, already skilled volunteers are starting to make themselves available. Some of our critics who suggested we wouldn't get off the ground without a million-dollar advertising budget are beginning to rethink their position! After our first week, I am surprised and gratified at the support we've received. I hope this means that auction sellers and buyers are starting to realize that their interests are not being served by eBay and the big boys, and that individuals can make a difference when they combine their strength.
posted on July 12, 2001 09:39:47 PM new
I visited & liked what I saw. This early on in the game, is Internet Pioneers relying on word of mouth promotion and chance links found on other webpages? Seems several of the items have lots of page views, so apparently there is traffic. Good luck! Looks like you're off to a great start.
posted on July 18, 2001 01:18:48 PM new
Hi, Poodlydoodles and Frenchfloral. Thanks for your words of support.
At this point we are relying on low-cost/no cost methods of promoting the site, for example web site links. I hope that our sellers are promoting their own items. Since we are following a co-op model, it is expected that members will take an active role in promotion as well as other areas of site maintenance.
We have received mention in AuctionBytes and Krause SuperSeller and perhaps other newsletters. We are preparing press releases for submission to other auction news sources. We have registered with the search engines, but the major engines have become so big that it may be several weeks before our site appears in the listings. Yahoo now charges $200 to even look at a "business" web site, with no guarantee of placement, and AltaVista also asks for $100 to review a site quickly. That is not something we can afford.
To promote our site, I have made several auction management software tools freely available. These tools work with eBay, Internet Pioneers and other auction sites. I expect that will bring some lookers to IP. The first tool is called BidBuddy and is a bid reminder program for Windows 95/98. This program is already available, and others will be posted as soon as I can make minor modifications.
I believe some users may be organizing other promotions.
In addition, we will be focusing on educating our members, as per cooperative principles. There are some educational materials available for download and more will be added later. One idea that I am toying with is offering courseware or a series of online lectures to help members improve their business. I'd like to find a volunteer with some professional business experience that is willing to write up the materials.
All these things I hope will provide users with an incentive to visit our site and become involved in co-op planning.
posted on July 18, 2001 02:37:32 PM new
Twinsoft- what exactly do you mean by "web site links" when you say: "At this point we are relying on low-cost/no cost methods of promoting the site, for example web site links."?
posted on July 18, 2001 03:18:41 PM new
Relayer, I mean members putting links on their web (home) pages.
I believe I will shortly set up a reciprocal links program whereby users can link to us and we will return the favor by posting a link to their web pages. This is easy, free advertising for everyone.
For several years I maintained a freeware for Windows web page which received over 800,000 hits. In the early days, a reciprocal link exchange program helped get that site off the ground.
posted on July 18, 2001 03:40:10 PM new
What I'm not understanding is this--- and eBay did this too, at least to me--- you posted here on July 9, 2001 04:19:30 PM on this very thread:
"Well, I have already made some concessions, though I personally disagreed. For example, I don't believe links should be allowed to sellers' web sites."
You appear to feel pretty strongly about this, as you then go on to say:
"That does not mean the matter is closed, I will continue to raise the issue, as I have advised others to do when the chips didn't fall their way."
Now you're saying you want members to post links to IP on *their* web sites, but you clearly don't want it to be the other way around.
eBay did this to me, sent me an email *demanding* I remove my link to a 100% free, non-revenue generating "help" website (www.relayskool.com) from my "About Me" page. I was given 48 hours to remove it or my entire "Me" page was to be deleted. Meanwhile I championed eBay all throughout my site, as well as spend vast amounts of time on their chat boards helping new users with various troubles they were having.
No more. I pulled each and every reference to eBay from my site, and no longer do I frequent their boards, and if I have an item I feel might make a good buck, I *use* eBay to make it.
But I hold no allegiance to them anymore whatsoever.
The double standard doesn't wash, and your posts here would appear to support a rather hypocritical stance.
Unless of course you've had a change of heart since July 9th, but you can't have it both ways......
edited to correct grammar
[ edited by relayerone on Jul 18, 2001 03:42 PM ]
posted on July 18, 2001 04:20:18 PM new
relayerone
I dont speak for twinsoft, ebay or anyone else but I have been fallowing this from day one .
The thing about links I think twinsoft dont like is links to seller other online stores and sales.
Why should Ebay internet pioneers or any site work hard to get people to come to buy and sell with them, then have users put link to there other online sales and take them buyers away.
Advertizeing to draw users not only takes hours of time but a fair amount of money.
I think links to a gallery of your items up for auction or a personal website is great, if there happens to be a link to your other online businesses on your site thats one thing but to direct the auction sites users directly to your personal online store is unfair to all who buy and sell on the auction site.
Ebay spends millions on advertizeing to keep there site busy with buying and selling , if I go there luanch 50 or 100 auctions each with a link to my online store and pull the users ebay spent millions to advertize and get how does this help the Auction community.
This thing Twisoft is talking about is link shareing you link you website and you get a link back This is the same Idea as a webring.
in this way if you put a link to IP on your personal webpages IP will link back to you, if you happen to have your online store linked on your website and users clicking your link on IP happen to find your store then both the Auction site and the website win.
The idea thats trying to come across here as to how and what type of advertizeing IP is or will be doing is that it is Mainly User advertized.
the Idea and hope is that IP dedicated to coopertative principles will be a road to help decussions and forming of a co-op not only that users are helping run this site in many ways this will help all under stand not only what features are needed but what rules will be needed and by doing this they will also under stand and learn why some rules are and will be nessary even though we dont like them.
IF you Just stop looking at Internet Pioneers as A co-op, and look at it as part of the co-op discussion a learning tool.
I have been watching this co-op discussion for the better part of a year now it has gone in steps I-p is Another step.
A Auction sellers co-op will be an incorproration of many busniesses all working togeather not a single one a auction site(s) is one of them businesses.
Co-op users must learn how many parts run, all users wont run a auction site some will run advertizeing and promoteing other auction sites other the legal team for a co-op other yet Support, other might work on special interests but every member must work to keep the co-op as a whole running.
How is it as a seller in a Auction sellers co-op A seller would hope to have a say and vote in how the auction site runs if they dont understand what it takes to run an auction site ???..
posted on July 18, 2001 04:59:55 PM new
dman- I understand, and I'm not bashing IP or Twinsoft, but he didn't say "links to seller other online stores and sales.", he specifically said "web sites"--- once you go down the road of laying down these sorts of ground rules that are in essence "judgement calls" it's very hard to come back.
Who decides if my web site is permissable or not to link back to?
I think it's reasonable to not permit links to sellers sales on other competing *auction sites*-- but to arbitrarily ban links to sellers personal web sites, be they storefronts or retail sites, is self defeating IMO and may cost a young site far more than it gains over time.
One only need look at eBay and the numbers that have fled, myself included, to see this sort of policy in action.
posted on July 18, 2001 05:31:14 PM new
relayerone
Just like it should be the Users are decideing these things , in fact your input here is helping to decide these things.
This is one reason why links are allowed because this is what all wants at this time, How ever opinions and additudes change all the time.
Right now Internet pioneers is free to use in every way But like I said it is mainly Users advertise now if you are a registered user and you become part of a group who decided to put togeather $$$$ for a banner advertiseing blitz of internet pioneers say some how you and 50 Others put togeather $500.00 to $800.00 to run a month of banner advertiseing to draw in buyers and seller for the site.
How would you feel about the links in my Auction leading the people you paid to get there away before they really looked at the site much or even registered with it.
because you can veiw and surf any auction site and its listing with out Registering on it or bidding , My auction listing with my website link could be the frist thing they visit and Use.
The thing that you really want to look at is this do you want the auction site to be a revolveing door people enter and exist or do you want it sticky a place to come look register to buy and sell and hang at.
myself if it was my business and anyone who sells on the site it is there business, would want the site very sticky want each person to have a reason to come back hourly daily weekly and so on, would offer them Chat, Email, online calendars free picture hosting anything they could to give them a reason to have them register and make it there start page I want the auction site I sell on to be the frist thing users see when they turn on there computer and the last thing they see before they turn off the monitor.
I would want to offer them as many things as they could want from the online music they may listen to too the many program and manageing tools they might use.
I dont beleieve no auction seller should have there eggs all in one basket for sure and this is why I think a Network of auction sites working togeather with users that form the a co-operative would be better
posted on July 18, 2001 06:10:19 PM new
[i]The thing that you really want to look at is this do you want the auction site to be a revolveing door people enter and exist or do you want it sticky a place to come look register to buy and sell and hang at.
myself if it was my business and anyone who sells on the site it is there business, would want the site very sticky want each person to have a reason to come back hourly daily weekly and so on, would offer them Chat, Email, online calendars free picture hosting anything they could to give them a reason to have them register and make it there start page I want the auction site I sell on to be the frist thing users see when they turn on there computer and the last thing they see before they turn off the monitor.[/i]
Completely agree. I just have a differing philosophy in that I don't see how limiting freedoms and imposing rules leads to the sort of site loyalty described above. I believe more in the *relaxing* of rules and guidelines, and allowing people to be responsible for their _own_ actions and words.
I think in any online community, the fools and troublemakers are soon ferretted out by the populace at large, and either driven off or "gang-ignored" lol
Best of luck to you in any case, sounds like you're doing some good work
posted on July 18, 2001 06:11:12 PM new
Relayer, that's a good point. I do distinguish between links within the ad which are designed to draw buyers off-site, and a separate link exchange program (which would appear on a different page, not the item description).
Since a member is advertising us on their web page, by exchanging links the argument is that both parties would benefit. Our web site would receive traffic from surfers clicking through the member's web page. That is different than sellers diverting buyers off-site. And as I said above, I have used this kind of link exchange and found it did increase traffic.
You have to remember that placing an ad on our site is free, so we must be careful sellers aren't merely running free advertisements for their sales sites. Having said that, we are very small at this point so what in principle should be disallowed, may be allowed for now. Some of our ads contain not one but several or many links to the sellers' sales site. This is the kind of policy that will be hammered out by our users. And if there is a lot of negative feedback to the link exchange idea, it will not be implemented.
I don't think I'm being hypocritical. In one case, the member is taking advantage of our free resources to drive traffic (our customers) to his home page. In the other case, both sides benefit from a mutual exchange.
Our policy right now is posted and is as follows: A small promotional text or graphic link is allowed. For example, "Click here to see my eBay/Yahoo auctions" or a small graphic linking to the seller's home page. That policy will remain until we have more input and a concensus of users who want to change it. So far, none of our users have complained so I believe we are all okay with this.
