posted on July 21, 1999 01:17:00 PM new
I would like to know how many auctionwatch users have been financially harmed by the continued outages by their image servers. Certainly auctionwatch isn't able to take care of their customer base. Personally, I think an email campaign, followed by a letter by the individual users to their respective states Attorneys' General might help the folks at Auction Watch reprioritize their resources. I believe we would all be better served if Auctionwatch would spend the money and manpower to become a reliable company.
I'm looking for answers...so anyone with an idea that goes beyond AuctionWatches standard empty promises is welcome to reply.
posted on July 21, 1999 06:07:00 PM new
While I'm sure I've been hurt somewhat financially, I quickly remember that this is a FREE service, and I could always use my space courtesy of my ISP to upload my pics, but find AW's system much more user friendly.
What I would like is something like an AuctionWatch Gold program, where we could pay a modest monthly fee for a few bells and whistles, and perhaps be on a different server, less likely to crash due the lower loads put on it.
But contacting my Atty Gen?!? How can you prove your losses due to your pic not appearing. And how do you reply to the question, "And how much does this service charge?"
posted on August 4, 1999 06:01:00 PM new
You gotta calm down! Remember that these are MACHINES we're all using and they break down from time to time--this is a given! I agree with deuce--remember too that this is a free service. Let's not be kicking this gift-horse in the you-know-what! Give AW some time to work through the growing pains!
posted on August 4, 1999 07:51:00 PM new
deuce and susieg: Thank you for your support - it means a lot to us. We have invested heavily (and I mean heavily!) in the image hosting system, not only financially but in man-hours to keep the system up and running. We admit, there have been some unplanned outages - but we are working on implementing a system that will be able to handle all of the images we are serving. If this means restructuring the current system (again) to keep ahead of the curve, we will do that. And this is no "empty promise". Serving millions of images per day is no small task, even for the most sophisticated systems.
The recent crashes have nothing to do with server load, they actually have to do with the basic operating system all of the machines contain. Today's failure would have crashed a thousand machines if we had them online.
We are in touch with the actual coders of the OS and hope to have things up and running reliably asap.
Hoohaw, while we appreciate your business nobody's requiring you to use our systems- if you feel things aren't reliable enough for you I encourage you to look for alternatives. You can always return when we get things ironed out, which we certainly will.
posted on August 6, 1999 11:25:00 PM new
Where else can we go...I am sick and tried of AW failure...I used MYITEM but their limit on size was not finally acceptable..Pixi Host charges...I heard about some software."Black something"...For AW..it seems once is more than enough..EBAY is worse.MUCH WORSE!!!aS A BUYER AND A SELLER...I now spread my auctions around because of EBAY shutdowns...I only used EBAY in the beginning....Now I am using less and less...I am spreading my auction BUYING AND SELLING to the primary source of ITEM...kENNY
posted on August 16, 1999 01:41:37 PM new
I am sure that if you are not satisfied with the image server and its failure AW will refund all fees you have paid them to be your image server rather than pay real money to an ISP to store your images.
posted on August 18, 1999 06:35:29 PM new
Hi everyone. When this all first started a cople of days ago, I was beside myself. Not that I am a high volume seller, but I do enjoy selling what I have. I was actually TO upset. I had read where you couldn't post a new auction by some users, a while this may have been true for some I had no problem when I finally settled down enough to try one. My only problem now is that I wish I had had some sort of warning before I posted so heavily that there may have been trouble brewing. And I do wish my pictures would stay visible, but I am sure I will eventually get over that too. Like I said, I was pretty upset, and to be honest I STILL do NOT like the new look of AW and probably never will, but I have tryed other places and while some worked okay, they just didn't appeal to me the Aw does.
You guys at AW just please keep trying and I will stay with you no matter how long it takes, just PLEASE try to hurry!!
I realize that nothing runs smoothly with no bumps forever, especially with a machine. I would like one favor though if it is at all possible, PLEASE before you guys do anything like this in the future, PLEASE give me some sort of notice!
Thanks for at least trying to make things better even it didn't work out the way it should have the first time. Ya'll just keep working on it Okay?
Thanks for your service, and you know, it is free, and no one has to stay. I chose to stay with you. Maybe after everyone else calms down some they will too.
posted on August 20, 1999 03:22:05 PM new
Way to go, Dianna..I really can't believe these people who look a gift horse in the mouth..If they don't like the way it works, then say "adios"...I, for one, really appreciate what you are doing and the service is excellent. You are on top on things and your interaction with your customers is to be commended. Not having time to get to know the FTP thing (or whatever it is called), I use to email my photos to a host and then wait to get the url back and then post it to the auction.. I am as happy as a flea on a dog's back to be able to not only put my photo on so easily, but to be able to do it all at the same time...YOU will hear NO complaints from ME!!Thanks.Jan
posted on August 27, 1999 11:10:37 AM new
Hehe, there might be something we here we all can use. Don't post a complaint until after cooled off. Yes I've gotten pretty upset over certain outages here BUT then I keep in mind how easy this is to use and how CHEAP it is. Sure is better than anything most of us could of imagined even a couple years ago. Sure the auction sites and AW have crashed but where else can you sell something, cover so wide of an area for so little money. Even if you missed a couple dollars on one auction over all we are coming out WAY ahead IMO.
posted on August 28, 1999 11:47:07 AM new
Outages? No pictures?? For real!!?? NOW--see how NOT to get upset, don't check the message board and you'll never even know it happened!!
It looks to me everything is back in place or whatever happened... I don't want to go backwards and read and get upset...but, was it long?? Is that why I did'nt get many bids?? Geez, think I'll put my head back in the sand!!
P.S AuctionWatch... count me in for sticking around.
Although I still have 0 hits and no Auction name on some of my images,,, is this something ya'll are still working on?
To the 1st guy that started this post.... turn off the message board for awhile and drink some green tea... raggedy
posted on September 4, 1999 07:35:26 AM new
To me anything FREE is GOOD. As someone else said, Ebay is MUCH WORSE, and they CHARGE! No matter if they refund your listing fee or give you extra days, it doesn't make up. I like Auctionwatch, even though it is more complicated than using AOL FTP space (I have to fill out the WHOLE FORM for every item now.) It saves me $21.95 per month substituting Netzero and Auctionwatch for AOL.
posted on September 6, 1999 04:20:20 PM new
If auctionwatch is so bad, why not use one of the free website hosting sites, like angelfire.com to host your pics? It works the same way, and you don't have to put auctionwatch's banner up, plus they give you 5 MEGS WORTH OF SPACE!!!!!! They even have counters if you need them! It seems to me that people are getting in a tiff before checking out any alternatives. There are hundreds of places on the web that allow you to host pics.
posted on September 22, 1999 03:36:33 PM new
I used Auctionwatch and it worked GREAT!!! As I am all thumbs when it comes to doing anything on the computer, I was very happy to have this service at my disposal. And it is FREE. Really FREE. You make more money with pictures so it is like Auctionwatch is actually adding value to your sale, did I mention that it is FREE??? No complaints form this Ebayer. Thank youo Auctionwatch.
posted on October 4, 1999 12:06:47 AM new
Hey hoohaw, if you don't like it BEAT IT. It's free for cripes sake! Diana, your service has given me a much needed lift by being able to add jpegs to my auctions that run in the over 100.00 range. How many times has someone out there looked at say a sports card auction, seen the opening price of 150.00 and no picture? With pictures, I now move those items. AW, keep up the good work, I'm here to the end.
posted on October 4, 1999 03:32:37 PM new
I was surprised to read that anybody thinks AOL FTP image transfer is less complicated than AuctionWatch. I have been using AuctionWatch for only a short time to load pictures onto eBay, but I find it extremely clean and simple. AOL FTP was much more complicated and while I have had the same problems AOL customers were having using AuctionWatch, overall it's been much more reliable than AOL ever was. I would like to say thanks to the people who run AW for the free service.
posted on October 11, 1999 06:53:14 PM new
I find that picutrebay.com works great for my picts. It's fast, very simple and did I say fast? But you can not beat Auction Watch for information, counters, and forums such as this....
Amellia's 2 cents worth How do yall do those smiley faces?
posted on October 14, 1999 06:24:25 PM new
As an aol user, I came to Auctionwatch due to the problems with aols ftp. So far AW has been far more reliable than aol. And look at the money that aol is making. Its so handy , and I can put in two pictures with out having to know how!! I say keep up the good work!
posted on October 23, 1999 07:40:45 AM new
CALM DOWN..IT'S FREE-I REPEAT FREE. LIKE SOMEONE SAID IT'S A MACHINE AND THEY DO BREAKDOWN. I'M SURE AW HAS SOME BUGS TO WORK OUT AND I HOPE THEY REMEMBER THOSE WHO STOOD BY THEM IN THE HARD TIMES.
posted on October 23, 1999 09:01:41 AM new
Your right......FREE! It is sad that someone would sue over something the took for free. Kinda like suing your mom. ( Did that make sense?)
[ edited by majesticman on Oct 23, 1999 09:02 AM ]
posted on October 26, 1999 05:31:12 PM new
I have seen times when any other server has had their problems and troubles and I've PAID for that! I never ever thought of using a computer to bring in income rather that to spend money to be able to use it, use programs, or get on-line. I don't worry about my IPS fee or the phone bill now. Auction Watch has pretty much helped me pass those problems by. I have also suggested Auction Watch to others at work and such and the over all reaction is that its great and they really like how user friendly the format is.
I have also found that it doesn't much matter how long you run an auction or how short because its the item that is selling itself and even the best item up for auction is worth nothing if there are no bidders!
I'd say if your worried about getting your price put it up there in the beginning and don't settle for less. IF for some reason it doesn't sell relist it or keep it. Most of the items I sell are items I am more than happy to be "stuck" with. I wouldn't be so happy today if it were not for Auction Watch and I like to stick with something that works well so I imagine I'll be using Auction Watch for quite awhile! Free hosting! What a deal! Easy photo posting and auction listing? THANKS AUCTION WATCH!
posted on November 13, 1999 09:44:05 PM new
For my 2 cents worth, when I used to have America Online, the pictures often failed to come up in auctions . . . and I was PAYING for this service. I changed to a cable-Internet service and I have had no problems since.
posted on November 24, 1999 04:10:01 PM new
Well, I have been with AW since about the time they got started.
They have had their outages just like everyone else.
When their outages were at their worse, I simply downloaded "FTP Explorer" for FREE and started using my ISP to store my pics. I very rapidly ran out of room thereon.
I have never ran out of room on AW.
Their service is free.
They answer your eMail... Hell, they even made a comment at the beginning of this thread!
Where else can you get a FREE service AND REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE at the same time???
Some people just don' know how to appreciate anything! All they can do is moan, complain and cry. It's too bad someone couldn't come up with a virus specifically aimed at those cry babies! Then they would have a legitimate complaint.
In conclision, I just want to say one more thing... THANKS AUCTION WATCH!!!
posted on December 8, 1999 08:24:48 PM new
WHAT!! You mean AW actually has the NERVE to go down?? (Just kidding...) I have had pix not show, I think the last time I lost a few was during Ebays freebie day and that was possibly my own fault. AW has consistenly been easy to use and I got to give them a pat on the back...Something I RARELY do, being a real little snot. Ebay has been down much more regularly, for a while you virtually could have set a clock by the downtime (accidental--not planned!) And check THIS out! We can actually complain and not be hounded by them...unlike our other major buddy. And we are getting a community here that is super friendly, too! Super great folks seem to frequent AW--gotta love it folks, right?
posted on December 28, 1999 05:31:50 PM new
I couldn't keep track of the huge amount of times that I checked and Ebay was down during december. What I can say is that Whenever Ebay was up my auctionwatch pictures were in my listings. I love the ease of using the image hosting by auctionwatch , and it's free, Thank you auctionwatch
posted on December 30, 1999 08:58:11 AM new
I don't think Auctionwatch is as down as the other ones I have tried. When selling on the web, especially auctions, everyone is at the mercy of technologie and lets face it, systems crash.
I would think that anyone having losing money on having multiple auctions would either eke them out on the auctions by not listing so much at a time so that they don't lose, or put in their descriptions that photos would be able to be emailed to interested parties. I remember when Myitem went down and kept showing pictures of Bambi, people really interested emailed me and I sent them the pic direct.
My item was down for the whole auction, and even then, I was glad that I put in the auction to contact me if they didn't get the picture. People did. It was great, the auctions sold, and everything was fine.
You can always revise the description in an auction saying you can email the seller for pics if they don't load.
posted on January 8, 2000 02:43:40 PM new
Auctionwatch is great!!!!!!
it is hard for me to believe that a service of this type and
quality can be free. if you are not happy here go somewhere else and pay!! then when they go down you
will have something to get mad about.
THANKS AUCTIONWATCH for the great service
david
[ edited by david99s on Jan 8, 2000 02:45 PM ]
posted on January 19, 2000 09:10:13 PM new
I agree with all of you that say that Auctionwatch is a free service. I have recommended it to MANY of my friends and family, and they all love it. I have had a few slight (and I mean very slight) problems with counters, but never with pictures! AW, keep up the faboulous job, and don't let a few ungrateful jackasses rain on your parade!!
posted on January 19, 2000 09:11:06 PM new
I agree with all of you that say that Auctionwatch is a free service. I have recommended it to MANY of my friends and family, and they all love it. I have had a few slight (and I mean very slight) problems with counters, but never with pictures! AW, keep up the faboulous job, and don't let a few ungrateful jackasses rain on your parade!!
raggedy