posted on October 27, 2001 07:34:50 PM new
YES! YES! YES!
Carnaby is starting their advertising campaign! Just when you think it can't get any better over there it does!
Kudos by the truckload for Team Carnaby!
(And a very humble and heartfelt thank-you!)
Here is just a small portion of the email that was in the charter member's mailbox today. (Charter members are those who have been participating in the beta testing, etc. for the last few months.) (I hope it is okay to post this Leo - this news is just too exciting to keep under my hat!)
**--**--**--
...there have been a lot of exciting events happening at Carnaby that I'd like to share with you.
** -- What have we been up to?
Over the past four months we have been responding to your input to improve our level of service. Since then we have made many improvements to our Max Loader, greatly modified our Auction Manager, introduced
the Carnaby Stores, enhanced the site's performance and image hosting capabilities (in both volume and speed), and responded to numerous requests for importing items from other venues and UIEE files.
We are also putting the final touches in the category reorganization and our universal login. Our expected release date for both of these programs is November 10th. This will not affect any of your existing auctions.
** -- What is next?
We are now ready to move to our next phase which includes attracting a larger number of sellers as well as addressing potential buyers. Our marketing campaign will extend to the radio, targeted banner advertisement and select opt-in email campaigns.
**-- Holiday Extravangaza?
We are also ready to support a "Holiday Extravaganza" event, the terms of which will be introduced on Sunday. Please expect an email before the weekend is out......etc.
posted on October 27, 2001 09:33:18 PM new
Hey! whadda ya know! A legit website with legit ownership following through on promises? It is good to know all sites are not alike!
posted on October 27, 2001 09:51:39 PM new
I truly wish Carnaby does succeed as the leading alternative site to both eBay and Yahoo. Carnaby is a million times better in layout and management than the current highest listings number site of Bidville.
Let us hope the proposed advertising campagin is swift and effective. Good luck Leon and the gang over at Carnaby.
( First an earthquake in NYC and now high praise by Bidsbids .. whatta day )
posted on October 28, 2001 12:58:34 AM new
HOOORAY after being disappointed so many times & wasting time at other sites.Finally a great site with decent people we can call Home & be proud to tell people we are there..What a great group. they are not greedy either..CARNABY ROCKS! check it out..love the new stores too..
THANKS
[ edited by timetravelers on Oct 28, 2001 12:59 AM ]
posted on October 28, 2001 09:26:07 AM new
Horns retracted to half way point. Complete retraction if and when this advertising campaign actually materializes.
Toodles to y'all! This is my 'last post' here on AW.
Good luck Carnaby. Hope you do get the show on the road. I'll be keeping an eye on you. Have closed my last deal on Ebay and am looking for new digs.
posted on October 28, 2001 10:05:21 AM new
Radio advertising, but not magazine nor newspaper advertising? Seriously, is this how people here would advertise? When sites are at the ebay/amazon level clearly radio advertising is useful, but do you really think radio advertising is more useful than ads in the standard collectible publications? [Unless I had a great deal of money available, I myself would do a heavy internet advertising campaign first--where people can click through to the site--rather than expecting them to write down a URL and look it up later--with non-internet advertising.]
posted on October 28, 2001 11:32:18 AM new
With the improved browser capabilites these days URLs are not the tedious job they once were. For instance to go to www.dictionary.com use simply type the word dictionary into the browser window and hit the enter key.
I do agree with your banner ads over radio assessment of using an ad budget effectively. The banner ads have got to be dirt cheap these days and computer users are the crowd you are trying to appeal to with your ads.
posted on October 28, 2001 03:42:03 PM new
Always wondered why radio wasn't utilized by the smaller sites.I was thrilled to see the words "radio" as part of a three pronged approach is very good,especially since right now they need both buyers & sellers.
I worked for a company that had 6 stores,they hired a new ad company,they tried radio!Wow they built up to 26 stores.Radio is expensive but it works.
Should not be hard for people to remember url WWW.CARNABY.COM...makes me think of the old beatles days & carnaby st.
Many people hearing the radio ads will know of someone that either buys or sells on auctions & mention it to them..could be great..Most important these people keep their word,for me that is enough to give them a shot..just sold something there this morning,i think they deserve our respect(& try a few listings out)LOL
I am picking up brand new people i would never have met at any other site.Good luck everyone
posted on October 29, 2001 09:43:53 AM new
Yippy! Carnaby is advertising, AND they are having a great holiday event! Its a really great site and it makes me happy to see them moving in the right direction.
posted on October 29, 2001 10:02:04 AM new
This is great news, indeed! Especially since my re-arranging project is nearing an end and I'm hoping to start working on auction listings the end of this week.
A while back Carnaby started with some banner advertising--sounds like they're going to expand on that.
As for radio? I say go for it! After all, the first I heard of eBay was from my m-i-l who had heard an ad on the RADIO.
Now if it were my site I'd have categories created for a few special niches as well and start advertising in some magazines to go with. One thing I've always wondered is why doesn't someone target the organic gardening people? There are bunches of us out here and it would be so cool to have a category for organic gardening supplies, organically raised seeds, etc.
Then there are all of those 'fad' hobbies that should be hit. Sure, fads don't always last too long, but while they do last they're pretty hot. Look at the melt-and-pour soap making hobby right now. Geez, it costs about $5 a pound to buy the soap in the store. I usually get it off of an auction site for quite a bit less which more than makes up for the shipping.
Anyway, I am rambling, and I really need to get some more stuff done before I have to head into town.
-----------------------------------
posted on October 29, 2001 11:45:32 AM new
Don't take wrong what I am about to say, I do like the site.
I spent a bunch of time with the Max Loader, set up auctions, submitted batches and batches of auctions. I have had 2-3 sales maybe. The sales are not a problem, I have been on new sites many times.
Now they want me to set up a store with 200 items or something and matain that level for a month for 90 days free or something and then maybe 90 more etc.
Well darn it I spent my time, I tested their site, I tested their software, I got their auction count up for them. Now they say we are going to bring in bidders now please start paying.
posted on October 29, 2001 12:03:51 PM new
Dear Jim,
I think there has been a misunderstanding by some of our members between the terms of the Charter Program for new members who are just starting to use Carnaby and those who have stuck by us since the beginning.
A portion of the email is missing from this post that describes the additional benefits we are providing our existing sellers.
If you did not receive the entire email, please write us and we'll forward the complete text to you.
[corrected spelling]
[ edited by carnaby on Oct 29, 2001 12:04 PM ]
posted on October 29, 2001 12:32:15 PM new
I hear you Jim
I haven't been a fan of the eBay PowerSeller concept since it started and when I first head about Carnaby's sellers clubs and stores etc., I expressed my opinions on this. The reason I haven't spent the same amount of time and energy as you have is simply because of the results you got from your efforts.
I, too, hope I am not taken wrong on what I am about to say. But here goes anyway ...
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION ...
Carnaby management strikes me as being either really business smart or gun shy. They have been hinting at all kinds of great things since they started, but nothing much other than lip service has being observed. It's almost like they are afraid to hit the Go switch.
Sure, they have Max, they have giveaways, they have a cute cow, they have great customer service, they have very nice layouts, they have an excellent auction manager, they're going to have some great stores, yada yada yada, but they still don't have the meat and potatoes. The number of items listed and sold on Carnaby hasn't grown in leaps and bounds so whatever they are doing isn't working quite the way most of us would like it to work. They are building a great big state-of-the-art condo, but they haven't figured out how to get tenants.
It's strange that on the one hand Carnaby will tell you they won't advertise or charge fees until the number of sales warrant it, and on the other hand they are talking about a quasi-PowerSeller program. They want to go from the basment to the top floor without making a few stops in between.
What happened to the small time sellers ... you know, those of use who buy and sell the odd item and are not using auctions to feed the kids?
Carnaby simply isn't big enough to be big. They should leave the big time venue plans and grandiose ideas to the big time sites, for now, and figure figure out a way to build their own by catering to the average person.
I did get the long winded" (their quote, not mine!) letter from Carnaby, but as soon as I saw the references to stores and sellers, I just deleted it.
Dammit Jim, I'm a buyer not a seller! If I want to buy something at a store, I'll go to one where I can see, hold, and touch the item and take it home with me.
posted on October 29, 2001 01:26:15 PM newcarnaby Feel free to forward the version you are talking about to me. I did get one on Friday I think it was that claimed to be long winded and then one on Sunday that I did not really read.
My eMail address is [email protected], you can find my user name on your board by that.
I have no insentive to put a store on your site. I could, I sell many fixed priced items and have an eBay store already but again why. Unless I put up 200 I think it said I would be charged. Make you a deal, I will put up a store with many new fixed price items all computer related. I'll put up say 30-40 different items with qty 100 each say. Do not charge me till I make 200 sales. When I make 200 sales at your site I will be inclined to take additional time to list my overall 100 different products. Oh yes, you get to charge me then.
posted on October 29, 2001 03:27:20 PM new
This is not what i read in my letter,i think you are mixing the stores up with different program entirely a "special " if you list 200 items(innovative idea JMHO)..apples & oranges..just in the same newsletter..good luck to you wherever you sell..
posted on October 29, 2001 06:20:00 PM new
This is what I think: Participating in the charter program is an option. It is there is you WANT to participate, and earn whatever "rewards" you get by maintaining ect..Now, you don't have to participate if you don't want to maintain listings or if your a small time seller. It is just an option. Now, I don't agree with "now we are bringing in bidders, please start paying" at all. When the site grows to a point that sellers are getting more sales, Carnaby will start FVF's. I believe that is fair, as running a site costs money. Those who spent the time testing and building the site already will get a grace period after fees start as a thank-you. So, it seems to be a win-win situation. I say "good-job" as they are definetly steping n the right direction.
Oh, and a copy of the press release will most likely be posted on carnaby in the press release section
These are just my opinions though, you don't have to agree
posted on October 29, 2001 11:22:31 PM new
I quote RB (so I don't forget what I am responding to...lol)
"What happened to the small time sellers ... you know, those of use who buy and sell the odd item and are not using auctions to feed the kids?
Carnaby simply isn't big enough to be big. They should leave the big time venue plans and grandiose ideas to the big time sites, for now, and figure figure out a way to build their own by catering to the average person.
I did get the long winded" (their quote, not mine!) letter from Carnaby, but as soon as I saw the references to stores and sellers, I just deleted it."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'm a small-time seller and I'm still at Carnaby selling away and I couldn't be happier with the offer I received. I am not putting in a store and there is no requirement that I do so. Had you not deleted the rest of the letter, you would have had all of the facts.
I'm rather surprised to see the questions as to WHEN the advertising will start. To date, Carnaby has not reneged on one thing that they promised and I don't expect them to do so now. In fact, I feel that the charter members were offered far more than they expected.
Once again I state, if you want accurate information - just ask them. But please, do it on their site, not on this site which only seems to support supposition.
I'm really surprised at you RB....or, then again am I?
posted on October 29, 2001 11:46:01 PM new
couple of questions
If I sign up now, can I be a member of the charter program on day one?
Is there an upload feature where I can email my inventory in for auction? I have everything in database format and will perfer to write an export file for whatever format Carnaby requires then re-enter into their system?
posted on October 30, 2001 04:05:15 AM new
Dear laum1,
You can email our support crew or use the "My 2 Cents" feature to request information about the Charter Seller Program.
We support importing inventory from external sources (other sites, spreadsheets, databases, etc.) and will be glad to provide information about this service.
[ edited by carnaby on Oct 30, 2001 04:06 AM ]
posted on October 30, 2001 06:39:52 AM new
Hi Jan ...
I'm really surprised at you RB....or, then again am I?
I'm not going to try to guess what you mean by that.
I am aware that these things are optional on Carnaby. My point, if you will re-read what I said, is that Carnaby needs to learn how to walk before they can run. Simply based on the number of listings, I don't think they are walking yet. Why spend time and effort on developing programs for big time retailers when they haven't been able to satisfy the small time sellers yet?
Don't get me wrong ... I love the site and the members are great ...
posted on October 30, 2001 10:33:25 AM new
Any chance Carnaby will become compliant with AuctionTamer's CASGI interface? Sounds like a good site to try, but I don't want to deal with writing separate descriptions and manual auction management.
-----------------------
Tanya
I live in my own little world, but it's ok, they know me here.
That's a fair response to my somewhat smarta** response! I believe you know by now that I enjoy taking stabs at you. lol
I believe that what irritates me is that you and many others form opinions when in fact, you do not sell on the site, thus have no inside information and most of the information presented (as shown above) is either lacking foundation or completely misrepresented.
You now state:
"Simply based on the number of listings, I don't think they are walking yet. Why spend time and effort on developing programs for big time retailers when they haven't been able to satisfy the small time sellers yet?"
My questions to you are:
What makes you believe that they have not satisfied the small-time sellers as yet?
Have you applied for a job at Carnaby in Management so you could present your theories on how to run an auction site where you can receive a professional response?
Where does all you expertise in marketing come from?
posted on October 30, 2001 11:50:00 AM new
Dearm magik87,
We are definitely looking at setting up relations with 3rd party listing services and tools, among them Auction Tamer's CASGI interface which we regard in high esteem.
posted on October 30, 2001 11:57:45 AM new
Jan ...
I believe that what irritates me is that you and many others form opinions when in fact, you do not sell on the site, thus have no inside information and most of the information presented (as shown above) is either lacking foundation or completely misrepresented
I believe that a person doesn't have to use something to have an opinion on how it should work. While I may not be selling on Carnaby, I did try a few listings there that didn't get any looks at all. I'm not disappointed, but I am now waiting to see what happens with their fees plan before I list en masse.
From what I have been told by you auction experts, the difference between a successful sale and a stagnant listing in a market that is already saturated with similiar items, the seller has to create a listing that grabs attention. I absolutely refuse to pay a fee to list an item, and until I see the definitive answer from Carnaby on listing fees, I don't want to spend a lot of time creating an attractive set of listings only to find out that I will have to pay for the pleasure of posting them.
I am not adverse to selling fees though.
I am adverse to Carnaby's "we won't tell you our fees plan until the number of listings has reached a certain level". This is a game (Catch 22 actually) that I am not interested in playing.
btw, I am still buying at Carnaby ... I just won two more items there.
What makes you believe that they have not satisfied the small-time sellers as yet
I don't know how you gauge the success of an auction venue, but if it has anything to do with numbers (listings, looks, sales, members) or reading what Carnaby sellers are saying, I'd have to "guess" that the sellers are not totally satisfied. If I was a seller, I would be a small-time seller and I am sure my items would sell immediately on eBay and even Yahoo. To prove this to myself (that there is a market for the kind of things I would like to sell) I took out an eBay seller's account to do a test ... listed 6 items with BIN prices (not steals, btw!), and all 6 sold before the auctions had run out of time.
Have you applied for a job at Carnaby in Management
No, I have a real job. Fortunately, I have risen to the level of my own incompetence and I get to spend lots of time sitting in front of a screen (I have a young pup who looks after the "legs" part ... reminds me of my youth!).
Where does all you expertise in marketing come from
I have no "expertise" in this area. Seems to me most of it is simply common sense.
posted on October 30, 2001 09:43:46 PM new
I am going to support Carnaby 100%.
They have a very clasy site, easy navigation and nice User friendly tools. I opened a storfront which is FREE till Jan'02.
They seem to be the ONE site that seems to make everyone happy!
There are other sites out there, but I see nothing but disention, glitches and no support!
Carnaby I think will be the Winner for the alternative to the BIG GUNS!!! At least I hope so!
Good Luck to everyone wherever they go!
posted on October 30, 2001 11:11:45 PM new
I guess we had better wrap this up soon Rob, before we both get booted out of here due to a refusal to present a credit card. lol
Now, how long was it that you listed? Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it was for around 2/3 weeks. Hardly any bidders around and understandably so; the site was still in beta testing. Will they
come? No crystal ball here Rob, but do you really expect multiple bids at this stage of the game? If you are "guessing" that sellers are not happy; than that is supposition which I happen to give no credence to.
It seems to me that if your items will sell instantly on Yahoo! or eBay, then, common sense tells me that that is where you should list. I do!
I'm personally not looking for instant success on any new auction site. Seems unrealistic to me and the sellers who are arriving and expecting instant success are, in my opinion, not facing reality and will probably fail and blame the site for that.
I'm listing at Carnaby Rob because of the respect that I have for the Managers of the site and I would like to see them succeed.
If and when I become unhappy with the site or the Managers, I will leave. It's just that simple and can be done with a 5 minute email and rapid deletes.
These are hard economic times; the Country is in mourning and we live in fear that we have never experienced before. Not a good time for auctions right now, but I am willing to give it time. It took me 2 years to work out the kinks in my business and there are still a few twists and turns to deal with.
Common sense is a marvelous trait; that along with a Marketing Degree could spell success.
Come on over and ask the sellers directly if they are happy or not. Makes sense to me.
