posted on October 30, 2001 05:21:50 AM new
I asked this question before, and the thread got locked before I got any answers. So I'm asking again;
What is BV doing that concerns you-not on a personal level, but as an auction site? If you got banned, that's not what I'm concerned about, unless it was for business reasons. Did you get banned because of your business practices? If so, why?
Has the President made promises he didn't keep, made unreasonable rules, added hidden charges?
Answers please, not just unsubstantiated bashing!
posted on October 30, 2001 05:57:27 AM new
Not very definitive answers! What, exactly, has been done to make you dislike Bidville? If you know something disturbing or dishonest going on, please tell us. Cryptic answers like that do nothing to enlighten the rest of us, who are genuinely concerned.
What rules were changed-what hidden costs? How does one get banned from BV-not the chat room, I know how one gets banned from those-how does one get banned from BV auctions, other than by breaking the rules?
posted on October 30, 2001 06:15:47 AM new
Hi bearmom ...
You asked for Answers please, not just unsubstantiated bashing
If I give you definitive answers, it could be perceived as bashing by at least one very immature person who keeps popping up here with different ID's. That little game, btw, reminds me of "Whack a Mole"
If you like Bidville, don't worry about what anyone else thinks of it ... enjoy!
posted on October 30, 2001 07:43:57 AM new
I'm sure the many people are mad at Bidville because it had such great promise and opprotunity after the fall of Yahoo Auctions earlier this year. Of course without a dime of advertising being spent the auction site is a dismal failure.
You could say it's like spending a fortune to send your son through medical school just to have the him give up on that career after starting his residency. If you're the parents expecting a doctor after all that hope and investment you hate to see a son that has instead had two failed online auctions and a third not far behind.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:16:26 AM new
In other words, Bravo, you're not making money on Bidville, so it's a bad site. Apparently you have no facts, just disappointment, and I can sympathize with that. I lost a lot of money on mutual funds this last year-that doesn't mean the company who manages them is bad, just the economy, and I don't bash Van Kampen because of that!
Once again, does anyone have concrete problems-has anyone been cheated out of money, lied to, conned? Apparently no one that is willing to speak out. Just a lot of people who like to complain, but no constructive criticism!
posted on October 30, 2001 08:18:19 AM new
Lets see.
"free forever" which was a joke to begin with but since Prez inserted his foot into his mouth by saying it, he should have kept it.
Threads get locked or deleted there without any explanation either via email or public.
Prez feels it is not his job to email customers of polict changes. For example, both with the current verification fees and the past scam where you were forced to pay if you wanted to have more than 20 pictures.
A seller has over 300,000 items and every one breaks the TOS
The TOS changes daily.
They are charging a verification fee---auctionwatch isn't------ Prez says it si to offset the cost of credit card process. However even people getting verified by check are having to pay instead of sending a voided chack.
Nothing but lies. There is nothing good about that site.
No bidding, no looks no nothing.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:29:47 AM new
Those sound like pretty good reasons to avoid Bidville.
One of the things I had a problem with over there, and it may have changed since then, is that He was making up all kinds of new rules that, if violated, would result in suspension, and He was announcing these new rules in His forums (only). Last time I looked at the "click here if you agree" policies, there was no mention of any of these new rules. A new member would have no idea that s/he could be suspended if s/he complained about the porn pop-ups on His site.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:34:44 AM new
RB you pointed out a valid error in my post above. I said the TOS changed daily. Actually that was false. Rarely did the changes posted on the announcment board also get put into the TOS. In effect the TOS is nothing but lies based on the new policies posted ---daily almost---- on the announcement board. So you get lied to the minute you walk in the door.
I also forgot to mention that since you also have to be verified to post on the boards there, you have to in effect pay to post.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:44:08 AM new
I started with Bidville on Jan.11. I was told there would be no listing fees, if I started before March. That wasn't true. I don't like being lied to. The site is fine if you are selling 1:items under a dollar, 2: sports cards, 3: overpriced books. Items 2 and 3 make up 3/4 of the listings. If you get a bid, you only get 1, so you have to list at a price you are willing to sell for. So most items are priced too high.
Believe it or not I liked Bidville, but when my listings run out I'm leaving. Is Yahoo going to final value fees only? Does anyone know when?
Glen
posted on October 30, 2001 08:47:15 AM newIn other words, Bravo, you're not making money on Bidville, so it's a bad site
Who in Gods green earth is making money there?
Before any country squires can chime in here with their great monthly figues let me say that there are peolpe that get addicted to buying boxes of baseball cards in search of a few rare ones ( sounds like a gambling jones to me ). These addicted individuals now have boxes of unwanted baseball cards ( minus a rare card or two ) and they now place these unwanted-by-them cards up for auction at very low prices. They can boast of great sales figures now but the real bottom line for these types of collectors is probably something more like $4,000 spent on buying card boxes per year and $3,000 made selling the 99.99% of cards that aren't rare. That's turning a dismal failure into a glowing sales report!
Buzz ... that was a cheap shot at the CEO but the analogy fits like a glove.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:47:25 AM new
holysmokes ...
That's what I was thinking too, both about the outdated TOS and the pay-to-read His forums.
In terms of the forums, I don't think I would want to pay just for the pleasure of "listening" to a bunch of illiterates pumping each other up and insulting the new members who may happen to disagree or live somewhere other than the Ozarks, but that is still an option.
In terms of the outdated TOS, I think that is a real issue that needs to be resolved. In my mind, that is supposed to be some kind of contract ... I don't think it's fair for new members to be told they have to "sign" that contract when the fine print doesn't even exist on the form they sign.
posted on October 30, 2001 08:51:51 AM new
Bidville would be a great site IF:
The CEO was stable and didn’t make rash impulsive changes with no warnings.
They used the fees for advertising.
They deleted the Forums section altogether. That would breakup the posse that has formed and make the site equal for everybody!
posted on October 30, 2001 08:58:25 AM new
What are the problems? The problem with Bidville is the same problem all the new site's have. They want to be the big boy on the block, They want to be a profitable site. The problem is that to raise money they usually hit up their sellers then take the income and spend it in the wrong place! The money they raise should go to (Advertising) That's the way to make money! Instead of takeing sellers money and giving them a place to store merch.where no one will ever see it. Spend that money on ads. So the outside world will come see whats in that warehouse. They will buy if they know it's there. There is one site that advertise's, and you see where they are going! The other's won't spend the money on advertising and you know where they are going!
posted on October 30, 2001 09:42:45 AM new
I haven't said much about BidVille for a while because I'm not into 'bashing' any site or anybody. However, I do have my concerns about BidVille.
#1. is the fact that the message boards are open to members only. I'm not sure whether a person actually has to be verified to see the message board but I do know unless you're registered and signed in you can't access the area. If a user must be verified to see that message board they're never going to know it because that's where the verification announcements are.
#2. If anyone says anything against the Prez they are instantly suspended. Granted, some of the posts I've seen users suspended over were downright attacks on the Prez. Others, however, weren't. They were very strongly posting their dislikes about the site.
#3. Whenever the group of regulars start complaining on the boards about a problem the Prez takes a knee-jerk reaction and puts in some new preventative measure. It seems to me that nothing is thought through but simply put in to placate the message board regulars (this is my observation, please don't anyone blast me for it).
#4. There are a couple of people over there who are always slapping the Prez on the back. Now it's great to see an auction site that users enjoy and that is truly trying to make a safe site and please its users. Unfortunately I'm not so sure that's the case at BidVille. It seems more like if the Prez can keep 'his gang' happy then all is well in BidVille land and to heck with the remaining users.
#5. As mentioned many, many times by another poster here, there has been a ton of illegal merchandise for sale on BidVille. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that a DVD listed for sale three months before the release date (not a pre-sale) is an illegal copy. Unfortunately these listings are just left to run and re-list however many times the seller wants.
Truly, I'm not sure whether to admire the Prez for his initiative in coming up with ideas that are different from other sites or not but he has instituted some never-before-heard of stuff for sure and it's going to be interesting to watch and see what happens.
I am truly hoping that BidVille can get it together and keep it there because quite frankly my auctions have done better there than on any of the other small sites and I'd really hate to lose the venue.
-----------------------------------
posted on October 30, 2001 09:45:58 AM newThey deleted the Forums section altogether. That would breakup the posse that has formed and make the site equal for everybody!
That's a great idea. There is an elite few that rule the forums like a hen house, complete with a pecking order. I have an idea that if that were to happen though ( deletion of message boards ) there would be a great decline in listing numbers as the only thing that must keep many of the BV members there is the social aspect of the boards, that and the fact that they are stuck with their wharehouse inventory that has fallen drastically in value and popularity due the fact that everybody and their brother is selling the same darn items.
[ edited by johnnybravo55 on Oct 30, 2001 09:47 AM ]
posted on October 30, 2001 04:19:42 PM new
If you are looking for a site that has no rules and you sell items that cost dime to buy, then bidville is the place to go. I love to hear the "success stories" on bidville, I sold 10 items this week!, what was the total of those 10 items? If it was $10.00 I would be surprised. If you want to try the site I would suggest staying away from the boards. I would equate the level of intelligence of the CONVERSATIONS to be around 4th grade. I think those people that want to pay to have on-line "friends" will stay till the end. Now I was banned from the site (for playing a game on the boards that was started by one of bidville's biggest supporters, he is still there) and admittedly do not like the site or the owner....
posted on October 30, 2001 09:27:15 PM new
Gee I had no idea there was so much trouble going on.......
Wallypog is a reputable person so I do question this.....
posted on October 30, 2001 09:48:36 PM new
Hi Bearmom
holysmokes gave a good start. And Wallypog is right on target as usual.
I will expand the photo issue since I know you weren't a BV member back then. The short notice and policy to dump every non-payers photos caused the biggest uproar the site had seen.
7/27 New photo hosting policy change eff. 8/1. Unlimited free photos to zero. Become a premier member by paying $5 or $10 a month and they'd host your photos. Oh, but you don't have to become a member, you can move all your photos to an offsite host then close and relist every auction to add your new photo link. 'We'll give 30 days before we delete the photos from all non-premier members ads'. To calm the rebellion days later they amended the hosting policy from 0 to 20 free photos. At the time the site had about 680,000 ads and those with large inventory felt forced pay the $ instead of all the work to re-do their photos.
The "free forever" promise. Let's take a look:
http://www.bidville.com/newsletter/01.16.01.htm
(the link USED to be posted on BV but has been deleted off their info page. Still works though)
"No Fees Forever (A statement from our CEO)
I personally guarantee that any member who meets the criteria below will NEVER be charged membership fees, listing fees or FVF's in the unlikely event that fees are imposed at a future date...
(lone) Criteria: Become a member on or before March 10, 2001."
OK, I did become a member well before 3/10 but effective 11/6 I cannot list any new ads
without paying a verification FEE or Premier membership FEE. Further, 90 days after 11/6
I cannot relist any old ads without paying a verification FEE or Premier Membership FEE. I'm sure their tapdance is the statement covers listing, fvf & member fees of which there "technically" are none but all I know for sure is I can't list without PAYING them something after next week.
Verification fee $2.50 for 2 months or $5.00 for a year. BV quote "we must pass on some of the costs to our members."
I don't know what service they use but the CC verification services I'm aware of only charge 20-30 cents to verify each card. Since BV insists on charging rather than simply verifying cards I'm sure they are incurring some type merchant fees. They are the only site I've ever heard of that actually charges people to put a CC on file. I guess all these other sites can afford to eat the 20-30 cent verification fee they pay.
No email notice of policy changes. I'd wager that it's a small minority of users who visit the BV announcement board or AW. As yet they know nothing of the latest changes. Those who won't wish to verify have missed their opportunity to list from 10/15 to 11/5 and get their 20 free auto-relists in. The site mass emailed all members to try and get them to shop various sales and twice to buy optional Premier memberships. Now that they have a way to get $ out of non-Premier members they apparently feel no need to notify them. Won't that be a wonderful surprise to the unaware when their mailboxes suddenly fill with closed ad notices, they go to relist and only then hear they have to pay up to do so!
Listening to Users. They claim to but of the 3 most needed changes since Jan -description search, user verification & advertising- only verification is happening so far. As far as advertising about all we've heard from the Prez was from this article:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/11968.html
"Media Ploy?
Interestingly, Orlando told his site's users that the PayPal lawsuit would generate significant press for the growing company. "I guarantee that we could not have purchased the type of advertising that this story should bring," he said. "I'm not sure how much [the recent news coverage] would have cost but it's more than a few premier memberships." For his part, Solitto commented that "considering the matter is already being pursued through the legal process, one has to wonder what the intent of this press release is."
Indeed, IMHO the intent was crystal clear. One might also wonder why Orlando was quoted in an AW article from March stating he had backers & enough $ to run the site totally free for 3 years yet within 7 months he's been coming up with more ways to get $ out of users.
CC verification to "protect" the sites users. Well IF cc's were required that
might mean something. If you don't have or don't want to enter a cc all you need do is buy a Premier membership. You can send a money order with a phony name & address for that and get the same "verified" user logo on your page as a real CC member. Any scam artist can do that, list away, collect winners $ and run. Seasoned users know the common scams are "half price retail" on high end items and to avoid these ads. Newbies fall for them all the time and with BV's new restriction buyers can't post negs unless they have a 2+ rating these scammers have it easier than before.
What about the poor ripped-off buyer? Buyer protection, dispute resolution or whatever they call it link states free mediation service but when you click it you get a message you have to pay $10 to use Square Trade. This error pointed out by the sites biggest fan last May and has yet to be corrected from "free". Anyway, all ST does is email the parties and ask them to work it out with each other so I wouldn't call that "protection" and it certainly isn't free.
TOS enforcement. Enforcement is selective and only happens on the Community side, certainly not the auction side. You asked "Did you get banned because of your business practices?" From what I've seen the site does not differentiate chat from business. Call someone a name or post a legitimate criticism of the site and your
ads get canceled along with your id. Meanwhile non-auctions (no item for sale, just a link to website, just family & pet photos, just a pointer to the sellers other ads etc.) aren't closed unless the seller closes on their own. Playboys, porn tapes etc. have been abundant in regular non-adult categories ever since Jan. Once in a while some of those ads get pointed out in the community but the complaints "mysteriously" disappear yet the ads remain. The 300,000 item book seller is another example. It was pointed out within 2 days of his joining BV his ads violated the 'you can't list items that are already listed on other auction sites here' rule. His sentence of 'item may or may not be available at auction end' violates the 'if you get a winning bid you're required to sell' rule. In 6 weeks he has not been made to change anything.
That's enough of my issues for now, you've kept me up way past bedtime with this thread. I may add to it tomorrow.
posted on October 31, 2001 05:03:08 AM new
Thank you, Kasmoon-now I actually know what everyone is talking about! And those are some legitimate concerns.
I did pay the verification fee, and didn't mind, but I understand why people would mind. And the business with the bookseller is amazing-
posted on October 31, 2001 06:48:35 AM new
bearmom:
Since you asked....
I just spent 10 minutes writing a loooong list and then removed it. Since nothing will change and those that were affected have long since left....what's the point? Suffice to say that there are numerous problems with the site, most of which stem from an inexperienced administrator who reacts rather than plans AND, the apparent power of the BV "gang". Now the message boards will be secret so the "group" are free to play and havoc reigns.
If you are happy there and you have positive experiences.... stay and (hopefully) prosper. I do, however, offer a word of caution. Watch your back!
posted on October 31, 2001 08:33:58 AM new
I see CUFF the fairy has made its return to AW. After november 6, Bidville listings will take a titanic drop and continue to fall at a Yahoo pace. The site stinks of slime and deception. Even the newbies there are complaining within days of joining that there is nothing going on but a bunch of unemployed uneducated people trying to clean out their garages and make some cash in between welfare checks.
posted on October 31, 2001 08:54:10 AM new
AmazeU:
CUFF... isn't it against the rules to register with a different ID after you've been suspended?
Now that BV has instituted policies to protect the poor, maligned seller...what will they be doing to protect the buyers from the unscrupulous sellers who lie and cheat, then bully your PREZ into removing legitimate negative feedback?
posted on October 31, 2001 05:50:50 PM new
Hmmmmmm!!
It appears as if y'all are letting your obsessions show. But then what's new??
All bearmom did was drag the same old "dead fish" (theme) through here and tried to dress it up a bit without much success and the alley cats come marching in. Just like a trained animal act (domestic, not wild). So here I am "throwing you a treat" (response) and you will thrive on it for awhile. (I can see the drooling and anticipatory panting now)
I'm thinking that y'all will get tired of playing with yourselves shortly.
posted on October 31, 2001 06:14:13 PM new
Instead of "bashing"...let's see what we can do to help! I volunteer to teach reading and writing. Anyone like to tackle reading comprehension?
