posted on May 9, 2002 11:46:59 PM new
Howdy everybody!!! I still like the Auction Cow. I had a few bids here and there but I require a site that has a relist button. Especially when a place is slow and you know that auction isn't going to sell. I used to sit for hours and hours at Yahoo relisting auctions. Never again will I do that $h!t. After analyzing a few of the smaller sites, I have come to many conclusions. But I'll keep them secret. LOL!!! I finally went with cable internet and man can I list some auctions now. Bidville is superfast and TopNotch & The Cow seem much slower when listing. I don't know what would help in that area. Howdy J.B. I ain't bashing TopNotch just openly wondering why it runs slow. Like your pics bidsbids. Come on by the Hillbilly Cafe or is it Roadkill Cafe (Confused) and have a beer sometime. See ya'll, Hillbilly
If Patty had a problem with you, I don't think you would even have a forum over at Mootropolis.com. You would have been regulated to the Other Sites Not Listed type of category. I also think she wouldn't allow your constant little advertisements in various threads throughout the site.
I think that Patty doesn't care whether Cow is doing good or not. Notice that the dedicated forum for AC was downgraded to a single forum.
I am curious why people do not give AC (or other smaller sites) any leeway, while they allow sites like TNA to be promoted rudely (read some of JB's posts over at Moo) and shamelessly. You know the one thing I HAVE noticed is that if Moo was so AC crazy, why isn't their more AuctionCow shoved down your throat throughout the site? I think Moo even has more members/users than AuctionCow by a longshot.
Heck, if JB has more advertising at Moo than AC itself. LOL!
I have been at Moo since it was started, and it's cool how it has grown. I really do not think Patty expected such growth.
It is nice to see a free site, independant, grow. Like WallyPogs and Kenzys, Mootropolis.com is a nice little site. Free from being a "backend" discussion board like Andale/OTWA and AW/RoundTable.
posted on May 10, 2002 08:21:28 AM new
YourDesigns, I kinda think the main reason that Auction Cow is keeping a very low profile and Mootropolis is treating it just like any other tiny site is because it is a major disappointment thus far. Would anyone want to promote or bring attention to an unstable, hack-prone site with only a few listings? Like Hillbilly just said it lacks easy relist capability.
I have a theory that the founders of ACow may have thought that they could easily get an online auction site up and running and use their mysterious Secret Marketing Plan to make it a success with a boost from an independent message center/community section called Mootropolis. They may have thought everything would be relatively easy because they have such fine computer/internet skills. I think the same thing may have been true for the powers that be at Gegy and a slew of other online auction sites that either never got off the ground or barely got off the ground.
If they can't get a decent auction site running can the Secret Marketing Plan be much better?
posted on May 10, 2002 08:54:46 AM new
bids ... why do you think they have such fine computer and internet skills, or are you being a bit sarcastic?
Moo uses pre-existing software that is used by 1000's of other message forums, and I suspect it's a simple matter of following clickable prompts to make it fit the user's needs.
As far as the AC software goes, that's just garbage ... can't even spellcheck itself, let alone provide a decent user interface or user security!
posted on May 10, 2002 10:22:28 AM new
TNA's site looks like a piece of crap, and like hundreds more sites. PriceFire is even better designed than yours JB. Heck, even ThreeOldLadies has done a better job.
Ikonboard, when hosted yourself (which TNA does NOT do), is not just a few simple clicks, and especially when you do some customization. I set one up for a friend's site. You took the easy path, and MAN are you expanding. 10 people. Whoa, hold us back! Probably 5 of them are administrator accounts, and the other 5 are all your sellers.
IMO, JB's bad salesmanship to go around bad mouthing other sites. It makes a very poor impression on people and even if they never looked at your site (god help them), they probably never will based upon your bashing other sites that have never DONE anything to you, or returned fire even. You are end up pissing the wrong people off.
Bidsbids:
You are just like they accuse me of being... too hard on new sites. I guess we can enjoy being negative and watch TNA die like the rest, cause he too is using cheap software that cannot hold up against success (like that is ever gonna happen.)
[ edited by YourDesigns on May 10, 2002 11:03 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2002 10:48:30 AM new
Bidsbids
If I remember correctly AC never intended to use the software that they currently using on a permanent basis. The only reason they opened early using this software was because many requested so and they still had the full intent of upgrading not only the software but their hardware also. And judging by their post that day has come.
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Posted: May 10 2002,01:17
In the next two weeks we will be updating our software and doing some server reconfigurations. You will notice some changes and some downtime over this time.
You will also notice we have powered down listings. We still have over 10,000 banner ads per day advertising, but will be holding off full tilt until we can bring aboard (we have their support just not the ability) several cornerstone Sellers that will help our smaller sellers.
We are testing to see how Phase II will be implemented, and whether the current software will make a smooth transition. We will be working with some new designers/programmers to see if our current direction is feasible to handle the amount of auctions that several high profile sellers want to list on our site. A bulk lister will be required for their ability to list on our site.
We are considering doing away with all fees for the current implementation while we work on Phase II, and going full tilt to the new software.
posted on May 10, 2002 11:13:37 AM new
Your Design!! I believe I distinctly remember you giving J.B. some pointer's in dressing up TopNotch a bit. Which he did. So if the site still looks like $h1t then that means that you helped to contribute to the cause. Now of course we all know that you did not design the format. But still he did make some changes that you suggested. Just my nickel's worth which ain't worth a hill of beans. Hillbilly
Moo uses free software because it's a free site? Why should they pay for people to post for free? They didn't even accept advertising until just a few months back.
All he did was draw a yellow line between categories. That's it. He also replaced the standard Studio Graphic. If you consider THAT to be my contribution you are wrong. IMO, TNA needs some major reworking.
I did point out some font and formatting issues, but then he stopped. Don't bring me into the bad design of TNA. I stopped offering advice when he started getting nasty with other people. NOT to mention he got nasty with ME from the very beginning.
Again, IMO. I still think that an auction rep should keep his mouth shut about other sites when his is less than perfect also.
posted on May 10, 2002 12:34:22 PM new
ACow can't make a rinky dink out-of-the-box software package work. What makes them think they can ever get a sophisticated software package to work. They obviously bit off way more then they could chew, exactly like Gegy.
It's all academic anyway since it was standard BS hyperbole coming from some over eager and over confident disgruntled eBay sellers that wanted to start their own site.
That might should a tad harsh but I think it's right on the nailhead.
Since when does AC not work? It works just the way XCENT designed it and they have even customized it considerably. PriceFire is another site using the same software and they too have made it look slick.
ANY site is subject to be hacked, even the TOP sites with millions in IS departments. You are stretching here BidsBids.
Reality is correct a lot of people put pressure on AC to get open immediately, and they put together a quick fix, that is apparently not able to handle large sellers.
I think the bulk lister is the major drawback in truth for the large sellers. A lot of smaller packages don't have bulk listers which is a major downer for heavy volume sellers.
posted on May 10, 2002 01:22:57 PM new
YD!! I wasn't specifically trying to down grade your design experience. I would assume that you are probably excellent in your field. Yes!! J.B. is the TopNotch Rep. and sometimes he say's the wrong things. But!! I believe we are all guilty of saying and doing stuff that we regret. Example: When I got in a fight with my brother around Christmas time, I went to jail for beating the hell out of him and his car with a snow shovel. If I had it to do over again I would not have beaten the car ($1,900.00 damage). But he was standing next to the car. So I got my point across. Just like J.B. needs to probably fine tune his points of view when presenting them. Or maybe he should get a spokesperson to do the dirty work. Maybe I should volunteer. Hardy!! Har!! Har!!. This is all new to J.B. and I think he should not be crucified over bad public relations. That is why Corporations hire Public Relation Firm's is because they ain't worth a $h!t at it. See ya'll, Hillbilly
[ edited by RichHillbilly on May 10, 2002 01:25 PM ]
posted on May 10, 2002 01:34:15 PM new
You know, I hardly ever say much about anything because I hate getting into fights, and I really don't want to get into one now but I do have something to day.
#1. JB--as you've noticed, a link has been added to your auction site from the Bog. The reason it wasn't there earlier was because I simply forgot to add it in one of the updates, so added it in the next. I usually don't update the site more than once a month because it's time-consuming and I have other obligations as well. That's the reason my newsletter is down to once a month, too, instead of every week or every two weeks--just not enough time. If you were so concerned about it you should've sent me an e-mail (it's easily accessible from my site) instead of talking behind my back on a message board.
#2. How dare you come to another message board and run down Mootropolis? Patty has worked hard to provide many people the ability to promote their auction sites, yours included. And this is the thanks she gets?
#3. Yes, JB, you're right--I don't like you very well, and the reason is because I've seen you time and again say one thing to someone's face and turn around and cut them to the quick somewhere else while they weren't looking. JB, I do forgive people, but I also remember what they did to me and those I know and try not to allow it to happen again. I can assure you though, 100%, that the topic has never come up between Patty and myself. I generally keep my opinions of people unless someone specifically asks me.
#4. If you'll read today's posts in your forum on the Moo you'll see that I even added a suggestion to the post about TNA's e-mail service. I wouldn't have given my opinion and tried to help you out if I had something against you or TNA, now would I?
JB, you are someone who appears to have many friends on the web, and I know you'd have a lot more if you'd quit running them down when they're not looking, because I do believe you have a very good side that is willing to help anyone who asks. Next time you see something that makes you wonder, why not e-mail the person and ask them directly before writing up mis-information on a message board?
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posted on May 10, 2002 02:47:38 PM new
WallyPog!!! I have to commend you on your presentation. I like you and probably always will. So this opinion is unbiased. You basically told J.B. how you felt, and that you did not like him in a very professional way. That in my opinion is a professional way to present something. I personally would accept that and let life go foward. At least you didn't say TopNotch looked like $h!t. That in itself shows some high tech business ethics. Good job. Hillbilly
posted on May 10, 2002 03:07:35 PM new
I'm glad John Barnes and I have something in common ... detractors.
In regards to ACow I have to say that Bidville is like a Cadallic compared to the ratty Yugo that is ACow ( software-wise that is ). If the Yugo is only temporary, I'd hate to see their show car. ACow wasn't pressured into an early release, ACow got greedy and proceeded with an early launch. Everyday eBay grows stronger, so they rushed a near-worthless temporary website to market and in the process did great damage to their credibilty.
I may need those lawn chairs yet. I gotta get Don King on the phone and shot the $hi!t about that pay-for-view deal.
I have always said that Bidville has some good software in place. Never a question in my mind. The site is BORING to look at, but the software is solid.
ACow's presentation is very nice, and good layout using the KISS method, which others sites like Bidville and SYI also do, but a little more detailed.
What is interesting is that PriceFire and some others use the same software (currently) as ACow, but no one has said a thing or complained about their software. I wonder why that is?
posted on May 10, 2002 03:59:12 PM newI wonder why that is
I'll tell you why that is. There's only so many hours in the day ... certainly not enough to visit every idiot "auction venue" out there. It's getting totally ridiculous.
eBay rules (even tho they treat their members like crap)
posted on May 10, 2002 07:38:07 PM new
Even ebay is going to be in trouble because there is no way they will make the target projections by 2005 unless they sock the fees to sellers. They are already going to use pop-up ads, and no doubt raise fees. The next wave for sellers will be starting fixed priced niche sites.
posted on May 10, 2002 07:55:21 PM new
I felt the same way about eBay never realizing it's lofty goals till I read the net article about Meg the other day.
I think they have a good shot at pulling it off without raising fees very much.
A very real challenge to all online sites is the new mailing fees structure the post office has on tap for July 1st. That new structure may knock out a lot of the lower priced items that weigh more than 12 ounces.
