posted on October 29, 2000 08:02:51 PM
There's no appearance that "something ain't right" about private auctions. It's just another feature. It's just another option.
So, by your logic, the reason everyone isn't using private auctions is because they think "something ain't right" about them?
Somehow I think that if people really needed to use private auctions they would. I don't think the "something ain't right" theory would really hold up under a true need.
There's something about shoving this hidden email down everyone's throat that doesn't seem "right" to me.
Sorry, the cigar is apparently still up for grabs.
posted on October 29, 2000 09:53:10 PMThere's no appearance that "something ain't right" about private auctions
So says you.
Last year there was another thread on this topic, that was several pages long. Guess what, people [that were "buyers" only] stated exactly what Amy just finished posting.
They clearly stated they would not bid on Private auctions.
I'm certainly not one who is gung ho for ALL auctions becoming Private, but I'm almost certain that's the direction eBay is heading.
posted on October 29, 2000 10:27:43 PM
Ray..I'm not making a judgement on whether hidden emails is good or bad or somewhere inbetween.
But having read this board for two years now, I have seen that people don't trust things. And the topic of "private auctions" has come up a number of times...each time there were a number of posts from people who had the opinion that there was something "not kosher" about private auctions...and a number who acknowledged that even if legitimate, they still got bad vibes when they saw a private auction.
The appearance I'm talking about is not a "real" appearance..it is a percieved appearance. The perception for many is these auctions aren't on the up and up and that perception is held by sellers also..so many may not use private auctions for just tjis reason.
How many avoid private auctions for this type of reason I don't know...no more than you can know that the reason private auctions are not more common is because people don't see a need for them.
Ray, you say there is something about shoving the hidden email down peoples throat that doesn't seem right. But who is doing this shoving? The people here who think it is needed are only stating their opinion, which they have a right to. If enough of them bend ebay's ear, ebay may be convinced it is neccesary and desired.
But at the same time, isn't your position one that could be interpeted as shoving the "open emails" down other's throats?
posted on October 29, 2000 11:15:37 PM
What I wonder is why anybody except the seller and bidder/potential bidder would need the email address?
If the seller will always have access to his bidders' email addresses, and people can always use the "ask seller a question," even if through a form and the seller can reply, isn't that all that's necessary to complete an auction?
posted on October 29, 2000 11:27:51 PM
Glenda ..... I agree, but I wonder how eBay would handle the email addys on the chat boards? Not that it's of primo importance, but eBay certainly does promote the *community* spirit etc-etc.
Would they be hidden as well?
Does anyone know how it's handled on Yahoo?
posted on October 29, 2000 11:41:18 PMReddeer: Well, they gotta have SOME kind of ID displayed or else you wouldn't know who was talking. I suppose they could hide the email addresses but display the user id's? But they'd still have to display the email addresses of the people who have their email as their ID.
posted on October 29, 2000 11:49:10 PM
Yes, that's what I was wondering as well, many eBay users have their email addy as their user ID. I suppose eBay would make them register with a new ID?
posted on October 29, 2000 11:56:02 PM
I suppose they could, but I can also imagine the hue and cry from all the people who wouldn't want to be wearing shades for 30 days because of it.
posted on October 30, 2000 09:28:42 AM
Just for the record here, on the thread topic, I emailed SafeHarbor for their official word on sellers emailing other sellers' bidders and described the scenario in the opening post...
Their official word is:
If the auction is closed, it is:
"Sending spam - Sending unsolicited, commercial email, including unwanted
email to bidders"
If the auction is open, it is:
"Bid siphoning - Emailing bidders in an open auction and offering similar
or the same item at a price below the current bid."
Both are violation of eBay policy.
I really don't think anyone disagrees that the opening post scenario is against eBay policy, but there you have it from the horse's mouth.
posted on October 30, 2000 10:22:17 AM
Ok, so what if YOU as a seller have an auction close with multiple bidders, and YOU have another item EXACTLY like the first. Can you:
1) Email YOUR underbidders to alert them that a new auction is underway?
2) Eamil YOUR underbidders to solicit a direct purchase of the second item?
posted on October 30, 2000 11:15:53 AM
Okay so you are not to email your previous bidders that you are putting new items on, but what about in your description~Check back periodically as I will be putting on more of the same kind of widgets but now check my other auctions as there are similar ones that I have on. I hope you get the drift because I have seen that many times. Does ebay okay that because I feel that that is the same as emailing your previous bidders.
They bookmark the seller to return later so they can see the new items. Lots of Grey area in ebays rules and regulations as like in any other business.
posted on October 30, 2000 11:26:34 AMLibra63: Suggesting on your auction pages that people look at your other auctions, or take note of your name, is nowhere close to emailing people. If you email them, you are "forcing" them to do something - either delete the message, report it, or reply. The only way it could come close is if you installed a javascript pop up on your auction page that required them to do something when it came up.
As to whether a statement that encourages people to view your other auctions is okay with eBay - of course it is. That's why they have put a "vew sellers other auctions" link on each auction page.
I suppose they could hide the email addresses but display the user id's? But they'd still have to display the email addresses of the people who have their email as their ID.
