posted on January 29, 2001 07:23:40 PM
Hello all. I am a small time seller, I also own my own business. I am very interested in this venture -- so include me if you want. I can offer help in the business area..again if you want. Thank you.
posted on January 29, 2001 08:11:51 PM
gravid: thank you for dislodging my neuron which was on a ferocious repetitive ORBIT ... which was covering up something perculating away, unbeknownst to me, at the back of my mind.
What I am opposed to is something which Barry has often articulately posted about: the innundation of categories with EVERY single piece of merchandise in a store, or EVERY single item in a 5000 page catalogue.
Now, it does NOT behoove eBay to do ANYTHING about the super-saturation of categories, as they earn a TON of their 84% gross margins offa listing fees, and HUGE megaBIGbiz has NO difficulty with 30-cents a pop.
HOWEVER............... although I have been aware of this for a long long long time, it had escaped my mind ENTIRELY.
The fact is that the putrid (to me) megalistings which make the category listings so noxious & unappealing will some year now become HISTORY, a non-factor. This is because alla that type of repetitive might-as-well be advertisements, NOT real auctions --- they are all bound to disappear BECAUSE OF FIXED PRICE SEARCH ENGINES.
Half.com even now is actively soliciting feedback from sellers to please answer what else they are interested selling at Half, and that list ranges from Antiques to TOYs.
It occurs to me that the technology of FIXED-PRICED SEARCH ENGINES, such as Half simply eradicates and totally nullifies my concern about the noxious impact that these megamultiple listings have.
If, among eBay Power Sellers, I have ever met an actual representative of an actual mega-multinational(international)corporation comprised of conglomerates, I was never made aware of same.
I was NOT referring to Power Sellers, nor to small businesses, nor to small biz with employees, or any of that! ALL of those are people, (or, if you will: I-N-D-I-V-I-D-U-A-L-S).
For an EXAMPLE, which I believe does NOT exist in the RL, an example of what I meant would be along the lines of if [email protected] joined the co-op and proceeded to list 35 copies each in single auctions of EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF MICROSOFT SOFTWARE AVAILABLE.
Now, were he to do that on eBay, eBay would jump with joy, as the listing fees would provide MEGA-revenue.
But were 100,007 auctions to be submitted to the co-op auction EVERY DAY by 1,000,007 megamultinationalconglomeratecorporations, they obviously would detract from the offerings of the small sellers, the microbusinesses, the sole proprietors (& their employees) (AKA, what I call INDIVIDUALS.)
The only interest I have in any co-op is to promote the interests of the Individual, solely. As toyranch brought up, pre-IPO, one did not seek the listing pages laden down with ENTIRE STORE INVENTORIES, listed and re-listed, week after week.
Pierre Omidyar is a Libertarian, who imposes NO limits.
I am not a libertarian - I want some clear (ah, legal) LIMITS imposed from the git-go, limits decided upon by EVERYONE voting, fully understood by one and all -- and then within this structure the TOTAL FREEDOM to allow sheer anarchy to reign supreme!
eBay NEVER cared what would happen when alla the BigBiz came to town, how it would impact the MEMBERS of was the eBay COMMUNITY.
There's gonna be a MASSIVE tumultuous change in the OAI when eBay unveils its FIXED PRICE SEARCH ENGINE for numerous catagories of goods.
I don't know what that change will mean for us, but it will be significant, I presume.
AND, therefore, since CHANGE is in the air, maybe it would be wise to go forward as CHEAPLY as possible, in case everything "implodes" in some strange unforeseen manner.
posted on January 29, 2001 08:19:37 PM
Loosecannon, Jamie is the only one showing any incentive. For that he's ridiculed? There's a story in the bible about some guys who got the same pay for working less hours. You're the guy who complained he didn't get more work. Jamie is trying to organize the planning committee, which is what I asked him to do.
Remember, folks. Decisions are made by the CO-OP: one man, one vote. We should be thanking the people who are willing to invest time and energy into this. They are volunteering to build the house. If there are specific issues, they are addressed by the membership. If you don't like something about the co-op, you have the power to change it.
You have three choices: You can help, you can help and complain, or you can just complain. Now we're facing our first task: setting up the planning committee. Are you going to help or just complain? Jamie doesn't want to be in the position of running this single-handedly. Insults and accusations of being an "eBay spy" are not helping either. If you think you can do better, let's see it.
posted on January 29, 2001 08:26:32 PMLIMITS imposed from the git-go... and then within this structure the TOTAL FREEDOM to allow sheer anarchy to reign supreme!
LIMITED TOTAL FREEDOM?
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
edited... ubb
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Jan 29, 2001 08:27 PM ]
I don't get your analogy but yeah, you're right. I've been making fun. I apologize for doing it. It's not a bad idea but I have plenty of doubts that it'll ever be successful. But who am I to say? I'll leave you all alone now so you can proceed without my antagonism.
posted on January 29, 2001 08:56:41 PM
Radh,
I sympathize with you're concept, but, girl, couch it in terms that don't undermine your credibility. Real genius is making people look at your message and not your style.
Anyhow, that's my interpretation of Abacaxi's post.
I will be on the fence watching to see if a venue emerges. Right now I am in buying mode.
Gravid has a real good point, but it's been coming, economical-wise (to quote the Shrub).
I think a co-op is a great idea, but needs a strong, commited board.
And last but not least, can democratic capitalism survive?
I am not poised to be a power seller, but I know that a lot of powersellers are a lot like me, average folks.
Any site will encounter the REAL headach of administration, and the iffy policies of ebay may seem realistic when applied to real world application...even of a co-op site.
All right, guess it's time to get the popcorn on this one...
Capriole: the point you make that I agree with in your post is that I, too, am in a BIDDER/Buyer mood, and seriously so.
The SERIOUSNESS that everyone is demanding in my messagethread has to do with Twinsoft's board, and their imminent meeting about the formation of a selling co-operative.
THIS messagethread, which I originated was asking if anyone is interested in something ENTIRELY different, altogether.
SOME people are answering my post, but not many. I intend to seek elsewhere for information about a symposium that addresses my concerns.
I think it is WAY toooooo soon to have any planning committee, as I notice in other threads several other people have stated; and even read someone strongly suggesting more input.
I am not at all comfortable with the *spontaneity* quotient of this "event" and I was totally unaware of chitter chatter about eBay spies.
U think that we are about to see a tremendous change in the OAI, and I have decided to go back in my hibernation and concentrate on my true priorities.
posted on January 29, 2001 09:26:50 PM toyranch: Bobby, on another messageboard I just read that you had gotten very active selling at Yahoo auctions, and that you'd even rented a warehouse as part of your eBiz plan, and now everything is DEMOLISHED due to the newly imposed fee structure.
Bobby, I am deeply grieved to learn about this, and I had NO idea. You know I've been very ill, and I haven't stopped by any OAI messageboards since November.
I sincerely hope that you and your family are not financially strapped.
I am very saddened by this miserable turn of events, and remember well when amazon.com devestated my own liddle widdle itsy bitsy teensie WEENSIE eesie business. Thank GAWD it all transpired days before the people (=individuals) who were to start working for me actually started ANY work.
Yikes, ya know?
I hope that what happened to you at Yahoo NEVER EVER occurs again in your life.
I really wish that I had not been so very ill during the months you were actively selling at Yahoo, as perhaps then I'd have READ what you what up to at the AW Yahoo Messageboard, and because of my own INDIVIDUAL experience, I might have been able to alert you, and fully communicate to you that the individual must NEVER make any plans or contingencies upon the basis of ANYTHING whatsoever on the Internet, particularly, its so-called ecommerce sector.
Please give my regards to your wife and family, and for gawd's sake, I do hope that EVERYTHING TURNS AROUND FOR YOU.
Maybe I'll c U around in the future, mean time pleeeeeeeZ take care, and feel free to email me, anytime.
Bye now.
sincerely,
radh
p.s. Didcha know that a group of Auschwitz survivors are suing Tim Koogle?
posted on January 29, 2001 09:27:29 PM
There are ways to to make categories and searches more pleasant to read by potential bidders. Examples:
(a) Allow viewers to create a temporary or permanent "blacklist" of specific sellers who listings they do not wish to see, or
(b) allow viewing of categories by seller OR by item i.e. there could be a tab for viewing by either method. If "By Seller" tab is chosen, a list of sellers listing in the category would be shown, along with the number of their listings. The viewer could select one, several, or all of the sellers and then those listings only would be displayed.
posted on January 29, 2001 09:49:20 PM
Joice - permission was already recieved to post that link. I just brought it forward since so many people don't read a whole thread. It is not a site that competes with you in any way. Sorry I went off too long to see your post.
I think there may be a misunderstanding. Permission was given for twinsoft to post his email for folks that would like to get in touch with him for the URL.
Sorry, we may not have made that clear enough.
Joice
Moderator.
posted on January 29, 2001 10:02:12 PM
radh.......Lurker confusion here---very interested in the whole concept of coop styly auctions - however, am I to understand that you are advocating one style of coop and abacaxi another??
Need to delineate on this real soon- or you will lose any credibility on this whole issue.
posted on January 29, 2001 10:34:18 PM
OK Joice - now I understand. First time I have been moderated! Time to go back to bed. I'm not on the night shift..
posted on January 29, 2001 10:48:09 PM
WHO - EEEEEE,
I just returned from my RL job and I have to tell you...
Radh...lay off the MEDS..
You have single handedly discouraged everyone and anyone from even wanting to THINK about joining this effort.
Don't even go there about this being "YOUR THREAD" I asked prior to you starting this that twinsoft start a thread outlining the plan. YOU just had to beat him to it.
AND YES! I'm sick to death of YOUR baby talk!
Add something real to the conversation or SHUT UP!!!
posted on January 29, 2001 10:55:29 PM
Just a thought here-would the committee meetings end up as off topic and full of petty comments about each other as this thread has? Not a good way to start!
Your comments are insulting and violate the Community Guidelines. I am issuing an informal warning and would remind you that the ignore feature is at your disposal.
You don't have to like the way another User posts or agree with their messages. Radh is entitled to post in any fashion she chooses provide those posts do not violate the CGs.
posted on January 29, 2001 11:12:20 PM
packer--- radh has to come to the realization that NONE of us KNOW each other...which is evidenced by his/her enraged reaction to whatever negativity just occurred.
My thought (to be understood as just a contribution)on this is that the #1 issue before this venture even gets off the road is to take it outside Auction Watch Chat Board where anyone who initially becomes involved - must verify an auction item# which was sold on some auction site within the last 2,3 months. At least, this allows some validity of the person(s) and their feedback.
This could narrow down the initial "round table" discussion groups.
From there-- perhaps certain people will offer their individual talents etc... Couldn't people unofficially sign on as potential members -- and consent to a minimal agreement as to demeanor - allowing all to speak - only postslimited to a certain size, etc.
Perhaps things like the "name" of site and other important issues could be hammered out.
Would this not be a diplomatic way to grease the wheels of success?
If the pre-planning stage gets testy--- it will be doomed.
posted on January 29, 2001 11:23:04 PM
RADH~ I suggest an introductory offer, limited membership. 30 days or such, limited if any fee for that period of time. Leave it to you to come back and have one of the largest replies listed on AW in sometime.
Good for you! It is at least mind stimulating. (Poor moderator's are going wild!) Good to see thought's moving around on the board.
posted on January 30, 2001 03:02:38 AM
Hey everyone, let's keep in mind that although this may be Radh's THREAD, the co-op will not be hers to govern by herself. YOU will get a vote too if you want to be involved. You don't like what she's saying? outvote her!! I think most of us agree with the bulk of what she (and Jamie and Twinsoft and everyone else) are trying to accomplish here-
which is to establish a nonprofit co-op marketplace that is owned by the participants and is to be run for the benefits of the participants themselves, without said participants having to answer to stockholders.
I think that everyone who wants to be able to sell at the co-op should be able to, including [email protected] if he feels like it. He gets one vote and I can vote in opposition to him if I don't like what he has to say, and there won't be any way to change that.
While there may be concerns about how the listings will look if anyone & everyone are allowed to list, I think the suggestion has already been made (maybe not in this thead though) that we have categories for EVERYTHING, (yes, even including those vile $2.99 wholesale list cd's) and confine such listings to the proper categories, with severe punishment (such as expulsion) for violators.
The point is, we want a thriving, vibrant, VIABLE marketplace, and to have that we need EVERYONE.
Count me in.
[ edited by CAgrrl on Jan 30, 2001 03:05 AM ]
