posted on February 7, 2001 02:04:54 PM new
well I use both auctionwatch and Goto as a back up guess I will go back to using auctionwatch and honesty com.
posted on February 7, 2001 02:53:11 PM new
Here is another thing. Now, I am not all that crazy about goto. I will not be paying the fee. I use it as a back up when it is slow over here etc. . . but if we want to keep auctionwatch free we need to be clicking on the ads etc. and actually they have some good one. They had a diabetics one last week that I clicked on that had a lot of good information for my aunt and even for me (not diabetic). I saw that they had an add here for overstock.com went and checked out the site. Some very good stuff. I need a knew computer all three of mine are getting pretty slow the last one is about 3 years old. So I will go to overstock to get it because they have great prices. If the add is still her I will go through AW to get the computer. I know on my sites I get a click though rate on the ads. On some like .05-2.00 a click and on some I get a click through rate (means the person clicked on the ad and at least looked at the first page) and a commission if they buy anything. Then on most actually I get a commission of the customer buys something that went through my site. Like if they go to webrx I get I think it is 10% of what they buy. That helps to keep sites free, but it is hard to get people to click through to the adds. So think about that when you see the adds here. Aw can't say it, it would be wel whatever. But advertisors are paying less people are bombard with ads less click through etc. . . but if you don't want to pay out of your pocket someone has to play let the ads do it but there is only one way that will happen if people click on them.
posted on February 7, 2001 03:00:13 PM new
Heres another thought.
I have 2 seperate product lines and I use 2 goto (and ebay) ids. Will goto charge for 2 accounts? I posed the question to customer service but haven't heard back yet.
I'm leaning toward not using them, but if it's 2 charges that will be the last nail in the coffin.
I am currently putting all my images on CD (which I should have done in the first place) just in case.
So there is auctionwatch and honesty - anything else free left for images?
posted on February 7, 2001 10:33:52 PM new
I'm with vargas and noteye - I'm all for learning more of this stuff myself. Goodbye GoTo. I'm not paying any more fees. And to top it all off - I never did get my damn free selling kit!!! D'oh!!!
posted on February 7, 2001 11:15:58 PM new
If you're looking for alternatives, OAUA has a pretty comprehensive list of auction management tools for sellers (web-based and software) on its links page:
posted on February 8, 2001 06:27:36 AM new
To ALL - I'm another GoTo Victim & have been lurking here for two days - enjoyed all of the profound statements as well as the helpful links which I've collected in my "Auction program research" folder. Thanks a bunch!
VIDPRO2 - AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to your:
"Most of the new start-up dot.com companies are founded by the twenty-somethings who have very little true business sense and are blinded by the chance to make a quick buck. They have absolutely no loyalty to their employees. Their only objective is to pillage the company for as many millions as possible and then leave the dying company without regard to who gets hurt."
As a retired 20-yr antique dealer, this is also true in the real world Antiques business - believe me, I know.
I too, along with other antiques friends, will be leaving AuctionRover/GoTo/Whatever after hanging in from the beginning thru their struggling years - Overhead is a killer for the "small peanuts" lister in view of the low prices usually realized. I have already downloaded my pics and will go back to using AuctionSubmit + a picture hoster - have used AuctionWatch & like it much, but now am afraid to invest any more time in a "Free" service.
NOW - to get prepared for future more devastating fees,etc., where is that site for the Auction Co-op that I saw somewhere but can't find now????????
posted on February 8, 2001 03:11:55 PM new
Ready for more?
Honesty's policy on Image Hosting services is changing.
On February 20, 2001, Honesty will begin charging sellers for Image Hosting space that exceeds 3MB. You pick the plan level you’d like and the exact monthly fee will be applied according to the following schedule:
posted on February 8, 2001 03:29:55 PM new
One of Motley Fools rankings on GOTO:
"8. Does the company generate cash rather than consume it?
HOW GOTO SCORES:
• Unfortunately, in the course of GOTO's daily business operations, the company is using more cash than it generates. Not good.
WHAT THIS MEANS:
• At this rate, GOTO may be in danger of having to borrow money or issuing more shares of stock (which dilutes current ownership). You'll want to look hard at the company's financial statements to see what's behind this."
This might explain why they want you to pay for a full year in advance instead of a reasonable monthly charge. Nothing better than customer financing if you can get it.
posted on February 8, 2001 08:38:26 PM new
This topic maybe a dead horse by now, but if you are interested here's a section from GOTO 10Q filing with SEC on 11/3/00. Seems customer financing is something they are going to use.....you want to pay for a years service in advance?
RISKS THAT COULD AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
WE HAVE A LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY.
GoTo was founded in September 1997, officially launched its service in June
1998, and has a limited operating history. An investor in our common stock must
consider the risks and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in new
and rapidly evolving markets. These risks include our:
o complete dependence on online advertising and consumer search services with
only limited market acceptance;
o need to develop and upgrade our infrastructure, including internal
controls, transaction processing systems, data storage and retrieval
systems and Web site;
o need to manage changing operations;
o dependence upon and need to hire and retain key personnel; and
o ability to integrate acquisitions, including, but not limited to, the
acquisitions of Cadabra in January 2000 and AuctionRover in May 2000.
We cannot assure you that the GoTo service will retain its existing, or
attract new, advertisers, consumers and "affiliates," which are Web sites that
include GoTo's services on their sites or that direct consumer traffic to the
GoTo Web site. We also cannot assure you that GoTo will achieve significant
additional revenues or improve operating margins in future periods. There can be
no assurance that GoTo's services will continue to achieve commercial success
and, if they do not, our business, operating results and financial condition may
be materially and adversely affected.
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES AND EXPECT FUTURE LOSSES.
We have not achieved profitability. We expect to incur net losses throughout
2001, but we may never become profitable should adverse events occur. We
incurred a net loss of approximately $96.9 million and $22.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively, and as of September
30, 2000, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $140.3 million.
Our limited operating history makes it difficult to forecast our future
operating results. Although our revenue has grown in recent quarters, we cannot
be certain that this growth will continue. We expect to continue to increase our
marketing, sales and service, product development and general and administrative
expenses. In addition, the amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets
related to our acquisitions of Cadabra and AuctionRover will be significant, and
any similar expense for future acquisitions could negatively affect our
earnings. As a result, we will need to generate significant additional revenue
to achieve profitability and in the absence of significant additional revenue,
we may need to raise additional funds. If we do achieve profitability, we cannot
be certain that we will sustain or increase it.
posted on February 8, 2001 09:27:36 PM new
I posted this on another thread and I am sorry to repost it, but I wanted to add my 2 cents on GoTo/Rover. I loved the service at one point but I don't like how they are trying to force us to pay by only giving us 2 weeks to chose. They should have had a better system and maybe I would have paid to use their service, but they have too many bugs on their system to pay for it! I already have to deal with Windows ME Bugs and that was only $49! No way I am going to pay $99 or $199 for more bugs! So, I hope I can get use to AW now. One thing I do like about AW is the website layout and the forums so far. They at least let sellers speak their mind. Anyway, here is the post below that I posted. It includes a letter I sent to GoTo (which I have yet to recieve a response to!):
They announced today that they will be charging for their service and I hope Auction Watch does not also start charging. One thing that bothers me is that they gave only 3 week notice. Its standard business etiquette to give at least 30 days before making any major changes. That is just standard practice! They did not even offer me that, even though I have been a loyal customer. I just hope I can handle the move to AuctionWatch. I emailed GoTo Auctions asking them if they would be charging about 3 weeks ago because I predicted they would be charging within a month!
I was told "you will get the news directly from us -- far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision."
The problem is, they did not give us notice in advance! I have auctions ending in 10 days. So, that leaves me with a week and a half to move all my invoices, etc to another service. That is not enough time! When I mentioned this I was met with no reply! I don't understand why they would do this to customers like myself who helped promote their service at one point.
Not like they would be loyal to customers like myself, who are even featured on their website as a "Featured GoTo Seller" Check this link. I'm the one with the baby: http://auctions.goto.com/about/pressKit/powerSellerProfile.asp
Here is the message I sent them below, that they have yet to respond to:
One more thing. Another thing that bothers me is that I use the invoices to handle customers data. Its an unfair business practice to make me pay if I don't want to pay. In a way, your trying to force customers to pay because I have to finish up on auctionrover whatever I have invoiced because it will be to much work to convert stuff that sold now or recently to any new system I start using.
I know that made little sense, but bare with me. You only gave 3 week notice. I use auction rover to figure out who has paid, and who has not. I will use a new system now which will be fine for all future transactions, but not for the transactions that are now ending using the auctionrover service. You should have given more time than 3 weeks. Especially considering a rep said this to me about charging for GoToAuctions:
"if such a decision is made, you will get the news directly from us -- and far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision about which auction management tools are best for you and your auction business."
You tell me, do you yourself honestly consider 3 weeks "far enough in advance?" Especially considering that all my auctions for the next 10 days will be ending and I will have to instantly either bow down and pay, or lose track of my customers?
As I said, no matter how you look at it, its unfair business practice. In fact, I want some solution to this problem as this is not a fair practice to do to long time customers like myself. I have referred at least 100 people that I know for sure are using your service because of me and might end up paying. In the meantime, I'm screwed because I chose not to continue? I hope that is not the case as that is not acceptable and I will forward my complaint to every seller I know using the service, as well as on message forums on AuctionWatch. Hopefully you can understand my position, especially since one of your reps said to me "you will get the news directly from us -- far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision."
That is not enough time for anything! Its going to take those customers at least 2 weeks to send their payment in many cases! This should have only taken effect for new auctions posted after March 1st, not auctions posted before!
posted on February 10, 2001 07:03:50 AM new
First off, I work for GoTo Auctions.
Secondly, the downtime right now is outside of our control. That doesn't mean that it is acceptable, but unfortunately requires us getting other people involved to fix the problem. The search page is functioning fine because it is located separately from the auction management equipment. Regardless, this downtime would still fall under the Terms and Conditions, which provides for refunds if the service is unavailable for an extended period of time. (Sorry I don't know the exact amount, but you can see it on the T&C page.)
We are working right now to pressure as many people as possible into action and hope to have this resolved quickly.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:06:02 AM new
GOTO auctions has been down for a least 2 hours. I got up this morning early to do some work. Since I used them mainly as a back up mostly to delete auctions but also to save some an repost a few. They were down did some other work went back 30 minutes later still down. decided to walk to the farmers market and get tonights dinner and a few other things cvs. Etc over an hour later come home and goto auctions still down.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:15:32 AM new
Well, hope ROLL-OVER ROVER comes back up soon -- I have to get back to work TRANSFERRING all my images & auctions back here to AW!
posted on February 10, 2001 07:34:13 AM new
I just checked again before I get off line to play with my new hotpress machine because it doesn't look like goto is going to be up any time soon and I have enough auctions posted for this weekend. This message has been popping up for awhile now.
The web site you have requested may be experiencing technical difficulties due to a busy or broken server.
Please try again by clicking the Reload icon on your navigation bar or, if that doesn't work, you may want to return to the site at a later time.
posted on February 10, 2001 01:19:00 PM new
Yes but be careful I notice about 10 auctions in that Goto is automatically putting things in the image gallery. They used to just say no image now ever auction I list has an image pic in it. I am simply taking clicking it off and going to no image pic, but if your used to them doing that automatically well it does seem to do that anymore. I had a few that were no image pic but most of them where listing an image and I NEVER used the image gallery. COuld ring up to a lot of bucks if you aren't watching at .25 cents a pop. Maybe Ebay is giving them a commission. After all the have to raise money some way. Any for those still using goto be careful of this what I am supposing is a bug in their program!
I'm not paying any more fees. And to top it all off - I never did get my damn free selling kit!!! 
D'oh!!!
Rocker