posted on February 17, 2001 05:05:42 PM new
quickdraw: Why are you folks so worried about "saturation" and "competition"? I honestly don't get it. Don't you (and I don't mean YOU specifically) know how to make your auctions stand out? Have you taken the time to build a reputation new bidders can rely on, so that they buy from YOU instead of Joe Schmoe? Do you offer a moneyback guarantee? Are you foolishly using reserves? Do you use Priority Mail (or worse, UPS) to ship items that could go USPS First Class? Do you state "money orders only"?
The categories I sell my goods in on eBay are loaded with other sellers. There's nothing I sell that someone else isn't selling or will sell and it's usually many someones. You know what? I don't have any competition! I'll sell it for less, have a straightforward shipping policy, give 'em their money back if I screw up and welcome 'em back when they buy more, as they almost always do. Criminy, one of my customers made his 35th purchase of the year from me today. Another wore her heart charm bracelet to work and now wants six more for her envious co-workers.
People are eager to send you their money, IF you can provide what they want quickly and easily and never abuse their trust.
posted on February 17, 2001 06:13:14 PM new
Goodness Bettylou, you sure are touchy! I didn't assume you were stupid, nor was I sarcastic towards you so I am having a problem understanding why you have to be so rude.
I gave my opinion of the subject of this thread, you responded to that opinion with your own. I felt I had not explained myself well enough because it seemed to me you responded around what I said but not to my point, so I tried to explain my point again. You responded to my post with a sarcastic put down suggesting I am unable to comprehend the written word...a response that was not called for.
If you disagree with me just tell me why, but cut the little digs, ok? If my posts bother you so much that the only response you can make is a rude one, then just ignore me. If you find it difficult to ignore me then there is a little button you can push that will "black out" my posts on your monitor.
By the way....we were discussing a convention for ebay sellers only, not a general trade show. If you don't mind 200, 300, 400 people selling the same identical item you do then more power to you! But do remember, in that group of 200 or more ebay sellers will be a number who write BETTER copy than you do, who have BETTER people skills than you do, who give BETTER customer service than you do....they just might bury you.
posted on February 17, 2001 08:22:21 PM new
Since when is a convention or trade show only about suppliers of wholesale merchandise? Where does it say that it would only cater to ebay sellers? Did I miss something?
If it is only about ebay and sources of wholesale merchandise, then I guess you could count me out too.
On the other hand, I think it would be great to see new products for auction sellers, try or see demonstrations of new camera's and other hardware, perhaps see how new computers or wireless gear could benefit our business, talk one on one to representatives from OTHER auction sites, attend seminars that might discuss aspects that we are weak or vague in, hear what some strategists have to say about what the future might hold for auction sellers, hear from state and federal representatives about the online auction industry and what the law might have in store for us, browse through a myriad of software that is designed just for us, meet suppliers of business related materials to make things like shipping and conservation more effective and economical, learn new tricks to be more efficient and successful, tell a Paypal rep to stick it!, offer our own suggetions to various vendors that may be willing to listen, talk firsthand to other sellers with like interests, get a pulse on the direction the industry seems to want to go, rekindle an interest that may spark a better more ambitious selling year, maybe meet someone who till now is only familiar on our screen, maybe even someone from these boards, perhaps enter a contest, get some freebies and souvenirs (that we could sell months later), look into areas such as selling through and setting up a storefront or website, maybe even attend some real life auctions or donate some items to sell at the same for some charity, experience the comradery with hundreds of people who earn their living the same way you do (a feeling that is hard to come by working in virtual isolation in your own home), maybe even gripe to real ebay employee and then come home with good memories-more knowledge-and a sense of community with the other sellers and vendors who hope and work hard to keep this market viable and vibrant and profitable, and an understanding that all of us who do this do it because we love it. We have an affinity for it and It suits our personalities.
At least that is the impression I got of such a show. All the shows I ever attended were the same in these respects no matter what the industry.
Perhaps when we come back to post about it here on AW or howl at the moon, we'll be replied with an uncommon dose of respect and empathy.
posted on February 17, 2001 09:54:02 PM new
bettylou-
You need to understand supply and demand to grasp what saturation is all about. Eventually the supply drives down the price and leaves no profit. You can compete all you want to make that last nickel profit once the demand is no longer there, but it's not worth my time.
The categories you sell in that are loaded with other sellers is irrelevant. If the demand outweighs the sellers, the price stays up. I also don't see very much competitive edge on ebay. I've literally studied thousands of identical auctions and found that people seldom comparison shop. The only people who do comparison shop tend to be the lowball bidders which won't effect the final price very much.
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Feb 17, 2001 09:56 PM ]
posted on February 18, 2001 09:29:44 AM new
I really have no idea when such an event will happen. It certainly seems like a logical step for this industry. I have merely responded to the original topic ..."would you attend". And to be fair, everyone has done the same by answering as well. My last post was to temper some of the responses that might give the wrong idea of what such an evemt might be about. Perhaps I'm wrong, maybe an event for online auctioneering would be different than the shows I've seen, there's certainly more negative and argumentive personalities among these ranks than any other endeaver I've ever been part of.
Will it include those things I speculated? Maybe, probably. I base those suppositions on other trade shows that I have attended. So far they have all been similar in format. I have been to shows for screen printing, award and trophy industry, pool and billiards, paper and ephemera collectors, guns, knives and sporting, classic automotive, tile and ceramic decoration. I have relationships with manufacturers tradesmen that I maintain to this day and the knowledge that I have gained from these events is immeasurable.
In a few cases I had recieved guest admissions to the shows by simply calling one of exhibitors and speaking frankly and enthusiastically to their show representative. One even took me and my guest to lunch with them during their break at the show, where the discussion was quite frank about happenings in their company and their industry a large. And to boot, enabled an open account for us with no presentation of credentials whatsoever. Except for the complimentary admission, I'm not suggesting that this could happen for everyone, but its amazing how far in the door you can get with a GOOD ATTITUDE. Its equally amazing how many people you turn off when your tone is perpetually negative , condescending and fixated soley on the bottom line ($).
posted on February 18, 2001 09:43:06 AM new
BTW I am not long_gone on ebay or any variation of that. I just checked and there are a few, but they're not me.
posted on February 18, 2001 10:04:23 AM new
The only way a convention could work is if it was well organised and well supported and non-exclusive.
Auction sellers are a diverse group catered to by many companies including ebay.
It should be underwritten by those who had the most to benefit which is of course us, the auction sellers.
If we sell out completely and rely solely on booth sales and other sponsorships we have to give something back for this?
But it's a great idea just like the idea of a co-op is a great idea.
How it's done and handled is of course another matter completely???
Something that does bother me is that this thread has been created by someone named UNKNOWN. I'd feel a bit better knowing who was trying to organize this, wouldn't you all??
posted on February 18, 2001 01:03:31 PM new
Hi Jamie, I never really got the impression that the originator was trying to organise one. I thought they were just asking if there was one, who would be interested. Usually these types of things are organized by some type of governing body or industry representatives I think.
Perhaps there was some mention of organizing somewhere in the thread, but but I presumed they were misguided.My thoughts were fixed on a professionally designed affair.
posted on February 18, 2001 07:54:47 PM new
I would attend if it were somewhat near my house regardless of the entertainment. I would go just to 'eavesdrop' on other people to see what they are doing LOL
I say the convention should be in New Orleans. Vegas is way over-rated, plus N.O. has the famous French Quarter which comes complete with hookers, strippers and lots of booze
The new convention center is only a few blocks from Bourbon and Canal Streets. Can ya tell I live near there
Rita
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posted on February 19, 2001 06:21:54 AM new
I'm with pcalton. I would go if was gear toward making the auction sites more seller-friendly. I'm continually dumbfounded by ebay particularly. We pay all the fees, but are shafted by their feedback policy! I've twice been the victim of feedback blackmail and I'm fairly new! And leaving neg feedback for a buyer? What a joke, it doesn't hinder them in any way. I've sent ebay countless letter asking for some sort of policy that would suspend buyers after a certain # of negatives, a generous number to be sure, but something has to be done to balance out the process. A new seller is hurt by even one negative. I hate it, but I love the selling. What can a person do? Yes I would fly across country to attend a true effort in that regard!
posted on February 19, 2001 08:48:37 AM new
Further Observations:
1) I don't think the primary emphasis should be a wholesale trade show.
2)Full Handicapped access is essential as I'm sure there are lot's more folks selling on ebay than the one individual who spoke up here.
3)Educational seminars should important.
4)I like the idea of the Celeb dunking booth. Perhpas we could find a Meg Look alike to spend time in a dunking booth.
5)Hospitality Suite where attendees meet, tell jokes, etc.
6)Fun contests: Best Bidder back out story, Most ridiculous bidding story, whatever.
With regards to the wholesale suppliers I don't think we could attract enough to make this sensible. The best thing would be holding the onvention concurrely with another wholesale show. I went one of these in Vagas a few years ago. It was held at the LV convention center, Hilton convention center, and the Sands convention center. Mostly giftware, etc. The quantity and variety of merchandise was truely amazing. In the one day I had I could not possible see even a fraction of what was offered. A place were the vartiety of items far exceeds the varity offered on Ebay.
posted on February 19, 2001 09:02:03 AM new
In response to:
Something that does bother me is that this thread has been created by someone named UNKNOWN.
Yes my ebay buseinss keeps me busy 60 hours a week or so, so I don't rally have much time to organize this. I'm just trying to plant a seed in someones mind that has the resources to do this. It needs to be professional, so a real corporation has to be the sponser. HINT HINT HINT Auction watch Are you wathcing moderator??
Well as you all know there are good reasons for not using your real name here. when I picked mine it was on a day that I was lacking all inspriation.
[ edited by unknown on Feb 19, 2001 09:04 AM ]
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Feb 17, 2001 09:56 PM ]