posted on February 20, 2001 11:35:15 AM
By the way, does AuctionWorks have any kind of offline upload tool?
[ edited by digitalmaster on Feb 20, 2001 11:37 AM ]
posted on February 20, 2001 11:57:18 AM
digitalmaster:
Our evaluation of web-based auction management systems was completed and published in January-- before GoTo implemented its fee structure. We've amended the report with a notation of the pricing change following completion of the report, but we did not change the overall grade received by GoTo. We intend to note pricing changes as they occur, since these are critical pieces of information to potential users; we don't intend to otherwise keep this as a living document to reflect every feature change -- there are just too many and they occur too frequently.
If the evaluation were done today, with GoTo's current price structure, the results likely would have been different.
We will be revisiting these web-based services this summer with a new evaluation.
As to your other question-- the overall evaluation was not simply the average of the scores given for ease of use, range of features, and customer service (we note as much at the bottom of the table). It included other factors, including price/value. More specifically, the overall score was derived from the average of the overall scores given the service by each of our evaluators. In the case of AuctionWorks vs. GoTo, AuctionWork's lack of multi-site functionality contributed to the lower score. So pricing and multi-site functionality were the key factors that resulted in the difference in these overall scores.
If you're only listing at eBay, AuctionWorks is certainly worth a look. Their per item pricing structure could be especially appealing to the occasional seller who doesn't want to pay a monthly fee.
Hope that answers your questions!
Steve
Online Auction Users Association
[email protected]
[ edited by magazine_guy on Feb 21, 2001 11:45 AM ]
posted on February 20, 2001 12:25:15 PM
Thanks for going out of your way to explain that. As I said, and hopefully you could tell, I was not insinuating anything, I was just asking. Thanks again and I look forward to future evaluations.
By the way, do you actually test the programs by posting and managing auctions or do you primarily use the features manufacturers list to come up with your evaluation?
posted on February 20, 2001 01:19:18 PM
digitalmaster:
These are hands-on, controlled, evaluations.
Here's how we conduct these evaluations. OAUA developed a Product Evaluation Team- all of them OAUA members-- and all of them online auction sellers. None can have any affiliation with any of the services evaluated; their identity is verified (as it is for all OAUA members) and they sign a confidentiality agreement. The evaluators remain anonymous to the services evaluated.
Several evaluators are assigned to each auction management service. None is assigned to a service they have used previously, in order to properly gauge ease of use and the learning curve. They register, they create auctions, they list to eBay and the other services, they use the auction management tools and the post-auction management tools. They time the speed of listings. They contact Customer Service and gauge the speed and suitability of the reply. Their privacy policy is examined for sufficiency. Use of cookies is determined.
Additionally, OAUA contacts each of the services tested (this contact is not made by an evaluator), informs them of the ongoing evaluation, and asks them to complete a questionnaire that confirms features and pricing. This is done to fact check items, as the features listed on the web sites aren't always clear-- sometimes different companies have proprietary names for features and it's not apparent exactly what is being offered. Most of the companies complied.
At the end of the evaluation, the evaluators complete detailed evaluations of their experience. These are combined into the final evaluations for each service.
posted on February 20, 2001 01:31:21 PM
I think that the "Ultimate" solution is a combination of both types of services. PC based for inventory, posting and customer management. Web based for EOAs, automated billing and payment processing. That way you control your data, but customers get timely emails when you are not online.
When I wrote my software, I did it so I could control the posting process. Making it easy to post as quickly as I could in that window when eBay is busiest.
On the fee issue... Even if it was "only" $3000 a month, I would not pay it. It would cause software prices to skyrocket. Think about it this way. At $3000 a month I would have to sell sixty $50 pieces of software to break even. That doesn't even touch web server costs, development time, tools, software and my ISP. $3000 a month is more than I pay even MICROSOFT!
The tools they offer do not make upgrades obsolete. In fact it's just the opposite. In a form based software, added fields do not effect the function of the software, they simply default. In an XML based environment a new field changes the data layer, most likely resulting in failure if items are not supplied.
Thanks to those that emailed me. I have replied to all of you. If you got missed somehow, please email me.
posted on February 21, 2001 05:27:04 AM
DIGITALMASTER,
You might want to check your facts again.
AUCTION REVIEW was published in January.
http://www.auctionusers.org/eval/wbams.shtml
January is clearly listed as date on Review. Check out link above again.
GoTo ANNOUNCED Fee's the second week of February. Fee's start March 1st.
http://auctions.goto.com/registration/feesandcancellations.asp
Check out link above for verification.
If article was published in January and GoTo didn't even announce until February....?
In addition, the article was most likely submitted for publication in November wouldn't you think?
I agree the review is now old news. People must try the other sites and base their decision on their individual needs.
We made the final commitment to Auctionworks for the following reasons:
* Storefront - I needed a shopping cart website that didn't require effort to manage and that wouldn't require me to track inventory in two locations.
* Offline Bulk ad creation- Web-based Tools- I needed a tool that would let me quickly design ads offline and then upload to site for real time communication with eBay.
* Cost- I want to pay but not get robbed. We read the news out there that free was a losing game- So we wanted a company that was fee based but reasonable. (Andale- you are way too expensive & Watch- decent tools but can you make it without revenue?) I hope both of you do because competition is the only way to keep all companies at the top of their game.
* FINAL VALUE FEE CREDIT- They just added this 2 weeks ago. WOW. Two clicks of the mouse and Auctionworks gets my deadbeat bidder money back from eBay. The system even tells you who to request eBay final value fee money back from! I think this feature alone makes the fees I pay FREE. Seriously, deadbeat bidders really cut into the bottomline. We never requested refunds because eBay makes it a pain in the ass for obvious reasons.
posted on February 21, 2001 05:33:35 AM
Digitalmaster,
I just left you a comment but they listed as 5:01 Am. Weird?
Yes Auctionworks has an offline bulk listing tool.
The other thing I mentioned was that they have this Final Value Fee Credit request mechanism now. Two clicks of the mouse and they get the money back from eBay for deadbeat bidders. Very cool and easy. We think this feature makes using Auctionworks free.
We sell alot of non-collecible impulse stuff and we find that 10% of the buyers are hard to collect from.
posted on February 21, 2001 10:34:31 AM
Digitalmaster and MagazineGuy .. thanks for clearing up that 'grade' discrepancy. Might be a good idea to make a note at the bottom of the chart! Has been bugging me for some time!
I use Auctionworks .. some kind soul emailed me a link to it when AW crashed. I had tried Andale.. PLUS .. I can't remember how many listers I had tried with incredible frustration! Auctionworks is easy, their features/options are fantastic and support is excellent. I called them at 5:56 with a quick question last week and the phone was answered on the 2nd ring and the tech spent 20 minutes with me answering questions and so forth! If I consider it easy, believe me .. it IS easy! I'm tech challenged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have wept in the night, for the shortness of sight
That to somebody's need made me blind;
But I have never yet, felt a tinge of regret
For being a little to kind. Anon
posted on February 21, 2001 11:49:30 AM
tuition44years:
Here's what we indicated in notes at the bottom of the evaluation table. The first note was included when the report was published; the second was added the day after GoTo announced their pricing change.
We'll try to explain it better next time.
**********
Notes: While ease of use, range of features, and customer service were emphasized during the evaluations, the overall ratings include other factors, including cost of the services.
*On 2/8/2001, GoTo announced that they have changed the name of their Auction Manager to ChannelFusionPro, and that a $19.95 per month flat fee structure would be implemented effective March 1, 2001. Existing customers are being offered a $10 per month rate for a limited time. This service was free at the time of the evaluation.
***************
posted on February 21, 2001 01:03:13 PM
It looks like I will be trying AuctionWorks. I have actually started to like AuctionWatch a little better but when they start charging, it will be a different story. The thing I don't like about AWorks is that if I sell 500 items per month for $20 a piece, I will be paying like $200 per month and that seems too excesive. Anyway, thanks for the help!
posted on February 21, 2001 02:54:37 PM
Great thread.
I've been looking through a lot of auction management services but havent found 1 complete package that I like.
I use auctionwatch to launch, because of the pro is very easy to use. Unfortunately they dont allow listing to ebay Motors.
I use misterlister to lauch for my ebay motors auctions, but i hate the program.
I use auctionworks for my store front and I love it, its free, what more can one ask for.
I use auctionamigo to manage my post auction management, I like the fact that its a windows program and not a web based like most of the other management program so I'm waiting to load half of the time. Also love the fact that you can export your auctions to spreadsheet.
I use manageauctions.com to relist my auctions because they're the only one I know that allows you to set the time AND date to relist.
If anyone knows of a program to launch to ebay motors, please let me know.
oh, forgot to mention auctiva.com, gotta LOVE that showcase, thank god they came along, saved me a quarter for every listing I put up. makes ebay's gallery listing useless now.
If you want to know what i mean, check my auctions. [email protected]
posted on February 21, 2001 06:45:46 PM
I think the best listing tool is Auction Wizard2000 at standingwavesoftware.com. $75 and the support is fantastic, should you ever need it. It supports consignments, and at the end of the month- multiple auction sites, e-mail comes right in this program and you can associate lots with e-mails and instantly see how many times you e-mailed someone and if they e-mailed you. Mister Lister is supported. It has an image editor and uploads to Ebay through FTP. It does it for you. You can even upload images to your website with descriptions. It has a neat Template format to edit your page on Ebay-you can make as many as you want and add whatever you want. It does automatic feedback, has many reports to keep track of overdue payments, expenses, shipping manifests and it will print your labels automatically. I can't say enough about this program. I have tried many others, only to stay with Auction Wizard. You can literally handle every single auction function with this one program. It was the best money I ever spent. Upgrades are always free. I started with regular Auction Wizard and have been testing their Beta version of 2000 for the last couple months. It will be on the market at the end of the month. check 'em out sometime!
[ edited by nixie3 on Feb 21, 2001 06:47 PM ]
posted on February 21, 2001 10:03:00 PM
Damn, [email protected] I love your auction layout! Hell, I wanted to bid on some of your stuff that I don't even need. Thanks for the advice.
posted on February 21, 2001 10:57:00 PM
Be careful about using Auctiva on eBay. I thought about using them after reading your post and on their site they list an artical about eBay pulling off auctions that use that because eBay says it promotes other sites!
posted on February 22, 2001 12:04:25 AM
Digitalmaster
Thank you for asking for permission to take a look at my codes after looking at my auction. Time and time again, I've seen people steal my template and graphics w/o asking for my permission when all they need is to do what you just did. Of course most of them are my competitors so I guess thats why. If anyone is interested in taking a look at my html, email me.
As far as auctiva, I did read that about ebay pulling someone's auction somewhere but if i remember it correctly, it is because the seller also have yahoo and amazon auctions on the showcase. I only sell on eBay so all my showcase items are eBay auctions, so I think for now I'm in the clear.
posted on February 22, 2001 09:27:00 AM
I feel the same way. I spent a lot of time and money to develop my templates or scan my images and I hate when people just take without at least asking first. I liked the Auctiva function best of all but am somewhat worried about using it. Anyway, thanks.
posted on February 22, 2001 10:50:26 AM
This is a very informative thread. It got me wondering if the things I plan on working on in the future may not be as important as the features people wish to see. So, I'll just ask. What would the PERFECT PC based software have in it? Meaning, if you had all the PC knowledge to write your own, what would you make it do?
Accounting, emails, FTP, package tracking, internet stamps, PayPal interface, etc. No ideas too wild. What would be your dream software?
I have a list of features in the works for my software, but I'm beginning to think I should reorder their priorities.
posted on February 22, 2001 06:21:21 PM
Thats a toughy. I would want software that made everything as easy as possible. Sort of like a cross between AuctionAmigo and AuctionWorks though I have not used AWorks yet.
posted on February 23, 2001 11:31:04 PM
giftslimited:
You said "I use ManageAuctions.com to relist my auctions because they're the only one I know that allows you to set the time AND date to relist."
ManageAuctions.com recently implemented an "Automatic Relisting" feature for one of their sellers who sponsored this feature. The feature works like this: When a scheduled time arrives to launch a certain inventory product, their system checks whether the product is available in the seller's "Unsold Auctions" section; if so, then the inventory product is not launched and instead the unsold item is relisted. This feature is particularly useful for sellers who launch repetitive auctions.
Currently, only the sponsor seller (eBay ID: sterlingtek.com) is using this new feature as they are giving him some lead time in using it. ManageAuctions will make this feature available for public use in the upcoming week, as revealed in their tech support message board -- so, please check out their new relisting feature next week.
Regards,
eBay seller: charles927 (old user ID)
www.kennedy-family.com (new user ID)
will you be interested in a free software for creating and managing your eBay auction gallery (showcase)? the software is in PERL. If interested, please reply.
