posted on March 6, 2001 06:17:43 PM new
There was some claim of a Survey, but none of the members here on AW recall taking any "survey". Possibly the surveys went to those who will profit from the imposed fees.
At first I would have paid the nickel per picture if there were no FVF, but not anymore. Now it's the principle of the thing...or lack of.
posted on March 6, 2001 09:13:49 PM new
To tell you the truth if it wasn't for AW purposing their unworthy new contract (ie.FVF)....I would never have spent the time looking at "other" auction manager's....what to my surprise but "alot" is offered out there....and at a much lesser fee...I really feel sorry for the AW employees because it looks like they will be needing to find a job in the next month....I just don't see how you all think that people are going to "pay" the FVF when there is "so" much "other" stuff available...?...explain your full plan because it just doesnt make any sense "cents" to me....why pay for AW service when there is so many "others" out there that offer the same and 'more"...?
I'm not a Big Time lister by any means and never claimed to be. I list 50 or so auctions every few months when I get my courage up to do it but I'm only selling out items from Mom's house.
I was just getting ready to start running auctions again when all this came up. I thought about the listing fees vs final value fees. I am in total agreement that the final value fees are unfair and unjust. Then I realized just how many pictures I use in my auctions, at a nickel each selling via on-line auction becomes a waste of time. I really don't want AW deciding for me how many pictures I am allowed to use or can afford.
In reality, getting back final value fees from AW will be a total pain since the burden of proof rests on our spending more time convincing them that the deal went sour. I think enough time gets spent on deadbeats as it is without adding to it here.
I will not stop selling because I still have 3 rooms stacked to the ceiling with boxes filled with items and need the space back. I will be parking my pictures elsewhere and launching auctions in which ever way is available, but I will do this part for free as long as free still exists.
AW, my pictures are gone, my Auction Manager is empty, you already did away with my email. I put out the trash, swept the floor and left the night light burning till the power goes out.
Although the launch feature was a handy thing to have, life will go on without it. And yes, there are other similar services out there and are very easy to find. In 3 short hours I made my decision, made my move, and eliminated my need to continue worrying what you were going to come up with next.
But I do have one regret, I lost the URL for the website that had the codes to do this " ¿" .Darn.
It's just the same old thingies,
edit cause I still can't type either
[ edited by muttsburg on Mar 6, 2001 09:57 PM ]
posted on March 6, 2001 09:48:28 PM new
In complete agreement, I feel AW is long overdue on a per launch from Aw fee but the FV fee is out of line. I cannot understand how they reasoned that they were entitled to this at all. This is the final straw for me. I am selling what I have and getting out. First the auction site raises fees even though they are making a mint, then the online payment agencies raise fees and now Aw wants to put its hand in my pocket for FV fees. This is outrageous.
posted on March 6, 2001 09:49:50 PM new
200.00 up front no way
Finail fees no way
.05 per listing can work with
Untill this is changed i am going to find a place to take your place.It has been good while it lasted .I haven't had many problems but finail fees and 200.00 up front is way to much.
See you all !!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on March 6, 2001 10:29:25 PM new
just thought I'd put my two cents worth, I usually don't post here but AW has got my blood pressure up. I could deal with a listing fee but I will not give any FVF to auction watch, so I have already begun to move to another site.
I can't believe this thread has'nt been locked yet, beings it is not about Ebay.
posted on March 7, 2001 01:57:56 PM new
It will be interesting to see who's left after the dust settles. I won't be here--I've found out that there is an incredibly easy way to do batch uploads and scheduling for FREE, and a multitude of sources for free image hosting (including my own ISP). These were the only two services I was currently using on AW. Sadly enough, I'd have been willing to pay a $.05 per auction fee for listings or even a flat $5.00/month fee to cover listings and image hosting, but the FVF was the incentive I needed to go looking for other alternatives. I think AW overestimated their indispensibility to most of us.
always pickersangel everywhere http://homepage.netspaceonline.com/~twobar/pickers.htm
posted on March 7, 2001 02:00:35 PM new
i found a place to list auctions only pay
0.15 per auction and service charges
only.015 per listing and can do a delay listing
posted on March 7, 2001 08:22:53 PM new
RB: OMG!!! You are correct!! I should have know this! When I was a teenager I really wanted a body board (back then called a "boogy" board) for the ocean, but I knew that my parents would never let me have one. So I decided that I would ask for a surf board which is much larger and more dangerous than the body board. My parents said no. I hounded them for weeks explaining all the reasons why I could handle a surf board. About 3 weeks into this I said to them, "well, then can I have a body board?" Guess what? I got the body board!! I eventually did tell them that I had only wanted the body board in the first place. We still talk about it today.
It never dawned on me that this whole thing could be a stratigic ploy, and it makes sense! Even the timing, and not giving us more than 2 weeks notice.
Perhaps they think that if they get us really angry and worked up -- the more we will yell scream and rant and rave --then when they make these small offers, we will be so happy that none of us will have noticed that we have just been manipulated!
And it is working.
Ohhhh, I feel soooo used.
Kelly
[ edited by kellyb1 on Mar 7, 2001 08:24 PM ]
posted on March 7, 2001 08:30:38 PM new
The only reason why I think this is not the case (Planning a lower fee, but introducing a larger one to make us feel better) is that had they been straigh forward and said the lower amount, they would have lost people, but they would have lost them anyway - Some people expect something for nothing, so AW says good riddance to them.
On the other hand, if they announce the high fee, they really alienate a lot of people that are people that would have stayed with them with the lower fees. They'll start looking for other companies, and by the time they announce the lower fees, a lot of people are already gone, or decide they will not do business with them.
I'm sure that these are the fees that they planned on going with (minus the maximum of $4.95 FVF, big deal about that!)
Getting server space and learning FTP is easy. I've taught many clients how to do this, people who have very little computer knowledge. We all started there, it's worth looking at. I'd never pay to just host an image, too many other options for that. The scheduling aspect is nice, but not worth a listing fee plus a FVF...
posted on March 7, 2001 10:33:23 PM new
Well I've watched this little drama unfold, and all the sturm und drang about it. And the dearth of responses. And the "compromise," I'd guess you'd call it, capping the FVF at a level that helps only the big guys. And the heavy-handed tactics.
Fortunately, I've never been an AW user myself, but that doesn't mean I can't commiserate with having one's entire method of doing business disrupted rather suddenly and violently.
What's been MOST interesting to me is that so many people who were thrown for a loop have rebounded very nicely! And quite probably are going to be doing even better than did before. (I was also surprised by how many other products are out there! Whew! Tons of 'em.)
The other thing that occurs to me is that all the bitchin' and moanin' from small sellers doesn't really seem to be of any more interest to AW than it is to ebay. Hmmm, wonder why?
Perhaps instead of a clever strategy to ask for the worst and settle for just a little less than that on AW's part -- perhaps it's a strategy not JUST to make money, but to actually clear out the small sellers, get rid of the deadwood. I actually wouldn't be surprised. Seems to be a trend, if not something considered to be a downright smart business plan.
It's symptomatic of what I hate about capitalism: there's no such thing as "enough." More sales, more profits, more GROWTH. Always more, more more, never enough. Greed is inherent in the system (which is not to say all participants in a capitalist society are greedy).
Anyway, best of luck to everyone. I know you'll prosper despite the apparentsetback, and those of you who go on to other pursuits will do well with those.
posted on March 7, 2001 11:55:30 PM new
now wait a minute. I understand greatly about charging a fee for image hosting services since aw does provides that service. But FVFs???? I don't think so. That's ebay's territory since they are the ones who are managing the auction for us.just scrap the fv fees and just charge the image hosting fees at a cost that everyone is happy with. also taking only certain credit cards ain't going to get it either. i use discover and ebay takes discover. why can't aw take it. also. I did not get any e-mail about any fees. aw if you don't want to loose a lot of faithful members,i advise you to listen.remember you are an image hosting launching service, not an auction service like ebay.
posted on March 8, 2001 12:28:49 AM new
I agree on the restricted use of credit cards. Most businesses want to attract the masses to gain the most potential profit. At AW, they don't even take checks or money orders. In case they haven't thought of it yet, not everyone who uses AW has a credit card. There are also many people who are at the top limits of their cards. Therefore, they instantly lost customers. POOR PLANNING!
Another item. According to the FAQs, If you are maxxed on your card and AW tries to bill it and is denied, they will instantly cut off your service With ebay, if I can pay late on my account, they will charge me interest and allow me to continue to BE A CUSTOMER. POOR PLANING AUCTION WATCH!
In most cases, a consumer of public utilities can pay late on their bills with a small service chagre. Maybe it something to do with the fact they are a NEEDED SERVICE.
posted on March 8, 2001 06:40:34 AM new
Would it be possible to get a copy of that survery AW sent out, posted here? I fill out tons of surverys and it might just be an oversite on my part, ie: One I filled out and then forgot about? Thanks!
posted on March 8, 2001 07:25:07 AM newOh Furkidmom, you make me laugh! You really think there was a survey? If there was, it wasn't sent to anyone who posts anywhere in the message center.
posted on March 8, 2001 09:32:56 AM new
I think you've been reading posts regarding the FVF with one eye closed.....I think it's safe to say that 99% of your users do not fel that you are entitled to ANY FVF. A service charge yes, a cut of our auctions..NO
posted on March 8, 2001 10:35:46 AM new
O.K. I did it. I just signed up for a service that provides all that I need for only $5.00 per month. (Happy to pay that much).
I waited to see if AW would offer a $5.00 a month deal (that I would have immediately accepted). But quess not.
Good bye AW. It is really too bad. Could have been a great "partnership"
Oh, well, lunchtime already??? I think I'll head over to the Diner!
posted on March 8, 2001 01:07:51 PM new
well I think it is time for a coffee break so zip? I will come with you to thediner as well! Do they have cappi???
posted on March 8, 2001 01:18:04 PM new
I listed some auctions today with my pictures stored on my web space. All is well, and I even added counters from H.
posted on March 8, 2001 04:57:53 PM new
I will never pay you a final value fee for my merchandise. I will switch to any number of hosting and bulk loading services that are either free or a reasonable fee. Why do you really think that you are worth 200.00 a year? I dont' think so. You make your money on banner advertising. I would probably pay a reasonable fee for the use of your bulkloading and hosting but not 200.00 and a percentage of my sales. I think you should rethink your entire pricing situation and find a structure that is fair and enquitable to all. Its a pity, because now I no longer see AW as an allie to sellers, but just another greedy cog.
posted on March 8, 2001 05:07:58 PM new
Just want the folks at AW to know that I have purchased alernative software that does everything AW can do and more. It cost less than one-fourth what AW wants. I waited a few days to see if they would come to their senses. They didn't. Too late, I certainly won't be back now.
Besides which my auctions are so much nicer looking now! I always did dislike the AW templates and there was nothing done to update or improve them.
