posted on October 5, 2001 05:13:51 AM new
This is pretty OT, but I wanted to post something uplifting because the A4Billpoint has been such a downer to some of us - not just as it effects our sales, but because of the blatant self-promotion eBay got out of it.
I was at an Amazon discussion board yesterday, and a bookseller posted that shortly after the WTC, she sold a book on helping children deal with death. When she and her partner looked at the address, it was NYC. She contacted the buyer, gave her a refund, and shipped the book. Turns out the buyer was a teacher and one thing led to another and the original poster posted a list of books that people who were working w/children were looking for - all dealing with teaching kids to deal with tragedy or grief.
Not only did some people donate books out of their own inventory, but some sellers searched on Amazon and purchased new books to send to the teacher. The whole thing just warmed my heart.
I was looking through the A4A listings and came accross someone that has HUNDREDS of... WHOLESALE WEBSITES
...auctions listed! What a great way to boost your feedback rating for no money! You win, he emails you some nonsense and A4A gets $.99!
Exact same auction, page after page.
(I guess ebay relaxed that rule also for A4A listings)
Maybe I should sign up for BP, list some email-able item for a buck on A4A, and get my red star a little faster.......
....nah, I'll do it the right way.
(auctioning real stuff)
posted on October 5, 2001 06:13:13 AM new
EG
if you can't make it in the face of A4A how do you plan to make it in the face of your other competition....you constant whining about A4A shows how much of a businessperson you really are... competition comes in all shapes and sizes in the real world, it's about time you quit your complaining and joined that world....you will NEVER be a success at auctions with that attitude and you will most certainly never make it with a B&M business. your handle here is a sham, you are not even close to an executive. i predict you will be out of the auction game within 12 months.......you are a JOKE!!!
posted on October 5, 2001 06:21:31 AM new
Sparkafatty..
You have had 2 warnings and a final warning for a total of 3 for insults and total disrespect for the members of this community. Your last post in this forum has earned you a suspension for 30 days..
posted on October 5, 2001 06:49:37 AM new
i dont see anything wrong with SPARKAFATTY'S LAST POST.
i invited a veteran retailer to read the AW threads and she did,her conclusion was that many of us dont know how to find our way out of wet pan,we are looking for a place to whine,to seek comfort and advice which retailers should know and should be able to handle.
when money was easy on ebay,we all bragged about how great ebay was and how smart we are in making that easy $dough$.
now it is tough going and we whine and whine and look for someone/something to blame.
someone is still complaining about paypal always free,becasue they said they can pay their bills on floats-wise up,do you really think anyone who has taken a course in finance 101 would believe that??
doyou think yours and mine transaction fee will enable them to pay their staff,pay phone,utility and rent,not to mention the 5 and 10 they give away??
posted on October 5, 2001 07:02:13 AM new
I have been selling on ebay for 4 years, and full time at that for over 3 years, with much success. The point of this thread was not pointed at only my sales. Sure, my sales have suffered a little due to the AFA auctions (at least that's my opinion of it), but I know there are others who are having a hard time selling ANYTHING and they are thinking of leaving ebay because sales are so low. When the AFA auctions are over with, I think everyone will feel a sense of relief that at least THAT part of the competition is over. No whining here, I and many others will just be glad when it's OVER.
i dont see anything wrong with SPARKAFATTY'S LAST POST.
I'm sorry you don't see anything wrong with being rude to another person.
ExecutiveGirl: I agree with you...as others have, in hoping the AFA sales will come to an end soon!!
I think we should all do our part in helping others, but AFA is not one that I will participate in!
posted on October 5, 2001 07:26:02 AM new
I have to agree with you, glasshappy. I saw a heartbreaking story on TV last night about a woman whose husband worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. He was killed. She has two small children-hasn't seen ONE penny of any sort of aid. She did say the Red Cross had called her, but as for any help from CF or UWay, nothing.
I can't believe they're asking the donors for patience. What about the victims and their families??
About that URL scammer you mentioned- it's a lot worse than it looks. This guy has been reproeted repeatedly over a long period to Safe Harbor. Now he's pulling the same stunts in AFA. Safe Harbor's answer was- "he is in violation of eBay policies, he has been warned." He has relisted these auctions by the bushelful AFTER supposedly being warned on a few occasions. Safe Harbor has not pulled a single one of them. Take a look at his About Me page, and the little blurb he puts in about feedback. And in June, this clown actually participated in an eBay-sponsored Board forum on Penny Dutch Auction and other feedback scams. In June his feedback rating was 60. Now it's 330 from these auctions. I guess he thought it was a fine idea after the workshop.
Yet another example of ebay incompetence/inability to protect its users from scammers no matter how much help and evidence they get from users.
posted on October 5, 2001 07:57:30 AM newwbdareme & Glasshappy:
I do hope that the funds will get to the victims and their families soon. I am sure with all the "red tape" process, it will take time to get to get funds to everyone involved.
My Nephew is a Pastor and he has been at Ground Zero counseling & consoling the fireman and police. He has also done manual work at the site. The stories are extremely sad.
He just got back last week. HE will be returning the 23rd of this month. He will be bringing tractor trailer loads of NEW Clothing and Food!
I know there are so many more people involved in this effort to help. It's a slow process to try and organize these big ventures, but they are proceeding...so help IS on the way!
My prayers to all those in need!!
God Bless everyone trying help!
Your optimism is admirable, and I hope it will be justified at some time in the future. It isn't now. The fact remains that as of now, for instance, the United way's 9/11 Fund has only disbursed 5.8 million dollars out of the 120+ million they have collected, and according to the records of the charities that they have disbursed the money to, less than 20% (a little more than a million) has actually been DISTRIBUTED to the people with immediate needs. That's under 1% of the total money they have collected which has gotten to its final destination.
posted on October 5, 2001 08:09:21 AM new
outoftheblue
i hope you are right...because this is the way i pay my bills...and i am very close to bankruptcy; i have been screwed by ebay and they mangage to keep screwing me to the wall as well as all you others...
i cant see them failing their goal....
as we didn't see them backing down with all their other goofy decisions....so i will wait and watch
posted on October 5, 2001 08:57:15 AM new
psalms139-
Before your nephew brings truckloads of clothes and food to NYC, please have him check with FEMA or other relief agencies. There was an article in our paper last week (I'm in the NY metropolitan area) about how they had a huge sale of excess goods that had been sent to the ground zero workers - piles of packages of new socks, underwear, shirts, batteries, etc. selling for a dollar or two a pack. The money went to the relief funds. Rather than buying goods and trucking them in to be sold for pennies on the dollar, better use could be made of the money up front.
rca001
posted on October 5, 2001 09:23:54 AM new
I know this probably sound stupid, but.
Why not go down the list of people who are injured and in the hospital, see if they have insurance coverage, if not pay their bill. Thats help to me. Can you imagine, you survived, but your out of a job and now you have thousands and thousand of dollars in med bills.
How about going down the list of missing people and contacting the families directly and issueing them a check to tide them over.
I know if my partner was missing, no way I could go back to work. I don't know how I would be able to pay the bills, but work would be out of the question until I knew for sure.
I saw a news report about a family who was spending $2500 week for rent in a hotel because they couldn't return to their apartment down town, they should have had their rent paid by this fund. It worked out for them because doubletree saw it one the news and gave them a room free, but if they hadn't been on the new, what, they would have spent their life savings in no time.
This is the kind of help I assumed would be offered when I donated. I don't know why, but when they said the money would go directly to help the victims, I pictured surviving family members getting direct financial assistance, like a check for a few grand so they can afford to keep going.
Like more than a few payment on their mortgage. We should be going to them, not wait for things to get so bad that they come to the carities beging for help.
About 10 years ago we were having a very bad time of it and I had to ask the Salvation Army to pay my gas bill. They made me feel like I was a criminal because I could pay my own bill. This is the last thing these people should have to go through. But I fear that's exactly what will happen. These orginization will collect this money and keep it until someone comes begging and them make them feel guilty for asking for it.
posted on October 5, 2001 09:26:13 AM new
I'm surprised to see a thread celebrating the fact that the counts for Auctions For America are down. Let's look at some facts.
1. There are currently over 4 million auctions listed on eBay. If there are only 20,000 A4A that is less than 1/2 a percent. If that tiny little amount is directly affecting your auctions, then something is seriously wrong with your auctions.
2. Meg and eBay are pounding the pavement ADVERTISING eBay and Auctions for America. If they bring in new users to purchase items in Auctions for America, the program and the advertising is a success. The likelihood that those users also purchase an item that is not A4A is EXTREMELY high, (as they only have 20,000 A4A to look at and 4 million + other items to choose from)
3. I've read complaints that the program is designed to be an advertising campaign for Meg and eBay.. Yes, it is an advertising campaign, which is needed on eBay right now to increase views, hits and ultimately sales!! Folks, whether you want to believe it or not, eBay is doing sellers a favor by advertising eBay to the masses. In malls, on TV, in news conferences, you name it! Keep it up eBay!
4. Sales are down for many, but many other sellers are succeeding. Ask yourself why? Are you selling the same old items that you were selling during the "easy street" early days of eBay? The economy is in trouble right now, and you have to roll with that. Point your blaming finger at the right target folks, Bin Laden drove those planes into the trade centers and his terrorists attacks have had a deep inpact on the economy. People are not looking for those "frivolous extras" anymore. They need basics, bargains and necessities. That is what is going to sell when the economy is suffering.
Maybe it is time for many sellers to leave eBay, as they can't keep up with the ever-changing market and economy.
As that silly woman on TV says.. You are the weakest link.. Goodbye.
posted on October 5, 2001 09:34:35 AM newPeople are not looking for those "frivolous extras" anymore. They need basics, bargains and necessities.
I think many ebay shoppers already have the basic necessities as well as a computer. I see "frivolous extras" being sold every day. Some people shop to please themselves, good times or bad.
A new buyer comes in and sees some of the crap that A4A is seller...NO WAY are they going to bother signing up....giving up their credit card # for Billpoint...just to bid on some of the crap I've seen.....I wouldn't, would you?
NOW...if their not totally put off by that stuff and happen to stick around to see what else is being offered, it would be a PLUS for US.
I listed 8 auctions last night, the first in 3 weeks. And...I listed them at my $1NR. By this time today at least 3/4 should have a $1 bid in.
NOTHING.....NADA.....NO BIDS!
If by the time 24 hours is up and still no bids, I'm going to PULL them.
Its the economy and people are afraid to let go of their money on a collectable that CAN WAIT for better times.
posted on October 5, 2001 09:53:23 AM new
A 4 A, hasn't effected my business. Sales are pretty much back to normal. I think mostly it's a waist of resources. Yes Meg is out pushing ebay, but she should have been doing that before now. I shouldn't be able to watch TV without seeing an ebay ad every few hours. They are a major inductry leader, they should act like one. Oh I see these visa ads about every couple of months or so, but let face it, that's not bringing in huge numbers of buyers. Beside I'm tired of that old green lamp ad, it was funny last year, but it's old now.
posted on October 5, 2001 10:11:55 AM new
OK, let's look at some facts...
<<<1. There are currently over 4 million auctions listed on eBay. If there are only 20,000 A4A that is less than 1/2 a percent. If that tiny little amount is directly affecting your auctions, then something is seriously wrong with your auctions. >>>
There are closer to 6 million auctions listed, the count of AFA auctions is around 17,500, less than 1/3 of 1%, and if that's the extent of support eBay can get for eBay can get for AFA, then something(s) is seriously wrong with the program.
<<<2. Meg and eBay are pounding the pavement ADVERTISING eBay and Auctions for America. If they bring in new users to purchase items in Auctions for America, the program and the advertising is a success. The likelihood that those users also purchase an item that is not A4A is EXTREMELY high, (as they only have 20,000 A4A to look at and 4 million + other items to choose from) >>>
And while they're "pounding the pavement," the auction count of AFA has dropped 66%. So to this point, it appears that neither the program OR the advertising has been a success.
<<<3. I've read complaints that the program is designed to be an advertising campaign for Meg and eBay.. Yes, it is an advertising campaign, which is needed on eBay right now to increase views, hits and ultimately sales!! Folks, whether you want to believe it or not, eBay is doing sellers a favor by advertising eBay to the masses. In malls, on TV, in news conferences, you name it! Keep it up eBay! >>>
Some people heard that Meg said that she wants to make sure that this program is used for NOTHING else but charity, and that noone will profit from it. If she is in fact as you say using AFA as an advertising campaign to "ulimately" increase sales as you say, she is doing so on the blood of 6000 murdered Americans. Some people object to that strictly on principle.
<<<4. Sales are down for many, but many other sellers are succeeding. Ask yourself why? Are you selling the same old items that you were selling during the "easy street" early days of eBay? The economy is in trouble right now, and you have to roll with that. Point your blaming finger at the right target folks, Bin Laden drove those planes into the trade centers and his terrorists attacks have had a deep inpact on the economy. People are not looking for those "frivolous extras" anymore. They need basics, bargains and necessities. That is what is going to sell when the economy is suffering. >>>
As mentioned before, a good percentage of the AFA items ARE "frivoluos extras," NOT "necessities". And ask eBay why this program has been a dismal failure to this point. There are many reasons. Complete Billpoint meltdown, which many would have said was predictable. Exclusion by Billpoint. Complete lack of interest in user input before inception. Complete disregard for any accountability of how much has been collected and where it's gone. Etc., etc.
posted on October 5, 2001 10:14:18 AM newigolfI'm surprised to see a thread celebrating the fact that the counts for Auctions For America are down. Let's look at some facts. 1. There are currently over 4 million auctions listed on eBay. If there are only 20,000 A4A that is less than 1/2 a percent. If that tiny little amount is directly affecting your auctions, then something is seriously wrong with your auctions.
I think you need to look at another view point that some might have. Consider the Salvation Army outside the entrance to Sears, Walmart, Kmart, etc.. Suppose that instead of just accepting donations into the kettle the Salvation Army started selling gifts where proceeds when to the needy. Sears, Walmart, Kmart, would be selling much more merchandise, but the Salvation Army would be at the store entrance with Xmas Cards, or stuffed animals, or what have you and they'd definitely be doing a booming business. Do you think Sears, Walmart, and Kmart would allow the Salvation Army to use their store entrance for such a campaign, even if it was for a good cause?
posted on October 5, 2001 10:17:40 AM newGreedBay I did not mean to sound like all organizations are doing their best or that all organizations have been doing what we would expect or hope they would do or be... (Earnest/Honest/ Trustworthy~to name just a few)
I have no respect for United Way! I would never give my money to them!
In the past they have shown their true colors and frankly, I am amazed that people still give donations to them!
I understand what you are saying and I agree with you! I appreciate your posts!!
rca001 Thank you for your concern. It's sad that people have donated these items and they were not used in the manner they were intended!
My Nephew just got back from being IN Ground Zero. You'll be happy to know, he has not been getting these donations without first contacting the Right people to disperse them. These items have all been asked for and have plans to help the needy as soon as the trucks pull in! He is well organized and well versed in these matters. He's has gone through the right channels to make this work!
igolf"If that tiny little amount is directly affecting your auctions, then something is seriously wrong with your auctions"
And you know that "fact" about an individual's auction..... how? and by what authority?
"As that silly woman on TV says.. You are the weakest link.. Goodbye."
Silly part..... is what she says and those who believe it....
What a great idea! I have hundreds of packages of Rolaids left over from a food demo. Maybe I should sell them on Ebay.
One thing that really gripes me is all of the sellers that are using AFA auctions as a free advertisment. They offer 1 item on AFA and say in their add, if you would like to purchase more or buy it now click here. This either takes a person to their Ebay store or to a web site where they have hundreds of the same item for sale. Those actions are just cheap advertising and have little to do with charity. Ebay told me that they are not violating the rules.
If they removed all of these auctions and all of the feedback scams, the AFA listings would be almost dead.
The whole problem with this chaos of charity is the fact that many, many people have no clue where their money is going or whether it is in fact getting there. Efforts of INDIVIDUAL citizens like your nephew and the Ground Zero volunteers are the shining examples of the strong backbone of this country. That is the reality. The United Way isn't, nor are a lot of other of these charity "middlemen" who IMHO no longer have any place even existing, as with the Internet etc., people have many options to give directly to places where they can at least research where their money is going. For instance, UW granted about 175,000 of the about-6 million they have already disbursed to Legal Aid. Now, I don't know what the rationale behind that is, but I think it would be real safe to say that that money will probably not be used to address any immediate survival concerns...
posted on October 5, 2001 10:46:38 AM new
Woulden't be something if eBay just shut down and all of you that are complaining about going broke cause of what they do with their site would do just that, go broke and sell you computers.
If you do not like what eBay is doing just go to Yahoo or SYI or some other auction site. What good is it doing to sit here and complain about it. Leave, get out, go somewhere else, find something there to complain about.
posted on October 5, 2001 10:50:20 AM new
LaneFamily,
For someone who hates all the "whining", you sure do read and post to a lot of those kinds of threads. And, in essence, you are whining about us whining.
