posted on October 6, 2001 12:31:07 PM new
About two months ago we signed up with AuctionHelper to save time with listing and "paperwork".
We just UN-registered because it resulted in costing us WAY more time with their confusing system set-up and with straightening out the mistakes. I explained to our buyers that we were testing AH and would they let us know what they thought. It was a UNANIMOUS thumbs down.
Of course AH is relatively new, so they are still having many problems and their Customer Support is deteriorating with growing pains - just like other businesses we know.
They also have a really layed-back attitude about timeliness in notifying customers and getting their system to coordinate with eBay's computer programs and changes.
I guess if you are listing hundreds of things a day and don't obsess over Customer Service, or items not getting listed on time, it can really help you streamline - but it was a real hassle for us - and we have been selling online part-time since 1998, with over 800 Positive Feedback.
There are several positive features in their program, and lots of Sellers are very pleased with using them - so you might want to give it a try - and they DO have a good Discussion Board.
posted on October 8, 2001 07:36:43 AM new
Another vote for annoying. In fact, annoying is not strong enough. I will not go to a web page to fill out a form. If you state that requirement in your auction, I will not bid. If you send an EOA notice requiring it, I would consider it changing the terms after the auction closed and still not do so. I would probably ignore your request and send the information directly to you.
I would be willing to fill in a form sent by email if I could do it from my email by replying and not as a separate attachment. I got one form by email and the format was messed up so the form was very confusing. I didn't fill it out, I used my usual response.
I have a draft message I usually use to send my information to the seller. One paragraph states that I paid with PayPal (I do so before replying), another states that I will send a check or money order on [date] (usually the next day). I copy the relevent paragraph and my address information from my draft to my reply to the EOA notice, and add or update any other needed information then send it. This is much faster and easier for me than going to a web page and filling out a form, and only those with a need to have my information get it. The quicker and easier the process for me, the quicker you get paid.
posted on October 8, 2001 08:07:10 AM new
Ix-nay on the orm-fay.
And if it's an Andale auction, I won't even bid.
I went to an Andale open house a few months ago and was amused to see, while chowing down on their catered luncheon, that they Still Don't Get It. They've got money to burn, but I'd guess for not much longer.
posted on October 8, 2001 08:26:41 AM new
It's amazing how many people send me their credit card info via email, but won't go near my secure on-line form. A lot of people have the false perception that email is safe and the web is not.
As far as EOA notices and forms, I personally do not like having to do this. I would stay away if I knew in advance, and probably would avoid the seller again. Get a program like Ebay SA, I can process notices very quickly using that, takes minutes to notify 100 auctions.
posted on October 8, 2001 08:43:12 AM new
A buyer told me this morning: "$$$ has been sent via Paypal. Thanks for the very effecient method of payment; saves me time which I appreciate."
If you have an auction management program that can fill in high bid, shipping, item number, item title, and buyerid in your EOA e-mails, then then you're all set!
posted on October 8, 2001 11:49:07 AM new
We tried checkouts and webforms, and found that most people disliked them, and for some reason were paranoid about giving out their information. The very same information they have no problem sending via e-mail to us.
I think in using checkout services, people don't like to send their information to a third party. Though they do that with paypal.com and billpoint.com. Go figure.
When I buy things on ebay I have a tendency to skip over any andale merchants. Strange reason is I just don't LIKE the checkout they use. Also if you can't pay for your purchase at the time of checkout, what good is it? Means I have to retype this stuff all over again or go to another service and send payment, which will in turn, just send the exact same information. If I mail a payment, again, I have to include all the information again.
The only success we have had is with our own secure webform that allows people to pay for their auction when they fill it out. Much like a secure shopping cart, but for auction payments. People don't mind this one, as they have more protection than with paypal.com as standard security is in affect with Visa/Mastercard/AE/discover.
posted on October 8, 2001 04:50:11 PM new
Kerrigirl -- Good point! The difference is: I chose to do business with PayPal. I didn't choose Andale or whomever the seller's third party is. I don't like somebody else's (choice of) third party being forced on me. If I had already chosen to do business with them, then maybe it wouldn't bother me. (But, in most cases, I had not chosen them.)
Another problem with forms is that my web based email doesn't allow click-throughs. Some URLs I can access by copying and pasting. But some (those buried in HTML, where it doesn't give a link, but says "click here" or something like that) I cannot access AT ALL.
Another thing, slightly off topic, but related. It REALLY annoys me when a web site addresses me personally, as in "Welcome, Violetta." While I recognize that it's done by a few programmed bits, it feels like "Big Brother is watching" -- since I'm dealing with a computer and not a live person. (Auction Watch is one that does this.) One time I was logged on, here, after posting to a thread, then went to the form a seller had sent me for an auction I'd won (to see if it gave the shipping info on the first page) and immediately was greeted by name by Auction Watch. That spooked me, because I had not entered any info into the form. I quickly shut it down and emailed the seller that I couldn't use the form...
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
Sniping works up a thirst"