I'm glad you posted.

Regarding the design, we're constantly tweaking it in the hopes of pleasing everyone - a patently impossible task.

Still, I believe we are doing a pretty good job of getting people to post items for sale. We offer certified volume sellers -- those who will list 200 or more items a month -- the opportunity to do so with no listing fee and with bonus category showcase auctions.

We also start out with a price advantage to sellers as our cost is a flat 2.5 percent, instead of eBay's 5% on the first $25.00 and then a 2.5 percent on the remainder up to $1000. Instead of charging $1.00 for a bold face listing, we charge 25 cents; ditto on italics.

The net result is that sellers pay less of the proceeds of their goods to AU.

We've also done possibly the best job in the industry with our auction management tools, giving the seller the abilty to edit their entire listing provided it has no bids.

Our system allows addendums, like eBay, if your item has a bid and you need to add information.

We also allow the seller to list for any number of days from one day to 14 days.

We have special programs such as the current one on art pottery which we promote on various special interest web sites. In these events, we help focus consumer interest with editorial.

With a seven figure marketing budget, we are competing with a strong presence in specialty magazines and even television (in addition to web space.)

We have also partnered with leading magazines and newspapers (check www.aun.com) to create a wide number of portal sites that increasing numbers of consumers are using to find and buy.

Still, Edfan, I suspect your main complaint is that we're not eBay. No we aren't. eBay has a two year head start but on key metrics such as membership and listing count and cumulative dollar sales, we are well ahead of where eBay was when they celebrated their first year of operation.

I'm glad you stopped buy to shop. Come again. Maybe well have what you're looking for next time.

neomax

Karenlynn
 

Thanks for your helpful post. You should know that your comments are heard and you are not alone in your criticisms.

Indeed, I typically increase the font size from medium to larger when I view our site:-)

Again thanks for your comments and your opinion is important.

neomax
 

Y'know, you were getting a friendly reception from me right up until this point. There was no need to insert this little barb in the middle of your sales spiel. Quite annoying; unprofessional too.

I'm not complaining that you aren't Ebay. I'm complaining that the screens at AU are hard on the eyes.

As for not being Ebay, it's a silly "charge" on its face. If I'm running around looking at/for other auctions, quite obviously, I'm not so in love with Ebay. /sheesh/

I agree with karenlynn about the item pages. It's too hard to find the item description. It's buried in the middle of the page and isn't highlighted or made to stand out in any way.

 

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Mark