As someone mentioned in another thread, I
know that it may take a while, but I do think
that AU can be a very big player in the online auction world. Since I'm doing this
more as a hobby than anything, I think I'll ride it out with AU as opposed to going with a more established site (like there's anybody who doesn't know where I'm talking about!).

I *love* the feature which lets you list whenever you want, and then specify the starting time of the auction! I think that was one of the main things which clinched my decision to sign up as a seller.

Poppy
 

If you just signed up at their home page you may have missed out on the promo that went up here about an hour ago- click on the AU ad banner on the auctionwatch home page or the main message board page and you'll see what I mean.

Or, just click here:

http://www.auctionwatch.com/aupromo.htm

AuctionWatch is proud to have Auction Universe on board as a sponsor now.

Those not familiar with Auction Universe should also note that their rep, neomax, is on this forum and can probably address any questions you may have regarding Auction Universe.

Cheers,

Mark

 

Actually, not only did I get 100 free listings, but 200 bold upgrades too.

Another thing I wanted to mention, even though I am following up to my own post... =)
I asked a question about how to do something via their customer service link. I had an answer within 6 hours, very detailed and quite professional and friendly. I was duly impressed - it wasn't just a canned email message, either.

I had included a small suggestion in my email to CS, and Lori said that she would bring it up at their next site meeting. Now, whether this ever brings anything about is really moot - the fact they have SITE MEETINGS is very reassuring.

Poppy
 

This is great. I feel a little like Mark who left a rather slow and lazy Auctionwatch site on this trip west and came back to see the entire horsey episode appear and AW the center of said controversy.

And all I did was spend a few hours with my family.

Everything seems to have sorted itsself out except the issue of slowness by K lock.

Actually, slowness has not been a particular problem in the last month or two (after we ditched the nested tables for showing the listings). I do know that we're testing a streamlined site that puts you right in the action (see an associated thread here for details.)

Anyway, K lock, if the slowness is only occassional, it may be due to net congestion but if the site is always slow (day and nite) then you might post your concern to service. Do put a stopwatch on it.

I would be remiss if I didn't welcome you to the fray, Poppy. I'm glad service took care of you so quickly. (Actually, I'm a little disturbed it took six hours.)

Oh, and Poppy, we do have site meetings and we do discuss how to best serve our customers' needs.

We know this truth is self-evident ... if you're not making money, we aren't:-)

We are listening.

 

Murph
 

UPDATE: as of 9:00 EST all my auctions have the correct info--no error messages. I checked a couple of the book auctions that previously showed errors, and they, too, had the right info in 'em this time.

Murph

[This message has been edited by Murph (edited 11-29-98).]
 

What you noticed is normal. Typically, it takes about 10-15 minutes for the existance of an auction to propogate throughtout the system and be acknowledged by all the various servers.

I should add that once there, the system operates in real time so that bids can be recorded and displayed properly.

neomax

PS: This is a non-technical description based on observation of the system:-)

[This message has been edited by neomax (edited 11-29-98).]
 

Thanks for your explanation. Ten or 15 minutes of downtime before it was up on the servers wouldn't have bothered me. The auctions started about 8:30 pm EST last night and I got the error message until about 8:45 am EST or so this morning. However, I was pleased with the quick emails I got from your customer service folks (Lori)last night and this morning--much quicker and much more personalized than any I've gotten from eBay.

Murph
 

I've since gotten a note from service noting that it is taking a lot longer than normal to get items into the system.

It would probably help to know that I'm in GA a long way from both the servers (DC) or HQ (CT).

I make it a point to respond as quickly as I can with the knowledge I have, which is the way things should be. Often, I will confirm a problem with the site (unreachable) independently and inform service that a technical problem exists.

But changes to the database and running down specific issues is what service does. I appreciate you commenting on the good job they did.

Receiving error messages is 'normal'?? "It's not a bug, it's a feature!"

Users should never receive error messages unless there is an actual problem. If the item simply hasn't entered the system, then the message should say that. This is something that will need to be fixed quickly.
 

We were having a problem earlier today. I know it was not fully resolved when I left CT at 2 p.m. When I got home this evening at 9 p.m. the slowness was resolved.

neomax
 

I am not currently an AU user, but have checked out your site with the intention of possibly becoming one, but still have a couple of questions.
Can you by chance tell me what steps AU takes to weedout the scammers, sheilders, and shillers or possibly point me to the right person to ask?
I was also wondering about your feedback system and how it works, does it require an auction number or anything before it can be left? You can email me if you want.
Thanks,
Hellon

[This message has been edited by hellon (edited 12-05-98).]
 

I'd be glad to answer.

First, on how we weed out scammers, cheats and the like.

To sell on AU you have to provide a credit card or pay prior to listing an item for auction. The only exception to this is when you take us up on one of our free referral offers. You would then be able to list your first several items free of charge but, once something sells, you would no longer be able to list under that account without paying us (probably with a credit card although we do take checks.)

This means that for the most part we've varified the identity of the sellers.

We have a variety of disincentives to cheating in that our database doesn't disappear after 30 days. Auctions, including bidding histories, remain in the system (Some very early auctions are no longer fully available because of changes in our database, but most are.)

Another disincentive is that our front page featured auctions cost $100. While the price is significantly higher, those with questionable products to offer tend not to opt for our front page showcase auctions. It just makes more sense to do so on eBay than AU.

But all of these pale in comparison to the "BidSafe" program which is a package available for both buyers and sellers that insures a safe sale. The key elements of BidSafe include insurance to cover the risk for the seller for shipping, the built in "escrow" service so that the buyer can see the item is as described before accepting the sale and insurance coverage for the return of items that don't meet the buyers criteria.

BidSafe does it all for a cost that is typically less than what sellers pay, percentagewise, for sales on eBay.

neomax
 

I do have a question for Neomax though. [I can hear the groan of "oh, no" already! ]

Let's say that there is a competitor to AU out there somewhere. Let's say that I had listed an item on that fantasy competitor. My payment terms were 10 days. The high bidder did not pay within 30 days, then said he had no intention of paying. Let's say this fantasy auction house had a feedback system. I entered a negative comment on this "back out" bidder. Said bidder emails me and threatens to leave *me* negative feedback in retaliation unless I counteract my negative with a positive. Say this kind of behavior is against the Rules of this fantasy place, and yet when I report said behavior I am told that it's just a user dispute and I could just leave myself a neutral to explain away the retaliatory negative.

Okay, so what would AU do? I know that feedback is transactional (thumbs up on that) yet my fantasy back-out bidder would have an item number to enter, since he was the high bidder. What if he left me negative feedback simply because I left him some (for a reason)?

The only reason I ask this is I'm just kind of tired. It's such a hassle dealing with stuff like this, I'm just wondering if it will be less of a hassle at AU.

After Joe and I get back from our next trip to Japan I should have some really choice stuff to offer, and I am looking for a venue which offers me a little more protection against - oh, you know the whole list.

Leigh
 

Interesting question and I actually appreciate comparing AU to a fantasy place ... well I do everyday anyway:-)

Our feedback is transactional. I'm going to assume the individual you dealt with is rated.

(We do allow people to buy and sell without being rated... we don't encourage it at all but it is allowed and those people can neither rate another or be rated. They continue to buy and sell on our system at our discretion and are typically put under great scrutiny when a complaint is lodged.)

Lets therefore assume it is a rated person who is out to harrass you.

First, our feedback files can be edited. So even if you leave a negative or have one left, if the issue can be addressed, it can be changed.

In the scenario you just mentioned -- no pay and a threat over the negative -- I would post [email protected] with the post threatening you, noting this idiot had made good on his threat.

We'd probably post the idiot and tell him that we find his negative feedback to your file a violation of the TOS and recommend that he edit it.

Assuming the idiot complied and was suitably contrite, we might not immediately ban him for the no-pay, but we would certainly let your neg stand.

Of course if you had three or four items that were no-pay, you would be able to neg that individual three or four times and presumably put him out of his misery before he could neg you back.

You would also be able to post an explanation replying to any negative received.

One alternative that may hold promise, if you are particularly unenamoured with feedback altogether, is joining BidSafe as a non-rated member. Bidsafe is a combination of auction insurance, creditcard acceptance and escrow service. You could re-register under and choose to be non-rated and still join bidsafe.

You'll probably face more "scrutiny" from complainers if you go that route but all the complaints would be private. You should know we also tend not to be as tolerant of non-rated members.

But generally speaking, if you're a good guy, rated or not, you'll do okay. I mean we can recognize good customers and we like them. We know there are some very good reasons not to be publicaly rated and BidSafe generally erases the primary negative of being not rated.

Why? Because we are very strict about BidSafe membership -- not everyone makes it through the verification stage for membership. Yes we actually refuse membership to some who apply:-)

neomax
 

However one of the things I will be offering this Spring will be some rather nice animation cels, and those will probably have minimum bids of close to $75 or so, so it might be time to look at that again.

As for the other bits - if a bidder has a history of reneging, then you will suspend that bidder? (Just want to make sure I read that correctly.)

Personally, I don't think I would buy from a seller who chose not to be publically rated. I have one whole feedback on AU, I didn't opt for the "unrated" status because it seems a bit self-defeating for a seller (more so than a buyer, I think).

I did have one back-out buyer on AU. I need to check to see if I left a comment on his AU file, because I can't remember if I did or not. I know I didn't apply for a credit, because the amount was negligible.

Leigh

p.s.: Thanks for the reply, btw.
 

We're not perfect -- nobody is -- but we are trying to be the best. I really do appreciate your effort at promotion AU. We're spending millions on advertising but without people -- real people -- encouraging others to come share the benefits of the site, those millions are wasted.

neomax