I sell much less on AU than on ebay, but I have MANY more deadbeats. It hardly seems worth the trouble to keep listing.

Lee
 

Deadbeats are a problem that affect us all to some degree or another, regardless of the auction site.

Do know that we are working diligently to have a permanent fix for this problem that will involve an enhanced level of user verification. Bidsafe, as you might guess, is a key element in the fix, but because of its cost, falls short of being the final solution.

Still, keep an eye on us because I think you'll like what you see as 1999 moves from winter to spring:-)

neomax

As to your question, "Do I know how many/what percentage of our membership are BidSafe members, I'll answer, Yes I know but that information is just plain proprietary.

I also do need to say that the number is growing even faster now that we have expanded BidSafe's availability to our 20+ domestic affiliated sites. (To see them go to www.aun.com)

Lee, the Bidsafe product as a $19.95 add-on is a key element but not the whole solution in our effort to verify our customer base and address the issue you raised in this thread -- deadbeat bidders.

Beyond that Lee, the rule of the Internet -- the only constant is change -- comes into play.

That means we're going to be improving BidSafe and its utility and cost effectiveness to sellers as well as buyers as the months roll on.

Ultimately, we'd like to think of the world as a BidSafe world where there are 50 million registered and verified members, each with a product tailored to their own personal needs.
But 50 million is pie-in-the-sky as I freely admit we're still working on our first million BidSafe members.

Finally, Lee, recognize that I'm really restrained in how I answer you because Michael Wilson (an eBay VP) may check out this side of AW every now and then. I really, really don't want him to have a clue how BidSafe is progressing. Frankly, it is none of his business. After all, hey have their deal with Iescrow and we have BidSafe.

Just know that we are committed to it because we think that it works.

neomax

[This message has been edited by neomax (edited 01-06-99).]
 

Breaking it down, on Beanie Babies, 2 out of 2 winning bidders paid. That's what I'd expect after selling over 200 of them on eBay with maybe 10 no-pays.

On computer subwoofers, only 1 out of 4 winning bidders paid. Ouch! Computer stuff, especially that which appeals to teenaged and college-aged males*, is tough on eBay too, but still the vast majority pay. The results of 4 auctions probably are not statistically reliable, but it has been a disappointment.

I'm glad to hear AU is working on it.

John

* Sorry if that bothers any teenaged or college-age males, but it's factual. My results on eBay bear it up, and it WOULD be statistically significant. That said, the majority of young men I have dealt with have been responsible.

John
 

On AU it seems like folks go there bid on a few items and are never heard from again. It may be that they are kids.

I have stopped using the 14 day auctions on AU. I am hoping that people will be more inclined to pay if they win closer to the time they bid.
Lee
 

I wouldn't abandon the 14 day auctions altogether but what I would do is (particularly in lieu of a Dutch auction) list five or six auctions with staggered closing dates ranging from two days to 14 days.

You could list all these items at the same time quite quickly and wouldn't have to worry about the listing part. Assuming sales, all you'd do is fill orders.

Just a thought that puts your idea of short-term closings in concert with the ability to take care of a full two-weeks listings.

Of course this works only when you're selling a quantity of particular item.

neomax
 

quote:

---

OUR COMMITMENT TO BID$AFE™ MEMBERS:
In order to deliver on our promise of the Bid$afe™ service, it is absolutely critical that Bid$afe™ members abide by the Bid$afe™ Terms
and Conditions. Read the Terms and Conditions carefully and refer to them often. Failure to abide by the Bid$afe™ Terms and
Conditions will be grounds for termination of your Bid$afe™ membership and associated benefits. Specific causes for
termination of your Bid$afe™ membership include but are not limited to:

If the credit card you have provided for payment is declined twice.
Reneging on a Bid$afe™ auction once
Receiving cumulative negative ratings on Bid$afe™ transactions in excess of -2.
Filing a fraudulent Bid$afe™ insurance claim.

When Bid$afe™ membership is terminated, former members forfeit their BidBucks™ balance, their insurance is revoked, and they lose all Bid$afe™ benefits and privileges.

---

neomax
 

I know you're not having problems with bidsafe buyers:-)

Our task is to figure out how to get more people to be bidsafe members.

I really can't say more other than we would like to have 90 percent of our membership or more involved with the program in one way or another.

neomax