posted on September 8, 1999 09:05:41 PM new
I am a seller and buyer on Auction Universe. Tonight I thought I would do a little buying. Very few of the sellers over there are using bidsafe. I found things I would have bid on if only they were bidsafe auctions. It is so easy for me to bid as a bidsafe member. My credit card is charged, seller is notified to ship and I wait for the item. Hassle free. As a seller I have had a rash of returned checks lately. Bidsafe guarantees me my money. I just do not understand why all sellers on Auction Universe are not taking advantage of the bidsafe program. Your losing bids! With a bidsafe auction your buyers can still use other payment methods if they are not bidsafe members but it also allows you to take credit cards without having a merchant account. Come on sellers, Please use Bidsafe!!!
posted on September 8, 1999 09:58:05 PM new
Mrauctionman:
You're a man after my own heart
However, in defense of the folks who don't use BidSafe, let me say it is probably because they don't quite understand it.
First, just because you do an auction as a BidSafe auction doesn't mean that your buyer will also choose to use Bidsafe. Indeed, that would be the buyers choice.
So what does that mean?
It means that the buyer if he wants, could still send you a check or money order like most other auctions. That means there would be no extra fees charged on the auction either -- only the basic 2.5 percent commission fee would apply. (A 3.5 percent fee is charged for BidSafe auctions and that includes the credit card processing fee.)
BidSafe is strictly an option that sellers give to their buyers. It lets the buyer, if s/he chooses, to pay with a MC/Visa card plus gives them an added incentive of a 1 percent kickback from AU if they they leave a positive rating for you.
Sellers also get (when the bidder is a BidSafe buyer) the notification that the item bought was paid for (money collected)typically in a matter of ten minutes after the auction ends.
That means the seller can ship the next day. It is common for BidSafe buyers to get their merchandise in a matter of three or four days. That doesn't happen every time, but it happens most of the time.
What I really like about it though is that I don't have to give my credit card to every single seller I do business with. Fact is, they never see my credit card number.
posted on September 17, 1999 06:58:09 AM new
Well I do post on a limited basis on Auction Universe but I DON'T and won't use bidsafe - I am an established seller, on eBay and other auctions, which I note on my AU auctions (and direct my potential buyers to view my feedback at these locations), I offer credit cards, so why should I (1) pay to get a third party involved, (2) confuse my busy schedule again with third party interference....(3) I already offer credit cards which are a great protection for the buyer, so I see no reason to use such a service, I don't use the eBay one or the Yahoo one or the Amazon one and it hasn't hurt my auctions at all....I think for the new seller, and those that don't offer the buyer credit cards it may be fine, probably is great, but I personally feel no need of it....
If you want to know what established, reliable sellers think about these escrow systems, check out the DNF board on Ebay when the topic is discussed......it is an extremely unpopular idea among experienced sellers....we don't have the time to get third parties involved in our business - and our feedback speaks for our reputations -
I feel an auction like AU which makes the "Bid-safe" program so obvious, and really pushes it, causes problems for the good sellers who don't use such, as it almost labels us as unreliable....say what you will, and it is a nice service for newbies..BUT it is a way to make money for the auction too.....
AU like Ebay needs to realize who their customers are - the only true customers they have are the Sellers - we pay the bills, not the buyer - setting up a site which caters more to the needs of the buyer than the seller is not good business.
I LOVE THE AU SYSTEM, and many things about AU, but their pushing the BidSafe, and the lack of buyers is a major, major draw back....all the bells and whistles in the world are useless unless you have buyers and although I successfully sell on 4 different auctions, with a WIDE variety of items, I seldom sell anything on AU.....I do better even on the little Box Lot.....the only auction I do less on is Gold's which as soon as my postings run out there I won't bother to repost. There again, it is a GREAT site, but I have too much to do to just post auctions to watch them sit and not get bids.
I suppose many of us are spoiled by the activity we have grown use to on eBay....but I am finding good activity on Amazon and Yahoo.
Well, I see Microsoft & Dell are moving into the market - whatever AU is coming with they need to make their move before the big announcement is lost in the shadow of a Microsoft Auction opening!
I really would like to see AU make it, but am beginning to have my doubts that it will survive the auction wars....
posted on September 17, 1999 10:43:34 AM new
Recon:
You wrote:
[quote]AU like Ebay needs to realize who their customers are - the only true customers they have are the Sellers - we pay the bills, not the buyer - setting up a site which caters more to the needs of the buyer than the seller is not good business.[/quote]
Recon, we know who are customers are. We don't emphasize the "escrow" aspect of BidSafe. It is a feature but it really isn't the primary feature of BidSafe.
You can have a 99 cent BidSafe auciton and I don't know anyone who's worried about escrow on that?
If you look at the program, you'd realize that BidSafe is really a convenience that saves time and effort for both the buyer and the seller.
A short list of seller benefits:
1. It lets sellers without merchant accounts for 3.5 percent (lowest 3rd party service available anywhere)
2. provides blanket shipping insurance coverage for any AU package sent to (or from) a BidSafe Gold member using regular mail up to $500.
3. Saves sellers time and effort in the EOA routine.
What I'm hearing is that you're judging BidSafe by what eBay/iescrow does. It is a different program with much more for both the seller and buyer ... if you care to look at it on its merits.
posted on September 18, 1999 05:53:24 PM new
Well Pat obviously we will never see eye to eye on this program.....3.5% on charges, that is fine - but I pay 1.74%.....and I don't need that service - I don't need USPS shipping because we do most of ours through UPS, where we have an account - depends on the size of an item as to the best method to ship, plus the fact UPS insurance is MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE....
IF AU isn't pushing BidSafe - and then why is it basically the only item of discussion in the AU area here at AW? It is defended to the death, when it seems it should have dawned on AU, that it is okay, but actually of little interest to many buyers or sellers....eBay is a good example....the fact is it continues to run (such as it does) very well without such a program, and when any similar one was considered all heck broke lose....
posted on September 18, 1999 06:02:48 PM new
Just ran into this topic over on the eBay message board here on AW....although it initially related to something said in print by "Uncle Griff" the whole string reflects the feelings of how most experienced eBay sellers feel about any type of escrow program...and what an insult we all feel about an auction touting such.....read the thread:
Uncle Griff & i-escrew-you
On the eBay message board....these folks have talked and discussed the pro's and con's of escrow programs for endless hours on the DNF board and AU's approach as it being a selling tool, won't flush with experienced sellers....check it out.
posted on September 18, 1999 06:39:31 PM new
Recon:
Bidsafe is optional, we don't say, don't trust folks who don't use, we offer it as a tool that some folks like and others don't. It also acts as a verification program for users that provides some extra benefits while being "free for buyers."
However, Recon, I really don't want to come across as "shoving it down your throat" so my advice to you personally is if you don't want to be verified and if you don't see any use for it, don't use it.
And, if you're at a loss of what else to talk about here, either go back to the older threads -- many were about entirely different topics -- or post something to the auction soapie thread.
Heck, if you check around the online auction scene, you might even find a discussion about when AU's 1,000,000th item will be posted. Giving away a set of high-line golf clubs in that one.
posted on September 19, 1999 11:16:41 AM new
Guess we will have to agree to totally disagree with this aspect of AU - I stand with thousands of eBayers who feel as I do about such programs...but Bidsafe was the title of this thread...thought you wanted honest input....anyway, I'll go back to the eBay board...still hope AU makes it, I do love the site lay out.
posted on September 19, 1999 02:52:00 PM new
Recon:
I've never really understood your objection to AU's Bidsafe program other than it is something like iescrow on eBay and you don't like it and therefore don't like BidSafe.
That to me is the crux of our difference. My point is you can't ompare the two programs. They are as different as apples and onions.
What bothers me is that it doesn't seem to matter to you that some folks -- including sellers -- like it and some don't.
What I do know is the people that use it use it because it works for them. AU gives them that choice.
Long live choice is my mantra on this issue. No one is shoving anything down anyone's throat.
Pat
PS: Personally I like it because it saves me time when I'm selling and money when I'm buying.
PPS: Another little known fact. If you're a BidSafe gold member and you buy something from a non-BidSafe member on AU and they ship you an item uninsured that arrives broken, it is also covered by your BidSafe insurance. This is another way it saves me money as a buyer.
