posted on July 15, 2000 01:28:06 AMhttp://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/announcement-list/ministore-five-year/ref=a_h_cb1_02_x/
How were these people chosen?
I have only looked at the first few and there is one with only 1 auction running, one with only 26 feedback, one using the same pictures for every auction, and gregmanning, who is not even a person but a corporate client just as much as service merchandise -- using several accounts and other special privileges.
If I am not at least as worthy as these losers, I don't know what to think. (sorry if any of you are these losers -- but if you are: Hey, get with it! Use this opportunity!)
I'll try not to take it personally. It's just one more thing to take into consideration as I make decisions about where my business is going in the future...
posted on July 15, 2000 11:55:33 AM
Nope didn't make it either. I would like to see Amazon use a rotating schedule of some of their top sellers. That would be fair and not disappoint others.
posted on July 15, 2000 12:50:30 PM
Amazon has always shown alot of favoritism (example: dollar days). At least Auction Pros has a set standard that anyone can attain. However, Auction Pros is of little value if they don't follow through -- ie: let us know about upcoming events (as promised) like 5 Years of Favorites, and how to qualify.
posted on July 15, 2000 07:10:48 PM
I called amazon about the "Pro" thing that I have seen next to some people's name on their auctions. Which I think are some of these 5 years people. The customer service person could not tell me anything about how you qualify for this except that "feedback" is taken into consideration. I have felt for a long time now that I am not playing on a level playing field with other sellers, because Amazon refuses to let "international" sellers (From the far off place called Canada) offer the 1-Click to buyers. Nor was I allowed to offer dollar deals due to this fact. Now this! Including the 400% increase in the ProMerchant Fees. I find that they have played favorites for a while here.(Never mind that my auctions sit at the bottom and it is a wonder that they get seen by anyone at all) I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle with them all of the time. The customer service rep told me that he would e-mail me with the critera when he found it out himself. Should I ever get that e-mail, I will post it here. However, I finally gave in and also listed my first auciton on EBay today. Not the perfect solution, I was happy at Amazon.
posted on July 15, 2000 07:36:26 PM
I am pretty sure that the requirements for Auction Pros is on a web page, but here is the information that I have:
What are the requirements for entry into Auction Pros?
Auction Pros maintain a 4.6 Feedback or greater with over 50 unique ratings,AND Auction Pros maintain a Pro-Merchant subscriptions, AND Auction Pros use Amazon.com Payments for all listings, AND Auction Pros sell over $1,250 and have a minimum of 10 successful auctions each month, OR Auction Pros have 50 separate successful auctions every month
What are the benefits of being a member of Auction Pros?
Auction Pro Advanced Notification--be the first to learn about developments Auction Pro Customer Support--priority access via email and phone Auction Pro Rebates--up to $20 in Bid for Featured Placement each month Auction Pro Icons-display your status to bidders on your detail pages
It is very similar to the eBay Power Seller program except you don't need to sell as much (of course).
posted on July 15, 2000 08:00:51 PM
How can they have auction sellers listed as 5 Years of Favorites when they have only been running auctions for a little over a year?
posted on July 16, 2000 02:16:23 AM
Jake: July is the big Amazon 5 year anniverary celebration. It wouldn't make any sense to call it "1 Year of Mediocrity" would it??
OOPS, I made myself smile there for a change.
Valerie
[ edited by valeriet on Jul 16, 2000 02:17 AM ]
When you find one of those logos click on it and it will give all the details.
I did get all the information that I was accepted yadda yadda returned everything got a gift certificate. (can't use it-po box problem w/ one click, which by the way hasn't prevented them from charging me every month...hmmm?) Haven't recieved any *pre* information nor have I received my ICON. Now that I'm starting to see others I know it has launched. Ok yes I seem to have some issues here. But I am doing quite well in the mist of everything going on?
posted on July 16, 2000 12:26:27 PM
If you qualify, you will get an email from I believe a gentleman by the name of Jay Wilson. You must return the email to "accept" the offer of being an auction pro. I did so, and it took about 5 days for them to update the account to include the auction pro logo in my auctions. The benefits are not all that wonderful unless you need customer support and use the priority phone number or email address. I've always found customer support great at Amazon the few times that I needed them, so this new benefit will not be a big bonus for me. Perhaps it will benefit others.
posted on July 16, 2000 01:03:06 PM
My icon is showing up in all new auctions and random old ones, even some closed ones. When I click on the icon, I get a 404 page not found message.
It's not a bad deal for free -- but I wish they would give us the information ahead of time as they said they would. Of course, secrecy is a hard habit to break.
Valerie
[ edited by valeriet on Jul 16, 2000 01:05 PM ]
posted on July 16, 2000 04:43:57 PMIf you qualify, you will get an email from I believe a gentleman by the name of Jay Wilson. You must return the email to "accept" the offer of being an auction pro...
I qualified some time ago and I did return everything I keep getting the updates and *perk* emails but just no logo for me?
I'm sure they just haven't gotten them all up yet?
Odd when I clicked on someones logo I was taken to a "Auction Pro" qualifiying info page with all the details.
However comforting to know even the staff at amazon don't know what the requirements are.
HAHAHA
posted on July 16, 2000 07:03:50 PM
I get the same error that valerie gets... I think that it is great as a sales gimick... but I have not received any "advance notice" about anything.. but I did get a digital camera for the shipping ammount!
posted on July 16, 2000 07:33:51 PM
I have a scanner already... not that you'd be able to tell from my listings... I have been waiting for my new computer to arrive... I am going to install the scanner on it. (my old dinosaur just doesn't have the disk space for it anymore...)but I couldn't see them actually getting $300.00 to $400.00 from me... (maybe it's my attitude that kept me out of the running )
I'm not going to worry about it, I have found that most of my sales are search based anyhow... and I have been having a really good weekend, and I compensated by listing a bunch of rare conan books...
posted on July 16, 2000 09:59:43 PM
That's why I think I am not a "favorite." My crappy attitude. Well, I quit smoking for this job and if I had known I would have to do that, I never would have started doing this. When I start getting the bidding I was getting last year at this time, I'll stop complaining. Right now I am working twice as hard for half the money.
Well, my attitude should not determine my position in "favorites." I take care of my customers. I keep paying my $40 (forty dollars -- special deal!!! every month. I suck it up and keep plodding along DESPITE Amazon, not because of them.
posted on July 16, 2000 11:05:38 PM
in the end I guess we just have to choose our evils, Amazon.com seems uncaring, and it never appears that they are listening, but occasionally they reccomend stuff that you are doing to others, or they take what you say and add it to their system. At least you can call them. I hated the security folks at e-ba... they were just as likely to squish you as to help you... I haven't found a place that beats amazon out completely... and If I did I might not change anyhow... you know what they say about changing horses midstream. I would list through auctionwatch, but I already have a system up, that precludes the use of their system. (too much work to change.) I was not pleased with some of their "favorite seller" choices, I was less pleased when they started with the "dollar deals require pics because it will be featured in the 5 year aniversary celebration" and then there was no feature...
Minor stuff... I could have a real job with real stress, where I couldn't take the time that I need to take care of my invalid mother.
JMO
John
AKA Shaeun (Pronounced SHAWN)
(I am part irish, thank you very much) <G>
