posted on August 21, 2000 06:56:52 AM new
I just read your positive review on this auction sit dated 7/27/00. In that review, you posted the following numbers-
"Perhaps this explains some of Amazon.com Auctions' bidding woes. The best performing categories during our review were Electronics and Photography (approximately 1,400 auctions from a total of 28,024 had bids) and Toys & Games (approximately 1,550 auctions from a total of 25,780 had bids). Other breakdowns were as follows: Books, 450 of 32,000 had bids; Movies & Video, 975 of 32,000; and Music, 725 of 39,000."
The BEST category (if your numbers are correct) had 7% of items bid on. The WORST
(Books, forcryingoutloud, Amazon,com is a BOOKSELLER, what's the excuse for that???)had much less than 2%. Now, how does this equate to a functioning, viable auction site and a favorable review?
<looking forward with held breath for a reasonable explanation as to why those PATHETIC numbers allow ANYONE to give this site a favorable review>
posted on August 21, 2000 02:05:05 PM new
I think you're confusing functionality and features with popularity. eBay is certainly more popular with sellers, but they and Amazon are pretty comparable when you look at site stability and features. There is also the matter of the bid numbers not being an accurate reflection of auction activity on the site. As a bidder, I know that if the Take-It price for an item is reasonable, I'll go ahead and pay it instead of waiting a week or more for the auction to close. For most things, it is not worth the time to dicker over the price. I'll only place an ordinary bid if the Take-It price is in the stratosphere.
Auction activity should pick up for everyone in the fall and winter, if Alan Greenspan doesn't kcuf it up.
posted on August 21, 2000 02:52:22 PM new
With all due respect- #1. You are looking at it from a bidder's standpoint, if you can get bargains/good stuff, more power to you. More importantly- #2. I'm really not confusing anything with anything else- the bottom line for any for-profit business venue
is profit. If so little is being sold, it is apparent that the venue is not making a profit from commission, and the sellers are not selling their wares, and therefore aren't making a profit either. The most highly-functional, beautiful looking site in the world will not do a SELLER a fig of good if they can't sell on it, and certainly (since the venue's profits are tied directly to the sellers') the venue won't be doing any good either... Those numbers vividly illustrate that.
posted on August 21, 2000 03:35:39 PM new
I noticed the differences in the reports on Amazon by Auctionwatch and figured that different folks wrote the reports.
You know the old story, one felt of the trunk and the other felt of the tail...
posted on August 21, 2000 04:10:12 PM new
I hope that the one feeling of the tail doesn't get a taste of whatever might come out the rear end as I did when I was selling at Amazon. YUKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK :~D
posted on August 21, 2000 10:25:22 PM new
I am having the same positive experiences with Amazon regarding number of sales, higher amount paid, and large number of Take-It Prices as Valieret. I do much better on Amazon than Ebay.
YAHOO also has a higher number of sales at better prices than Ebay for me. Yahoo's Buy-Prices have really increased sales.
I think there is something to the Take-It or Buy Price that appeals to folks faster way of life now. These same people who Take-It (Amazon) or Buy Price (Yahoo) generally pay promptly thru Amazon 1-click or PayPal.
posted on August 25, 2000 02:14:55 PM new
Well it looks like old home week over here. This is my final week as a seller on Amazon, but I thought I'd take a look in here just for kicks.
posted on August 25, 2000 11:25:09 PM new
We sell books too. I wish would sell 10% of our listings each week, but our average sale is around $150. That makes a big difference.
The good news is our sales are increasing on Amazon . . . Profits are much higher than they ever were on eBay . . . and the service is great. I was a bit worried with the new changes in tabs, but our numbers keep increasing.
The folks at Amazon are good people. They know what they're doing. I'm sticking with a winner.
posted on August 26, 2000 12:18:14 AM new
weddingdoc: from your keyboard to God's email
-- Valerie's Doggie Closet http://www.amazon.com/shops/valeriet
posted on August 26, 2000 01:09:15 PM new
Donalgram:
If I may, I'd like to suggest that you list a LOT more items instead of leaving Amazon.
I think there is a real nitch on Amazon for your items and that they will sell nicely. Cross-linking them to specialty books should drive folks to your auctions & z-shop.
I visualize a specialty Z-SHOP, in addition to your auctions Of course!
I had to hit 400+ items before I started making money on Amazon - and I had to list 400+ on YAHOO to make a decent income there too.
posted on August 26, 2000 10:00:28 PM new
Whatafind: Great point. We're busy listing more items and it does make a big difference. Your theory about a niche is correct in my book.
posted on September 8, 2000 07:44:41 PM new
I would love to have success at selling on Amazon. But so far, not so good. I sell great on Ebay but why such a flop on Amazon. I hear used booksellers are doing well on amazon, but does anyone else?
posted on September 9, 2000 05:21:31 AM new
Whine whine whine!! Come on people. It's the survival of the fittest in the auction world just like on the rest of this planet.
I think alot of people had easy early success on Ebay and Amazon. I switched to Amazon because Ebay sucked.
Yes Amazon has its problems and everytime they institute an improvement my sales crash but which auction site is any different in that way?
Amazon is still the best place to sell on the interenet if you sell on a regular basis.
The interface is the best, the customer support is the best (although that's not saying a whole lot!) and it's the best value for the money.
I think it's up to sellers to do a bit more homework and really utilize what's out there. I know I have. And I think things will improve, (even if by accident!)
posted on September 11, 2000 07:15:09 AM new
---Whine whine whine!! Come on people. It's the survival of the fittest in the auction world just like on the rest of this planet. ---
YEP, you got it, and when the traffic/sales on an auction site declines to between 1 and 2% as it has on Amazon, what do you think is next but "POOF"???? What is an auction site in which a seller can sell 1 out of every 100 items they list fit for? Use it for whatever benefit you can get out of it, but don't pretend that the site's successful, and in this forum don't blame the sellers for destroying it or not being able to sell on it. Amazon's incompetent management did that while most sellers were/are trying as hard as they possibly can to make a go of it there.
I thought that this post which I made over at the EO may interest you, as it substantiates what your own impressions and good sense communicate to your cranium. LOL!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
NextCard Releases August eCommerce Index
posted on September 17, 2000 12:32:35 AM new
Just my 2 cents here: As a newcomer to the auction world, I'm absorbing as much as I can. Like some of you, I completely agree that the %'s mentioned in the review, to me, don't make a successful company. What company could succeed with those figures? But Amazon has big pockets (just in another pair of pants!), which means they can afford to run at a loss for awhile. But not for long if they're smart.
I have run many many listings on Amazon, eBay and Yahoo. eBay is by far, the best, probably by 98% for me, with Yahoo at 2% and Amazon at 0%. I use the "take it" feature at both "A" and "Y", but still nothing on "A", zip, nothing!!! Don't tell me it's my product. It is selling like crazy on eBay. I'm going to launch a ton of them on Amazon, just for curiosity sake and see what happens. Trying it on Yahoo too. I'll let you know. Bif
posted on September 18, 2000 09:42:22 PM newBiffette,
Just out of curiosity, I'd like to know:
1) If you're "a newcomer to the auction world", how is it that you've "run many many listings on Amazon, eBay and Yahoo."???
2) You said, "But Amazon has big pockets (just in another pair of pants!), which means they can afford to run at a loss for awhile." How do you know how long Amazon can afford to run at a loss? Do you have inside information???
3) Then you said, "Don't tell me it's my product. It is selling like crazy on eBay." If you're selling so well on eBay, why do you even BOTHER to list anything on Amazon or Yahoo???
"I'm going to launch a ton of them on Amazon....Trying it on Yahoo too." I'd suggest you read through all the past Yahoo threads here on AW for Yahoo listing advice. There are a LOT of very helpful insights from long-time Yahoo sellers that should aid your transition from eBay, because selling on eBay and selling on Yahoo are very, very different and require different approaches.
posted on September 24, 2000 12:45:48 PM new
TO granee=
Can you explain whatyou meant on transition from eBay to Yahoo?
I stopped trying to sell in eBay for the 3rd time in the past year, they use a lot of cookies and have an archaic system for relisting and charge too much.
I increased my auction listings in Amazon, but is the feeling to add to the zshops just like valeriet has done?
posted on October 8, 2000 05:54:26 AM new
In my experience;
Advantages Amazon over eBay- Listing fees are and commissions are low (overall cost on same $ sales 20% of eBay), customer service is reachable by phone and responsive, bulk loading is more flexible than eBay.
Disadvantages Amazon over eBay- Much less traffic, same $ sales require @ 20 times the listings, lack of promotion by Amazon of its Auction site, 1Click has some incomplete or incorrect non US addresses.
[ edited by xcvb on Oct 8, 2000 05:59 AM ]
posted on October 23, 2000 07:48:03 AM new
I agree that Amzon has a couple of good features in its software, but if I want to deal with a company with good software and no bidders I'll go to Yahoo. Their software is the best, they just don't have any customers.
I disagree about your calculations on price. While listing fees appear lower on Amazon, if you add in the cost of "bid for placement" then Amazon is at least as expensive as ePay, if not more so.
Amazon was once poised (about a year ago) to give ePay a run for its money. Now it's just a matter of time before it fades away entirely.
My blessing on any who continue to sell on Amazon. I feel for you and will keep thinking of you as you try to claw through the jungle.
posted on October 24, 2000 10:59:16 AM new
This is a subject which interests me in that before I decided which auction to list on I spent many days and nites watching items bids and closing prices. After much research I decided on Ebay. My sales started slowly but as my feedback reached 2 sales started to pickup. Now at 7+ my sales for the last 2 listings are at about 50% to 75%. Now for a newbe I think that is pretty good. I think that you all should really find your place on any site with careful research and pick your selling items for each site. Thanks for a space to put my 2 cents worth in. Good luck to all.Gduff