posted on September 1, 2000 10:09:49 PM
I use re-sale from re-ware.com. It is not in quite the same league as the services from AW, but it is part of my routine. it does not do listing, only accounts payable. I like it because...
it handles multiple sites - ebay, yahoo, amazon.
I can import closed auction pages or EOA notices. There are some bugs here, but since it does not do so automatically (like ebud & it's ilk), I can keep on moving even if EOA layouts change. I just correct any problems it might have had. (currently it does not pick up dates correctly)
I change item status by clicking buttons, and each status change fires off an email using my MAPI email application (ms exchange) in the background. for example, pressing 'confirm' (for me) sends out an invoice with all auction information filled in - no cut & paste. Pressing 'shipped' sends out a customized shipped email. All of the email templates are fully customizable. Pressing 'leave feedback' sends my browser to a feedback page fully filled in except my password and the comment (which I can paste in using ctrl-v - the program places a default comment on the clipboard.) Every status change is date/time stamped in a log window for the item - and I can add my own date/time stamped notations as well, so I have an activity log for each item.
It is easy to filter and sort a list view of auctions by status -- all overdue, or all payment due by date, etc.
It is really easy to find an auction - I can type a word or word fragment into the description box to find all matches, or the item number (or partial therof) to find that, or even just all auctions with a particular status and/or a particular price.
It does not require the IE5 upgrade (which I have still not applied. ie, supports pre-win98 machines well. It also runs on Mac.
I think it was $36, and IMHO it is a better deal than using a home-grown solution. I sell postcards and might have over 100 open auctions at any one time, with as many as 50-60 or more sales per week. Automatic tracking of AP is vital. Paper just doesn't cut it.
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I would like to hear about experiences with the services AW has been working on - I tried it once and was mildly impressed. I did feel that on a slower internet connection the lag time between loading pages kept it from being compelling. On the other hand, the integration of listing and billing would seem to be very nice.
posted on September 2, 2000 07:46:36 AM
I use Auction Manager Pro for listing and inventory stuff, and I use Invenna's Auction Amigo for auction management, post-sale management. Love 'em both. Both FREE.
posted on September 2, 2000 09:09:38 AM
Invenna's Auction Amigo ranks #1 for me w/ post-sale management. I am in love with that program! Superior to eBud, IMHO...
And I think *nobody* beats AW's Auction Manager Pro for ease of listing, auction templates, etc...
~Not nefish on eBay~
I have deleted your post because it contained a link to a competitive service. Discussion of other sites and services in a non-promotional manner is OK, but providing links or URLs violates the CGs.
Thanks for your cooperation.
MichelleG
Moderator
*edited for spelling
[ edited by MichelleG on Sep 3, 2000 08:21 PM ]
posted on September 4, 2000 08:31:28 AM
I'd be curious as to what advantage some commercial systems might offer. I use a home-made Access 97 database that links to my auctions and bidder/seller email addresses. It has various forms in Word for labels, EOAs, DC forms, late payment notices, invoices, check writing, and payment letters etc. I can tell who hasn't paid or confirmed an auction.
Is there something a commercial product does that I haven't mentioned?
posted on September 4, 2000 09:11:50 AM
I use ebud, its only good for ebay. I have tried many of the others mentioned here and in my opinion their is no comparison! ebud is the easiest to use, and cost about $50 per year but until something else comes along thats at least as good I am hooked.
If you need more info email [email protected]
posted on September 4, 2000 09:28:00 AMmballai -
"Is there something a commercial product does that I haven't mentioned?"
Not everyone has the skill to do this, and those that have the skill seldom want to spend hours putzing around with Visual Basic to hand-craft an application if one exists on the shelf that does the job.
I am quite capable of WRITING and debugging such an application in a couple of long days ... but I can get eBud for $40, and it does anything I need, including writing to a flat file to import into my spreadsheets.
Programming for 20+ hours to save $40 is not an efective use of time.
I probably spent too much time cobbling my database, but it has been an invaluable way to learn more about Access.
I'm trying to find out if such programs have special features that my homemade database lacks that might have some usefulness. What features stand out, etc.
posted on September 4, 2000 10:01:51 AM
I got started with Auction Ass't (now Classic)and it was a huge leap forward in providing help with my very limited computer abilities. An outstanding feature for me has always been the service and attitude of the developer.
It was recently purchased by eBay, stayed under the developers management and is, I understand, the most widely used program by listing count of any s/w used on eBay.
There are things I have not learned to do or are not available to do with the program. I find it time consuming for small dollar/profit individual items, would have to upgrade to the Pro version for certain features and can not easily use it for other venues.
The price for me in comparison to the benefits was so small I don't even recall how much it was. People better at using and combining features from s/w packages have reported success in achieving many results that I have feared even exploring.
I am presently looking into other programs to provide support for YAHOO and other venues, tie into a Web site and afford easier processing of uninque small $ items.
I think anyone would benefit from using the AA Program in their comparison studies when evaluating programs.
The expansion of options for sellers has been great and I'm very impressed with the programs available right here thru AW.
posted on September 4, 2000 11:08:53 AM
abacaxi
Leaving feedback is useful management. I fortunately don't have many NPBs and FVF credits--maybe one a month.
posted on September 4, 2000 11:10:57 AM
I'm using Auction Manager Pro right now. It's pretty darned easy! Took some practice, but, BY JOVE! I think I've got it!
posted on September 4, 2000 08:15:40 PM
I use Andale because it is the only management system I have found that does everything from listings to e-mails and everything in between. Also, it is still free.
posted on September 5, 2000 06:58:51 AMdebbielennon
Glad to help. I am most impressed with the profit report features. I was really surprised to learn what I've made on eBay since I started selling!! (only $3,200!). neat!
The only feature I miss from eBud is the ability to create various reports based on different data... like a report showing what items have been paid for, or what items have no response to the EOA, and then being able to PRINT them out. I like to print out a list of my items needing shipment then carry that list with me into another room where I do my packing... and I like eBud's packing slips better than Amigo's.. but overall, since Amigo is *FREE* and eBud is NOT, I find it to be a better value and even if I had the money to pay for eBud right now I probably would not, just for those 2 or 3 features that are not found in Amigo.
I think, instead, I'll just petition Amigo to add some of the features I find lacking.
posted on September 5, 2000 01:53:22 PM
Is this place getting like ebay! I had a second post on this board yesterday...its gone.....the least you can do is tell me why it was deleted without anything said........
Superior to eBud, IMHO...
but until something else comes along thats at least as good I am hooked.
