magazine_guy
|
posted on September 7, 2000 01:55:19 PM
The Online Auction Users Association is going to be undertaking an independent evaluation of the various web-based auction management systems. AW's Auction Manager is one; others include services like Andale, AuctionWorks, and AuctionFlow. There are several others.
In preparation for this project, we want to make sure we include in the evaluation the most popular services. We also want to find out what features users feel are important (I know, FREE is good! But what else?)
What do you use? Why?
Don't include links, so we can stay within the CG's by keeping this a discussion, and not a commercial promotion. Thanks!
Steve
[email protected]
http://www.auctionusers.org
[ edited by magazine_guy on Sep 7, 2000 01:55 PM ]
|
debbielennon
|
posted on September 7, 2000 02:08:23 PM
I LOVE AuctionWatch's Auction Manager for submitting eBay auctions, image hosting and their counters. The templates are great--easy to use and they allow me to distinguish my auctions from everyone else's by saving all my preferences. This board is an amazing tool for any new or experienced seller!
For Yahoo I have to submit directly through Yahoo--otherwise my pics don't show up in the gallery. I would love to use AuctionWatch to list on Yahoo (hint, hint!) if they could find a way around that.
AuctionWatch's Inventory Management is a nice addition as well. I do not use their end-of-auction management so much because I don't want to send my customers to a website to fill in their info. I prefer to send them a personal email.
|
jake
|
posted on September 7, 2000 02:09:10 PM
I use Andale because they are the only one I could find that handles everything...listing, e-mail, credit cards, feedback, etc. Also they listen to their users and make improvements frequently.
|
smw
|
posted on September 7, 2000 03:18:24 PM
Are you going to include the management tools that are stand alone programs ?
I don't really like the web based tools because I don't like having a lot of my information on a web server.
And I really don't like Andale for a number of reasons. In particular I won't bid on any auctions were the seller uses Andale, no matter how much I may want the item, because of the online forms. I wouldn't ask a buyer to fill out a from either, and never on a web based server.
Anyway, will the survay be limited to web based management tools?
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on September 7, 2000 03:52:01 PM
Hi smw:
We expect to tackle independent evaluations of auction management software as well, likely following the web-based services.
Apples and oranges, I think. Thanks for the input!
Steve
|
bhearsch
|
posted on September 7, 2000 07:32:07 PM
Hello Steve. I feel the same way smw does about the web based auction tools regarding the EOA notice that requires my info which is going to a third party. I won't bid on an auction if they use that software for their EOA notice. I strongly feel that it's an invasion of my privacy since I DID NOT buy anything from the software company and I certainly don't trust them with my personal info or a record of my buying activity.
I don't think many of the sellers that use these web based programs realize that there are some buyers who are opposed to filling out these forms. Maybe it would be a good idea to also include a stand alone program for the EOA notices in your evaluation.
Blanche
|
bhearsch
|
posted on September 7, 2000 07:37:36 PM
I just noticed that you already said you were going to evaluate the stand alone auction programs as well. Sorry for not reading your last comment carefully before posting. 
Blanche
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on September 7, 2000 08:14:44 PM
Thanks, Blanche! Those concerns are exactly the sort of input we need....
More!
|
cassiescloset
|
posted on September 7, 2000 10:23:27 PM
I hear Honesty merged with Andale.
As a buyer, I don't like Andale. Too much clicking.
I'm a MAC user so my choices are limited. I'm giving auctionrover a try.
|
abacaxi
|
posted on September 8, 2000 06:31:01 AM
Steve -
I REFUSE to use any web-based service that requires me to get out of email and fill out information on a website for the convenience of the seller. and if the seller enters myu information in the database on my behalf, they get a negative!
I do not trust javascript-fed online databases, given that bad coding is so common.
I do not trust an online company to keep my information private ... http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/1/13030.html is a sarcastic look at the latest move by Spamazon.com
I do not bid on Andale's seller's auctions any more (one slipped by me by accident recently, but I usually see the distinctive layout and skip right past it.)
If I get an email from web-based management sites telling me to log on and fill in forms, I tell them to @$%^ off.
|
smw
|
posted on September 8, 2000 07:09:22 AM
Steve, Thank you. Although I think I could make a case to include stand alone programs in the survey instrument. Oranges and tangerines, as opposed to apples and oranges.
Susan
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on September 8, 2000 08:06:34 AM
You're right, Susan. Oranges and tangerines. But one fruit at a time...
We've got about a dozen members willing to test drive these services, listing auctions to see what works and what doesn't, and see how steep the learning curve is (that's always a concern of mine!). The concerns we hear from you folks here will ensure that we take a critical look at the areas that are of concern to the user.
Good feedback. More!
Steve
[email protected]
http://www.auctionusers.org
[ edited by magazine_guy on Sep 8, 2000 08:07 AM ]
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on September 17, 2000 10:25:23 AM
Has anyone tried any of the lesser known web-based services? ManageAuction? AuctionWorks? AuctionFlow? AuctionLogic? AuctionDesk?
What features do you look for (or hate) in these web-based tools?
S.
|
cariad
|
posted on September 17, 2000 04:21:27 PM
I use AW for image hosting, but don't use their auction manager because I have never been able to get it to work on my computer. I use stand alone programs to manage my auctions and will gladly tell you how happy I am weith them when you're ready for Oranges and tangerines.
cariad
Noah's last words: "damn woodpeckers"
|
pamlur
|
posted on September 17, 2000 04:29:12 PM
I have a Mac, too, and I also have to be careful. I used GoTo(tm)Auctions for my last group, and I loved it! I took my time writing them up, then told them when to launch. They store the pics, too. They would do the invoicing, feedback, etc., but I don't go that route because I like to keep it personal. I sell few enough items that I don't need the automated stuff.
Pam
|
snowyegret
|
posted on September 17, 2000 04:50:04 PM
Up till now, I've been using AW's Auction Manager for listing. Very easy to use, and my question today was answered very fast. I'm trying out Auction Manager Pro, so far, also easy.
I like the Post Management at AW except for the EOA. I don't use it for reasons of privacy and convenience for buyers, I use my own EOA.
I won't bid on an Andale auction for that reason.
I do use the Inventory tool here at AW-EASY!
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on September 30, 2000 11:05:31 AM
Snowyegret:
Isn't AW's AM Pro downloadable software? So it's web-based but also requires you install a program on your PC?
Any other thoughts on the web-based auction management systems?
How important is speed of listing with these systems?
|
neomax
|
posted on September 30, 2000 03:01:55 PM
Just curious ... but doesn't auctionposter ... I think it is eposter now -- software also fill the bill here?
I too am looking at this area and my understanding is this one is a PC-based solution instead of the web-java script.
neomax
|
dman3
|
posted on September 30, 2000 04:20:12 PM
I have used all these services.
Andale
I found this to be ok but confuseing for seller and the buyer and at times slow.
Also they charge now I find all these new companys each chargeing up to 2% I find that with so many services chargeing fees on top of ebay listing fees and FVF this is starting to cut deep and makeing it near imposible to turn a profit and still sell at a competitive rate.
Auction Rover
all free services for buyer and sellers
I find they have great tools templets invoiceing inventory managment picture service counters after sale services includeing bulk feed back and they offer you a free store front nice service. they also offer auto resumit of all unsold listings it will relist every unsold Item over and over till you make it stop.
thing I have noticed with this service is things work nice look good its professional makes High volume invetory control and profit after cost easy to keep track of . but so many buyers either fear or wont be bothered with the check out shopping cart type process even ads in shipping for them that it makes half there service of no use I end up haveing to send a personal EOA and all my self ant how. service is great people make it useless.
Auction watch manager
I use this for Ebay nice templetes and picture services though I have been useing the service now nearly a year it changes so offten I have never been able to figure it all out before it changes again.
Ampro same as the above service but down loaded software in to computer to bulk upload nice if you want to work off line.
Honesty
nice counters but nothing else about it have I ever used I wasnt selling on ebay at all at the time they had no suport for yahoo.
Auction manage:
I signed up for the service but never got to launch one auction from the site it just seemed as if it was met for a auction hacker the game was to figure out how to make the listings.
Auction tamer:
this is good software mainly for snippers it has some seller tools email templets and invoice stuff but I have seen better.
Auction pro:
nice auction seller software but never used it past the free 30 days trail period price to steep concidering all the thing it can do can be had free.
EZ AD PRO:
Great little Free software program makes auction color table templet corol text and text sizes that adds your email address website and link to your other auctions to the bottom and 2 pictures as well.
frist Good Auction site like ebay to offer all the services from start to finish for free or for one flat monthly fee gets my business online credit shoppingcart place to sell and all will gets my business.
I feel the average non power seller has it tuff and pays far more then there share these days one site one flat $20 or $25 a month is garenteed money in there pocket kinda like mini powersellers account.
put yahoos 1000 item limit with a good credit card service photo hosting counter and a auction listing tool with invoice and inventory control shopping cart auto EOA with shipping and all totaled up $20 a month with one or two free feature items per month
on ebay this would draw more sellers no problem.
WWW.dman-n-company.com
|
VeryModern
|
posted on September 30, 2000 05:34:40 PM
Good ideas dman - also add to your list that Tamer supports Yahoo. A big plus.
|
snowyegret
|
posted on September 30, 2000 05:41:00 PM
magazine guy: Yes, download, then can set up auctions off line, then upload. Nice when there's competition in house to get on line.
|
CleverGIrl
|
posted on September 30, 2000 06:19:27 PM
dman -- where do you get the EZ AD PRO?
|
dman3
|
posted on September 30, 2000 07:39:56 PM
well you get EZ AD PRO at the ezadpro store where else
I dont think this is a violation of AW TOS its not a competition to them and this works even with there auction manager service.
www.etusa.com/auction
good luck it a very small program takes a min or so to down load.
WWW.dman-n-company.com
|
dave_michmerhuizen
|
posted on September 30, 2000 09:29:06 PM
I would like to point out that auction sellers software needs encompass three categories, and your reviews should consider them that way. I list them in order of need (my call)...
1. accounts payable
2. auction listing management
3. inventory management
I can't speak for the web based solutions. I use auctionsubmit for auction listing management, and A.I.D. for accounts payable (along with an old copy of re-sale for yahoo auctions). These are standalone programs.
The reason I make the distinction is that not everyone really needs or wants inventory management capabilities, and in fact many small sellers are happy to do their own listings directly through eBay.
BUT! - what every seller needs is accounts payable.
ebay: [email protected]
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on October 2, 2000 04:17:56 PM
Dave:
When you say accounts payable, you're talking about the whole post-auction process? EOA email, payment update to database, printing shipping label and packing slip?
Steve
|
ladyjane
|
posted on October 2, 2000 06:05:28 PM
Hi Steve.
Just thought I would post here what I am looking for, but haven't found yet. Outside of the ability to list and view my auctions through an auction management software, I would like a database that shows profit/loss...what I paid for the item, fees incurred for listing, the winning bid, as well as S&H. And if it could be imported into Works 2000 spreadsheets or database, as well as the biggies like Access, Excel and Quicken...that would be a real big plus!
Email address (or user ID or both). EOA is good as long as I control what it says.
Ability to use my own auction html template without character limitations.
Counters are not necessary, and neither is image hosting, although both are good.
What I absolutley don't want is automatic invoicing or check out counters, unless it also could be customizable for me to add my personal touch to the invoice or message on the check out counter.
Having a manual that actually takes you through the steps from beginning to end, instead of helter skelter, would be a big plus. I found several programs that I would like to use, but have given up in frustration at having to bounce from place to place just to get the darn thing set up and then bounced around again to find out how actually starting an auction works. I don't know why these sites can't keep it simple.
I also think I prefer software that resides on my computer.
|
magazine_guy
|
posted on October 2, 2000 06:37:53 PM
Thanks, ladyjane. I've just added a couple things to the evaluation based on your comments. And I agree about keeping it simple, although I suspect that as they keep adding features that folks ask for, simplicity is elusive.
|
