posted on February 7, 2001 05:42:09 PM new
They announced today that they will be charging for their service and I hope Auction Watch does not also start charging. One thing that bothers me is that they gave only 3 week notice. Its standard business etiquette to give at least 30 days before making any major changes. That is just standard practice! They did not even offer me that, even though I have been a loyal customer. I just hope I can handle the move to AuctionWatch. I emailed GoTo Auctions asking them if they would be charging about 3 weeks ago because I predicted they would be charging within a month!
I was told "you will get the news directly from us -- far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision."
The problem is, they did not give us notice in advance! I have auctions ending in 10 days. So, that leaves me with a week and a half to move all my invoices, etc to another service. That is not enough time! When I mentioned this I was met with no reply! I don't understand why they would do this to customers like myself who helped promote their service at one point.
Not like they would be loyal to customers like myself, who are even featured on their website as a "Featured GoTo Seller" Check this link. I'm the one with the baby: http://auctions.goto.com/about/pressKit/powerSellerProfile.asp
Here is the message I sent them below, that they have yet to respond to:
One more thing. Another thing that bothers me is that I use the invoices to handle customers data. Its an unfair business practice to make me pay if I don't want to pay. In a way, your trying to force customers to pay because I have to finish up on auctionrover whatever I have invoiced because it will be to much work to convert stuff that sold now or recently to any new system I start using.
I know that made little sense, but bare with me. You only gave 3 week notice. I use auction rover to figure out who has paid, and who has not. I will use a new system now which will be fine for all future transactions, but not for the transactions that are now ending using the auctionrover service. You should have given more time than 3 weeks. Especially considering a rep said this to me about charging for GoToAuctions:
"if such a decision is made, you will get the news directly from us -- and far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision about which auction management tools are best for you and your auction business."
You tell me, do you yourself honestly consider 3 weeks "far enough in advance?" Especially considering that all my auctions for the next 10 days will be ending and I will have to instantly either bow down and pay, or lose track of my customers?
As I said, no matter how you look at it, its unfair business practice. In fact, I want some solution to this problem as this is not a fair practice to do to long time customers like myself. I have referred at least 100 people that I know for sure are using your service because of me and might end up paying. In the meantime, I'm screwed because I chose not to continue? I hope that is not the case as that is not acceptable and I will forward my complaint to every seller I know using the service, as well as on message forums on AuctionWatch. Hopefully you can understand my position, especially since one of your reps said to me "you will get the news directly from us -- far enough in advance so you can make an informed decision."
That is not enough time for anything! Its going to take those customers at least 2 weeks to send their payment in many cases! This should have only taken effect for new auctions posted after March 1st, not auctions posted before!
posted on February 7, 2001 06:20:26 PM new
Hi digitalmaster
AuctionWatch will charge, the only question is when. Be prepared for everyone to start charging.
Ad revenues on the web are falling, and many original business models based on ad revenues won't hold up. Venture capital won't last forever. Users will have to foot the bill... or a good part of it.
When all is said and done, it is quality and uniqueness of service that will stand out.
Those services that are smart, provide outstanding service and treat their customers with respect and dignity have a chance of surviving.
But it's still best to find ways to post auctions and keep track of customers/payments that do NOT rely on web-based applications, if only as a back-up plan.
posted on February 7, 2001 06:38:28 PM new
Some of us, myself included, will not pay for picture hosting services. I don't need bulk listing, I don't use any software to keep track of my auctions (since eBud sold out), and I don't sell enough to make it worth paying extra.
There are ways to host pictures other than the way offered here at AW. I am in the process of planning how I will manange my pictures etc. for the time when AW does start charging.
