posted on February 13, 2001 11:23:17 AM
I really hoped there was a common ground we could find and move forward, but I'm not sure there is... maybe it'll come later. I hope so.
In the meantime, there's a lot to be done. Right now, a feasability study is, IMO, the proper next step. Bouncing ideas around is great, but developing a structure and format for a co-op marketplace is for later. Right now, we need to figure out what's needed to build it, launch it, and maintain it... and can we come up with what we need to do that.
If you have a specific expertise and time to donate toward this single goal (feasability study), please send me an email.
This is not intended to impede anything Canvid13 is working on, or to detract from his considerable efforts, however it is a separate initiative.
posted on February 13, 2001 11:32:11 AM
Great idea - but, I believe impractical.
View the other threads -
The wheel has been invented and is turning with or without us...
posted on February 13, 2001 11:37:37 AM
This is a breath of fresh air.
As you know, Bobby, I'm strongly in favor of slowing down and doing this right. I'll happily put my support behind any effort that methodically and carefully builds a strong foundation.
I have no specific expertise to offer a committee, but if there's some grunt work to be done just let me know!
posted on February 13, 2001 11:44:42 AM
Toy - in my limited experience or expertise about this, is a feasibility study one of the initial steps as set forth in the coop models (we are supposed to be familiarizing ourselves with)?
If so, count me in. I might not be very available at first but, perhaps, when some fires here are put out, I can be of more service.
Yes, I've read several different 'How To' tutorials and all of them have feasability study as the next step. That and putting together a group to conduct the study, or hire consultants to do that, as it were...
Since we have no money to hire consultants, and since we have such a diverse and talented group of people within the OAI and accessible to us through the internet, I believe the study itself can be conducted by a group formed here, with some possible outside assistance.
Right now, that's the only thing on the table. Conduct the study, present the results, then we'll need to hold a (big) meeting of interested persons to discuss the results. Someone I know is working on finding the right participation technology to make the meeting possible, and to make sure participation is fully enabled in that meeting.
posted on February 13, 2001 03:05:49 PM
I am not directing this comment to anyone on this thread, and there would only be one particular person to whom I could personally direct it anyway, I just simply don't know the players, and frankly, I'm almost glad I don't...
In the past 4 days, I've learned a lesson about our little "Community." I only wish I had had (like I said) the episode guides for the previous episodes before I opened my big mouth on the first Coop thread... There are people here that are seemingly engaged in these little internecine rivalries, and not just two or three groups, but apparent "factions" coming out of the woodwork. I hope the realization dawns on most of the people involved in these little "power struggles" that there would be no better way of dooming any cooperative enterprise such as this to failure as conducting these struggles in front of the audience in which they are trying to arouse interest for the project. Maybe before these threads proceed, a group should get together and write a clear mission statement, which is, in different words, exactly what the Coop site proposes as step 1. Post the URL here. Invite comment. Fine tune it, then post the final version.
posted on February 13, 2001 03:17:37 PM
Hello Everyone,
There are 4 threads in the top 10 in Ebay Outlook for a Co-op, showing this to be a very popular topic indeed. Anyone like to take their thread to Other Online Auctions forum?
Joice
Moderator.
**Forgot the question mark
[ edited by joice on Feb 13, 2001 03:18 PM ]
posted on February 13, 2001 03:18:25 PM
Calm down, Tentwentytwo. I do *know* the board history/inter-relationships of the strong personalities creating the discord. That's why I backed out when the first discord occurred.
Unlike the others, Toyranch is a natural leader and team player, and that is what is needed right now.
posted on February 13, 2001 03:26:15 PM
Hahaha, Irene, I can't calm down, that would be against my grain, but fortunately, calming down has nothing to do with what I posted, nothing whatsoever. Until I myself and I'm sure many others see some SANITY in this process, sanity without the other stuff, letting this air out in public may not be a good idea. For my part, the way I got involved in this mess to begin with was by agreeing with another poster that what was set forth by Mr. C. didn't make sense, but I was STILL willing to help. NOW, until I see something on the table that actually does make sense, and is proceeding in an other-than haphazard, not out-of-sequence manner, I don't want anything to do with it.
That's about as calm and fair a judgement as I'm able to make.
Since this isn't actually an 'Other Online Auction', it's just a discussion about creating one, (note: I'm very hesitant to even define it as exclusively an auction, hence the term 'Marketplace'), I was wondering if it would be possible to create an alternate forum for this purpose. I'd really like to leave these discussions here at AuctionWatch, but really, it wouldn't be assistive to this process to toss what we're talking about into the middle of the 'BidBay Wars' over there.
Is that possible?
Or can we stay here if we promise to be good and not start any more threads?
posted on February 13, 2001 04:13:09 PM
I am not certain why a "feasibility" study and detailed analysis is needed for this concept. Or any of them.
Seems simple to me, you want an alternative to eBay with better customer service and reasonable rates. Exactly why does that take a committee to figure out? Should we call the pentagon and ask them to assist? I am sure we could spend a billion dollars to determine that what is needed is...
A new auction site with better customer service and reasonable rates.
Let me summarize in 10 steps what is needed:
1) A domain name that is easy to remember.
2) A extensive database that is tested and reliable to be the backbone of the auction site.
3) An easy to use interface and quick loading graphics
4) Reliable Servers. The adult sites never have a problem with staying up, perhaps we should ask them what they use.
5) LOW FEES for sellers. FREE to buyers.
6) Common Sense Guidelines for Fees and Anti-Fraud, and a moderator for disputes.
7) Marketing.
8) More Marketing.
9) A lot more advertising.
10) Steal eBay customer base.
Seems to me the simplest start is a name, you already have the concept and its "feasibility". So start with a name for goodness sake. CO-OP sounds like we are gonna go down and pickup some feed and seeds.
Is it feasible? Yes. Can it be done. Yes. Can you upsurp eBay? Only through marketing and determination of people who want a different venue. That is the ONLY if in the equation.
Just my 2 cents since no one is listening to me anyway...
posted on February 13, 2001 04:27:53 PM
booksbooksbooks~
That's yet to be fully defined, but I think there are a lot of good ideas and I think the site would have to be comprised of many, if not all, of the above...
It could be an auction, as well as a selling channel marketplace.
It could offer bidders something other sites don't offer them. (The bill of rights concept is part of that. There's more I have in mind, but it really should NOT be discussed right now. I got a call from ebay yesterday about this. They're watching, so are many others.)
I love Code's ideas about niche sites. One of my early posts had to do with niche categories that are customized by the sellers who sell in those niches. Maybe with rotating elected leadership (with term limits) or something. I dunno, just ideas.
Really, it should be all of that, and can be all of that. Don't you think? There are SO MANY good ideas.
But the study, as I see it, should encompass variables to be decided upon by those who join it, if it ever comes to be... It shouldn't be just one thing or another at this point.
Joice~
No, can't promise . We can only ask/hope. Or maybe you can limit threads and lock new ones? I dunno. That's up to you. Really, I think we all want to cooperate with AuctionWatch, which has been very generous in allowing us this forum to reach out and receive input from so many auction users.
