It's time to stop passing the buck every time eBay makes some type of change and step up to the plate and provide us with software that we WANT to purchase once the licensing period expires.
Do you honestly think anyone is going to spend between $100.00 - $150.00 a year for eBud/Auctiva (or whatever you want to call it) based on the level of support you provide?
You B*tch about the cost of eBay's Affiliate Program. That means nothing to me or anyone else who may be a paying customer in the future. There are costs associated with doing business and based on the support I have received since you purchased eBud from John, I can't see spending the $30.00 that John was charging; much less the current price of $120.00.
I want to use eBud as a tool for my business, but YOU are making this harder as time goes on.
Examples:
1. What happened to the feedback? On the Auctiva message board YOUR staffer writes "it's eBay breaking stuff again it seems". What the heck is that supposed to tell me? If I'm a paying customer that excuse is not acceptable! In fact, it's downright stupid.
2. email support: If I have a problem, I don't want to wait 24-48 for an answer, or have to send a second email before I get a response. 8 hours is one thing - 48 hours is another!
3. Message Boards: Sadly if I need help, I can get more information from users on Auctionwatch then I can get on YOUR message board. What does that say about the level of your service?
4. YOUR solution to advanced warning on changes with eBay: "the result will be us passing on the costs of it to our users". So what you're telling us is that if we pay a $150.00 a year fee you can't guarantee a stable program unless we pay more?
5. Updates: How hard would it really be to inform (via email) your users when a new version is released? Again, it speaks volumes for the way you treat your customers.
Myself, like many others are in the "grace period" between the time eBud was purchased by Auctiva. I can say without hesitation that if I don't see a vast improvement in the way you support ME as a customer, I will have little use for this software.
Just look at how Auctionwatch, Honesty/Andale will jump through hoops to keep their customers happy. It's time to provide us with outstanding service & support. Otherwise, nobody who takes their business seriously will offer the same courtesy to you.
posted on June 9, 2001 12:21:53 AM
When I had a problem they answered me by the days end. They posted it, right below my question, and gave me the link. If I had any more questions I just posted them after their message. It was very easy and helpfull.
posted on June 9, 2001 04:58:24 AM
I too am tired of all the changes and the program not working half of the time. But I think a lot of the mess has to do with Ebay constantly playing with their website and changing things. I think that Ebay has a BIG PLAN and that is to make it SO difficult to use third party software to create and manage auctions that everyone will just finally give up and use the Ebay software. I truly feel sorry for the third party software developers who have to make upgrades to their software every day to keep up with Ebay. Also, probably half of the stuff Ebay changes is really unnecessary!!
posted on June 9, 2001 12:19:52 PM
Hi paint power,
I agree 100% that eBay does make changes, and that they may have no real purpose. But when the time comes we're paying $150.00 a year, or $15.00 a month for eBud, are you really going to accept the Auctiva excuse that eBay's Affiliate Program is expensive and the cost has to be absorbed by the users? Especially if you're one of those who paid the $150.00 upfront. I, for one won't accept waiting around a few days until they "figure out" how to fix it.
The bottom line is that you are expecting something to work and it isn't. Read the Auctiva message board and you will see the support staff crying "The dog ate my homework" all too often.
posted on June 9, 2001 12:41:07 PM
I, for one, am not going to give in easily to eBay's obvious efforts to kill off all third party providers...of ALL services. Pics, management, you name it.
EBay already has a lock on the online auction business. Has it been good for us? Stop and think how awful it will be, if eBay manages to finagle a monopoly on all services, too. The problems we have now will be nothing compared to what we'll endure, if eBay has no competition with services, either.
And do you think eBay's fees will be cheaper than the third party's? Not bleeping likely. I'd rather deal with eBud's problems keeping up, than more complete disregard from eBay. They can just ignore us...eBud can't. Not if they want to stay in business. At this point, eBay has little incentive to please us...they know we're stuck.
I don't want to help eBay gain even more control over my business.
posted on June 9, 2001 06:08:08 PM
joe64, please file a help request form on the help tab at auctiva and I will be glad to follow your case and help with any issues.
Thank you to all the supporters that understand the changes we need to make to keep up with eBay. In general it's usually about once or twice a month, but has been more feverish recently. Likely in anticipation of the storefronts. We dont really blame eBay as it's neccessity for them to evolve and change their site and for us to need to make updates. It's the only way short of licensing their API.
joe64, I dont think you understand the magnitude of the charges we are talking about. It's not 5%. We're talking 50% of our revenue and probably more. And they know that since we've told them many times and they've seen all of our financials. We honestly wouldnt have any choice but pass those on one for one.
And this doesn't even take into account any of the other stipulations that.
toke, speaking not as auctiva, but I am with you. Anything that can be done to help lessen eBays strangle hold is probably a good thing. I applaud anyone who uses any 3rd party too whether it be us, auctionwatch, andale, goto, or anyone else. And those that actually list to other sites that is even better. Unfortunately eBay seems to be it these days. Using a 3rd party is just one small way to keep eBay out of 100% of your pie.
