posted on July 11, 2001 10:01:25 AM new
Don't know what's the secret to BargainandHaggle's success in drawing in buyers, but they've done a great job for a new site! All the others are just mediocre to WORSE!
Maybe it's the creative site layout and professional look and feel. Or it could be the unique trading concept. Who knows?
eBay isn't stunting they're growth in any way.
The new Carnaby site may have an even more impressive look and feel than BargainandHaggle or even eBay. They've got some talented designers working on that site! It's not quite Amazon but it's really nice! The Gegy site layout is lackluster in comparison but they're still throwing the site together. ePier and Bidville are OK but kinda boring. JMHO
posted on July 12, 2001 06:09:55 AM new
i've looked at Carnaby - i thought there were too many clicks to get to a page -
bargainandhaggle seems to be okay. Response to questions a little slow - but there is opportunity.
sales moving well - considering time of year
posted on July 12, 2001 08:20:03 AM new
I'm sure customers will wander to other sites and the numbers may even seems large at some point (thousands visiting alternative sites on any day)
But as a percentage of the total visiting eBay it will remain very small. And if we are to continue actual auction pricing as against fixed priced selling the numbers will have to reach some critical mass number to provide the potential for two or more customers being available within the same time period to enter competing bids on individual items.
Some customers will visit and maybe even make a purchase but until we establish a base group that return and shop the alternative sites regularly it will be difficult to actually have a viable marketplace.
Ask yourself "If you wanted a very specific widget, where would you start looking for it?" eBay, a speciality site known to you or a search engine? What are the chances you would search 3,4 or 5 smaller sites on the chance one is listed?
I believe the buying habits of the general public will have to be applied to the online marketplace.
I don't pretend to have studied this subject and will defer to thousands of people and businesses that have done market research for specific answers.
I do know my own habits. Convenience items (gas, snacks, a gallon of milk when I run out) get purchased at one of the nearest available stores offering the item, "shopping" is done at a Mall, a big box store or a speciality shop known to me and I'll occasional make a trip to a "alternative" type location like a discount mall, a community of speciality stores (Old Town Alex. where all the signs say Olde .....Shoppe) or some place or event that I've heard about.
Where do you spend your money? Why? What could get you to change? How long would it take before a number of people like yourself changed your present habits and made repeated purchases at a different location?
Add to the general buying patterns the whole question of "online buying" as against RL buying and the fact it takes seconds to move from one online site to another (rather than the RL driving/parking time)and the whole issue starts to make my head hurt.
And remember it is the sellers who have problems with eBay. The buyers, for the most part, are very pleased with the experience.
Still, I will not just accept the decisions of eBay and their ever growing control of my online selling. So I'll continue to look, hope and try.
posted on July 12, 2001 08:46:14 AM new
Dear thepriest
>>i've looked at Carnaby - i thought there were too many clicks to get to a page -
We are always interested in finding out what improvements can be made to our site and its navigation.
I realize this is not the forum to discuss this issue at length, but would like to extend you an invitation to discuss your suggestions through our customer support address, [email protected]
