posted on January 26, 2002 04:46:26 PM new
I would like to know if there is a viable alternative to Ruby Lane counters out there? Their free service is not updating properly anymore. I signed up for the 30 day trial Premium service but will most likely just stop using counters altogether soon. I list the same exact items on eBay weekly and have never had a problem turning over my stock each week. I am long past the point of data analysis and mostly just use them to determine when my items are indexed. $25 bucks will not make or break me but neither will not using a counter anymore. So are there any free counter services left? Are they any good?
posted on January 26, 2002 06:46:06 PM new
I'm using andale's and ranchoweb's right now. I like the look of Andale but if all you are after is the count without the frills take a look at Ranchoweb.
posted on January 26, 2002 06:55:36 PM new
I really need a counter that can be added using HTML. I list using auction management software that offers an optional Ruby Lane counter but does not offer the option of choosing eBay's counter instead.
Ranchoweb looks a little primitive but may have prospects.
posted on January 27, 2002 05:13:53 AM new
Does anyone else have to wait a long while for the free ebay counter to load up? It's only about 5 or 10 seconds but on a everything-is-instantaneous cable modem that seems like 5 or 10 minutes. A lot of time the free counter doesn't load up all of the counter ( of course the hits number never makes it but the "Powered By Andale" does ). Very unreliable.
posted on January 27, 2002 08:12:13 PM new
posted January 19, 2002 07:45 AM By Rubylane Administration.
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We did give notice about this change on the boards, and have been discussing this issue for months now.
Since free users are not registered with us, we do not have a way to contact them directly via email.
In the early days, 2-3 years ago, we paid for the resources used by the free counters because in return, we received advertising exposure and clickthroughs for our main site. It was an advertising expense for us, and worked out well.
With changes in eBay's linking policy, we can no longer put "Ruby Lane Antiques & Collectibles" beside our counter (Antiques & Collectibles is promotional, and is the thing that made people identify Ruby Lane as a site for A&C rather than counters) and we cannot link to our main web site; we have to link to the counter page instead.
As a result, free counters are no longer effective advertising for our business. Clickthroughs from free counters have decreased from hundreds per day to 10-15 per day. Just like you, we cannot afford to pay for advertising that isn't effective for our business.
Demand for free counters is growing around 25% per month. It doesn't make sense for us to increase our capacity 25% per month if there is no benefit for that cost. Subscriptions have to pay for the resources used by the counters, and we have to make sure that the resources demanded by free users do not exceed our reserve capacity.
The environment has changed - we have to roll with the punches too...
posted on January 28, 2002 09:55:13 AM new
"Just Pay the Man" Its easy to do and saves all that trouble and worry over wondering if your free service will bite the dust or worse give innaccurate information. Find a good pay service package, Pay the monthly fee and record it as a cost of doing business. Just like paying rent or paying for your business telephone. Pretty much everything that was once free is either gone or so degraded as to be useless. Dont be the last one to turn in your buggy whip for a cell phone ..
posted on January 28, 2002 06:15:02 PM new
Ruby Lane Premium counters are one of the best deals out there. The information you can get from the hour by hour page view info has really helped me to focus on advantageous start times for my auctions.
While I have no hard data to support it, I am convinced that this service has paid for itself and then some!
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