posted on March 25, 2006 05:52:36 PM new
I just noticed the advertisement for eBay's new ProStore. It seems to be nothing more than a very high priced website with a monthly subscription ranging from $6.95 to $249.95 per month plus a 1.5% to 0.5% transaction fee. That seems to be a new concept on hosting websites I don't know of any other web host that charges a transaction fee. http://www.prostores.com/product-information.shtml
For of what I read, the merchandise of the ProStore does not show up on the regular eBay Search, so what is the advantage to overpaying eBay for their ProStore web hosting. Or people think that because it is sponsored by eBay it has magic - therefore sales?
Has eBay gone nuts? Or are people that gullible, and this is eBay's version of the Pet Rock.
May be I misunderstood? If so, please tell me what are the advantages such as the eBay Search that makes auctions, fixed price listing attractive to sellers and buyers alike.
[ edited by usmarines on Mar 25, 2006 06:01 PM ]
posted on March 25, 2006 11:31:24 PM new
Yeah, it sounds like a good ebay scam. I got a advertisement from ebay (been getting alot of them recently) the other day about using their Pro Store and webhosting. Thought it was interesting until I saw the small print that even if you sell something off of YOUR website ebay still get's a cut. Like I said, what a scam, unless you like pet rocks.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein
posted on March 26, 2006 07:46:18 AM new
This is similar to having a store on Yahoo shopping,which charges 39.99 for 40,000 items per month and a transaction fee of 1 - 2 %(go to yahoo shopping and find the exact percentage ) when an item is sold.
Yahoo used to charge a flat fee and then switch to this new plan with an option of pay per click.
Yahoo bot the search engine Overture to manage pay per click,for most shops,it is a total waste of money,just because someone clicks on your item,does not mean they are going to buy,worse it attracts Nigerian and Indonesians to keep clicking and buying with stolen credit cards.
Oh,also your competitors will be busy clicking too just to find out how much you charge for the same item they want to sell and how you take pictures and describe them.
But if you are looking to have your own website with backend processing and shopping cart,you may want to consider Ebay or Yahoo as they are more reputable and financially stronger than many fly by nites outfits
/ lets all stop whining !! /
posted on March 26, 2006 05:04:22 PM new
WOW,I just checked out some Prostore featured shops,I am impressed by their layout.
This and Yahoo shop are more suitable for selling new items.
Good job,Ebay!!
/ lets all stop whining !! /
posted on March 27, 2006 08:07:17 AM new WOW,I just checked out some Prostore featured shops,I am impressed by their layout.
Don't be so quick to pat eBay on the back just yet. Those featured shops - the merchants most likely paid a minimum of $600+ design fees to get them set up.
The standard ProStore website does not look like that. It looks like your run of the mill, generic website template and modifying them one is a nightmare.
Not to mention, the eBay integration is minimal at best and has more glitches than eBay itself.
posted on March 27, 2006 08:44:31 AM new
Thanks for the link,I see there are startup problems.
Take a look at Yahoo shopping,it has been around longer than prostore.
posted on March 27, 2006 08:46:44 AM new
one question-
Yahoo has Overture ,Google has google,what does Ebay plan to use as search engine for its prostores??
Or are the prostore owners left on their own twisting in the wind??
/ lets all stop whining !! /
posted on March 27, 2006 10:38:38 AM new
I'm not really sure what type of SEO they offer - I never got in deep enough to start worrying about that part.
I heard some say they showed up quick in the search engines, but I saw just as many say they had been there for over 6 months and still weren't getting any placement at all.
They promote using the Froogle feed, and they are supposed to be set up to make it easy to submit your products, BUT it has been out of commission and hasn't worked right for months.
posted on March 27, 2006 10:55:16 AM new
6 months??
TRY 6 YEARS!!!
I have been on Yahoo shopping for 5 years,since I dont pay them for 'pay per click',my items do not show up on Yahoo search,but they show up on worldwide search.
posted on March 29, 2006 10:00:26 AM new
At one time I looked into Yahoo Stores, but, as far as I am concerned, I can do a web site cheaper, not be bothered by any Yahoo rules or financial cuts, and sell more.
~"It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think. The only thing which matters is: What is the TRUTH!"~
posted on March 29, 2006 01:02:39 PM new
eBay bought this ProStores from a company called Kurrant, product called StoreSense.
Our site has been using Kurrant for a while now so I can tell you from experience a few things.... They have a proprietary html language that is NOT fun trying to learn... We have a generic looking interface and (having worked daily with it for too long now) we see it's limitations. We are looking to change this year to a more robust platform (MonsterCommerce most likely). The product is ok for cookie cutter looks and quick learning curve to get up and running fast but in general I am dissapointed in it. I think there are better options out there and ProStores is tailored more for those "enamored with eBay as a lifestyle" kind of people.
posted on March 29, 2006 01:20:37 PM new
There are still many brick and mortar retail stores which do not have web sites,so they may find Ebay prostore appealing.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein