posted on June 14, 2001 02:20:31 PM new
I'm interested in the developing Auctionpie story, and, gee whiz, if there's a representative checking this forum I'd appreciate some information on its present status.
Actually agree or disagree they are not treating Jamie any different then they would any other company Rep...
There is indeed a big difference in a bunch of sellers and buyers getting togeather here to discuss buying and selling in a co-operative way togeather all volenteering there time and being equals.
Now when Jamie comes here he is not comeing as another seller he is comeing as a CEO or rep promoteing an auction site he is founding.
ALso this is no longer a volenteer organization, Jamie stated people who are helping will profit from there work this makes them Employees, share holders or reps of the auction site.
posted on June 14, 2001 03:39:18 PM new
It is clear that Auctionpie will be an "auction site," not a "co-op." That being said, the discussion in the now closed thread was, in my opinion, largely informative and not promotional in nature.
posted on June 14, 2001 03:42:30 PM new
I said I would stay out of this, but some remarks were directed at the "co-op group" to which I would like to respond. Also, I have read Joice's post regarding company reps. I appreciate AuctionWatch clarifying the rules for us and I will abide by them.
There are two points raised by Auctionpie that I would like to address. First, I believe there is interest in building a co-op, and that it can succeed. Users are not lukewarm on the idea of a co-op. When OASC fractured several months ago, we felt it was best to wait "until the smoke cleared" before proceeding further. The co-op environment had become divided and a spirit of competition had entered which was antiethical to co-op goals. Co-ops work together. What we found was an attitude of "our co-op vs. your co-op." We did not "give up" on the idea of building a co-op. We took a voluntary time out.
Second, this boils down to a matter of principles. Yes, building a co-op is difficult. We all make choices. Every day we each make choices that will affect the course our lives take. And if at a certain point there seems to be a choice between choosing co-op principles, or building "just another auction site," then that is a choice that must be made. Auctionpie has apparently decided that running a business cooperatively is not feasible. I see things differently. My primary goal is to create a co-op. Not to make a lot of money. The co-op is about self-help and helping communities. I see it as a grass-roots movement, not a business venture.
Many folks have told us why this can't work. Six months ago people were saying we couldn't afford the servers and software. We found that we could operate a co-op for the price of a movie ticket. People were saying that buyers wouldn't come. No doubt this project is an uphill climb and there will be obstacles to overcome, but it can be done. I am looking at this as a long term-project, and perhaps we won't even have a mailbox for another year or more. But a co-op can and will happen. Auctionpie will choose the path they want, and we will continue to work towards building a co-op. Despite what Auctionpie claims, the co-op movement is far from dead.
For clarification, I am speaking as a rep of OASC, not Auctionpie.
