posted on July 12, 2001 11:40:44 AM
There has been alot of bickering around here recently in regards to the other sites and their stats and what they mean.
We can all see that the sell through rates are nowhere near what we would like them to be.
The problem is there are alot of comments that make it seem like these sites are forever doomed to obscurity.
The only way these sites are going to improve is with POSITIVE reenforcement and suggestions.
Despite AW's attempts at self implosion with their new fees, many people come here seeking ideas and suggestions of places to sell their items.
The stats alone show that there are many people listing at other sites (note the 600,000 listings at Bidville) so the newbie will know he is not alone. They will also see the low sell through rate but in my opinion, will be likely to give these sites a chance seeing the hundreds of other sellers doing the same thing.
But the repeated hammering of these sites over one thing or another can tend to chase people away. To those that spend their time hammering these sites, I ask you to ask yourself, what are you trying to accomplish?
Many sellers and buyers are putting alot of work into their trade without much success right now but most are not giving up. I see no need to belittle their efforts OR the sites they choose to list on.
Off my soapbox.
http://ballsandstrikescollectibles.beckett.com/
posted on July 12, 2001 12:20:18 PM
Name one poster who has said that they have been chased away by statistics interpreted in a negative manner? I think you greatly over-rate the influence of the statistical posts. Most sellers would simply go to the site and look at the specific category they are interested in listing in to see if there is any activity IN THAT CATEGORY.
If the statistical threads are being read widely, I suspect it's because other posters keep pushing the threads to the top, giving the threads a high profile.
posted on July 12, 2001 12:43:34 PM
I did not say the stats themselves are chasing people away. If I was a looking for someplace to sell. I see stats that say 100,000 items with a 1.4% sell rate.
Now I can see for myself without anyone having to tell me that sales are slow there. However reading "doom and gloom" posts on top of the stats that the sites have no future etc are what are running people away. Where are the posts telling people to keep up the hard work? That is what is needed here.
http://ballsandstrikescollectibles.beckett.com/
posted on July 12, 2001 05:05:41 PM
The statistics commonly posted are a positive/negative. I, personally, have benefited from the statistics.
How?????
When I saw other sites mentioned with low sell-through rates, it's certainly not encouraging to post items up for sale as a seller. That's the negative.
However,
......because I am also a frequent buyer, it means that I can probably go to one of those sites & find some pretty good items up for sale at a great price.
For example....my son wanted a GameBoy Color for his birthday....yellow, to be specific. I couldn't touch one on Ebay for less than $40. Found it on one of those other lesser sites for $15. Now....that's a great price!
Without the constant posting of statistics, I probably never would have even considered looking at any of the other sites.
I've visited AW's discussion forums for quite some time now, just to hear the lastest buzz on Ebay. However, recently ventured over to "other sites" to see what all the ruckus was about.
Glad to see all the talk,,,,,both positive & negative.....about the other sites. Everyone is entitled to an opinion & it's always nice to share info that others might find useful, both the good & the bad.
Edited because of my lowsy spelling....oh where's my Websters when I need one??!
[ edited by mslargo on Jul 12, 2001 05:07 PM ]
posted on July 12, 2001 07:15:58 PM
"I think you greatly over-rate the influence of the statistical posts."
Realizing that this statement was not addressed to me, I would nonetheless like to comment. My comment being that statistical posts would be fine, if they were objective. The problems occur with so called "statistical" posts coupled with negative bias commentary. When presenting statistics, doesn't a bias commentary of any kind tend to cast clouds over the statistical value?
posted on July 14, 2001 10:05:09 AM
I dont understand why keep attacking a small site that is trying to get a foot hold. Sites like Bidville, Epier, Lowestbid, Auctionsloon, B&H, Edeal and the others are doing their best to find a place on the net. Why should this bother some people. If the attacks are questioned then the person behind the question is attacked (Normaly in a nice friendly kind of way). I sell on Bidville and when I see something being said that I dont agree with then then I am called a Cheerleader and that is fine but let me call the attacker of the site I sell on a Basher and I get warned that is not fair JMO. I still say these people that have all the numbers and that are so smart should back up what they say and start their own site and put the Giants like ebay out of business not keep attacking the smaller sites that have the nerve to find there place in the auction world. At least the people that start these smaller sites do try the negative talkers are just that negative.
