posted on August 22, 2001 04:44:23 PM new
I've signed up.
Allowing for a learning curve,
it took me 2 hours to get 3
auctions listed. I work off an old
pent based machine, and appear to have
a tad trouble with all the java on
Carnaby. Just a beautiful sight, moderately
quick page load, great schematics, etc.
As most of you probably have newer
machines than my homebuilt pile of electro-poo, is any one else having trouble
getting listings up. I would love to
pile a couple hundred listings up. I
have several hundred up at several different
sights currently by hand coding them, but
have had much difficulty getting things to
progress through the listing section. The
rest of the sight functions great.
I downloaded the lister, and Norten went
crazy and Quarantined it, and won't let
me pull the thing out. So, off I go to
request a cd. And yes, I will try to help
build my 12th auction site. Strange, I do
the auction thing to make money, not stroke
my ego.
posted on August 22, 2001 05:59:21 PM new
Dear Towards,
We appreciate the patience from members like yourself who have experienced some frustration with our listing forms. We realize that our listing forms will cause delays for members who have either a relatively "older" computer or a slower internet connection.
As a seasoned seller you are aware that there are many checks that must be performed to warrant the quality and completeness of an auction listing. We feel it would be a disservice to our members if we "thin" these quality checks from our process - most of which are written into the listing forms' javascripts.
We also realize that a browser is not the best tool for listing items. Our Team addresses this issue by providing our offline bulk lister - The Max Loader. We'll be glad to forward a copy of this tool to any member of the Test Drive who has a problem downloading the application from one of our ftp sites.
We are thankful to all the sellers who have been supporting our test drive, and for the invaluable input they have provided us, which has so far resulted in two upgrades.
posted on August 22, 2001 06:57:54 PM new
Dear JMHO2,
Reports like yours always concern us. We test our site on a variety of platforms and browsers.
The replies to this board, for example, are posted on a machine running Netscape 4.78. We'd be glad to learn more about your experience and try to determine what may have caused a fault in your case.
posted on August 23, 2001 04:11:32 PM new
Yep, Netscape user here 4.61.
Pent 333
Hundred year old board.
64 meg ram
great 56k telephone
A suggestion would be to drag in
a couple old machines, 486 66, Pent,
Pent 2 and see how the sight functions
with the older machines viewing the
pages. I know that my computer is
technically obsolete, but it makes me
an extra $250 a week, and I think that
the majority of folks outthere surfing
don't have the latest flame thrower.
Just some ideas.
posted on August 23, 2001 06:04:28 PM new
That is an excellent suggestion, towards. Most of our testing is done on older Pentium 200s with 64 MB, and different flavors of Netscape and IE.
We are going to keep an eye on the demand for a "lower bandwidth" listing process, and move in that direction if there is a demand.
posted on August 23, 2001 06:45:18 PM new
Thanks Mike,
Recieved the emails, and patiently
await the cd. AND thanks for keeping
abreast of this and other boards.
Kudos for taking a few moments to
listen.
posted on August 23, 2001 07:44:09 PM new
Netscape 4.7 here with an older model (3 years) Gateway P166, 64 MB RAM, V90 56K modem, speed usually at 48000. That's about it. I got frozen screens and blue screens.
Once that happens, I don't normally go back for a second try. Could it be java?
The cash cow applet is definitely Java and it's in its 4th generation. How long has it been since you had this experience?
We have tested the applet in Win 95, 98, ME, NT and 2000 on both major browsers and on Opera. We've had reports of non-critical errors on the Macintosh and an occasional timeout (but never a critical stop) on a PC. Would you be willing to write our support email?
posted on August 23, 2001 08:01:39 PM new
Cash cow?? There's cash given away? Uhm, maybe I'll go in through IE.
I tried a few days ago after seeing it mentioned here. Then someone else mentioned it to me in an e-mail.
I'll try it again and see what happens. I'll let support know if I crash and burn again.
I really don't like using IE, but have that and Opera on my computer. I'm primarily used to Netscape and once I get used to something I don't like to change. (hint hint - I don't move around auction sites that much either )
Cash Cow? There really IS one! Just this last week, I was notified that I won a Panasonic 5 disc DVD player.
I registered a while back, and signed up to be a Test Driver for the Max Loader bulk lister and it has proved to be the best one ever IMO.
Carnaby has so far proven to me that they are worth the initial learning curve that you will experience as a newcomer, because it is a MEATY site, with MUCH info, help, auction tools, message boards, etc.
There are a lot of new faces in the auction arena lately, but I'm taking Carnaby serious..
posted on August 24, 2001 07:10:50 AM new
Yes but do they have bidders? What's the ratio of bidders to sellers and are the bidders just ones that you see everyday on the chat boards?
They eventually run out of money to bid with and if there aren't new replacements, you don't make any money.
That's the name of my game - making money.
I was joking about the cash cow. I don't normally like sites that have contests and giveaways because to me, it takes away from the auction arena. We have enough of those right now.
I also don't care for rah rah cheerleaders telling me how wonderful the sites are, because most of the time, it's just hype for referral money. I've been taken with that twice before and vowed never again.
Tell me how much money you made last month and then I'll consider coming over.
posted on August 24, 2001 07:53:28 AM new
Hi JMHO2 ...
Yes, you are right about the lack of buyers and sellers ... seems to be something that plagues all new auction sites. Even the free sites that have hundreds of thousands of listings are not making much money for their sellers.
If money is the bottom line for you, then you really only have one choice.
I also agree that maybe a little too much is being spent on prize giveaways, particularily in light of the fact that many members are still waiting for the promised big advertising blitz.
On a positive note, the folks who are talking it up on the forums are getting along very nicely. Although I can't find anything there to buy (DVDs etc.), and I don't want to list due to the pending fees, I do enjoy participating in their forums. They are much nicer to each other there that than other place, and when someone does try to get stupid with that idiot southern googligook talk (sorry, no offence Texas!), they are moderated off in a second.
I am hoping, truly, that Carnaby does make it. Right now it's a lot of fun ... even without the auctions
[ edited by RB on Aug 24, 2001 07:54 AM ]
posted on August 24, 2001 08:38:24 AM new
-I also don't care for rah rah cheerleaders telling me how wonderful the sites are, because most of the time, it's just hype for referral money.-
I have never considered myself a cheerleader for ANY site I list on, right now I have not abandoned any of them-them plural as in ebay, yahoo, AND bidville as I continue to list on all three in order to make my cash. I am not receiving any endorsement or as implied "referral money", I am just expressing my delight with the atmosphere at Carnaby.
It is a just a refreshing change in attitude that I find there, and I have not seen on any of the "others" in quite some span.
I do have very high hopes for Carnaby, and I will happily list there as well as the others for I believe keeping all options open is wise. And if I happen to be one of the charter members that can say I was lucky enough to "be there way back then," well, I guess that's worth pickin up some pom-pom's every now and then.
Hooterbug on Carnaby and Bidville
[email protected] on Ebay and Yahoo
posted on August 24, 2001 08:47:22 AM new
I've been watching the number of auctions on their site and those numbers seem to haved peaked around 4,000 a few days ago. There are barely 3,000 auctions currently running. They seem to be truly caught in a "advertise with almost no items is bad and not advertise will never draw bidders/sellers is also bad". I can not see sellers flocking to an unknown site therefore I can not see the promised ad campaign ever taking place. I'm begining to think the founders had a Field Of Dreams approach to attracting sellers to their site "Build it ( and add a ton of bells and whistles ) and they will come". It's not working ....
I do want to see how the atmosphere will be in a couple of months. It does help that there is some moderation. However I think you are seeing the sweetheart period at the moment. The test will be when serious issues arise - like the fees kicking in, individuals with low sales, when will the advertising start, etc. That's usually when the nastiness starts to happen.
With tongue in cheek, I do take issue with your Texas crack. I think most of the people with the continued nonsense postings are from north of the Mason-Dixon line (at least the one with the most nonsensical postings).
posted on August 24, 2001 09:08:02 AM new
I have had some problems getting auctions up on Carnaby but did manage to get 3 up. I changed access numbers and that helped. Plus I am using a "classic" pentium system so I know that is a problem.
But the good news is that one auction closed with a BIN and I have a bid on another one. This is within 3 days of getting the auctions up. There seems to be some action going on because the buyers and sellers that I looked at have better feedback numbers compared with BidVille and ePier.
Carnaby has a lot going for it and it does take time to learn all the ins and outs, and no, I'm not looking for a referral bonus.
I think that in order for Carnaby to compete with eBay they are going to have to keep either their listing fees or FVF a bit lower to entice sellers there.
The fees do keep the hundreds (thousands?) of 1.00 items off the boards. My items were lost in the page after page of 1.00 items that are on BidVille and ePier.
I am also seriously considering the store front that Carnaby will be doing.
So far this looks like a good auction site and hope that more sellers will try them out while there are no listing fees.
posted on August 24, 2001 09:42:30 AM newWith tongue in cheek, I do take issue with your Texas crack. I think most of the people with the continued nonsense postings are from north of the Mason-Dixon line (at least the one with the most nonsensical postings)
You could be right ... I haven't been able to access the postings for the past couple of weeks so I don't know what the demeanor is currently.
posted on August 24, 2001 01:49:23 PM new
"..., and when someone does try to get stupid with that idiot southern googligook talk (sorry, no offence Texas!)..."
===
Hmm, well I'll try not to take offense, but those are fighting words...We have manners here in Texas (the southWEST), and folks understand us just fine!
posted on August 24, 2001 10:25:43 PM new
For myself, CARNABY has been the FIRST & ONLY auction site that I have ENJOYED myself on!
I've had 5 successful auctions on there over the past 5 weeks & I consider that to be AMAZING!
The MAX LOADER is the most feature-rich + easy-to-use auction tool I've seen! I'd PAY to be able to use it on feeBay!
I spend AT LEAST 30 minutes per day working on my CARNABY auctions -- not to make moola NOW -- but as an emotional investment in a site I have very high hopes for over the LONG HAUL!
I think most of the other "pioneers" there feel likewise! (i hopeth!)
posted on August 25, 2001 01:55:59 AM new
Hi All, I rarely post on AW and have a definite distaste for the "cheerleader syndrom", but I do read boards and feel a desire to post to this thread. I feel that many excellent comments and opinions have been expressed here and I agree with most. I find it odd that so many are having technical problems with the site. I was wondering if they have discussed them with, what I would consider to be, the finest customer service that I have yet to experience, and I have been auctioning for 5 years on a variety of sites. My current list consists of "youknowwho" and Carnaby is second. There you have the extent of my cheerleading. *smile*. I have no opinion at this time (it is far too early to tell) as to whether or not Carnaby will move on to become one of the top players in the auction arena, I can only hope that they do. The one thing that I would like to mention is, that it took me a week just to get through and feel at ease with all of the information and features available, so, if you do take a look, allow some time and use the site map for direction. I have never used a bulk loader before and once I got the hang of it, I must say, this is close to Heaven! I am making this post from their Auction Ticker, which I am in the process of learning. It is wonderful. Jan
Yes I am in contact with their support team and have received several e-mails from them regarding my problem with the site. They're working on it this weekend. Hopefully they can find a solution.
Their site will take some time to learn, but doesn't every site that's worth the while? How many people still don't know the ins and outs of ebay?
I'm willing to give this one a try when I'm able to get to the home page without crashing. So far, they've handled themselves professionally, the support people were prompt in responding and I didn't get the run-around from them.
The thing I like the most is when I look at the people posting here, aside from two ID's I'm familiar with, I don't know a single soul. Everyone is nice and that's refreshing!
posted on August 25, 2001 08:39:30 AM new
Towards2112
I know were your coming from, we our internet connection is a wapping 26.4 on a good day in the middle of Nebraska. We use Carnaby's bulk loader to list with. On your system it may be a little tricky but the support is the best we have seen of about 12 Auction site we have used over the last four years.
Althought the numbers seem low now so was a number of other site when we first looked at them. After a year some of them built up to several hundred thousand listing. In the beginning a seller has to be willing to list and not get any bids for a while. But we watched as the number went from 200 to over 3000 in a few weeks. As more sellers try the site the number will grow.
It is also the easiest site we have found to list and track auction. Has a good set of rules. The people there now the creame of the crop in the auction world.
If you have any problems they work with you to help out. I know some people have zereo tollerance when things go wrong for any reason. but so far any problems we have had have been worked out.
PS I pause a moment while I get my flame retardent suite on for the Nebraska Flames.
posted on August 25, 2001 11:14:11 AM new
Bidsbids: Yes, I have to agree with you that this is the number one hurdle at this time. My choice is to participate in the challenge and to exercise patience. It would not be a wise move to list on only one site. I'm beginning to feel the loss of my adversity to cheerleading, therefore, I will stop now! Jan
posted on August 25, 2001 11:19:40 AM new
I totally agree that Carnaby is the best of the auction sites for users and the best tech support and customer service in the industry. The only thing lacking, and it's a mighty big thing, is traffic. Till the traffic gets there it is just a great auction site without traffic. 'Money makes the world go round' and everybody wants to make money but you simply can not do that consistently at a no traffic site. I truly hope that they figure out the magic formula needed to attract buyers .....
