I know starting a new auction is old now.
I might as well start one since it is better than putting the software on the shelf.
I want to start an auction targeting universites & colleges and businesses around the campuses.
I keep on thinking how to catergorize the categories. Can you suggest which one is better.
choice #1. Put the same categories like other auction sites plus "universities & colleges textbooks" category on the index.cfm page.
choice #2. Just put (3) categories: Products, Services, and "universities & colleges textbooks" categories on the index.cfm page.
choice #3. Put all the universities & colleges on the index.cfm. But there are hundred and thousand of universities & colleges in U.S. (Is it a good idea?)
choice #4. Put all 50 States on index.cfm page, and break down universities & colleges among states.
These are the 4 options I can think of.
Which option do you think is good?
posted on September 4, 2001 10:17:13 PM new
Hmmmmmm...
You've got two types of merchandise that targets college students. Textbooks, supplies, music, etc. are not specific to any one college, while logo items are. So I'd set up logo items as a major category, with subcategories by college (or perhaps by state to keep the number of categories under control when you start out); everything else (textbooks, supplies, etc.) would by organized by type of item.
If you've got the capital & connections, this actually strikes me as a plausible idea, given the targeted approach. Can you partner with major licensed producers of logo items, so that they list T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. etc. for every college & university in the country? And with a major textbook distributor like Follett (but probably not them since they seem quite content with their own branded site) to list thousands of textbook titles? And with a major CD seller, and a few other key players? Those partnerships could give you something most start-ups don't have -- tons of relevant item listings from Day One, giving you time to build up the person-to-person component.
Then, can you buy major advertising in every student newspaper (and/or hire on-campus reps on every campus) to attract the buyers?
Now the problem ---- I'm not sure that the auction format is the way to go for the student market. Aside from person-to-person used textbook sales, and some logo item liquidations, most of the stuff students buy is going to be B2C fixed-price sales. I don't think the partners I've suggested are going to start their auctions as $1.00 & see where they go.
OTOH, eBay seems to be proving that the auction format seems to work without auction pricing, i.e. with auctions that end with one bid or BIN. The immediacy of the format still seems to be a positive for sellers.
posted on September 5, 2001 09:38:51 AM new
WOW!!! You are ambitious and i wish you success!!!
Are you wanting to limit the types of auctions?? If you put all the categories the other sites have, you may find yourself overwhelmed. You can always add more later as your sites grows.
I think i like choice 4 best, but also choice 2. I live in a college town and if i were shopping for stuff i would find it more convient to look under the state first and then the college. Besides the buyer will always be able to look under your search engine to find things faster.
Perhaps the main page can have the general categories and then the subsequent pages can have the state breakdown then the college breakdown?? Or is that too busy?? I know some folks are impatient with sites that make you click and click links.
I hope you have plenty of support and plenty of backing for this venture, it sounds like it has the potential to be either a huge success or a huge nightmare!! LOL Sorry 'bout that!!
