posted on October 23, 2001 04:02:41 PM new
Received an email from ePier stating they've actually broken even. Nice accomplishment, but how I'm not sure with the low fees they charge. I like the fact that they state they're not happy with their linear growth so far. That's refreshing to hear a site be that honest!
The email text is below:
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ePier.com Breaks Even and Introduces PaymadeEasy.com
List! List! List! That has been the battle cry for the last week. We have grown steadily over many months now, only in a linear fashion. This is not acceptable to us. We must take on an exponential growth to break out to a more visible national scene. Just two months ago, we reported ePier's state of finance where we were half way to being in the black. We are happy to report ePier is officially at break even. Now every additional member adds to our bottomline. So please stay your course. The old adage of telling 6 of our friends and family and they in turn telling 6 others still holds true.
The second major news is ePier's introduction of PaymadeEasy.com It has always been our intention to provide you with the necessary services to complete the cycle of doing business online. PaymadeEasy finishes the finance side of the trading that ePier enables. By using and supporting PaymadeEasy, you also help support ePier and our services. Our goal is to continue to bring your costs down, while our competitors keep raising their fees.
ePier now has one of the largest and broadest inventories of items with thousands and thousands of independent sellers. Big savings is one of the benefits our members receive. See how our sellers continue to save an average of over 70% on their sales cost.
We also have one of the fastest growing numbers of storefronts. Lower your final value fees while letting them pay for your Storefront. We now have three Storefront templates to choose from. When you shop around you will find that ePier's Storefronts offer you the best value to brand your own online store. Get the look and feel you desire as hundreds of storefront owners have already experienced.
posted on October 23, 2001 04:45:38 PM new
If and when ePier gets bidder traffic they could beat Bidville easily. Speaking of Bidville, I see the number of listings there has dropped by almost 9,000 in the last 24 hours. Has the rumored exodus began?
posted on October 23, 2001 05:14:11 PM new
Yep, they sure did...many lies, many unannounced changes, many still unanswered question, many problems still unfixed...you can read the actual facts at www.geocities.com/pierpals/
Also, the paymadeeasy site looks pretty unprofessional to be asking for people to trust giving your CC or bank info to. Unspelled words, not universally coded for all browsers, different charges for the same things are listed! Looks like another untested beta program that the users will get to once again try out to find the kinks....just hope all their CC info isn't one of them
posted on October 23, 2001 07:55:56 PM new
Despite a glitch here and there, it seems to get worked out in the end....will be sticking with epier ....the storefronts are user friendly for the storefront owner, and storefront owners get $9.95 credited towards FVF's monthly along with $5.00 auction enhancements credit, storefront items are can be ran also as auctions at same time with buy mow option...seems the best deal we've come across........
posted on October 23, 2001 08:00:38 PM new
Breaking even is a very good sign. However, until solid quarters of profit are shown, don't count yer chickens before they hatch.
posted on October 25, 2001 12:21:09 AM new
I have avoided this site for some time, preferring just to "lurk". However this thread I thought was worth while addressing. There are those that assert that ePier lied; I believe they are wrong! A lie requires some intent to deceive or at least some knowledge of the speaker that what was said at that time was deceptive. In ePier's case I do not believe that either is true. What happened, IMHO, was that with the changes in the market place; the reduced expectation of advertising revenue and the difficulty getting creditors for their "Paymadeeasy" idea, caused them to need to change their plan to incorporate a FVF Fee. This Fee I support because it means that they, "Epier", get paid when I " A dealer" get paid and not before! The other payments are all options; unfortunately others chose them without sufficient thought, and later regretted "their" decisions; particularly those people that thrust their opinions on others. ePier is growing, the community has suffered due to the Vocal intolerance of the few, but the future is bright for those that want to join and make a 2nd Auction Based site and themselves successful! GO EPIER. PS I have no association with ePier other than as a Dealer/Buyer, I am not even a Premium or a Verified Member.
posted on October 25, 2001 08:45:29 AM new
I'm not impressed with ePier either as a seller, YET! Let's see what they have up their sleeves to bolster sales.
Now I REALLY like the fact that ePier isn't happy with their success to date either! I have to commend them for that!!! You've got to like a company that isn't content to rest on its laurels! Hopefully that will translate into more success for we sellers next year.
posted on October 25, 2001 02:04:46 PM newA lie requires some intent to deceive or at least some knowledge of the speaker that what was said at that time was deceptive
Hmmmm, I guess when a person signs a user agreement that gets replaced without notice that isn't considered a deception...I guess when a business using a marketing plan that advertises FEE FREE and states NO FEES EVER..even specifically "NO COMMISSION FEES EVER"....that's not a lie if they change it later? I guess it's ok to just keep changing things even though they made specific and public promises...that's not some sort of contractual fraud...hmmm I thought the user agreements were contractual, shouldn't puplic promises made to get users be also then!?! Epier made users a promise to be FEE FREE and then changed things when they started charging a vm fee and lying that is was to be for verification which only meant if you sent them 20$, cash even, you were verified...no program has ever been put in place for the promised protection! Users were charged a mandatory fee to sell the nazi items and adult items...you even have to pay to view them!
Now they slide in the FVF....even after marketing campaigns advertised they would be fee free forever. This is not a change in plans, it is a marketing disaster. Just look at their own boards showing users unhappy with the total lack of any support or answers except by one user that tries to be epiers champion. To bad the actual owners don't care enough about their users other than to take their money but not enough to take care of the problems they are having after paying for the services! People are unable to get their money refunded or CC removed or even their user info cos those ID's add up to members, as well as not getting the services to work most of the time...shoot, they can't even get help without major effort!
Looks like you have to list "thousands" of items only to sell a very few at this point...at least that's what is being said by the users...LIST LIST LIST...thousands listed and not a single bid in months! If I listed thousands and not a single bid then I'd have to rethink things!
I won't place my money in the hands of any business that has proven themselves to be so unreliable and it's a total fight to even get a refund (if even possible...I don't know of anyone actually getting one yet) for money they hold without delivering anything in return! Not good business and I'll be surprised if they keep going like they are to see them stay afloat after this latest fiasco!
posted on October 25, 2001 05:43:30 PM new
ePier is doing very well with it's New Marketing Philosophy, listings are growing daily, sales for those interested in working at the business are growing and except for a few friends of those that left, the majority on ePier, "Silent majority" are quite happy with the progress. Yes more is needed, which ePier readily admits! FVF is the main difference why ePier's finances are showing strength, although both Storefronts and Verified members are growing steadily. If ePier had stayed the way they were, the way those that plan at Pierpals their next attack wanted it to be, we would all be looking for a New site! A Failed Plan is just that; some people are incapable of accepting change and prefer to go down with the ship rather than fix it. I like the new ePier that grew out of the old, and the "good" times are yet to come. My Sales over 120 items in the last 30 days! I am looking to make that 400!
posted on October 25, 2001 06:02:14 PM new
For whatever reason I and several other people have no problem getting responses from ePier either by eMail or by phone (number listed on the main page). They are very responsive to reasonable questions. The only questions I have not had answered were when I asked questions in a "negative" manner, we all get upset at times, but most of us get over it. A lot of the questions posted on the boards that have been claimed to not be answered were negative, often stating up front what would be done if an answer were not given. I am not surprised that they received no answer! Finally;there is a lot more to life than trying to bring down a Small site and hurting the many people impacted, if the attacks succeed. Just because someone does not know what a Lie is, is not a valid reason to be so irresponsible! Get on with life and leave ours alone! Many of us Like ePier and intend to help it and it's members succeed!
posted on October 25, 2001 06:15:55 PM new
LIST, LIST, LIST - yes that is a growing Motto for ePier and there is good reason. From carefully watching the site it is abundantly clear that what drives sales is "New Listings" not "Inventoried Listings".
EPier's members Sales and therefore ePier's finances are now driven by the new listing activity of it's members. Sales/Day range from appox 125 - 350, this relates closely to the number of items listed/day with a slight preference for other than this factor towards weekends. On average ePier's members list about 600 items/day and sell 200 items/day. EBay lists (new) about 600,000/day. On this basis our sell thru rate is 33% compared to a sell thru rate of 50%+ for EBay. Total Listings have little or nothing to do with generating Sales; on this basis EBay is only about 55 times bigger than ePier. Reality is they are 1000 times bigger; this number (New Listing comparison) needs to close in order for ePier and the other small sites to compete for Buyers on a Significant basis. So to All interested Internet Auction Sellers, for success LIST,LIST,LIST and advertise!
posted on October 25, 2001 07:24:28 PM new
Slimview, if you mean me, you are wrong! I am just a self employed Comic book and Paper Collectibles dealers trying to make a buck.
posted on October 25, 2001 07:31:28 PM new
Slimview, you can check me out, I sold on eBay exclusively until February then transitioned quickly to ePier due to what i believed to be excessive charges coupled with excessively restrictive practices. I am madscientistcoll on both, also cheapstuff on ePier. Comic Books Galore!
posted on October 25, 2001 08:38:44 PM new
It amazes me how many times I've heard that same thing slim...lol...peek at the feedback ratings and see if you see anything funny anywhere on anyone...some questionable things have been brought to light recently
As for users thoughts on the present situation, it's easy to see what people think by actually reading their own posts, not just assuming what some people wish to believe or state as facts without actual facts to back them up! The facts on this topic speak clearly on the matter....every thread on that site backs up the "facts" showing user insecurities, lack of customer support, inability to get refunds or cancel CC info or cancel and remove user ID's, nonworking but paid for programs, unannounced changes happening all the time...still, zero tech support, etc., etc., etc....
As for listings....sheeesh, so many are listing in the THOUSANDS..ansnd I mean thousands...can you believe that...THOUSANDS...and NOT receiving a single bid...(one might get a few, but all in all to have thousands and get so little is laughable)! What does that say....think about it!
Heck, I was one of the ones that always got answers to my question (and never had to even list a hundred to get my ratings...all legit too)....until I questioned their policy changes that went against the promises that brought me and many others to the site, and when I asked for a refund then it was ...BANNED... and no more email, phone calls, or answers of any kind or even any explaination as to why I was banned or even for how long...not to mention my active account being left active to get bids TILL AFTER the FVF went in place!!! Talk about a one sided street! Pay and play....question and you're banned,,,,ask for your money back then since you can't use the pre-paid features and you might as well beg to win the lottery...heck, your odds of collecting would be better!
Has ANYONE received their money back yet for FVF refunds? For closed and billed after the fact storefronts? For prepaid enhancement accounts on non-useable accounts? On VM accounts that NEVER received the promised services from the sites owners (as stated directly from JAMES KIM's mouth...aka typing fingers)?...I have YET to hear of them giving anyone back the money they deserved....investigations are still pending with the WA States Attorneys office on this as well as the BBB of WA so to presume all is on the up and up based on a SINGLE cheerleader for the site is a bit premature...don't ya think? I'll be curious to see if that site has the backbone to do what's right and listen to its users as well as refund the money they are holding without the right to do so!
posted on October 25, 2001 09:43:08 PM new
Allow me to publicly clairify something...
If ePier had stayed the way they were, the way those that plan at Pierpals their next attack wanted it to be, we would all be looking for a New site!
First off.....PierPals was only a group of ePier users (sellers/buyers) willing to post their actual identities (rather than hiding behind fake posting ID's) along with their "real" pictures to join an internet community together and help establish a more personal online auction atmosphere and assist other users! There was never any alterior motives for anything else!
PierPals were there for any and all ePier users to be able to contact any listed person for help and assistance in listing their auctions due to the fact that it was often difficult to contact and get a response from ePier. We did this completely willingly and freely to help ePier since we all belived in their publicized goals for the site! I still have many users asking for help since they STILL can't get it there and I STILL help them....without any prejudice against the site!
As for the "plan"...that was totally and completely ePier and James Kim's public and promised plans for the site (the ones HE made to us)...the ones that first got us to come and help establish that site as well as advertise it for him...FREE! WE....and I specifically state WE...as in the users that joined under the false promises made by that site when we joined, we were promised specific promises by ePier....and if that site was an honest business, the very least we (the original users) should have been allowed would have been to honor the promises made us when we joined under their original terms of use and promises...not the continious and unannounced changes in policy that occur on a regualr basis! If the site would have stated that the changes were needed due to..yada yada yada and why...and maybe even allowed users signing on "before" and under the original promises, that they be allowed some sort of explanation as to why the changes were needed, things might have been totally different! BUT, the site chose the already misguided path of dishonesty and deceit! They could of at any time stated that things didn't pan out and this FVF was needed to keep the site afloat....they would have found a lot of people STILL supporting them....instead they once again took the route of nonrespect for the (paying) users and springing on them another change...ohhhh I could go on and on about how they change things without the slightest consideration to the user, but that seems to be a more than normal occurance! I STILL don't object to the FVF....I object to the continual lies and silence of the site to stand accountable for the already collected funds...that shows me they are not sincere in any way! I still won't back liars.....changes are not the issue nor are their failed goals....lies are! Silences and disrespect for users are the issues needing looked at! All of their BAD judgements could have easily been avoided but I am afraid of what awaits users at this point!!! A business is ONLY as good as its word....how good is ePier's word?????? Think about it? There's lots more involved to consider if you are willing to trust them with all your credit information! Think about it!!!
posted on October 25, 2001 10:11:13 PM new
Only a few have left ePier, less than 5% and even less in terms of items approx 2%. Find something you are happy with! Leave us alone! Epier will grow and that will likely annoy you. Get a life!
posted on October 25, 2001 10:25:53 PM new
I can swear on a Bible, that i have never asked for Feedback, nor have I falsely sold items to anyone for Feedback, nor have I given more feedback to someone than they deserved. What Pierpals and their agents claim are flat out LIES! The claims of Goldenpony are ficticious in many regards, she lives in a world of her own make belief and this claim which is made more pointedly on Pierpals, clearly shows the inability for her to distinquish the truth!
posted on October 26, 2001 05:18:23 AM new
I'm thinking PayMadeEasy might receive a boost if they set up a section of ePier as a Half.com clone, Fixed Price marketplace, with PayMadeEasy as the payment mechanism. They can make interest off the float the same way Half.com does before disbursing funds to sellers. They can then use the added income to advertise more aggressively. They need to keep building momentum. Fixed Price marketplaces are underserved right now. How many are there? Half.com and Amazon Marketplace (they only offer very limited product types) and soon to be Yahoo Warehouse. Grababargain doesn't advertise so it can't be considered a viable contender. The FVFs are steep at the first 2 (15%+) and we don't know about Warehouse. Undercutting Half and Amazon by 5% with a 10% FVF could work if they advertise. At worst it would boost sales and generate more revenue than the 2.5% FVF at auctions. There has to be software out there offering databases with UPC and ISBN codes built in by now. They should offer all product categories including an Everything Else section like Half. Catering to the impulse buying crowd might be the next logical step for ePier.
posted on October 26, 2001 05:39:48 AM new
Does ePier ever come up in Search results when you're using a Search engine? Like I'll search for "bargain DVD" or "discount CD" or some other product I'm interested in but I've never seen ePier or any other auction site except maybe eBay come up in search results. Why can't they just set up pages dedicated to specific interests (i.e. Bargain DVDs, or Discount Electronics, or Discount CDs, or Discount Books, etc.) and then submit those pages to Search engines, and use some of their advertising budget to boost their rankings at these Search engines? Seems like they're wasting a real easy opportunity to boost sales. It would bring in new buyers as many if not most people use Search engines to find items on the Web. Their current advertising has very limited reach.
This might work best for Fixed Price sales and impulse buys.
posted on October 26, 2001 07:36:29 AM new
madscientist...you continue to refer to "pierpals" as some sort of secret society trying to destroy ePier when nothing could be further from the truth! The facts are posted there for all to read and nothing is changed...they are quoted and posted as they were said and represented! You continue to think I have some hidden agenda when all I want is for them to give me my money back that they are holding! They chose to ban my account without any explanation or warning as well as to attempt to keep my money! I prepaid for enhancements to a business account they banned as well as "voluntarily" paying in for 2 accounts for a verification fee which was NEVER started so I want my money back...plain and simple! I've filed legal proceeding and will await their outcome! I sure don't see you jumping to the head of the line to refund all the people's money that is NOT being refunded!!!
As for getting a life,,,,,this is my life! I add to my income by selling on auctions and I even STILL help people on ePier with the problems with listing and images that ePier ignores after their repeated emails. I have helped many stay there that were ready to leave because they have ZERO support and continue to add nonworking programs with little or no explanations to how they work or how to fix the bugs! The facts of the few posters that remained on the site are evident! Unhappy users everywhere and only one lone cheerleader for the site that is unable to keep the troops happy because the facts are the site does NOT run well and there is NO help from the owners...maybe you get it but look around, you are not the only one on the site!
Pierpals are users that continue to be friends and help each other with other auction sites as well as try to offer support for those unable to get their accounts removed or their CC info deleted or even get a refund....these are the indisputable facts and this is NOT a personal war..I still list for sellers and I don't try to encourage anyone to leave...only to read ALL the facts and be aware, this is a legitimate problem with the site and I for one will continue to post the facts and show the actual words of ePier until I receive all my money back! I am not willing to turn tail and run so they can keep MY money...I'm sure they count on everyone doing that and make it very evident in their FVF refund program that makes users wait months to file...great way to pocket someone's money without actually giving anything in return. So let's stick to the facts of ePier, not bring this to a personal battle! If you like them then fine, cheer on...I don't, and I feel they ripped me off so since your funds are not involved then why not just move on and allow ME the respect of stating me grievnances and we can choose to agree to disagree on this!
posted on October 26, 2001 12:19:14 PM new
I wanted to add my two cents worth so that people can be aware that there are serious problems at ePier.!!! I was also banned for criticizing the actions of ePier. When they continually change things like the USER AGREEMENT with NO warning to members, do not use VM Fees for protection from NPB's and Advertising (like they promised). Add a FVF with one week's notice before they even have the program running right, refuse to remove cancelled User Id's, Storefronts, etc. from their database..........etc. etc.....they have a problem. I have also filed with the BBB and Fraud Division...I want my money back!!!! I will not go away until I get my money refunded, and an apology to boot!! (a public one!).<P>
PierPals is a great Chat site for friends to share information, get help and chat...it is a very friendly place and goldenpony still helps a lot of people with HTML advice..she is a very kind and considerate person. <P>
I think A/W Users are smart enough to figure out what the truth is by looking at facts.<P> A major problem with ePier is being allowed to have multiple feedbacks left for one Seller from one buyer of multiple items, it does not give a true picture. For instance an epier Seller could have a feedback of 211 but really only have 36 unique Buyers!!! So honestly his feedback should read 36 NOT 211.<P>That does not reflect a true picture does it? Unless you have time to go through everyone's feedback, the 211 figure is misleading!! <P>
Truth always prevails!
posted on October 26, 2001 03:14:52 PM new
I agree intelligent people can see the truth! Some others only see what they want to see! Epier is not perfect, but it is far better than painted by the sites old Cheerleaders!
You've got to like a company that isn't content to rest on its laurels! Hopefully that will translate into more success for we sellers next year.
