labelle
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posted on January 30, 2001 08:05:44 PM new
We are all looking for things in auctions! We all have hopes and wishes and dreams and schemes for what we want in a perfect auction. Well- How about the idea for an auction for sellers- by sellers???A co-op . On the eBay thread "The dilemma of "FREE" auction sites" is the grassroots start of a Seller's COOP site.There is now a message board outside of AW that has a barebones proposal on it.AW let them post the off-site URL for the COOP message board in that thread. It is about half way through the posts.Interested in an auction where you have a say in the way it's run because it is your site?? take a look!!!!!
cathy
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auctiongaurd
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posted on January 30, 2001 09:13:21 PM new
labelle,
In theory that sounds like a wonderful idea, but think about 100 or more people trying to run a site. Sure ya could do things by vote, but the outvoted will just shout and complain on boards like these.
Companies cannot be run by commitee and neither can web sites. Now if three or four people decided to go into the auction business together and put up their own money then that could work easily, but a co-op site with hundreds of owners is just too many chiefs and basically no Indians. The writing of the business plan would be enough to find some people dead I think!
On the other hand it would be interesting an interesting experience for the users that do nothing but complain. They would realize first hand that it takes a lot of money to run and market an auction web site. They would also see that just because they think they know exactly what would make a site perfect does not mean that it will be the next ebay.
Another reason that this could not work is because when you own an online auction site you are responsible for the users of that site. You must answer customer complaints (and there will be many) and you must have a full time support team.
These are just a few points and I'm sure that there are many more that would solidfy my argument.
If you think that you can still do it then I wish you the best. I just feel that sometimes a good idea isn't always good once you examine all sides of it.
Best of luck!
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canvid13
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posted on January 31, 2001 07:57:11 AM new
Hi Auctionguard:
There would be a management team running a site.
The US Senate is made of or representitives but it's the workers who do what the Senate mandates them to do.
The membership is more of a guidance for the site. Sure, some of the staff will be made up of members but I don't think it will be chaotic at all if it gets off the ground.
The chaos will be getting enough of us to agree to get the site up!
Check out twinsofts message board.
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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abacaxi
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posted on January 31, 2001 05:48:20 PM new
auctiongaurd -
there are 50,000+ co-ops in the USA, some of them with thousands of members. It's NOT anything unusual.
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auctiongaurd
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posted on January 31, 2001 06:11:43 PM new
Not unusual, but from what I have been hearing they are proposing to do everything by commitee. I don't think that you can run a web site by commitee.
I may be wrong. I've been wrong in the past and I'll be wrong again. 
Either way, best of luck to you!
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auctiongaurd
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posted on January 31, 2001 11:51:40 PM new
May I direct your attention to:
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=324309
Just talking about it has already started nasty arguments. I rest my case.
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Spreland
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posted on February 1, 2001 02:23:33 AM new
What would a co-op offer that Bidville isn't already offering. Yeah, I want to pay co-op member dues when Bidville is offering a better service for free. I'll pass.
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Mikecol
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posted on February 1, 2001 06:37:35 AM new
Spreland
For starters what are you going to do when bidville starts charging. And if you think they won't don't forget who they were aligned with.A co-operative venture may be what a lot of us a looking for. Though everyone may not agree on the how to's there are some big advantages here. I would like to see some kind of organization here, perhaps a site where we can see what the support will be. I,ll put my money where my mouth is. Because after all this is a concept that should work and in all likly hood become a big player. I have had it with corporate greed, let's see if we can take it away
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RB
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posted on February 1, 2001 07:39:58 AM new
OK ... I'm sold on the Co Op idea.
I want to be the BOSS CEO ... the one with the Lamborghini. Where do I apply?
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canvid13
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posted on February 1, 2001 08:12:31 PM new
Some good comments and thoughts. Nothing good is ever going to be built easily.
And yes, there have already been some unfortunate things done and said by some folks. It's better for them to be done early in the process rather than later.
Spreland: What do you do if Bidville is bought out by eBay or Yahoo??? A non-profit, non-saleable, one member one vote co-op is not going to be bought out by anyone.
It's one thing to be offered free services when there's very little action but basically you and I ( I listed six auctions to see the reaction) are doing is building up someone elses company.
Now that's not bad in general and I'm sure the folks at bidville are fine dedicated people, but in this industry all you have to do is look at ebay, yahoo and Amazon and see what happens to people who help build up companies.
They get squished and sqawshed.
Maybe a co-op will never get off the ground but isn't it worth talking about it or with a bit of luck and hard work trying it?
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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Spreland
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posted on February 2, 2001 12:42:38 AM new
Ebay could buy every free auction site that exists and for every one they buy two more will pop up. I don't see a shortage of free sites anytime soon. Seems easier to move your listings to a free site than to create one, but if you have enough support for a co-op, I wish you well.
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coolvette
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posted on February 2, 2001 12:57:44 AM new
The banning of members on the Co-op board has already started due to the fearless leader.
It's doomed!
~Vette~
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canvid13
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posted on February 2, 2001 06:51:44 AM new
Any co-op I supported would be non-profit, one member one vote, and non-saleable.
If this is established ebay or any company couldn't buy it. If the members wanted they could collapse it.
Also, any changes to the constitution would require a 75% vote which also helps keep things stable.
There's lots of room for improvement.
Let's talk about some of the improvements you all would want in an online auction co-op?
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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canvid13
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posted on February 2, 2001 10:08:20 AM new
Hi Folks,
I started a message board about this as I don't want any of us to break any AW rules or guidelines.
Email me for the url.
Thanks,
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
514-270-7478
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canvid13
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posted on February 4, 2001 12:18:24 PM new
We have some new threads on our online auction co-op board. Email for the url!
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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auctiongaurd
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posted on February 4, 2001 12:42:32 PM new
Yes, you do and here are some interesting highlights:
"Wherever auction users gather, spam the boards."
"Those interested in participating in the planning can pay a $100 "initiation" fee to take part in the committee."
Q: "Did I read correctly - did someone suggest like $5000 a year membership? LOL I didn't even make that much in my auctions all year."
A: "I pay $500/month to list at eBay. Two years ago, I paid as much as $2000/month. Depending on the seller, $5000 could be a real bargian. :-"
and my favorite highlight yet:
"Your complaint about "censorship" was deleted."
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coolvette
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posted on February 4, 2001 01:06:49 PM new
Guess what auctiongard, You've read the wrong board!
~Vette~
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auctiongaurd
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posted on February 4, 2001 01:17:16 PM new
I though that it was on ezboard. I think that this is a great idea, but I was amazed at some of the things that I was reading. Comforting to know that it was the wrong board Where can I find the right board, Coolvette?
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coolvette
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posted on February 4, 2001 01:24:04 PM new
Email canvid13 for the board free of censorship and new members parading.
~Vette~
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nycrocker
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posted on February 4, 2001 04:11:32 PM new
auctiongaurd -
Yup that was my quote:
Q: "Did I read correctly - did someone suggest like $5000 a year membership? LOL I didn't even make that much in my auctions all year."
See, not everyone apsires to be a "power seller", ya know, I do this part time, I already have a career. I am a musician who tours at times, and who sits home at times. Guess which time this is?  The little extra money I can make in auctions really helps me a lot at times like this, but not when EPay's fees go higher and higher, and no, not if I had to pay a $5000 membership! I'm just the little guy trying to do five or ten auctions a week, without getting squeezed out, know what I mean? Does ANYONE have any suggestions for us little sellers?  Or does NO one care about us?? Wasn't that how EPay started to begin with??
I like the co-op idea, IF it can work. I'm trying to keep my mind open. I'm just another person trying to make a living. Sigh.
 Rocker
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canvid13
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posted on February 4, 2001 05:16:18 PM new
Are you folks misquoting (actionguard/nycrocker) on purpose or just ignorant?
Nobody has suggested anything of that sort. You are not quoting. And of course anyone could go and read the posts if they like.
Why on earth would you folks keep printing this here and on other threads?
We should all be working towards building a co-op not trying to devolve?
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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auctiongaurd
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posted on February 4, 2001 05:19:26 PM new
Misquoting? Unless tthe copy and paste portion of my computer has a mind of its own, there is no way on earth that I misquoted anybody.
I was really supporting this movement in the begining, but this goes to show what a joke it has become. Maybe if some grown ups were leading the movement it would have a chance. Hopefully some will come along and do this right.
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canvid13
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posted on February 4, 2001 05:22:12 PM new
Actionguard: You are quoting someone(we all know who) who is misquoting.
Either print the quote or apologize. I am willing to stand behind anything I have said. I suggest you do the same.
Jamie
canvid13
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nycrocker
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:05:44 PM new
Jamie
Are you folks misquoting (actionguard/nycrocker) on purpose or just ignorant?
Now you are accusing me of being IGNORANT? And of MISQUOTING? HOW can I possibly misquote MYSELF??? That was MY post up there about the $5000 membership, which auctiongaurd must have seen on twinsoft's ezboard. Twin or someone (?) had posted an idea (just an IDEA or EXAMPLE) of a $5000 membership, and what you see was EXACTLY my reply. Go check it out on the original thread on Twin's site in the "Back to the goals please?" thread. How dare you accuse me of ignorance Jamie, THIS is why you look bad, you have the arrogance to call people names and make these ridiculous and grossly incorrect accusations? You are WAY out of line.
Rocker
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nycrocker
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:16:30 PM new
And... wasn't it YOU Jamie, who suggested finding out all the facts before you form an opinion? Your fact checking skills are not so great - auctiongaurd has copied and pasted EXACTLY what was said on twin's ezboard.
And read this auctiongaurd post again:
I though that it was on ezboard. I think that this is a great idea, but I was amazed at some of the things that I was reading. Comforting to know that it was the wrong board Where can I find the right board, Coolvette?
Perhaps auctiongaurd thought s/he was reading your board at first, (and was then told there are several different boards), but s/he certainly has NOT misquoted anyone, s/he has pasted the exact words. I know this because some of the words are mine.
I am with auctiongaurd 100% on this -
I was really supporting this movement in the begining, but this goes to show what a joke it has become. Maybe if some grown ups were leading the movement it would have a chance. Hopefully some will come along and do this right.
Rocker
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joice
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:21:04 PM new
auctiongaurd,
I'm sorry I had to delete your post. Copy and paste from other boards to this board is not allowed.
Everyone,
Please cut out the personal comments.
Joice
Moderator.
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canvid13
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:41:31 PM new
Quoting misquotes will never get us to the level of building co-op.
I suggest you think about it. As for the question, it was pretty clear. Either you misquoted or purposely misquoted. Either result will not lead to a co-op.
I also want you to remember that anything you type here can be looked back at in the future.
Again, let's stop the chicanery and build something.
Let's find the common ground.
I have to tell you folks, those that can't won't be along for the ride and it's going to be a heck of adventure.
I sure know I want my name to be one of the first to be on the co-op's membership role. Do you want yours?
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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auctiongaurd
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:46:33 PM new
no
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nycrocker
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:53:03 PM new
If it's run by you canvid, no.
READ the original thread. I was not misquoted or misquoting.
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canvid13
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posted on February 4, 2001 06:56:58 PM new
We'll you're safe as I will not be running anything.
Please email me this quote you speak of. If it's valid I will print an apology anywhere you wish.
Are you willing to do the same if you're wrong?
Now, like Joice suggested let's try and just post relative to the topic.
I don't think a co-op is wishing and dreaming. I think it's a goal and a goal is something that's attainable.
All we need to do is work towards it.
Jamie
canvid13
[email protected]
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