posted on February 3, 2001 04:49:08 AM new
HI all -
I am glad BidVille is getting listings, or any other site for that matter. I might try them. But the most important issue for me is, why would a regular, and large, group of buyers use a site other than ebay? If they even hear of it?
What's in it for them?
When I am ready to buy, I go to ebay. It's simple for me because the variety is there.If I don't like one seller's deal, I can try someone else. Or wait a few days. I don't care that the seller is paying fees all over the place to list there.
I applaud the sellers here who are taking matters into their own hands to promote their new auction sites of choice. Great!
But what - if anything - could us sellers as a group do to make BidVille or whatever attractive to new buyers?
Sell dirt-cheap? Free shipping? Make a sincere effort to list an enticing variety of merchandise at appealing prices? If we are paying no fees can we drop asking prices?
Is there an investment to be made up-front to get buyers on board? Or do we just assume they'll show up and take whatever deal we feel like offering?
There are so many seller's turned OFF Ebay...but how many buyers are? And why? What would make them bother with another site?
posted on February 3, 2001 05:49:40 AM new
While eBay may have the [/i]most[/i] listings, those looking for specific items will definitely need to look at just about every auction site.
As an example, my last two purchases were NOT on eBay.
First, last week I purchased a set of rare books listed as being in excellent condition on Yahoo!Auctions for a total cost of $60. I found this same set at an online used book search engine for $250 and they were in poor condition.
I've never seen this set of books on eBay.
Second, just last night I purchased a rare postcard for a total cost of $4.
I've never seen this postcard on eBay.
I think I'll will continue browsing those alternative auction sites.
posted on February 3, 2001 06:08:13 AM new
I understand that it is hard to believe but some buyers will follow the seller. Some buyers when they learn Joe has moved from Yahoo to bidville will go visite Joe's site and will look around at what Bidville, bidbay ect has to offer. I no I will be able to sell my items cheaper on a Free fee site (maby you would not) that will keep the customer coming back. If he no's people that buy on line he may even say hay sally check out this site I found and their you go. I no some of the people that I was selling to in Yahoo have been buying from me and others in bidville. Yahoo did not do us right just springing the fee's on us, they sounding like they did not care if we left or not. Well I was happy to leave and some of my buyers are happy to. I still get email from people I have sold to asking where my listings are and I say in bidville with a smile. I do not mind paying fee's if my item sell's but for me to buy the item then gamble on Yahoo bring in the buyers would be stupied of me.
posted on February 3, 2001 06:46:18 AM new
Don't know but it's worth a try! I do have many repeat buyers & have let them know they can also find me at BIDVILLE. I am listing my items, and deducting a little as I am not paying that Ebay fee, so it all comes out the same in the end. Also, any Ebay items sold now get an enclosed note telling the buyers that they can also find me at BIDVILLE. I am willing to give it a try. Miracles don't happen overnight....it took me a while to get where I am on Ebay too. goooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BIDVILLE!!
posted on February 3, 2001 06:48:38 AM new
PS....also doing my bidding there! I don't want sellers to get discouraged and not give BIDVILLE a chance to get off the ground!
posted on February 3, 2001 07:05:46 AM new
You are all right on target. I have about 200 regular customers who buy my craft stuff. They come to get what they need when they need it. They want to know where I am. And they have followed me to BidVille. I know several of them are listing their stuff on BidVille now (they are sellers also) and others are just shopping there (and not on my auctions). They came because I went and then let them know where I had gone. After the positive response I got from them and thanks for turning them onto such a nice, easy to use site I really suspect we have something good here and it will just take time for it to grow. The best advertisement is word of mouth.
I am also doing my shopping there now. I have purchased several items and am very pleased with quality, the service of the sellers, etc.
posted on February 3, 2001 07:54:57 AM new
>>>>"But what - if anything - could us sellers as a group do to make BidVille or whatever attractive to new buyers?"<<<<<
I am not sure what we can do as a group, but I will relate my individual experiences so far.
I have been listing items on BIDVILLE for almost two weeks. I do not use bulk losding, so it takes time. I have listed almost 60 items so far.
I emailed everyone I could and sent the referral link, (good deal )
Because of the BIDVILLE referral rewards, I emailed my buyers and told them if they sign up with me as referral, I will pay the S&H for the first BIDVILLE auction they win from me. I even emailed underbidders from previous auctions.
Next, I listed about 8-10 auctions for items that I either had sitting for a while and had written off, or the extra items that I got when I purchased lots at live auctions.
These were the items that were just there, not what I was interested in when I bought these lots. I placed these auctions at $1.00 with no reserve and stated in the description I was doing this to build browsing interest. I stated I would let these auctions run for thirty days, but to prevent sniping, I would close auctions that had no bids near the end. I even featured a couple of these to attract more attention.
My results:
22 referrals so far.
2 items sold, pending payment(one at TAKE IT price)
6 more auctions with bids (4 of these are the $1.00 auctions, only two still have the $1.00 minmum bid still standing. These auctions still have three weeks plus to go)
The strange thing is I sell mostly glass and china, and when I check that category on BIDVILLE, I don't see many other bids. So the
thing that is going to swing this site is if the sellers push it, experiment and really make the effort to bring the buyers. They will come. They are coming. I don't remember having quite this much activity on YAAPOO since Christmas 99.
The recent improvements that BIDVILLE has made will certainly help. I really like posting the views on the list page so you don't have to actually click the auction to see the count.
Anyone who says that trying to build an alternative auction site like this cannot work is nutz. It can work with a dedicated tech and CS team, and the work of the sellers and buyers. The thing that Yahoo forgot was that it was the sellers and buyers who placed them in the #2 spot, not vice versa!\
TYPOS, WHAT ELSE?
[ edited by jimhhow on Feb 3, 2001 07:58 AM ]
posted on February 3, 2001 04:31:34 PM new
Why would a buyer go elsewhere?
Good question! I can only speak for myself on this one, but I have been checking out Bidville.
Why? Well, there is always that hope of the deal of a lifetime (either an item for my collection or something I can buy cheap and resell for a profit).
There is the chance of less compitition.
What makes me buy? Other than the 'standard' I mean (ie. good description, good pics, good feedback, ect):
I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for free shipping (even though I know that the seller has, most likely, built the shipping price into the starting bid).
OR, the offer to combine shipping.....If I see that I ALWAYS check out the sellers other auctions. I'd rather be spending my money on the item instead of paying the postal system.
I've got to say....the same things that make me bid are the same no matter what the site.
posted on February 3, 2001 05:00:53 PM new
This is what I thought Yahoo was good for, listing low demand items that you wouldn't find on ebay. But they don't want that market so hopefully another site can be big enough to attract buyers.
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