posted on April 19, 2000 07:58:13 AM new
I'm trying to identify the auction sites other than yahoo and fiberart which are completely free (NO listing or transaction fees) for selling via basic auction. Bidbay's site is very vague about this. Are there any fees other than the enhancements posted on their fee schedule? What are your selling experiences there?
posted on April 19, 2000 05:28:20 PM new
Bidbay is absolutely free till June as far as I know. They are going to only charge listing fee and not percentage like most other sites. Feel free to email them any concerns or questions. Sorry cannot leave you a link to their chat or site, its against the AW members rules of today, can only talk about them(go back to top click on where it says last 20 days, you can supposedly go back a year and see topics with the email addies. But you can contact me directly, only sold a little there, but think they have a chance to make a run at the big boys.
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Like a box of mixed chocolates, or not!
[ edited by SNOWHUNTER on Apr 19, 2000 05:47 PM ]
posted on April 22, 2000 09:59:07 PM new
See the reviews right here on AW for Altavista and 321gone. I believe the articles say they are totally free to sellers. I tried to load an ad on Altavista but every time my PC crashed and I had to reboot (5 days in a row) so I gave up on them. Did load ads on 321 but there's not alot of bid activity there.
posted on May 7, 2000 03:45:11 PM new
Right now there are no fees of any sort until June. This includes fees for featured listings, bold enhancements, banners, etc.
It is also possible that the free listings will continue after June according to recent post by the BidBayCeo. They are currently assessing this now. See my post querying about June fees on the BidBay board and you can read their response.
When they do have fees, my understanding is that it will just be a listing fee (and probably optional enhancement fees) but no commission fees.
posted on May 8, 2000 12:11:55 AM new
No fees at all till end of June. That's the best part. You would not believe how friendly these people are. I honestly get reply's to email and to chat topics. I asked for a sub. under books for westerns on the chat board and within 30:00 I had a reply, from George, simply and I quote (done). And Guess what, it was. I sell a lot of western books and it was important to me and so it was important to them. I could not believe it. Someone really cares. I also love buying and the people are so friendly. I'm telling you, you just got to try them.
Regina
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posted on May 9, 2000 07:20:30 PM new
BidBay announced today on their main page and in their chat room that they have extended their free listings through the end of July. (no fees whatsoever)
They also have a new contest that should be starting soon to attract new sellers/bidders.
There's more info about this on the chat board too.
posted on May 11, 2000 11:47:57 AM new
The other day I came across a little known site: www.buyitsellit.com
They say their fees are all waived until July also. No commissions or listing fees. I also noticed a lot of great buyer and seller tools, definitely have things no other site I know of has. Anyway, check them out.
posted on June 4, 2000 04:13:28 PM new
BidBay is free till July 31st. Has just added ME pages, and additional upgrades.
All stated opinions are JMHO, and may not concur with anyone else's.
posted on June 5, 2000 10:08:12 PM new
Bid Bay would have to add many many more features and functions to even be considered as a serious alternative. Take a look at the sitemap...It's naked and missing even some very basic and critical options and site content. Yikes!
Unfortunatly there are dozens of other auction sites that offer a great deal more.
Sorry to say, a valiant effort, but a far cry from a contender.
posted on July 2, 2000 11:08:54 PM new
Yardsale.com is free for all listings. The site is new and activity is starting to pick up.
Here is the best part... I signed up with them and was on their mailing list and they asked for feedback from current members about what our thoughts were on them giving 40% of the Yardsale.com profits back to early supporters and 10% of profits to user-recommended charities before major ad-campaigns are released!
In the greedy auction world, I found that to be quite generous....
posted on July 11, 2000 10:02:24 AM new
Try http://www.weboctopus.com. they are completely FREE and claim they always will be. They are just starting out but it is easy to use and they have some great features. Check them out
posted on July 15, 2000 11:18:00 AM new
BidBay has announced free listings through the end of August.
All stated opinions are JMHO, and may not concur with anyone else's.[email protected]
posted on July 26, 2000 02:16:40 PM new
I wouldn't say the CEO is on top of things.
Right now there are cat fights on the chat boards and he has not responded to an email I sent him almost 48 hours ago with regard to questions about the site in general.
I have heard about the great customer service, but 48 hours + for email response I can get from ebay.......
posted on July 26, 2000 03:29:18 PM new
Even if bib bays ceo was on top of things, big deal. The site really offers nothing that the other 300 online auction sites out there dont already offer. Bidbay just got a little lucky with some publicity when ebay screamed copyright infingement, but they are far from ever being a considerable alternative. I found bidbay to be a really tacky looking site from the homepage and throughout. Many others I have spoken to about it said they would never take a second look. Just a lot of hype and hot air.
posted on July 26, 2000 08:01:28 PM new
I thought that you may find this of interest. I have pasted a link to an official request from the ceo of bidbay.com. They are publicly encouraging there users to... well, read for yourself.
posted on July 27, 2000 05:06:44 AM new
I went over to take a look. It supports my theory that sites offering free listings do so only because they know they can't charge.
It seems as though they won't go away - the overhead to run one of these probably isn't very great - but there will be a two-tier market. The free listing sites will wind up with all the low price stuff (where even a small listing fee cuts into the final sale price too much), and the bulk listers of new merchandise.
posted on July 27, 2000 06:40:03 AM new
So, anyone think I'll win a prize if I put them over their goal of 250,000? He did say that you could list up to 100,000 of an item, right? We'll see....
posted on July 27, 2000 11:04:40 PM new
snowhunter, then where can I make a comment/question about Bidbay? No other section of AW seems to allow it.....
I have a serious question, and I surely would NOT ask on thier (BidBay) message board. I think my question is valid, and would probably upset the users there.
I read thru most of thier site, and so far, besides the message bb seems on the up and up and all that, but I didn't like what was actually being publicly said on thier chat bb, between thier own users/bidders/sellers.
posted on July 28, 2000 12:12:16 AM new
Can not you email, unlike some posters here, I do not work for any Auction site, a chat board yes. I am not anon, nor is Bidbay.com
Trolling the basement and the dungeon seems to be a new sport at AW, BUT, then again, AW used to be a different place, didn't it.
All stated opinions are JMHO, and may not concur with anyone else's.[email protected]
posted on July 28, 2000 01:42:59 PM new
Snowhunter~~
You're taking this a little too much to heart, don't you think?
You mention sending email. As I state above, I DID send email. I also stated the same thing at another site we both frequent
Yes, there is a number I can call to have my questions answered, but, as I also stated somewhere else, I prefer to have my answers in writing.
I am only relating my own experience with the site to date, just as others have. And, no, still no response. I guess the ceo doesn't like to answer the tough ones. An auto response would have been better than no response. And, yes, I am moving on.
You have to admit, the ceo of a company pleading with the membership to drive up the numbers does look a bit tacky.
posted on July 30, 2000 09:14:28 PM new
Bidbay is a good place to go if you want to play bingo, read bible scripture or have new items under $5 to sell. The site is not attractive at all and the chat boards are full of sellers begging for bids on low end junk. IE: Look more things under a buck listed, I must sell my items my husband is mad at me. Sounds like the seller's over there are having lots of success!! LOL!! Publicity will only carry a business so far--I see nothing on bidbay to look twice at or encourage buyers to shop. Obviously if the CEO is asking for listings there are no bidders....With bidders come quality listings not low end new stuff you can find at KMart. If I'm looking for something I collect--I'm not going to stop in to play bingo first. It's a dud!! Don't waste your time.
posted on July 30, 2000 09:52:35 PM new
I have had several sales in the last few weeks on bidbay.com. In fact, I have moved all of my auctions from other sites to bidbay.com. The bids are rolling in and I am very impressed that the CEO takes a huge part in the bidbay.com community. I think that it is wonderful that a site like bidbay has become so popular in only a few months.
posted on July 30, 2000 11:30:42 PM new
Several sales in the last few weeks does not a great auction place make!! What did you make $20!!! My first listing on *bay had bids in minutes. I will happily pay to have my auctions listed on a site that will enable me to make more than a mere few sales in a few weeks!! You get what you pay for. Want to list for free--you'll get a few sales--exactly what your paying for--nothing. I prefer to make many sales everyday of the week--this is not a hobby for me. I agree with another poster Free sites are not an alterantive to *bay and offer low end merchandise creating a two tiered market. A garage sale would be faster, more profitable and based upon the boards at bidbay less painless. And I prefer to be in the tier where serious money is being made....
posted on July 31, 2000 04:21:20 AM newYou're taking this a little too much to heart, don't you think?
Not any worse than you taking Gold's auction at heart.
You mention sending email. As I state above, I DID send email. I also stated the same thing at another site we both frequent
I believe it would help if you used the same ID at the other sites so we could identify you.
Yes, there is a number I can call to have my questions answered, but, as I also stated somewhere else, I prefer to have my answers in writing.
Did you ever think of maybe calling the number, asking your questions and then politely request it in writing?
I am only relating my own experience with the site to date, just as others have. And, no, still no response. I guess the ceo doesn't like to answer the tough ones. An auto response would have been better than no response. And, yes, I am moving on.
Have you ever wrote the CEO at Ebay and got a response?
You have to admit, the ceo of a company pleading with the membership to drive up the numbers does look a bit tacky.
Personally I see nothing wrong with the guy who wants his site to succeed.
posted on July 31, 2000 06:34:42 AM new
Lets see, nobody in here whining about free listings, and no fees, some say they do not like the BidBay site, there are other free sites listed, but only BidBay gets the snide remarks.
Wonder why the other sites do not get mentioned, with over 4,000 auction sites listed that I know of, could not there be one alternate site somewhere for everyone.
Instead, lets troll the basement and put something or someone down, feel better now !
Brand loyality is admirable, of course we all know what happens when you sell your soul, its gone forever.
All stated opinions are JMHO, and may not concur with anyone else's.[email protected]
posted on July 31, 2000 09:00:13 AM new
Several to you implies a SMALL amount.
Several to me implies a Large amount.
Before you judge, look beyond what is directly in front of you )
Good luck to all,
Sherri
P.S. I sell online full time and bidbay bidders have come through in the last few weeks. If I wasn't making SEVERAL (a large amount) of sales in the last few weeks, then I would not have transferred all of my listings.
)