posted on February 14, 2001 07:42:33 PM new
I have been reading the rate so and so site threads.
My question is what do you plan on doing when these sites begin to charge for listings?
They have to. There is no way to avoid it it is simple economics.
Do you plan on leaving them high and dry the way so many did to Yahoo?
Or will you stick it out with them?
I fully understand if you do leave. If an auction site is not making you any money why pay them for the service of going bankrupt?
People keep saying on these threads just give so and so a chance...isn't that what they said about Yahoo? But once they started charging...Yahoo who?
I think this is a very valid question because we know out of all of these auction sites most of them won't be around in another year because of no revenue out of fear of charging, and the ones who do begin to charge people are gonna flee them.
posted on February 14, 2001 08:53:36 PM new
Hi AG2,
That is a great question! After pondering that thought myself....I started looking for a site that I felt had the means to remain "free" from listing fees. Not totally "free". Just free from listing fees. Most sellers don't have a problem with paying for featured, front page exposure(if it isn't $10 or more), or banner ads. I know I don't mind paying for featured. I paid for it at Yahoo. But in order to keep prices low...to maintain the buyers, it is not feasible for Nanabees to pay to list.
That's another big reason Nanabees is at LowestBids. And I'm sure there are other sites with that potential, I just haven't ran across them myself. LowestBids has guaranteed to be free for life to all who are signed up at such time as fees may be charged to list. It isn't foreseen that they'll ever charge listing fees, BUT...if they do, it's like a grandfather clause...those who are signed, never ever pay a listing fee. I like that guarantee.
I also understand how much money it costs to run these auction sites...and some have to eventually charge to list. It's a shame that fees from featured, front page, and banner ads/stores is not enough to cover the expenses for most auction sites. Just my opinions here.
Have a great night all and good luck buying or selling wherever you may be.
posted on February 14, 2001 09:15:17 PM new
This is a good question. I believe that most people would have considered staying with Yahoo if they had done things differently. I agree that a site is really not going to grow without fees.
One thing I like is FVF - That way, the auction site profits when you do. I would not even mind paying this, or an even larger one than Ebay if I do not have to pay a listing fee.
Another thing is to pay a listing fee, but get free relists until the item sells.
There were two big problems with Yahoo:
1) It seemed most of their items took many relists to sell. It is not affordable to pay every time the item relists.
2) Their attitude just sucked. Canned answers to questions, and outright lies. They still are in denial about what happened. How can you be happy that 86% of your business is gone, with more to follow when people use up their credits.
I honestly do not think there is a site out there that does not eventually plan on charging, but as long as they do it "the right way", I will stay with them. I think Yahoo overestimated loyalty of sellers, because I've seen several posts of people who have hundreds in credits who won't post at Yahoo because of the way they treated them.
posted on February 14, 2001 09:31:47 PM new
AG2
I think it would depend on a number of things. Biggest of which is how these fees were assessed.
I have seen many people post that they would have stayed on Yahoo with FVF's.
Also, would any fees charged be in justified by the traffic?
I don't think the question could be answered baldly.
posted on February 15, 2001 06:13:25 AM new
"LowestBids has guaranteed to be free for life to all who are signed up at such time as fees may be charged to list. It isn't foreseen that they'll ever charge listing fees, BUT...if they do, it's like a grandfather clause...those who are signed, never ever pay a listing fee. I like that guarantee."
But, that guarantee isn't worth the screen it is written on. What are their charter members going to do if they start charging a fee? Sue them, or come here and rant and rave about how they were lied to?
I suspect the latter. (does the name PayPal ring any bells here)
posted on February 15, 2001 07:33:52 AM new
Good point RB.
A company can make claims but in the interest of their shareholders may have to do different.
I don't expect these companies to remain free for lifetime. It's almost impossible.
Ad revenue on the internet just doesn't cut it.
PayPal is an excellent example to cite. They couldn't cut it pulling interest off of the "float," and since charging have changed their tos a couple of times.
However it's still one of the best services if not the best service when it comes to online payment.
BidBay is making claims that they will only charge for enhancements i.e. bold, category feature, front page etc. but their SB2 claims the contrary that they will have charge a listing fee.
Which promise do you think they are going to keep?
I for one believe it will be the one made to the investors.
Certainly PayPal was the first name that popped into my mind, but you beat me to it.
Free for life - forever free - free forever
(with stipulations later down the road.)
PayPal offered free forever, never a fee, and well it's kind of true. Of course, what they did was upgrade and give the paying members bigger and better. Those that don't want to pay, don't get as much as those that do.
I'm afraid that free for life for charter members won't work well. Why, you ask?
They'll have their charter members sign up while it's free, right now. So, everyone goes to sign up, even if you don't list there because of no traffic or whatever. You're still signed up, right? Comes time to charge and who will they have left to charge? How many folks are going to wait to sign up to pay?
This is a no-go unreal situation.
Someone recently said buy a store and get your basic listings free for one year. Okay, great, that's cool, I'll do it. Soooooo, what do we come to find out? Basic listings will be free for one year for everyone! Not only the store owners.
There is no free lunch. No free ride. Everyone pays eventually.
posted on February 15, 2001 09:38:21 AM new
Here is what I would be willing to pay. A FVF of up to 10%
I one time listing fee
A small fee (maybe 5-10 cents one time for image hosting onsite) I just dont want to pay reoccuring listing fees on the same items. If Bidville came to me and said that they needed to charge 20 cents per listing but would use the money to get listed on Auctionwatch, I would be all for it!
http://ballsandstrikescollectibles.beckett.com/
posted on February 15, 2001 10:20:11 AM new
Don't know what it is with lowestbids.com but I find that site almost impossible to navigate. I think I am registered, I tried for weeks to register without success (I won't download their software) and finally when it appears I can register without the software, it just freezes and will not let me finish the 3rd page of registration. Free is useless if the site does not work properly!
