posted on February 21, 2001 11:44:30 AM
Sellers typically don't buy ... that's the single biggest problem with these free sites. They are seller top-heavy. You should be asking the buyers this question instead.
posted on February 21, 2001 02:35:17 PM
It sounds like a question for the buyers, but... they come for what we have to sell, no? And most sellers don't want to put in time, if there are no buyers.
This is a vague thought, kind of like a circle, or pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. If we are going to get ahead of Ebay, I think we are going to have to have a direction to go to. A site we are all willing to give support to.
As sellers, we might consider this our "fee" at whatever chosen auction that is free, till we can get the blood pumping there.
posted on February 21, 2001 02:48:54 PM
The problem with all on line auction sites now is that have become simply another way to retail product. When a new site like BidVille has 350,000+ items listed by sellers, but a very very low ratio of bidders and buyers. This leads me to believe that the sellers are already in charge. They don't need to figure out ways to get more free listings or how to create a seller's co-op. They need to figure out a way to get more buyers.
Lowering their starting bids and easing up on the shipping and handling gouge would be a good start for many of them. Opening up their auctions for non-USA buyers (i.e International) would be another good idea.
I'm sorry, but I have a hard time as a buyer, getting behind and supporting the power sellers who list ten gazillion sports cards in one fell swoop. This isn't work for them!
posted on February 21, 2001 03:09:04 PM
eBay spoiled anyone who has been selling there for more than a couple of years. Sellers expect to get top dollar for their items every time. If they list on sites other than eBay, they use a reserve or starting bid at or very close to the amount they would expect at eBay.
I can't stand the sites that are inundated with single sports cards, fast food toys, recipes, beanie babies that nobody wants, etc. I like Popula simply because they don't have these types of listings, even though there are only about 1300 items listed there right now. Their categories are also limited, but I have enough items that fit in the existing categories that I'm going to stay around for awhile
I've given up on Bidville for now, there's just too much junk there.
posted on February 21, 2001 03:24:28 PM
Popula! What a delightful and appealing site! I'll have to take a closer look at that in the morning. I've added it to my favorites, VERY refreshing. Is the site really for real? I'm impressed, thanks!
posted on February 21, 2001 04:43:56 PM
Popula leaves all the others standing still. Great service, great sales, and a fantastic little site. It can only get bigger and better!
posted on February 21, 2001 06:44:12 PM
My current alternative sites are Popula and Bargain and Haggle. I like both because they don't seem to be clones of eBay (read BidBay, ePier). If I want an eBay-esque feel, I'll go to eBay (and get clobbered with fees.
posted on February 21, 2001 06:53:55 PM
I guess I could not see myself leaving Ebay entirely. As I've stated before, these free sites are a nice supplement to Ebay, but that is probably all they ever will be. If they had enough traffic to entice me to leave Ebay, then you can bet they would be charging just like Ebay...
posted on February 21, 2001 07:15:11 PM
Hi guys! Got time to look over Popula, site is very well set up, great art, funny, easy to get around...just a bit too much of, shall we say, "certain elements," that would turn alot of people off.
Noticed a "bleed over" in the reading section, things that would be better off elsewhere, out of Jrs reach, so to speak.
With 100 listings, it is free, otherwise a quarter a pop plus commission. I liked it well enough to look over almost ever listing there, registered, then placed a couple bids!
posted on February 21, 2001 09:39:33 PM
321gone.com
been to the rest of them, analized lay outs, functions and knowledge as to hands on auction use.. sorry guys, none compare to 321gone and I am sure you will be reading about their bid ratio.
Good Luck to you all.
posted on February 22, 2001 08:34:37 AM
Right now I'm in the process of transfering my 300+ cancelled auctions from Yahoo to Bidville. I tried or looked at Amazon, Yahoo Classifieds,Scatrat, Bidbay, Auctionaddict, 321, etc and settled with Bidville. Just not enough page views or enough items at some of these sights.I sold one lot on Bidville for $1450 that still needs to be collected on. So far, I've put in about 50 test auctions at Bidville, so will wait to see if the one sale was a fluke before doing more work. Ebay is good but it cost about $3300 per month to list all my auctions. I only use Ebay for special occassions. Bidville needs to advertise some and get the word out as their page views are very low and the sight needs more traffic. (If it doesn't blow its low capacity system) My #1 preference is to relist at Yahoo with no listing fees and pay a fvf of 1% to 3%. Don't know if it will ever happen, so will keep an open mind to other viable venues. I don't buy much at auctions. I'm liquidating an estate and have all high price, odd items to sell. I don't want to add more clutter to what I've already got to liquidate.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:09:47 PM
I did tests at BidVille, ePier and 321Gone so far in the last couple weeks. The first 2 i have had nothing but looks. 321Gone I am almost 100% Bid rate on my items (will see if I get 100% pay on them). Of these 3 I have tried 321Gone is currently my vote.
posted on February 22, 2001 06:18:18 PM
I keep saying that I love Popula. I have been there over 1 1/2 years now.You get an artsy crowd that has few deadbeats- 1 in 1 1/2 years! Repeat customers. I like the smaller number of listings-even with 10,000 more - you could check your favorite category in a sitting.It has a cozy feel- and I buy where I list- and probably win 3-5 things a week here.I'm also getting a lot of outbid notices- so I know that there are multiple bids out there.
By the way I am not happy about having the adult section- my only problem with the site.
I sell mainly jewelry on Popula.Sell-through is about 50%. Last week my jewelry items sold from $3-$50 .I am hoping book buyers find the site- my books do so-so.I still list books on eBay- but I put my jewelry on Popula first.
posted on February 23, 2001 02:53:47 PM
I'm still here and looking. Thus far, Popula has my vote for a push. Can anyone rattle the chain of those in office... Get the site cleaned up for family viewing? I live in Chattanooga TN, am a house mouse, and am willing to push this site with a lot of effort if they will clean it up, (get in app. catergories, etc.)
