posted on February 27, 2001 12:17:53 AM
I am curious what some of you think of specialized auction sites? I have been using Player Auctions (www.playerauctions.com) since ebay has cracked down on Everquest auctions (they keep deleting all EQ auctions)and I still use ebay for other items.
However PA has added a lot more categories that all deal with entertainment (books, movies, games, etc) and I don't like splitting my time between sites. I have been silently following these boards for some time and notice all the sites are full auction sites. Do you think a auction site aiming at just one subject (entertainment)like player auctions can make it over the long run? I would think a auction site would need to be full coverage to cover expenses?
posted on February 27, 2001 11:26:18 AM
I think you will see ebay as the continuous winner for all purpose (walmart) type auction place and the rest will be specialized auctions sites. Specialized sites have an advantage as they can provide more services related to the topic. My two favorite specialty auction sites are eLance.com and veniza.com fashion auction
posted on February 27, 2001 12:10:29 PM
Judging from comments here on AW last year, sellers seemed to be doing very well on Half.com when it was focused on books (and before eBay acquired it). I don't know how the site is doing now.
posted on February 27, 2001 07:40:05 PM
Well before ebay went insane and decided to delete all EQ auctions, they were averaging 60,000 Everquest auctions a week, now due to the fact they keep deleting the auctions and banning users who post EQ auctions its never over 400 auctions and sometimes its zero if you happen to hit it at the time of removal.
So a lot of everquest players are just sick of ebay removing the auctions, which has prompted the rise of Player Auctions and now PA is growing in game auctions they have added a few other topics all to do with entertainment. Since PA is about the only place to go for EQ auctions (the only site with any good amount of eq auctions) and they have added some more topics I am thinking about doing some of my other stuff there now. However I am sure I will lose out on the items from ebay, its just a pain in the ass because ebay will not allow EQ auctions, so I HAVE to use PA for it (I was making close to $15,000 a month on Everquest auctions), its my main source of income.
It has been my observation over the past 3 years that events move very swiftly on the Internet auction scene and something will hit you when you least expect it. This scenario gets repeated, over and over again.
It is just simply not wise to put all your eggs in one basket. You need a Plan B.
I sell on both Yahoo and on eBay and don't find the diversification a problem. All my Yahoo auctions are "1st Bid Wins" and I have a fairly steady stream of wins. In contrast, none of my eBay auctions are "buy it now" and I choose the number of listings and my ending times very carefully.
