posted on March 17, 2001 10:45:56 AM new
I have visited these message boards on many occasions, only to find the same old thing! People complaining about the unfair
treatment of online auction's, but not doing anything to solve the problem. I have also noticed that when individuals do offer
possible solutions - i.e. User Owned Auction Sites, or Co-oP Auction Sites, most people just allow the thread to fade and go
away.
I wonder if you all realize that if all the sellers that want things to change, got together, they could conceivably create their own
auction site, and MAKE THE RULES THEMSELVES. The could also alter the TOS's to aid the sellers verses making money
for the auction site.
Currently I know of two places where you can go and voice your ideas for a new Seller controlled auction site
Unfortunately I can not post the links to these sites because of more TOS's that fear loss of profit -- JC [email protected]
They are not places that require you to do anything other than come up with ideas that would improve the way sellers are
treated, and stay in contact in case a solution become viable. At some point, if enough sellers do get together, we could
probably create an auction site, the not only would compete with the big boys, but also draw their sellers to our site, because it
is a site for the sellers not the owner of the auction.
As all of you know, it is the people that use the sites, that make the sites what they are -- I is also the numbers of members, the
increase the traffic to the sites. We can, if we would, created a site, and have it built our way, IF WE GET ENOUGH
PEOPLE WILLING TO TRADE IDEAS.
JC
[ edited by landofthings on Mar 17, 2001 10:55 AM ]
posted on March 17, 2001 01:13:29 PM new
The problem with a seller owned site is if people see things different then the fighting and pulling back and forth can last for ever. If you sat one up and a change is offered so a vote is taken one side win's by one vote all that will do is tick people off. A site for sellers would also have to be controlled by one person hope you can find that one honest person. I wish there could be a site for sellers I would join and pray for the best. But I dont see it working.
posted on March 17, 2001 04:51:16 PM newlandofthings
I have deleted your post encouraging Users to visit the discussion forums at your site. Links or URLs to other discussion forums (including gateway or signpost page links) are not permitted under the User Agreement.
posted on March 17, 2001 05:34:42 PM new
I apologize for offering an incorrect link for your members -
I guess this is exactly why I am looking for a site that allows it members to express their ideas without fear of being censored by
the corporate owners, whose only concerned is with their own profit, and not their members well being.
JC
PS you could have asked me to remove the reference - but then that would have only been courteous
Below is a copy of the post, without the ILLEGAL reference to another site.
I realize that pleasing everyone all the time is impossible, but pleasing most of the people, most of the time is possible. I doubt
that there would be a time that a single vote determines the outcome, but even if that happens, then I believe that most people
would accept the majority view and try to sway others and try again later. But I also believe that most of the sellers want the
same thing - A place to offer your wares without interference from some auction site owner, who is only concerned with their
bottom line, and not that of the sellers.
I totally disagree that the site should be run by a single person - it has to be a group effort. There would probably be an elected
board that would provide control, but they would be governed by the members of the site - not govern the site members.
Visit CENSORED and make your comments - and keep in touch, we need people that have ideas, even ideas we don't agree
with - But I believe eventually we could come to a view that we would all agree on. But it will take some effort on everyone's
part.
posted on March 17, 2001 05:45:15 PM newPS you could have asked me to remove the reference - but then that would have only been courteous
You are quite correct, landofthings - I could have. But since you were already informed by Joice earlier today, that posting URLS with Message Boards was a violation of the CGs, I chose to delete your post. You were given the opportunity to edit earlier in another thread and complied, so it appears you were aware of the requirements when you chose to post again 6 hours later.
If you disagree with the moderation policy of this Message Center, you are welcome to direct your complaints to [email protected]
posted on March 17, 2001 06:09:08 PM new
So I get this right -- and don't make such a terrible error again, - I can't include a url "www.whatever.com" that has a link to a
discussion board, but it is all right to include the name of a place that does, like eBay, bidbay, bidville, epier, half.com or even zooplies, as long as I don't include the www before or the com after the name. Or make any reference to the fact that there is a discussion forum there.
posted on March 17, 2001 06:21:05 PM new
From the AW User Agreement:
) Advertisements. Advertise products or services in the Message Center or to our members. This includes (but is not limited to) auction sites, software, and auction related discussion forums. Third party representatives may answer questions about services in a strictly factual and non-promotional manner if asked; however, AuctionWatch may end a discussion if we believe that a third party or any of its representatives initiated or are perpetuating the discussion, are promoting its services, or that ending the discussion is otherwise appropriate.
When you post a URL (partial or otherwise) or link along with comments like
Visit xyz (as example only) and go to the members forum and make your comments
you violate the User Agreement.
If you need further clarification, please email [email protected] directly.
MichelleG
Moderator
*edited to correct UBB
[ edited by MichelleG on Mar 17, 2001 06:23 PM ]
posted on March 17, 2001 10:36:43 PM new
landofthings,
As per the TOS here:
) Advertisements. Advertise products or services in the Message Center or to our members. This includes (but is not limited to) auction sites, software, and auction related discussion forums. Third party representatives may answer questions about services in a strictly factual and non-promotional manner if asked; ....
Well, I am asking, in a very non-promotional manner - WHAT IS THE URL OF YOUR SITE?
posted on March 18, 2001 10:56:45 PM new
Moderators: I can assure you zooplies.com is in no way, shape or form a competitor. Rest easy.
landofthings: Site has nice set up. But alot of broken links, especially with the 'Help' section. Also, I don't know if you have alot of banners there, but they are invisible to software such as mine that filters them out.
Or perhaps image links witht he same setup as banner links. Something to keep in mind when designeing web pages these days. Keep it simple. Alot of us prefer it that way.
posted on March 18, 2001 11:22:47 PM new
landofthings,
Oh yes. Back to the topic of your post.
Whats needed is an auction site that is characterized not by its 'features' but by the sparseness of its 'services'. An auction site that is set up so as not to interfere with the main purpose of the software - namely, to post auctions. And the only other 'service' would be feedback. Subject to complete automation, except for perhaps a staff of perhaps one chimpanzee trained to throw the breaker in case of lightning or barbarian invasions. And a message board without moderators.
Not a co-op site - too much bickering. Not a commercial site - too much greed. Not your typical ad driven 'free' site - too much indifference or incompetance.
How about a pirate auction site? Stealthily hidden on some Albanian municipal government server, or with an IP relocator so it can constantly shift from place to place. Maybe call it Flyingdutchman.com .
An auction is after all nothing but an interactive web page classified ad with a feedback mechanism. Nothing special. And it certainly does not need regulation, control, or manipulation. Think of the possibilities of a free site. Not just free of leech charges, but free from interference!
Soemtimes people just dont realize the potentials of the internet, and even make the heinous mistake of thinking that the World Wide Web comprises it! For example I always thought that Napster was a joke. TRADING MP3 files??? Why bother when you can get a nearly unlimited amount for free at the newsgroups, on a distributed and not centralized server model. Or FTP sites.
SO lets apply some of this know-how to auctions!
posted on March 19, 2001 05:57:30 AM new
Now this is the kind of thinking we need for this group -- while the flyingdutchman.com idea won't really fly, to many possibilities of getting lost, or zapped by virus software -- and there is a little bit more to an auction site than just a web page -
first and most importantly is the ability to find through a search what your looking for, and this might be able to be done via a
Napster type system, but remember with Napster your computer has to be on in order to share your files, and I for one don't
want to leave my computer on 24/7/365 - but it might be possible for the search to scan my web page ( which is a work in progress, and changing daily - both in form and idea ) but I am not up enough on the technology to know for sure - Maybe some one out there is. But a software based auction, might be a very viable system to explore- THANKS
And I most definitely agree that the site should not be PROFIT oriented, except for its members. But it still needs to pay for
itself, and have the ability to grow with the load put on it.-- wouldn't you agree? As for sparseness - it just has to be user
friendly, and provide the features needed - PLEASE KEEP THESE IDEA COMING - THEY ARE GREAT!
Folks -- this is the type of brain storming we need with this group - keep it up.
