My husband and I were offered an amazing opportunity to launch a new auction site backed by a large company. Any feedback you can supply us with would be most helpful. As the launching of the site is pending on what the auction community wants in the ultimate auction site.
Are you willing to pay to list on a site that is a better quality experience than eBay but is half the price?
Would you be more likely to try an auction site that is backed by a branded company that started in 1908?
What features would you like to see that eBay does not offer?
What features would you change or do away with?
Your help is greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance!
posted on June 11, 2001 10:56:02 AM new
Are you willing to pay to list on a site that is a better quality experience than eBay but is half the price?
Would you be more likely to try an auction site that is backed by a branded company that started in 1908?
What features would you like to see that eBay does not offer?
What features would you change or do away with?
I can answer the first question: I won't pay to list, if I do have to pay to list, I will just go to Ebay (and I hate doing that). The other questions would not really apply to me. I do not really have any gripes, on other sites (except not enough sales).
posted on June 11, 2001 11:03:11 AM new
Hello! Sounds like a very interesting opportunity, indeed!
I'll add a little bit of my opinions here but not all of them because that would be an entire book! LOL
Are you willing to pay to list on a site that is a better quality experience than eBay but is half the price?
That depends. Are those listing fees or Final Value Fees? When a site first starts out and has few bidders to support it, listing fees can cause a seller to lose money faster than anything else. It just doesn't pay to re-list an item over and over and pay an insertion fee when there are very few bidders.
Would you be more likely to try an auction site that is backed by a branded company that started in 1908?
Not necessarily. Just because a business has been in business since 1908 doesn't mean I would want to use an auction site they built. What is their experience with on-line auctions? Have they both bought and sold? Without the experience on both ends it's difficult at best to know how an auction site should be set up.
Do they have stockholders? When a company has stockholders their main goal is to keep the stockholders placated--often times customer service takes a back seat. (One would think that by making customers happy a business would become more profitable--but it doesn't seem that everyone realizes this.)
I'll stop now--as I said, I could write a book, LOL.
posted on June 11, 2001 11:12:42 AM new
I think there's already way too many online auction sites as it is, the market is oversaturated and plays a big part in overall lack of bidders at smaller sites, IMO.
posted on June 11, 2001 03:45:01 PM new
I'd suggest trying to be different than the majority of auction sites. Try to serve underserved niches. You'll have a better chance at success.
For example, the Fixed Price marketplace is underserved. There's Half.com and Amazon Marketplace and noone else. Both eBay and Amazon are quietly raving how successful this simple concept has become. Another entrant in this area would be fantastic! You could copy what those 2 have done, advertise relentlessly (never stop!), and try to outdo them on pricing, customer service, and other areas.
Another new and intrigueing niche is the one served by BargainandHaggle. Buyer and seller deal 1 on 1 to complete transactions. No waiting for an auction to end. It's like a real live flea market! Check them out.
If you're going to setup a site try and make sure it looks professional and visually appealing. Don't copy eBay's look and don't make it blah like Bidville! Try and be unique and visually stimulating.
I could come up with other ideas but all this brainstorming has given me a headache! Anyway, good luck!
posted on June 11, 2001 04:00:45 PM new
Here we go...
I would be willing to pay Final Value Fees, but not listing fees on a brand new site.
There are many branded companies that have been around a long time that I wouldn't do business with in a million years... so it would depend on the company.
I would like to see a new site advertising right away to attract bidders.
Don't really have any feedback for the last two questions.
Anyway, good luck!