posted on September 24, 2001 03:13:26 PM new
The following article appeared in the new edition of the Krause Publications SuperSeller Newsletter.
>>AuctionWatch downsizes, re-prioritizes
The winds of change continue to blow feverishly in the online auction industry with AuctionWatch being claimed as its most recent victim.
One of the leading auction services companies in the industry, AuctionWatch has significantly downsized its staff and restructured its business model in an effort to improve its short-term revenue.
AW president Rodrigo Sales was quoted last week as saying fewer than 50 percent of the company's staff was laid off. However, industry sources told SuperSeller the figure might be closer to 80 percent.
"I've heard it's a skeleton crew and depending on whether they had 60-80 people before this, it's probably down to no more than 25-30 people," one source said. "To be able to provide the services they were before will be exceptionally difficult with that number of people."
In addition, AW users have reported problems with their auctions, saying pictures and even entire auctions have been deleted. AuctionWatch did not return a message from SuperSeller seeking comment about the layoffs and user difficulties. <<
I for one missed any announcement on this site about this and would like to know how this is going to affect me as a seller. Should I start shopping around NOW for a new site to use for my auctions? How much longer is AW going to hold on? Is anyone even going to be here to fix the many problems that come up at this site, and to answer questions in the Message Center? And what happens to the remainder of the money paid upfront by those of us foolish to take out the year's subscription if AW goes under? I'm a paying customer here now and don't appreciate having to find this out second hand!
posted on September 24, 2001 04:54:15 PM new
To our loyal users,
Early last week AW discontinued its enterprise services designed to support large corporations looking to sell through the auction channel. This move will enable us to continue our focus on our core business, providing seller services to individuals and small/medium businesses. As part of this restructuring the company did reduce its staffing to levels appropriate for not only supporting but continuing to grow and develop our industry leading seller services. In fact, AW is preparing to release a new product, Sales Manager, Business Edition, which will allow even more efficient sales through the auction channel.
posted on September 24, 2001 05:21:24 PM new
Thanks for your reply. For all of its faults, AW remains a useful tool in my business and I'd hate to see you go. But if it comes to that, I just hope there will be some warning so we're not all left in the cold. In the meantime, good luck with the growth and the new product.
posted on September 24, 2001 06:44:44 PM new
Yeah...
And the check is in the mail...
And I promise...
And I'll respect you in the morning...
And the Titanic is unsinkable...
And Doofus has a brain...
etc...
posted on September 25, 2001 10:53:40 AM new
I have never heard of laying people off so the company can grow!!!!!!!
If they cut expenses by laying off employees why is there another price increase. Seems to me a price increase would help keep people employed not lay them off!
[ edited by jdani2000 on Sep 25, 2001 11:25 AM ]
posted on September 25, 2001 06:33:39 PM new
Thank you for your feedback on this issue, since we have been able to address your concerns on this issue, this thread is now locked.
