posted on February 7, 2001 08:26:06 PM new
A few weeks ago, when the hoopla started about Yawho charging fees, I posted an open letter that I had emailed to the BidBay CEO.
I was accused by one AW user of being a troll...That really hurt. But, at the time, I really felt that BidBay was a good auction site - I had had some good luck there.
Then, I started reading some of the postings in "Other Online Auctions".
I posted a few auctions at BidVille, and Epier.
Folks, I was wrong BIG TIME!!!
I wouldn't post an auction at BidBay right now for all the tea in China. Not only do they not have many bidders, but all of the IPO problems cropping up really bother me...I don't expect the site to be in existence much longer.
Not to mention that BidVille and Epier are both much easier to upload pics, and to post auctions.
BidVille has great customer service that is readily available.
I apologize to all of you for my recommendation of BidBay...
Now, if someone will please pass the crow...I'm a bit hungry...
posted on February 7, 2001 09:33:45 PM new
Well, personally, I am glad someone mentioned BidBay a few weeks back as I wasn't familiar with it and I went over and registered, and I have been getting fairly good sales there, and find it easy to use.....I'm using a number of sites, but I am getting the most sales from BidBay and Auction Addict.....personally, I've gotten nothing from BidVille, or Epier....but it may depend on what one sells.
Personally, I am not attached to any one site, after Greedbay and then Yahoo, I'll stay spread out, plus it definitely helps our web site sales to post in more locations.
[ edited by jwpc on Feb 7, 2001 09:35 PM ]
posted on February 8, 2001 06:08:07 AM new
Bidbay makes me uncomfortable too! I am staying away. It is BidVille for me. I was having trouble with leaving feedback on BidVille, wrote them and they called me! Yes, an actual one on one conversation with a REAL person. Hard to belive, huh! BidBay is bragging all over the place but seems he has nothing to back it up with. Another Ebay, I don't think so!
posted on February 8, 2001 06:17:41 AM new
deichen
This is an honest question, I'm not being sarcastic, you said "BidBay is bragging all over the place," and my question is how does an auction brag? Beyond major PR like eBay does, I'm just wondering how any auction can "brag"?
posted on February 8, 2001 06:32:04 AM new
From a suggestion posted to another thread, I sent BidVille an email a few days ago asking them how they intended to generate revenue to keep their site going.
Their "customer service" has neglected to respond
At least you get a 'bot response from eBay ... nada from BidVille.
posted on February 8, 2001 06:51:04 AM new
RB
Maybe it is none of your business. Would it be any of their business if they asked how much you have in your checking account? They do answer legimate questions and respond in record time.
posted on February 8, 2001 06:54:27 AM new
CharlieOne ...
You're right ... it's not the typical question. However, I did write it in a businesslike way. I commented on their promise to never institute user fees, the fact that any planned advertisers may be reluctant to place banners on their site due to the lack of bidders, and their current cash giveaways, and asked them how they intended to generate enough money to keep the site running. Obviously there is more to running an auction site than simply buying a server and some bandwidth.
Although this may not be a question that "customer service" could answer, one would think that the person who read it would at least push it up to someone who could answer.
The courtesy of a reply, even without a detailed explantion, would go a long ways towards convincing me that they have a plan, and that it would be worthwhile for me to spend the time and effort to list and buy at their site.
posted on February 8, 2001 07:15:39 AM new
djaythree-wrote "______"
"I was accused by one AW user of being a troll...That really hurt. But, at the time, I really felt that BidBay was a good auction site - I had had some good luck there."
So one or two people make you change your mind about your business.
"I wouldn't post an auction at BidBay right now for all the tea in China. Not only do they not have many bidders, but all of the IPO problems cropping up really bother me...I don't expect the site to be in existence much longer."
You said you have some luck there but then you said "Not only do they not have many bidders"
It seem that you're contradicting your self with that statement.
"IPO problems cropping up really bother me"
In my opinion the one that should be worry are the investor not you. Unless you own share of it,
as a seller on different auction site I don't let thing like that worry me as long as they don't interfere with my auction.
why not just list thing up for auction and stop reading the chat room and see what happen.
mrfanini
[ edited by mrfanini on Feb 8, 2001 07:24 AM ]
I read somewhere (I think in Bidvilles newsletter)that auctions would be free for those "charter" members who signed up before a specific date. Could be down the road that those who didn't sign up before the cut off date will be asked to pay something. They also have front page and category features that they charge $5 & $2 for, and there are people using the features. With only a $10 sign up credit, soon that will turn to real money if it hasn't already.
Has anybody here gotten $$$ in your PayPal account for someone signing up via your Bidville banner? I have, pretty cool!!
posted on February 8, 2001 07:27:35 AM new
Mr Fanini,
Why do you have a chat room there if you are now trying to discourage people from using it?
[ edited by jimhhow on Feb 8, 2001 07:29 AM ]
posted on February 8, 2001 07:35:57 AM new
RB,
I am sorry that they did not answer your question, maybe they will in the next newsletter. But I do agree that I think youshould have been given the courtesy of an aknowledgement.
breezydough,
Yes, Bidville deposited cash into paypal for me. Unfortunately, The people at paypal have lied so much in the past that I do not trust them and will not give them access to my bank account (like that would be a smart move), or my credit card. So they will not give me the money that is rightfully mine. Rather than see these people profit from it, I paypaled it back to Bidville and told them to keep it. My money does not say "In Paypal We Trust"
posted on February 8, 2001 07:38:07 AM new
"Mr Fanini,
Why do you have a chat room there if you are now trying to discourage people from using it?"
Sorry you must be mistaken me I don't have a chat room, I'm a member of different chat room, and as you can see or read, I don't post much on the bidbay chat room and further more discourage people of using any chat room, i do believe that is your choice to post or not to post,
I did ask a few question to your post. as a members of AW i do have the right to post and ask question?
Again you do have a choice to answer or not my question..
posted on February 8, 2001 07:59:05 AM new
jimhhow
Maybe I've just been lucky, I've had no trouble with PayPal or Paydirect (she says with fingers hopefully crossed)I've been using PayPal since last April, and PayDirect about 4 months. Can't say I trust either of them. I do have a balance in PayDirect at the moment that I plan to move out today just because I would be more comfortable. I don't trust the US mail service or any other transport service either, but I use them to stay in this business. So with credit cards my sales have increased since using the online payment thing, so I guess I'll stick with them till they give me a reason not to. Our credit card numbers etc. are flashed every day to many places, every time you make a payment with plastic or purchase something with it, someone you don't know is handeling the thing and has access. It's a problem we all face with credit, but we just keep on blindly using it!!
I wonder if giving the money back to Bidville is tax deductable??!!
posted on February 8, 2001 08:17:51 AM new
I have found that being able to accept credit cards has given me more business so I had to get creative.
So I found a way to use PayPal and not worry about the account information that they have. I opened up a "free" {no fees each month-no minimum balance} checking account exclusively for their site with a debit card. I keep little to no money in that account, using it only for PayPal transactions. If anyone gets the information they won't have much to work with as the debit card would only let them spend the few dollars that might be in the account.
Was not trying to be offensive. It's just that no business will tell you their business plan regarding capitol flow, or plans to improve it. The persons sitting at CS computers have no knowledge of that topic, at any rate. Passing it on to the PTB, may be opening themselves up to a superiors rath, as it is none of their business. Responding to it, to them, is a predicament, no matter how they attempt it. So they just leave it be.
posted on February 8, 2001 03:38:35 PM new
CharlieOne ... "Was not trying to be offensive"
I never thought that for a second
The point I was trying to make was in rebuttal to all the BidVille pom-pom wavers who tell us how wonderful and quick their customer service people are - one of whom suggested I email them about their plan to generate dough. I didn't really expect to see their business plan, but I did expect the courtesy of a reply at least acknowledging my question.
Even the almighty eBay respond, albeit with a form, so at least you know your email made it to them.
BidVille needs to learn email etiquette
I still haven't had any response to that email, nor the 2nd one I sent them 2 days ago asking how to remove my personal info from their database. This, surely, is something customer service should and could answer ... if they existed.
posted on February 8, 2001 03:38:54 PM new
mrfanini, I figured this would be too tempting for you to leave alone...
Respectfully, the luck I had at BidBay had nothing to do with sales - I've posted several auctions there in the past year, and have never sold a single item. My business decisions are my own, and if I'm not comfortable at a site, I will not place my items for sale there. At this time, I do not feel comfortable listing auctions at BidBay. That may change at some point in the future, but I will be the one to make that decision. No emotion, no persuasion - I just make a decision based on several different reference points.
Just as I would not post an auction at Yawho now for any reason whatsoever. In my mind, Yawho has blown my trust in them, and once blown, will not return.
RB and CharlieOne, please behave yourselves. I didn't mean for this thread to become a free-for-all about BidVille's revenue generation, and it shouldn't be. RB, if you are not comfortable with BidVille, then, by all means, go elsewhere! It doesn't mean that we won't all still like you - we will! I find your posts entertaining and informative. It's freedom of choice, and it's what I exercised toward both Yawho and BidBay.
I started this thread to eat some well-deserved crow in public, nothing else. Please, guys, stick to the topic, and not the personalities.
