posted on August 12, 2000 03:59:02 PM new
Hi Everybody, have listed a few Dutch Autions on Yahoo and I have this one bidder that I know doesn't realize that they are only bidding on one item. So anywho---is there anyway to pull up their email so I can let them know that 1 bid is not for the entire lot? Their contact info when I click on their user id is very sketchy. I want to email them and just sorta explain Dutch Auctions to them so that they are aware that a bid of one is just that---one item. Thanks!!
posted on August 12, 2000 04:31:39 PM new
I don't think on Yahoo you can pull their e-mail address but I would try "BIDDER-ID"@yahoo.com first and see if that works.
posted on August 12, 2000 05:37:20 PM new
Hey Tom didn't know you cared!!
Anyways, tried that [email protected] and didn't work. But thanks Porcelaingirl! Oh well---get the feeling they are going to be dissappointed because there are other bids. Wonder why Yahoo doesn't disclose a bidder's email?
posted on August 12, 2000 06:47:35 PM new
Oh don't say that...I just put one up the other day! I did however state "This is a Dutch Auction-- winner will receive (1 or more ) of the items. Don't they get to put in a # of items they want??
posted on August 12, 2000 06:58:57 PM new
"Wonder why Yahoo doesn't disclose a bidder's email?"
I wrote long ago and asked them Jeanyu & got a simple, direct answer--"As an example, say you have a bidder on a $10 item, how would you like it if unscrupulous sellers were able to write them and say 'hey, don't pay her, I'll sell you mine for $9'. We protect users privacy from potential spams and scams in their best interest."
As far as a Dutch auction, when I run them my first sentence is "I have 5 identical items available, your bid amount is PER item. Enter the quantity desired when placing your bid, whether it's 1, 5 or any amount in between. If you have a ? send me an email at ..."
Some users have their email add listed on their About Me page. If not your backup plan is user [email protected]. If they have items listed for sale you can use Q&A on their ad to send them a msg. Last resort is pulling up their FB page & checking for an email add for anyone they have dealt with. Then you'd have to write that person & ask them if they would give out the add or forward a msg for you.
posted on August 12, 2000 07:12:40 PM new
kasmoon--thanks for the suggestions. I have just tried all--they, the high bidder, only have a one feedback and there are no email addys associated with the sale.
I do truly appreciate Yahoo's attitude towards bottom feeders, but in this instance, my high bidder is going to be very dissapointed or worse--keep bidding because they think they are bidding for the lot--not the item.
Will remember how you word your Dutch auctions. I thought mine was pretty explicit as far as what was offered and how---guess not. Ouch---my head hurts!
posted on August 12, 2000 08:01:40 PM new
I hear all the time that buyers don't read ads anyway. A lot of them must not, just last week I saw a clear example. Photo showed a designer item but deep in the text it stated the actual item up for auction was a relica very similar. The real thing would be worth about $250 and a replica about $30. Several bidders (who apparently read it) maxed at less than $30. Many bidders who apparently did not read it fought it out all the way up to a $275 close.
Have you tried adding clarification to the listing???
Under "Manage This Auction", click "Edit Auction Description", then put a very clear explanation that the bid price is for ONE item ONLY, and they may bid on 1 through X number of them @ $bid price EACH. Make the type big, bold, and loud like red or orange so the bidders hopefully will see it when it's added to the listing page. You might also put your email address so they can write you if they want you to cancel their bid for them (since they can't cancel themselves).
posted on August 13, 2000 01:01:49 PM new
When I run dutch auctions, I don't use the First Bid Wins promise. I just put DUTCH in the auction title. If they can't figure it out, then I don't want to deal with them.
didn't know you cared!!