Skip to main content

41 replies

Don't be like SD and SS...

C captbinghamtonMember
Cap'm' on the bridge.

FWIW. Frankly, I hope Auctiva starts to charge for this service ASAP. It's a simple rule of the marketplace that (quality being equal) as long as a product is priced below what the market will bring, the demand will go up, the supply will vanish. In this case, the price of Auctiva is zilch. The demand is for servers, tech's, customer support, bandwidth, etc.

I'm surprised at the number of people who saw this happen at SD, and don't have any qualms about it happening here.

Shooting Star is finding this out the hard way too. Kevin apparently didn't have the confidence in his product to make a fair profit. Now, he's having to cut off all support for the existing SS in January, come out with a new program, go from $49 to $180, and guarantee only a year of updates. No guarantee that that will keep them afloat. He's letting those of us who have the old SS upgrade thru January for $60, which is cheaper than dirt, yet there are still plenty of welfare babies hitting the roof over there, gonna quit, etc.

Looks like Poster Toaster's site is no longer up. Another freebie. SS says they're going to intergrate with it further?

I know the following fact bothers some of you. It doesn't make it any less of a fact: It is the absolute obligation of a corporation's officers and management to wring every last dime of profit from the market that is legally possible.

Cheers and best wishes for high returns,
CB

-overheard at the Salvation Army chow line, "yeah, but at least I was never undersold!"
Last edited {1}
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

S suthrnjewlMember
Gosh CB,

What did I miss?
Perhaps my pics weren't involved. I had an outstanding day selling and didn't have any emails in regards to probs. When I queried my children via phone yesterday in regards to my auctions (they help me with the answering of emails) nobody here stated a problem or angry customers about pics. All my scheduled auctions went up just fine. <sigh>

I can't get in on this conversation as I wasn't here to see it first hand or to see how it affected my auctions.

I have unlimited space with my domain and if there's going to be a problem..then I will use that.

I haven't been to the boards and don't have time right now to check them. Normally customer service is on top of answering questions? Were they? WTH?

I have a specific question that I would like to ask you..if you don't know my email,here it is.
Suthrnjewl@Suthrnjewl.com

Thanks, Donna
W wahm922Member
Well I for one am letting SS go, I'm not paying that when I can do just about all it does with a simple spreadsheet.

I'm not a big time seller so I honestly can't justify the extra cost of it right now.

I know what the Capt is trying to say and I understand and if the need be I wouldn't have a problem paying now far a service instead of being hit with it later on down the road.

I noticed that with the pic problem here and being free and unlimited space there are people who are gunna abuse it and hurt the rest of us. Maybe put a limit on the picture storage and charge a fee if more space is needed.

One thing SD does with pic space is if your images are over 150 they will optimize it for you. Here at Auctiva you can upload the biggest unoptimized pic and it doesn't get changed. That also might be something worth looking into as well. No images over 150k.

There are some small simple steps that could be taken to prevent future problems Wink
C captbinghamtonMember
quote:
Originally posted by Suthrnjewl:
Gosh CB,
What did I miss? <snip>

Hi, Sudsie. I've been away, meself. Not sure you missed anything. I assume, though, you mean "Jeez Cap'n...what brought that on," meaning my post.

Yes you can get in on the conversation easily enough, if you want. The whole topic is posted right here.

I wasn't commenting on any problem I have with Auctiva or airing a complaint. I just had some time to kill, so I thought I'd use it by tossing out some thoughts that have been coagulating in me head for a spell. This particular forum seems like the place to do it.

What got me in a reflective mood was when I saw what was going on over at Shooting Star. It's a long story. The only part I felt was salient was what I printed here.

C.B.
C captbinghamtonMember
quote:
Originally posted by hgmartin:
Yes, they would rather drink the Kool-Aid than accept the facts or reality.

Excellent! A perfect way of putting it.
I'd like to think, though, that there is a significant number of folks who would accept the facts, if they were exposed to them. Unfortunately, it seems to be the rare parent, teacher, professor, media outlet, or gov't official who can or will expose this reality to them. They end up getting mauled by reality itself. Or what was always called "learning it the hard way" - getting knocked on your duff by life a few times (a school I've had a hard time graduating from). Wink And in the end, even when led to water, there's a lot of horses who prefer kool-aid.
quote:
I stopped using SS about a year ago. The moderator didn't like me pointing out her double standards.
I've never had a problem with SS serious enough to even meet her, but you probably use it many times as much as I do. eBud looks pretty decent. Twice the price but twice the features. What do you use now? I'm always looking. You can contact me privately through "theponyengine" on eBay.
quote:
Capt. I see Scully found you.
Or you can contact me through aliens. Cool Actually, my wife hit me in the face with a snow-shovel for goofing off on the boards and not getting anything listed on eBay!

Thanks, H.G.
CB
J jeffsMember
"Autiva Jeff", wow the owner finally makes himself known after all these years.

OK Auctiva Jeff, I've been one of your loyal PAYING customers for about 5 (or more) years. How come these people are getting for free what I've been paying $200 a year for? We paying customers can't understand how and why you are doing this, yet still have a high priced "for fee" service.

I have to tell you, that I like the desktop, stand alone programs vs. web based, but they are a bit steep in price. Any chance we'll see a price reduction or rollback to what prices were in the past? It was a lot easier to justify the cost at $8 a month.
C captbinghamtonMember
quote:
Originally posted by Auctiva Jeff:
QUOTE]Since I'm the only shareholder you don't have to worry about me wringing every dime out of you.
Jeff, all those improvements are great. More power to you.
Strictly for my own pecuniary interests, I want you to succeed in these endeavors 110%. It's your implied philosophy that's at odds with what I've observed in the real world. I hope it's just PR, but I have an uneasy suspicion that you are sincere. I wish you would wring every dime. Don't worry about hurting us, your competition will always protect us.

Volume doth not a stable business make. It canneth and doth maketh an irate customer base. Asketh Toma at SD.

This thread wasn't originally aimed at Auctiva management. It was tossed out to any other interested Auctiva users. Reading various threads in various boards, it's obvious that a certain percentage are not acquainted with the natural laws of economics. They don't realize that every dime of net profit (BT&B) that you (or any corporation) pass up is a dime you could have invested in your business to serve them better. Which will allow for generating more profits, BTW.

CB

"A man and his profit...it's a beautiful thing."
H hgmartinMember
quote:
What do you use now?

I think dmcollectibles was indirectly involved with one of my problems with the moderator on SS. That is not why I stopped using it. I stopped because eBay made big improvement to the manager in my eBay and it did what I needed. I figured as often SS needed to update umds it was just a matter of time before eBay shuts them out. After wiping out my system I never reinstalled it and used eBay.

Glad to hear you Jeff. I think a token $2.00 charge a month would go a long ways for paying for support people and keep many of the PITAS away.
C captbinghamtonMember
quote:
Originally posted by hgmartin:
quote:
What do you use now?

eBay made big improvement to the manager in my eBay and it did what I needed.
Thanks for the info.
quote:
I figured as often SS needed to update umds it was just a matter of time before eBay shuts them out.
Exactly what happened. The had go the API route. Would have been easier if they'd had some retained earnings to do it with. I'm hoping they still succeed.
quote:
I think a token $2.00 charge a month would go a long ways for paying for support people and keep many of the PITAS away.
It would at least be a start. The support people are especially crucial. When I was in business, the fewest number of competitors I had in town was 5. I always made it a point to know what the labor rates they charged their customers were and I tried to keep mine about $2.00/hr above the highest competitor (of course, I had to make it worth it to the customers, obviously). I never had the highest volume in town, but when I was 41, I was able to sell out and retire. The guy I sold out to...well, he cut the prices to "get competitive". Because of this, he couldn't take care of his troops: he lost over 90% of my guys, plus my gal in less 18 months. And because of that, he had to replace them with inexperienced people who'd work for less. And because of that, he couldn't take care of his customers in the manner in which they were accustomed. And because of that, he lost just under half of my old customers in the same time-frame and never was able to attract a similar number of new ones. And because of that, in four years his corporation was belly-up. Life.

CB
"...and every day the paperboy brings more." -Pink Floyd
T tabithaMember
Hello to all~ I'm relatively new to Auctiva and am still getting aquainted with the service. I am liking what I see so far, and I do see the potential that this will take care of the majority of my business needs.

I concur with the Capt. on all points...I am one of those self-made business minded people, who lived and learned the hard way and now try to look beyond the short term. So many auction companies have started up to take care of ebayers, and many have failed. I run 4 different selling IDs, two with stores, and 3 are Powersellers. I am constantly trying to find "The One" that will take care of everything I need, but in reality, that isn't feasible--simply because one program only takes care of features ABC, while another has only image hosting and features Y & Z. PLUS the fact that if there is ever a crash or failure, you need a backup system--a backup of listings, ISP, backup image hoster, ect... I get a headache thinking about it. I currently use Meridian, Turbolister, and now Auctiva.

I applaud Jeff for delurking to let us know of the expansions and upgrades. Anyone ever heard from Meg herself? Lol...

I see great potential here, and believe me--if it took care of all of my needs with guaranteed uptime and minimal glitches, that is something this very busy woman would be willing to pay for. Thanks! Tabitha
W wahm922Member
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Binghamton:
quote:
Originally posted by wahm922:
Well I for one am letting SS go, I'm not paying that when I can do just about all it does with a simple spreadsheet.


You might have a marketable product there, Danielle. I know my ol' battle axe would be interested. Why not cripple your template and put it out as shareware? Is it for Excel?

CB


You think this blonde is smart enough to develope her own spreadsheet?

Your funny!

A fellow seller and friend developed the spreadsheet over the course of seveal years and was kind enough to pass it along Wink

I'm lucky I'm even able to figure out how it works Roll Eyes
W wahm922Member
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Binghamton:
quote:
Originally posted by hgmartin:
The lunatic is in the hall....


"You raise the blade. You make the change. You rearrange me 'til I'm sane..." Smile

(This is starting to sound like my kids and their MSN Messengers).

CB
"Roses are red,
Violet's are blue,
I'm schizophrenic
And so am I!"


Well this song is now officially stuck in my head and I will be singing Pink Floyd as I decorate the tree today!

Ya think Pink Floyd has a Christmas CD I could pop in?
D dmhcollectiblesMember
quote:
Originally posted by hgmartin:

I think dmcollectibles was indirectly involved with one of my problems with the moderator on SS.


Yup. You gots a good memory.

I didn't stop using SS because of that incident either, but I might soon. Do I recall hearing that Auctiva was going to roll out some post-auction management features that might serve the same purpose as SS in their big spring new version??? Or was I just dreaming....
magienoiremagienoireMember
I didn't read all of the posts. What people fail to understand and it has been explained several times, is this -- Auctiva is generating income. Huh? How? They've explained it. They've forged relationships with several other businesses and through them are earning capital.

For instance, if I'm not mistaken, they use U-Pic as their insurance source. Being they have or will have A LOT of Auctiva users, they're able to get a great rate. Say they're able to get domestic insurance for up to $100 in coverage for .15 to .25? Ah, but the customer is being charged $1.30 for $50 and $2.30 for up to $100 in coverage. Auctiva gives you a kick back of .25, leaving them with .80 to $1.80. I'm guessing they get a better rate than the one used as an example.

I'm sure they've worked something out with Sellathon and whoever else they're aligned with. It's a savvy way of charging and or being paid for a service they're advertising as being 'free'. So, Auctiva is 'free' but they're being 'paid'. I say, good for them. Witty.

I'm sure Auctiva is looking at things long term. Perhaps, the cashflow is slow in the beginning. However, once things begin to snowball, it could become a cash cow and all while offering a 'free' service.

Of course, this is my understanding of Auctiva.

I'm sure if I'm off base someone will come along and set me straight. I'm all for letting Auctiva handle things and if it goes south, it goes south. Life will go on if that day ever comes. I mean, how many are SpareDollar refugees? Well then, the sun is still rising and setting isn't it?

Don't worry, be happy, lol. Smile

PS -- Let's continue to keep Auctiva 'free'. If you're concerned make insurance 'mandatory' for all of your buyers, use the Sellathon products via Auctiva and whatever else they have set up to generate capital.
Last edited by magienoire
magienoiremagienoireMember
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Binghamton:
quote:
Originally posted by Magie Noire:
I didn't read all of the posts.
Got a problem with Pink Floyd? Big Grin

Let me be truthful. I don't have access to Jeff's financials, and they aren't any of my business, and I only made it through the 12th grade. I could very easily be wrong.

But I doubt it.

CB
"God Bless Mom, Dad, and Halliburton"


Actually, I love Pink Floyd. I'm just busy. I read your first post, a few others and posted from there. Auctiva also generates income via their desktop sales. I'm sure, Jeff aka Mr. Auctiva isn't going to sell something for nothing. Maybe he'll loose a little in the beginning, maybe not. He's hiring more help so he must be doing something right. I'm learning more and more that most people think too small, including myself. On the insurance alone, Auctiva could do rather well. If you want to make a plug for Auctiva survival, then plug using insurance on all sales. I have an U-Pic account and that's what I do. I 'included' in my flat rate shipping of $7.00. Now, magnify this by many, many Auctiva users. Say they make a buck or more each time insurance is purchased times 1000's.... get the picture.

Auctiva's success is getting its users to 'use' all of their services they've partnered up with alongside other companies.

You want a free auction solution?

Sign up 1000's of users and get them to get their customers to purchase insurance. Get as many, Auctiva users to use the Sellathon counters and so on and so forth.

I think it's a very savvy new approach to generating capital all while offering all involved 'something' for their money.

Way to go, Jeff.
magienoiremagienoireMember
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Binghamton:
*sigh* It must just be fear that keeps all the competition from doing the same thing.

CB

"...when you wish upon a star-r-r-r..." Smile


Fear or lack of creativity. This is a new approach. Supplying a service and charging a fee for it is the traditional way of doing business. Then along comes - Auctiva.

Which isn't to say they won't make money via U-Pic, Sellathon among others and also begin charging a service fee from their customers. Hey, why not, when they have some people willing to 'pay' them for their 'free' service.

Like I said, some people think small, myself included. If they earn $1.00 and up per each insurance purchase (I'm sure it's much more) because I earn this and I have a high rate -- that's not too shabby times a lot of Auctiva users.

I have no idea what type of deal they have worked out with Sellathon as I've never used their product. I'm sure it's a decent enough slice of the pie to make it worth their efforts.

How is it I can get a gigabyte of picture storage using Photobucket for $25 per year but someone like SpareDollar has to increase their fees to $8.95 per month? As far as 'space' goes, space is space.

Then there's the servers, the auction management program and people to manage the business. A well written program requires 'tweeking' to keep up with changes at eBay and within the auction management community. A poorly written program is in trouble 'prior' to changes from eBay. These companies are hanging from a cliff by their hangnails when eBay makes changes.

If you're in this business then it is expected that you keep up with every stupid change eBay makes because that's the nature of the beast.

Personally, I think eBay would love to corner the market on auction management as well. I'm sure they don't make things 'easy' for these businesses. Slowly we see, eBay introducing, Blackthorne products, picture hosting (at crazy prices) and post auction management tools.

Anyway, I have no idea what Auctiva is thinking about. It seems to me they're being 'sassy innovative', lol. Why not do it the way they're doing it? Um, because it takes creative thinking and balls to break out into something new -- that's why.

Much easier to charge a monthly rate or a monthly rate and a percentage of sales. Heck, look at all of the people who use Vendio? I loved using Vendio -- it is a superior product. With that being said, they need to change their names to Greedio. Why spend $75 per month or more for auction management? These companies will get away with whatever the market base is willing to pay. If Auctiva wants to market themselves as being 'free' and then get paid in a 'creative' way, I say good for them and good for me. By the way, I love the guitar solo from the song, Time.

Cool
Last edited by magienoire
C captbinghamtonMember
Magie, you seem like a really nice person. Very kind and filled with a strong faith in human nature. It's just that your vision of how the world works reminds me of the business plan for the "Good Vibes Alfalfa Sprout and Custom Bong Cooperative, Inc. est. 1967." It is wishing on a star. But, of course, that doesn't mean I don't hope "your dreams come tru-u-u-u-u-e!"

I know better than to try to re-orient someone whose faith is that strong. A. It takes too much time. B. They wouldn't pay me. C. Some people just want to drink the Kool-Aid. D. What would I do if they turned out to be right? -- So instead, here's hoping that "fate steps in and sees you thro-o-o-ough..."

CB
"...and bless Sid, and Texaco, and Microsoft, and eBay,..."
Next

Add Reply

Post
Copyright © 1999-2018 Auctiva.com. All rights reserved.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×