Power Sellers Unite

scbeachbum · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 52

We can sit here and talk up and down about how Ubid needs to change or address or make changes at Bidville, but honestly I don't know if they'll listen. There's one sure fire way to get them to listen and that's to become stockholders of the company. They really don't have too many shares outstanding, so if a few people bought up stock and started calling and showing up at their shareholders meeting demanding action, I'd be willing they'll get the message really quick. It happens all the time if you just watch CNBC. You got "activist" investors targeting companies almost daily and they only own a couple percent of the stock. One percent of Ubid stock at current market prices is about 288,000 dollars. If we got a cohesive group who banded together I bet we could drive home the point over there. This could very well address changes that are needed. Ubid also has almost enough cash/assets per share at the current share price, so any downfall is limited unless they somehow burn through that cash in quick fashion, which I'm not foreseeing in their SEC filings and guidance. Anyone else think this might be what is needed to get them in gear over there?

scbeachbum · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 52

Recent activist attemps at Motorola and Yahoo...Ubid would be a lot easier to target since they are so small by market valuation and shares outstanding...in addition they just bought back 11% of their stock making it even easier. http://breakoutperformance.blogspot.com/

Texas-treasure · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 511

You're probably right in theory. It would be hard, especially online, to organize something like that.

I don't think there are that many people at BV willing to risk their money on Ubid, either. They have not done a lot to build trust in their company.

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

What do I care what Ubid does with BidVille? If I don't like what they are doing, I'll take my few listings and go somplace else. Maybe even open my own site back up.
If you want to become part owner and buy some stock. Great idea! Then you are entitled to have a say and you can say it at your share holder meetings. But after you become a stock holder, I would suggest you protect your investment and not bad-mouth the place.

CuFF · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject:

Boycott BV... that will get their attention ;)

gooddealsbooks · Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 1048

I think buying stock is a great idea and boycott Ubid also

scbeachbum · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 52

I think people are going off on the wrong track. All I was saying was that it shouldn't be too hard to get change from Ubid/Bidville and it appears it could be somewhat easy to do that. I do agree that if they aren't giving you what you want people should leave the site, but what I think we need more than anything is to support a site that will give Ebay some good competition. Ubid/Bidville appears the best positioned for this when you count traffic and numbers, but the problem is Ebay still controls a disproportionate amount of the marketplace. If you can get sellers/buyers using another site, the momentum will feed off itself and the site will grow and thrive. I think more than anything that should be the focus.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Hey all -

Great discussion and great ideas! I am 'personally' boycotting BV until I am 100% comfortable with the site, the site management and the privacy/security policies. I am certain that I am not alone is being 'concerned' about listing/buying/selling there - based on the recent press here and abroad.

It's a true shame that BV is being allowed to 'dog-paddle' in the sea of potential sites.

Relative to the 'right' site for eBaY competition, I am not convinced the future of 'online ecommerce' is in auctions. Just MO!!

jas10021 · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 30 Location: St. Louis, MO

HonestJoesAuctions wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote") Maybe even open my own site back up.

Why did you close your site?

I've seen so much complaining about and discussion of auction sites, I wonder if sellers might be better-off starting their own -- a sellers' cooperative.

Is operating a site just too much work?

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Is operating a site just too much work?

It can be depending on how you do it.

I have had my own site since around 2000. At that time, if you didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for a "commercial" site, you had to do it yourself. That's what I did. Some of my earlier efforts were pretty basic and/or downright ugly. Right now I think the site looks pretty good, tho I never seem to get it finished.

But now there are sites with "stores" like right here at PSU. The set-up isn't all that hard and the cart is integrated. If you set your mind to it, it's not too hard. And most of the sites like this have nice boards where you can get help if needed.

While there is some use for all these "auction" sites, I do believe having your own site is going to be the best thing in the long run. It may not do all that great at first, but eventually it should do as good or better than ALL the alt sites combined. At least mine does most months.

That's just my opinion and experience,
Carol