Power Sellers Unite

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

Looking for a new venue to sell at? OnlineAuction.com may just be the Selling Venue you're looking for!

Why not check it out for yourself? Be sure to read the TOS (Terms of Service) so you know what you are getting (which many of those here at PSU who don't like OLA freely admit they didn't read and/or didn't understand... see other threads in this forum for those admissions). If, after reading the TOS, you don't understand the terms, why not give OLA a call and ask questions?

It's pretty simple. Read AND understand the TOS and KNOW what you are getting. Don't understand or have questions? Give the site a call. OnlineAuction.com may not be what you're looking for, but how will you know if you don't check it out yourself?

Don't take my word for it. I've been there for a year and 1/2 and have never regretted it, but that's me. The folks who don't care for the site are some people the site didn't work for. No site can work for everyone. Every business is different, every business plan is different.

OnlineAuction.com offers an $8.00 monthly membership instead of listing fees and final value fees for each item. At OnlineAuction.com, you can list and sell to your heart's content and know that you'll still only be paying $8.00 a month. Want to pay by the month? Basic Membership. Want to pay by the year? How does a once a year $96.00 membership sound? Charter Membership. Want more for your money? Consider a Founding Membership (a one-time additional charge along with your first membership. See the site for additional information). There are several membership types available, but they all boil down to $8 a month.

What do you get for $8 a month? Here are just some of the perks:
No Listing Fees
No Final Value Fees
Automatic Relisting
You decide how you'll get paid
You decide how to market your items
4 photos per listing for no charge
Gallery photos enlarge for no additional charge
You decide your own policies
You decide your own shipping prices
Guides and Guidance for proper and effective SEO and SEM
A helpful support staff that will actually answer the phone AND your questions.

The Founding Membership guarantees you will NEVER pay more than $8 a month for life (as long as you remain a member in good standing) and you get a free eStore for life to boot! Founding Members are not the 'elite' of the site, they're just guaranteed a few extras, like no price hike EVER, a free store FOREVER, etc.

There's more, but you should do your own research and make your own decision. I paint a pretty picture, but you should decide if you see the same painting!!!

What OnlineAuction.com DOESN'T do:
Tell you how to run your business
Run your business for you
Supercede your personal store policies
Make you use a 'one size fits all' strategy for advertising and marketing

That last one is where most of the complaints here at PSU come from. OnlineAuction.com does not do your marketing or advertising for you. They give you the tools to do it for yourself, because afterall, it's your business and you should decide your own marketing and advertising stategies and then put them into practice. As long as you follow some simple SEO (Search Engine Optimization) guidelines, you should have no problems getting exposure. Those guidelines are even given to you in the chat forums. How much exposure you get depends on how much you put into it. Personally, I get great exposure and it doesn't take hours or days or months. A couple minutes a day at first and then it just takes a couple minutes a week. Mostly, it takes good SEO habits on a consistant basis. Nothing more that that. Don't be fooled into thinking it's hard or time consuming or something you can't do for yourself. You can and OnlineAuction.com staff and sellers will help you!

If you're ready to run your own business, from the ground up, OnlineAuction.com may just be what you're looking for! Do your own research and decide for yourself.

Here is the site link: http://www.OnlineAuction.com

Don't take my word for it. Don't take anyone's word for it. Take a look at the site and decide for yourself. Afterall, it's YOUR business and only you can decide if OnlineAuction.com (or any site for that matter) is right for you.

Whether OnlineAuction.com becomes your new venue or not, I wish you luck in the eCommerce Marketplace.

Thank You and I hope to see you there!

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

Quote: › docWrite("quote")The Founding Membership guarantees you will NEVER pay more than $8 a month for life (as long as you remain a member in good standing) and you get a free eStore for life to boot! Founding Members are not the 'elite' of the site, they're just guaranteed a few extras, like no price hike EVER, a free store FOREVER, etc.

This is not EXACTLY true is it?:

At our sole discretion, we may add to, alter or discontinue a portion or all of our services at any time, without previous notice.

http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=help:main&content=policies

Plus as others have pointed out here in threads, there is no FREE anything described here.
So, as much as you are being advised to read the contract, I'd like to double that advisory. As was said, don't choose any business simply on the word of another.

Quote: › docWrite("quote")There's more, but you should do your own research and make your own decision. I paint a pretty picture, but you should decide if you see the same painting!!!

Yes indeed. I have spoken to a large number of people about this particular painting. Most believe it isn't even a litho.

Quote: › docWrite("quote")That last one is where most of the complaints here at PSU come from. OnlineAuction.com does not do your marketing or advertising for you. They give you the tools to do it for yourself,

That would be a small shovel to dig yourself out of the hole, right? Just asking.... Or is it the postcards with nowhere to write a little personal note. Or the oval, yellow bumper stickers everyone would love to have displayed? Are there more tools?

Quote: › docWrite("quote")If you're ready to run your own business, from the ground up,

Or into the ground more probably. It is your choice to do so and generally your fault. I've read that on the forums so many times I've lost count. Poor SEO skills(teehee those only developed over the past year but boy are they the new catchword now) and poor manner in listings, not a good work ethic, too much time spent elsewhere posting complaints about site, etc., etc., etc. But, hey don't let me slow this train down. There are already no brakes.

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

OnlineAuction.com apparently didn't work for you OldFogey. I understand that. No site works perfect for everyone. Good Luck wherever you go in the eCommerce Marketplace.

Thank you for your response and for your personal opinion.

sciencefare

METZYMOM wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")OnlineAuction.com apparently didn't work for you OldFogey. I understand that. No site works perfect for everyone. Good Luck wherever you go in the eCommerce Marketplace.

Thank you for your response and for your personal opinion.Good response Metzy... well done! 8)

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

sciencefare wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")METZYMOM wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")OnlineAuction.com apparently didn't work for you OldFogey. I understand that. No site works perfect for everyone. Good Luck wherever you go in the eCommerce Marketplace.

Thank you for your response and for your personal opinion.Good response Metzy... well done! 8)

Thanks SF. I appreciate it.

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

Quote: › docWrite("quote")OnlineAuction.com apparently didn't work for you OldFogey. I understand that. No site works perfect for everyone.

Exactly how do you understand that? By my making these things known? I never stated one way or another, did I? You said it worked for you and posted statements that are less than honest. That is all I am addressing. You really should add that not only does OLA have the right to change the rules you use to entice, they recently changed one midstream. The "unlimited listings". Where did that go since just last week? If you wish to be fair, explain what has happened to everyone on the site after they joined believing things were, as said earlier "Unlimited listings".
If that can change overnight, so can all other promises.

Quote: › docWrite("quote")At OnlineAuction.com, you can list and sell to your heart's content and know that you'll still only be paying $8.00 a month.

This cannot be guaranteed though, right? It is merely today's offering and, at any moment, it can change, right? Exactly how many listings are there in one's "heart's content". Never read that in any contract. I'm not reading these instructions incorrectly, am I?:
At our sole discretion, we may add to, alter or discontinue a portion or all of our services at any time, without previous notice.

http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=help:main&content=policies

To say a place "works" for a person, to me, intimates that said place puts out great efforts on one's behalf. So, if OLA has put forth great efforts on your behalf, I am pleased for you. It just so happens that I haven't witnessed OLA "working" for anyone I know. You are correct, no site works perfect(ly). Not much perfection of any kind around these days. There are a few that we could at least say, puts out an effort for the people that butter their bread. See my point? It actually has nothing to do with OLA and myself. It has to do with the integrity of the business plan and administration thereof. Good luck to you wherever you are.

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

OldFogey, this thread was not started to pick an argument with you.

Anyone who has seen your posts in previous threads here in this forum knows how you feel.

You've posted the link to the TOS twice now. Anyone can check it. You've made your point as you see it.

Any site can change policy at any time and they all do. Isn't that why we all left the bay?

Founding Members at OLA are the ones who have the guarantees, which is why Founding Memberships are the way to go... if OLA works for someone's business....

I expressed my opinion, you've expressed yours. We don't agree. We don't have to. It's okay that we don't. It doesn't change that my experience has been a great one or that yours was less than steller. We both put our opinions out there and now we let newcomers decide for themselves... right?

Let's just agree to disagree, okay?

BBRsignWeRKS · Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

METZYMOM wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Any site can change policy at any time and they all do. Isn't that why we all left the bay?

Founding Members at OLA are the ones who have the guarantees, which is why Founding Memberships are the way to go

Am I missing something?
If any site can change policy at any time, then what makes the Founding Membership guarantee so special?

Sounds to me like they could have the right to change that too.

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Anyone who has seen your posts in previous threads here in this forum knows how you feel.

Well, that goes both ways. We can easily prove this as well. Which, I see has no bearing on anything. You flatter yourself. I'd have replied to this no matter who posted it. Just happens that it is always you.

Now, back to real life... I read something in the online paper today that made me think. Not that I needed it but, it is worth posting here:

It was titled "Work-from-home scams cite reputable news organizations" and it ended with this comment:

"What the big print giveth, the small print taketh away," Bernas said. "If someone asks you to pay to learn how to make money, that's the tip-off to the rip-off."

Sort of like "list to your heart's desire". To me, that's like inviting you to out to have "all you can eat" w/o saying what's on the menu.

A thing can sound or, in our case, read as if there might be some substance but, once you've plunked down the price, it's too late to "get it".

Seemed incredibly appropo.

Confused · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 315

Yes ebay makes policy changes but unlike OLA, they give at least a 30 day notice of such changes and usually the notices are for longer than 30 days.

All of a sudden, OLA changed the FM from unlimited listings to a maximum of 8000 without any type of notice to the Founding Members. If it hadn't been for 2 sellers, I don't think OLA would have ever told anyone. Right now on the registration page: https://www.onlineauction.com/beta/register/index/index under "Learn More about Safe Transactions" it still says unlimited listings.

Before joining OLA, please research all venues and ask questions. Start as a monthly member before investing the $196 because it is non refundable.

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

Quote: › docWrite("quote")If any site can change policy at any time, then what makes the Founding Membership guarantee so special?

It only dawned on me that you asked what you did. For a minute there, I was actually thinking there WAS something special about the FM's. It does certainly sound like that in the first post to this thread, doesn't it? Alas, there are no special anythings according to the one sentence disclaimer:

"At our sole discretion, we may add to, alter or discontinue a portion or all of our services at any time, without previous notice."

http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=help:main&content=policies

Why isn't this mentioned by anyone that seems so up about OLA? This sentence clearly covers anything, anywhere, anytime. That includes any membership by any name. So, no matter how glamorous anyone tries to make OLA appear, it isn't. The numbers here on PSU under "latest ratings" speak for their listings as well. They are falling almost daily now. I sure do agree with MM though. Do your research and THEN decide. If I had to, I wouldn't be able to point anyone in the direction of genuine, positive research of any kind.

purple_reading_giraffe · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 5485 Location: Indiana, USA

Thank you all for addressing the site issues and not the persons discussing the issues.

I wish to add my personal observations of OnlineAuction.com based on my observation of the site and its features and development since I became aware of the site in early 2008, based on my use of the site as a buyer, based on my participation in many conversations at PSU regarding this site, and based on my conversation with the owner and some employees of this site in the early summer of 2008.

OnlineAuction.com has a relatively unique position among the many venues I have looked at. Its up-front fee structure along with an auction format is different from most. It also has longevity and a very good domain name. It allows links to other sites from a seller's store and listings, without reservation or limits (most venues, as eBay, prohibit outside links in one way or another). I have also satisfied myself that OLA items get rather good Google natural search exposure.

I have also noted that OLA has a LONG history of promising upgraded features to come 'soon', and then the features never materialize. Item feeds to Google Shopping is an example of a frequently promised feature that has never come to fruition. Because of this I have advised that no seller base a decision to purchase a Founding Membership on any promises of future features, but only on currently available features. I have also advised that sellers use the $8/month subscription to discover if the site works for them before considering a Founding Membership.

Now I have learned that OLA has taken to reneging on current features that are in place at the time of the purchase of a Founding Membership. The particular take-backs that I have become aware of in the past month are features that have been in existence for several years, based on the many references to them that I have seen in the 'historical' threads at PSU. These recently disappeared features are:

1. Founding Members given a referral code, and when a new Founding Membership is bought, and a current FM's code is used, that FM gets a cut of the fee. This apparently was changed at some point, without notice, without discussion, without recourse, to not being applicable to anyone who signed up for a Founding Membership after using the site first. This change was discovered by a member after not receiving an expected finder's fee when a friend sprang for a Founding Membership. I found what I think is the site for this program: http://affiliate.onlineauction.com/ - that page, today, says "Program Details >> Commission Type: Pay-Per-Sign up $36.00 USD for each Founding Member sign up. >> Payout Requirements: $100.00 USD - Minimum balance required for payout. >> Payout Duration: Payments are made once per month, for the previous month." I see no qualification regarding "each Founding Member sign up" that the sign up not be already a member of OLA.

2. Unlimited Listings - long advertised by OLA, and still a part of their page titles - have recently been discovered by a seller attempting to list more items to have a limit of 8,000 items. The responses in the forum, and the lack of the use of that term in the OP, tell me that this has been officially changed by OLA and is not just a temporary technical difficulty. Again, the change was instituted without notice, without discussion, and without recourse. The OLA User Agreement page was last modified 6 October 2009 - I believe the unlimited listings were still mentioned in that agreement until very recently. The Google Cached version of that page from 18 Sept 09 shows this phrase in the page footer - "Online auction source for online auctions on the Internet with Free Unlimited listings and No Final Value Fees for shopping, bidding, buying, and selling with our Quick true bid feature...." While that footer has now been changed to read "Online auction source for online auctions on the Internet with No Final Value Fees for shopping, bidding, buying, and selling with our Quick true bid feature...." the Auction Enhancement Fees page says at this moment, at the top:
"Registered Basic Buyer Members can browse, bid, and buy items up to a daily limit of $1,000 paying no fees to OnlineAuction.com. Seller Members are charged a flat monthly/annual membership fee starting as low as $8/month (amount dependent on the membership type selected) on OnlineAuction.com and includes FREE UNLIMITED LISTINGS. You can list one item or thousands!"

Based on this, I must strongly caution against anyone ever considering purchasing a Founding Membership at OnlineAuction.com. The fact that OLA now feels free to disregard the current contracts that they had entered into with sellers at the time that these sellers purchased their yearly membership in advance, and utterly fails to provide notice of these changes, and continues to post misleading terms of service after changes have taken effect informs me that no statements of even current features can be relied upon. A month-to-month membership of $8 may still be worth considering for some, but keep in mind that this does not include an OLA House. I haven't, however, seen any evidence that an OLA House is of any particular benefit over general listings at OLA.

Let me reiterate the bottom line. OLA has recently shown by their actions that terms within the User Agreement, or posted on policy pages elsewhere on the OLA site, at the time one chooses a yearly contract cannot be relied upon to remain in effect for the full term of that agreement.

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

Notifications have been always been given for changes with one exception, and I know it was openly discussed in the threads some months ago, but I don't recall the outcome. Since it was discussed openly in the threads, I personally consider that exception as a moot point (for me). That I can't remember the outcome (i.e. whether it was commented on by OLA or some sort of notification made during the discussion) is, IMHO, not a reflection on what OLA did or did not do.

AS A CURRENT SELLER at OLA, I am very happy with the site, the staff, the support from the other members, and I think a big part of that is because I knew what I was buying when I purchased my FM. When I joined, it said 'HELP US BUILD'... not 'we've got this perfected'. I have seen how far they've come and I know, as do other CURRENT members, just how far they have to go... and I'm in it for the long haul. I am going to help 'build' the site... for as long as they'll have me... lol...

BTW, the OLA HOUSE (the eStore) offers buyers the ability to look in a store and go to a catagory versus going through what can amount to 1000's of 'loose listings' looking at everything the seller has to offer. When I list books, buyers do not have to browse through my soap listings to find them. They simply click on my 'books and publications' to find books. That is only one of the advantages, but it's a big one in my book... lol...

Thank You All for your opinions.

Confused · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 315

The sad thing is that OLA is still not dealing with the unlimited listings - there are some who openly call themselves OLA cheerleaders who are upset that if you search Yahoo it still states unlimited listings as well as on some OLA pages. They posted their feelings last night but the posts could be removed today.

Two major items that affect FM were never placed under Announcements or News. When they started the affiliate program they did NOT state that the $36 referral fee for FM was being eliminated. Then they turn around and state only 8,000 listing per FM stating it was due to server size. Last year at this time they had twice as many listings and FM and there wasn't a problem with servers so what gives? This just goes along that after a year with the new home page, the other pages do not match including categories.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

MM,

Many sites offer the use of categories, and in many cases Custom Categories as well.

But they don't have to mislead people to get them to sign up as sellers.