Power Sellers Unite

damaradeaella · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 501

Hello Free Listing Site :)

My name is Michele; eBay user ID damaradeaella. I have been working on, since the fee hike announcement on eBay, exposing the wrongs that make up eBay through boycotting, letter writing, interviews with the media, etc...

Well, an idea came through the Stores Board that sounded interesting, and I’ve decided to run with it.

Here’s the deal, straight:

We are planning another boycott, tentatively for one week, same as the last CORE boycott (I organized the US side of that) except one profound difference, and this is why I am here at your board: All participants are pledging to list at least 20 items (we are trying to accommodate the smaller sellers) on a free listing site (possibly TWO site’s) during this eBay boycott (which would consist of no new listing OR buying on eBay, for the length of the boycott). The idea is not only to hit eBay where it hurts (their greedy inflated pocketbook, which they line monthly, with the poorest CS in the industry) but to also do something productive that can be a win/win situation for all sellers involved. Majority votes will determine the free listing site(s) and I am keeping a tally through the following thread here at PSU (The Site Admin has graciously allowed us to use PSU for purposes of organizing and keeping tallies):

http://www.powersellersunite.com/about7276-0-asc-0.html

We are still working out the details, as in length of boycott and dates. This boycott needs to be organized and focused. I am utilizing my message board (found in my siggie) for discussion as well as the thread here at PSU. Post one will be updated to reflect tallies of boycotters and votes. I have also compiled a tentative list of FREE listing sites there, for user’s reference. I think it’s important to research all potential sites for voting purposes. The top voted site (and possibly second voted site) will be the site that all boycotters need to list on for the duration of the boycott. This is important and if a participant cannot agree to this, we can’t count them in. I have pledged to personally list wherever the majority rules, even if it’s not my voted site. I’m thinking of trying to bump this up a notch and make a second place site also a listing area. For smaller sellers, who cannot list on two sites, they would list on just the winning site. For those who can, they can list 20+ items on the winning site, and at least 20 items on the second site.

I’ve come to your board to alert you to what we are trying to accomplish and ask that you join us in this boycott. All sellers are welcome, eBay sellers or former eBay sellers. This is boycott for sellers, by sellers. We have been held hostage by eBay for far too long. By bonding together in a different kind of boycott, my hope is that all participants will not only send a message to the almighty Bay, but also constructively get their merchandise out there and not just participant by not listing, but get your business moving by actually listing elsewhere...

The thread I have given has more details and will be an ongoing discussion. Again, this is for sellers by sellers, we are all in this together. Any ideas or input is welcome and I hope to see voters and boycotters from not just eBay but all sites listed.

Because of the nature of this boycott, we are only voting on sites that offer completely free basic listing. (If this letter is on your board, you have been researched by me and are a free listing site and are included in my list of sites on Post One). I feel it would be counter-productive to ask sellers who are already in the red (Waves hand in the air) from the past few months, to shell out any money to list anywhere. For this reason, I realize some popular sites are not included, but could be if they offered free basic listing.

Ok, please, hit me with any questions you may have. It will be easier for me and quicker for you if you ask on the thread I’ve given (I have a 15 month old and run several sites!) But I will try and make a point to come back to your board to see if there are any questions here. Also, I will be checking PM’s.

In Unity,

Roundabout926 · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 2832

I don't believe it's necessary to have 10 different threads with a one-word difference in the title.

I do like the idea. Finally, something pro-active placed in these boycotts rather than just a reaction on the part of the sellers.

However, I was hoping for something else. When I saw the title, Iw as hoping for a boycott of ALL auction sites until one of them gets their act together.

damaradeaella · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 501

The reasoning behind my posting the same letter in all the auction sites sub-forums is not everyone reads all the forums... I was hoping this would not offend anyone, and wrote to the Site Admin for approval.

I do not personally have the time to write an individual letter to each sub-forum, as the message is the same...

Yes, I'm one of those who has been wanting something more pro-active as well... So I've offered this... If you have something better in mind, please tell me... I'm all ears...

I personally believe you should have your own website and go from there... I do also believe there are a few sites that have serious potential and hope this "different" type of boycott will reveal that...

I can only work with what I have... The boycott's of the past have been great for trying to get sellers together, but the problem has been sellers actually putting in the time to make it work... The end result should not just be a kick in the shin to eBay, but a forward movement for the individual business person; on this I'm thinking we are seeing eye to eye...

I'm sorry if you are disappointed, but I do believe with each step and more sellers involved, we will get to the point where we get back to what we are here for: selling and keeping our hard earned money where it belongs, in our pockets and not having to pass increases onto our customers...

Does that make sense?

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

I wish you luck with your boycott! I was one of the very early Ebay sellers and gave it up years ago.
I just want to suggest here that Bidville is not 'totally free' to list, though-not in comparison to say, Yahoo.
BV charges for gallery photos-and as we all know, customers expect thumbnails on listings nowadays. Few will even bother to click on an auction to see the photo in the actual auction-too many with photos to look at. A 'gallery' photo at BV does cost, so even though you can list for 'free', they are hardly in the same category as one who allows free thumbnails!
Again, luck with your plans!

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

But there is one way to reduce your cost. Buy a featured store at BidVille for 3 months at 9.95. All your Final Value Fees are free on both store items and auctions. Since there is no listing fees at BV, the only cost you would have is listing upgrades. Those of which are very cheap compared to thats Hesgay site.

The store may not be a great idea for the smaller seller that pays less than 10.00 in fees, a month, but the larger seller can save alot rite of the bat. And if you visit Alexa.com, you'll see BidVille is ranked very high in server speed, and site hits.

damaradeaella · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 501

Honest Joe, please help me...

I bought a featured store, for 3 months... NO traffic, checked Froogle for a very collectible item, exact title, not there... I became very frustrated and pulled everything off... My store is paid through the end of October, please someone tell me why I should keep it :)

worldofwholesale · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 99

as stated earlier we are in for 2 weeks. we as you know we bid for blujay, please dont count that again, HA it is the best free site we found so far with the best results. during the two week period it is not only our intention to list but to also promote and recruit. we are working on a mailer that is going to over 5000 previous customers , we do hope to draw some of them to the site. I would like to see another auction venue given a fair shot and we can possibly do that in numbers. I thankyou for your hardwork and the opportunity to participate. we look forward to working with all of you ......steve<p>
++++++

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

Joe, I understand what you are saying-you're right, it's the cheapest way to go if you sell a lot on BV.

I am just saying that BV is NOT 'free'-in order to have a decent listing, you have to pay either for the gallery photo or the store. auctions without photos are pretty much a waste of time and energy. And truly 'free' sites offer free gallery photos. That is why I transferred 99% of my auctions to Yahoo...it is truly 'free'..and a lot more sales and profit for me!

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

damaradeaella wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Honest Joe, please help me...

I bought a featured store, for 3 months... NO traffic, checked Froogle for a very collectible item, exact title, not there...

Hmm, don't know what the problem is that you are having selling and I'm not going to bother putting my opinion down on what you need to do. Everytime someone ask that I get attacked for this or that so...I won't say any more other than

I sell at BidVille and do very well for what I try to sell. I don't do this full time and just recently stated online selling again. I will also say that If you are looking for a freesite that has traffic with very little of those annoying NPB's that you get at Yahell and other places, then BidVille is the place to go.

Many people sell well at BidVille, if you don't then take a good look at what you are doing and try something else. It's not the Hesgay place, where you pay high fees and get alot of competition.

I just sold 2 elmo TMXs there at a very good price and got to keep all of my profit.

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

Texas-treasure wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Joe, I understand what you are saying-you're right, it's the cheapest way to go if you sell a lot on BV.

I am just saying that BV is NOT 'free'-in order to have a decent listing, you have to pay either for the gallery photo or the store. auctions without photos are pretty much a waste of time and energy. And truly 'free' sites offer free gallery photos. That is why I transferred 99% of my auctions to Yahoo...it is truly 'free'..and a lot more sales and profit for me!

Thats fine, I just put one item up on Yahell, and am sure I'll get bids on it quickly and no payments to go with them. That is always the case. 8 of 10 items I sell there never get paid for. So I quit listing there along time ago. Now I've put up one listing again, but I'm sure it will be the same.

BidVille implemented the SAFE and VIP programs to eleminate that and it has worked very well for me.

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

eeedoggies · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 623

i have an alternative suggestion.
instead of trying to convince bidville sellers they should list there stuff somewhere else, how bout if they just put a link to their bidville store on SHOPTHEHUB.com. you can boycott ebay, unite together, and everyone gets whatever site they like best. we are starting some innovative marketing programs, and links are totally free until november 1, which will certainly give you time to implement your ebay boycott. and noone has to use a site they dont like just because others think another site is better.

:)

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

Joe, I'm sorry you had bad luck at yahoo. I get deadbeats there-I also got $500 from one of the good guys there, just this weekend. 75 from another the same day.

I like BV fine, I've done a lot of business there. But It's NOT totally free, and that's ALL I'm trying to say. You can pay for a store, pay for gallery pictures, or watch your merchandise collect dust for free. I don't want to fight with you or anyone else, I just want to be able to express an opinion without being attacked-thought I could do that here, maybe not. I said I understand what you are saying, please take the time to see what I actually said before you get mad.

HonestJoesAuctions · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 387

I don't get mad, I'm just discussing what I like about BidVille and what I don't like about other places. I'm not attacking anyone. There are other places than BidVille I agree, but so far none has shown me enough to convince me.

I like the saying that goes.. In God we Trust, all others submit data.

Gallery only cost 10 cents, big deal. To me it cost less than 1 cent because I bought alot of enhancement credits when they were on sale.

They run the sale every now and then, however I don't know if the new owners will run something like that.

angelsolutions

The op posted:

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Because of the nature of this boycott, we are only voting on sites that offer completely free basic listing.

It's my understanding that basic listings are still free at Bidville.

How you *choose* to list your items (gallery pic) because you feel that it's a must is beside the point. Basic listings are free.

my 2 cents....

sylvia