Now that idea has to be about the most idiotic one I have ever heard. Haven't they ever heard of Google, Yahoo or MSN let alone Google products/shopping? Don't look to hard at PRG because I have a sneaking suspicion we all have seen her before (PVH).
Good point. If the Alternatives are doing what they SHOULD be doing and marketing, they will show up on the popular search engines and a Multi Site portal is completely unnecessary.
I loved the idea of an eBay alternative search portal! In fact, I loved it so much that I decided to go ahead and build it for them!
Here it is! (and hey, look at that, WP is #1!)
On a more serious note, would someone please clue the Giraffe into the fact that an eBay alternative search portal has existed for almost as long as eBay has been around and BUYERS have shown little interest in it during its 12 year history...the alternative portal is of course
www.bidfind.com (of course the first time I pointed this out was in early 2005 when PSU was wasting time building their MOASS search engine and they didn't listen either)
I suspect it would do just as much good to try and clue in the Giraffe as it did when you tried to point it out to PSU. I fear her head is up her a$$ all the way to the base of that long neck.
Ranting to buyers is stupid. They don't care about overhead, politics or anything beyond do you have what I want at the price I want and when will I get it?
Exactly!! Ranting in a listing, albeit it be about eBay, deadbeats, etc. is an automatic turn-off to me and I would assume it has the same effect on many others as well.
Sellers are so busy being angry with eBay, they're not looking at the change in stance eBay has taken. Yes. FVF's are increased, however, so is the cost of listing is reduced by virtue of making the gallery free. Pictures sell. More pictures = more interest and should translate into an increased STR. The change in stance is eBay's increase: it's based on performance. eBay is out $0.35 on most listings and earns that increase based on a sale. This is not a bad thing.
It's not a bad thing. One of the smartest things (IMO) eBay has done in quite some time. I think this is one area that truly sets apart the REAL Business minded Sellers and the "I did good on eBay, so that makes me a business" Sellers. The first type 'gets it', the second type never will. They are too busy reacting to stop and analyze the situation logically.
I've read some of the ideas bandied about over at PSU regarding search portal, alternatives, etc. I think people are well intentioned though ill informed. They'll exhaust themselves. There are probably over 20MM sellers online. A whopping 20 or so are interested in bringing some of these ideas about. The sad thing is watching the new comers start over. Things are worded differently, but a lot of the same ideas that didn't pan out a couple of years ago are bing explored again. The worse part, though, is seeing proven a$$holes and cheerleaders getting a pass because with the new comers, they have a clean slate.
Whaddayagonnado?
Again, you hit the nail on the head and that's one of the things that has been soooo frustrating to watch over at PSU!
Just watch and wait and then wanna say - 'told ya so'....
I've already had to resist posting this smiley --->
in the "Has anyone else had any sales yet" threads.
It gets harder everyday though and I may eventually give in.
This type of marketing is most effective if you're a cult leader with a devoted flock. If you are lucky enough to have your very own brainwashed following of kool-aid slurpers you'll find that anytime you post a sob story your devoted followers will beg you to let them pay two or three times the current price. Sob story marketing really does work...just ask Ray.
So we've been doing it all wrong all these years.
Off to revise my business strategies...NOT!!
Speaking of boycotts, check out this brilliant seller's latest idea for one.
Should Democrats BOYCOTT EBAY For Backing McCain? In Arlington, Virginia Senator's McCain's desperate presidential campaign staff announced they had snagged EBAY President and CEO Meg Whitman. It seems that Meg thought nothing about offending America's Democrats with her decision to back a man who will bring us four more years of the Bush Doctrine. She will serve a key role in his bid for the White House, serving as National Co-Chair and other unnamed financial efforts...as in FUND RAISING?
Democrats helped build EBAY, helped Meg Whitman build the company into the giant it is today with 15,000 employees. Has the time come to pull the rug out from under her, show EBAY that choosing sides, backing a man and a party half the nations hates is simply NOT GOOD BUSINESS? Should America's Democrats cancel their accounts, orchestrate a boycott, hold online one day sick ins when Democrats avoid the site at all costs?
http://www.gather.com/vie...articleId=281474977284604They've completely lost it and crossed the line into total insanity now haven't they?
Now I am a democrat, and this is one of those boneheaded ideas that make me go
Last time I checked Dems liked making money too.
Meg Whitman can endorse anybody she chooses, give money, and work the campaign.
Welcome to democracy
Exactly!!!
Well......I can share that I would never market that way. If a business increases MY rent, fees, royalties, etc. and I need to increase my prices - so be it....done deal.
You are one of the smart ones!
That's what businesses (both online and B&M) do. They make adjustments. Just like with groceries. Ingredients go up, prices go up. (BTW...what happened to the .99 Little Debbie Cakes????)
You darn sure don't see signs all over the grocery store whining about Little Debbie raising their costs.
I think what amazes most by all 'this' is the passion folks are inserting into the 'get back at ebaY' theme. If it works for you, use it. If it doesn't, use your BMW time to build your own site or try something different. I don't 'hate' ebaY for managing their business - it's not personal.
But - many take it personal. I absolutely love passionate people. However, those who project that passion in a destructive manner are just annoying. I've been at PSU 2 times in the last 4-5 days, and both times - I had nothing to add. Part of it's my 'place/time', but more of it is just sitting here shaking my head trying to understand where they're coming from.
Liz and I were discussing this on MSN when it first started. We decided the majority of them were acting like jilted lovers instead of business people.
Joe - you mention the 3 P's above me here; the 4th P - Promotion - is the one that most 'there' do not get. Carry on folks - and the voting for the alternative search 'thing' is also interesting....
Joe's 3 P's of Selling were dead on correct, and so is the 4th one you mention. Forget any of them and you will never succeed in the business world no matter where you are.
The alternative search thing - Have you seen anyone mention yet how the buyers are going to find it?
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