Where are the bids?

[salty_flats_train_depot]

I am new to this site and think it has a lot of great things going for it. I opened a store and have listed about fifty items so far. Looking at the other categories, I've noticed that there is not a lot of bidding, it any at all, in a lot of categories. Coming from eBay and definitely wanting an alternative, I've found this to be a great site, but the fact that there are very few bids or sellers with feedback is a concern. A suggestion may be incorporating the "get it before it's gone" atmosphere that eBay creates. It fosters bidding, and a lot of it. One doesn't know if this is the only one available when they find what they are looking for, and will wait and watch the item until it ends, hoping: (a) to get it, and (b) for the best price. We all know how it is there. With such long listing times here, there is no urgency to bid. A buyer's thinking may be to just come back later and get it. While eBay is flawed, and it is, this part of it is a good system. Unless you get a store at eBay, you can only list for a week, and for a lot of sellers, that's okay since they may only be selling that one item anyway. With my store here, it is more of a website atmosphere than a bidding atmosphere, and maybe that's why there is very little bidding or sales. Perhaps it would be beneficial to somehow incoporate the ideas that have made sellers successful at eBay into this venue. If not, while free, it will inevitably deter sellers from selling here because of very few to no sales. Some sellers may just stick with eBay because they are selling, generating income, and put up with all the big brother and strong arm tactics that go with it. Hopefully not. If this is a true alternative to eBay, there needs to be some sort of demand and competition among buyers for our items. My items sell really well at eBay, so I know there is a demand. Here, technically everything is considered "store inventory" because of the long listing times. I know there is an time option, but there's no reason to list for a shorter time period. It all gets listed together anyway. I really want to stay with WeBidz and have been moving my store from eBay to WeBidz on a daily basis. If I've just gotten the concept of WeBidz all wrong, and it's not a auction/bidding atmosphere, I'd appreciate a heads up on that also.

All the best,
Michelle

[mj-trading]

You have to realize how many years ebay has been in business compared to webidz! I think this is the 3rd year for webidz! We been here over 2! We were at ebay when they first started! We were there in fact till about 2 1/2 years ago! We have done more and seen this site here do more in the years we been here then ebay in the 1st 5 years did!
People are just to use of coming off a auction site that has been there for years and getting bids and bids and jump to another auction site and expect the same right off the bat! It doesn't work that way!

M & J TRADING

[Lanascountry]

Salty, MJ is correct, it takes a while. KEEP working your items, AND have a presence in
the forums. Enter all contest from Admin and staff. Your bids WILL come. Also put a link in
here to your auction/store!:D

[salty_flats_train_depot]

It wasn't a criticism, but a comment, and a valid one. I'm not here to bash WeBidz. I'm here for the same reasons(s) that many eBayers are not at eBay anymore. This is a great site, as I said in my post. Regardless, everyone is here to sell their items and if components of a system that works, like eBay's auction/bidding system, can be incorporated into a system that is a better model, as I think WeBidz is, then what is the harm? As I said, it is only a suggestion, not an attack.

[mj-trading]

Sorry! But we did not take it as a attack! We just needed to get facts down for other new members too!

[katandron1]

I see both points.....
Any suggestions that can drive traffic to this site would be a good suggestion.
At ebay the listing times are pretty much the same as here are they not???
Even though we have stores here.....you can list as an auction only and run it for a week, which is pretty much the same as what people list for on ebay.
Or list it as both, and run it for a week......correct me if I'm wrong but, on the home page.......the items that show up there are the items that have been listed as an auction only or both. So if you have a store....but want to run an item as an auction, you can list it as an auction and not in the store...therefore accomplishing the same as what you are saying....I only have one of these widgets and it will go to the highest bidder at the end of the week.

[Lanascountry]

Hi again, Salty, we all know what you meant and we appreciate your comments.
WE are here to help you if we can. The others have addressed the specifics and just
know, your question are very WELCOME here, Thank you ! :)

[mj-trading]

Welcome abord Salty!!

[salty_flats_train_depot]

Thanks everyone. I'm really looking forward to being here a long time and learning the ins and outs of how things work. It seems like a much friendlier place to be. Hopefully, I got the link in correctly. If not, I tried!

http://www.webidz.com/stores/salty_flats_train_depot

[mj-trading]

Head on down to the cafe and read what Lana has there and she'll set you up!

[salty_flats_train_depot]

Aha. I knew mine didn't look right. Thanks for the help.

[Lanascountry]

Salty, You have WONDERFUL items!! :D

[Lamb Creek Quilts]

Hi! I'm having the same problem that Lana's Country was having. I've had items up for auction for months with no action at all. I've recently upgraded to the platinum store, but still not a single bid. How do I generate customers? And, how do I get the flashing banners and signs that I see some of the other stores are using? I'm not computer savvy, so need 'DIRECTIONS FOR DUMMIES" on how to do it , PLEASE. I will be grateful for any ideas or suggestions you might have.
Thanks!
Lamb Creek Quilter

[unclejunk1]

Hello and how are you? Banner info has been sent and hope you understand them. If not then let us know and we will try to help more. Getting your name on the boards is a first step and the banner will help. Yes you do need to do some work on your part. Does not hurt to do blogs that include a link to your store. I think we all could use some sales about now but remember we are in an election year and it always slows down a bit. Post questions or private messages to those you think can help and I bet you get some answers. :)

[mj-trading]

There is people bidding out there!
We have!

Items with Bids/Offers: 10

[SevenEightTen]

Don't be discouraged. Keep at it! :)

[piazzapizza]

I left ebay, totally disgusted with some of the new rules they implemented. I love the fact that WeBidz has free listings, no FVF's and I truly realize that it is impossible to expect the same amount of traffic on a relatively new site as the bay has. But in almost 3 months of listing, not a single bid or even a question about the type of items I sell. I read somewhere that WeBidz caters more to a feminine market, and if that is truly the case, it explains part of the issue. But, I had lots of women buy from me on ebay. I sent out over 400 emails to ebay customers of mine telling them I had moved. Got one response. The bottom line is that it does not matter if it is a one week or 30 day listing, it's listed in the hope of selling the product. Could a retail store keep it's doors open if it did not have a single sale for 3 months? Highly unlikely, even if rent was free. I don't know what more I can do to try to bring people here, but if I don't see any action soon, my frustration will only grow. I really like it here, the people are friendly, but the hope of generating some $$ is why I am here.

[mj-trading]

I don't know Phil! My bidders are 90% guys! As of know we have 14 items with bids on! We had good patients on here for over 2 years now! You might want to get your webidz store put in the search engines! Not hard to do! Just go to Google and do a search for search engines!

Good Luck

[Lanascountry]

Hi Phil..I KNOW I am NOT speaking out of turn, as I have heard our Admin say this as well as myself..I am of the opinion that it is beneficial to sell at SEVERAL alternative markets or even niche sites. It could be a mistake to have all our eggs in one market or site basket. I sincerely hope you will stay with us, and maybe try some other 'baskets' as well. There is nothing wrong with that!
MY sales are VERY down everywhere. I no longer sell at ebay at all and will not until they oust DONNA-WHO(?) :D or change many procedures. They have dug a trench (try grave) for themselves and IMHO, it will only become worse and worse at ebay, and many (there) know it!!

Phil, I respectfully tell you that WB and other alts are here to say, and we will continue to build and move forward.
In a few short days, I have been at WB for 3 years.

Phil, All the best and thank you for being here, we sincerely appreciate you.

[unclejunk1]

Hello Phil! Its the old ribber here! It has been slow for me to. But as Lana said, put some things on other sites and try to link as many as you can. Even as slow as its been I listed more today - good junk at that! I don't buy cards anymore our son is now 24 and about to get married so you know where his head is. Sure bought my share in the past. MJ brought up a good idea in using google to bring in traffic. We sometimes forget we can do this too. If you listed on ecrater you would have no choice but to do it yourself. If you start a site of your own you have to draw traffic yourself. When I get to the point I see myself feeling sorry for myself, I have to kick myself in the pants just to knock the dust out. Maybe you and I need to clear the cobwebs a little and ask what else we can do. I think you made a good start by asking the question. You might try blujay and link to here. There are so many out there. It will keep you busy until things pick up. I even set-up at a flea market wednesday - talk about abuse - wow! People are not buying and the others trying to sell don't want more doing the same thing. The good part is I saw people I had not seen in a while, got sunburn and outside in the fresh air. Was better than going to Nashville last week.

[piazzapizza]

Hey Lana, UncleJunk,

Don't worry, I am not leaving WB. I am 100% not going back to the bay either. Maybe one of you can explain your google thought to me in more detail? That is an area I am not too proficient at.

[Lanascountry]

I am not so good at it either, Phil and I better GET good at it..Perhaps our own
Unc., (Rick) would be willing to take the floor and help all of us..Detail Rick..detail!! :D

[mj-trading]

How about Uncle John?

[mj-trading]

Go to this and just follow instructions!

http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

[mj-trading]

Here is more serch engines to do!

http://search.msn.com/docs/submit.aspx

http://www.dmoz.org/

[Lanascountry]

Thank you, John..LOL, I am just starting on all that and 'studyin' about it!!
ANY info, will help all of us!! :D

[mj-trading]

1st 2 are pretty easy! The last one you have to read very carefull!

[sniperace66]

Well I think a lot is got to do with the economy and the gas prices. People are not going to spend money on
items that are not needed. This is just the beginning of this and I believe that it will get worst. We just got to
weather this storm and I hate to say this but it’s going to last awhile maybe a year to 18 months and another
6 months for it to recover. Before people start feeling confident to buy. Aim still working (thank god ) but it’s
looking shaky and aim scared of being laid off so I only spend money on what I need and nothing else.

There’s a lot of things I would love to buy but just don’t want to spend money on things I do not need now

[unclejunk1]

Sorry been listing. Looks like MJ covered it pretty good. I am not good at this- still in the dark ages but do follow instructions when I have them. Those links are on other sites so that you can promote your own website. ecrater is one that gives you some of the links MJ just put in. I do use adsense on another site where I sell only new stuff indirectly as a service. If it is simple I can do it. This site is already loaded with ads. I have not tried to promote using google here but it may work well if done right. I was under the impression we were already being crawled by Froogle and google on this site. They sure know what you are listing based on the ads I see on my listings.

[katandron1]

Rick,
We are cross promoted with froogle/google. But it never hurts to do free promotions with them also for more exposure.

Sniper is right when he says that sales are down everywhere due to the economy. People have to get back and forth to work (and the cost of gas is unbelievable) to continue to make a paycheck to make mortgages and utility bills. So if they don't need that widget, no matter how bad they want it, they are not buying. The price of everything is going up, it's insane.

I live in a small town, about 45 minutes from the Oklahoma City, I do all my errands one day a week, mom goes with me and we get hers done on that same day. We live 20 miles from any other town in any direction, So on fridays we load up, and start out, making a complete round circle. If I need milk during the week (cause my kids are milk freaks and drink a gallon a day), I have to look at the cost of it down here at the corner store, about 3 miles from my house, compared to driving 20 miles to get it. I can get it at the corner store when I take my kids to school every morning so I kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

[unclejunk1]

Yes Kathy, I know things are getting tougher. That is one reason I will do a flea market from time to time just to see what is going on. You can watch TV but the view there is so slanted at times you don't get a true picture. It is now normal for an election year and the year after for things to slow down. What we are experiencing now is much more than that. I don't mean to get into politics here but must say this, the very people we pay to look after our interest are only looking after their own. We have been sold out by them so many times on so many things it is unreal. I had a guy tell me this morning that there are two kinds of people that are paid to lie to you, worsest was a politician and second was lawyer. Now what group makes up the most politicians? You know the old joke - all lawyers are really good deep down - 40 foot down.
I am to old to do it but some of the young folks are going to have to take government back from the thieves that are there now. We must have two year term limits on every position. Never let them lie to you and tell you it is not enough time. I really like the advertisement where the Firemen do their legislative bit and at the end say that was the easiest job they ever had.:D It can be done, they are just to busy politicing. My point is this VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!!!!! That is how you fire trash in office. You strike a match with your vote.

[admin]

We do not recommend submitting to Google/Froogle, as we already submit all auctions with buy out. If you view the below link, you can see the current list of items. We don't want members spending their valuable time doing something that is already being done by us.

http://base.google.com/base/s2?authorid=2621029

There are various social networking/blog sites out there, that users could plug their store or items. Which would build link popularity for your stores or items, and produce higher results for your items in searches. We would not recommend putting links on other auction sites though, as that would most likely be a violation of their terms.

There are some sellers on WeBidz that sell quite a few items, but they have been here for a while and have been building feedback and credibility. It takes time to build a strong buyer base for the WeBidz site as a whole, as well as the individual sellers. Even with the struggling economy, sales numbers have been on the rise on WeBidz... The rise in sales is not across all categories though, as it also takes time to build a broad demographic base of buyers. So if you have little/no feedback, or sell in categories that are getting minimal sales, hang in there. We will continue to grow, and you will see changes over time.

A couple of our biggest goals is to make the site more functional and easy to use, and continually increase the quality of buyers and sellers. By getting rid of counterf..t items, sellers that continually treat buyers bad, and non paying bidders, it will make people more prone to come back. We could have a million visitors a day, and it will mean nothing if we are not able to retain these customers. Through our hard work and our valued members, WeBidz will continue to grow and be profitable for all.

As Lana has quoted me earlier in this thread, we do not recommend anyone putting all their eggs in one basket. Some still sell on ebay and are profitable, and that is great. For others that do not want to sell there any more, find a couple alt sites that you like and continue to build and grow with them as well. Categories that sell fairly well on WeBidz, may not sell very good on another alt site. Then categories that do not sell well on WeBidz, may sell good on another site...

We are not trying to loose any of our customers, but just want you to know that the alternative online auction community should work together, to build more than one viable alternative. It will take time, but it will happen. If you are not sure where to find other alternative sites, please see the below link. Keep in mind that some alt sites have shady business practices, so research through the forum listed below (or elsewhere) before jumping in with both feet. We wish you all the best, and look forward to growing with you.

http://www.powersellersunite.com/

[Lanascountry]

Thank you, Admin and everyone!! WE grow together, unity is priceless, IMHO! :)

[salty_flats_train_depot]

I've been reading all of the comments and suggestions, and I've got to say, beyond the great advice is the way everyone is so helpful. I finally got all of my inventory off of the other site and listed it all here, and I'm seeing my watchers increase daily. I know it's only a matter of time before things will start picking up. This is definitely a much better place to be!

Thanks everyone!

Michelle

[mj-trading]

You have the right attitude!!

[Lanascountry]

SALT, Myra & John are right..right attitude, nice folks & nice site here.
Wish you all the very best!!
Just a FYI, I don't collect MOST of the collectibles here, and no train things,
but your items are so nice.
Great sales to you!! :D

[salty_flats_train_depot]

Thank you. It's a collaboration between my dad and me. He's the Muella behind Muella Scale Models and is the true artist behind what you see. We're amazed how this hobby has grown and changed over the years. I'm excited to be here to continue what we started years ago.

Michelle

[Lanascountry]

Michelle Hi again..
You mean you folks actually design/make some/all of it?? :eek:
WOW!! I gotta go look again..I love all those tiny things!!
We are getting some FABULOUS Artist and Craftsmen/(people:)
here and there IS a big market for it!! COOL!! :D

[salty_flats_train_depot]

Hi Lana:
Yes, it's actually my dad who has the talent behind it. He designs buildings that are true to an era and usually it's when he sees old buildings, old tobacco barns, alongside the road. From there he makes the pattern, makes the mold, etc., and voila, a new kit is introduced. I make it sound easy but he works very hard at it. He's always coming up with new ideas. The other day he stopped by my house with an O scale firewood pile that he had just made from twigs around the yard and was going to make the mold for it so I can put it in my line. That's the way he is. He loves it and so do I.

Michelle

[Lanascountry]

I am just so intrigued by them..Like that little depot in your logo there.
We have a few left in Georgia now, but I can remember when there
was many ! I built a doll house and furniture and trimmings for my 36 year
old daughter when she was five, It was an experience and a great deal
of WORK!! :)

[mj-trading]

Come on Lana!
No Fibbing!:eek:
You know you built that doll house for yourself!:rolleyes:

[Lanascountry]

I PROLLY did.:).LOL, I finally got my daughter to take that home, after she had been
gone over 15 years!! You guys ever notice how the kids don't want you to throw anything
away of THEIRS, but they want YOU to store it for them!! :D

[mj-trading]

No Kidding!!

[rnrgiftsnmore]

Hey, I am getting rid of the kids stuff, and in fine fashion, everytime one shows up I put another box in their car. hehe!! Just trying to get their stuff out so I can get to my stuff. That will mostly make it's way to my daughter's house. I figure I have store her stuff all these years, now it is her turn.

I am the world's biggest pack rat, trying to do things in reverse now.

[mj-trading]

Myra is a pack rat too! Hate to see you 2 together going to yard sales!

[rnrgiftsnmore]

You know you have it bad, when in the winter you have to make the rounds to the local thrift stores to buy other folks cast-offs.

Mom and I used to do that, her 2 favorite saying on this subject were, "I will need this someday, so I will buy it and put it way" and "One man's trash is another man's treasure, and they are all my treasures."

Funny thing is that she would forget where she put it, waiting for the day she would need it. Last year after she passed away, I held the biggest yard sale of unused, used stuff. Most I did not have to price, it was already.

We are hoping to sell our house in a little over a year, so I have starting now, finding all those treasures and others to hold my own yard sale, but am thinking I just may recycle it back to the thrift stores. ;)

Myra and I need to get together someday and go "sale" shopping, just to drive you guys nuts. hehe!