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Posted at March 2, 2005, 12:41 pm: We have been selling on eBay for nearly 50 years...internet years. An old PBS series on the history of the PC and the Internet described Internet years as being similar to dog years (1 year = 7 dog years). Since the beginning, we have always considered the risks of putting our eggs in one auction basket (eBay). With regard to auction features, we actually thought Yahoo's auctions (early onsale.com) were as good or better than eBay's. Yahoo could have competed, but several years ago when eBay did its radio blitz, Yahoo did nothing to promote their auctions. I remember wanting a second auction source then, and thought "this is the time for one to emerge". We went ahead and listed on Yahoo anyway, supporting that second source. We were hoping that the sleeping giant would awake. Wow, talk about non-paying bidders. Our experience was that 1/2 of the customers on Yahoo did not pay. And then try sending Yahoo Auction customer service an email. Talk about sending a message into deep space (ref Craigslist ads being sent into deep space - todays news): http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/11021540.htm Several years later, we still have not heard back from Yahoo Auction customer service. In a recent article and in reference to Overstock.com trying to promote their auction business, The Motley Fool states "Yahoo! and Amazon.com seem to be burying theirs (auctions) in a silent bow to eBay's superiority." That confirms I probably won't be getting an answer to that email I sent Yahoo Auction customer service. The rest of that Motley Fool article can be read at: http://www.fool.com/News/mft/2005/mft05022802.htm It also says "it's refreshing to see Overstock -- a winning pick for our Rule Breakers newsletter service -- get lively with its auctioning space". We have no affiliation with Overstock.com. However, like many sellers, we realize the recent eBay fee hikes were only a sign of things to come. What's to stop them from raising rates in the future? Nothing, except competition. And if not competition then the FTC, but we will be long gone before then. One thing we like about Overstock is they are reaching out to eBay sellers. Unlike Yahoo, they want our business. When you compare Overstocks rates to eBay's (www.auctionfeecharts.com), they are less, and significantly less in some areas. Though are they reduced enough to justify selling there? Or is it worth paying more to eBay to have a huge customer base? Well, our answers are "probably no" and "probably yes". No, Overstock's rates are not low enough for us to sell there full time... and Yes, eBay's customer base (and tools) will likely provide a better price that will offset the fee variation. But with that said, we still registered on Overstock.com and will list at least a few items there. It's more effective than any petition, and if there is a possibilty of a second source, then we may have to help that happen. We believe Overstock can not do it alone and can ONLY do it with the help of sellers. It's not that we want to make Overstock owners billionaires, but basically you have a web site that is nearly in the top 150 alexa.com rankings of English speaking sites. There are no other possibilities in the top sites, other than amazon and yahoo, which the Motley Fool describes as "bowing". When we list on Overstock, we are not expecting a price greater than what we may be able to realize on eBay (we will in the near future though). But there is currently a window of time to develop a competitor to eBay. Overstock is doing its part by cranking up its marketing and enhancing its features. As sellers, we can help ourselves but supporting this second source. Show eBay the power of the seller. You do not have to move over everything. Just move over some things. Give Overstock a chance to bring in buyers. It is a little like the chicken or the egg. We do not want to sell there if there is a smaller customer base, but if Overstock had millions of items then there would be a huge customer base. With auction sellers and Overstock working together, a second source becomes a reality. As sellers and to our benefit, we want and need two healthy viable choices...eBay and ?. Hopefully, it is Overstock. If we let this opportunity go, then there is nothing to keep eBay fees in check. If we can help create a second source, the competion will create an environment in which fees are fair and the seller has a real voice. Regards, AM Original of the message was taken from http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/ Replies:Your statements ring true.Until recently, I would have advocated supporting Overstock. I take back my statement (posted above) about helping Overstock [see m... For between $25 and $200 per month a seller can set up their own websi... Overstock auction site is a JOKE. 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