Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : OnSale Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (2347)	12/5/1998 12:13:00 PM
From: neverenough	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 4903

I was checking the Internet domains for Onsale and found this, ihateonsale.com What's that all about?

To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (2347)	12/5/1998 12:46:00 PM
From: J. C. Dithers	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 4903

Disagree that Yahoo will catch up to eBay ... It isn't just about money. One of the cleverest features of the eBay site is the feedback system ... the various "gold stars" awarded to users (buyers or sellers) for positive feedback. This is a fantastic way to cement customer loyalty. Over time, eBay users become very vested in the site by virtue of their growing feedback status. On the one hand, this is a super-smart way to tap in to people's psychological need for pride and recognition. More practically, it is a super-smart way to relieve people's anxiety about dealing with strangers over the Net. Yahoo could copy it, perhaps, but it is another example of why the company that got there first has such a huge advantage. Users who have built up the highest star rating are going to be mighty reluctant to start all over again on another site. In any case, I still don't believe eBay is really a competitor of Onsale, because I think they are in two different market niches. I only hope that Onsale will devise a similar feedback/rating system for their users.

To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (2347)	12/6/1998 12:37:00 PM
From: Doug Fowler	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4903

Yahoo and OnSale have partnered for about two months now. During that time, the Yahoo/OnSale auction count has grown by less than 70,000. In comparison, the eBay auction counts has grown by more than 300,000. In addition. many Yahoo auctions go on for two weeks. eBay auctions last for 3, 5 or 7 days. Yahoo/OnSale is not even making a dent in eBay.

To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (2347)	12/7/1998 1:20:00 PM
From: Chucky	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4903

Darrell, Re:"doubt Yahoo will sit on it's duff regarding the person to person." They might not, but with so much else at the yahoo site, it seems kind of difficult to find the small text links to the auctions. Much of the traffic yahoo gets will probably not even see the tiny link without a banner attached. Later Chucky

To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (2347)	12/10/1998 12:51:00 AM
From: Scott Moore	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 4903

Using the logical approach will lead you to the false conclusion that apparently you have. You can list an item and have hundreds of eyeballs watching it and when it sells get 97 cents on the dollar on eBay. Or you can list an item on get a handful of hits and token bids that don't meet a low reserve and not move the item. If you can't sell items everytime you list them on Yahoo auctions then that is dead money until you can turn it over. eBay right now equals turnover. I have had 100+ transactions on eBay and in contrast have wasted too much effort of YHOO auctions for next to no results. eBay is a garage sale seller's dream come true. The search, Ending today, Going going gone, are all superior functions eBay has over Yahoo. The history already built into eBay's feedback numbers on buyers and sellers also is a comforting factor when compared to the constant zero feedback of the average Yahoo auction buyer. Where else could you glean so much attention from frothing bidders over obscure garage sale item. The answer is no where. I have sold oddball items on eBay that I never dreamed anyone would find. Regards from the actual trenches. Scott