TulipTools Internet Business Owners and Online Sellers Community

Quote:Why does ~edit~ still have a store on Ebay?

Quote:xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 00:00      

No link necessary... if you're sure, I believe you. Maybe Karen can shed some light on the situation and clarify some things for you...


xxxxx
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 00:02      
Someone over at E has mentioned that there is a store there that's his. But I wonder how do they know that. I went and looked at it when they mentioned it. It does not say his name anywhere. So I don't know if it is or isn't. Also this store that they are talking about has had no activity for a while now. As xxxxx said if it is his and he is paying for any empty store that's his business. My only concern is over here on WP and so far I'm happy with how things are going.
As far as advertising I don't think too many of the sites other than E advertise all that much either and not all of them are free. Some of them I've never even heard of until a while ago when I started looking at the PSU chart. Even some of the ones that charge fees. WP has said that they have plans to do this at some point. Word of mouth is a very powerfull thing sometimes better than a big add campagne. Look how much the site grew in 4 months it has seen amazing growth. That was all by word of mouth and sellers working together to get the word out. So for now until WP is ready to advertise I think this strategy is working.
xxxxx




FineThings4U   12 Sep 2006 00:02      
Sorry, Karen, didn't mean to violate TOS.
xxxxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:02      
Karen and I must have posted at the same time...
xxx
wagglepopCC1   12 Sep 2006 00:03      

Hello Members,

Not sure why this is even a subject.

It's pure "research and development", and we have similar accounts at most of the bigger online auction sites, and even some smaller ones.

Isn't that an obvious thing we should do to understand features and benefits we might be able to use on Wagglepop, and implement?

Karen - WP Customer Care

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 00:04      
Now I'm curious why Ray's name was removed from the title of the post????
This is not looking right.
xxxxx
wagglepopCC1   12 Sep 2006 00:04      

xxxxxxx,

Personal information is not allowed in topic titles, as per the Board Participation Policy

Karen - WP Customer Care

xxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:09      
I do not understand why it would be perceived as a problem that the owners of this site have stores on other sites.
Actually, I think they should have stores on every venue to "see what is going on."
I would be shocked if E did not have at least one store at WP.

xxxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:10      
I do not have a store but I do have a listing on the E and it is purely to get all my customers over here by asking for a newsletter.
Let's have a little faith, please.

xxxxx

wagglepopCC1   12 Sep 2006 00:13      
xxxxxxx,
We constantly use our research accounts on other sites (and many times multiple accounts) for small purchases or sales, to better understand the purchase flow, the invoicing systems, response times, and unique features.
We set things up for both buying and selling, and many of the features we have implemented came directly from that research, and is ongoing constantly as we try to improve the site in the ways membership requests.
When someone says "I do this on there", we often go "there" and try it for ourselves.
There's nothing like going through the actual process to understand it.
Without those R&D accounts, we'd be lost

Karen - WP Customer Care

xxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:15      
Well that would make sense to have stores on other sites to research what's happening there to help improve this site.
I know I was very suspicious of this whole thing over on the E board because it was started by someone who did nothing but bash WP from the start. I think they posted it over on E to stir the pot. They must still be trying to stir things up. To make sure there is no confusion here I'm talking about the person on the E board stirring the pot not the OP here.
It didn't upset me or sway me from WP then and it won't now

xxxxx

FineThings4U   12 Sep 2006 00:23      

I am sorry, but this is an issue. This store has NEVER been closed, although it has changed user names several times. Also, this is supposed to be a 100% trust based community. It just seems to me that you can close a store if you hate a site so much and still access or open a new account for research. We were never informed that an association with ebay still existed.

xxxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:23      
No different that what happens in the real world. Competitors often shop in each other stores. Hey I was a little kid when I first did it. We did the bigger name stores and even some of the distributors. We would test all kinds of things including how they displayed their produce and meat. How clean was it? How well did they serve the kids (that was my job)?
I still mystery shop in real stores and report back about customer service etc. Its a big time business watching what other businesses are doing and even how employees serve the customers.
xxxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:29      
I disagree I don't think it's a big issue. I worked in retail for many years and we would research what other stores in the area were doing. Managment would either send people to those stores or sometimes call them on the phone as any customer would do. They wanted to learn what the others were doing. Even for stuff as simple as what hours they were going to be staying open on a holiday. This kind of thing happens everyday. I really don't think WP was obligated to tell us this.

xxxxx
wagglepopCC1   12 Sep 2006 00:30      
FineThings4U,
Although I find the need for this somewhat odd, but as a WP member in good standing if you feel that informing you that we have existing research and development accounts is necessary, I can certainly do that easily enough.
"We have R&D accounts on most of the bigger online auction sites (including eBay), and some smaller ones. Some of those accounts are older existing accounts, and some are newer recently opened accounts."
I'm not really clear on how that helps anything, but there it is for "the record"

Karen - WP Customer Care
FineThings4U   12 Sep 2006 00:31      
Thank you, Karen, it is nice of you to keep us informed.

xxxxxx   12 Sep 2006 00:42      
It seems like a smart thing to do on WPs part. ( I still have my store there too.) I didn't know what ibuyers would see here, until I made a purchase... You have to get your hands dirty sometimes to get the complete picture. If WP has an account there, they will get the same email notifications other store owners get. Good idea WP.
You have my approval
xxxxx

Quote:PART III

[quote]wagglepopCC1  12 Sep 2006 00:47     

xxxxxx,

Actually we find the most interesting stuff on non-auction retail sites.
In fact, the idea for Buy More Now came from purchase experiences at a few non-auction sites, where the sites were optimized for upselling at the point of purchase.
We're not trying to re-invent anything in terms of online buying and selling, but we are trying to take a little of the best of what's out there in terms of old-fashioned selling principles as applied to ecommerce and use those bits and pieces to help build Wagglepop

Karen - WP Customer Care
FineThings4U  12 Sep 2006 00:47     
Oh, here's the link xxxxx

http://stores.ebay.ca/The-Vintage-Paper-...eZL2QQtZkm

xxxxxx  12 Sep 2006 00:58     
I'm sorry but I do not see why this is an issue. Why does it matter if *he* does or does not have a store open somewhere or not. Don't misunderstand, I understand everyone has a right to say and post as they see fit.
But, He is providing us with a venue to sell our items. I have a store over thEre and that does not make me a a shady character or otherwise. Personally I hate FEEBAY but That store is a means to an end. As I am sure it is for him and or Wagglepop too.
What he has outside of this venture is no one's business. As long as He and Wagglepop provide us the sellers the features we signed up for There is no problem.
And personally causing a ruckus about this is only drawing in bad vibes similiar to those that a prospective buyer pointed out makes him wary of using wagglepop for his online purchases (he was in fear this is just another FEEBAY!!)

I was under the impression that We all wanted Wagglepop to be different than E. I feel I am getting exactly what I pay for and I chose to be a member here and as long as there is no ill effects and I am treated with respect and am appreciated I DON"T CARE
And in reference to advertising... is this the way we want Wagglepop advertised. Buyers read these boards too and this type of attack could send them packing and no advertising can remedy word of mouth or in this case what they read here!!
I understand the lure that a piece of juicy gossip has but it could also be ever so damaging to what we are all trying to acheive here.
Just my opinion
xxxxx

xxxxxx  12 Sep 2006 01:04     
I have to disagree about this being a big issue too.
Naturally to know the ins and outs of your competitors is extremely important in business, no matter what it is! If you were head of a Magazine, would people find it odd that you had a subscription to, or purchased copies of a competitors Magazine so you may peruse it and make notes to better your busines?
When I was in retail management "shopping the Competition" was a big deal, sometimes just looking, sometimes buying & returning, all in the name of bettering our company.
I think Karen's post seemed to clear things up!
As far as the advertising dollars go, I thought it has simply been stated that advertising is in the works and not that there is no money planned for it.

xxxxx




FineThings4U  12 Sep 2006 01:07     
I'm sorry to cause the ruckus. It's nor juicy gossip. It is what I found after doing my own research today. I felt I needed to read the history of WP in order to promote it because I have had a few people say - Isn't that the place that closed in a week?
There are WP bashing boards all over the place and I choose not to read them with anything but a grain or two or three......of salt.
I found this particular subject interesting as it was on a regular business discussion type site found during a google search.
I just wanted to clarify.

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 01:18     
So if I said "Karen" will that get edited out?
FineThings4U  12 Sep 2006 01:18     
lol..no..she's customer care and I think that's different

xxxxxx  12 Sep 2006 02:06     
I could care less what they're up to - I really liked this site before and was horrified at what happened to Ray and that whole situation - it was pathetic for people to behave that way IMHO.
Over the last few years, I have worked at two retail organizations, one of which is the biggest home improvement store chain in the world. One of my jobs there was working phone sales, and on the weekend, we spent some great time when the phones were quiet, writing up charts for our cashiers to use every week to do our price comparison shopping discounts with other competitors in the market. We also knew who the "secret shoppers" were from the other stores, as well, and I have also done secret shops at their stores, as have many of the people who worked there.

I have a friend who worked at another huge retailer with a red circular thingie you shoot at as their logo and she told me one day that their particular store was gettting particularly blasted by the competition, but caught the "secret shopper" in their midst. The competition had sent a couple of kids into the store, set them down at the wedding kiosk, and had them key in every product that they wanted to compete in, and so each week, a new person would come in, print out the fake name and information for the soon-to-be-married "Mr. and Mrs. Nobody" and walk out the door with a huge pile of paper. Pretty ingenious - until they got caught!

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 02:08     
You think that maybe someone higher up "in the Know" leaked this out to people known to bash WP, on the boards? you know we read that other post yesterday I think about how ebay has been tracking board community posters from one place to another, Its is plausable that it was set up to issue a air of doubt! with e knowing that we are still in the moving and building phase and we still visit message boards and scan around ebay! To me is sounds like e setting up a counter attack remembering that the old version of wagglepop closed. As I stated before on another topic It seems that when you do a google search for wagglepop the amount of positive results have picked up greatly and showing up more and more often.If they cause enough skepticism then that will cause a slow down on wagglepop's continued growth rate. I have set up serveral accounts all over the place, One to see how the other places are fairing and two to not keep my eggs in all one basket as well as find and research my own marketing Ideas for self promotion. I have dealt with enough bad sellers/buyers and read enough news articles, as well as experienced e not really having very good business ethics, they are milking sellers, and still promoting stores, and not once in these new promotions do they mention the fact that your items listed in your stores do not show up in general search... thats something they leave up to YOU to find out the hard way. They base their principles on the scammers and bad sellers and free listing for china on the fact that people just see dollar signs and don't look deep into the heart of what its really all about. And lets remember that over the last two days I have seen a ton of tv and radio ads trying to promote ebay express..... If ebay has to spend money on television ads, when in the past ebay was a household name as a business woman that appears to me like they are in trouble and know it. They are going on defense and its possibly due to the huge amount of negative information that is spreading like wildfire all over the world. Even china is not a sure thing for them, there is a chinese auction site that is giving e a run for their money, uk and ca are bocotting like crazy and the press is starting to really pickup on what is the truth about e practices.
I understand that this may cause some people to say hmmm But also look at things that happened and is still happening over there.. the crack down on high shipping cost is a joke.. you can buy a necklace from china for .01 they list for free and charge you 66.00 to get it to you, yet that is not considers high shipping costs? I don't like what ebay does anymore to the small time sellers or the people who don't know how it really works and gets scamed, or ripped off with nothing but a slap on the hand. For me, i use other sites to keep and eye on the competition, adjust prices based on markets, auctions and availabilities.
I do not however think there is anything wrong with questioning something if they feel the need to know for their own or fellow sellers' security. WE on wagglepop tend to look out for eachother and I think that makes us stand out above and beyond.
xxxxx
xxxxx 12 Sep 2006 02:27     
It doesn't bother me at all that "edit" has a store, but I do think it's odd that we can't utter his name.
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 02:44     
Exactly...xxxxxx!
I too was in business for many years and when a Company like E really steps up it's advertising it is a sure sign that they are hurting for sales.
With regard to the original post...I had seen the mention of that on the Boards a while ago and it seems that I remember that particular person as being a huge part of the "problem" the first time WP was on-line so I put absolutely no faith in it whatsoever and just regarded it as someone else said...stirring the pot...to put it very nicely.
Other posters are correct in affirming that mystery shopping in it's various forms is an essential when operating a business.
We want the best features of all the sites both auction and non-auction and the easiest and most sure way to get them is, as Karen says, to use those sites to see how the features work.
In my opinion this is a non-issue on the negative side and smart business on the positive side.
Good for WP for being right on top of things so that we can be provided with the best of the best.
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 02:57     
xxxxx I think it has something to do with it being in the title that's against board policy. I don't think your supposed to use anyones name in the title not just his. If you notice they did not edit it from the OP's post. Also I know his name has been mentioned in threads before. I believe that Karen has also posted his name when someone asked who owned it a while back.

xxxxx
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:07     
That's interesting, she did leave it in the post.



xxxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:10     


Firstly let me say that having three venues ourselves, I have no problem with whatever the owners/administrators of this site do elsewhere, whether it be to make money or to learn. I likewise have absolutely no qualms with the forum rules, whatever they may be.
Also, I know that there are more and less appropriate times for humor, but gosh darn it I just can't restrain myself here. The whole "Ray" thing reminds an awful lot of a scene from "Life Of Brian" where a man is about to be stoned for saying his wife cooked a dinner good enough for Jehovah, and in the course of explaining it to the crowd the judge ends up getting stoned for saying it himself.
So, at the risk of sounding really silly and out of place, I'd like to say, "Blasphemer! She said 'Ray'!" LOL
*crawling back under my rock*
xxxxx
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:24     
LOL xxxxx!!!!!!!!!
xxxxx

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:41     
xxxxx, that's along the lines of what I was thinking, only my example is from the Ten Commandments movie, when the name "Moses" is banned from ever being said.
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:48     
I can totally understand why his name cannot be used. If someone comes on here and says this person has a store on such-and-such site that would be giving away some trade info. Supermarkets have shoppers go into the competitors and shop to see how they do business. It's not good when your competition knows who you are and how you check on them. That's part of the business. It's best to keep that info out of the public eye. I wouldn't have a problem if he had 5,000 items for sale over at another site. I have items for sale there. You have to go where the money is while you build your own business. Isn't that what we're all doing here?
I'm only a little concerned about the total lack of advertising for WP. With such growth and the current situation over "there" it's a golden opportunity. If you miss the bus it may never come back. I'm a little concerned that we're busting our butts advertising for a private company and although we get to make money selling our stuff there's no profit sharing. But that's a minor issue for me. If I was really concerned I'd have my own website and not be here.
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 03:56     
The thing about both of these subjects (advertising and Ray) is that at one point, they were one in the same because Ray is an absolute powerhouse Marketer. He's an absolute genius in those areas and I don't know what the purpose of this hiding is all about. It's like having a state of the art weapon ready-to-go, and then allowing it to sit and rust while you use water pistols to try and fight the battle. Bring out the bull. Ray needs to come out and take the lead.
xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 04:11     
Why do you consider it hiding? And why do you think all of this should have been revealed to us? Are you saying there should be a banner at the top of the page that says "Hi. My name is Ray. I'm the CEO of Wagglepop but still have an Ebay store"?
What makes this OUR business? If he is a "powerhouse marketer" then why the concern that he might be letting his own site fail??
We need to find another issue now..
xxxxx
vitalfinds  12 Sep 2006 05:01     
xxxxx -- I don't care about the ebay store issue. I'm talking about wp.

Quote:xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 05:23     

I feel it's not a issue, If wagglepop went down again we all here would fly to anothr venue how many do I ask would end up at the big E ?
I certainly think holding options open is smart business. Yes I protest the bid E I actually hate the place to be honest. Thanks to the wagglepop CEO I have a new home and I like it here and hey I have not had 1 sell yet but I have faith, Faith = Something to believe in and not seeing it, personally i still have my account over at the big E but I have my former store closed that is a personal choice but I never closed my acccount fully.
I don't think it's a moral issue as the Wagglepop Ceo has worked his butt off the second time around I like what I see and I know he is not happy with the big E or we would not be here. now start listing and spread the word!!



xxxxxi  12 Sep 2006 06:54     
The reason his name was removed from the thread because his FULL NAME was used, a no-no here. Can not post first and last names in the forum. It's a violation of the Board Participation Policy to post personal information such as a full name in the topic title. So that's why it was removed. You can utter all the first names you want, just don't attach a last name.
My 2 cents: we ALL still have a working eBay seller name. Why should it matter? I think its smart to check out the competition for fresh ideas and to see what works and doesn't work. Join an auction site and you also get access to the boards, so you can find out what sellers are looking for.
Just my 2 cents....

xxx

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 11:07     

I dont get why this is such a big deal?
so he has an empty stpre over there.
big whoop.
I still have 3 acccounts over there, although I no longer sell on there.
Many WP sellers have ADMITTED to still selling on E, and WP certainly makes no fuss about it. They dont even try to edit the names of the sites wesay we sell on. try doing that on the E boards.
Do you think E doesnt have an account over HEre? or on O, or Yahoo, or HiBidder, or any of the others?
I still buy on E when i cant find what I want here, I hope someday that I can find everythign I want here, I know xxxxx is working on getting me some cello bags over here( YAYYY)
As sevreral other postes have said, it is a VERY common practice to keep a close eye on your competition
I have bought xxxxx from other people to see their construction and quality.
" Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"
xxxxxxx

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 12:01     
Why does this matter? I still have my E store open, as well as stores on 2 other venues - I'm a single mom and this is my income - I don't care about hurting people's feelings or being 'loyal' to one place or another - I will go where the sales are. In fact, I am seriously thinking about closing my WP store - its been nearly 3 months and my fees are more than my sales.

If I had one question that would concern me it would be - WP is now makeing well over $10,000 a month with store fees and final value fees - I know it takes money to run site, but at the same time - there's no advertiseing yet either - how much will it take to get some?
I've spent a lot of time energy and work on my WP store, and I had high hopes, but if it doesn't pick up soon, I don't think I will stay.
I know I'm doing my part - advertising WP on my personal site, to my friends and family, on Myspace, to my E customers, and everywhere I can..

xxxxxx 12 Sep 2006 12:33     

who gives a flip?!?!?!? it's no different than me keeping selling on ebay and selling over here too. i'm keeping ebay to pay bills while i get my store here up and going. no difference at all! pretty smart on his part! that's my opinion! Xxx

xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 12:39     
what a thread! that's a little too much drama for me!
xxxx
wagglepopCC1  12 Sep 2006 12:40     
Hello Members,
Actually, I just checked, and we have 14 active eBay accounts across staff at this time for research and development.
That's how we built the E-Import component of the soon to be released InventoryDirect bulklister.
In total across all kinds of retail or auction sites on the Web, I counted 92 earlier this morning, though it's likely more since we're constantly checking out new sites.
You can't compete if you don't understand your competition.

Karen - WP Customer Care


xxxxx  12 Sep 2006 12:45     
very smart Karen - YOU ALL ARE DOING AWESOME!!!!!!!! keep it up! xxx
FineThings4U  12 Sep 2006 12:56     
Gosh, I'm sorry if you are misunderstanding me. I thing wagglepop is the tops. I was just doing my homework and I will admit, I should have done it sooner. I was researching the founder, the history, what went wrong the first time, etc.
I found that the CEO here is a brilliant market strategist and salesperson. I found that he had no love lost between himself and ebay when he left to begin this site. I found that if anyone could make competition for the big E it would be him. I applaud him for that.
that being said, it made me really wonder why, if you want to break ties with E, would you continue to support them with your dollars. I have the answer now. Also, I wanted to know why this site is not being "sold" or promoted by someone with the brainpower and understanding of the market as he has. This, I still do not understand, but Karen says there is a plan, which I will accept for now.
Also, I took a look at that xxxx link before and I think it is trash. Like I said, if it is not "news" or truly biographical, take it with a grain of salt, or two, or three.........

Sandy B.

xxx  12 Sep 2006 12:59     
its ok Sandy.
I Think there are some people who are concerned about lack of sales and advertising. And when you saw he had a store, it raised some warning flags for you.
But it is a normal part of business.


I'd be MORE worried if WP wasn't keeping an eye on the other sites!
now, everyone have a cupof coffe and put a shot of somethign in it!
im off to make some xxxx...
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx  12 Sep 2006 14:36     
I am marking this on the calendar..I have a theory that we get a 'drama' post once a week. lol
I don't think RR personal business is any of my concern, for any reason.
His site Wagglepop business is awesome and for that I am thankful!

xxxx
xxxxx  17 Sep 2006 03:59     
LOL and xxxxx I'll be getting them (cello bags) in Monday so I'll contact you with the specifics ;-)....and if anyone else needs any, lemme know :-)
I try to accommodate my perspective buyers!
xxxx
xxxxx  18 Sep 2006 10:50     
Hi everyone
I have opened a store but have not listed as yet. When I opened a store, I decided to give it a year at a cost of $120.00 that I have set aside for this venue. I know there are people than cannot do this. If at the end of year store is not showing profit I will close and chalk it up. Anything new is a risk. Nothing ventured~nothing gained. I feel that the cost is very low.

xxxxx



xxxxxxx  18 Sep 2006 22:33     
Call me crazy, but if I were Ray, I would fly that store banner high!! Great feedback!! He is only doing what most of us do--making the most of every resource to grow our business!
All I know is that every time I have contacted CS here they have responded and tried to work out my issues. The site isn't perfect, but I don't really expect it to be...I just expect it to be a viable alternative to E and it is!!
One thing that so many forget is that CS has absolutely died over there. Even the boards have deteriorated and many who could help just stopped because they got tired of being E's CS Dept. and being thanked by getting kicked in the teeth with fees and neglect. If you don't believe that boardies are doing E's jobs, just visit the LW site and see what THEY say about using site members for customer service!
This place is an absolute breath of fresh air...people help because they enjoy it, people appreciate it, CS has a name and it's "Karen", sellers have honesty and integrity, and my bottom line appreciates the financial sacrifices WP is willing to make so that we can all succeed together! They are not as short-sighted as E, and they are here at a time when E cut the rope and abandoned us...
so I am happy to come here and start afresh! What's past is past!