Wagglepop 2: Deja Vu as Auction Site That Left Sellers Stranded Reopens

[Alskling]

[quote author=sherrand link=topic=3775.msg50659#msg50659 date=1177419196]

xxxxxxxxxxxx  24 Apr 2007 02:16       


Evening Everyone,

Is anyone else having a problem listing on Wagglepop tonight?

I keep getting this error message..

Software error:
Can't call method "status_line" on an undefined value at /usr/local/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.8.7/Business/Shipping/RateRequest/Online.pm line 119.

[/quote]

This post was from the Popper I just mentioned who has four stores, two of which are showcase ($60 month for all), and shows a total of 2 sales for the past 30 days totalling $5 each.

To hell with buyers, he's only worried about increasing the seller base.

Riverrat

Exactly. And as long as Ray keeps the present system, that will NEVER change.

I thought it appropriate to resurrect this posting of mine back in January 5. WP's new "phone" and geo-location" verification system further supports the claim that Ray doesn't give a wombat poo poo's ass about buyers.

WP IS THE MOST BUYER UNFRIENDLY ON THE INTERNET! And one of the few that CHARGES SELLERS a flat fee for stores. This is not a coincidence.

I DESPARATELY tried to get "buyer value" point across when I first started at WP. Should anyone care to go back in July and read my posts on WP (assuming they are still there). I was encouraging and wanted to help bring buyers to the site. HOW STUPID WAS I?

I tried to ask what WP could offer BUYERS than other auction sites could not. I did some comparison shopping and found IDENTICAL items on eBay selling for LESS than on WP. I suggested sellers get more competitive. I was met with all kinds of resistance and comments like "if we lower our prices, then buyers will EXPECT deals all the time," or "How can I make a profit?", "but we're not like eBay," or "but eBay sellers RIP OFF BUYERS with the shipping," when, in fact I cited differently with identical item comparison.

So, I suggested offering Red Carpet to ALL new buyers for a limited time to attract buyers on a volume discount basis. I was met with, "Oh, no, that's a program for our ELITE buyers. We want them to feel special," or Karen popping in and telling me I was all wet and needed to take a course in Econ 101 (yes, she actually said that). I offered suggestion after suggestion, but the cheerleaders would jump up and down, chanting the, "you must have faith that Karen knows what she's doing" mantra, "because she is so much wiser and experienced." "Just be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day" and all kinds of rah, rah from Karen about the single-fee system and put-down of my convoluted, regressive "eBay think", etc. BUYER'S DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT. All they want is EASY PURCHASE, GREAT SERVICE, GREAT PRODUCT AT A GREAT PRICE. When I said exactly that, I got myself red flagged, and every post thereafter was scrutinized for "compliance."

Fact is, WP WAS (is) HORRIBLE FOR BUYERS. My buyers HATED it. The Home Page SCREAMS SELLERS, SELLERS, SELLERS, we want you. The search sucks. Checkout sucks. No automatic email of sales, no combined invoice option, and buyers had to PLEDGE to pay an invoice through a PayPal account before they could bid or buy an item. For what? Some of these issues may have been addressed since then, but THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE BEGINNING. Most of it was a function of Rscript already (or so I'm told). Sellers got on the boards complaining they couldn't get their buyers to sign up and would prefer to buy their items off of eBay. Most of those sellers are gone now. Buyers who asked questions were labeled "trouble makers" and "trolls."

This all goes to show where Ray's priorities lie.

Contrary to what Karen says, a seller flat-rate auction venue is, by its very nature, NOT a good thing for buyers. This is because the admistrators get their money from seller fees and NOT commissions on the sale. They have ABSOLUTELY NO INCENTIVE to cater to buyers, make the site buyer friendly, or do anything to attract buyers in any way. The bulk of the $$$ comes from seller fees, so why should they care if an item sells. An item can sit and gather cobwebs in a seller's store from now until Kingdom Come and all is well and dandy with the folks running the venue because the seller pays his $$$$ every month anyway.  

In this respect alone, as much as I hate eBay, it has better business sense to charge a small store fee and steeper commissions. I learned my lesson. From now on, any other venue I set up shop is either going to be FREE of store fees or FREE period. That way, I know the site HAS to work for ME, or it makes no $$$ from me.

 

[UniqueSeller]

Karma!

Yes, there is definitely no outing on this thread. Sherrand knew who I was when I started posting incognito on this thread and she never shared that info with anyone. 

Please feel free to come vent. It is very therapeutic .


~Patti~

[bargainbloodhound]

Not outting here, unless you decide to reveal who you are.

I didn't want to be outed but DeepRiverMan outed me as a Paid Feebay Employee With An Agenda. If it wasn't for his big mouth everyone would still think I was just a stupid looking stuffed bear. 

[RiverRat]

[quote author=bargainbloodhound link=topic=3775.msg50685#msg50685 date=1177421384]

Not outting here, unless you decide to reveal who you are.

I didn't want to be outed but DeepRiverMan outed me as a Paid Feebay Employee With An Agenda. If it wasn't for his big mouth everyone would still think I was just a stupid looking stuffed bear. 



[/quote]

   

[scoop]

Hi Karma 

[quote author=sherrand link=topic=3775.msg50681#msg50681 date=1177419988]
Karma,

I'll second the Rat. No outing. We really are discreet; ask some of our newer members. We knew who they were but gave them the courtesy to unveil in their own time and their own way. We offer you no less. And thanks for the complement to the humour in this thread. Always good for the soul.

Offering KaRay a Customer Service course would be as effective as converting a leopard to vegetarianism. The pupil would eventually eat the teacher. And their spots won't change.

I too noticed Farvel not closed yet and neither is Just 4 Fun. Rat, you could be right that KaRay intends to add them to his delinquent stat. 
[/quote]

Sherrand speaks the truth.  I know when I first started posting here several people here knew who I was but they did not reveal it.  They let me do that in my own time.  Like Sherrand says you will be given that same courtesy.

A lot of us having been at WP can understand the reasons someone may not want to reveal themselves.  For me it was the fact that I didn't want to get kicked off WP before I could end all my listings. I did not want to have any of my listings showing up after my store was closed. 

Ray does read this thread and people have been kick off WP just for posting over here.  Also seller's who have had Ray hit the delete button on their store before they could close it themselves have had their listings still showing up.

[I want 1 2]

Hi TT'ers, and  Karma !!
Been a while since I checked in. Busy working on the new website, and it's making some progress. Anyone who knows where it is, take a peak and let me know what you think, please.
I dropped a spot or two on WP, and it feels soooooo good !! 
Catch ya later, peeps !!

[eclectica]

Karma!

I want 1 2 - glad to hear your site is coming along. Before you know it, you'll be able to blow the KoolAid stand for good!!

[UniqueSeller]

Just a reminder for those who still list on eBay ...

Today is .20 cent listing day. Take advantage of it if you can! (Unfortunately I did, but I really want to start getting rid of stock).

~Patti~

[Alskling]

Today is April 24. Time to revisit the following:

From "Wagglepop Today":

The first quarter of 2007 will mark the introduction of multiple features and functionalities all designed to make the Wagglepop experience an even better one, and in support of that we have introduced a new recognition of sellers who joined in 2006 and entered 2007 in good standing by highlighting Founding Members with a special icon in all listings.

Translation: "If you joined us in 2006 and have PAID YOUR BILL going into 2007, you are recognized for that wonderful achievement by having the Founding Member icon bestowed upon you. Doesn't that make you feel special? What's more, buyers will recognize you as a drone who drinks his Koolaid and lines our pockets every month without question."

Integrations/events scheduled throughout the first quarter of 2007 include:
1. Site Registration Location Expansion

2. Phase One of Marketing/Promotion

3. Appearance Changes

4. Introduction of Opt-In Email Newsletters and Promotions

5. We The People Program

6. Wanted Listings Feature

7. Buying & Collector Guides Resource

8. Resources Portal

9. New Recognition Programs

10. Wagglepop Checkout

11. Wagglepop Stuff WP Merchandise Center

bolding mine.

Oh, by the way, when does Q1 2007 end for WP? Q1 has ended for the rest of the business world. Oh, wait, silly me. I almost forgot. WP IS NOT A BUSINESS. 

[RiverRat]

   

Hmmm....and how many of those 'integrations/events' have actually come to pass?



9. New Recognition Programs  (If we recognize you posting at TT your account will be deleted.)