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Auctionbytes-Update, Number 38 - May 19, 2001 - ISSN 1528-6703
This & That
1) AuctionGator Tracking Service
By Ina Steiner
AuctionGator is a new service that allows users to set up search agents that search eBay every 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours for items matching a desired description. The search agent sends an email alert containing items found since the last search. It can also be set up to alert users when an auction is almost ending. The service is free for now and is compatible with wireless devices, since it sends the alert to any email address. < http://www.auctiongator.com > Note that AuctionBytes did a review of tracking services in the December issue http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/27/27.html#alert, but one service we liked, iTrack.com, is no longer offering auction-related services.
2) Zoovy Says Don't Worry About eBay Link-Policy Changes
By Ina Steiner
Zoovy offers tools that allow eBay auction sellers to have an "Auction Information Page" where they can link to their Web sites and online stores. Linking from the auction to the "Auction Information Page" page is perfectly valid and legal according to the eBay User Agreement policy.
Here's how it works. Sellers insert a link in the auction listing that says "Click here to See Important Statistics About This Auction." When you click on that link, you are taken to a page with a detailed graph showing bidder viewing activity. On that same page, sellers can set up links to their Web sites or storefronts. Zoovy says that the statistics generated by this page has also proven to generate more excitement from bidders.
http://www.zoovy.com/learn/auction/examples/
3) ads4auctions.com: Display Ads and Auction Shops for Online Auctions
By Ina Steiner
ads4auctions.com is a new online display-ad service for auction sellers. Sellers can create display ads in their auction listings and can incorporate their logo and contact information into the ads. Sellers can also set up Auction Shops, which are pages that shows all their online auction listings formatted and personalized. ads4auctions.com will soon create different codes for eBay, Amazon.com and Yahoo Auctions to allow for policy differences among the auction sites.
For an introductory, limited-time offer, Display Ads and Auction Shops are free to registered users. Registration is always free.
Although the site looks great, I found it difficult to get to the details I wanted. Here are some tips. First, the "register" button is at the top right-hand corner of the home page, right underneath the log in area. Secondly, the help section is great - it brings ups the details. The "Help" button is found at the top left-hand side of the page. "Buying Ads & Shops" in the Help section gives you pricing information.
John Crittenden, President of Tools4auctions, was very responsive to my questions and appears committed to the service. He explained, "I think bidders would be more inclined to click a link to a seller's Auction Shop than to their About Me page. Once you see a seller's About Me page that's about it. An Auction Shop is dynamic and will always change to include a seller's new auctions on eBay.
http://www.ads4auctions.com
4) c2it Payment Service Offers $10 Bonus to First-Time Users
By Ina Steiner
c2it is Citibank's online payment service. Users will receive $10 after they sign up and send money (to someone in the U.S.) for the first time. As we reported in Newsflash, AuctionWatch has chosen c2it as its preferred payment provider.
http://www.c2it.com
5) Newbie Resources
If you an auction newbie, there are lots of resources on auction sites that explain how to place an item for auction:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/auctions/asell
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/auct/asell/asell-01.html
http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/n-selling.html
And remember, read the message boards and ask for help when you have questions.
6) Reader Questions eBay's Policy on Scurrilous CDs
By Ina Steiner
A reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, alerted us to the sale of CDs on eBay that advertise questionable practices and use spam words in the titles. She is concerned because the CDs tell people how to get private information about people. One of her customers, who had been a big eBay buyer, has fallen victim to identity theft and will no longer be buying items online. Our reader has reported these auctions to eBay, but eBay says the auctions are not breaking eBay policy.
"I have hope that they may one day end these auctions since they decided to Ban all that Nazi stuff. It means the Policy is not inflexible," our reader wrote.
And these CDs certainly contain questionable material, including the following:
- How to Pass a Drug Test
- Get anyone's address, driving record, Social Security Number - with just a name!
- Eavesdrop on the police
What surprises me is that anyone would send money to these sellers. I would be skeptical about the quality of the information contained on the CDs, among other things.
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