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EcommerceBytes-Update, Number 100 - August 10, 2003 - ISSN 1528-6703
This & That: Online Auction Roundup
1) ImageWiz.net Image-Hosting Reaches '500 Member' Mark
By Ina Steiner
Reminder: AuctionBytes does not endorse the products and services featured in the "This & That" column, which often features new companies. Fraud is becoming widespread in the online auction world, and you should think twice before giving private information or User IDs and passwords to any third party.
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ImageWiz.net announced it has reached the 500 membership mark after one-and-one-half years of business. ImageWiz is an image-hosting and management service for online auction users.
Rich Grams launched the site in January 2002. The initial version could only handle 3 uploads at a time and offered one plan. Rich says, "I first became interested in image hosting as my wife was and still remains an avid eBay Seller (username Cozeyhome), and although there where a couple of good image hosting sites out there, none seemed to be simple or reliable. Many times my wife would have me calling and emailing her image hosts because her auctions where ending and there where no images."
Rich said he wanted a system that would be easy to use and reliable, so rather than depend on a virtual hosting company, he purchased and programmed his own server, then found a solid company to collocate the server with. "I then began the task of advertising, I think I tried everything short of spam. I realize now it just takes a lot of time and detail to get noticed."
Located in Bellmawr, New Jersey, ImageWiz.net offers seven fixed plans, each allowing users to upload up to 12 images at a time. The service also offers a new pay-as-you-go plan.
http://www.imagewiz.net
2) Elvis Expert Rockin' Robin on HGTV Television This Week
By Ina Steiner
Robin Rosaaen, an expert on Elvis Presley memorabilia, will be featured on the "Collectible Treasures" television program on Saturday. Rosaaen's collection is one of the largest in the world and includes over 50,000 photographs, 600 books written about Elvis and 900 albums. Rosaaen got her nickname "Rockin Robin" from the King himself.
Rosaaen's accomplishment in building up the Elvis collecting community on eBay was featured in Adam Cohen's book about eBay. Robin was laid off from eBay in 2001 as part of cost-cutting measures. She said her next gig will be working on an Elvis photo project. In 1994, she co-authored the book, "All the King's Things: The Ultimate Elvis Memorabilia Book."
http://tinyurl.com/jkav
3) Got Junk? A Business that's Not Rubbish
By Ina Steiner
For 13 years, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been helping people get rid of their junk. The company is a full service junk removal company that takes away anything the city trash haulers and organizations like The Salvation Army won't take. In 1989, Brian Scudamore started the business as a summer job after high school, and eventually dropped out of college to manage the business. It's now a franchise in 54 cities in two countries (Canada and the U.S.) with 250 employees system wide.
Bob Valeri of my local 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise said there is definitely an eBay angle to the business. "As we do many basement, attic and garage cleanouts, we run into all sorts of stuff. The large majority, however, is big, old heavy Junk that is just taking up valuable space. We allow our drivers to take almost anything they want from a Junk haul if they can use it or resell it, as an ongoing incentive for the hard work they put in." 1-800-GOT-JUNK? also donates "good junk" items to local charities and drops off some junk at recycling locations.
http://www.1800gotjunk.com
4) Auction Messenger Tools for eBayers
By Ina Steiner
316Software announced they have had over 100,000 downloads of their Auction Messenger and Auction Messenger Professional software products for eBay. 316Software has been producing software for enhancing the eBay experience for over 2 year when the owner/founder got a bit addicted to eBay. Patrick Husting found that the existing My eBay page was good, but not good enough for his power needs when using eBay and being a software developer, the end result was Auction Messenger. He developed several other auction-related products including PayPal Monitor, Ultimate Auction Search, eBay Email Stationery, 1-2-3 PayPal Button Wizard for Microsoft FrontPage and a few others.
http://www.auctionmessenger.net
5) Two New Auction Sites Launch: BidPuppy & ePuddle
By Ina Steiner
BidPuppy: Michael N. Candarini founded BidPuppy when he thought the listing fees at the big sites became too high and saw ways to improve things. Candarini says he will donate 5% of revenues to charitable organizations on an ongoing basis and is helping Petfinder.org find homes for over 100,000 homeless animals all over the United States. There is a 10-cent listing fee and a final value fee of 2%, with a max fee of $50. http://www.bidpuppy.com
ePuddle: Carole Gostanian founded ePuddle to use auctions as a way to raise money for missing children/persons. She says she will donate all listing fees (10 cents/item) to reward funds and/or foundations each month, and she includes the Amber Alert on the Web site. http://www.epuddle.com
6) New Tools for Online Auction Users
By Ina Steiner
Three auction-related tools have been brought to our attention.
eBay Analysis tool: AuctionIntelligence
http://www.certes.net/auctionintelligence
eBay Analysis tool: SeeBay
http://www.seebay.co.uk
eBay Buyer tool: Bay Prospector
http://www.bayprospector.com
7) eTail Conference in Boston this Week
By Ina Steiner
The 9th Annual eTail conference is taking place in Boston August 11-14. This year's theme is "Expert Strategies for Delivering a Branded, Personalized & Profitable Multi-Channel Experience." Presenters include executives from leading multi-channel retailers, pure plays and manufacturers, including Gap, Lands' End, Best Buy, Crutchfield and Ritz Interactive. Lorna Borenstein, Vice President and General Manager of eBay Fashion, will give a presentation entitled, "Maintaining An Effective Balance Between Direct Marketing Science And Entrepreneurial Skill Within Your E-Commerce Retail Organization."
http://www.etail2003.com
8) Auction Features Concert Posters, Jacqueline Kennedy's Signature
By Ina Steiner
Wex Rex Pop Culture Auction features concert posters and handbills from the 60s and 70s and a receipt signed by Jacqueline Kennedy. The auction closes beginning at 8:00 p.m. eastern time on Sunday August 10, 2003. Bidders must call or email in advance to register for this auction.
http://www.allcollectors.com
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