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EcommerceBytes-Update, Number 108 - December 07, 2003 - ISSN 1528-6703
This & That: Online Auction Roundup
1) Froogle 'Live' at Last?
By Ina Steiner
Reminder: AuctionBytes does not endorse the products and services featured in the "This & That" column, which often features new Web sites. (Anyone can set up a Web site.) 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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It appears that Google is slowly introducing Froogle search results in with their regular Google results. According to a post by search engine guru, Danny Sullivan (http://www.searchenginewatch.com), on the WebMasterWorld forums, Froogle listings are beginning to appear at the TOP of Google's search results pages. (http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum96/63.htm) (Registration is required.)
Danny gives an example of a search for "above ground pools" (http://www.google.com/search?q=above+ground+pools) to illustrate how Froogle's search results will look on Google's pages. We tried several other search terms with mixed success, but this is definitely good news for sellers who have storefronts and retail Web sites that have been indexed by Froogle. It will be interesting to see how this translates into traffic for online merchants.
2) DOUA Auction
By Ina Steiner
We first wrote about Marjie Smith and her efforts to help the disabled online-auction community back in September 2001. She recently appeared on Jim "Griff" Griffith's radio show. Griff, eBay's ambassador, kindly donated a signed book, "The Official eBay Bible," which Marjie put up for auction with proceeds to go to the Disabled Online Users Association. The auction ends today.
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3570454710)
To learn more about the DOUA, read:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y03/m11/i04/s01
3) Auction Magic Software
By Ina Steiner
Andy Smith of Information Ideas (UK) Ltd. wrote to let us know about Auction Magic software. The free utility is designed to integrate with the eBay API and allows users to access their My eBay information as well as stored searches and favourite seller lists. Information is regularly updated and is available offline. In addition, users can choose to be alerted when auctions are added and/or changed. They plan to add new features, including bidding options and more advanced search and notification.
http://www.free-auction-tools.com
4) New UK Auction Site
By Ina Steiner
A new auction site launched December 1 in the UK. According to the press announcement, buyit.co.uk. is the brainchild of an ex-eBayer who was disgruntled with paying ever-increasing fees for "ever decreasing service." This auction site is free and boasts nine different styles of auction forma, including: English, Dutch, Reverse, Barter Trade, Fixed Price, £1-NoReserve and Linked. Each new signup will be credited with £10.
http://www.buyit.co.uk
5) TalkinAuction Launches Audio for eBay
By Ina Steiner
TalkinAuction.com, founded by Mark Bortz and Jeremy Deyoung, launched November 2003. For as little as 25 cents, TalkinAuction.com will link a custom audio message to your eBay auction. When a prospective buyer clicks on your auction listing, your TalkinAuction.com message begins to play automatically. eBay Store "Quality Cookbooks at Half the Price" uses the feature in his listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/id=96302733
http://www.talkinauction.com
6) BayToGo.com Keeps eBay Sellers Connected
By Ina Steiner
BayToGo.com announced a service that sends eBay sellers alerts whenever there is a change in their items' prices. Users can set up various preferences in order to control what events will trigger the submission of these SMS messages. BayToGo can send instant notifications regarding various activities on eBay directly to your wireless device (cell phone) or email address.
http://www.baytogo.com
7) MySANS Search Alert Service
By Ina Steiner
MySANS.com is a new search alert service that notifies you via email when a new auction is posted for something you are interested in purchasing. It automates the process of looking for items, so if you collect something specific, you won't miss any that go up for sale. MySans says its technology "saves your search preferences and searches each sites on an individual basis. It then aggregates the information and notifies you, when you want to be notified." There is a 10-day free trial, after which there is a $3.99/month fee.
http://www.mysans.com
8) eBay Online Auction Glossary
By Ina Steiner
Want to know what people mean when they talk about "Escrow," "Sniping," or "Naru"? eBay created 2 pages to help with auction terminology.
(http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/g-index.html) provides the meaning of terms commonly used on eBay.
(http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/community-terms.html) contains a list of abbreviations and terms that users often use in item titles or on discussion boards.
Send feedback to glossary@ebay.com
9) New AuctionBytes Forum to Discuss VeRO and Trademark Issues
By Ina Steiner
Online-auction sellers often learn about eBay's VeRO program the hard way - by having auctions pulled from eBay. Our new forum is set up to discuss VeRO issues. Karen Dudnikov and Mike Meadors (eBay User ID tabberone), who have an understanding of the issues involved through their disputes with major corporations, moderate the forum.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=35
10) BidPay Name Change Official
By Ina Steiner
In July, BidPay changed its name to Western Union Auction Payments. Now visitors to www.bidpay.com are being directed to auctionpayments.com. If you include banners in your auctions, update them, and remember to change your bookmarks.
http://www.auctionpayments.com
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