No More FREE Auctiva!!!

[axe_n_gear_music]

This announcement by Auctiva yesterday is sure to get alot of sellers attention (including mine!!!) X-(

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m05/i28/s01

Thanks to Surplusdealdude for providing this info to us in another thread. I figured it was significant enough to post it as it's own thread, as it will affect alot of sellers' bottom line.

For example, one of the pricing packages looks like this:

The Professional Seller plan will cost $34.95/month plus 12 cents/listing, with zero transaction fee.
So for a seller like me with say 250 listings, the cost would be 250 x .12 for the listings, = 30 dollars/month + the plan package at 34.95/month + an additional fee for the size of megabyte storage I will require over 1 meg. for a minimum fee total of 64.95/month!!!

Auctiva tout themselves as eBay's largest third-party Certified Solutions provider, with over 1 million users. They estimate that 70% of current users will stay on board with them and pay these new fees.
Any thoughts or alternatives?

Cheers,
AXE

[jerseypros]

If you use a Mac check out GarageSale...you buy the software once (I believe it's $40) and everything is free after that - includes free picture hosting. No HTML to learn, just drop your pics, really nice templates too. We've been using them for several months and couldn't be happier - their tech support is exceptional.

[axe_n_gear_music]

Looks like Inkfrog might just be the way to go. They are offering current Auctiva users an importing tool to make a more simplified transition to their service. See here:
http://www.inkfrog.com/welcome_auctiva.php

At only 9.95 a month, it is looking pretty good (although their templates are rather lame). They also have a free 2 week trial period and include 1 GB (around 12000 images), as well as pretty much all of the same features that Auctiva offers.

I am surprised that Auctiva thinks they can compete when these kinds of options are out there. Why wouldnt Auctiva just charge the same 9.95/month and keep 99% of their customers?

Are there any Inkfrog users out there?

Cheers,
AXE

[surplusdealdude]

Ask on the .com boards - it's more popular down there.

Several people that used to be on Seller Central said they used it - I don't know if they post there any more. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[surplusdealdude]

And, just to cover all the bases, I'd email Inkfrog and ask if Canadians can use their service - sometimes it's USA only with this type of company. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[pjcdn2005]

Good point Surplus. I checked with Seller Source Book yesterday and I can only use their site for some things if I list on .ca Here is their letter.


Thank you for your e-mail. Currently our launcher only launches to eBay US and eBay UK. You can still use our site to host your images and create listings for eBay Canada. What you would do is create the listing on SSB and then copy the listing code. Then go to eBay Canada and create your auction, in the Description section click on the HTML tab and paste the HTML code you copied from SSB. Then continue on with creating your auction and submit.

To schedule the auction you would need to use the scheduling feature on eBay Canada.

[surplusdealdude]

Yea, I was afraid of that.

Google Base Store Uploader, endicia, and so on.

What are we, chopped liver? -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[axe_n_gear_music]

Another good Inkfrog announcement this morning:
http://community.inkfrog.com/showthread.php?p=199584#post199584

Cheers,
AXE

[surplusdealdude]

I imagine all of Auctiva's competitors will be making announcements shortly - let the bloodbath begin! -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[surplusdealdude]

Well, that didn't take long - Vendio is making a special offer to Auctiva users;

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m06/i01/s01 -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[axe_n_gear_music]

Just spoke with a Vendio rep- they do NOT support ebay.ca.
I still can't get through to Inkfrog staff - does anyone know if eBay.ca is compatible with them?

Thanks,
AXE

[axe_n_gear_music]

OK, a Vendio rep called back and confirmed that they DO support eBay.ca as long as you list in US dollars and have eBay.com exposure etc.
The rep was excellent, and their deal really is a good one. I will create another post dedicated to this topic.

Cheers,
AXE

[bestbranddeals]

are they also changing / will be charging for auctiva scroll gallery ? If they would I will take that off from my listings ?

[coxengines]

Dear xenalook,

This email is to let you know that on 6/18/2009 8:42 AM we've replied to your support case inquiry.

Previous Comment:Thursday, 6/18/2009 8:35 AM

This is the second time that I am writing you in this regard as you have not replied the first time.

I would like to know for what period of time Auctiva will guarantee us the $9.95 deal.

If we do not receive a coherent reply from you by the end of the month we will no longer use Auctiva.

Thanks in advance and have a great day.

Bernie

Hello xenalook,

Thank you for contacting customer support.

Although Auctiva reserves the right to review pricing in the future we do not have plans to do so in the next twelve to eighteen months.

You are welcome to switch plans and/or cancel at any time.

I hope you find this response to be helpful. If there is anything further we can do to assist you, please let us know!

Thank you,
Auctiva Support

[surplusdealdude]

Although Auctiva reserves the right to review pricing in the future we do not have plans to do so in the next twelve to eighteen months.

That's a nice non-answer answer.:O -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[dipmicro]

That's a nice non-answer answer.

It's appropriate under the circumstances.

Btw. word guarantee has been abused so much it hardly means anything. Say Auctiva guarantees Bernie something for $9.95/month and does not follow through. What is the recourse?

I have been in situations several times with various service providers and it always seemed impractical to do anything about it, the best was to grunt and move on.

Example: one web hosting provider was guaranteeing 100% availability with promise of free service 100x the blackout. After the first 8hr+ blackout out of curiosity I asked about free service and was told that this blackout does not qualify for whatever reason.

The promises are cheap, Auctiva cannot guarantee it's own survival.

[coxengines]

Dipmicro,

Amen! 🙂

Bernie

[axe_n_gear_music]

For me, the answer is simple.
I already use and like Auctiva, so 9.95 a month is great for now. If they change, disappear, or simply up their prices in 2010 or 2000whatever, I will revisit my options then. Why change for the sake of change at this point. - I have been enjoying their services for free until now anyway, and 9.95 is more than reasonable in today's climate.
For now, time to sit back and relax and enjoy Fathers Day weekend!! B-)

Cheers,
AXE

[dipmicro]

Exactly. There is no reason to change, there is no reason to press for guarantees. Enjoy the ride and if it breaks, hitch the new one.