New Self-Service Auction Venture

[Matt]

As some of you know, Leon and I have been working on a self-service auction site for collectibles with low fees, proper organization, (better) fraud/reprint monitoring, and a number of other improvements. At this point, while we know there are some issues to still be worked out with the site, in order to flesh out some of the remaining issues, we want to open it up for a few weeks and allow some real, albeit limited, usage. As such, we're looking for about 10 people who would each agree to sell between 3 and 10 items on our site at no charge (no listing fees, or final value fees, of any kind) and we'll open the site up for everyone to bid during this testing run. You can use reserves, etc...if need be, to protect yourself from getting too low of an ending price. We realize it needs to be safe for everyone and don't want anyone to get upset for any reason during this test run. In return, any seller who sells items during this trial period will get a credit for a free "front page featured" listing on our site once it goes live.

We're not yet on our production server, so it is possible an issue might arise which interrupts the auction (currently the site is using the same hosting package as this forum does, which has been pretty solid). Of course, if that happens, we'll work with you to resolve it in a way you are comfortable with. We will reserve the right to nullify any auction or sale, at any point, in order to protect sellers/bidders in the case of software or other glitches. Otherwise the auctions will be live and real, and are expected to be completed in a professional and legal manner. If you are interested in being one of these first sellers, please email either myself or Leon. Once we have the sellers setup, we'll post another thread (with the site URL) letting everyone else know they can register and bid.

While Leon and I certainly are hoping this turns into a successful business venture, we also hope that this serves as a safer, friendlier and cheaper place for our hobby to transact than some of the current alternatives. Therefore, we're excited to receive whatever constructive feedback you can provide to help make it a success for all of us.

Thanks so much for the great feedback everyone! We've got enough sellers at this point. We will email all of you in the next day or two with specifics and then follow that a little later with a forum post letting everyone know about registration and bidding.

[teetwoohsix]

This sounds awesome!!

[T206.org]

You could count me in for a few < $50 listings during your beta period if you like.

[rhettyeakley]

If it will help you guys out I'm sure I can find a bunch of stuff to list on your site so you can count me in.
-Rhett

[Leon]

Thanks guys.....We appreciate it very much. We will accept the help . We need about 8 others so whomever is feeling adventurous come on over. As Matt said once ya'll are set up and have listings going we will open it up for others to bid. We truly think ya'll will like what you see.

[Abravefan11]

I can help with a few cards.

[mintacular]

will list a couple (postwar) cards.

[Theoldprofessor]

I have 90-100 T206s, PSA 2-5, majors, minors, SLers.. Obviously I'll not post them all, but would like to help with whatever might be of use. Please count me in.

[barrysloate]

Hey guys- you know you have my full support and I wish you both luck. Don't have any appropriate inventory at the moment, though. Sorry.

I have about 5 items I would throw up there. Let me know

Andrew

[RichardSimon]

Do you want memorabilia and autographs?
--

[Leon]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Do you want memorabilia and autographs?
--

Yes sir we do.....ALL sports related items is what we will have a venue for.

[vwtdi]

I have a couple things I can list in the 150-350 range, LMK.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Sounds great, looking forward to bidding !!!

[Leon]

I think just a few more are needed. There are 1-2 things we need to do, that we just found, then we will send out the link to the testers....then after they give us a green light and they are all set with their listings (should only be a day or two), we will post a link and be off to the races for testing. We appreciate it. best regards

ps...all of those above, that have offered so far, are accepted .....

[sox1903wschamp]

I would love to help out. I have some E and M cards. Probably 10-15 plus a few HOFer's.

[ibuysportsephemera]

I can list some publications or sports ephemera items..the only thing is I am away on business until Thursday night. If that is not a problem, count me in.

[GoldenAge50s]

I'd like to try it. I can list a 2-3 of the T206's I recently found & maybe a few nice cards from the '50's.

EM sent to Matt

[Matt]

OK folks, thanks for all the support! We've got enough at this point and will cut it here.

We'll send an email to the sellers in the next day or two with the details.

thank you!

[rdwyer]

Goodbye eBay! Hello Net54 Auctions! Can't wait...

[edhans]

I didn't see this thread in time, but if you need another seller, I would be willing to list a few things.

[Leon]

Hey Ed
Thanks for the offer but I think we are all set for the moment. Now, when it comes time to bid, in a few days, we hope you will see something from one of our testers that interests you. Hope you and yours are well and looking forward to the National again. I presume you and Gary will be there again? best regards

[Jay Wolt]

This is a great idea.
Looking forward to when its ready to roll!

[TistaT202]

i have had it with eBay and would love to be able to buy and sell at Net54...

[Robextend]

I'm absolutely ready to bid...

[jbsports33]

Leon and Matt,

Glad you are moving forward with this effort and making progress, look forward to up coming updates to the site and participating.

Jimmy

[GoldenAge50s]

I got registered & played around w/ the site today. Got 2 auctions ready to go for Thurs PM & will be working on a few more tomorrow!

Matt-Leon:

I sent in a note about a minor problem listing---Wondering if you got it because I've had no reply.

[pitchernut]

What kind of ending will this auction have? I prefer auctions that end at a specific time and not some time in the distant future, but that's because I love the rush. If I get snipped oh well, so be it imho

[rman444]

What will the fees be like?

[ethicsprof]

all the best with the new VISION!!!

best,
barry

[Leon]

Eventually there will be a section on the board, on another page, to talk about these things. For the moment though..here we are.

Fred- I have asked Matt if he got your question/issue. He said he did respond but it was later last night.

Pitchernut- Not exactly sure of your question but auctions will end at a set time. There is built in sniping for those that prefer to snipe.

Rman444- The fees are much less than ebay AND there is no requirement to take any online payments.

We are hoping to open it up for registration in the next day or two (at most). At that time everyone will see what we have been up to for the last several months. We have already made several key industry contacts so from day one we will be in the fold....More on those things later.

Thanks for the well wishes....best regards

****edited to add the opening in a few days is ONLY for this test run and for bidders to bid on what is already there. We will NOT be opening it up for general consumption yet. NO other things will be allowed to be listed after we open it up for this trial period.....sorry if I was not clear on that.

[Irwin Fletcher]

Matt and Leon - this sounds great! I'm really looking forward to bidding.

[GoldenAge50s]

Leon--

I did receive Matt's reply--All is well so far. Will be preparing a few more listings today so I'll be ready to go! Am using the delayed start so my listings won't start until we go live.

[Dan Carson]

I think it's important to keep the bidders I.D. unknown. Isn't that what all the major auction houses do such as Brockelman & Luckey Auctions. At least make it where the bidders have the option one way or the other.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Dan Carson

I think it's important to keep the bidders I.D. unknown. Isn't that what all the major auction houses do such as Brockelman & Luckey Auctions. At least make it where the bidders have the option one way or the other.

Auction houses, including the one I am helping run, have always kept bidders identities confidential. I am quite sure that will remain the way it continues to be done. Matt and I have not made a final decision on how our self service auction format will be when we go to a final live version. As I said previously, no matter what we do, it won't be perfect (at least in everyone's mind), but it will be the best solution we feel is right for our venue. I am sure there will be some debates about it in the future. regards

[iggyman]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am sure there will be some debates about it in the future. regards

Using my best Mike Tyson "high pitched" voice impersonation........."That's ludicrous Robin!"

Lovely Day...