OpelGT.com Auction??

[Gary]

Would you like to see an eBay style auction program on this site? A program was released that is similar to eBay and integrates with the forum database. Thoughts?

[GoinManta]

How much you gonna charge

[Gary]

Originally Posted by GoinManta How much you gonna charge

a dollar three eighty per ad. Extra for Bitters...

Just kidding. No idea if there will be a fee or by donation. Have not looked into the details on server load, bandwidth, etc. I demo'd the program earlier and it looks promising and secure. So I figured we'd test the waters for interest.

[baronbors]

I, for one , would be willing to kick in 10% of selling or buying price

[Gary]

It has an anti sniping feature. Any last second bid extends the auction for 5 more minutes. I'll try to post some screen shots tonight.

[Old Hippie]

Gary, would you set it up as a "once-a-month" program or a daily? I think it may be a distraction to the overall site if it's a long lasting "ebay" type thing. A two-day event may be better. Just my 2c's.

[GTJohn73]

I think auction stuff should be left for eBay. That's what they do best... besides, wouldn't it ruffle some members' feathers if a bidding war started on a particular piece? I mean, with such a small cross-section of people here at any given time, there could be trash talking or some abuses of the auction system. It would seem like too much of a headache to me but that's my 2 c's worth.
Also, on a side note, people listing ads in the classified should advertise a price? 'Highest Bid' ads should have no place in a classified section. Again... my 2c's worth.

- John

[fredopelgt]

Originally Posted by GTJohn73 I think auction stuff should be left for eBay. That's what they do best... besides, wouldn't it ruffle some members' feathers if a bidding war started on a particular piece? I mean, with such a small cross-section of people here at any given time, there could be trash talking or some abuses of the auction system. It would seem like too much of a headache to me but that's my 2 c's worth. Also, on a side note, people listing ads in the classified should advertise a price? 'Highest Bid' ads should have no place in a classified section. Again... my 2c's worth. - John

Something to those who loooove (2CV) wheely bin

[Jim Branham]

I voted yes because it seems that a lot of guys use the classifieds here first before going to e-bay anyway, you know, to kinda give club members first dibs before going to ebay.
.

[Gary]

Thanks for your comments Jim. This is the kind of dialog we need in order to make a decision. The poll just measures interest. This part of the thread is for the "why" you voted the way you did and what concerns or potential problems do you forsee.

I have not spent too much time looking into the details of the workings of the program yet. If I know your concerns, I can see if they have been addressed already.

[azzi]

Yes, great idea.

Hopefully some of the more rare parts that only seem avaliable in the US market may come avaliable.

How many members in the states have a garage full of spares? and when was the last time anyone advertised a GT Air-Con system or something equally as rare in the UK market.

I can probably speak for the other UK owners here, when we look at Ebay we only look at UK only auctions as a rule, but have to manually look on Ebay.COM if we need to see whats avaliable. If we look on a global search we get a whole load of German parts that no one understands the description.

My only reservation is Payment methods, For international transactions I prefer to use Paypal. But unless the seller accepts this method the other alternative is to send CASH via the post. The time and expense far outways the paypal charges.

I've even paid a OPELGT.COM member via paypal, who inturn send a cheque to Destec for an item. If only there was an easier way.

Just my Pennies worth !

[Gary]

Paypal is one payment method that is integrated into the program. It is a profesional program the looks a lot like eBay.

[Gary]

Here are a couple of screenshots. The style would be the same as the rest of this forum.

[rallye73]

This is one I am torn on. I think it could be an excellent addition to the site. but only if it remains just that - an addition.

Pro:
It could allow us to trade with other opelers worldwide. Opelers in the US and Canada have the opportunity to deal with our European brothers where Opels are still in existence from the factory.

It allows us to build a reputation within the Opel community. When dealing with the buyer or seller, you have the opportunity to "know" who that person is. It could also provide some psychological insurance. Since all of Opeldom could see the transaction, if people want to maintain a good reputation within the community, they will exhibit good business ethics.

Con:
I DO NOT want to see the increase in trade worldwide interfere with OGTS! I firmly believe they are an indispensable asset to the community. Much of the aftermarket support in the US is directly due to them, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their devotion to the marque.

If a deal does go sour, there is the potential for GT.com to receive bad PR. Though they may not be legally liable, I would hate to see anything bad said about this place. I am proud of our community and the excellent behavior that is exhibited 99.99% of the time. *knock on wood*

Verdict:
That said, I think it could be a good asset to the community as long as it augments and does not detract from this site. Nor should it cause undue burden to Gary, or any of the people that have been appointed as moderators of this site. Also I want to acknowledge the immense contribution that Gary has made to the Opel community by suppling this site. Without it many of us, like myself, would be relatively alone and isolated; I never would have met many of the wonderful people that I have - both online and in person.

Getting off my soapbox now...
Darrin

[GTJohn73]

I fully agree with Darren on this. I posted earlier that I did not like the idea but I think what Darren said makes sense. I just don't want to see the auction side "detract" from this site or reflect poorly upon the community.

- John

[azzi]

Detract from the site ?!? Perhaps not

VBAuction (The software in question) seems to have BIN Auction capability too (Buy it Now) at a fixed price. This seems a logical replacement for the existing classifieds area.

If a Seller wishes to sell their GT for £5000, they simply make a Fixed price auction. Or start the bidding for example 10 days starting at around that price range.

I can see the advantages of doing it this way instead of the existing classified area for a few reasons.

1. The for sale list will always be current, with no outdated items
2. A comparable Layout with pictures etc ...
3. Better payment options as atleast it will show the sellers accepted methods.
4. It also contains a feedback section for dodgy buyers/sellers, If the feedback is bad, don't deal with them.

On a personal issue, I'd prefer a close knit community auction rather than a Woldwide Ebay type as I may actually manage to get something at a decent price. Bloomin Snipers !!!!

[rallye73]

Originally Posted by azzi This seems a logical replacement for the existing classifieds area.

Personally I would like to see the classifieds stay. Unless there is "store" functionality, some things would just work better in a classified format.

Originally Posted by azzi I can see the advantages of doing it this way instead of the existing classified area ...

Agreed. There are definite advantages. But there are also detriments.

Originally Posted by azzi On a personal issue, I'd prefer a close knit community auction rather than a Woldwide Ebay type as I may actually manage to get something at a decent price. Bloomin Snipers !!!!

I would prefer a tight knit community as well. There are some things I would definitely prefer buying/selling to fellow opeler I know. There are others I probably take to E-bay, just for the broader spectrum of people that that site reaches. I just think we need to be aware of the pitfalls that this type of feature can incur. For instance, given the entitlement mentality that some people exhibit today. I would hate to see someone try to sue Gary, because the item was listed on his site, if a deal with another seller goes sour. Not saying it would ever happen, just saying things like that need to be addressed.

Darrin

[azzi]

Originally Posted by rallye73 I would hate to see someone try to sue Gary, because the item was listed on his site, if a deal with another seller goes sour. Not saying it would ever happen, just saying things like that need to be addressed.

Hmm, luckily we don't have as much of the Sue, Sue, Sue mentality in the UK as the states is famous for. I suppose us Brits just "Expect" everyone to be civil and mature about the whole thing.

Damned good point though. Although a simple disclaimer that need to be agreed to before buying or selling should sort that out.

Originally Posted by Darrin Personally I would like to see the classifieds stay. Unless there is "store" functionality, some things would just work better in a classified format.

Yes, there is a classified function as well as normal auctions and dutch.

[BDD]

Auctions, by definition, result in unrealistically high prices. As a buyer, you are always competing against the fool who doesn't know the real value of things.
I've checked some of the things on Ebay and they are auctioning things you can get new at Walmart for $19.00 for $40 or so. There was a book I was looking at that went for $50.00 I believe. It was described as "Rare" and "out of print". A short Google search showed me a few places where I could obtain a newly printed edition for $25.00 tops. I would rather have that than an old, much used copy from the 1950's. I didn't bid because of what I found out.

The used trash they sell on Ebay usually goes for much more than new parts from OGTS. Where's the sense in that? I think this demonstrates my opinion that autions encourage people who don't know much to pick up what's being sold for unreasonable prices.

Compared to Mustangs, Camaro's, Corvettes, etc, we already have a very difficult time finding parts. Higher prices won't help encourage others to want to collect and preserve these cars. On the other hand, I can still get body panels and new dash pads for Mustangs and Camaro's. Try that with a GT.

Auctions tend to encourage crazy prices and dishonesty by the sellers. It would not be a good thing for this site or for the idea of a free exchange of ideas, tips and knowledge.

BDD

[GTJIM]

I am also in general agreement - as an EBay Junkie the thought of an Opel dedicated site has me "all twitter". The con - more credit card bills ..........

[Jim Branham]

There are some pretty valid reasons against auctions on this site, but I really want to believe that the people in this community here would not pull that kind of BS. That's probably being naive but we need to set the bar for ourselves somewhere so why set it low and why assume we'll be at our worse? Cmon, we are a great group of people here in a great little community. JMTCW

[kwilford]

It's interesting that almost a third of the respondents to this poll don't want an auction on OGT.com, and that almost a hundred members have voted. I would have thought this issue would have attracted little attention, and even if a member didn't care for an auction feature, I wouldn't have thought that they would take the time to vote against it. Perhaps the silent majority is speaking up?

Myself, any additional places to buy Opel parts is a good thing. What has really revitalized Classic Opels (at least for me) is the ability to buy new and used parts from a much wider audience than I would find in my home town.

Cons? I'm with GTJim, the worst part will be the punishment that my PayPal account will take...

[greensmurf20]

there seems to be alot of mixed feelings from those voting yes and no. there are probably pros and cons that are overlooked for the simple fact we've not used it. maybe a "trial" for a set amount of time or certain number of sessions would be a possability. that way the experience may arise some unthought of issues or "make and break" others votes or questions.

[WannaBOpelOwner]

i think it would be a great addition gary because ebay doesnt really have alot of opel stuff for sale and the stuff they do have is mainly those keychains and different things. If you did do this would you take out the ads or have this as an addition?

[Gary]

It would be in addition to the Ad Board.

Gary
<Currently in exile in Altoona, PA>