We would like to express that we would love to have the Auction return when it is ready to start up again. We have enjoyed the Auction over the years, and have obtained many interesting plants. We know there is a lot of discussion going on..to us the Auction is exciting and have never presented any problems. Wellsy does a great job with this site, and as the membership grows, so will the diversity of plants offered expand.
Orchidmad
Orchids On Line AUCTION RETURN
Submitted by orchidmad on Thu, 15/05/2008 - 18:36.»
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thanks
Thanks for your support John and Joan
Regards wellsy
Orchids auctions
I agree with Orchidmad,the site in the past has not only been good for purchases and sales but there are members I first met on the site and still converse with today! Some that I have even shared a coffee with and call my friends!One in particular has not only shared orchid info/Plants with me but also has helped with IT problems and helped with software issues!I recently posted a plant on the site and it seemed to work well as a test, so is there any idea as to when it will be officially opened? I hope soon, as it really was a great site.The one thing we should remember is that the Auction is free, whereas the other one down at the BAY costs money and so will inevitably push up the end cost of the items,and that doesnt help anyone.
Orchis on Line AUCTION RETURN
Could we ask for others to give comment and support to Wellsy with the issues relating to the Auction site's reinstatement[those who have been with Orchids On Line over the years may like to reflect on the benefits]
We like zinkwithak, have made many new Orchid friends through the Auction site.
Orchidmad.
For sale is up front price.
Hello Orchidmad, I haven't noticed any discussion going on about returning the auction to the site for about seven weeks on the other thread starting at http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/2860
If you haven't already read these comments, maybe you should, they contain a lot of good reasons why the auction should not be returned.
I notice that you and Zinkwithak are sellers so of course it would be in your best interest to see the auction returned so you have a chance of Users bidding and inflating the price of a sale item beyond the asking price.
Wellsy introduced the Buy/Sell or Swap feature so Users can list items at a set price, a much safer way for Users to do business.This feature was set up fast so perhaps a re-vamp might be beneficial to make it more user friendly.
As for making friends, I've made plenty through the Orchids On Line Website and I'm happy to say these friendships began from a mutual interest in orchids, not an Auction Site.
Regards Bill
couple of things
A couple of things need clarifying here Bill.
Orchidmad is not a seller on the auctions (as far as I know) just a very active buyer over the many years the auction was running.
I only setup the Buy/Sell or Swap area as a short term solution for those who wanted an area to sell their stuff before the auction was up and running. The new auction setup is a little problematic as far as the programming goes at present so it is still some way off before it is publicly released.
Regards wellsy
Thing clarified
Wellsy, my reference to Zinkwithak and Orchidmad as sellers is correct, they both have items currently listed in the For Sale Area.
Bill
on behalf of a society
Yep...Orchidmad has a booklet for sale which is on behalf of a society I though....but not sure of that.....Not that it really matters but again to my knowledge Orchidmad has never been a seller at the auction. Just a happy buyer. (One of the very many happy buyers I suspect)
Regards wellsy
Missed point
Wellsy, your missing the point, I have already clarified it above.
You keep referring to the old Website auction which is dead and gone, my comments and interest only relates to here and now, the new Orchids Online.
Bill
Auction
I totally agree with you mcorchid
Auction
Me too Christine.
Orchidsonline Auction
Greetings gentle orchid folk,
Please note the following in favour of the auction feature for this site.
The serious, or should I say commercial, orchid vendors had already drifted away from Orchidsonline auctions as they found out that their orchids fetch significantly higher prices at that other very large auction site. Commercial orchid vendors are not put off by the fees and charges of that other auction site as the higher prices more than make up for fees and charges.
To us hobby orchid growers who only wish to realise the value of a few surplus plants in order to reinvest the proceeds in yet other orchids, the fees and charges seem to be onerous to the point of being a deterant to offering anything for auction.
As for the discussions re offering orchids for sale versus for auction, I feel that the value I place on an orchid is usually way out of line with what other orchid growers value it. Either my valuation is too low or too high, but most importantly, as a seller of an orchid my valuation is of negligible importance compared to the valuation of potential buyers. At an auction it is the bidders that determine the ultimate sale price unless there is a reserve price. At an auction the true value of the offered item is determined on that occasion and under the prevailing circumstances, provided that the vendor has acurately described the item on offer. Vendors are wise to most correctly describe the item on offer as a missled buyer is bound to vent his anger in the feedback feature of the auction site. On the previous auction site I had manny very good feedbacks and not one bad one. The good feedbacks gave me greater satisfaction than the price the item fetched, because the feedback, good or bad, would remain there for all to see long after I had forgotten the price I got. I used to ensure good feedback by very carefully describing the item, ensuring the photo was good enough to judge the size and quality of the orchid on offer and after the sale was finalised I would go to great lenghts to pack the orchids so they would arrive in condition. Everybody loves a pleasant surprise!
As a bidder for an orchid auction item, I would see what the current bidding was and if I liked the offered orchid realy well I may offer one extra doller over the current bid. I may keep this up to the point where I'd think hold it this orchid is not worth one extra dollar to me. Thus I would ensure that I did not overpay for an orchid, but then other bidders have their own idea of it's value.
When an orchid is offered for sale at a fixed price and the price asked is way below most orchid growers valuation, it is usually sold to the lucky first to see it, not suspicious of it and offer to buy it. Bully for him, but someone who would have valued it at a higher price misses out.
When an orchid is offered for sale at a very much too high an asking price, the possible outcomes are: (1)no sale - under the circumstances the best outcome or (2)a green horn orchid grower like me gets sucked in and buys a much too overpriced orchid - been there and done that. Neither of these outcomes is as good as those possible in an auction.
When an orchid is offered for sale at the correct value - what can I say here but what is the correct value and I when did I last see that?
Well put West!
That is a very useful description of how well the orchids online auctions used to work for many years. Well put West!
PS: Thanks for your support!
Regards wellsy