Auctions Question

[Osbojo]

I am as yet undecided about the new auctions area as opposed to the market place. One thing comes to mind when viewing it though, why are closed and completed listings still shown? It seems to me that items which are currently flagged as Closed, Sold and Won just clutter up the area and would be better off deleted.

Just a thought...

[sicd_steve]

I am as yet undecided about the new auctions area as opposed to the market place. One thing comes to mind when viewing it though, why are closed and completed listings still shown? It seems to me that items which are currently flagged as Closed, Sold and Won just clutter up the area and would be better off deleted.

Just a thought...

I must voice my opinion I hate the New Auction I felt the other system work so much better and and less Commercial like EBay I too thought it was meant to be a place where you could offer your excess tools to others for a value you considered fair. This system should go and reinstate the old method and should be set to a vote by the members.

Only then it is considered fair if the majority want it the new way or the old way.

[fubar]

this forum isnt a democracy its a benevolent dictatorship


:D

[Osbojo]

its a benevolent dictatorship


:D



Ruled with an iron reinforced velvet glove:wink:

[malb]

I am as yet undecided about the new auctions area as opposed to the market place. One thing comes to mind when viewing it though, why are closed and completed listings still shown? It seems to me that items which are currently flagged as Closed, Sold and Won just clutter up the area and would be better off deleted.

Just a thought...

Few things to mention here.

1. Under the old Market Place system, all of the old posts are still there. Goodies might have been sold some time ago, but it can still supply a good research base. For example, A wants to sell a product X that they haven't used for a while, but doesn't know how much it might sell for. A search might reveal the pricing history for the item over the past few years and give them an idea of price they might extract from the unwary. Another example. someone has bought a product Z secondhand recently, but didn't get the manuals etc, they are having some problems. By searching, they might find some people who had the same product from new, were very familiar with it, but upgraded to a different product. One of these former users lives nearby and two people can get together to solve a problem or learn and remember the fun they had with the product.

2. The auction system is currently being populated with a mixture of genuine and test auctions. Like all systems it needs to be tested for all eventualities before being totally thrown to the public. The benevolent dictator has stated elsewhere that test auctions have open slather for a fortnight from initial launch to allow full testing, but will be removed at the end of that time to clean up the system.

3. I believe that the big man has said somewhere that paid commercial adds may be included in the auction system, which might help generate some funding to help pay for the software, server costs and support costs associated with bringing this Forum to us.

As an occasional user of the old Maket Place, I haven't made up my mind about which system I prefer, but I do respect the big man's right to run it as he see's fit. He seems steadfast in his resolve to ensure that us unwashed users have access without having to fork out our credit card numbers. Be gratefull, there aren't too many people trying to run a business (U Beaut) who are willing to contribute so much to the general public and ask so little in return.

My 1c worth (devaluation is a curse)

[Osbojo]

No criticism meant in my post, just an observation.

Seems to me that already there are several still for sale items that are buried under a couple of pages of completed, sold, etc. items. I think it is exacerbated by items from every sub group being listed, unsorted under the main auction tab. Doesn't overly worry me as I check it a couple of times a day. If I were using it to sell an item, I would bump it from time to time to move it back up which solves the problem.

[ubeaut]

No criticism meant in my post, just an observation.

Seems to me that already there are several still for sale items that are buried under a couple of pages of completed, sold, etc. items. I think it is exacerbated by items from every sub group being listed, unsorted under the main auction tab. Doesn't overly worry me as I check it a couple of times a day. If I were using it to sell an item, I would bump it from time to time to move it back up which solves the problem.

G'day Osbojo - In the old Market Place there are seperate forums for the same sections as there are in the new Auctions Forum. In the WOODWORK - Tools & Machinery MARKET alone there are over 3,500 threads going back to May 2009 a lot those possibly as much as half haven't been marked as sold, and are buried up to 100 or more screens deep.

Even in the old Market Place it's not unusual for a new ad to be 2-3 screens deep after only a few days. Nothing there has changed.

The main difference is that the old Market Place shows initially as separate individual forums, where Auctions loads in the main menu and everything is listed. To narrow down the search area click on category of your choice in the Categories section on the left of the main page. This will give you much the same as the old Market Place and display only the ads in the individual category.

The old listings have been kept in the old Market Place because they show in search engines and help to bring more people to the site and hopefully more sales or interest for those using the Market Place. For now the same will happen in the Auction Forum.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS The name Auctions will be changed to Market Place once the old market place is finally done with, maybe sooner.

[ubeaut]

I must say the Auction is a dud what bright spark thought to do it?
Well I guess that would be me. The forum owner.

Your last post until this one was October 2012. It looks like you have only ever used the forums to sell for your own gain and until now for nothing else.

I guess that gives you have the right to complain about something you haven't even used as being a dud, but as a non contributing member other than for your own financial gain I personally don't think you have the right to speak for anyone other than yourself. So I'll reply to you in the vain your post was made.


I must voice my opinion I hate the New Auction I felt the other system work so much better and and less Commercial like EBay I too thought it was meant to be a place where you could offer your excess tools to others for a value you considered fair.

And the difference between the old Market Place and the new one in your opinion is.....?
Um. The name isn't the same. Auctions done to avoid confusion with old M P. I'll change it just for you if you like.
Um... It looks different. Most definitely does.
Um.... It gives you more options. Well that's just not right how dare you.
Um....... It looks like epay. Really is nothing like it, but does look similar sort of, kinda like.
Um.......... I too thought it was meant to be a place where you could offer your excess tools to others for a value you considered fair. So what has changed. Nowhere does it say rip anyone off.
Um............. I don't like change. Get off the horse and cart and save the poo for the roses. It's 2013 not 1913.


This system should go and reinstate the old method and should be set to a vote by the members.

Only then it is considered fair if the majority want it the new way or the old way.

This is a Benevolent Dictatorship not a democracy. Funny how I get to pay all the bills to keep this monster on line, updated/upgraded and keep it FREE for everyone and anyone (you included) to use. Yet you as non contributor who uses the forums for free and only for your own gain by selling, seems to think you have right to put down something you haven't even tried and speak for others. I don't think so.

Every time something new is done there are complaints, some have vowed never to use the forums again because it's so unusable and different. But hey, they're still here and running. We've lost a number of people because they couldn't deal with change but have gained way more than we've lost.

I never have and never will, do anything to harm these forums no matter what you or anyone else may think.

In the 14+ years the forums have been running there have been many changes. Some have been enormous and drastic most are hardly noticed. Only what's best for the forums and members has ever been done and this will continue as long as the forums exist.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS We realise there are problems with the new Auction forum and are working on fixes for whatever we can. It was in testing for almost 2 years and many thousands of dollars have been spent on upgrading it to what we need with many, many hours of work going into fixes. It is still a work in progress as the entire Woodwork Forums are.

Change happens. Get over it. Help by reporting problems and not whinging and things should get better as we're ready and willing to fix any and every problem we can. Some things beyond our power or reach can't be fixed but we give it all a good try.

[BobL]

Your last post until this one was October 2012. It looks like you have only ever used the forums to sell for your own gain and until now for nothing else.
I guess that gives you have the right to complain about something you haven't even used as being a dud, but as a non contributing member other than for your own financial gain . . . . .

Perhaps there should be a fee for using the market place that goes something like this

eg
{Base rate x number of weeks as a member / number of posts } - Base rate
When this goes negative the member pays nothing
That way a member has to post an average of one post per week to maintain no cost use of the market place.

- maybe a initial threshold just to be able to post.
- posts to the market place don't count
- maybe that average post rate is too generous but that could be easily fixed by adjusting the average number of postings required.

Probably a PIT to implement - just a thought.

[Mr Brush]

BobL - couldn't agree more, and have said so on numerous threads every time a bunfight erupts on the Market Place.

Just make it 50 posts on non-Market Place threads before posters are allowed to use the forum to sell stuff. That weeds out the blow-ins/non-contributors who just see the forum as another outlet alongside EBay and Gumtree to flog their stuff. Many of the sellers with 1 or 2 posts to their name don't follow the forum rules re. Market Place (e.g. listing the item elsewhere at the same time), and haven't bothered to understand the protocols for accepting offers, etc. A few don't seem to even know the PM system exists...

If they needed to have 50 posts up hopefully they might have gained an understanding of how things work on here before attempting to flog stuff, and they may even contribute to the forum in a meaningful way too.

[ubeaut]

G-day Bob - That idea or similar has been floated before. Matter of fact it is a hard and fast rule on many forums. I don't want to put restrictions on something like this weather time, post count or financial.

The fact that the person above has only posted for his own financial gain and his only post outside the market place was his post in this thread doesn't bother me at all.

I really don't think it should be mandatory for an advertiser to have a certain number of posts in the open forums or other restrictions. If there was a minimum number of posts set we would only get people posting rubbish or useless one liners as spammers do to get their post count up, same with time constraints.

What bothers me is sicd_steve's attitude to something that he hasn't even tried and his statements below thinking that making money from the forums gives him the right to sprout off about changing things to suit him.


This system should go and reinstate the old method and should be set to a vote by the members.

Only then it is considered fair if the majority want it the new way or the old way.

I asked for people to give it a fair go and those who have used it and used their brains or asked for help don't really seem to have any major problem with it.

Some look at it and say it's just a money grabbing exercise or another version of ebay. Neither could be further from the truth apart from the fact that it has an ebay feel.

Every time we do something new the naysayers come out of the woodwork.

Same thing, different day.

Cheers - Neil :U

[A Duke]

Hi,
There is always two sides to things, I have looked at posts in the Market place that are a first post and we never hear from them again and I have thought "b****y cheek" but on the other hand some are deceased estates and what better source is there to find the right mind set to look after the treasured possessions of their beloved late relative, and of course they they wouldn't be interested in our hobby or they would have latched onto the goodies them selves.
Regards

[RETIRED]

Hi,
There is always two sides to things, I have looked at posts in the Market place that are a first post and we never hear from them again and I have thought "b****y cheek" but on the other hand some are deceased estates and what better source is there to find the right mind set to look after the treasured possessions of their beloved late relative, and of course they they wouldn't be interested in our hobby or they would have latched onto the goodies them selves.
RegardsYou are quite right AD but the funny thing is that 9 out of 10 of those that want to dispose of an Estate ask permission to post via a mod or admin. :shrug:

[FenceFurniture]

I get the impression, and I may be wrong, that the Auctions were introduced at least in part to get around all the stupid squabbling that used to go on from people who couldn't follow the very simple rules.

I have put up a few things in Auctions, and have a couple of observations (which may have already been covered elsewhere, and indeed I may be missing something....not particularly unusual):

I see no need for the start price to be any different to the Reserve. I suppose it does give someone a chance to sell it for less than the Reserve if they wish (i.e when there are no bids up to the reserve, but that just means the reserve was too high anyway).
the "Minimum Bid" should be called "Bid Increment" IMO - the first Auction I put up I didn't know what the difference was between "Start" and "Minimum" (thought they were the same thing) and so the bidding increment got set to $40 which was the Start price I had set.
and an extremely minor point - the order of the States in setting the location is different (yup, I'm that retentive), BUT - I don't know why it needs to be specified twice.
Maybe a little more KISS is needed


I'll take malb's unused 1c and make that 3c worth. :U

[Osbojo]

Well I've used it now (made a purchase) and have been checking it every day and can say I don't mind it. It'll probably take people a bit of time to get used to but I think it's a smiggin' more flexible than the old Market Place given that you can put a reserve (the minimum you'll take) and a 'buy it now' (what you really want). Bear in mind, the seller can stop the auction at any time and accept the highest bid (as happened to me). Yeah, I like it.

I understand the occasional need to search back to research a price (did it myself here last week to see what an item had been fetching over the last couple of years) and that it's the same as the old Market Place. I still reckon it bogs things down a bit though .

Os

[RicB]

Well I guess that would be me. The forum owner.

Your last post until this one was October 2012. It looks like you have only ever used the forums to sell for your own gain and until now for nothing else.

I guess that gives you have the right to complain about something you haven't even used as being a dud, but as a non contributing member other than for your own financial gain I personally don't think you have the right to speak for anyone other than yourself. So I'll reply to you in the vain your post was made.



And the difference between the old Market Place and the new one in your opinion is.....?
Um. The name isn't the same. Auctions done to avoid confusion with old M P. I'll change it just for you if you like.
Um... It looks different. Most definitely does.
Um.... It gives you more options. Well that's just not right how dare you.
Um....... It looks like epay. Really is nothing like it, but does look similar sort of, kinda like.
Um.......... I too thought it was meant to be a place where you could offer your excess tools to others for a value you considered fair. So what has changed. Nowhere does it say rip anyone off.
Um............. I don't like change. Get off the horse and cart and save the poo for the roses. It's 2013 not 1913.



This is a Benevolent Dictatorship not a democracy. Funny how I get to pay all the bills to keep this monster on line, updated/upgraded and keep it FREE for everyone and anyone (you included) to use. Yet you as non contributor who uses the forums for free and only for your own gain by selling, seems to think you have right to put down something you haven't even tried and speak for others. I don't think so.

Every time something new is done there are complaints, some have vowed never to use the forums again because it's so unusable and different. But hey, they're still here and running. We've lost a number of people because they couldn't deal with change but have gained way more than we've lost.

I never have and never will, do anything to harm these forums no matter what you or anyone else may think.

In the 14+ years the forums have been running there have been many changes. Some have been enormous and drastic most are hardly noticed. Only what's best for the forums and members has ever been done and this will continue as long as the forums exist.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS We realise there are problems with the new Auction forum and are working on fixes for whatever we can. It was in testing for almost 2 years and many thousands of dollars have been spent on upgrading it to what we need with many, many hours of work going into fixes. It is still a work in progress as the entire Woodwork Forums are.

Change happens. Get over it. Help by reporting problems and not whinging and things should get better as we're ready and willing to fix any and every problem we can. Some things beyond our power or reach can't be fixed but we give it all a good try.

That's the beuty of being a dictator, it's like John Wayne toilet paper....you don't take no $### from them Indians......can I say Indians? I mean native Americans.

[Nanigai]

There's a slogan often seen about Australia (and other countries) using the appropriate flag, "If you don't like it, leave" which applies here as well.
I, like others here, am a member of several forums and without doubt this is the best there is. I find that it is now my forum of choice and I rarely use or visit the others.
It is obvious IMHO that it is one of, if not the best, forum in the world based on the number of overseas members, the culture of sharing, the camaraderie, the friendships etc, etc. This is not seen much on other forums and it's one of the reasons I spend time here. I would describe it as like having a great bunch of mates I get together with to discuss my hobby/interest with, having no fear of asking a stupid question and always getting useful help advice or comment.
I havent used the Auction yet but will probably do so eventually. Looking forward to having it there if when I have a use for it.
Just saying. :U

Thanks Neil.

[Ray153]

Neil,

Is there any progress with a solution to the problem of access via tapatalk?

[ubeaut]

This link (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f36/any-section-i-can-try-some-testing-tapatalk-post-176401/) might shed a bit of light on the subject or could leave you even more confused.

It appears to be working now, albeit very slowly on my android phone.

I know it's not Tapatalk but can you log onto the forms without Tapatalk maybe via google or just entering woodworkforums.com into the address line. This will (should) automatically load the default mobile forum skin. Accessing the Auctions section this way is much faster and there doesn't appear to be any problems using this method.

If the forums load on your device with all the bells and whistles you get on a laptop or desktop... Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Style Chooser drop-down (bottom left on all pages) and select Default Mobile Style.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS the Market Place/Auctions forum can be found under the TABBED FORUMS FOR TAPATALK - For mobile use only section.

[nosnow]

Hi Neil

Would there be a chance to place the Activity Stream Tab on to the Auction Forum as it would make it a lot easier to navigate out of the auction forum

At the moment I go to old market place then to activity stream to view new posts
Cheers Rod

[Ray153]

This link (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f36/any-section-i-can-try-some-testing-tapatalk-post-176401/) might shed a bit of light on the subject or could leave you even more confused.

I know it's not Tapatalk but can you log onto the forms without Tapatalk maybe via google or just entering woodworkforums.com into the address line. This will (should) automatically load the default mobile forum skin. Accessing the Auctions section this way is much faster and there doesn't appear to be any problems using this method.

Hope this is of some help

PS the Market Place/Auctions forum can be found under the TABBED FORUMS FOR TAPATALK - For mobile use only section.

I was always able to access the auctions through using safari and could bid etc with all the options as if I was on a desktop computer.

Following the advice to use the default mobile skin meant that I could read the threads but not bid or see how long was left. I would be loath to use the forums using the default mobile skin.

Whilst it may be a workaround to use safari etc to visit the forum, I find it pretty inconvenient as I use tapatalk to look at quite a few different forums.

It may be a first world problem to some, but I am not interested in going from tapatalk to look at all the forums I routinely visit and then to safari just to see if there is anything listed that I might bid on. I used to routinely check the marketplace thread and have made more than one purchase there. I am not likely to surf the website just to go to the auctions threads.

There is probably no way to tell how many, but I suspect that if this issue with tapatalk access to auctions remains, there may be a significant number of auctions may lapse that might otherwise have been successful.

Is there likely to be a solution to this Neil? Or are tapatalk users going to have to resign themselves to using a workaround eg safari if they want to look in the auctions thread?

[ubeaut]

Is there likely to be a solution to this Neil? Or are tapatalk users going to have to resign themselves to using a workaround eg safari if they want to look in the auctions thread?

You may need to talk to the TapaTalk people rather than us on the forums as it is TapaTalk that seems to be the problem.

Probably not really anything to do with the New Market Place problems but it is an associated problem that probably can't or won't be fixed because those running a more sophisticated forum rather than a bog standard one are unfortunately, well and truly in the minority. So maybe not worth bothering about.

Mobile devices will probably lead to the eventual death of forums as they are limited somewhat as to what can be done via TapaTalk, etc. Many forums are currently losing around 30% of their advertising income because of them and we're much the same. Without the income from Google, etc, most forums will eventually cease to run as they have to either be funded by the owners or charge users a fee.

Sorry about the rant.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS These forums as are all forums are designed for use on laptops/desktops/tablets, etc. There are work arounds for mobiles, etc but that's exactly what they are... workarounds. Safari, Chrome, Firefox Explorer, etc aren't workarounds but what all forums are designed for. I'm pretty sure there isn't a forum that's specifically designed for mobiles, because if there was we'd probably have it running.

[Ray153]

You may need to talk to the TapaTalk people rather than us on the forums as it is TapaTalk that seems to be the problem.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS These forums as are all forums are designed for use on laptops/desktops/tablets, etc. There are work arounds for mobiles, etc but that's exactly what they are... workarounds. Safari, Chrome, Firefox Explorer, etc aren't workarounds but what all forums are designed for. I'm pretty sure there isn't a forum that's specifically designed for mobiles, because if there was we'd probably have it running.

Neil, thanks for the reply and I understand that some things are not always going to please all of the people all of the time, and I am not trying to be difficult.

I would make one observation however to clear up an apparent misunderstanding. I am using a tablet, nowhere have I said anything about a mobile phone.

You say that the forums are designed for tablets as well as laptops etc, but I still get a pop up message saying my session has expired and try re-entering via the account tab (whatever that means) when trying to access the auction threads.

[ubeaut]

G'day Ray

If you're using a tablet would you not be better to run the full version of WWF rather than using Tapatalk which is very limited in what it can do compared to the full version.

What sort of tablet? Make, size, etc
What browser? If IE what version?
Do you have the same problem with other browsers?
Are you logged in?
Do you check the remember me box when logging in?
Do you log out or just leave when finished?
Try clearing your cache memory or log out which should clear the cache for the forums.

There is a time out which will cause you to need to log back in again. I will check this and maybe extend it if needed.

I'll be back.

Cheers - Neil :U

[Ray153]

G'day Ray

If you're using a tablet would you not be better to run the full version of WWF rather than using Tapatalk which is very limited in what it can do compared to the full version.

What sort of tablet? Make, size, etc
What browser? If IE what version?
Do you have the same problem with other browsers?
Are you logged in?
Do you check the remember me box when logging in?
Do you log out or just leave when finished?
Try clearing your cache memory or log out which should clear the cache for the forums.

There is a time out which will cause you to need to log back in again. I will check this and maybe extend it if needed.

I'll be back.

Cheers - Neil :U

Hi Neil

Ipad with 32gb.
Safari but I much prefer to use tapatalk because I look at a number of different forums and find it much more convenient
I don't use other browsers on my Ipad
Yes, I log in both with tapatalk and with Safari
Yes, in safari I check the box
I just leave

[Ozartisan]

Hi Guys
Having problems with the new Auctions section.
The details in the posts are not showing up on screen. This applies to both text and images.
288335
Am using Explorer 9 on Windows 7
Have taken a screen shot to show you.
Cheers
Peter

[ubeaut]

I Have checked all your permissions and cannot find any problems.

|We have had a number of past problems with IE from v7 onwards, even IE10 has problems with different sections of the forums.

Have you tried using Firefox or Chrome or any another browser to see if it works with them?

If not please give it a go and let me know in here if the problem still persists. I am using Firefox and have also tried the same post in Opera, and Chrome without a problem.

Just tried with IE10 and have the same problem as you. As I have said on numerous occasions and even had a Notice up for a few months IE does not play well with these forums This Post (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f36/test-resaults-forum-freezes-lockups-etc-159971/#post1559421) in a test thread pretty well says it all and it appears to now be a carry over to IE10.

I'm sorry but the best fix for this and many other problems would be to dump IE and go to another browser.

Cheers - Neil :U

[coffenup]

hi I can see the front page but when I open them I see only the comments & not the actual items that are up for auction or sale
what am I doing wrong
Regards Michael

[DJ’s Timber]

hi I can see the front page but when I open them I see only the comments & not the actual items that are up for auction or sale
what am I doing wrong
Regards Michael

Michael

Did you read Neil's post immediately before your post? Would explain your problem if you're using Windows Internet Explorer

[TermiMonster]

hi I can see the front page but when I open them I see only the comments & not the actual items that are up for auction or sale
what am I doing wrong
Regards Michael

This may be totally wrong, but try scrolling up. Opens up on the comments for me, then I scroll up to see the item. 'Dunno why. (Firefox, Win7, on PC)
Let us know if this works.
TM

[ubeaut]

There shouldn't be a problem with Market Place/Auctions if you are using Firefox, Chrome, Opera or almost any other browser except IE9/IE10 and possibly other versions of IE.

No idea why but getting rid of IE for another browser should fix all sorts of problems across a whole lot of things.

Making sure you are logged in is a big help also but won't fix any IE problems.

Cheers - Neil :U

[Ozartisan]

I Have checked all your permissions and cannot find any problems.

|We have had a number of past problems with IE from v7 onwards, even IE10 has problems with different sections of the forums.

Have you tried using Firefox or Chrome or any another browser to see if it works with them?

If not please give it a go and let me know in here if the problem still persists. I am using Firefox and have also tried the same post in Opera, and Chrome without a problem.

Just tried with IE10 and have the same problem as you. As I have said on numerous occasions and even had a Notice up for a few months IE does not play well with these forums This Post (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f36/test-resaults-forum-freezes-lockups-etc-159971/#post1559421) in a test thread pretty well says it all and it appears to now be a carry over to IE10.

I'm sorry but the best fix for this and many other problems would be to dump IE and go to another browser.

Cheers - Neil :U

Thanks Neil
Tried with Google Chrome and it worked
Thanks
Peter

[ubeaut]

Have tried IE8,9,10 and all have the same problem.

To fix it....
To mostly fix it:
Click on Tools
Look for Compatibility View
If Compatibility View has a tick along side it click in the words Compatibility view to stop it running.
If Compatibility View doesn't have a tick along side it click in the words Compatibility view to stop it running or make it run.

Either way the Compatibility View seems to be the cause of this and a number of other problems.

Hope this helps.

Cheers - Neil :U

[Ozartisan]

Have tried IE8,9,10 and all have the same problem.

To fix it....
To mostly fix it:
Click on Tools
Look for Compatibility View
If Compatibility View has a tick along side it click in the words Compatibility view to stop it running.
If Compatibility View doesn't have a tick along side it click in the words Compatibility view to stop it running or make it run.

Either way the Compatibility View seems to be the cause of this and a number of other problems.

Hope this helps.

Cheers - Neil :U

Thanks Neil
When I went into compatibility view settings, woodwork forums was listed - removed from the list and it now seems to work fine...
Go figure!!
Don't you just love all these wonderful technological "improvements" making our life so much easier!! :((

Thanks again for your dogged dedication to getting things working right!
Cheers
Peter