Auctionwatch.com--My Personal Auction Assistant
Written: May 08 '00
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Whether I'm buying or selling, I turn to Auctionwatch.com for help managing my online auction activity. I use it to host images, easily put auctions, with images and counters online, watch all of my auction activity, even program it to make those critical last minute bids for me. And when I'm interested in learning more about the art of online auctioneering, I turn to Auctionwatch.com for help.
Where did I learn about Auctionwatch.com?
Not too long ago, I made my first tentative baby steps into the world of online auctions. I hadn't before, because I had no need. But, suddenly confronted with the reality check that opening my basement door represented (when a full basement looks more like an overcrowded closet, you get the idea that something must be done), I decided to take the plunge. My first escapade is documented here, a review of Ebay called "An Ebay Newbie Vents", which you can read if you want. The short version: I grabbed 75 or 80 classic collectible Kinks albums in mint condition, and put them on the ebay, with NO photos, all in one huge lump, and with an opening bid price of $500! Any auction savvy person will now be laughing at my foolishness. Of course I didn't get a single bid. If I had gone to AuctionWatch in the first place, I would have learned that this isn't the way to break in.
After my inglorious defeat, I studied auctions for a while. While studying, I noticed that some of the good ones had little logos on the bottom, advertising the auction helper service they were using. Prominent among them were AuctionWatch and Honesty.com. I checked out these both, and a few others, and finally choose AuctionWatch because I could relate better to their interface, and also because it really represented what I wanted to do, which was stay on top of the whole auction scene.
What do I do at AuctionWatch?
The first thing I did on AuctinWatch was start reading the very pointed articles which told me what to do and what not to do on auctions. I also poked around and learned that there were more auction sites than just ebay, something I wasn't really aware of before. In fact, there are hundreds of auction sites! AuctionWatch provides an easy way to get to any of them.
After a little education in auctions, I plunged back in, and bought an inexpensive (well, extremely cheap) low resolution digital camera. I would have rather had a Sony Mavica, but nobody'd accept my $24.00 bid. Using this low resolution camera, I made some photos of my next intended offerings, and then tried AuctionWatch's image hosting service. I was pleased with the ease with which I could put photos on their site, and the little thumbnail pictures. I was also pleased with the time estimate that was included with each picture, letting me know that I hadn't uploaded an image that would tie up the terminal so long that someone would flit off away from my offering before even looking at my image. With some pictures, I actually deleted the picture and then compressed the image further, and uploaded it again. It was easy enough that I didn't mind doing it twice.
Once I had some satisfactory images, I proceeded to use another function, which will link your pictures, a counter, and auction content all in one step. It was simple, and I was able to do everything to start an auction right from their site.
After I started a few auctions, I used the AuctionWatch service to keep track of their progress. I also used their counter watch service, to see how many people had visited my auctions. It was a convenient time saver to have all my auction information on one page, without even visiting the auction site. (Visiting the auction site always got me embroiled in a fruitless attempt to get a Sony Mavica for $24.00.)
Finally, I started trying some of their fancier options, like setting it up for last minute bids, a great service all in itself. I also have looked via AuctionWatch through the plethora of auctions to find that elusive Mavica. No luck so far, but the Crusaders didn't give up on the Grail in a couple of months, did they?
I like Auctionwatch, and have no complaints. I even like it that they're situated in my area, even in my county! It gives me a cozy feeling...
But of course, for you, if you're looking for an auction assistant that will mind your auctions, keep track of how many people visited, help you with your bidding, and give you good advice, then the fact that
AuctionWatch will do all of this and more is much more important than any warm fuzzy feeling I get knowing I could walk to their offices if I wanted to. The point of one of these places is what it can do for you, after all. AuctionWatch will help you with your auctions, for free. It will do so in a simple, intuitive way, that doesn't confuse you. And it will do it reliably. What more can you ask for?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
adonna
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Member: Donna Hall
Location: Humboldt County, California
Reviews written: 164
Trusted by: 100 members
About Me:
When I'm not here, I'm birding. (Or working, or gardening, or playing with power tools.)
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