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Suggestions needed for a new Coin Auction Web site I'm starting.
JMOORE
Posts: 1,000
I originally posted this in the BST Forum because I didn't want anyone to think that I was posting something "off topic".
I have decided to start a new auction web site that will allow members to buy, sell, and trade coins and related items.
I know that may people will say that there is no way a "new" auction web site can survive in the marketplace, but I think it can and I'm willing to take a shot at it.
The web site will be hosted on a dedicated server with plenty of power & bandwidth. Hosting fees have been paid in advance.
The software that I have purchased for this web site has many features that will make it very similar to the "Big" auction web sites like:
Picture Gallery Catalog:
Featured Picture Gallery:
Search Functionality:
Reserve Price:
Bold Listing:
Highlight In Listing:
Featured In Category:
Featured On Main Page:
Fixed Price Auctions:
Classified Ads:
Automatic Re-listing:
PayPal Payment Link for Sellers:
Add to Watch List:
Mail This Auction to A Friend:
Trade Sale Type:
WYSIWYG HTML Editor:
Item (Hit) Counters:
View Sellers Other Items:
Forgotten Password Retrieval:
Renew Listing:
Profiles (About Me Page):
Store Fronts:
Once testing is completed I will be placing ads to help drive traffic to the web site, both online and print.
I would like to ask for you suggestions on what you feel will help make this a success.
What other features would you like to see?
What Numismatic publications do you think would be good to advertise in? (CoinWorld, Numismatic News, Grey Sheet, Etc.)
What Numismatic web sites do you visit often that accept advertising do you think would be good to advertise on? (coinlinks.com, coinfacts.com, etc.)
And I guess the most important question is would YOU be willing to give it a try?
Thanks for your input!!
Jim
I have decided to start a new auction web site that will allow members to buy, sell, and trade coins and related items.
I know that may people will say that there is no way a "new" auction web site can survive in the marketplace, but I think it can and I'm willing to take a shot at it.
The web site will be hosted on a dedicated server with plenty of power & bandwidth. Hosting fees have been paid in advance.
The software that I have purchased for this web site has many features that will make it very similar to the "Big" auction web sites like:
Picture Gallery Catalog:
Featured Picture Gallery:
Search Functionality:
Reserve Price:
Bold Listing:
Highlight In Listing:
Featured In Category:
Featured On Main Page:
Fixed Price Auctions:
Classified Ads:
Automatic Re-listing:
PayPal Payment Link for Sellers:
Add to Watch List:
Mail This Auction to A Friend:
Trade Sale Type:
WYSIWYG HTML Editor:
Item (Hit) Counters:
View Sellers Other Items:
Forgotten Password Retrieval:
Renew Listing:
Profiles (About Me Page):
Store Fronts:
Once testing is completed I will be placing ads to help drive traffic to the web site, both online and print.
I would like to ask for you suggestions on what you feel will help make this a success.
What other features would you like to see?
What Numismatic publications do you think would be good to advertise in? (CoinWorld, Numismatic News, Grey Sheet, Etc.)
What Numismatic web sites do you visit often that accept advertising do you think would be good to advertise on? (coinlinks.com, coinfacts.com, etc.)
And I guess the most important question is would YOU be willing to give it a try?
Thanks for your input!!
Jim
ANA Member R-213302
0
Comments
Oh, and no NTC, ACG, gold PCI
<< <i>The one thing i look for is a telephone number. >>
Good point Tom. I'll have to figure out a work around for this in the beginning. Since my staff is small (just me) and I work a full time job it would be very difficult to answer a phone dedicated for this. Maybe some kind of answering service to begin with?
<< <i>How about a "key date" page. where all the key dates for every series are listed. >>
Yes I agree. I'm planning on adding educational content to the site as well.
<< <i>How about "no fees for board members" >>
Ron, I planned on doing that one too. Everyone who helps "test" the site before it is live will receive free listings for helping out. I have not determined the length of time yet but it will probably be at least free listings for a couple of months.
<< <i>I think you have to build up some inventory first- or just some sellers... give free listings for a little while to attract both buyers and sellers (or free to just a select few)... that's a way to keep your traffic. >>
Jeremy, I agree...
<< <i>Could you make it in three categories, one for buying, one for selling and one for trading only. That would save a lot of time and effort for those folks who are just interested in trading/buying or selling. >>
Louie, I haven't had a chance to work with the software enough yet to know if I'll be able to break the site up into three categories. All of these features are there, but I believe that they are all combined together.
<< <i>My only question/concern relates to if you have any way of screening out questionable sellers who are guilty of selling overgraded/cleaned/altered coins. I know that this is a big concern for a lot of folks that peruse ebay, and a shady seller can scare off a lot of people. >>
Michael, While I agree with you 100% I think that there might be some legal issues involved. Would any lawyers like to comment on this?
<< <i>One other thing is adding a few site police... people who can look over the auctions and end/warn a seller if an item is obviously cleaned/stolen/way overgraded... >>
<< <i>Oh, and no NTC, ACG, gold PCI >>
Jeremy, once again I agree. But could I legally have a policy that says NTC, ACG, gold PCI slabs can not be sold on the site?
Thanks for the input so far! Please keep it coming.
Jim
<< <i>
<< <i>One other thing is adding a few site police... people who can look over the auctions and end/warn a seller if an item is obviously cleaned/stolen/way overgraded... >>
<< <i>Oh, and no NTC, ACG, gold PCI >>
Jeremy, once again I agree. But could I legally have a policy that says NTC, ACG, gold PCI slabs can not be sold on the site?
>>
You couldn't have a policy... but with me on the police force...
If you worded it different like only PCGS, NGC and ANACS slabbed coins allowed seems OK to me. Its your site so you can make your own rules right? More accurate grading for attracting your target market is reason enough
Regarding slabs,I would simply state that the slabbed coin must have the company's name in the title.
That in itself will keep people from listing ACG and the such.
If I'm a buyer, I need some way of checking the "feedback". I know we all started with "0" on ebay or yahoo, but all of your sellers would have no feedback initially (unless they used their same handles that we knew).
To be successful, you need listings. Listings require traffic. You advertising money might be better spent on direct contact with major sellers. Skip the mags for now. If you could get 50 sellers,dealers, retailers to list 100 coins each, you now have 5,000 coins listed. If they can list for peanuts (initially) they have nothing to lose.
Just some thoughts.
Joe
I can think of a dozen reasons not to have high capacity magazines, but it's the reasons I haven't thought about that I need them.
I also have CertCoins.com registered. Do you prefer that?
Or does anyone else have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jim
and i also think it has GREAT POTENTIAL of course time will tell but i think it will do well!!
i would offer space to collector type informational websites like shylocks site indianheads.org
i would also say that in the beginning i would only allow pcgs/ngc coins only for the auction
with a possibility of more slab services in the future and that is BIG IF
i would offer in the first 30/60 days sort of incentive for someone to tryu your auction as a seller or buyer
to get them interested and see how it works and i am aure for some it will work well as a seller or buyer!
let us know how it goes and keep everyone informed on updates on this and the ngccoin.com forums!
goodluck with it
michael
I can think of a dozen reasons not to have high capacity magazines, but it's the reasons I haven't thought about that I need them.
Good luck and Happy Christmas..
Web: www.tonyharmer.org
Jeremy