TradeMe fee increase (no, really…)
June 23, 2008 – 3:57 pmJust a heads up about a TradeMe update that could be potentially quite costly for some sellers.
OMINS customers that want to update their prices can either use the bulk pricing updater, or else we can run a script to quickly update your entire product catalogue. Send an email to support to request this.
Of course, this will only affect you if you set the reserve price manually. Products that use the advanced pricing inheritance feature for reserve prices won’t be affected.
23 June - Reserve fee to apply in general categories
A 25c reserve fee will apply to auctions where you choose a reserve price that is higher than the start price, effective from 1 July 2008.
This change is designed to offer a better buying experience by encouraging sellers to be transparent about reserve prices. As a result, buyers will know that any bid has the chance to be successful.
No fee applies when you keep the reserve price equal to the start price, or when listing a car or other vehicle.
4 Responses to “TradeMe fee increase (no, really…)”
This is fantastic news! As a buyer, it annoys me when people stick a low price with a high reserve. It makes the “sort by price” features on trademe almost useless. Anything that discourages people from doing this is, in my mind, a good thing.
By Derek on Jun 25, 2008
Hi Derek,
Thanks for your comment.
I think this change will have both positive and negative effects, although which of these will be most evident is something only time will tell.
Among the positive, I think it will help real $1 reserves (or low reserves) stand out since there will be less $1 starts with high reserves cluttering the categories.
However, you can also argue that hidden reserves are often half the fun of auctions! At the very least they’re a large part of what makes an auction an auction, so discouraging them is somewhat like discouraging auctions themselves.
Obviously there’s no “right answer”, and I assume TradeMe has done their research and come to the conclusion that this change is beneficial. As mentioned before, time will tell whether it pays off or not.
By chris on Jun 25, 2008
With reference to comments made by “Derek” stating that its great news that we have to pay a fee to be allowed to start the auction lower than reserve and that all auctions should be start = reserve. This is just another money making scheme by an arrogant monopoly. By starting auctions of at reserve (which is generally the same price or very close to the buy now) takes away alot of potential buyers. Trademe is heading towards just a “For Sale site” as it restricts us (unless we want to pay for the prviledge) from starting high ticket items at lower start to create interest. Nimrods that feel they are going to own an item while bidding like $102 on a $699 “buy now” item just lack brain cells, Chris’s comments are right on the nail….”However, you can also argue that hidden reserves are often half the fun of auctions! At the very least they’re a large part of what makes an auction an auction, so discouraging them is somewhat like discouraging auctions themselves
By Jeff on Jul 7, 2008
Actually - I think they have completely “lost” the plot.
An Auction - often “starts” at the reserve - (Unfortunately - they ALSO LOWER THESE STARTS - until a “1st_bid” is placed - something a TRADEME AUCTION _ CANNOT DO - thus the “right” to start - below reserve - should be “free’ for the seller)
There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON - why a “bidder” whom NEVER PAYS FEES - shouldn’t ACTUALLY be allowed to “pay” a reserve viewing fee… to “see” an approximation “$-$” range - in which the “reserve” will be… thus allowing the “so-called-transparency to ocur… BUT ONLY FOR THOSE BIDDERS - currently BIDDING… and thus - BLOCK sit on the fence “watchers” from speculating - on a “KNOWN RESERVE” (which in ANY STD AUCTION _ IS NEVER REVEALED - even AFTER the auction “folds” - to ensure “post offers” are NOT deliberately low…).
Thus - I believe - TRADEME has disadvantaged “SELLERS” across the board… whilst ALLOWING “fence_sitters” to see actual values - and thus “price” their articles LOWER… (a faticious method of providing “late_sellers” an advantage over “early_seller’s” vulnerability - by “deceitfully_showing” their HAND - (prior to the end of auction).
This is “WHY” I prefer APN’s SELLA… http://www.sella.co.nz - which is an “ENTIRELY FREE SERVICE - for NZ’ers - FREE TO LIST _ FREE TO SELL & NO FEES TO BUYERS…
By vincent-john (trademe_user) on Jul 16, 2008