Virtual Welcome Mat
As many in our forums have noticed, there has been quite an influx of activity on Bonanzle since the news of eBay's most recent fee increases and policy changes. This has resulted in a surge of almost 150,000 new items posted to the site in the last couple weeks, as well as sales levels rising to Christmas-like levels. All of which is great, but the 100-200 jobs that have been queued in our eBay importer throughout this period is a testament to our system's difficulty in keeping pace with the surge. Our apologies for any delay our new sellers might have to wait through to get their items online (sometimes 3-4 days). We pledge to work hard to ensure that, once you're here, you'll find it worth the wait.
We will be adding yet another souped up 8x CPU Dell server to our cluster by the beginning of next week; this should help to keep pace with all of the great new inventory we've seen posted recently.
What to Expect in a Move from eBay to Bonanzle?
I know it drives some of our sellers crazy when I say this: but I personally believe that there are a lot of things that eBay does right. For the business they are trying to build, they have created an environment that helps buyers generally feel safe when buying, and an environment that's conducive to being able to locate and buy the commodity items (books, DVDs, etc) from larger sellers and secondary markets that have increasingly been their target over the last few years.
I believe that the biggest differences you'll find between Bonanzle's approach and eBay's is that we're working toward a different end goal. We aim to celebrate "everything but the ordinary," and the smaller sellers that really understand what makes these items special. With the help of our users, we have built our search technology and browsing tools that make it fun and efficient to browse for items that aren't produced in lots of a million. Some of the most popular Bonanzle categories include collectibles, health & beauty products, clothing, women's accessories, home & garden, older books+magazines, as well as crafts, soaps, and even some classic video games. In total, there are probably about 20 categories that are well suited to selling Bonanzle (see the "Popular Categories" list on our Buy Page) . This is about half the categories you'd find well-represented on eBay. We aren't too big on computers, new books & dvds, electronics, and similar commodity items, because Amazon is usually a great place to buy these (tho you will find a handful of Bonanzle sellers who deal in these items).
An equally large difference is our emphasis on community. This is why we build a chat window into every store (aka "booth") on the site. As you get more familiar with Bonanzle you'll find our community of buyers and sellers eager to celebrate your triumphs and help you persevere through your challenges. Item sale games and list building are a couple of the social activities you'll see many regulars engaging in as part of their Bonanzle experience.
Though it's not vital to your Bonanzle experience to get directly involved in interacting and browsing, these experiences can be an enriching way to get to know others who share your passion for shoes, belt buckles, comic books, or whatever other nutty stuff you might be into. With almost 200,000 registered users, there is sure to be someone (probably online right now) who shares your passion for that weird, wonderful whatever.
What's on the docket for Bonanzle?
We have several major projects that are currently underway. Some of the intiatives that are likely to be released in the few months include:
- Targeted ad campaigns to drive buyer traffic to the site through channels that prove effective
- Enhancements to continue to minimize fraud and improve buyer/seller trust
- Tools to help you better keep in touch with the friends you meet on Bonanzle, including an overhaul of our very rudimentary "Quick text" system that allows users to send messages back and forth to each other in real time
- Better ability to track what games and other promotions are happening on Bonanzle at a given moment (there's always something going on, between booth sales ("Bonanzas"), real time auctions, and pricing discount games. Bonanzle has a prominent "real time" component.
- Improvements to the offer management pages; with so many sellers making so many sales these days, these pages are due for an overhaul to make it easier to manage a high volume of transactions
Of course, this is just a brief smattering of what we have in the development pipe right now. As long timers know, Bonanzle is nothing if not a fast moving target, so you'll want to check back regularly to see what's been added and you might use it to boost your sales.
We are always eager to hear your suggestions. If you have ideas on how you'd like to see Bonanzle improve, you can submit them via this form. We often don't have the bandwidth to reply to ideas individually, but we do read and consider each idea that is submitted to us.
In Conclusion...
Bonanzle's path to success has been the classic "underdog made good" story, seen in enough movies as to be almost cliche. That said, we take pride in being backed by a friendly community of users that like to meet new people and appreciate the similarities that they share. For our part, we will continue to work days and nights to consistently add smart improvements to the site that will give a great buying experience (and selling experience) for those in search of "everything but the ordinary."
We have been fortunate to find a community that has grown Bonanzle through Word of Mouth and through listing high quality+low price products that get Google's attention. We hope that you'll soon find yourself doing the same -- please don't hesitate to drop into the forums to introduce yourself if you're new. It can take time to get on track and start making consistent sales, but at Bonanzle you have a team of thousands waiting to support you and help you make the adaptations necessary to succeed. Not to mention our dynamic duo Mark and Tom.
[Coffee refill break.]
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98 responses to Virtual Welcome Mat
I am looking forward to the ad campaigns…we can never have enough buyers! Bill, Mark, Tom, thanks for all that you do to continually improve our site!
STANDING OVATION
As always, Thank You so very much for all of your hard work!
Love it here!
Bonanzle is forward moving and I am a seller that will do nothing but dig my heels in and build my inventory. Bonanzle has the fortunate ability to learn from “other’s” mistakes and build past them. I promote Bonanzle wherever I go!
Thanks again Boyz! and any Bonanzle Babes we don’t know about
P.S. Mark Hope my ‘extra bucks’ help LOL!
Awesome!
Our family has been Bonanzling since 09/28/08 – it’s been the best online move we’ve ever made, and we’re staying for the long haul. Love the way small sellers like our family are felt so welcome – it’s a great fit for us.
Really like the Virtual Welcome Mat – very well written!
Bonanzle is our favorite online marketplace – just gets better & better. If we haven’t thanked you lately Bill (and Mark & all) THANK YOU VERY MUCH for building such a lovely community here
What an exciting update this was to read. It has been such a pleasure to watch Bonanzle evolve since I joined and I have yet to see an improvement that was not favorable or beneficial to the continued development of this venue.
Bravo Bill, and to Mark, Tom, and everyone else who contributes to the efforts to drive Bonanzle to the top.
How can we not succeed? Passion is evident everywhere by both the management and the members…we cannot fail with this kind of commitment. Thanks for all of you who work so hard everyday to bring this dream to fruition for all of us!
Good news. Glad to see you got a coffee break.
sounds great. everyday is a learning experience for me and I am glad that I found Bonanzle for my first experience in trying internet selling (barring the few failed attempts at the bay)
Great Job and thanks
Way To Go Bonanzle Team!
One of the wonders of Bonanzle is
“The Boyz” really do listen, and sometimes where you’d least expect it
Several improvements and ideas on how to make something work better,were just ideas kicking around on the forums,not quite ready to be sent to the Bonz team,for consideration, and the next thing we knew…VOILA! there they were,presented to us as a fait accompli.
To know that you guys have our backs, in many, many ways, is both comforting and amazing.
To be counted as worthwhile,(as opposed to merely “noise”),
to be valued by ones peers, to be trusted on a level other venues have no concept of, these are just a few more of the things that make Bonanzle what it is.
The coming ad campaign, the sherrif watching out for fraudsters, the whole crew of Bonanzle sellers & buyers who help one another,(now I ask ya, where else ya gonna find that?),the new telegraph,(AKA “quick text”), the transparency of the whole Bonanzle site…these are even MORE reasons why Bonanzle is so unique.
A tip of the magic red chapeau to you, the whole Bonanzle crew, and my fellow sellers.
Well Done
FANTASTIC NEWS to start ones day – Happy Selling 2 U all & Thank You guys for a “job well done”!!
I just LOVE smatterings. Thanks Boyz!
MAJOR STANDING OVATION!!!!
Exactly! What an awesome write up Bill, and it confirms what many of us already know… that this site is and will continue to work for the good of all. I for one am honored to be a part of it all.
Thank you “All” for working so hard to continue to make this the best place to be.
Lisa
Sounds like some good things are in the works! Thanks for keeping us up to date.
“What all above just said!”
U.D. Mann, Bill!
Two thumbs up, great news Bill! Looking forward to the changes! Thank you Bonanzle Bill and to your Dynamic Trio too!
what an encouraging update… I look forward to those extras on the docket! thanks Bill and Mark and Tom
GREAT JOB! Bill – I have NEVER been so proud of being part of Bonanzle and it’s future.
Way to Go! Mark & Tom for your endless help and support in the endeavor!
WELCOME to all the new refugees – our arms are open wide for ya! You have made a great decision by coming to Bonanzle.com!
Just posted my bonanzle page on a local want-ads and getting several hits from it…… This Sight is Great and thanks for all the welcomes that go along……. Keep it Up Boys, in April this place will go Nutts
Thanks for the update, sounds AWESOME!
Thank YOU !! I love to hear what is on the docket..makes me excited.
Think it is good for ALL involved with Bonanzle to see the progressive attitude that continues to update and improve our chosen website.
I came here in 2008 when Bonanzle was an infant – so glad I found it and am committed to remaining apart of the evolution of this true “eBay alternative”……………..
EXCELLENT!!
“at Bonanzle you have a team of thousands waiting to support you and help you make the adaptations necessary to succeed.”
Isn’t that the truth…post a question and the community consistently flocks to help; the desire to help each other succeed is one of the (many) truly unique things I love about Bonanzle. Together we stand!
And many thanks to the BoyZ for providing us with the tools we need to move forward, and for really listening to what we have to say. I’m excited for the future of Bonanzle too!
Just want to add my many Thanks to the fantastic Bonanzle crew and to all the great members for making this (IMO) the most friendly, most dynamic venue on the Web. It’s great to be here, and it keeps on getting better!
What an awesome place to be … and it just keeps getting better!!
Really great news! Thanks to the men at the top of Bonanzle who respect the sellers here!
Hope you are getting enough sleep along with coffee breaks…it is necessary for growth too!
Now this is why I am here !!
Yippee
More improvement, and it just keeps getting better. Loving it, and happy to be updated on the new changes too. Keep it up, we are going some where now
I remarked just last night to another avid Bonanzler “just wait I betcha Bill has something Real Big up his sleeves… He’s just been way to quite lately..” and wake up this morning to all this very exciting news!
Thanks guys for always listening and as someone up there said always having our backs… been here from the beginning and have no plans to go anywhere — you all are just stuck with me..
and I’ve always been a proponent of “word of mouth” advertising and plan to continue spouting off about the virtues of Bonanzle everywhere I have the opportunity…
A Hearty Welcome to all the newcomers… we’re glad you found your way here.. we’ve been dropping bread crumbs to help you stay on the path…
So true, Zig!
I’ve been wondering why ’What’s New’ was so sparse lately, and now I know.
Thanks for the update, Bill!
Welcome all newcomers, and do stop by the forums for any help you need. We’ll be waiting.
WAY UP the LADDER WE GO!!
Thanks, Bill, Mark & Tom.
Looking for all the extra promotion to bring in more buyers. We are just bursting at the seems, and soon we will explode mainstream into the cyberline.
More than “Two Thumbs Up”
I am so glad to be a part of something totally amazing as Bonanzle… Thank you so much for all your hard work, trust, and dedication to make it possible!!!
Blessings to you Bill, Mark, Tom and to your Dynamic Team behind the scenes!!!
This is great news. Bonanzle has always been a fresh & exciting place to do business. It’s great to know it will only keep getting better and better.
And a big sunny WELCOME to all our new Bonanzle members!
You don’t drive me crazy, I get it Bill.
I have never compared eBay to Bonanzle. I feel like they are totally different. I swear you were in my head when You designed Bonanzle. You are welcome to keep digging. lol!
Thanks for Bonanzle. It’s changed my life and I love it.
Hugs! Judy
I am very happy to see these long awaited changes coming. The site has grown to the point where some much needed advertising needs to be done.
Thanks so much for this fellas. You guys are the best
Gentlemen, your the greatest!
Exciting times! Onwards and upwards we go
I like the part where You said “I know it drives some of our sellers crazy when I say this: but I personally believe that there are a lot of things that eBay does right.”
I think eBay definitely is useful. As a research tool, but not much more than that. They took the wind right out of the sails. Do the Nanzle!
I know the sparse changelist has been an unfamiliar site. The updates to the quick text system (aka the ability to get real time updates on games and etc.) is a beastly large project that I want to get done right. It probably still has another week or more so in the oven before it comes out piping hot, but I think it’ll be worth the wait when all is said and done. Thanks for all the encouragement. I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a more positive group of commenters in my Internet travels.
Bonanzle just keeps getting better and better. We have been here just over a year and have never regretted a minute. Our community and your (the Boyz) management will keep us heading up and up. Looks like more exciting times coming soon.
woooohoooooooooooooooooo many kudos TO THE BONZ SUPPORT TEAM!!
thanks for all you do!!!
If ever there was a perfect place to hang your hat and stay awhile it has got to be Bonanzle. What our BOYZ have done with this site in such a short time is nothing short of a Amazing.
Makes me even more confident that my permanent booth a.k.a (store) is located in the right marketplace !!! Many thanks for your efforts !!!
Thanks guyz!! I have so awaited news like this!! You all work so hard, It is time for this place to blow the doors off from our rivals in the market!! It will make us “complete” ( til we get some sort of auction format…I still need them to establish the market for my collectibles
)
Awesome, all is good! Great job boyz
The best thing about Bonanzle are the people!
I am just tickled to death that I found Bonanzle! I am so happy to be a part of this wonderful community and so excited to watch it evolve. Thanks so much for the breath of fresh air…..you guys are the best!
Enjoy your Coffee Break.. You deserve it .
SwEeT!!!
I knew when I first arrived that this felt like home. Now I know it! Thank you!!!
There’s no getting rid of me. I am excited for our future on Bonanzle
TY TY TY!!! I am fairly new and have been struggling to get my items listed and learn all the things I have to do to get them noticed in the search engines. This is wonderful news as I keep putting little Bonanzle coupons in my letters to everyone I communicate with, tweeting, etc. and I still don’t have very many hits and no sales yet. But I am optimistic that every day will bring me closer to mega sales that will have me complaining that I don’t have time for a coffee break! Keep up the great work guys! Thanks so much for thinking about us!
Arista
Nice “welcome” to new members and a great example of why I love Bonanzle so much. Bill, Tom, Mark—you are the greatest listeners and are truly appreciated. Thanks for making Bonanzle a wonderful place to buy, sell, chat and make new friends. Like a lot of other folks, I’m here to stay.
Lois “Appy”
I’m glad that I FINALLY noticed and read this forum! The future for us ’nanzlers sounds promising and exciting! I was not here from the startup, “B” had 8K members when I joined and of, course, I needed immediate help from….who? Mark to the rescue of course! I LOVE it here!
Great blog! I have such a great time Bonanzling, I opened another booth, and I never thought I would do that. The ease of use and responsiveness of the the Boyz keeps me here. I’m making sales and just love promoting Bonanzle. Thank you Bill, Mark and Tom for providing us little guy sellers a home and respite away from the bay. In the inferred words of the academy to Sally Field, “we really like you!” Now I wish I had one of those gold statues to give y’all!
Thank you so much Bill and Mark and Tom, looking forward to the new gadgets and so forth, will be well worth the wait!
Thank you to the Boyz for all of your hard work and for creating an exciting site. And a stable one at that! And for actually listening to your customers! I’m looking forward to the Next Big Thing and the coming year on Bonanzle.
I love Bonanzle!!!!
Thank you once again! I’m glad you mentioned equally important is the community. It is a great selling point to this site that sets it apart. And, yes I agree there are many things ebay did right in setting up there site. I’m glad we are smart enough to take the good and leave the bad. I for one have committed to welcoming and offering my meager assistance to several new arrivals every day. It must be like a tsunami hitting the inbox for you. Knowing Bonanzle now and the content of character here, I trust that the new growth will be managed well and beneficial to all. Stay the course, drink your coffee, take your vitamins and hold on tight, growth is here.
I joined Ebay in ‘99..and I loved it..then slowly but surely things began to change..I recently started selling again, after a 2 year absence as a seller, and was limited after listing 5 items…till I can build my feedback (208) 100% pos.isn’t good enough for them . I am sick of being treated like a common criminal…so I just listed my first item here last night..and am very excited!! I am spreading the word to everyone I know. Keep up the good work, the future is looking bright!!
Awesomely adaptable Bonanzle!! It just keeps getting better. Thanks boyz.
Just joined in the last few days but am really excited about my Bonanzle prospects and the opportunity to do business here. I’ve worked hard for years to build up my business on eBay only to lose my Power Seller status and face ridiculous fees. Thank you for offering another option! I look forward to getting to know the Bonanzle community.
I am like others leaving Ebay, I was tired of being treated like a low life, despite my 100% feedback rating, because I did not have mega sales of one or two items & give free shipping because I could subsidized it in my prices. The fee hike on Ebay was just the last straw!!! Thanks to the Bonanzle staff. I have been here a couple of weeks, but no sales yet. I am glad to see you will be working on driving in sales traffic.
Joined Bonanzle over a year ago and never sorry that I did! I look forward to growing in leaps and bounds and becoming bigger and better than all the rest! Let’s face it folks we all tried the rest, now we have the BEST!!!!
It is almost overwhelming to sell on an on-line venue where the owners are proactive..and also respond IN PERSON to problems, requests,etc. I can see nothing but success for this wonderful place. Where do I line up to buy stock?
awesome, can ’t say it better than that. thanks
I’ve been a member since late 2008 and LOVE it here! You guys are ALWAYS coming up with something bigger and better. I started my online selling here after trying a few sales at Ebay when I saw it was just a no-win situation there for a small novice seller like myself. I feel like I am growing up along side Bonanzle and am so happy and confident in what I am doing since joining here. Keep up the good work, I can’t wait to see what this year brings us!
We’re ready.
Great welcome news for a new member! I am really looking forward to good times on bonanzle.
ADVERTISING??? YAAAYYYY!!!! (yes, i had 2 shout it)
that’ll be good for those of us who don’t have computer prowess
THANXXX A TON!!!
Way to go Boyz, we all appreciate what you are trying to do for us
Thank you soooo much!!
The Boyz of Bonanzle listen to the buyers and sellers wants and needs, without dictating how we run our business. This is such a refreshing approach to providing an online venue. Thank you Bonanzle!!!
Nicely said as always. Thanks for all you do to make this site work!
From beta to present, my 16 months here have been wonderful. New and better improvemtnts continue to make this the only site to be with.. Thanks
Great post.
With each day, the boyz continue to thrive! Thank you boyz for all of your continued support and efforts! You make Bonanzle better with each passing day! Although I have to admit, I did not think it could get any better!!! Thumbs up to you both!
Hello There
I am new.I’m happy to be here.Happy sales Everyone
This is the best place ever to be..the interaction that we have with one another in the event we need a question answered concerning Bonanzle at any level..from postin descriptions to checkout…is incomparable to any other…this is the place to be nowadays…Thanks to the boyz for all they do to make this place the A#1 place for selling…
After many long hours of reading, studying, and considering all options…I found this site to be a solid home base. I had thought that base was going to be the bay, but when they switched gears midstream yet again, I had to do the same.
My sell through rate there was quite good and far above average for used clothing and what not. There is no reason I can’t use those same tools and skills to create great listings here as well. I’m sure that as buyers start hearing more and more about this site…feeling more comfortable with it, things will buzz along nicely.
I think it is important for us as sellers to emphasize customer satisfaction, safety, and A-1 service. It sounds like that is just what you are on track with! How exciting!
Thanks for giving your all to this. Thanks for realizing that without seller support, the whole cookie crumbles. Thanks for continuing to grow a platform that makes sense!
Great article Bill !
One thing I have to say and hope that you will consider .. is that ebay does make it safe for buyers but also makes it very easy for buyer fraud to happen. That’s the main reason besides the fees that I left ebay. Any buyer can easily say that they didn’t get the item and the seller doesn’t have much of a choice but to refund them. Most buyers are honest, but since I’ve been on Bonanzle (over a year) I only had one person claim to have not received their item compared to a few per month on ebay.
keep up the great work
and bring on the cheeseburgers ..
Fees (taxes), fees(taxes), fees (taxes)… they will always drive people away and to Welcome-Centers like Bonanzle! If I make money then I don’t mind the least bit sharing it with those who helped me make it! What a feeling of relief to know I can load up on items for sale here without having to calculate the risks of what it will collectively cost me to try… I am spreading my wings and I like Bonanzle’s risk free welcoming approach. One doesn’t have to be from another country to see the opportunity that is made available here by what I am sure is a lot of behind-the-scenes hard work… Thanks in advance!
I am just now seeing the welcome mat and applaud your efforts, Bill, at keeping us all informed. The Bonz Boyz are always working hard to make this a better experience for buyers and sellers. (I did get my eyes checked yesterday, and once the new glasses arrive, perhaps I can see items when they are first posted!)
Keep up the good work!
thank you so much for building such a welcoming website and community! I just joined Bonanzle a few weeks ago, and already am loving it!
Thank you for Bonanzle I have only been here a real short time and just made my first sale today It feels great. Thank you.
Great news! The best just keeps getting better!!
THANKS BONAZLE….. BUT PAPPY I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU GOT YOUR FIRST SELL/…. I JOINED ON THE 20THA AND I HAVE NOT SOLD ANY THING HERE I HAVE ON EBAY….HELP WHAT AM I DOING WRONG…… THANKS SO MUCH……..
Very well done!
Havn’t sold on here yet, but i know it takes time to get the word out!
I’ve only been on bonanzle for about5 days…have not sold here yet either..I’ve been using twitter and social media alot as well as paying commission for affiliate program and offering quantity discount. I’m excited for more to come with promoting bonanzle as I think the growth potential is huge! Happy to be party of this site and can’t wait to see it grow!
I, too, just opened my booth a few days ago as well. The big attraction for me to this site is that I don’t have to pay to list, there are no limits on the number listings, and they offer the syndication feature to help promote your inventory. I am tying out the syndication feature to see if it increases sales (other places where I list don’t have this and I have to pay to list).
Thanks Bill! I love the new switchboard and appreciate all that you and the staff do to move Bonanzle forward!
I am looking forword to a great year here…We are gonna blow the competition out of the water…Thanks Guys..
Ok – so I am a bit bummed. I’m moving my inventory over from eBay and haven’t sold anything since I joined on February 10. I would love any suggestions on how to get started.
Great to be aboard! This looks like I will enjoy selling here!~
I love The Bonz!!! Thank you for all your hard work Bill, Mark and Tom, and the rest who make up the Bonz team!!!
Excellent! Thank you Bill, Mark and Tom and your whole team for all you collectively do. Cheers!
Thank You for making Bonanzle what it is and working hard towards making improvements to make Bonanzle even better…way to go Bill, Mark & Tom
Hi everyone. I am a new seller,had some problems activating my booth,with the help of the Bonanzle support team I’m finally in. Love the look of the website. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Watch Out Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!
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