I'm not sure if a storefront or auction capabilities are a good idea or not but I don't think there is anyway that an Acaeum auction could compete with an Ebay Auction.  For common items, you want the mass numbers that Ebay has to offer.  Also, most people here have the common items that they want.  Not to mention, how long would it take to build up the auction users to a point where you have enough bidders so there will actually be competition or bidding wars for these items.

So then maybe the Acaeum Auction would be more useful for high ticket items since most of the big players are here anyway?  Personally, I still think Ebay would bring a higher price on these types of auctions too.  I like to think that most people here have a good sense of what they want to pay for certain items.  With Ebay's hoard of people, there are a number of people who have the "get it at all cost" attitude and when selling a bunch of items you always hope you get a few of these bidders.  So even though an Acaeum Auction would be friendly, I don't think sellers would be realizing the returns on their items that they would really like to get.  I just don't think an auction site would work here - at best it would be a novelty.

However, I do like the idea of having a storefront.  I'm sure a lot of people find the Acaeum using google or some other search and a lot of them probably find stuff that they didn't know existed or didn't remember the title of, then go to Ebay to buy them.  So why not have the items more readily available for sale here as well?  It is a way for the members here to get more exposure for their items and the price that they are looking for.

I spent a couple of days dwelling on this. I wonder if it would work and had similar thoughts to Mars above. Here people generally know what items are worth, so would it be worthwhile for the main Sellers to list here? In addition, one of the great things about The Acaeum is we get to know people with similar interests, and we can trade and sell items privately between friends. Would there still be a classifieds forum?

Before committing to this I would try to contact some other sites that have dabbled with Small Scale auctions to get a feeling for the pros and cons. I imagine there would be all manner of issues (Legal issues? Security issues?) that would make this way more expensive than the initial outlay for the software.

The Acaeum is a great source for D&D collectors. People can use this site to get an idea of what something is worth. I certainly use it if I'm buying/selling something, as a starting point.

Is there any conflict of interest with doing valuations and having a storefront?
Not that I think there is, but something to think about.

A storefront seems to be a natural extension to this forum.

I'd stay clear of PHP auction unless you are happy to maintain a lot of time keeping it patched..

just google for: site:www.securityfocus.com php auction bugtraq

Personally I think the fixed item sales would be attractive. I think people will tend towards ebay for auctions.

Well, I'm not breaking any new ground here, but I'll add that I think it would have to be a storefront. And, if done well, it could become a really interesting addition to the site.

I just don't see the appeal (from a seller's standpoint, that is) of an auction format here. Given the choice of audiences, I'd take my items to the place with more than 100 million registered users, not the one with 800 or so.

My two gold pieces — YMMV.

What about this as a possible answer to a couple of concerns?

-->> RE: Conflict of interest by Valuation Board members:
 What if someone could set their selling price using the Valuation Board values, but the selling price would not be used to re-set the values?
 I.E.  Someone wants to sell an ST1 Up the Garden Path at, say, US$800.00 (way low, but using this as an example).  That could be done--if there was a buyer--but the $800.00 selling price could NOT be factored into the prices the Board uses to set the values; it would be considered a "private sale".

Zhowar's point re: narrower focus of what's sold is valid; too many times, I'm forced to use a negative search (say, "-miniatures") to limit the number of items found (as I sometimes get non-D&D items in my searches).  Here, the search would be somewhat limited to 1e/2e and maybe some other categories.

Deimos, to ameliorate your concerns on the Acaeum taking a cut of the proceeds, would you see a problem if either a flat-rate or a set percentage of the sale would go to maintenance of the Acaeum site?
(To Foulfoot:  Could THAT cause more problems, both technical and otherwise?)

for finding and selling more obscure things it could be terrific. only real benefit of ebay is finding that person who doesn't know the value of what they're selling.. something I fear would never happen here lol. Still, in terms of actually being able to locate more obscure and uncommon games and suppliments and having the right market to sell the same would intice me. The Ebay listing fees are too high to bother with the gamble of selling rpgs, especially the stuff noone's heard of in the vain hope someone might bid.

I would certain support any sellers by buying here first before going to ebay.  I also think the storefront is the way to go.



Martin

Though I voted against the idea, I wanted to clarify something.

I would take advantage of an Acaeum auction site, but I think Ebay still offers the best possible exposure for both sellers and buyers.  We are a tight knit community, but we only represent a portion of the whole community.  An Acaeum auction site would severely limit exposure of any item listed to just those who are aware of the site, a bad move for sellers to say the least.  Buyers could benefit as there may be less competition in the auctions...but it would come from a very knowledgable base, meaning fewer "steals" for the high end items.

just my .02

~jeff