Date   : Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:03:33 +0000
From   : rich@... (Rich Mellor)
Subject: New Retro Auction Website

Rick Murray wrote:
> Rich Mellor wrote:
>
>   
>> I note the comments about listing fees and  agree -  I will waive them 
>> for the first 6 months and see how we go!
>>     
>
> I was going to suggest you waive listing fees and charge a little extra 
> on the final sale - to save the user being out of pocket for something 
> that might not sell...
>
> ...but actually the prices don't look bad. And, I guess, a listing fee 
> helps prevent people cluttering the site with rubbish.
>   
I agree - I have waived listing fees until June 2010 to give the site a 
chance.
>
> As a question - are the postage rates fixed? Does this include 
> international?
>   
No the postage rates are not fixed - you enter them when you list an 
item - I have created various zones matched to countries, and you can 
enter the postage fee for each zone -
Own Country
EEC
Europe
USA / Canada
Rest of World.
>
> A few things I noticed along the way:
>
>    * Main page - the news banner (cool see-through, I like the effect)
>      partially overlays the listing to its left.
>    * Likewise, auction items are too wide. The "Buy now" is almost off
>      the screen.
> I am using an eeePC with 1024x600 display. What resolution was it 
> designed for as it is just a little too big for 1024 width. This is with 
> XP and Firefox 3.5.6 using normal display settings.
>   
I agree - I have raised these issues with the designers but they comment 
that most people use a resolution above 1024 - this is a shame, as they 
have not considered people with poor eyesight who still view screens at 
800x600 !  I have moved the news to the menu at the top for now.

As for the Buy Now button - I have been thinking about this and wonder 
whether we could maybe remove one of the columns - maybe the auction 
type (although the site also allows reverse auctions, so this may be 
required).  Any suggestions?
>    * The Wiki inserts (maybe other stuff) appears to not be correctly
>      escaping quotes - look at the Cambridge Z88 info, top line, where
>      it says: after they sold the rights to \"Sinclair\" to Amstrad
>   
Well spotted - I am trying to clear these up and have converted the 
quotes correctly now.
>    * The browser URL bar icon is a sort of weird 'e', like an
>      out-of-focus diagram of a bit of a letter in Corpus font. It
>      reminds me of something from a Cold War era spy movie. :-)
>      Was this a library image? I'd have expected 'r' for Retro or
>      's' for Sell...
>   
The URL bar icon is the standard Enuuk one - I need a nice one for the 
website - www.sellmyretro.com - any suggestions are more than welcome!
>    * Traders options on the About us page - the bullet points are
>      backwards indented to they lie through the text border. Zero
>      margin size specified?
>   
I will investigate thankyou
>    * While I'm no expert in French, I don't think you should say:
>        Bout mis ? jour dessus : 02/09/2009
>        ("dessus"? above?)
>      This should be enough:
>        Derni?re mise ? jour le 02/09/2009
>      or, less:
>        Mise ? jour le 02/09/2009
>      [language: French, "About us" page]
>   
OK thanks - a lot of the translations are using google translate 
unfortunately!!
>    * Terms and conditions: "offer to sell offensive weapons"
>      Surely the word "offensive" is a redundant word? What's an
>      inoffensive weapon? The apparently-barely-hurts taser that
>      the Genderames have been issuing to the rather cute younger
>      female recruits? :-) Not that I wish to be in a position to
>      find out if these mini-tasers are watered down versions of
>      the American insanity...
>   
I agree !!
>
> Overall, the colour scheme is quite nice and the layout is functionally 
> minimal. What's necessary is provided without crud or obfuscation. It's 
> all pretty clear.
>
> Mmmm... Retro video. No listings yet, but I think I'll bookmark it to 
> keep my eyes open for a Betamax. I don't suppose you could include 
> "spend a weekend with me via budget airline" as a postage option? Might 
> work out quite a bit cheaper (and possibly safer!) than entrusting 
> something of that bulk to the national parcel handling service. You know 
> who I mean...
>   
LOL you could be right there - although I tend to use one of the cheaper 
couriers for anything over 2Kg as per the adverts on the site!
>
> Anyway - good luck.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Rick.
>
>
>   


-- 
Rich Mellor
RWAP Services

http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
http://www.rwapservices.co.uk

-- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com