LurkeyLou wrote (View Post): › PSU took a pounding in 2006 by OLA sellers trying to sign up founding members. I've personally received a few recruitment PM's here @ PSU, though I'm glad to say it's been over a year ago. While the majority of OLA members aren't abusive and pushy in their attempts to make affiliate money, make no mistake: there have been a few that have left a very bad taste in the mouth of a lot of people in the past and, evidently this continues today.

Evidently, LOL

Hi all,

I been thinking about joining OLA on a monthly basis, I read about the verified buyer fee, for me this is something that would work because I sell custom built computers starting at 900.00. I have been ripped off on Ebay by 4 different buyers on because of false identity but my insurance covered the loss, so for me 4 bucks a month is a good idea.

The members at OLA are very friendly and no one has pushed me to join, I called their customer service number and got an immediate answer to a question about my concerns. I like the founding members fee and the storefront and I can easily generate traffic to my site because of my online experience but I am going to try the monthly first using their fix price then use seo links and adwords to point to my products.

Crazy train wrote (View Post): › I been thinking about joining OLA on a monthly basis, I read about the verified buyer fee...so for me 4 bucks a month is a good idea.

Then perhaps you might want to understand
what the verified buyer fee *is*....

It's not a $4.00 per month fee you pay - it's the
buyer who has to pay $4.00 a month to be a
verified buyer.

Maybe you want to get that helpful person on
the OLA phone line to explain it to you.

vermonter53 said: Sellers "could" make money from signing up new members but I personally don't know any who have.
My promo code is on the bottom of every one of my posts in the chats on OLA but it is only there for someone who thought that I was enough of a help to them for me to get a bonus from the fact that they signed up.

The only reason you have your code visible is because someone wanted to use it when they signed up so you could get the bonus. So, they signed up at OLA and you didn't get the bonus. Hmmm, I wonder how many people have signed up at OLA to be a Founder and then OLA never paid the commission to the seller with the code used. vermonter53 said that he/she had never heard of anyone over at OLA who had received the perk. Hmmm, this puppie smells something rotten over at the OLA bookkeeping department

Also, having a buyer verified isn't going to protect sellers. The money goes to OLA to stuff their piggy bank. eBay verifies their buyers, too, and loads of sellers get ripped off, even if the buyer uses PayPal and the seller used delivery confirmation. The OLA verified buyer program is a crock. They could easily verify their buyers just like eBay and for not cost at all. This is just another of their scams to get extra cash.

maggiescountrycandlelites wrote (View Post): › vermonter53 wrote (View Post): › Sellers "could" make money from signing up new members but I personally don't know any who have. My promo code is on the bottom of every one of my posts in the chats on OLA but it is only there for someone who thought that I was enough of a help to them for me to get a bonus from the fact that they signed up. I sell all kinds of things on OLA. I'm not there to just sign up a bunch of people. I'm there to build a long term business & It is working for me for what I want. I would encourage anyone to check it out at $8. a month level and see how it fits your business plan. Do the research. Keep good records and make "INFORMED" decisions based on "your facts" not on all the garbage coming from the PSU forums. As was mentioned, it is an affiliate program **NOT A PYRAMID SCHEME** as many of the OLA bashers here would have you believe. A business person would not pay $196 just to sign up new members IMHO because there would be no long term benefit to it. If I had the time I could easily refute much of the OLA bashers misinformation and sometimes lies that are expounded in these threads as "Facts" vermonter53, I am not misinforming anyone. I was spammed to death my a user who was only selling a couple of items on OLA auction and really focusing on getting people to sign up as a founding member so he could make money off his promo code. OLA stood behind this user for sometime. He went as far as to say I could earn my wings by selling his promo code. So yes vermonter53 people will pay $196.00 to earn a commission on that promo code and focus on that. Their intentions aren't making it a super auction site to sell on, their motives are to make money off the promo code. I find this very disheartening and a vital concern for people who might get duped.

Yes, I remember that time period. I believe it was a couple of years ago and I didn't agree with the guy at all! That was that person not everyone else at OLA. And yes, there were still some others although very few that think that way. That is not the way I do things.
I'm just listing stuff and selling stuff there because it is inexpensive for the little guy like me that likes the online auction business. I can list a few or a hundred items and I don't have to be on top of it all the time, or I can be, if I wanted to, but for me it is a simple and easy and inexpensive place to list ALL KINDS of things and I do sell things, so it works for me.

I'm sorry you had to go through all that but I don't believe that it represents the bulk of the OLA seller, least of all now in this time period and definitely not me.

LurkeyLou wrote (View Post): › I think, olga, that the wording of the Buyer Verification is confusing and the use is misunderstood by some sellers. ......... The person who visits the OLA for the first time may surf away without a second look. If their first impression is an additional $4.00 cost added to a low dollar item (because they don't understand the Buyer Verification stipulations, either) they'll go back to eBay without looking back.

I agree, you never get a second chance to make a FIRST impression!

Quote: › There is no way to estimate how many sales this confusion is costing OLA members. But the sellers deal with and, as you see defend it, so it's working for them. Not for everyone I guess.

I am not defending the way it is, or is not explained. I know it is confusing to many buyers and sellers alike. I do think it is a good idea if it is an expensive item I.E. say a house or classic car.

Quote: › While the majority of OLA members aren't abusive and pushy in their attempts to make affiliate money, make no mistake: there have been a few that have left a very bad taste in the mouth of a lot of people in the past and, evidently this continues today.

Thanks, I think I'm in that majority

Quote: › If I had the time I could easily refute much of the OLA bashers misinformation and sometimes lies that are expounded in these threads as "Facts" Rolling Eyes

Here is an example of what I am talking about, misleading misinformation that implies something that is not at all truthful.

innerpuppie wrote (View Post): › The only reason you have your code visible is because someone wanted to use it when they signed up so you could get the bonus.

Implies improper motive on my part as if I am just trying to sign people up for the money.
[FACT] It is there as has been explained before so that if a person felt that I was a big help to them in joining OLA and they wanted to, I "could" get a bonus from it. This works much like a franchiser/franchisee only with a franchise it cost the franchisee no matter what happens

innerpuppie wrote (View Post): › So, they signed up at OLA and you didn't get the bonus.

Misinformation! ! ! ! ......not quite a lie but is written as a statement of fact, notice it is not written as a question implying that I have signed people up and didn't get paid for it. Completely not true statement again ! !

innerpuppie wrote (View Post): › Hmmm, I wonder how many people have signed up at OLA to be a Founder and then OLA never paid the commission to the seller with the code used.

MORE MISINFORMATION ! ! not quite a lie because it is not making a statement but rather is written as almost half a question and ends with a period so it is sort of making a statement implying dishonesty with nothing to back up the "statement". Casting doubt on honesty or integrity of the site and by extension the sellers.

innerpuppie wrote (View Post): › vermonter53 said that he/she had never heard of anyone over at OLA who had received the perk.

A LIE !

What I actually said.
"Sellers "could" make money from signing up new members but I personally don't know any who have."

Notice how my wording is twisted around ....(or basically changed to suit the need of the persons agenda) ....to completely change the meaning of what I actually said ! !

There are thousands of sellers on OLA, none of whom I know outside of OLA or personally. What I said was simply stating that I don't personally know of anyone that is using the promo code to make tons of money as some imply.

NOT, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE RECEIVING THE PERK. ! as was said here as if it was an "actual quote"

I could go on and on but I think any reasonable person can see what is happening here.

I suggest anyone thinking about selling at OLA , check into it, get the facts, and not the "facts" as expounded by a minority here at psu who obviously hate OLA and as you can see twist things around to meet their needs, but rather from other sellers at OLA.

Confirm those facts!

If you wanted to become a championship skier, you would talk and associate with people who have done or are doing it. You wouldn't listen to the guy in the lodge with a broken leg who now hates the sport and because they broke there leg is suing the ski area and wants everyone who comes into the lodge to ski to take up some other sport and tries to convince everyone there that the ski area is scamming people because of his/her experience.

You would listen to the successful people, I think. IMHO
Need to go to work Seeya

vermonter53 said: Sellers "could" make money from signing up new members but I personally don't know any who have.
My promo code is on the bottom of every one of my posts in the chats on OLA but it is only there for someone who thought that I was enough of a help to them for me to get a bonus from the fact that they signed up.

Tell me what I didn't understand!

-You did not say that sellers DO make money.
-You said that you don't know of any who have made money via their seller's code.
-You said your code is at the bottom because someone thought you were a help and wanted you to get the bonus because they signed up.
-You said you haven't received any money as a result of your code.

What part of you post didn't I understand that you felt it was necessary to call me out, which, BTW, is very typical OLAish behavior. Scream first. Accuse first. Never ask for clarity. Don't demonstrate an ability to debate but only to act like you have no self-control.

vermonter53 said: I could go on and on but I think any reasonable person can see what is happening here.

I agree, typical OLA behavior, shouting, screaming, calling names.

To vermonter53:

People are entitled to their opinions and they don't need their posts dissected every time someone doesn't agree with it.

Why don't you do this.

If you want to sell on OLA go ahead. No one is stopping you. It's your money and I'm sure you can figure it out on your own whether it is a waste of time or not.

If you don't want to sell on OLA then don't but there is no point talking about OLA for the next 10 years if you want nothing to do with them.

I think this forum should be gone. It is a major pain in the a** for both sides.

I, for one, am not going to be talking about OLA for the next 10, 20 or even 30 years. What's the point. I tried it. It doesn't work. It's a waste of time and money. I'm not registered there anymore. I'm not going there anymore. I don't care about them anymore.

Complaining about OLA isn't putting any money in my pocket but only serves to get me more riled up about a place and people that don't give a c**p about me, my business, or what I think.

This is just my opinion on the whole thing.

Thank you for listening.

vermonter53 wrote (View Post): › maggiescountrycandlelites wrote (View Post): › vermonter53 wrote (View Post): › Sellers "could" make money from signing up new members but I personally don't know any who have. My promo code is on the bottom of every one of my posts in the chats on OLA but it is only there for someone who thought that I was enough of a help to them for me to get a bonus from the fact that they signed up. I sell all kinds of things on OLA. I'm not there to just sign up a bunch of people. I'm there to build a long term business & It is working for me for what I want. I would encourage anyone to check it out at $8. a month level and see how it fits your business plan. Do the research. Keep good records and make "INFORMED" decisions based on "your facts" not on all the garbage coming from the PSU forums. As was mentioned, it is an affiliate program **NOT A PYRAMID SCHEME** as many of the OLA bashers here would have you believe. A business person would not pay $196 just to sign up new members IMHO because there would be no long term benefit to it. If I had the time I could easily refute much of the OLA bashers misinformation and sometimes lies that are expounded in these threads as "Facts" vermonter53, I am not misinforming anyone. I was spammed to death my a user who was only selling a couple of items on OLA auction and really focusing on getting people to sign up as a founding member so he could make money off his promo code. OLA stood behind this user for sometime. He went as far as to say I could earn my wings by selling his promo code. So yes vermonter53 people will pay $196.00 to earn a commission on that promo code and focus on that. Their intentions aren't making it a super auction site to sell on, their motives are to make money off the promo code. I find this very disheartening and a vital concern for people who might get duped. Yes, I remember that time period. I believe it was a couple of years ago and I didn't agree with the guy at all! That was that person not everyone else at OLA. And yes, there were still some others although very few that think that way. That is not the way I do things. I'm just listing stuff and selling stuff there because it is inexpensive for the little guy like me that likes the online auction business. I can list a few or a hundred items and I don't have to be on top of it all the time, or I can be, if I wanted to, but for me it is a simple and easy and inexpensive place to list ALL KINDS of things and I do sell things, so it works for me. I'm sorry you had to go through all that but I don't believe that it represents the bulk of the OLA seller, least of all now in this time period and definitely not me.

Well is might of not been all of the Sellers just promoting their codes but, when I brought it to the attention to the OLA Owners, not once did I get a response from them. When I brought up the fact this guy was harassing me and got my personal email address that I signed up with and asked questions to OLA how he got my private email address, they never addressed the issues, in fact they never addressed any of the issues I sent them VIA private emails. This guru was working for them at that time.

I tried promoting OLA over and over and came here day after day defending that site, Ya know what it got me? A big kick in the a$$.

Granted it hard to convey typing words on a board, people read it the way that want to read it, but I never had such a bad experience with an auction site like OLA. OLA owners couldn't give me the time of day!

You know I don't know what everyones problem is, but I find OLA a a bit refreshing. No one said I had to use a promo code or I had to if I wanted to be a founding member. I signed up for the 8 dollar deal and I know how to swing traffic to my fixed price listings (once I get them going). All I know is OLA members are very friendly, courteous, unlike ebay and it looks like here now. I prefer to savor the sweet aroma of a rose than bite into a bitter apple.

Crazy train wrote (View Post): › You know I don't know what everyones problem is, but I find OLA a a bit refreshing. No one said I had to use a promo code or I had to if I wanted to be a founding member. I signed up for the 8 dollar deal and I know how to swing traffic to my fixed price listings (once I get them going). All I know is OLA members are very friendly, courteous, unlike ebay and it looks like here now. I prefer to savor the sweet aroma of a rose than bite into a bitter apple.

They are friendly as long as you don't say anything that is negative or question the site. I was banned on bidding by 2 sellers because they did not like me questioning the site about the upgrades and search.

Yes, some of the upgrades have been implemented but it is still far from being acceptable. They keep saying they now have completed search - yeah right they show sales but you cannot search the sales or search to see what each buyer has bid on or purchased.

They are having this big sale right now - last time I checked there was 2192 items listed and 70 had bids. Looking at the bids and bid history every single bidder is a seller most who have items listed for the sale.

In case you haven't read all the posts, your friendly people at OLA have a badge they give to people who were pink slipped at ebay. They also say to play games and chat to get sales. I paid for founding member then antoher $300 for advertising (flyers, magnets, ads in community newsletters) and have had 8 sales in 5 months. One buyer bought from me then refused to leave a feedback because I questioned the site.

You might think they are friendly and courteous but only if you join their little group and play games or chat all night. Did you realize some people have over 7000 posts since February? The average number of post for the rah rah group is 400 a month? I have been a seller for 9 years and don't even have a total for 400 posts on all the sites - I have posted more here than anywhere else just to warn people not to invest $196.

One of the things that really bothered me is the fact that almost everything on the site can be manipulated by the sellers. I remember one of the sellers coming to the forum to complain that some ungrateful buyer gave her a negative. She got all kinds of sympathy and then the next thing you know, the neg is gone and she's thanking the gals at the forum for talking to admin to have it removed So, if you look at feedback for a seller, you don't actually know what is real and what isn't.

A lot of people, me included, have experienced frustration with eBay because they are so impersonal but the other end of the spectrum is OLA...where what looks real may not be real at all. Kinda like the Twilight Zone.

To confused: Don't you think it would be better to let the individual decide what is best for them and how they spend their own money? When I joined OLA I never went to any chat forum to get an opinion because they are all bias, your opinion is bias, OLA's is bias. No I went to auctionbyte and I went to Online Auction Review 2008, also star reviews.com and a few others. I would never listen to someone in a chat forum because of the nature of the forum.

So everyone who wants to join whatever site, don't rely on a chat forum use independent sources.

Crazy train wrote (View Post): › To confused: Don't you think it would be better to let the individual decide what is best for them and how they spend their own money? When I joined OLA I never went to any chat forum to get an opinion because they are all bias, your opinion is bias, OLA's is bias. No I went to auctionbyte and I went to Online Auction Review 2008, also star reviews.com and a few others. I would never listen to someone in a chat forum because of the nature of the forum. So everyone who wants to join whatever site, don't rely on a chat forum use independent sources.

In over 9 years on ebay, I never visited the chat rooms until this year when the changes started taking place. So many people were raving about OLA, I went and checked out the site.

At that time they had completed search and promised that the upgrades would be coming in a couple of months. I never even thought to ask about google - I considered it a gimme so I will admit I was the fool.

When the completed search was removed, I called OLA and was promised it would be back as soon as the new servers were installed. That the rest of the upgrades would take place in May. I never complained or said a word until the end of June rolled around and nothing.

I am not telling people not to join OLA, I am only telling them to check out the site carefully before dishing out the $196.