Rumblings at OLA

#1

Seems people are shaking things up at the cafe. A lot are wondering why OLA is not being promoted and IMHO I have to agree there is a big problem. There's a poll and everything. The results so far: 68% in favor, 25% not, 6% don't care. I didn't vote though. There are some vultures posting there and I don't want to get my head ripped off.

I doubt anything will be done, though.

#2

Yes, now they want the sellers to contribute $10 each for advertising. The cheerleaders keep saying that Chris Fain does not owe anyone anything when asked if management would contribute. Well, he did promise upgrades and national advertising so I guess he doesn't have to keep his promises.

They still insist that the people complaining about OLA are ebay trolls but yet even today they are encouraging people to go over there and spam. It just shows the lack of integrity for the site and some of the sellers. Can you imagine going to the mall where you had a b&m and posting notices all over about how mean they treated you?

The sad thing is that sales are still averaging 100 per day even with the upgrades.

#3

The $10 thing is a really bad idea. Is someone going to send a mass omail to all the members asking for a donation? Or is it going to be paid for solely by the people on the discussion board?

There were really good points brought up about the benefits of large-scale advertising being paid for by Fain. It's too bad they fall on deaf ears.

What is wrong with that place? Sad

#4

OLA wants its sellers to pay for advertising? Oh sure, Fain will take the money and laugh all the way to the bank just like he does with the Founding Member cash. What a pile of poopie!

Still no improvements to the site and it was just a month or so ago that the cheerleaders over at OLA were posting here "you just wait and see how wonderful it will be because we're getting improvements because our beloved Chris Fain promised us". Another pile of poopie!

What is everyone over there sniffing or drinking? Good common sense would dictate that the average educated person who can read would run from OLA as fast as his little legs would carry him. Mad

#5

Reading the boards again - someone suggested that Fain give everyone who donates a free featured item (value $10) instead of donating cash. Once again it is not coming out of OLA's pockets and he profits.

For a while Fain was bidding on quite a few vintage vehicles, now when you do a bidder search it does not show completed purchases. If you check feedback item numbers, now most of them say the auction is over - wonder why?

#6

He's padding the auctions and trying to make an impression on the first OLA page. There's always a car listed first with the most bids and a high selling cost. BUT, I've seen the same cars on that page in rotation. What a scam!

#7

pintobean, you said that you had become a founding member at OLA just a few days ago...charm wear off already?!

pintobean wrote (View Post): › I just became a Founding Member on ola because of the storefront option, basically, and I thought it was kind of a way to help keep the site afloat and to make some improvements. I opened the store as said improvements were taking place, and the site looks so much nicer now than when I joined in May.

As far as the Promo code, I had no idea that it was used to get money in my account. I do not post the code in my chats, etc, because frankly, I don't care about that. That's not what I am in it for.

And I am against the $4 verified buyer thing. If I am trying to bring my ebay business to ola, I don't want any prospective member to feel they have to pay 4 bucks a month to bid on my items. I specify in my little ebay packages that signup is FREE, that you do not need to register with a credit card.

Is anything wrong with OLA? Or is this just exactly the way it's supposed to be? Sellers choose to support and defend the site, which hasn't changed much in all these years. So long as sellers continue to support the site and prop Fain & Co. up w/ accolades, appreciation and dragging in fresh meat, nothing will change. And why should it. The site is working for a few people and it's a dependable income for Fain.

The site claims to be the #2 site. Instead of capitalizing on the inventory levels and sellers that have already invested in the site, OLA continues marketing for it's customer base: sellers.

It costs money to run a site, but after 10 years in the business and one of the only sites that has a steady income, a logical investment would be an ongoing marketing campaign for buyers. That's an investment that would pay for itself. But why invest the time and effort in building a buyer base when sellers are happy to give you money, bring in new sellers, defend your business and kiss your ass for breathing?

Nah, there's nothing wrong with OLA. It's working just fine...for Fain and a few select sellers.

#8

Damn straight, sister. Honeymoon's over. And I'm stuck.
I'm not ashamed to admit to the world I made a mistake. I'm no cheerleader.

After seeing the bullying on the boards in between very rational conversation my blood pressure was rising. People appeared to be gaining some momentum about approaching Fain. I don't see the original poster anymore, at least on those particular threads. And now people are going back to their old ways, i.e. paying money out of their own pockets for advertising. I wrote to this poster with supporting words. Haven't heard back. They have probably given up. Can't blame them. There are no views on my 100+ items and I had invested so much time and money in the place.

I wish I had seen this site first.

#9

Fain isn't going to advertise to get buyers for his sellers because his only source of income on OLA is the sellers. He doesn't charge a FVF. Hmmm, the more I think about this mess, the more I believe that Fain planned the site this way. If you charge a FVF you have to have a better program and a method of billing. But, if all the site does is collect membership fees from sellers, he's got his money from the get-go. Advertise? Why should he? Buyers won't increase his revenue. Fain is scamming his sellers. Funny, I don't see momo or Dragon or Krysee or metzy running over here to tell us how wrong we are or about all the new promises from Fain.

**#10**

pintobean wrote (View Post): ›
Damn straight, sister. Honeymoon's over. And I'm stuck.
I'm not ashamed to admit to the world I made a mistake. I'm no cheerleader.

After seeing the bullying on the boards in between very rational conversation my blood pressure was rising. People appeared to be gaining some momentum about approaching Fain. I don't see the original poster anymore, at least on those particular threads. And now people are going back to their old ways, i.e. paying money out of their own pockets for advertising. I wrote to this poster with supporting words. Haven't heard back. They have probably given up. Can't blame them. There are no views on my 100+ items and I had invested so much time and money in the place.

I wish I had seen this site first.

Well, pintobean, you're not the first and will not be the last to give what could be an very good platform a try. Unfortunately, some of the smaller sellers have had a tougher time with having wasted the cash on a little graphic with wings and some pretty words.

I saw that thread about pulling ideas together to present thoughts/suggestions to Fain. Not the first, won't be the last. I understand sellers trying to make what sounds like a good idea work...but history speaks for itself.

Maybe you can salvage some of your work by buying a domain name, creating a well SEOed landing page and linking to your store? You can change the link to another store/venue as needed.

The good things are that you're expanding your sales channels and have landed at one of the most active seller watering-holes. You size things up quickly and cut your losses even faster, which will serve you very well 'round here.

Welcome to PSU.

innerpuppie wrote (View Post): ›
Fain isn't going to advertise to get buyers for his sellers because his only source of income on OLA is the sellers. He doesn't charge a FVF. Hmmm, the more I think about this mess, the more I believe that Fain planned the site this way. If you charge a FVF you have to have a better program and a method of billing. But, if all the site does is collect membership fees from sellers, he's got his money from the get-go. Advertise? Why should he? Buyers won't increase his revenue. Fain is scamming his sellers. Funny, I don't see momo or Dragon or Krysee or metzy running over here to tell us how wrong we are or about all the new promises from Fain.

Folks not running over here isn't due to them giving up on their OLA dreams. The majority of like minded members are dreamin' elsewhere these days and have relegated PSU to a form of entertainment.

A few sellers are happy with their relationship with the venue, so they're not being scammed. A lot of sellers do feel scammed. Companies that fail to deliver on promises eventually fail completely...word of mouth advertising can make or break a business.

**#11**

"Buyers won't increase his revenue."

While new buyers may not initially benefit the management (unless those buyers fall for the verification gimmick), wouldn't an expanded buyer base increase sales on the site?

Increased sales on the site would attract more sellers; therefore increasing revenue collected by management from an increased seller base.

So theoretically, it would be a good investment for the management to advertise and otherwise promote the site to expand the buyer base.

**#12**

mongoose, you are thinking rationally and logically. Remember, dear goose, we are talking about Chris Fain.

**#13**

Theoretical quite often clashes, or is at odds with reality. (Think eBay's changes for a newer and better buyer's experience...)

**#14**

Yep...some of us have gone on to dreaming bigger and better things. You cut your losses and keep on plugging!

"Fail Forward" folks...good book if you haven't read it.

**#15**

The wings graphic is ugly.

I want my money back, along with my sanity. (One's a guarantee.)

I always was and still am doing just fine at feebay. Maybe I'll make it through their upcoming storms unscathed, too. If not, then it's time for my own site. I already have everything I need for one anyway.

What are you guys doing for sales?