Question
I wanted to post this in order to get all this information condensed in one spot. It is somewhat lengthy, so I thought I would start a new thread rather than inserting it into the very long thread
WagglePop - New Auction Site Coming in January.
So, here are the claims, the significant markers along the way and the proposed launch dates as they have been posted. In the interests of space I've focused on what I believe are the pertinent sections of posts: links are provided to the full post on FAS/Wagglepop (via the date posted) in case someone desires full context (assuming the posts are maintained on FAS). I'll insert a <snip> if more than one section of a post is quoted – if a partial post is quoted I'll mark it "(partial)".
My interest in doing this was simply to compile a condensed chronological record of what has been posted to enable people to locate information that is scattered across many months.
Warning - this is quite lengthy.
Here goes:
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:25 am
Since I am primarilly an eBay seller, I thought I'd post this here:
New Auction Site - Projected Launch January 15, 2005
After a bit of research on both the technical and financial side, I decided it IS viable, and I've got every bit as good a chance at succeeding in an auction site venture as anyone else.
Plus, I've got seller and buyer interests at heart, and that's got to be a good thing, right?
I've learned a bunch of stuff the past few weeks about how auction sites really work...."cron jobs"......"raid solutions"......."ASP programming"....... Familiar terms that I now have a better understanding of, and how they relate to create an active, real-time auction site.
I may fail, but I am going to try. And that's all we need, the desire to try and the courage to fail.
But maybe we'll do well!
There will be problems and hiccups at first, but I feel with my computer background and sales background, it's something I'm capable of presenting.
We'll have to rely on word-of-mouth until we build up some steam, and then we can think about advertising and promotion.
I'm going to rely heavily on current, vested e-commerce sellers......that's YOU!.....for input, ideas, and suggestions. We'll grow together!
I've got someone working on source code, and server setup as we speak.
<snip>
That's all I've got right now. I'm going to give it everything I've got, and we'll see what happens....
Suggestions???
Ray
Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:47 am
I've been so excited about it it's been hard to sleep!
I didn't say anything for over 3 weeks until I was sure I had all bases covered and could make it happen.
Between now and launch, I'll release more details as they test as good and coded.
Hope to see you list there!
Ray
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 10:21 pm
The support I am getting on this has been incredible. I get bunches of e-mails every day inquiring about the site, and to let them know when it launches....
The target date for site launch is January 15, 2005
but
I suspect that I may be able to get it done sooner.....I'll keep everyone up to date.
Ray
coming January 2005 - wagglepop!
(partial)
Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:56 am
Just thought I'd try to keep everyone up to date on how things are progressing.
I just got off the phone with both the software people and the server people. Things look good on both fronts, and the target date of January 15th I've been assured is a reality.
Actually, I could have had it up sooner but by waiting for January, we'll be using a bigger, faster server framework, which can only be a good thing.
The last little bit of programming which may be available is an 'auto-relist' feature, which can be specified during the item creation process....hopefully. I'll update that once I get confirmation and test it.
The category structure is forming, and the balance of simplicity with accurate targeted subcategories has been a tough, but compelling one. I'll likely fiddle with that right up to launch, and we can always tweak it along the way!)
Today I'm working on the community message board. I'm going to use a modified phpBB software package, and it will behave much in the same way as this board, and allow whatever linking you'd like.
<snip>
This has been one of the most interesting and exciting projects in my life so far, and personally, I can't wait for the launch!
Ray
Matt shows his support: Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 11:15 pm
We've always been talking about the monopoly in auction market. We have been complaining about the lack of customer service, high fees and etc. One of our own, Ray, has decided to take a journey and start his own project instead of complaining, and he did good. I believe Wagglepop will surprise many of us, and will be much bigger than what we think. I am always against any kind of monopoly, and I personally decided to support Wagglepop in any way I can. FreeAuctionScripts has around 1000 unique visitors a day, which makes around 30,000 a month, if every visitor tells about Wagglepop to 10 people, it makes 300,000 . It sounds like too much, or maybe a dream, but it's not. There's this new project, this bright person working very hard on it, and most important asking our community members' ideas and feedback about it. So let's come together and support this project.
I promise I will be listing at least 100 auctions during the launch of Wagglepop and will keep this number always over 100 first 30 days. Hopefully after the 30 days, I will have a chance to list more with the new customers hearing about it. I will also stop listing for 7 days at eBay at the launch of Wagglepop to show my support. I am not saying you should do what I will be doing, but if you want to show your support let us know what is your plans about supporting Wagglepop. Also if everybody agrees, I will be more than happy to rotate Wagglepop banners on FAS as soon as they are ready.
Good luck with this new journey Ray, and I hope you big success.
matt
Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:51 pm
Now that Wagglepop is essentially designed and near final form for the launch, I decided to sit back a bit, and spend the night comparing it to the two main 'alternative' competitors:
Bidville
Overstock
After looking through both sites carefully, point by point, I can say will absolute assurance that Wagglepop is going to be WAY better than both. Absolutely no doubt in my mind. I read both message boards, and a lot of the features that users are requesting we'll already have at Wagglepop, right from the start.
Search results pages, navigation, management, auction listings....you name it, and I'm certain we've got them both beat in every aspect.
Then I took on the 'big boy'....eBay itself.
Setting everything else aside, I just compared the same features, the same site aspects with Wagglepop.
Honestly, I think we beat them too.
(partial)
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2004 2:33 pm
Hello!
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date on how things are progressing....
The final pieces of the puzzle are just about in place for Wagglepop!
I'll have to wait until I take delivery of the software package and configure the servers before I can set the site configurations, but the hard coding is done, and all the templates and forms have been tested as good.
Basically, all the elements are just about done, and waiting for installation and final testing.
It has truly been an exhausting project, but easily the most satisfying one to this point of any I've ever undertaken.
I'm anxious to launch as see if you all like it as much as I do!
What's happening out there in e-commerce land? Been off the eBay (and other) boards and sort of out of the loop for a few days....any sales?
If not, I hope things pick up, and soon you'll have another option......Wagglepop!
Woo-Hoo!
Ray
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:37 am
Laurie-
Let's talk a bit about eBay, competition, perception, and the internet in general.
How "big" is eBay? Big, right? Well, actually, not really.
They started out with a single server setup and a basic software package. That's it. Then, they grew.......into what they are today, which isn't, at the heart of it, any different...
Now, eBay is a bunch of servers, and the same software package jazzed up a bit. They took some of the profits that were generated, and advertised.......and that's really it.
Technology wise, as you probably know, their basic software is a bit behing the times at best, and antiquated at worst.
Take Google....big, huge Google. Did you know Google is nothing more than a bunch of plain old desktop PC's strung together? That's one of the reasons indexing takes so long....the individual PC's are doing their own work one at a time.
My point is, on the interent what really makes a project a success is the actual project. The internet is the most level playing field in the history of business! All companies start small, but can get their message out to the world. And good word of mouth spreads like wildfire on the internet.
Compete with eBay? I'm positioning us as the smart alternative, and if that does lead to a competitive relationship with eBay, so be it.
Because a few old servers and some software doesn't scare me one bit.
Frankly, I think spending all of their time babysitting shareholders has dulled their 'edge' anyway.....
<snip>
......I also can't wait for launch!
Ray
Next came the run of spamming the various boards, and this was Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:13 pm in response to that effort:
Excellent idea!
I'd love to get another big influx of sellers to migrate over from eBay before the launch....
Keep me posted on what you hear.....
Ray
On Dec-16-2004, 02:37:19 AM the WagglePop - New Auction Site Coming in January discussion at here was started.
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:48 pm
Launch is targeted for January 18th, or 3 days after pre-launch...whichever comes first!
Ray
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:13 pm
So far, so good....but I likely won't know for sure until right up to the target date.
I'd rather delay the launch a day or two, if I have to, to make sure evrything is set correctly.
It all depends on if the programmers meet the 'in hand' date for the software, and I'll need to get it installed and debugged..... and then begin the configurations including the massive catgorization coding!
My instincts tell me we'll do it!
Ray
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:36 pm
Target Wagglepop launch date is January 18, 2005.
Expected pre-launch is 3 days before, or January 15th.
I'm doing everything I can to meet those dates!
Ray
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 4:27 pm
It looks like we are about three weeks away from the launch, and here's a little reminder, or 'get-ready' list for Wagglepop store owners:
1. Determine your target/targets for each store.
Do you have your target keywords or keyword phrases?
(partial)
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:57 am
Hi Everyone!
Just an update on the Wagglepop pre-launch and launch dates.
The projected target date, announced October 30, 2004 was for launch on January 18, 2005.....and a 3-day advance notice for sellers to get set up.
Today is January 10th, and that projection is proving to be pretty accurate and only slightly off.
The software coding is nearly complete, and all that remains is the installation, testing, and site configuration, which is coded, and simply needs to be entered.
My best guess, depending on any issues/problems that pop up during installation and configuration is a 7 to 14 day delay or so......but I'm still not eliminating the possibility of a delay of just a few days.
I'm working on the site 16-18 hours a day, and no one is more excited than me to get it up and running!
But I'd rather get it "right", and not rush anything into activation.
I apologize for the delay, but I want to always keep everyone fully informed with all aspects of Wagglepop. In all regards, when we know it - you know it too!
It's "crunch time", and my focus is 100% on launching Wagglepop.
I'm working on it every minute, trying to make Wagglepop the site you want and deserve, and as quickly as possible.
I hope that the incredible community spirit we have shared to this point can carry us through this launch period, and once it is launched, through many years of friendship, success, and prosperity.
Ray
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 12:40 pm
ali-
We're close to launch now, somewhere in the order of 7-21 days or so.....
Seems like as long as we're up before Feb 18th at worst.....we'll be perfectly positioned to capture a big chunk of the seller/buyer market!
Ray
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:27 pm
mysteriouscutie-
We are very, very close to launch, I'd say in the order of 7 to 21 days or so. Since there are so many convergent details and processes coming together, even one slight delay in one small aspect affects the whole thing.....
That being said....we are right on top of the launch!
Anything you'd like to do will be much appreciated regarding advertising.......just let me know if you need anything, besides a date, which I just cannot pinpoint just yet.....
Thanks!
Ray
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:15 pm
Hi Pam!
Welcome....
We are likely 2 to 3 weeks away from the launch. It's now just a matter of bringing all the details together, and testing....all the 'bull work' is done.....
I don't want to rush anything, and hopefully make the launch go as smoothly as possible.
Ray
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 7:09 pm
kurtiesgirl-
There a few threads about our long term plans, regarding advertising.
I tend to work, and think, in unconventional ways.
You've got to do things different, to me, to make a lasting and effective impression.....no matter what aspect of a business you are trying to manage.
I was told by many, over a year ago, that I'd never be able to attract enough sellers to the site.
After a long time thinking about it, I figured out that if I could research it a bit, I could time the launch for right around the next eBay fee hike.
Mission accomplished. It was a risk, but millions of dollars in advertising couldn't have gotten the site so many established sellers, so quickly.
(partial)
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005
Carol-
We're absolutely in the final launch stages.....
Depending on any last-minute bugaboos, I'd say 3 weeks is likely about right.
Could be a week off either way, but we'll be up just as soon as I'm comfortable things are right.
Ray
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 11:21 pm
smiley-
Fair question.
Why?
The sheer magnitude of convergent issues is almost impossible to schedule with any degree of lead-time.
We estimated every aspect in September, and it seems we are darn near the overall launch target, but not exact.
We're working day and night to launch the site just as soon as I am comfortable that everything is "good to go"....
Ray
This was Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 11:43 pm regarding "runabay.com":
Seems others would like a piece of the pie.
No problem.
It's 3 years research, then 18-20 hours a day for 4 months up to launch.
Ray
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:22 am
too-
We are about 2-3 weeks away from launch. Once I am comfortable with everything as presented, we'll go live!
Lots of convergent final details to implement now, and we're in the final stages of that leading up to launch.
Ray
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:37 am
brandy-
It's been a whirlwind bringing all the different elements together just right, and all the while testing for soundness.
As we've announced, the launch is about 2-3 weeks away.
We're working around the clock, literally, to get launched as soon as possible.
Ray
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:47 am
I'm getting more comfortable saying that the launch should be in the 16-17-18 day range from this point.....
We're in the home stretch!
Ray
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:47 pm
Laurie-
I'm with you.
I'd like to grab myself by the neck and shake and scream "Come on already....launch the darned thing!!!"
But, it's also got to be right.
I was just this evening discussing the last steps, and reworking the schedule, and we are very close...... 15-16 days?
I don't want to shortcut the testing schedule before I "flip the switch".......
Ray
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:55 am
zinje-
Testing?
Oh, LOTS of testing with simulations......that's why we're taking our time.
It'll launch when I'm completely satisfied it's right.
And if something does turn up wrong, we'll fix it.
Ray
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:18 pm
handsome-
Launching a complete and fully functional auction site takes time.
When we made the original projection announcement in October, we figured January 18, 2005.
It turns out we will likely be 16-17 days off that, which we consider pretty good considering the projected launch date was made as far back as June, 2004, and we had to address multiple issues that could have made it a lot longer differential.
At this point, I'd say we are almost exactly two weeks away from launch.
Ray
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:29 am
Tom-
I'll likely check in once or twice per day, but my main focus is shifted from information support, to launch support.
Ray
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:47 am
Good morning!
Yes, right around 14 days is probably about right.....it could be a couple of days off, either way.
The checklist of things to do leading up to launch is getting smaller and smaller, and we are very close now to final details phase, and launch.........really!
Ray
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:53 am
Just an update for everyone....
I feel like we were just in a NASA control room:
Categories? "GO"
User config? "GO"
Item config? "GO"
Technical? "GO"
...etc.....
Everyone's on top of their department, and so far there are no major issues or clashes....
We are right on schedule, and hoping for clear skies and smooth sailing right into launch....
Ray
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:53 pm My Final Post at FAS (Ray leaves the boards)
Answer
Not sure what the point of it is though since it's been rehashed already.
Answer
Originally Posted by Empires
Not sure what the point of it is though since it's been rehashed already.
As noted:
"My interest in doing this was simply to compile a condensed chronological record of what has been posted to enable people to locate information that is scattered across many months."
Answer
will you be updating this monthly ? quarterly ? semi-annually ? or annually ?
Answer
Originally Posted by mango man
will you be updating this monthly ? quarterly ? semi-annually ? or annually ?
The Wagglepop updates being listed at the bottom of http://www.wagglepopauctions.com/hometemp.HTM under Updates and Current Information
So far I have only seen two updates and they don't seem to be archived: the one posted on 02-03-05 was replaced with the one posted on 02-03-05.
As for my updates: I hope that this site just launches in the next few days and no updates are required.
If not - I am prepared to update as I deem necessary: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, bi-annually…
Answer
Thanx CD
the condensed version makes that lengthy thread more bearable for newcomers.
Answer
The cached wagglepopauctions temp home page shows the 2/2/05 update which was the FIRST update to be displayed on that page since Ray stopped posting on the WP Board. The only difference between the 2/2 update and the more recent 2/4 update is the change from 3,000 sign-ups to 4,000.
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache...emp.HTM+&hl=en
Wednesday 2/2/05
We're very pleased to note the inclusion of Wagglepop in two major newspaper articles this past week, in the Wall Street Journal, and today, in USA Today, in articles about the largest online auction competitor fee hikes. The USA Today article, particularly, has seen a dramatic rise in interest to both buy and sell on Wagglepop, at an even higher rate than experienced to this date. We are currently quite a bit over 3,000 sign-ups for the pre-launch.....
Additionally, we are currently beginning the process of hard coding the site configurations, and securing the site as we are now near completed with server and software behavior testing, and satisfied that we can enter the next, and final stages for a successful launch.....
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful and ongoing support!
Thanks for doing all of the work corrdogg.
Blanche
Answer
Today's (Feb. 8) update - still 10 days
http://www.wagglepopauctions.com/hometemp.HTM
Tuesday 2/8/05
We're very pleased to note the inclusion of Wagglepop in two major newspaper articles this past week, in the Wall Street Journal and in USA Today, in articles about the largest online auction competitor fee hikes. The USA Today article, particularly, has seen a dramatic rise in interest to both buy and sell on Wagglepop, at an even higher rate than experienced to this date. We are currently just under 5,500 (!) sign-ups for the pre-launch. Any additional buyers or sellers interested in our Grand Opening can simply check www.wagglepop.com daily in the remaining weeks of February. Soon, instead of this page..... you'll see the auction site!
Currently, all signs point to our pre-launch in less than 10 days, sometime during the 3rd week of February. This upcoming week will be spent on site security and final testing. For those of you who have been waiting so patiently, once we are satisfied that everything is ready to go, we'll send out notice to everyone.....and you'll be able to get started buying and selling!
All of us here at Wagglepop are particularly proud that although we are growing, already, at a rate over ten times (ten times!) greater than was projected, we have been able to address that growth as needed and it appears we'll be launching very close to our original projected date! Thank you to everyone for your wonderful and ongoing support, and your kind patience as we try to build something worthwhile, and lasting.
Blanche
Answer
I thought these updates should be added to this thread as well so they're all in one place.
Feb 4
Updates and Current Information
Friday 2/4/05
We're very pleased to note the inclusion of Wagglepop in two major newspaper articles this past week, in the Wall Street Journal and in USA Today, in articles about the largest online auction competitor fee hikes. The USA Today article, particularly, has seen a dramatic rise in interest to both buy and sell on Wagglepop, at an even higher rate than experienced to this date. We are currently just over 4,000 sign-ups for the pre-launch.....
Additionally, we are currently beginning the process of hard coding the site configurations, and securing the site as we are now near completed with server and software behavior testing, and satisfied that we can enter the next, and final stages for a successful launch.....
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful and ongoing support
Feb. 5
Saturday 2/5/05
We're very pleased to note the inclusion of Wagglepop in two major newspaper articles this past week, in the Wall Street Journal and in USA Today, in articles about the largest online auction competitor fee hikes. The USA Today article, particularly, has seen a dramatic rise in interest to both buy and sell on Wagglepop, at an even higher rate than experienced to this date. We are currently just over 5,000 (!) sign-ups for the pre-launch....
Additionally, we are currently beginning the process of hard coding the site configurations, and securing the site as we are now near completed with server and software behavior testing, and satisfied that we can enter the next, and final stages for a successful launch.....
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful and ongoing support!
Feb. 6
Sunday 2/6/05
We're very pleased to note the inclusion of Wagglepop in two major newspaper articles this past week, in the Wall Street Journal and in USA Today, in articles about the largest online auction competitor fee hikes. The USA Today article, particularly, has seen a dramatic rise in interest to both buy and sell on Wagglepop, at an even higher rate than experienced to this date. We are currently just over 5,000 (!) sign-ups for the pre-launch. Any additional buyers or sellers interested in our Grand Opening can simply check www.wagglepop.com daily in the remaining weeks of February. Soon, instead of this page..... you'll see the auction site!
I'd estimate that we are less than 10 days away, at most, from our pre-launch! This upcoming week will be spent on site security and final testing. For those of you who have been waiting so patiently, once we are satisfied that everything is ready to go, we'll send out notice to everyone.....and you'll be able to get started buying and selling!
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful and ongoing support!
You don't suppose Ray has been hanging around the "Soggy Ellipsis Abuser" do you?
Blanche
Answer
Ray closes the Wagglepop Community discussion boards at 9 PM EST on 02-21-05, 10 days after the 02-11-05 "soft" opening of Wagglepop.
Various details are provided beginning with POST #1882 of the WagglePop - New Auction Site Coming in January thread.