Re: BNL listings

[Dennis W Heltzel <dheltzel at ccil_org>]

I'm not really sure that I like an auction format for this. Even Ebay
offers a "buy it now" option that removed the competitive component.

I'm fortunate to have a local group (KKG) to buy and sell killies, I don't
think I'd be keeping nearly as many killies if I were not able to
participate like this.

The high costs, hassles and risks associated with shipping is my major
concern with buying or selling via the BNL. Box exchanges with other clubs and group
purchases from the DKG are really more appealing ways to bring in new
fish, IMO. I think that Michigan's club sales are a great idea. If we can
figure out ways to use the internet to aggregate shipments and reduce
shipping costs, that will be a major help.

Another idea (sure to incense someone out there) would be to allow
non-killies in the listings. If other fish were listed, it might increase
the attactiveness since the shipping costs would cover the other fish
also.

How about providing BNL listers with web space and links to allow them to
update their listings more often. The BNL could copy the current web
listings and provide a link for people to check availability before
sending a check and box. I'm not proposing that the AKA shoulder the
burden and expense of web hosting for all the pages. Each person would be
responsible for that, though I would be willing to provide some on this
from my server for free. For a crude example of this, check out:
http://www.myfishroom.com/dheltzel/
We could protect these pages behind a member-based authentication system,
or simply put page headers in that indicate that these listings are a
service for AKA members. The sellers could refuse to sell to non-members,
or even list a higher price for non-members for the fish or the shipping.

I would hope that this would not make the BNL less useful or desirable,
but I have to acknowledge that it might do that. Perhaps that's a risk
the AKA can afford to take in this internet age.

Now, I'll go back to lurking and watch the fireworks this sets off!

Dennis

----
I have never listed in the BNL nor have I purchased, there. Why? For
exactly the reasons listed here, earlier.

What would I like? Flights of fancy are always fun. :-)

I'd like a well-moderated on-going web auction in e-bay format. Listed
species would have to fit the KMI-approved names or have a good reason why
not.

"Feedback" is a great way to give the listers and buyers a calibration.

If set up as an official AKA operation, it could be open to all for up to
three purchase transactions (or whatever # set by the BOT) and then only
AKA members could do any more transactions. That would let new folks get
started.

Listings could be for both short times (3 days?) or longer (7 days?).

I think e-bay-like auction software is available, and the AKA could take a
small fee from each sale to help pay for the service. [The organization
gets *nothing* (but a great service function) for a lot of manual effort
for the BNL, right now.]

Since this is a flight of fancy, I assume I won't have to do the work to
set it up and manage it. A local-affiliate web page is already taxing my
limited skills and energy. :-)

Wright

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