JTFM (Just The Facts Man) – The Auctiva Free to Fee Change

OK, so some were reading a story in the AuctionBytes web site and then my email and phone started to "blow up". So I am like…WTF is going on? Why is there so much commotion?

So then I get around to the email to see a press release from Auctiva.com and here is the ENTIRE communication for you guys. There is a call today that I will be on, and AFTER that call, I will make my "educated" comments… Dude, I am SURE you do not want to miss what I got to say about this one, LMAO

by Auctiva.com staff writer – May 28, 2009

Auctiva, the world’s largest independent eBay developer, began sending out e-mails to its users this week, letting them know the company will soon begin charging for some of its popular eBay-listing services.

"We did not come to this decision lightly," founder and CEO Jeff Schlicht writes in his address to customers. Referencing external business factors that led to this decision, Schlicht continues: "The e-Commerce landscape is constantly evolving. It has always been our promise to you to provide a complete e-Commerce solution that will meet your needs today, tomorrow and beyond."

"Beginning to charge for some of our services will help us continue to support our site and add improvements in our quest to become the Web-based solution for those wanting to do e-commerce," adds Spencer Smith, Auctiva’s director of marketing.

Schlicht and Smith say they are very pleased to have been able to design a flexible pricing structure that will fit all sellers’ budgets.

"When it comes to pricing, one size does not fit all," explains Smith. "While some of our competitors have chosen to specialize in a particular niche of eBay sellers, our user base has always been very eclectic, ranging from the full-time corporate PowerSeller to the occasional or new eBay seller. Our various plans allow you to choose the most economical option to fit your unique eBay business."

Once the new policy change is reflected on the site during the first week in June, customers will have to choose from one of Auctiva’s five new plans. Plans range from one with no monthly fees and three free listings per month for occasional eBay sellers to another for high-volume sellers that will cost $24.95 a month and includes a free Auctiva Commerce off-eBay store.

"It’s important to us to make the transition as seamless as possible for users," Smith explains. "We’re doing our best to give our customers all the information they need and enough time to evaluate it."

To provide customers both that information and time, the company began notifying its users before the changes were reflected on the site, or reported by the media. Auctiva has also set up a dedicated community forum discussion to aid communication with its users during the transition. Anticipated questions and answers are included in that forum thread as well.

Additionally, the company has planned a series of webinars to allow users to ask questions directly to management, including one on Monday, June 1, and another onTuesday, June 2. Auctiva plans to record these webinars and post highlights to its site soon after they are held.

Auctiva will also help guide users to the most affordable option for them. Once released early next week, the site’s Pricing Comparison page will recommend a plan, based on the user’s eBay listings and sales during the previous 90 days. Additionally, individual Pricing Plan pages will allow users to enter their own listing and sales data to estimate fees under the various plans.

Current customers will have until June 30 (about a month) to choose their pricing plan and place a credit card on file for auto-payment. (The company expects to also support PayPal autopay by the end of June). Similarly, new users will have an unrestricted 30-day trial period from the day they sign up to evaluate Auctiva’s tools and select the best plan for them.

Those who don’t specify a plan by the end of their 30-day trial period will be restricted from posting new listings to eBay, but will maintain access to Auctiva’s suite of free tools, including Auctiva’s Scrolling Gallery, a free Auctiva Store, up to 1 MB of free image hosting, auto marketing e-mails, data storage and access to Auctiva Education. These features come standard with all of Auctiva’s five listing plans.

All of the company’s plans are month-to-month, and users can elect to switch plans whenever they like, as many times as they wish.

"By adopting this business model, we’re closely aligning our revenue with the success of our sellers," Smith states confidently. "We’re committed to providing the tools to make it easier for our customers to sell online more efficiently and for greater profits, whether on or off eBay, or both."

While this announcement may come as a major surprise to many, Auctiva stresses its focus is on providing true value to its customers, a principle the company’s management says will only be strengthened by this new shift.

Other features of the June release include the company’s decision to offer free "live chat" customer support to all paying customers, more detailed invoicing, an ever-expanding library of video tutorials and help content and a newly designed account dashboard that allows users easy viewing and modification of important account settings.

Related posts:

1. It Was All A Bad Dream: Auctiva Was Just Jerking Sellers Chains?
2. Vendio "Doubles Down" to Offer FREE Services to Former Auctiva Users…WTF? Seriously? No Kidding!
3. Auctiva Wants To Set The "Record" Straight, But WHY?
4. Auctiva Hi-Jacks Sellers Wallets While InkFrog and Others Leap To The Rescue
5. Press Release: Auctiva Introduces a Marketplace Platform Called AMP