Big changes are afoot at the VCGM.

[Erik]

Vintage Computer and Gaming Marketplace


Out initial foray into this new service has been successful and has made it clear that there is absolutely a demand for this type of service for our community.

In the short time that we’ve been operational we’ve seen tens of thousands of site visits, hundreds of items posted and dozens of sales to satisfied customers.

We’ve also realized that more features were needed to make the Marketplace a complete success.

As such the Marketplace will be shifting gears and switching to new software in the very near future.

You can see the new version right now by heading over to www.vintage-computer.com/auctiontest/ (http://www.vintage-computer.com/auctiontest/). Keep in mind that we are, as the URL implies, still testing the software. There are no guarantees that any transactions conducted on the test software will make it live, but please feel free to look around.

The new software has all of the features of the old with a bunch of new ones that I think you'll like. As a seller you still sell items with all of the features you’ve come to expect but you can also set up a storefront and an "about me" page and take advantage of a much-improved bulk lister.

As a buyer you can still proxy bid or buy items immediately (at the seller’s discretion) but with the new Marketplace you’ll be able to create wanted ads and, best of all, make offers for listed items (again, at the seller’s discretion.)

If you are already a Marketplace member then your old user ID should have been moved over to the new software; although you will need to reset the password. Use the "lost password" link (http://www.vintage-computer.com/auctiontest/retrieve_password.php - http://marketplace.vintage-computer.com/retrieve_password.php once we go live) and your user name and email address to perform the reset. Once you’re in, please double check your user settings to ensure that the details are right. Your name, address and other particulars should have transferred but some items, like birthdays, did not.

Best of all, the Vintage Computer and Gaming Marketplace is still absolutely free to use for both buyers and sellers.

The go-live date for the new software has not been set, but I am targetting sometime within the next week or so. Heck, if things go well it could be as early as tomorrow!

As always, contact me at webmaster@vintage-computer.com if you have any issues, concerns or questions.

All the best,

Erik

[CP/M User]

Certainly a strange coincidence that this is the second forum I visit which is upgrading it's artillery! All those posts of mine finally paying diverdends eh Erik!? :-D

[Druid6900]

Cool. Can I add my store? :)

[Erik]

Cool. Can I add my store? :)

Please do.

I'll do my best to keep it around when we go live.

I expect to just use the existing database, but since I can't be certain I'll be able to I don't want to commit.

But confidence is high. ;)

[mbbrutman]

When is testing going to be declared successful and the new marketplace made officially open?

[Erik]

When is testing going to be declared successful and the new marketplace made officially open?

Good question.

The testing has been successful and all I'm waiting on is for some of the auctions to be moved over from old to new. . .

Hopefully that'll happen this weekend. :)

[Druid6900]

Please do.

I'll do my best to keep it around when we go live.

I expect to just use the existing database, but since I can't be certain I'll be able to I don't want to commit.

But confidence is high. ;)

Ok, as soon as I figure out how to start a store (and pay you, since there are various tiers of stores), I'll mirror some of my site items here.

[Erik]

Ok, as soon as I figure out how to start a store (and pay you, since there are various tiers of stores), I'll mirror some of my site items here.

Pay for what?

I should have zeroed the cost for various store tiers (which effectively makes them all the same - all free.)

If it still looks like there are fees for any aspect of the new VCGM then please let me know. . . it means I missed a setting somewhere.

[Erik]

There are currently a couple of auctions with bids on the VCGM. When those close (tomorrow at about 5:30ish PST) I will pull the trigger and switch over to the new package.

Most of the other running auctions are closing at about the same time anyway.

[Druid6900]

Well, yesterday, I used the Wanted function.

I guess we'll see if that survives and, after the switch-over, I'll start playing with the store.

[VintageComputerman]

Tic, tic, tic....the suspense is killing me. I can't wait! (5:23 pm)

[Erik]

Tic, tic, tic....the suspense is killing me. I can't wait! (5:23 pm)

Hehe. Sorry. . . it's all switched over now. Hopefully it all went well and we can enjoy the new venue.

I think I finished a bit after 6:00 but was playing around with some other stuff before sending the newsletter and posting here.

Those with accounts should have gotten the following in an email:

The Vintage Computer and Gaming Marketplace has been updated with new and vastly improved software!

The new software has all of the features of the old with a bunch of new ones that I think you'll really like.

As a seller, in addition to the basic auction features you've enjoyed to date, you can now set up a storefront and an "about me" page as well as use the improved bulk lister to upload multiple items at once. Direct payment via PayPal is supported as are other payment methods if you care to use them.

Also of note you can set up auctions to allow users to make offers which gives you yet another way of coming to a sales price on your products.
Buyers can create wanted ads in addition to the standard auction capabilities which will allow users to create wish lists that sellers or other members may be able to fill.

If you are reading this then the new software is up and running. Your old user ID was moved over but you will need to reset your password. Use the "lost password" link (http://marketplace.vintage-computer.com/retrieve_password.php) and enter your user name and email address to get a new one sent right away.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns about the Marketplace.

Thank you for your support!

Erik Klein

I'll try to be a bit more professional with future newsletters, but this one went out in a hurry.

Anyone who hasn't yet tried the marketplace is encouraged to do so. This is a great opportunity for us to develop our own alternative to eBay and their fees and it can only succeed with your support! :)

[NathanAllan]

It looks really good, Erik, you've outdone yourself!

[tezza]

Looks great!

In fact, it looked so good I even signed up. :)

Although shipping huge clunkers with VDUs to New Zealand from anywhere else is not really on, I figure small hard-to-get components and postable (as opposed to shippable) things could be worth considering. There are a few of these knick-knacks I actually want, so it's good to see a "Wanted" section there.

Cheers

Tez