Last Day of SS2BM for Ebay Alternatives!

It's the 30th of June which means the last day of the SS2BM promotion! It would be great to make today one for some 'retail therapy', so have a look around for what some sellers have on offer. Remember, many sellers are offering discounts and free postage for SS2BM, so today's the last chance to grab that special deal:
http://pheebay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2241

A big thank you to everyone who has participated, and a very big thank you for those who have helped to promote the event. It would also be a great help if you could 'Digg' this and spread this Digg link in search of more 'Diggs'.

As you know, this event is very unique in that such co-operative promotions between different sites has not been achieved before. Many times previously, attempts to 'unite' sites have often resulted in tensions and animosity. As SS2BM is a very 'experimental' promotion, we would like to seek feedback from everyone shortly as to what could be improved for a future similar event. For example, what worked? What didn't work?

Ultimately, the event has shown it is better to try and do something than to just talk and talk about doing nothing. One of the most successful components of this event was to prove that although we are competitors (be it Auction Sites or Sellers) being the minority to a giant such as EBay, we have a common bond and interest to help out one and another and find common ground areas that could be beneficial to all...that there are a sizable group of online traders willing to work together to promote and grow all alternative Sites as a whole.

As a last promotional push, it would be great if you could support those who have participated in SS2BM and have a good shop around. The various sales sites and participating traders can be found here:
http://www.culturaltransmission.com/pages/b2bsellers.html
http://www.squidoo.com/ebay-or-not-ebay (would be great if you could rate the lens a "5" too!)

Promotional "SS2BM" items can also be found by entering the keyword "SS2BM" in the various sales site's search engines.

Thank you.

The Pheebay team.

Summer Solstice to Blue Moon (SS2BM) Promotion Begins

The Summer Solstice to Blue Moon (SS2BM) promotion has begun!

More details of special offers and further information for this event can be found be clicking the following banner:



Co-ordinated on Pheebay.com and Cultural Transmission Magazine, the overall aim of the Summer Solstice to Blue Moon (SS2BM) promotion is to raise awareness of alternative trading sites to the monopolizing Ebay.

So What Does "St Elsewhere" Mean?

Quite often, many e-commerce traders refer to the term "St Elsewhere". However, in this case, it does not refer to the weekly drama series set in a hospital that originally ran on American NBC television from 1982 to 1988. Nor does it refer to the debut music album by Gnarls Barkley entitled "St Elsewhere".

In E-Commerce trader's terms, "St Elsewhere Sites" refers to alternative trading sites to Ebay. This is due to the fact that many references to Ebay's competitors often results in posts being removed in Ebay's community forums. Hence, using the word "St Elsewhere" is a coded attempt to avoid receiving "pink slaps" (i.e. having a post removed).

Some forum users also refer to the term "St Elsewhere" as an endeavor to find alternative options to Ebay. The upcoming SS2BM promotion on Pheebay.com hopes to unite "St Elsewhere" sites behind one joint promotional push.

SS2BM (Summer Solstice to Blue Moon) Update

SS2BM Update

This is an update regarding our "Summer Solstice to Blue Moon" (SS2BM) promotion, which is planned to run from Thurs June 21st (the Summer Solstice) to Saturday June 30th (the Blue Moon). Many thanks to KMC (whose idea SS2BM was) and to those who have joined up and participated so far.

For those who are unsure as to what the event will entail, in a nutshell, it is a promotion of alternative sites to Ebay. By having several sites co-operate in such an unprecedented event, we hope that ‘unifying’ several sites behind one promotional push will enable web customers to be more aware of alternatives to Ebay. We will need YOUR help in publicising this event, as explained further on.

Sellers

For sellers who have joined up so far, please remember to include the keyword "SS2BM" in the title of listings planned for the event. It may also be an idea to include a summary in listings referencing SS2BM. For example:

"This seller is one of many participating in the "Summer Solstice to Blue Moon"
(SS2BM) online grand summer fayre, which is intended to raise awareness of
alternative sites to Ebay. At present, Ebay and Paypal's market dominance is
beginning to create an unhealthy monopoly regarding online trading. Many sites
and sellers are taking part in this event and there are various competitions and
special offers running throughout the promotion which takes place between June
21st (the Summer Solstice) to 30th (the Blue Moon)."

Furthermore, it would also be a great help to use a linkable banner to the event (for use in listings, websites, and forum signatures). Some banners can be found here: http://rebeccalea.com/pages/bluemoon.html

Alternatively, the following code can also be used (particularly for forum signatures!)

href="http://pheebay.com/index.php?pr=Summer_Solstice_Blue_Moon_St_Elsewhere_in_Unity"
mce_href="http://pheebay.com/index.php?pr=Summer_Solstice_Blue_Moon_St_Elsewhere_in_Unity"
target="_blank" title="SS2BM">src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb186/Pheebay/summersolsticebluemoonbanner.jpg"
mce_src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb186/Pheebay/summersolsticebluemoonbanner.jpg"
border="0" alt="Google 'SS2BM' between June 21st and 30th for a never seen
before buying experience...">

If you are an independent seller and wish to have your listings or own website featured in the event, please register your interest here: http://pheebay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1871 (remember to post a link to your listings and provide a banner - if possible)

SS2BM Special Offers

Many sites which have joined up have offered special incentives for sellers; they can be found here: http://pheebay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2129

As a general guide, most sellers taking part in the event are offering a 10% discount on their items compared to Ebay prices. For example, My Ebay Shop Price £10 / My Alternative Site SS2BM price £9...etc etc. The idea here is to provide incentives to encourage BUYERS to explore the alternatives to Ebay.

Furthermore, some sites and sellers are offering incentives to buyers too. They can be found here: http://pheebay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2130

Remember to keep an eye out for some bargains by Googling 'SS2BM' in the various search engine (e.g. Google, Google Products, Auction searches) between 21st and 30th June! The main page for the event is here:
http://pheebay.com/index.php?pr=Summer_Solstice_Blue_Moon_St_Elsewhere_in_Unity

During the event, seller's listings will be displayed on this page as well as a multi-auction site search. It is also this page that should return upon entering the words "SS2BM" or "Summer Solstice Blue Moon" into Google's main search.

Publicity (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IF THE PROMOTION IS TO BE A SUCCESS)

We hope to achieve some media coverage with this event but the extent of the coverage will depend on how many contact the various media outlets. Ideally, it would probably be best to contact web journalists and local media first (e.g. Auctionbytes.com, North Wales Weekly, California Times etc) over the next couple of days, and then to contact mainstream media a few days later (around the 19th). Some sample letter and guidelines as to how to compose emails/letters to the media can be found here: http://pheebay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2166

For those who have limited time, it may be an idea to forward a couple of links related to the event, as well as a brief summary of why you are looking to spread your wings beyond Ebay. Here are the links for a news article and a press release:
http://www.hippyshopper.com/2007/06/smart_protester.html (news article) http://www.businessportal24.com/en/SS2BM_Means_Bargains_Great_Gifts_202430.html (Press release)

Some popular e-commerce web sites are:
Auctionbytes ina@auctionbytes.com
E-Commerce Guide http://pheebay.com/5/?BJKQZ
The Register (UK) news@theregister.co.uk
EWeek (US) http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1642193,00.asp
WebUser (UK) news@web-user.co.uk

UK Media contact details can be found here:
http://www.mediauk.com/
US Contact details can be found here:
http://www.rumormillnews.com/MEDIA_EMAIL_ADDRESSES.htm

In particular, it is worth contacting BBC's 'Working Lunch' with details of SS2BM, as they have given Ebay quite a bit of coverage over the past few months: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/6704515.stm

We'll be sending out another update just before SS2BM starts, if you have anyquestions, feel free to email the following organisers:
kmc@kissmyconfusion.com (Pheebay member KissMyConfusion
katherine@pheebay.com (Pheebay Moderator 0ctavias0fferings)

SS2BM - Special Listing Offers for Sellers

The following is a list of special deals offered by sites for sellers during the SS2BM promotion:

Promotional Sites

ReallySmartDeals

ReallySmartDeals is a very popular shopping and traffic exchange and has signed on as a sponsor of the Summer Solstice Event*. Debra Miller, Owner of RSD, has graciously donated a prize for a competition. The donated prize is a Yearly Pro Deal.

To enter the competition you must:

1) Must be a member or join Really Smart Deals

2) List a minimum of 10 items per auction/marketplace site

The winner will be the seller with the listings on the most alternative auction sites.

* This competition is not open to drop-shippers.

Auction Sites

Bidsnbuys

We will refund you 50% of your selling costs between 21st June 2007 - 30th June 2007. Just Send Claim and your bidsnbuys username to admin@bidsnbuys.co.uk

Webidz

$50.00 account credit for listing before and/or during SS2BM. Any pheebay member that has a minimum of 10 auctions running can request their account be credited the $50.00. Just email us via our site, and ask for the “Summer Solstice credit”. This promo applies to all members, not just new accounts. So if you already have an account with us, and have at least 10 active auctions, this applies to you also. This credit is for site fees only, and cannot be used for site purchases or redeemed for cash.

GBauctions

Every new store owner gets £200 ($390) credited to there sellers account. Above this and from now until June 30th we will also credit each store owner £10 ($19) to there sellers account for every 100 different items listed. Sizes and or colours do not count as different listings. For every new seller referred to GBA we will credit the sellers account with £15 ($29) once the first 50 listings have been posted and for every new buyer we will credit the sellers account with £10 ($19) once the first purchase has been made. All these credits are to the sellers account for use in future listings and NOT Cash payouts.

Tazbar

Selling fees (final value fees) will be waived for all sales for the duration of this event i.e 21st to 30th June 2007.

-All users who purchase on Tazbar during the event dates will automatically be entered into a Prize draw for a 19" LCD TV with integrated freeview. The winner will be announced on the 1st of July 2007.

http://www.tazbar.com/Help/Help.aspx?info=72

121 Bid

To support this event 121Bid will credit each member who lists 20 items for sale between now and the end of the event with £10 to use towards F.V.F's ( No other fees are associated with our site ).

Zolanta

We are granting new sellers a FREE SELLERS GALLERY for one month. if they sign up from 21st -30th June.

Ubidright.com

Each day of the Summer Solstice there will be a winner of a $5 credit, that will be added to the account of the member who lists the most for that day. List 100 in a single day and receive $25 credit added to their account.

At the end of the Solstice the one who has listed the most over 100 in these 10 days will be declared the Grand Winner and will receive $50 credit added to their account. .

Each new member receives $25 credit in their account to get them started listing, using the enhancements. Good luck to everyone.

Then, for fun, if you donate a dollar, through PayPal, you will receive 1 chance at a fantastic “Basket of Goodies”.... donate $5 you will receive 5 chances, etc.

Who knows what else you may find during this 10 day period of time.

SS2BM (Summer Solstice Blue Moon) Update

Many more Ebay refugess have joined the SS2BM (Summer Solstice Blue Moon) Promotion which is to run from June 21st (Summer Solstice) to June 30th (Blue Moon).

So far, here is a list of sellers taking part:

Antiques and Collectables

Independent Websites:
http://www.delightfullyeclectic.com/
http://www.kissmyconfusion.com/
http://outoftheattic4u.com/
http://www.collectibletreasuresemporium.com/
http://www.the-antique-store.com/

Auction/Marketplace Listings:
http://delightfullyeclectic.ecrater.com/
http://halfmoonauctions.com/gallery.php?type=2&keyword=DelightfullyEclectic&radio=3&cid=0
http://kissmyconfusion.ecrater.com/
http://gothicauctions.com/?c=ShowPublicUserInfo&i=37761
http://www.plunderhere.com/auction/cgi-bin/Shop/outoftheattic2u
http://www.ziing.com/outoftheattic2u,store,361,userid,shop
http://rainbowseeker.ecrater.com/
http://us.three.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?mo=user-store&title=The-Rainbowseeker-eBid-Shoppe
https://df32.dot5hosting.com/~cteshopp/osCommerce2/catalog/index.php
http://www.collectibletreasuresemporium.ecrater.com/

Gifts, Jewellery/Jewelery, and Crafts

Independent Websites:
http://www.theboutiqueshoponline.com/
http://www.collectibletreasures.com/
http://www.divinepillowsandtreasures.com/
http://www.homemadebyaly.com/
http://www.classiquetreasures.org/

Auction/Marketplace Listings:
http://www.hibidder.com/shops/angelsolutions
https://df32.dot5hosting.com/~cteshopp/osCommerce/catalog/index.php
http://www.hibidder.com/shops/damaradeaella
http://halfmoonauctions.com/view_items.php?id=55
http://uk.four.ebid.net/stores/Oriental-Offerings
http://www.halfmoonauctions.com/view_items.php?id=19
http://www.hibidder.com/shops/damarapartdeux
http://halfmoonauctions.com/view_items.php?id=55

Art

Independent Websites:
http://www.rebeccalea.com/
http://www.maxinemarcella.com/
http://www.mapofthetarot.com/
http://www.sher2x4-landing.com/
http://www.artyman.co.uk/

Auction/Marketplace Listings:
http://shop.rebeccalea.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/rebeccalea
http://maxshop.ecrater.com/
http://uk.four.ebid.net/stores/0ctavias0fferings
http://stores.dealgates.co.uk/0ctavias0fferings
http://www.yourhighbid.com/cgi-bin/Shop/0ctavias0fferings
http://halfmoonauctions.com/view_items.php?id=59
http://www.sher2x4-landing.ecrater.com/
http://uk.ebid.net/stores/Affordable-Art

Music
http://www.artsbanquet.co.uk/
http://uk.ebid.net/stores/Arts-Banquet-CDs

Children's Clothing
http://www.blushfashions.com
http://uk.four.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?mo=user-store&title=Blush-Fashions
http://uk.four.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?mo=user-store&title=Lil-Angels
http://uk.four.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?mo=user-store&title=The-Enchanted-Kingdom

Sporting Goods:
http://outdoors2u.blujay.com/

Books:
http://www.myspace.com/anniemcc3
http://uk.ebid.net/stores/Annies-Clearing-House-v2
http://www.tazbar.com/Seller/anniemcc3

Summer Solstice to Blue Moon (SS2BM)

Check out Pheebay.com for the 'Summer Solstice Blue Moon' (SS2BM) promotion:

http://www.pheebay.com/index.php?pr=Summer_Solstice_Blue_Moon_St_Elsewhere_in_Unity

The SS2BM is intended to raise the awareness of alternatives to Ebay to help prevent monopolisation of ecommerce. Sellers often complain of unreasonable selling fees, whilst buyers often feel they are not given adequete protection against fraud. Our message is that there are alternatives out there.

During SS2BM many sellers are planning to offer special promotions to buyers. One such special offer will include a 10% discount for customers against what they 'would' have paid on that seller's Ebay listings.

Sellers are encouraged to sign up here:

Look forward to seeing you at SS2BM!