Call For Feedback: CPAPAuction.com Improvement Suggestions

[johnnygoodman]

Howdy CPAPtalkers,

I'm pleased to report that CPAPAuction.com has caught traction and is off to a great start. Until October 1st, it costs $1 to register, listing is free and buying is always free.

None the less, before launch I expected many CPAPtalkers to take advantage of the free listings to clean out their mask drawer or pick up needed items at very reasonable prices. From my analysis, the majority of people participating on CPAPAuction.com are non-CPAPtalker CPAP.com customers. This confuses me because I consider CPAPtalkers to be cutting edge and very interested in new tools and developments in the CPAP world and I consider CPAPAuction.com to be pretty cutting edge.

I want to be very sure that CPAPAuction is a tool that CPAP users love. If its not yet that tool, I would love to hear what everyone thinks about it and where it could be made better. I'd appreciate your two cents in free form or using the following questions as a guideline.

1. I don't use CPAPAuction now because...

2. I'm waiting to use CPAPAuction until...

3. I tried to use CPAPAuction but I couldn't or didn't want to anymore because...

I will read all feedback and will reply to as much as I can.

Thank you as always for your support and involvement in the community.

Johnny

[JeffH]

I recently bid on two items from the auction site. Our host was the seller on both items. Both items ended within a few minutes of each other and I asked the question if shipping could be combined if I won both items. I was told no. At that point, I quit bidding on the second item. I would have bid more, and the winning price to the seller would have been higher if they would combine shipping like so many other auctions do.

When the auction was over two days ago, I paid thru paypal within five minutes. Now, 48 hours later I have heard nothing from the seller (our host) about them receiving my payment or sending out any shipping info.

Hopefully, these are just start up issues, not how things will be on the auction site.

JeffH

[dieselgal]

I like the idea very much and I am registered.

I have to admit I am kind of waiting until people have some feedback listed. If the item I wanted was from cpap.com that would be different but I haven't recognized any sellers from this board yet so I am a little leary of people I don't know. I clicked on the name of the seller but it really doesn't tell much.

I hope it stays on and picks up speed.

[ibthebest]

Johnny,

I am registered and appreciate this service you are providing us. I have bid on a couple of items but the selling price has been equal to or very close to your retail price (especially if you look at the cost of freight). Considering your internet store provides such great delivery, insurance paper work, etc., I will always buy from you rather than the Auction unless I can save at least 20%. So far it looks like it is great for the sellers of new equipment and that is O.K. I don't understand the rationale of the people bidding so much but that's O.K., too.

Mikey

P/S Technically, I think there is a problem if you look at an item detail and go back to view other items, it takes you to the start of the items list rather than where you were when you chose to look at a detailed item.

[KAZ]

I believe that unless an item is "new in sealed manufacturer's packaging" you should reconsider allowing a seller to import stock pictures, and require an actual photo or no photo. Case in point, I was going to bid on a "slightly used" Respironics M series integrated humidifier. There was a stock photo with all of the cpap.com display including an M series part number. When I read the sellers comments, he said that he had to give his REMSTAR machine back to his DME. We all know that the humidifier for the remstar does not fit the M series. The seller is mistaken about the machine or the humi. An actual picture would have solved this issue. Regards

[papdaddy]

I am registered for the site, But I am waiting for feedback for the sellers. I don't know if there are any safeguards in place for non received item disputes. Do sellers need to provide information such as bank account or confirmed credit card adresses to secure their true identity? I will definetly use the auction once reputable sellers are established by feedback. Rich

[kteague]

Johnny,

As with any auction site, the buyer should be informed as to if they are really getting much of a bargain once shipping is calculated. I agree with JeffH about his concerns that shipping cannot be combined on multiple purchases from the same vendor. Is that specific to the vendor? I can see with machines that would be shipped separately that the cost would be the same. But on smaller items it seems it would promote sales to combine shipping. I guess programming wise that would be a programmer's nightmare to include exceptions. I know on my t-shirts I would like to offer combined shipping - will that be possible?

I will purchase from cpapauction if I see an item I am in the market for at a good price with shiping included.

I do want to say thanks for the prompt response from your staff when I've emailed questions.

Kathy

[Guest]

Why not list it up top with the light bulb, FAQ, etc, so it's easy to find.

[JeffH]

Johnny,

As with any auction site, the buyer should be informed as to if they are really getting much of a bargain once shipping is calculated. I agree with JeffH about his concerns that shipping cannot be combined on multiple purchases from the same vendor. Is that specific to the vendor? I can see with machines that would be shipped separately that the cost would be the same. But on smaller items it seems it would promote sales to combine shipping. I guess programming wise that would be a programmer's nightmare to include exceptions. I know on my t-shirts I would like to offer combined shipping - will that be possible?

I will purchase from cpapauction if I see an item I am in the market for at a good price with shiping included.

I do want to say thanks for the prompt response from your staff when I've emailed questions.

Kathy

The second item I was bidding on was adams / breeze nasal pillows. They would have added nothing to the weight of the package.

[JeffH]

To be fair, I did receive this e-mail after I posted my experience on the site.

Dear Jeff,

Thanks for your feedback. I apologize that you have not received more timely information from us. Your order was shipped the day the auction was closed and the UPS tracking number is . You may track your package here: http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US

We do email shipping information and today we are adding an email to confirm payment receipt as well. I checked your account and see that an email with the tracking information was sent, however, since the emails are automatically generated by our system, you might want to check your spam or bulk mail folders.

Thanks for your patience.

Regards,
Becky Polk
CPAPAuction.com

The "automatic" email they talked about never arrived, and I don't have them blocked by any spam blockers.

BTW, I deleted the tracking number from the reply.

[Ody]

I am registered for the site, But I am waiting for feedback for the sellers. I don't know if there are any safeguards in place for non received item disputes.

I feel the same way and I am concerned when I see this in the "Payment Details"

Unpaid dispute & the negative feedback will be filed to eBay for the non payable bidders .

How does eBay have anything to do with this auction?

I also wonder why a lot (most?) sellers have never posted a message on cpaptalk? And why some sellers do not post the sellers location.

This reminds me a lot of eBay. I do NOT do eBay for these same concerns.

Thanks for a good start.

[Guest]

I registered a couple of months ago when I first saw the site. It went inactive two days later. I'm now waiting to see if this site continues longer.

I also have no current needs. I may in the future, and might use it then.

I like the concept. I'm grateful for an outlet to buy and sell supplies. I wish it well. Please keep it up!

Cheers,
B.

[Guest]

Just a thought - If you are a forum member, and are posting a sale, please identify yourself to the bidders, such as "I'm JoeBlow from http://www.cpaptalk.com. Please see positive feedback about me on the Mask Roulette Comments Thread" or something like that.

Might help your sales. If I start selling there, I'll definitely do that.

Cheers,
B.

[Bert_Mathews]

I have a SleepTracker Watch listed ---So we will see how things go..... And I'll make comments after closing bids????? or sale...

I also complained about if this is and AUCTION and you HAVE TO bid almost retail price where is the advantage of it being an auction.... The going back to an ITEM is a pain in the A$$ to say the least.... IF this sale Item go well when I get back from vacation I have a zillion item in the closet that could GO at a good price to somebody!

Bert

[JeffH]

My item arrived today. I'm happy with it and got about a 15% discount over the listed price on CPAP.COM.

Thanks

JeffH