New video games auction online.

[neorichieb1971]

http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk/

I call upon every one of you to support this new venture. Its based out of the UK but anyone can use it. Fee's are better than Ebays and the site is gaming orientated, easy to use and ran by people that get an A+ for service. Tired of waiting to get stuff resolved with ebay, tired of seeing counterfeit games being sold and nothing been done about it?

The list of reasons continues.

Its also free in the opening stages, so you have nothing to lose for now at all.. Its a risk free venture and the more people you tell the more people that will see your auctions. Take it away!


This is the official statement of Steve Lucas, the founder of VGA (Videogameauctions.co.uk)

Video Game Auctions loves gamers!
Exciting new auction portal now in beta testing

19/05/05 – A brand-new gaming auction portal debuts online this week and needs the support of www.ng03.co.uk forum users to revolutionise the sale of videogames and related items online, thanks to its new comprehensive, yet easy-to-use listings system.

The new gaming site - http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk (VGA) is the latest venture of Next-Gen and NG03 boss Museumsteve (Steve Lucas) and promises to offer a viable online trading alternative to gamers around the world who are sick of wading through dozens of “ultra-rare” copies of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and those who have had the misfortune of buying a so-called “mint” copy of Gran Turismo, which turned-up resembling something run over by a Ford Cortina.

The vast range of over 350 categories at VGA will give gamers the chance to sell absolutely anything related to video gaming, from retro games consoles to full-size coin-ops, PC hardware and the very latest import PSP titles.

Steve and the VGA team are currently in the final stages of beta testing before the site launches internationally in the coming weeks. The launch will be supported by a PR blitz, with additional plans in place to promote the site to a wider audience of gamers through marketing and advertising initiatives.

As a thank you for your loyal support of Next-Gen and helping to make the NG03 message boards amongst the fast growing, best populated and most exciting forums on the web we would like to offer you a period of free listing and with no final sale value fee. This will enable forum members to sell items at http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk for no charge (except Additional Feature costs), forgoing our competitively priced charges, for a limited time.

Designed with gamers in mind, http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk will offer a range of improvements to gaming item listings you just won’t find elsewhere. VGA are proud to unveil new listing features not currently found at online gaming auctions, a Wanted section as well as an exciting new Swap feature have been included in the site to give gamers a better choice and let them decide exactly how they want to trade.

On the forthcoming launch of VGA, Steve said:

“I knew the time was right to launch videogameauctions.co.uk, I was increasingly hearing from disgruntled customers and friends who felt that other auction sites were no longer looking after their specialist needs. We’ve designed our site with gamers in mind and as keen gamers ourselves we have players’ interests at heart. VGA is directed 100% at the gaming community; this will ensure that sellers’ auctions receive maximum coverage from an audience that is interested in their products, not someone looking for a five year old car or a fifty year old Teddy Bear.

“Aside from our comprehensive listings and competitive price structure, VGA will offer gamers an exciting and viable new alternative.”

The brand new auction portal for gamers, VGA is now open for beta testing at http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk

Ends


About Video Game Auctions (VGA)
http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk is a brand-new online auction portal planning to revolutionise the state of online videogame auctions. Tired of seeing copies of games incorrectly listed as ‘ultra rare’ or the increasing number of bootlegs and pirated goods – VGA tackles games auctions in a new way, with a raft of value added listings and a competitive pricing structure.

http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk loves gamers and hopes to see you soon.

For more information:
Steve Lucas – Proprietor – steve@videogameauctions.co.uk
“The Next Best Thing”– Public Relations – press@videogamesauctions.co.uk



I have personally dealt with Steve over the last couple of years, great guy.. Always willing to help.. Good luck Steve.

[PaCrappa]

So I'll be able to take my goods from a site with umpteen million users where some people misuse the word 'rare' (truly a horrendous crime against the collective psyche of the online auction going public) and be able to put them up on a site where a few hundred (ever the optimist) anti teddy bear nerds have gathered to be uptight about videogames?

Well that sure does sound revolutionary as well as deliciously elite for the discerning geek, but I think I'll continue making money when I sell and having selection when I buy. Ebay isn't that rough.

Pa

[SheSaidDutch]

I'm cool with e-bay.

[neorichieb1971]

Obviously people are not happy with options, they want only one monopolised corperation to run everything.

VGA is almost free bar a few exceptions where pictures are to be hosted, ebay costs money then they scam you with Paypal as well.

VGA only wants gaming related product on its site, therefore we save on bandwidth because millions of people are not using the site to sell cars, houses, boats, teddy bears and jewelry.

In the next few weeks VGA will be announced publicly through different forms of media. It should reach a potential 100 million gamers. If we get 1% of that as regular members it will be enough of a userbase to grow beyond a niche back street auction online.

This is not a revolution, but a choice, a better service. We just need to convince the gaming audience it can be a better or cheaper option to buy, sell or even trade online for virtually nothing.

Thanks for reading.

[raiden]

Obviously people are not happy with options, they want only one monopolised corperation to run everything.

for a virtual marketplace, yes. There are quite a few things I don´t like about ebay, but none of these are as important as having the biggest marketplace possible, and that can only be achieved by a monopolized corporation.
If I´m looking for a specific title, I can´t be bothered to search 10 new auction sites, and if I want to sell something, I want to make sure as many bidders interested in it get to bid on it.

[Neon]

Obviously people are not happy with options, they want only one monopolised corperation to run everything.

for a virtual marketplace, yes. There are quite a few things I don´t like about ebay, but none of these are as important as having the biggest marketplace possible, and that can only be achieved by a monopolized corporation.
If I´m looking for a specific title, I can´t be bothered to search 10 new auction sites, and if I want to sell something, I want to make sure as many bidders interested in it get to bid on it.

I hate to admit it, but raiden et al. are right. If ebay got ridiculous with their fees, something would have to be done, but really everything's fine as it is, despite mildly high paypal fees.

[neorichieb1971]

So in order for VGA to work, we just have to convince sellers to use VGA.

By making it free for them (thats gotta be 3%+ revenue for them), there is a good chance that maybe one day something will be available on VGA that won't be available on ebay.

Or, would you boycott another auction site and wait a month or two until ebay or online shop had it in stock?


At the moment we are not interested in your selling business, just your awareness of the site. We will focus on getting more sellers from Japan, Hong Kong and the United States as well as the UK. The wheels are already in motion, the auctions on that site right now are all test auctions and do not necessarily represent the awareness we have achieved. As stated we are in the beta stage, although you can become a member.

[Vexorg]

Look at it this way: Given the choice, which would you rather sell to, a small group of people who are probably over at this place looking for bargains, or millions of people who will pay out the wazoo for the thing?

[neorichieb1971]

Let me make it clear I am in no way affiliated with this website. I have only worked with the proprietor of the VGA website because he runs an import store in the UK of which I have received great service.

I understand that eBay has a broad and significant userbase which VGA cannot boast just yet. But what VGA will be able to do in the future (hopefully) is allow you to reach your targetted audience, ie videogamers.


Example 1

If fee's are cheaper than ebay, it stands to reason that the cost of the goods "starting price" will be significantly less than those sold on ebay. Consumer wins!

Example 2

On the front page of VGA, all the mainstream and niche consoles are listed. You might learn of the turbo grafix, neo geo AES, CD, AES, NEC-FX, PCB's, arcade machines etc etc. If you are a seller your goods will be exposed through the curiosity of one click of the mouse. Ebay's search facility is good but it cannot boast this exposure. So VGA will at least give relative newcomers to videogaming some exposure to videogaming history and niche genres such as shmups, platformers etc. If you are selling this might allow better sales of niche items.

Example 3

VGA will have online forums with an ample amount of admins and moderators who will all have the power to manipulate, delete and moderate the VGA auction website as needed. This will prevent pirate software being sold and protect the bidders from counterfeit software. They will offer technical assistance where applicable and listen to the customers needs. Each representative will have at least a moderate level of expertise on most if not all videogame merchandise sold in the last 10 years, if not more. This will be offered 24/7 as we have participants from different corners of the world.

Example 4

When fee's are applicable, you are granted an initial credit limit. You will be able to continue your selling practices until your limit has been reached. To continue selling practices you will be required to pay an amount that will bring you under the threshold limit. Your ID will not cancelled for non payment if my understanding is correct.

Example 5

It is the goal of VGA to bring some of the biggest importers/exporters of videogames in the world to VGA. This could mean a link to their website, special deals, auctions registered under the stores name and much much more. This allows consumers who made cash on their sales to promptly and very easily find a source for that new game they are looking for and getting a good deal.

Example 6

Nextgen, the import company running the VGA show is one of the most respected importers in the UK. Their admin team will be involved and are very passionate about gaming just like yourselves. The forums are well maintained and populated by individuals who are always ready to assist in matters of videogaming, home theater, PC trouble shooting and more.

Check out the great coverage of E3 - http://www.ng03.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php

If the above link is against Shmups.com rules please feel free to delete.

[Kron]

Oh what a surprise... A group of people on this forum with a feed the rich mentality, I have never seen a group of people with an interest in a small genre where they are actively keen to limit their options and ironically feel the need to excercise total complacency outside of the hobby as well.

Ebay didn't just shoot up as the market leader out of nowhere, It started from the situation as every site that attempts to offer a service and worked its way up.

What ever happened to giving something a chance?

[PaCrappa]

Feed the rich mentality? LOL! How about a feed myself mentality? Do you live with your parents then?

"If fee's are cheaper than ebay, it stands to reason that the cost of the goods "starting price" will be significantly less than those sold on ebay. Consumer wins! "

Ebay's fees have no relevance to the final selling price of an item being auctioned.

I have no problem with the idea of a new games specific auction site. I just cannot yet see how it's going to make me more dough than ebay does. And that is the bottom line.

Pa

[jp]

High prices and lack of anything worth buying = no.


And I typically don't sell. Meh.

[Specineff]

If GameTZ works, why this won't? If I have something to sell, I'll give it a shot. What can I lose? (assuming the deal went just fine, that is.)

[Ganelon]

Well, as long as free listings are in effect and you don't mind the fact that your item may possibly be underpriced by the low quantity of buyers, then nothing except your time.

[neorichieb1971]

When I sell from eBay I don't always get the price I was expecting. It all depends on the quantity of the same item auctioned at the same time.

I feel that VGA will become exactly what everyone wants it to be, a dedicated videogame auction site. Eventually there will a userbase worthy of consideration by anyone.

Just remember to check it out in say a months time if you cannot find what your looking for on the bay, because you may find it at VGA.

[neorichieb1971]

Bumper.

Userbase into the 100's now with PR blitz still to come... Keep em coming and thanks for your support.

Auctions are still free to post up.. The more you auction the more people will join... Check it out there might be stuff up there you want. Some Saturn stuff at reasonable prices

[Minzoku]

I'm aware of other "theme" auction sites, and they seem to do quite well in that niche compared to eBay. However, I'm only really familiar with one, and it seems to do well in particular because the maintainer doesn't charge fees to list or bid, but also because the niche is so... 'underground' that it's virtually impossible to conveniently find anything for it through eBay.

*thoroughly unformed opinion*

[Kron]

This site deserves some new interest.

[99pence]

I like they way they've obviously baised their logo on the ebay logo.

[GaijinPunch]

I've been posting my games there. It's not like I'm in a super hurry to sell them, so dont' mind it while it's getting off the ground. GameUGTZ is huge... this could be too.

[Kron]

I like they way they've obviously baised their logo on the ebay logo.

Its actually based on the wording of the site url and the combination of RGB colours.

[99pence]

I like they way they've obviously baised their logo on the ebay logo.

Its actually based on the wording of the site url and the combination of RGB colours.

Come off it. It blatently looks like the ebay logo. The shades of the colours are even the same.

[Kron]

Are you going to contribute to the site or just troll it?

[99pence]

Seriously, WTF.

[Kron]

Seriously, WTF don't people give themselves another option instead of arguing the toss over something like a logo which matches in lower case text and primary colours?

[Accutron]

I think what 99pence is getting at is, if eBay is so bad that there needs to be an alternative auction site, then why are they blatantly ripping off the eBay logo? And really, it's an obvious ripoff. Speaking as a designer who's done an enormous amount of logo work, the best thing they could possibly do for their image is change their logo so they're not emulating the very competition that their existence denounces.

I'll stick with eBay, because I'd prefer to get more money in a more timely manner

[Kron]

So you'd take your immediate personal greed over supporting a new venture that specifically caters for videogames and potentially offers a greater option if people would just support it?

And why are people so keen to make ebay a monopoly?

[Accutron]

So you'd take your immediate personal greed over supporting a new venture that specifically caters for videogames and potentially offers a greater option if people would just support it?

I will take fair market value over pie in the sky. It's not my responsibility to take a financial burden in order to support what I consider to be a questionable business proposal of someone else's doing. I'm not a venture capitalist.

And why are people so keen to make ebay a monopoly?

In this instance, a monopoly is better for everybody (except upstart auction sites of course). More choices for customers, more customers for sellers. I've never found anything particularly offensive about eBay's policies or fees, so there is absolutely no reason to go to an alternative which could only equal the selection of eBay, in some parallel universe where eBay didn't already have its death-grip.

Revolutions don't work when there's nothing particularly wrong with the incumbent power. If enough people really dislike eBay that much, then maybe VGA will go somewhere. If not, then it won't.

[Kron]

If people don't give it a chance it won't go anywhere.

And from my dealings with ebay's "customer service" another option can only be a good thing, The never ending pirate and spam auctions are something that we shouldn't have to put up with but ebay place more importance on their fee's they recieve from them rather than thinking of their members or owners of copyright.

It doesn't need to be a revolution, However a better knowledgable service is a nice option to have.

[GaijinPunch]

This classic, internet people. Nobody does anything but bitch and moan about Ebay. Something else comes along that could possibly server games in the same way, and they moan about the fucking logo.