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Idea: Dedicated Server / VPS Auction Site
FieldMoose
Member
After a long time attempting to 'negotiate' so called auctions on WHT etc. I thought it might be a good idea to create a dedicated (!) site/app that provides a more streamlined experience for both parties.
Any thoughts on features, monetization strategies or just comments on the viability of the idea are appreciated.
Comments
Ebay?
@Victor service, not hardware :P
Well first I don't really bid for stuff much but here's what I'm thinking.
Features:
Monetization Strategy:
Like I said, I'm no expert but there are some basic things I'd say you should have.
@HalfEatenPie that's exactly what I'm looking for, thanks for taking the time.
& lol @ free pie
It's good and all, but I don't really see it being used that often. As a provider, I probably would only use it once or twice every 2-3 months? Depending on the amount of sales generated from it. But I can see it being used by providers such as @Francisco to auction off some client-cancelled BuyVMs. :P
I'm not expecting it to float for $38 a share but as long as it could cover cost I'd be happy; I would have said there are enough providers to perhaps make it worthwhile.
I mean have you seen the auction threads on WHT? Hideous; messy, people don't read terms etc. Shudder! Maybe it's just me LOL
You could auction on ebay, actually. i have seen shared hosting auctioned there, though i think it's more advertising than actual competitive bidding.
i would want a feature more like "want to buy" than auction. E.g. Want to buy Windows LEB, 512mb ram, los angeles.
I could see this working, but there isnt the userbase for this to be used actively, as we'd like. However if you were able to move the "job lot" sellers from ebay to this site, then... maybe it could work.
(that's for dedi sales anyway).
Anyone else care to chime in?
You mean something like the serverboerse.de? Or more like http://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http://www.webhostlist.de/marktplatz/&act=url ?
lowendauction.com ?
this sucks even for a compulsive domain taker like me :-)
i know
http://serverbidding.com/
Like serverbidding but for any provider.
To replace crap like http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1157198 , forums just aren't meant to be used that way.
Yeah, good point.
I think it would be a good idea, the problem would be in attracting both providers and buyers. Heck, I'd be willing to help code it/whatever.
I like it. It's hard to judge whether it would attract providers. If it was there, they might.
Or for monetizing, I suggest a one off listing fee instead :P
Better yet, something like eBay's fee schedule. Additional features (bigger search result, more info displayed on search result, reserve price, etc for fees). All only charged if it sells.
@rsk that's what I'm thinking, perhaps differing levels dependent upon value (i.e. vps, $x, dedi $y)
@DimeCadmium I'm thinking this may be a big headache without the infrastructure to back it up.
@FieldMoose well, for example ...
those who pay $1 - get only listed
those who pay $2 - get listed but prioritized at the top
those who pay $5 - probably stay at the top for X days
etc. make it innovative :P
+1 to this, where people select what they require, and it creates a sort of thread, where providers can list their plans, and maybe something like an itrader (which is not abused) to help find the better providers
ebay does both, so just copy them but for servers
Thanks for the suggestions folks ツ
Does nobody remember the auction site for servers from like 6-7 years ago? I really wish I could remember the name... it lasted like six months and then migrated everything to eBay, lol.
@subigo hardware or lease?
There were two sections. One for buying hardware and one for renting servers from companies.
@subigo Thanks. Ringeth no bells though.