GrandSlamBids.com Alpha Testing Open

[Matt]

With the help of some enterprising sellers, Leon and I are excited to open our self-service auction venture, GrandSlamBids.com, for "alpha" testing. You will find about 50 listings currently up that you can bid on, in a range of categories (cards, autographs, memorabilia), with a handful more expected in the next few days. All listings will be closed by February 1st, at which time, we will work on resolving any issues brought to light before we open. Outside of our "alpha" sellers, no one else will be allowed to create listings at this time.

A few important notes:

• Currently, the site is being hosted on a testing server; while it provides the same bandwidth as our Net54baseball forum does, it is possible that some issues may arise as a result. Of course, when we open for real, we will be on a much more powerful server. One side effect of the testing server is the possibility that if there are several snipes/bids scheduled to post at the same time, there might be a delay which could cause problems. Therefore, while you certainly can use the sniping functionality, if you want more confidence in your bid, you may want to enter it manually a bit in advance of the auction ending.
• Currently, the search engine and browsing/sorting capabilities on the site are a bit rudimentary. With only 50 listings, you should be able to browse all the listings in a short period of time, but we are aware of this limitation and eventually you will be able to do things like limit your view by a particular TPG/Grade, search using -/* etc. and sort by newly listed items.
• During the next few weeks, if issues do arise that effect the auction process, we will work with you to resolve them in a way that everyone is comfortable with. We do reserve the right to nullify any auction or sale, at any point, in order to protect sellers/bidders in the case of software or other glitches. Otherwise the auctions will be live and real, and are expected to be completed in a professional and legal manner.

As we are in "alpha," we are aware of some missing functionality and would like your help in fleshing out as many additional issues as we can. To provide that feedback, or ask any question you may have, you can either use the GrandSlamBids.com forum (preferred), our Live Help or email us directly at admin@GrandSlamBids.com (if at all possible, please do not PM us on this forum). Leon and I are the only ones handling issues, so if we don't get back to you right away, it's probably because we're busy.

As a token of our thanks for helping us, anyone who wins one of the listed items will get a credit for a free "Category Featured Listing" on the site, once we go live.

We are cautiously optimistic that this can be a a great venue for all of us and we greatly appreciate your help in getting us there.

Leon & Matt
http://www.GrandSlamBids.com

[Anthony S.]

I believe I just placed the first ever bid in a Grand Slam Bids Auction. Finally, something to tell my grandchildren about.

[Mrc32]

Good luck with it!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

I believe I just placed the first ever bid in a Grand Slam Bids Auction. Finally, something to tell my grandchildren about.

Anthony - good luck - that OJ is a nice card!

[Anthony S.]

Originally Posted by Mrc32

Good luck with it!

Well, I was also the first ever bidder in Inverted Ponzi Scheme Sports Auctions back in 2003. That one didn't work out so well.

[Robextend]

I am glad to say I have joined in on the bidding. I don't usually bid when the seller has 0 feedback

BTW - I love the trade offer feature...way cool.

[donmuth]

I haven't bid on anything yet, but I am looking around the site and I really like the layout and features so far. very professional. I hope it develops into a viable alternative to ebay for the collecting community.

Good luck!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Robextend

BTW - I love the trade offer feature...way cool.

Thanks - we think that's a good one for our collecting community.

[darkpoet]

I just registered but my account has to be approved first before I can login. Email address was just confirmed. I'll check again after I leave the office today. Looking forward to helping test the website and entering some bids.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by darkpoet

I just registered but my account has to be approved first before I can login. Email address was just confirmed. I'll check again after I leave the office today. Looking forward to helping test the website and entering some bids.

right now approvals should take less than 5 minutes......otherwise you will need to put all of the info required to be approved ie....normal contact info....but all of it....as a safety precaution.....and thanks to everyone so far.....one last thing...very soon we will be taking this discussion from the main board to the whole new subforum entitled Grandslambids.com...which is up currently on this board...thanks again

[Matt]

Originally Posted by darkpoet

I just registered but my account has to be approved first before I can login. Email address was just confirmed. I'll check again after I leave the office today. Looking forward to helping test the website and entering some bids.

You're good to go.

[alanu]

I made a quick perusal of the auciton site and really liked what I saw.

As far as the "Offer Trade" and "Offer Cash" options, can people make "Offers" and can the seller accept these offers after bids are received on a card. An example would be the E98 Coombs card.

Just wondering since there is a thread about "ending ebay auctions early" that seems to be relevant to the above.

-Alan

[canjond]

Matt/Leon-

Just curious - I bid on an item but didn't seem to get an automated email (similar to eBay). Just curious if I was supposed to get one. Also, if we get outbid on an item, is there any automated email?

Thanks

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by canjond

Also, if we get outbid on an item, is there any automated email?

I was outbid, and I recieved an outbid notice.

[deadballera]

Good luck..

I have sent in my registration info

[Leon]

Matt will answer Alan and Jon.....and there are no registrations waiting to be approved. Remember, you have to verify your email address before we can approve you.....

edited to add...I see Todd, Barry and a few others but we are waiting on you to verify your email addresses....thanks

[barrysloate]

I just became a member...and the first thing I did was email all the sellers and ask them if they would shut down their auctions and sell me their stuff offline. I await their responses.

[Matt]

Alan & Jon - I've posted answers to your questions in the GrandSlamBids support forum:
http://www.net54baseball.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

that way in case anyone else has the same question (or wants to discuss the answer) they can do so.

[barrysloate]

Wow...my last post was supposed to be a joke but you can really make an offer, there is a button to do it...and snipe service built right into the site. Very impressive guys!

[barrysloate]

Matt- will there be a link at the top of the Net54 homepage for the site?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Matt- will there be a link at the top of the Net54 homepage for the site?

Hey Barry- Yes, there will be a link when we go into the real, live version in a short while, but we don't know exactly when, right now......if you look at the large banner right below net54....it will be somewhere around the Non Sports forum and OldCardboard banner.....so there will be 3 little ones not 2, and one will be for Grandslambids.com......hope that answers the question

[GoldenAge50s]

Just a note :

I have 9 auctions scheduled to start at 7:05 this evening. Wasn't sure when Matt & Leon were going to open the doors!

[barrysloate]

That answers it...the site looks very nice!

[GoldenAge50s]

You guys made me anxious to get started! 4 auctions starting in 10 mins!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Wow...my last post was supposed to be a joke but you can really make an offer, there is a button to do it...and snipe service built right into the site. Very impressive guys!

Thanks Barry - this is certainly up for some discussion so if you have an opinion, we'd love to hear it here:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=119875

[GoldenAge50s]

Matt/Leon--

I suggest making an announcement on the NS Board as well. I have a couple of NS cards to be starting this eve.

[mart8081]

The site looks great!

On a personal note when registering I like the fact you have United Kingdom listed under country options and a drop down of our county names too

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

Matt/Leon--

I suggest making an announcement on the NS Board as well. I have a couple of NS cards to be starting this eve.

I need to check with Tom B to make sure he is ok with this. I don't want to encroach without asking.....I will shoot him an email. Thanks for the heads up...

Also- folks need to check their spam folders for approvals as some might go there...

[jbsports33]

Nice simple looking site!

good luck

Jimmy

[barrysloate]

Matt- my opinion is leave everything the way it is, and just fine tune it slightly as situations arise.

[GoldenAge50s]

I couldn't wait 'til later---My auctions are now live!

[toppcat]

Looks pretty nice-let the games begin!

[Leon]

Just so everyone is aware, and to reiterate, in the next few days Matt and I will want these discussions going on in the new Grandslambids.com forum...located on this forum

http://www.net54baseball.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

If you click on the red icon at the top, that says Net54 Forum Homepage, you will NOT see it there. You need to look under that and click on the

Net54baseball.com Forums

and you will see it at the bottom of all of those forums, it's the last one.........thanks to all who have helped so far...We appreciate it very much.

[Brian]

very nice job, guys.
Brian

[toppcat]

Now here's a question, apologies if it's discussed above but will you eventually link and data dump to VCP/Card Pricer/ et al?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Now here's a question, apologies if it's discussed above but will you eventually link and data dump to VCP/Card Pricer/ et al?

Good question Dave and no it hasn't been discussed openly, yet. We have already discussed this with VCP and are on board as long as the technical part works, which we are pretty sure will but can't promise. We have not discussed it with Cardpricer yet. If you will remember I said we (or I, I don't remember) had been in talks with some industry folks, and VCP was one of them. So, as long as it's technically possible, and we think it is, then VCP will have access and we will be reported there ...and we are in discussions with other people too...regards

[deadballera]

site looks great..


thanks to the first sellers for getting their listings up.

already placing bids on a few items

[D. Bergin]

This is pretty exciting. I already have a way better feeling about this being successful then all the other ventures who tried to take a run at Ebay and failed, combined.

Just promise us you won't sell out to Ebay when they come knocking on your door in an attempt to buy out the competition.

P.S. A boxing section would be nice also instead of the "Other Sports" designation.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

This is pretty exciting. I already have a way better feeling about this being successful then all the other ventures who tried to take a run at Ebay and failed, combined.

Just promise us you won't sell out to Ebay when they come knocking on your door in an attempt to buy out the competition.

P.S. A boxing section would be nice also instead of the "Other Sports" designation.

I will have to consult my technical person, who is out of pocket at the moment, but I am sure we can seriously consider a boxing section being done on final release.....As for selling out, all we want to do at this point is be mildly successful . Thanks for all the well wishes.

[rdwyer]

Great job! Really impressed. Goodbye sleezebay!

[kkkkandp]

I've registered and will place a bid on the Old Judge.

I hope you kick ebay's ass because they deserve a serious ass whuppin!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by kkkkandp

I hope you kick ebay's ass because they deserve a serious ass whuppin!

It's going to depend 95% on how many folks we can get to use our site once we go live - if y'all spread the word then we've got a shot.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

P.S. A boxing section would be nice also instead of the "Other Sports" designation.

Thread here discussing the issue:
http://www.net54baseball.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

[RichR]

Wow the site looks awesome for only being in Alpha!

[Zach Wheat]

Wow guys I like it. I registered and got a confirmation email from which I had to verify almost immediately. Good job!

M Wheat

[Ladder7]

Awaiting confirmation!

Finally get to use this;

[thegashousegang]

I'm now registered as well. So far, so good - the site looks promising. Great work guys, even if it's only in Alpha.

[Ladder7]

When I click a link, I like when a new window opens to preserve my spot in the original list.

Many of you know this, but for forgetful schmucks like myself., Hold the SHIFT key when clicking the item and you'll get a new window.

The site looks great. Fine work Matt and Leon

[Matt]

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by thegashousegang

I'm now registered as well. So far, so good - the site looks promising. Great work guys, even if it's only in Alpha.

Thanks very much! Many of the differences between what you have now and the final version will be based on feedback we get from all of you during this trial, so please use the site and let us know!

[GoldenAge50s]

Just want to let everyone know I have entered another couple of T206's since we went LIVE and we have until Sun to continue & enter more new listings. I plan to do so & I hope the other Alpha listers will also!

In an effort to test all the functions & at the same time create continued interest in the site I have also lowered the price points on several of my listings, so for those of you who have visited, visit again the next few days--and for those that haven't visited at all yet, TREAT YOURSELF & come in & look around!