Avalon.ph Announcements
December 19, 2005 13:00
Site upgrade and maintenance scheduled on and off during the Holiday Season (December 20 to January 3). Some downtime is expected during midnight to 4:00am in the coming days.
January 19, 2005 18:00
Separated the Books Category into Fiction and Non-Fiction. This is to provide convenience in browsing the books category.
January 1, 2005 11:30
Happy 2005! The site would like to thank you for your support throughout the years, especially the ones who've been with us since 1999! (Yes! some are still here.)
For any questions and comments send e-mail to: support@avalon.ph
September 1, 2003 11:30
Avalon.ph has successfully completed its upgrade. Check out all the new features and improvement on previous ones.
New Auction Types:
Aside from the Standard and Dutch (Multiple Quantity) Auctions, the site can now handle additional types of auction format such as:
Reverse - This is where people can list what they want and need and have other people submit offers to them. This is more of like a "wanted to buy" section of the site. When someone posts a reverse auction, he/she is not intending to sell something, but rather to buy something. That something can be a product or a service. As a reverse auction progresses, the price drops.
Barter (Swap/Exchange/Trade) - This is an auction where the auctioneer is willing to accept barter offers from bidders. A barter offer can consist of anything the bidder can describe. This could be an offering of some other item in exchange for the auction item. Or it could be an item plus some additional cash in exchange for the auction item. The auctioneer is able to choose whichever offer he wants to accept after the auction has closed.
Blind (Sealed) - This works very similar to a standard auction where the highest bidder wins the auction. however, in a Blind auction, the bidding process is not interactive and the bidders will only receive information on their bid ranking when the auction closes. A blind auction also differs from a standard auction in that it does not utilize any proxy bidding. Important: Your maximum bid, if you win, IS the amount that you will pay. This works well on very hard-to-find items that commands a higher than usual price.
RFQ (Request for Quotation) - Currently inactive.
Additional Features:
Auction Watch (Public and Private)- This feature allows users to have some influence on what items are auctioned on the site as well as to receive notification when those types of auctions become available. User can enter items into the Auction Watch area that they would like to see offered on the site using keywords that match with auction titles and descriptions. Sellers can view the auction watches and easily determine demand for different items. You also have the option of making your Auction Watch list public to people browsing the site, but it will not link to your username, just the keyword.
Memorized Auctions - You have the option to add open auctions to a list of your own personal memorized auctions. By simply clicking the "Memorize" button that is displayed on the auction detail page of any auction, you can add that auction to a list of his or her favorite auctions. This feature is helpful when a user may be following the progress of an auction and deciding when to bid or purchase the auction.
Auctioneer Marketplace - The Marketplace is an area where users can post information about themselves or their company that all users can see. When listed in the Marketplace, a link to the user's profile will be displayed, if applicable, as well as a link to that user's current auctions.
Avalon.ph Forums - Currently under development. Categories still being sorted out. This is a section where you can discuss matters concerning anything related or not related to auctions. (Note: I hope to finish this before Friday, September 5)
User Message Base System - User Message Base System is a way to allow users to communicate with each other without having to reveal their e-mail addresses. This is a better way of sending immediate questions and inquiries to auctioneers. This is also to protect your privacy and discourage unsolicited e-mails from spammers.
Additional Seller Features:
Aside from an improved Manage Auctions page, users will now have the convenience of the following relist options:
Auto Relist - Users will have the option to have Avalon.ph relist their auction automatically if it does not close successfully. This option is available during the Add an Auction process. You will have a maximum times option to relist your auction.
Bulk Relist - Users have the option to perform certain operations on a number of auctions at one time rather than maintaining each auction. Relisting by bulk is now easier by checking the box next to your auction item, and clicking on the relist option. By clicking on this button, users will be taken to a simple preview page and will not be able to edit any parts (duration, description, price) of the auctions they are relisting. If the user wants to edit parts of the auctions before relisting them, he or she will need to follow the process for relisting a single auction.
Flash Buy with No Reserve - Sellers can opt to add a flash buy (purchase now) amount to their auction without posting any reserve price.
For any questions send e-mail to: support@avalon.ph
August 28, 2003 21:30
Avalon.ph (www.avalon.ph) has completed its upgrade. However, not all new features will be activated until further testing is conducted. From time to time, the website will be offline for 20-45 minutes due to maintenance and further customization. The site will ensure no current auction will be affected with this temporary inconvenience.
Currently, you may start bidding and posting for standard auction items just like the pre-upgrade site. When the website is ready to introduce all its new features, it will be posted on the General Information Mailing List and on the Announcement page and no longer on this list. This will take just a few more days...
Thank you for your patience.
August 28, 2003 09:30
Upgrade 75% complete. Currently only standard auction is available. Users are not allowed to post items yet. Estimate time full functionality of auction features within 24 hours.
August 20, 2003 23:30
Avalon.ph will undergo a major upgrade next week, August 26, 2003 (Tuesday) 2000hours (8:00pm) onwards. When the site goes back online, some major new features include:
* NEW auction types including Reverse, Barter, Blind (Sealed), and RFQ (Request for Quotation) auctions. (Note: Initially, not all types will be activated on avalon.ph)
* Auction Watch
* Memorized Auctions
* Hot Items Listings
* Optimized Manage Auctions Page
* Auto Relist
* Bulk Relist
* User Marketplace and more...
Avalon.ph will be offline between August 26, 2003 1800 hours (6:00pm) until the upgrade process is complete. This upgrade process will take as short as 12 hours to a few days, depending on how fast I can configure the new features and the site. You may not be able to access Avalon.ph between these hours. Rest assured we will notify you when the site goes back online.
Thank you!
| 
