status-resolved Abolish "start" as a "bid" in marketplace?

[james haw]

Using the word "Start" as a bid is fiddly, and not always definitive because some people use it when it's an invalid option. It's only possible to use it when the listing is definitive and with only a single option to buy. For such a small legitimate windows of usage I see no point in allowing it at all as it just causes potential confusion


There was a thread recently where a user (innocently) posted "Start" believing they were just starting off the auction as a friendly gesture, and so not really taking "start" as a serious and binding bid. And in some logical way you cannot blame them, as it's a word and not really a bid as we are familiar with - most posts, even the first one usually, are numeric bids - $x.
This is a problem because we are split - some users see "Start" as an official bid, and some users do not.


Problems with "start" as a bid
Some of this may seem pedantic, but in the interest of everything being clear and above board I think they're valid points:

• "Start" can only be used in certain circumstances, and so in few scenarios. So its usage is sporadic and inconsistent - ie Cannot be used as the first bid in all marketplace listings

• I can't find "Start" listed in the rules as a way to bid, so is "Start" is an unofficial term? If so, this is not ideal given bids are (supposed to be) binding and official. Without a pre-determined official ruling to outline guidelines and enforce an official outcome, it can be disputed and argued as "not a bid" - by seller or buyer, which highlights obvious potential issues

• "Start" is only technically a bid based on "Start" being a "representative word for the 'Starting Bid' as outlined in the listing details". Surely a bid should stand on it's own (as a numerical value) without the need to consult the listing to know what that bid was?

• As "Start" is a representative word of the "Starting Bid" as per the listing, is it legitimate for users bidding after the starting bid to post "Me Next" (or any words), and we simply know they mean "I'm bidding the lowest incremental value possible on the previous bid"? This is essentially no different to how "Start" is defined and perceived

• All bids being of the same format (no words) makes it easier to read and know what is going on without possible ambiguity

• Some marketplace forums allow changes to the listing after bids, and in some scenarios "start" can become ambiguous, whereas a definitive bid amount allows a clear historical record and likely less potential ambiguity

While "Start" is not hard to understand, and most know what it means, is there an actual point to allowing/using it? I see no benefit at all over an official bid - "$x" which removes various potential issues and ambiguity.


SUGGESTION

1. Abolish the use of the word "start"
2. EG
   
   • From now on (previous "Start" bids remain valid) a bid is only official and binding when a numerical bid value is present (and multiple values where multiple domains are being sold, etc)

Essentially make the requirements of the first post the same as all other posts and provide clear information.

This resolves all potential issues and makes the "bid" perfectly clear as to what the buyer is bidding on and their bid amount, and provides an accurate historical record to be able to resolve any debates/problems which may arise after numerous bids have occurred.
It also resolves anyone thinking the post is not a binding bid.

 

[Eric Lyon]

"Start" is not recognized as a valid bid by our rules. If a marketplace moderator notices or receives a report about such a "bid," it should be deleted.

In order for bids to be valid, they must be clear and specific.

In this case, the member would have had to say "$50 for each domain" otherwise the bid message is invalid and should be Reported/ignored by sellers.

I hope that helps clarify the rules.

 

[james haw]

"Start" is not recognized as a valid bid by our rules.

Thanks for the confirmation.

It not being "official" doesn't negate the problem I outlined
I see it used quite a bit, and while that does not make it official, it means it's unofficially official amongst users.

Would it be viable to implement a script which doesn't allow people to post "Start" when it's the first reply to a thread in an auction? A simple popup with something like "You must post a bid amount".

Is it possible to do a DB query to count all posts in auctions where the first reply is "Start"?

 

[Eric Lyon]

Would it be viable to implement a script which doesn't allow people to post "Start" when it's the first reply to a thread in an auction? A simple popup with something like "You must post a bid amount".

Is it possible to do a DB query to count all posts in auctions where the first reply is "Start"?

Yes and yes. However, we have other projects that we are busy working on, so the best solution at the moment is for sellers to report it when it happens.

Only so many hours in a day.

 

[james haw]

Yes and yes

we have other projects that we are busy working on, so the best solution at the moment is for sellers to report it when it happens.

Only so many hours in a day.

Hey no worries there - I've worked in commercial tech so no need to explain your TODO list to me

Thanks Eric