Bidstart Vs. HipStamp Format

I find using BidStart much more user friendly than HipStamp.
Some BidStart features I like:
Store names shown without clicking on item
Item location button
Items listed in a downward column not straight across

What's your opinion?


*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

I'm a user of stamps to go and while the website is not the best I usually find what I'm looking for.

I've tried stamps2go with no luck. I have never found a single stamp there I don't already have.

I looked briefly at stamps2go as a seller, but I found that the list of centering and condition categories did not match my database. As a buyer, I didn't find a way to order search other than by catalog number. I checked state revenues, and found that when multiple states are searched, the state code is nowhere to be found. In general the interface seems to me to be uncomfortable to use on a Microsoft Surface and has a somewhat dated appearance. Also, not being able to open the listing detail in a new tab or window requires an annoying extra click to return to search results. Also, not having a thumbnail in the search results window means that unnecessary views of unsuitable stamps would be required while looking for stamps of a certain appearance or quality. While centering may be supplied by sellers, many are likely to over grade their stamps in the hope of receiving more views.

Now that I think about it, the larger Hipstamp images are a major benefit compared to having no image. While I prefer to scan down the left side of the page, having four images lined up in each row would mean less scrolling.

I Tried using BidStart today but the site now goes to HipStamp instead.

I find HipStamp NOT used friendly at all when compared to the old BidStart site.

It's a shame because I used to purchase a lot of stamps on BidStart but I don't think I'll be using HipStamp anytime soon in it's present format.

I think the design of HipStamp is very user friendly, I also use Stamps2Go for WW collection. There a a few guys on Stamps2Go with very deep stocks from all over the world and they offer an easy way to buy a bunch of totally random stamps - not part of a set.

I generally like the look of HipStamp compared to BidStart. Its probably missing some nice features, but no doubt some of that will be addressed over time. The big problem is HipStamp is incredibly slow. Press Browse and wait 10 seconds or press Auction vs Buy it Now and wait 5 seconds. Dreadful response times. That will have to be addressed to be a useful site.

The real problem continues, which is essentially no Auctions and way too many individual stamp items to wade through. Pressed to view Auctions for Canada. Nothing. But there are 155366 Buy it Now items, probably all individual stamps. There are no US auctions either.

So the real impediment to me using HipStamp is the same thing: no auctions, few if any collections, gazillions of individual stamps to wade through, and probably high pricing for those items. Why use HipStamp when bargains can be had on ebay?

I tried to find Worldwide collections. Got no results then a 500 error and HipComic reference, then back to straight listing of Worldwide stamps. So clearly some big bugs to work out.

Finally got through on search for "collection" in Worldwide and there are 492 entries, most of those the deceptive pictures of warehouses and stacks of stamps, when really they are selling packets of 100 random stamps.

So, this is not a viable buying venue for me. But nothing new from BidStart.

I personally prefer the BidStart interface...HipStamp just requires too many "mouse" clicks to manouvre around it's site.
It's still early days...hopefully it will improve and not become an interface mess that ebay is today.
It appears that soon BidStart will no longer exist after the migration to HipStamp.

Hungary you've hit on the reason I won't list my items on Bidstart or Hipstamp. I sell ALL of my items on ebay using the auction format. My main category is Stamps;Worldwide;Collections and there are always about 7000 items listed. Nystamps and to a lesser degree Noblespirit list items similar to mine. I don't think of these big guys as competitor I think of them as "Anchor stores" for my boutique and I need them.

I start all of my items at $2.59 and have an average sale price of $40+, I couldn't afford to list on Hipstamp and sell my items at opening bid. Unless Hipstamp finds a way to lure the big guys I'm afraid it will only be a site with a huge number of fixed price items.

bidStart is now officially toast so not sure where all the non stamp sellers and items will go. If you try to open bidstart it will redirect you to hipstamp. Here is the mail I just received.




John,



Welcome to HipStamp! This past Tuesday marked the official migration of bidStart into HipStamp - your online home for collectibles stamps.



In this week's newsletter we will be focusing on a few of our newest features, a handful of frequently asked questions, and a couple of sales and promotions.



"Pay Later" by Check or Money Order



On HipStamp, Sellers have the option to accept payment by Check or Money Order for their listings - through our "Pay Later" feature, which allows pre-approved buyers to checkout and pay later, including by check or money order (note that items will not be shipped until payment is completed). Once a Seller enables the "Pay Later" feature, their item listings will display the following information:



Get Pre-Approved

To get pre-approved, just click the button to send the Seller a request. Once they approve you, you can then "Pay Later" for any items from this Seller. More specifically, you'll see the following additional option available at checkout from the Seller:



Pay Later



This will also allow you to combine store item purchases with auction purchases to save on shipping. By default, any open orders (or auction winnings) placed within 3 days of each other are automatically combined, outside of 3 days the Seller can combine any purchases if agreed upon.



bidStart Orders, Feedback, and Favorite Stores



All orders and feedback from the past year should now be available to you within the Members Area. We're currently working on importing the remainder of historical orders and feedback, which will be completed within the next few days. Favorite Stores and Items I'm Watching lists will be imported within approximately the next week as well.



Premium Stores



As a Premium Store owner on HipStamp, you'll have a dedicated account manager, and we'll work with you on Sales, Promotions and Newsletters. You'll also be periodically featured within our weekly newsletter, like these Premium Stores today...



Join the Community


One of the best parts of HipStamp is our vibrant community. Both our employees and other members hang out in our forums on a regular basis. You can even submit Feature Requests, where other members can vote on them, and help us decide what to build next! Check out the Forums today.






Sad Pig 35% Off



HD Stamp Hunter 10 Percent Off





Browse 735 Auctions







Browse All 525 Stores





Win a Penny Black




Sent by: HipStamp.com 8241A whispering glen, raleigh, nc

Click here to Unsubscribe

Cards will now go to HipPostcard and if you sold both cards and stamps, you will be charged $5.00 each for 2 stores instead of 1 small fee on bidStart.

As far as coins, currency, etc I have no idess yet unless Mark open a HipCoin and HipCurrency, etc.

Anyone that had anything on bidStart should immediately check where their items have migrated to.

Is anything for sale on HipStamp? Whenever I search for items that Iinterest me, I get a "There are no listings matching your query" message.

I have no idea at this point, but it appears there is by links to premium stores on HipStamp.

There have been listings for some time already.

Jarnick

I just logged in and no problem finding stamps. I don't think it is a detailed as bidStart was but not sure as I have nothing listed.

I tried a couple of searches and got results.

What exactly are you searching for?

Wow, it took about 3 weeks to go back on their previous announcement that both sites would remain viable.

Auction sites can represent a substantial investment in a person's time. Unfortunately I am not in a position to lose much time so I have to have a high level of confidence in something before I invest in it. So for me, and given the questionable evolution of BidStart/Hipstamp, prudence dictates not investing in it as either a buyer or a seller. But for other folks I guess it makes sense to risk investing time in 'anything but ebay'.

Reminds me a bit like the current US Presidential race (out of 350 million people these are the best choices we have?). Out of the entire 'world wide web'; these are the best online stamp auction sites we have to choose from?
Don