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Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
UPDATE 1/6/2015: I've uninstalled the Panjo plugin and will return to the original style of listing classifieds.
Hey folks, I'm really excite to introduce a new classifieds plugin called Panjo.
I think we can agree that most classified sections are somewhat lacking and while I have yet to discover selling (or buying) nirvana, I think Panjo improves on the standard forum post.
Here's a few items that I think is an improvement over creating a typical classified listing:
* a photo-based gallery of listings
* email reminders
* buyer protection
* payment integration
* increased item visibility
* sort, search, and filer tools
* sold item records
* drag-and-drop image uploads
* enhanced security
* price negotiation and checkout tools
The best part, to me, is the Paypal integration and the ease in which I can buy something. Just click the "Buy" button, check out securely through Paypal, and it's done.
The other main reason we've installed Panjo is to help pay for some of the operating costs of FPGeeks.
There's no listing fee, but there is a 2.5% transaction fee when the item sells. For users who have donated to the forum we are removing the transaction fee so it will cost you nothing to use it. This will be retroactive, so if you've ever donated, even as little as $1, you won't have to pay any fees for selling items.
The new Panjo Classifieds can be accessed through the "Classifieds" menu link at the top of the forum and the Classifieds forum will remain as is. Panjo automatically creates a new thread in the Classifieds forum so it can still be used on mobile devices.
Speaking of mobile devices, there's also a Panjo app for iPhone (sorry Android users) that lets you list items directly from your phone.
I want to give a huge THANKS! to Tim Hoffman who helped me out with this project.
If you have any questions or concerns please leave a comment. I'm looking forward to your feedback.
Learn more about the new buyer benefits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBpJ7kQ0knA
Learn more about the new seller benefits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLM4l3jEtAk
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
"Browse The Gallery" gives a 404
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gbryal
"Browse The Gallery" gives a 404
Fixed. Thank you.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I sold some pens recently, and so I feel I owe a retroactive contribution. :) Can I donate anonymously and still have the transaction fee removed in the future?
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Will there be a fee for a Trade listing?
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
This sorta hurts those of us that sell across multiple forums.
Here's the problem I see....
If I commit to someone on one forum, like Fountain Pen Board, via email that they are the successful buyer, then bang, someone here on FP Geeks clicks buy now, it is going to leave someone disappointed.
I think it is great that the sellers should support the board, and honestly, with the exception of being stuck with paypal as the only means to receive payment, I like the rest. Especially listing direct from my Iphone.
It sorta hurts the set up I have in regards to selling, and I am not sure how to functionally make my sales work across all boards.
Presently, I list across Fountain Pen Classifieds, Fountain Pen Board, Pentrace, and FP Geeks. I have people that follow my sales on each board that look for something different.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Laura N
I sold some pens recently, and so I feel I owe a retroactive contribution. :) Can I donate anonymously and still have the transaction fee removed in the future?
Yes, you can donate anonymously and still be part of the group not subject to transaction fees. The anonymity is just to other forum members. The backend still keeps track of who donates.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sailor Kenshin
Will there be a fee for a Trade listing?
No. Trades are not currently part of the Panjo Classified System.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rick Krantz
This sorta hurts those of us that sell across multiple forums.
Here's the problem I see....
If I commit to someone on one forum, like Fountain Pen Board, via email that they are the successful buyer, then bang, someone here on FP Geeks clicks buy now, it is going to leave someone disappointed.
I think it is great that the sellers should support the board, and honestly, with the exception of being stuck with paypal as the only means to receive payment, I like the rest. Especially listing direct from my Iphone.
It sorta hurts the set up I have in regards to selling, and I am not sure how to functionally make my sales work across all boards.
Presently, I list across Fountain Pen Classifieds, Fountain Pen Board, Pentrace, and FP Geeks. I have people that follow my sales on each board that look for something different.
Sorry, some information that wasn't provided may give you a different outlook.
A listing on Panjo can easily be cancelled in those situations when a pen sells elsewhere. If a buyer does complete the checkout here after someone else commits but before you can cancel the listing then it will create an extra step for you in that you have to refund their payment.
To clarify, Paypal isn't the only way to accept payment. You can arrange payment on your own terms. Using Paypal just streamlines the checkout process for the buyer and seller and provides protection for both users.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
thanks for the additional information.
It certainly is something I am going to try and make work.
I really like your site, and I like the people here. It is a hassle free exchange, and honestly, you guys did not drag it down with a lot of rules.
my home board is Fountain Pen Board, but this one has a terrific mix of people.
Admittedly, I am a seller that sells enough and should contribute more, so that is all good as well.
I have been trying to figure out ways to get away from paypal for ages now, maybe this is the way to make it happen, who knows.
Also, I could custom tailor my sales for this board, or even LINK them to here.
Thanks again. I'm not going anywhere, we'll make this work!
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Two things:
1. This is just the perfect time to spur me into action - I *need* to release some of my pens into the wild, I just don't like having more pens than I can either use or appreciate. Thanks, Dan.
2. I just have to put a public kudo to Rick: Rick, you always have great sales, and while I haven't bought much from you, the pens you sell, at prices that are beyond reasonable, certainly must account for a lot of people, who are new to the hobby, finding good pens to add to their flocks. Not to mention that Rick just came to the rescue for me with some much needed Esterbrook items. I really do hope you stick around, Rick, you are a credit to pendom.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Um...no. I may be a luddite. Thank you Dan for the forum and the ability to sell here.
As a seller I see no upside to this. If you want money, ask.
As a buyer reading through their terms it appears they are passing the responsibility onto paypal. I have not quoted the relevant bits because you should read it yourselves.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I have just clicked on the 'Browse' clicky and I like the look.
If it keeps this clean through the months then it could be a very pleasant way of browsing the classifieds.
Sloegin: Indeed. It would appear they are passing responsibility for everything to anyone but themselves. I don't sell much/often so I will not/can not comment on how it would affect others but I'll see how it goes.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sloegin
...As a seller I see no upside to this.
Really? Because as a seller myself, I see several advantages, the biggest being a more efficient process from listing to accepting payment. Image uploading is drag-n-drop or batch upload. I don't have to worry about using a third-party host and copying and pasting a bunch of links. I don't have to go back and forth with a potential buyer if the item is still available and what my Paypal info is. If the buyer wants, they click "Buy It", I get the notification, ship it and that's it.
But, being a luddite, you probably don't use Paypal or even take digital images. I'm guessing you're still mailing prints to those interested in purchasing your pens so you're right, there probably is no upside for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sloegin
If you want money, ask.
I can ask all I want, but only a few actually donate and do so repeatedly. Using Panjo and charing a transaction fee is a way to spread the load out evenly, especially for those who sell more than others.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sloegin
As a buyer reading through their
terms it appears they are passing the responsibility onto paypal. I have not quoted the relevant bits because you should read it yourselves.
Is this is a surprise? Paypal has a pretty solid resolution system and I always recommend people use them for online transactions. If we had a policy in place for the Classifieds (before installing Panjo) I'd just copy theirs.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I've just uploaded a pen - it was surprisingly easy.
One or two niggles:
1. I can't list prices in two currencies (it makes little sense for someone in the UK to pay currency conversion to USD and me back to GBP)
2. I can't differentiate the shipping cost (that option is greyed out).
3. It doesn't recognise anonymous donations (unsurprisingly) but I'm fine with that.
ETA: I've just (hopefully) sold the Pelikan listed on Pajaro the old fashioned way and now it won't let me cancel the listing.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Hi Dan,
I watched the video but didn't see an answer to this: can you list without the Paypal "Buy" button?
I can think of situations where I wouldn't want just anyone to be able to automatically buy my item. For example, if I didn't want to sell internationally, or if I needed to charge more for international shipping, or if I didn't want to sell to a particular person with whom I'd had a bad experience.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Laura N
Hi Dan,
I watched the video but didn't see an answer to this: can you list without the Paypal "Buy" button?
I can think of situations where I wouldn't want just anyone to be able to automatically buy my item. For example, if I didn't want to sell internationally, or if I needed to charge more for international shipping, or if I didn't want to sell to a particular person with whom I'd had a bad experience.
For each listing you can choose whether or not you want to use Paypal or arrange outside payment. For variable shipping rates there is an option for it to be determined by the buyer's location after the sale.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carlc
I've just uploaded a pen - it was surprisingly easy.
One or two niggles:
1. I can't list prices in two currencies (it makes little sense for someone in the UK to pay currency conversion to USD and me back to GBP)
2. I can't differentiate the shipping cost (that option is greyed out).
3. It doesn't recognise anonymous donations (unsurprisingly) but I'm fine with that.
ETA: I've just (hopefully) sold the Pelikan listed on Pajaro the old fashioned way and now it won't let me cancel the listing.
What do you mean by "It doesn't recognise anonymous donations?"
What happens when you try to cancel the listing? When I do it, I select Classifieds>Marketplace Tools>Your Listing and I'm presented with:
Attachment 14906
When I click "Cancel Listing" I see:
Attachment 14907
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I donated in the past but it still seemed to be adding a 2.5% donation.
I got an error message when I tried to cancel (twice) - it also said the team had been notified.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sloegin
Um...no. I may be a luddite. Thank you Dan for the forum and the ability to sell here.
As a seller I see no upside to this. If you want money, ask.
As a buyer reading through their
terms it appears they are passing the responsibility onto paypal. I have not quoted the relevant bits because you should read it yourselves.
I agree that the benefits to sellers aren't as great. The automatic Paypal payment will probably be appreciated by some sellers because they don't have to deal with all the PMs back and forth, or with buyers who are slow payers. But it seems like there's a benefit for Fountain Pen Geeks, and that's enough for me.
I do a lot of fundraising as a volunteer. "All you have to do is ask" doesn't always work. First, many people aren't comfortable saying "please contribute." Second, a surprising number of people just ignore such a request anyway. And others are too busy, or put it off till later, or assume it's not needed. Asking for money works best in person and when there's a little benefit for it, two things that are harder to accomplish on a free website.
Also, no matter what, some people will never contribute. For those people, a small selling fee is probably much more acceptable.
This was a nice reminder to me to make a contribution, which I'd thought I'd already done. :) Another problem with asking for money -- people think they've already contributed.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dannzeman
Really? Because as a seller myself, I see several advantages, the biggest being a more efficient process from listing to accepting payment. Image uploading is drag-n-drop or batch upload. I don't have to worry about using a third-party host and copying and pasting a bunch of links. I don't have to go back and forth with a potential buyer if the item is still available and what my Paypal info is. If the buyer wants, they click "Buy It", I get the notification, ship it and that's it.
You have the Belxley Intrepid listed both here and at your website. The photos have two different url locations. Dose that mean you uploaded them twice? A third party host is efficient when you are listing at multiple locations. Drag-n-drop is overrated.
Your website offers a "buy it" option that takes a buyer to paypal checkout. Ebay offers this as well.
Answering if something is still available is not more efficient than closing/canceling a listing from a selling point of view.
Automation does not equal efficiency.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dannzeman
But, being a luddite, you probably don't use Paypal or even take digital images. I'm guessing you're still mailing prints to those interested in purchasing your pens so you're right, there probably is no upside for you.
Yes, and I still use fountain pens when I can type.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dannzeman
I can ask all I want, but only a few actually donate and do so repeatedly. Using Panjo and charing a transaction fee is a way to spread the load out evenly, especially for those who sell more than others.
Is there a topic in the sales forum asking for donations?...if so I missed it. Part of the objection is being told I have to pay before being asked. Hey, at least you aren't claiming the website costs many thousands of dollars a year to run :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dannzeman
Is this is a surprise? Paypal has a pretty solid resolution system and I always recommend people use them for online transactions. If we had a policy in place for the Classifieds (before installing Panjo) I'd just copy theirs.
Not really, but claiming buyer protection while relying on paypal's policies is a bit misleading.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I listed a pen this morning with almost no hassle. Any bumps along the way were simply me figuring out the system. (No, I didn't watch the video first, but I appreciate that it's there.)
I tried to post from my I pad but couldn't make it work. Posting from the Mac book was no problem. I usually post classifieds from my phone, so I'll be glad when/if an Android app is available.
I don't mind the small fee. I haven't donated before, but I have purchased items from the shop on multiple occasions.
Dan, thanks for trying to create the best experience possible for both the buyer and the seller.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I don't sell a lot of pens but I do contribute since I found this forum. If it benefits this board, the people in it, and fountain pen use in general, I like the new system. Put it this way. I've seen far worse.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I'm excited, really I am. I have never sold a pen online and am thinking that the herd will be cleansed this year (ok, 2015) and the whole thing looks streamlined. I did just try to download the iphone app & it wants IOS8.0, so I guess I'm going to have to download the update.
I have bought quite a few pens off this forum, and the buying portion of it looks pretty effortless too. No more waiting across time zones to see if someone wants to sell you their pen. They just refund me the money if they have already sold it.
Question--will you be letting newcomers list pens? That would make it easy for scammers like Brandon.
2nd Question--Is there a way to see if the item has been sold besides opening up the ad and reading the whole thing?
Thank you!
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Can you list several pens in one listing for different prices, or do you need to list each pen separately now?
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Each listing is separate. Makes the Buy it Now option possible.
It took me about 25 minutes to get 8 or 9 listings up.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrcharlie
Can you list several pens in one listing for different prices, or do you need to list each pen separately now?
I looked on the Panjo support forums for answers, and it appears this is strictly tied to individual item sales. They have their reasons for it, and it doesn't look like there will be any changes to accommodate multiple item listings.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
manoeuver
It took me about 25 minutes to get 8 or 9 listings up.
Can I infer from this that you mean it was relatively easy and quick? Or was that a long time to complete that work? (I'm assuming the former)
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jon Szanto
Quote:
Originally Posted by
manoeuver
It took me about 25 minutes to get 8 or 9 listings up.
Can I infer from this that you mean it was relatively easy and quick? Or was that a long time to complete that work? (I'm assuming the former)
You're correct Jon. I found 2 ways to speed things up considerably:
1. bookmark the blank starting page. Once you finish a listing click your bookmark and it'll load up an empty listing for you.
2. drop your images into the drag/drop box first, then write the listing. Large images take longer to upload than an ad takes to write.
overall I'm tickled at how easy it is to make listings quickly.
I've already sold 2 items today (shipped one!) where before I'd still be swapping emails or PMs (ugh) with prospective buyers. So far so good.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Does Panjo support any form of payment other than PayPal? It's an old story, but I have sworn never to open another PayPal account.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Sorry but I just don't like it. The wagon wheel wasn't broke and didn't need fixing.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Curtisvan
Sorry but I just don't like it. The wagon wheel wasn't broke and didn't need fixing.
That doesn't mean replacing a wagon wheel with a jetski isn't the right thing to do, in certain cases. (Yes, terrible metaphor).
I never felt I had the time and effort available to put listings up, and this seems like a solution that comes closer to my needs. Just as in pens, we all like different things.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Well it was a good wagon. Let's see how the jet ski works. doesn't really matter whether anyone likes it or not. It's here. And hey what's another 2.5%? Everyone wants a piece.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Curtisvan
Sorry but I just don't like it. The wagon wheel wasn't broke and didn't need fixing.
Mr. Van, that just isn't true. This whole thing got started when I read this thread:
http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread....t-I-d-say-this
Numerous users made it clear that selling pens was a pain in the ass- especially selling off a bunch of pens.
I know this well as I've had over a hundred pens I've been meaning to sell (since August!) but haven't posted ANY of them here, just because it's a pain.
I talked to Dan and said 'Users are complaining that it's hard to sell pens. We should make it easier for them.'
The 2 most annoying things about selling pens (for me at least) were making the ad itself and arranging payment. If making the ad was as simple as filling out a form, and we could get a Buy Now button into the listing, selling pens would be way, way easier.
and now it is.
We didn't consider that it wouldn't be quite as convenient for some people as copying and pasting their ad across many fora, but the purpose of this forum is not to be one arm of anybody's pen reselling business. (Thanks so much to Rick Krantz who took the changes in stride like a gentleman.)
For those of you who are doubtful, take 3 minutes and create a listing. You can remove it immediately if you want.
ok folks, have fun!
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I've thought about this a bit, and it seems to me that the functions of a forum should stand to benefit the regular members and contributors of a forum first and foremost. There are a lot of places to buy and sell pens on the net, and if this one arena ends up making a better user experience for the FPG community, I think that should be the bottom line. I plan on giving it a try myself, and hope that it adds, not detracts, from the overall FPG experience.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I just noticed that when I clicked on an image on the original listing, it took me to the Panjo listing and there I found it had reduced the size of the images so that the picture showing the nib had in fact cut the nib off the edge of the image when it was resized, so I couldn't see it. It also had text through the images that wasn't there on the original images.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chrissy
I just noticed that when I clicked on an image on the original listing, it took me to the Panjo listing and there I found it had reduced the size of the images so that the picture showing the nib had in fact cut the nib off the edge of the image when it was resized, so I couldn't see it. It also had text through the images that wasn't there on the original images.
Good catch. I have no idea if the plugin can be tweaked for sizing - I noted that when I tried to expand the browser to full screen, it didn't widen the Panjo page (i.e. the pics were still truncated); bringing the window back to my default size caused the image display to get munged up. Either the plugin display settings need to be tweaked (if possible) or we should be aware of optimal image sizing. (I'm hoping the former, which would fix it for everyone)
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
One thing that has always scared me off from selling is my worry over the difficulty of doing so (payment, shipping, etc). This makes me more likely to try selling.
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
The old system seemed to work just fine and I don't see the improvement in the new system. It reminds me of Photobucket, which I use, but dislike. Also this new system does not match my techniques for listing. SO! I think I'm outta here...
Michael
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Re: Introducing Panjo, a new Classifieds section
I'm still tossing around my future, but I will try to list an item, see what I think.
my biggest problem is in fact, listing on several boards, using one image, so I can update the image across multiple boards.
but reality as it may be. I think that Pentrace, Fountain Pen Board, and Fountain Pen Classifieds are going to see a lot more traffic.