Update On The Adult Collector Community

I've got an update on the proposed adult collectors website/community.

Based on your comments (posted and emailed), I asked the folks at behind it to provide more information; here are the answers.

The website for collectors of adult items will be very similar to the mainstream collectors site (Collector's Quest, aka CQ), except that:

* The adult collectibles site will charge a membership fee while the mainstream site will be free. "CQ is free because we can support ourself through mainstream advertisers and sale of collectibles. This would not be the case in the adult arena."

* The adult site would have original blog content, like the mainstream one, but not video "as this presents a HUGE screening problem for us."

* In order for collectors to be assured that the other members are in fact over 18, and therefore trading and selling without that risk, members will be pre-screened via a credit card authorization process.

Regarding traffic and/or ranking of Collectors' Quest. Deb and others were concerned that the site, though over a year old and dedicated to the huge area of collecting, had little traffic or at least a poor Alexa ranking. I asked them to respond.

CQ: Alexa is an unfair comparison for two reasons. Most of the traffic on Alexa comes from Asia and while we are global, most of our traffic is US based. Secondly and more importantly, Alexa only tracks those users who use the Alexa toolbar. Most of our traffic comes from Google searches and therefore we would not be accurately represented.

(Note this posting for more info on Alexa's accuracy.)

CQ: CQ currently has 40,000 visitors monthly. This is all without marketing. Once we open the community piece, we are starting formal marketing and expect this to grow exponentially.

As mentioned, Collector's Quest is planning on launching their community soon. It is in Beta testing and :knock wood: it will be released in a week or so. This will be done before the adult sister site would begin for several reasons, including working out bugs and pricing, as well as putting the age screening mechanisms in place. (This credit card authorization process is more complex for programmers.) They are hoping to have it up in July, if not before.

Regarding pricing...

CQ: We are looking to keep the fees low. There has been talk of $10/month with discounts for those who sign for 3, 6 and year terms. What is important to remember is that we do not charge people for listings like ebay does and you can keep an item displayed for as long as you want. We also do not take a commission on a sale from our site. You can also put up as many items as you like.(although if you are a dealer - there will be a different fee structure for above a certain amount of photos) These things alone would be less money than what it would cost you to use eBay for the same services.

So that those interested can try the site and see if it's worth the fees, there will be a trial period.

CQ: We will be offering a 30 day free trial period and those who sign up early will receive an extra discount. We want to encourage people to test it and tailor it for the community.

Again, I ask that you all post your thoughts in the comments section &/or email me privately if that's more comfortable for you. The more information we provide to CQ, the better the community & website will fit our needs. (Again, I promise not to share any of your personal information, only the sentiments/questions/concerns.) Thanks!