Internal Service Error

I am just so frustrated. I managed to list one thing this morning, the second listing had total photo screw up, I tried on and off all day, reloading, deleting, trying again. I tried to change a few things on my pages, housekeeping if you will, and kept getting a message "Internal Service Error." And I had another call today from a potential client who couldn't make a purchase.

If you look at the Ruby Lane Facebook page, you will see increasing hostility, animosity, dissatisfaction, whatever you want to call it. And at this point, I can't blame them. It had quieted down with the updates from RL, but there haven't been any over the weekend on FB and shop owners are seriously ticked at the length of time this is taking, during the holiday buying season, with no updates on FB. And this "internal service error" seems to be a continuing theme, with shop owners I've talked with today.

Yes, I know it's not all going to work until it all works. Yes, I know some parts are going to go down, yes, I understand that it might work one time and not the next. But it has been going on much too long. This is my business, this is not a hobby for me, and this has become a nightmare in more ways than one, most particularly with clients, both repeat and new.

I am starting to wonder how much credibility Ruby Lane is losing during this change over, with shop owners, buyers and in the public eye, on Twitter and Facebook in particular. Is there ANY chance of us finding out how much longer, REALISTICALLY, that this is going to take?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Charmed Life on November 6, 2011 at 9:31pm

I have kept my itchy fingers away from my shops.

I know myself too well ... and know that if things were glitchy I would just get myself worked up into some kind of crazy frenzy.

I rationalize it as saving myself some suffering.

If this were my only source of income, I would be singing a different tune, I know.

If I had a wish it would be that RL had 24/7 customer support for shopowners. It is a 24/7 marketplace, we're all in different time zones and even different continents. We all work at different hours and on different schedules.

That would be my first wish.

Permalink Reply by The Old Grey Mare on November 6, 2011 at 9:36pm

And, while I am venting, let me say this. I am a Platinum shop on Ruby Lane, exclusive since July 2005, Ruby Lane has been the only site I've sold on. It has never crossed my mind to sell anywhere but Ruby Lane, which I feel is beyond a shadow of a doubt the finest antique and vintage online selling venue. However, this is my full time business, and if it can't be worked out in the next day or so, I am going to be forced to consider other sites through the holidays, I can NOT afford to lose the holiday selling season, which is a major part of my business. I hate to think about adding another site, and losing my exclusive privileges with Ruby Lane, but one must do what it takes for success, even in the short run. If I, devoted to Ruby Lane, convinced of its excellence, feel this way, desperately wanting to stay exclusive, what must the other 2,000 shops be thinking during this incredibly trying time????

Permalink Reply by Charmed Life on November 6, 2011 at 9:46pm

I've sold online since the beginning days of eBay. I started on Ruby Lane in 2009 and became exclusive there about a year ago. I've never regretted the decision ...

I can certainly understand where you're coming from, and if it were my primary source of income I would be looking at my other options, also.

Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on November 6, 2011 at 9:47pm

I hear ya Dexter ):

and have also forced myself to just not even try to work my shops apart from the one item that amazingly I got listed without any hitch yesterday morning.

This is an essential part of my income so to say I am concerned is an understatement. I have even been considering cancelling my exclusive status for a while and re-opening my Etsy store...not what I want to do...

but since Oct 28th things have been such a mess on RL/RP that even my normally positive attitude is struggling.

I know Carol posted earlier today that things were looking up tho still a few more hurdles...but then came the internal error thing that has been around since. I just wish they could have an explanatory message up when the site goes down to at least let people know. And I really wish they would let us know what happened to make it necessary to do this now rather than after the holidays.

I tried being a peacemaker/positive voice on the fb page but folks are just getting so upset that I hesitate to even venture in to the fray there anymore lest I be gobbled up. I saw some of the more vicious responses to other sellers who had tried to be supportive were thankfully removed. Venting is one thing but attacking each other just makes a bad situation so much worse. I dread to think what customers who visit there must think ):

Permalink Reply by Grapenut Glass & More on November 6, 2011 at 10:13pm

I did list one thing tonight. I had problems getting all the photos to load; had to edit 4 times to get them all in.

Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on November 6, 2011 at 10:15pm

Hey...troops...it's going to be OK...if you have to open another venue for the holidays...that's OK...it won't hurt to give up your "exclusive" for a month or two....it's not going to hurt Ruby Lane or you...they will eventually fix whatever it is...but, life and business goes on...to be perfectly honest, if I had ever ventured onto Etsy or Bonanza, I would probably be putting up a storefront there for the holidays, but I haven't and I don't have the time to learn a new business curve. I'm with the rest of the silent whimpering majority that wishes that Ruby Lane had at least given us some warning that this was going to happen, what the potential for major downtime was going to be and that yes, it would probably impact our business for the crucial holiday selling season. Be kind to each other. We are all in this together. And, it will get better.

Permalink Reply by San Marcos Art Glass on November 6, 2011 at 10:20pm

Dexter, something I considered would be fair is if things are not working well tomorrow, would RL allow exclusive sellers to offer their items in another site without sacrificing the click benefits of exclusivity. You and I have had trouble a bit longer than many have. I don't have a great number of sales, so I know I am not being affected to the extent that you are. I often go a few days without a sale, so I wouldn't know the difference. I don't like the idea of exclusive shops only being able to use eBay (or similar) as an alternative. There are other online venues that will allow a better price without having to set up a store. Maybe here on TVV or directly through FB. Let me know if you decide to do something and I'll give you a promotion every day on my store and personal pages.

I would check my reports to see if things are showing up as failed attempts. The last time I looked at reports, though, they were down. I couldn't even get the Google analytics. I'll have to check again.

Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on November 6, 2011 at 10:23pm

Thanks for the encouragement Carolyn :)

My Etsy shop is all set up still, just in "hidden" mode since I went exclusive so it would be a click of a button to re-open...came close to it last night but decided to wait out the weekend as I really like being exclusive on RL/RP.

I even considered adding some stuff to the bay but then I came to my senses and realized I could never be desperate enough to do that to myself again! ;) and that even if I were....there would be very little profit and much wasted time and effort!

Permalink Reply by Grapenut Glass & More on November 6, 2011 at 10:27pm

I wouldn't totally discount ebay. There are things that sell better there than on RL. Since listing is still iffy, you might search completeds on ebay on some random items you have. You might be surprised.

Permalink Reply by The Old Grey Mare on November 6, 2011 at 10:33pm

Thank you so much ladies, your responses have been so well thought out, so spot on. The best thing I've found since joining TVV is the ideas, the back and forth, the support of the other members of the Ruby Lane group. I'm not sure how I did it before without you. Guess I'll wait to see what happens tomorrow on RL. Carolyn, you're right, love your sentiment, we ARE all in this together, and it makes it so much easier to have friends to talk with.

Permalink Reply by San Marcos Art Glass on November 6, 2011 at 10:45pm

One thing I have to commend our group for is that we're not on RL's pages saying bad things. I don't like shooting myself in the foot like that.

It may be some comfort that I ran some Alexa comparisons of the different online "malls" that are comparable to RL. All of them, like RL, are at their baseline now. Last week we had a spike in sales. It showed up on several sites. This weekend, for some reason, the sites have returned to their pre-spike level. So it isn't just RL. This is one thing that was concerning me. Before the problems began, I was getting a sale every day. Now nothing. It is not unusual for my store, though.

Now if someone tells me that tried to buy one of my expensive things and it wouldn't let them, I will be most upset... and hope they still want it.

Permalink Reply by Shari Basoff on November 6, 2011 at 10:45pm

I hear you to Dexter and I don't normally bother to participate in these conversations but as one of those other 2000 shops-It does seem the powers that be have hung out there gone fishing sign over the weekend. Can't think of anyone who does what we do being able to afford this. Mostly the timing is just killer. With no clear end in sight and damage already apparent this has become more then frustrating! Not sure if etzy or something like it is the answer. However I understand wanting a quick resolve or a sharp pair of scissors to cut the marionette strings we are dangling from right now. And yes I love my shops- but don't like or appreciate being in this position.