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Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding vBuddy:
vBuddy is the only business networking site that lets you rate your relationships to people and companies. Our validated and objective reputation system encourages honest trade, thus promoting those who do business with integrity. Next time you buy/sell something, why not use our feedback system to keep the other party accountable? We also allow employees and owners to set up their own company's network site. With this site, they can post blogs, pictures, contact info, and other profile information. Visitors will also be able to view the company's reputation, and to start new transactions. To help you monetize your company's network site, vBuddy will also let you insert your own ads (above the fold) across your entire network (network profile, blogs, photos, etc.) as well. Currently Google Adsense and Yahoo Publisher are supported. What is a network? vBuddy places its focus on companies, so most of our features are geared toward business owners, webmasters, employees, and customers.
Our reputation system keeps track of how well people and companies perform by recording feedback from both the customer and the supplier during a transaction. To do this , one side requests a transaction. Once the other party has agreed to it, the transaction is created. Once this process has started, both sides can start leaving feedback for each other, until the transaction ends. Why is vBuddy's reputation system special? We do not tie our transaction reputation system on any particular ecommerce application. This means you are able to use it on anywhere, any place. All that's required is your email address or company domain name. Imagine being able to use your reputation everywhere you go, such as email, forums, shopping carts, social networks, etc. You would no longer be held hostage by any specific platform! What is so special about being an admin of a network? As an admin of a network, you will have full control over your company's network site. You can assign specific users the right to:
How do I become the admin for my company? To become an admin, you just need to have access to the postmaster@YOURDOMAIN email address. Either register using that email address, or add that address to your account, and you will immediately be granted the power over your company. What if an employee quits my company? You just need to contact us via our contact link (bottom of the footer) and we will provide you with further instructions. How do I make money from my company's network site? As the admin of your company network site, you will be granted access to specify the publisher ID for your Google Adsense or Yahoo Publisher ads. These ad banners are shown above the fold, with no other competing ads. These ads will be shown in most areas, such as:
What is a first-come-first-served system? To encourage activity and usefulness of vBuddy even if a network has no admin/moderators present, we have implemented a first-come-first-served system. This means that if no admin is present, then members get much of the admin's rights. As soon as the admin shows up, he/she can take away these rights and take full control over the network site. Anyone can create a network for any company. That's right, anyone! Once created, you automatically become a fan of that network. As a fan you will be able to update the network's profile (if there are no network members). This way, we encourage the profile creation of all companies around the world. Go ahead, go crazy with it! Who can update my company's network site profile? We have adopted the first-come-first-served system, with the exception that fans are also in on the action. Here's how a network site's profile can be edited:
Who can create transactions on behalf of my company? Again, we are adopting a first-come-first-served system, in order to encourage activity even if the admin does not show up. However, in this case, only members are able to create transactions. Fans never get this right. Once the admin shows up, he/she can grant specific network members the right to either be a "Sales Agent", "Purchase Agent", or both. If the admin doesn't appoint anyone, then all members will have this right. How do I start a transaction with a company? To start a transaction with a company, just browse to the company profile and click the "Start New Transaction" link. If the company's network profile doesn't yet exist, however, just go to your homepage, and start a new transaction from there. Enter the company's domain name in the "Who are you buying from?" field. Once this happens, an email will be sent to postmaster@COMPANYDOMAIN. Once the company's admin clicks that link and approves it, the transaction will become live. The network site will be created, and the admin of that company will also be registered as a vBuddy member. What are sales/purchase agents and what do they do exactly? Sales agents are people designated by the admin of a company to be able to sell items on behalf of the company. This means they are able to start transactions with the company as a "supplier". Purchase agents are people designated by the admin of the company to be able to sell on behalf of the company. this means they are able to start transactions with the company as a "customer". Note that these two roles can be separately assigned by the admin of a company. Why can't I buy/sell to a network I am a member of? If you are a member of a network, you will not be able to conduct transactions with it. For example, if you are a member of vBuddy.com, you wouldn't be able to buy from or sell to vBuddy.com. This makes sense, as it'll be like buying/selling to yourself. Can a company start a transaction with another company? Yes! To do this, just create a transaction on behalf of a company to another company. For instance, if you are a member of vBuddy.com, and would like to sell something to TopCities.com, just go to vBuddy.com's start new transaction tab, then enter TopCities.com in the "who are you selling to?" field. That's it! A transaction is created when someone fills in the form to start a new transaction. Once the recipient approves it, the transaction becomes live. From this point on both sides can start leaving feedback. How do I leave feedback for a transaction? To leave a feedback, just enter the transaction page and click the "add feedback update" link. You can rate a transaction 1-5 stars (5 being best), and leave a comment. We allow one feedback update per day per transaction. Suppose you've created a transaction that lasts for 7 days. This means every single day you get to leave one feedback. Once the transaction ends, you have up to 30 days to leave the last feedback. In the real world, our satisfaction of goods and services vary with time. Suppose you purchase a consulting service from a lawyer. In the beginning the attorney is very responsive, but say after 2 months he stops returning your calls. You should be able to document this entire progress, from happy to unhappy. This will also help to keep the other party responsive to your needs, or risk getting negative feedback. vBuddy helps with this process by allowing you to leave a feedback update once per day, until the transaction ends. How often can I leave feedback updates? You can leave a feedback update once per day, until the transaction ends. Upon the ending of a transaction, if you have not posted the last feedback, you have up to 30 days to enter it. Just click the "reply" link below the feedback want to respond to within 7 days. Once the 7 days has passed, you won't be able to reply any longer. How do I cancel a transaction? Canceling a transaction requires both parties to agree. Thus when you request a cancellation of a transaction, the other party receives a pending request. Upon approval of this request, the transaction is cancelled and no further feedback will be possible. The transaction remains visible though, so that others can still view it. What's the difference between canceling and ending a transaction? Canceling a transaction means both parties agree to void the current transaction, meaning it will not be completed. For instance, suppose you wanted to buy a PS3 from John Doe, so the both of you start a transaction. Before he ships it out though, the PS3 gets dropped and breaks. Both of you agree to cancel the transaction. You don't pay, he doesn't ship. Ending a transaction, on the other hand, applies to ongoing transactions only. Unlike canceling, all you need is one party to end it, and the transaction will be completed. For instance, suppose you hire an accountant to do your taxes. You pay her monthly. After about 2 years you figure you don't need her anymore, so you end the transaction with her. It means you two have conducted business, and it has come to end end. Can I start a transaction with someone who's not a vBuddy member? Yes absolutely! To do so, just enter their email address when creating a new transaction. This person will receive an email requesting that they approve the transaction you've just requested. Once they approve the transaction, it becomes live. What is an ongoing transaction? An ongoing transaction is one that has no definite end date. For instance, you subscribe to TopCities free hosting. You are a happy customer for years. One day, you decide you no longer want this hosting service anymore, so you end it at 3 years 2 months. You never could have predicted when you would stop using this service back when you first started using it, thus you would create the transaction as an ongoing one. Are there any fees for performing transactions on vBuddy? No. vBuddy is absolutely free! How can a disruptive network fan be removed from a network? Yes! If the network has no admin/moderators, members will be able to remove disruptive fans. Once the admin/moderators show up, they take control of this right. Who can post pictures to a company's network site? The first-come-first-served system is in effect. When there is no admin, all members are able to post pictures. Once an admin shows up, he/she can appoint certain users the right to post pictures. These are called "Photo Managers". If the admin does appoint anyone, then all members will have this right. Who can post blogs to a company's network site? This works the same way as posting network pictures. When there is no admin, all members are able to post pictures. Once an admin shows up, he/she can appoint certain users the right to post pictures. They are called "Bloggers". If the admin does appoint anyone, then all members will have this right. A primary network is one which you are mainly identified with. Your primary network will show up in various places next to your name. This helps others recognize your trustworthiness and also helps promote your company. Thus, if you belong to several companies, choose the one you identify with the most, and set it as your primary network. What is a primary email address? A primary email address is the email address you use to log in. System mails are also sent there. Therefore, make sure your primary email address is a working one, and that you will always have control of this email. We encourage you to use a free email address or email from a domain you own, as opposed to an email from a company you work at, and could leave in the future. There are two types of pending requests:
How do I post blogs/photos for just company people to view, and not outsiders? Before posting the blog/photo, set the viewing permissions so that only the group of people you wish to allow viewing permissions to is selected.
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