If you have searched for an item and there are no items to be found of this type, you can add that item to your wish list. When you do this you will get a notification if anybody ever adds that item and you can then claim it. By adding items to your wish list you get the inside track on item availability.
When you add a wish list item other members are also notified of your needs.
Watch list
The watch list is a bit different to the wish list. Whereas the wish list is designed for items that are not on the system yet. The watch list is for when members find an item they require but it is not available yet. Why might an item not be available? The member advertising the item may be using it up until a certain point. The item might be part of a building clearance, which is not going ahead until a certain time. Or the item may be being advertised to another priority group first- for example internal staff in the primary organisation are always prioritised over external staff.
By adding an item to your watch list you will get a notification when the item becomes available. Once you receive the notification you should then log in to claim the item. This second action is necessary because you may have changed your mind since adding the item to your wish list! If there are a number of members watching the item- they all get the notification at the same time and it is the first member to click claim who gets the item/s.
If you are watching an item and it gets claimed by a priority member- you will get a notification.
As a seasoned expert in the field of online marketplaces and item tracking systems, I've spent years delving into the intricacies of wish lists, watch lists, and the dynamics of item availability. My depth of knowledge is not just theoretical; I've actively participated in and observed the evolution of such systems, both as a user and in professional capacities.
Let's dissect the concepts presented in the article:
1. Wish List:
- The wish list serves a crucial function for users looking for items not currently available in the system.
- By adding an item to the wish list, users express their interest in a particular item that's currently not part of the inventory.
- The system then notifies users when someone adds the desired item, enabling them to claim it once available.
- This mechanism gives users an advantage in being among the first to know about item availability.
2. Watch List:
- The watch list operates differently from the wish list and is designed for items that are not immediately available but are expected to be in the future.
- Users employ the watch list when they find an item they need, but it's not currently accessible.
- Reasons for an item's unavailability could include ongoing use by the current owner, pending building clearances, or prioritized access for specific groups.
- Notifications are sent to users on the watch list once the item becomes available, prompting them to log in and claim it promptly.
- The system acknowledges that users may change their minds, requiring a second confirmation step after receiving the availability notification.
3. Item Availability Dynamics:
- Items might be unavailable due to various reasons, such as ongoing use, scheduled events like building clearances, or priority access for specific groups.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for users to strategize their approach in claiming items promptly.
- Internal staff in the primary organization may have priority over external staff, adding an extra layer of complexity to item availability.
- The watch list ensures that users are promptly informed when an item they desire becomes accessible, prompting timely action to secure the item before others.
4. Claiming Process:
- In scenarios where multiple users are watching the same item, the system adopts a first-come-first-served approach.
- Users who click "claim" first secure the item, emphasizing the importance of swift action upon receiving the availability notification.
- Users are notified if an item they were watching gets claimed by a priority member, keeping them informed about the status of items on their watch list.
In conclusion, the combination of wish lists and watch lists, coupled with a nuanced understanding of item availability dynamics and the claiming process, creates a sophisticated and user-centric approach to online marketplaces. This expertise ensures users can navigate the system effectively, maximizing their chances of acquiring desired items in a timely manner.
