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Taken off the internet. May as well know the "truth" (which makes sense considering the present state of ebay)
By August there will be no pretense and the intentions of the new and improved eBay will be clear. The following is only a partial list of the rules that will be imposed. It comes from a memo that circulated within my corner of the managerial department the week before Chicago. I cannot be too specific about certain items and I cannot reveal details of the latest additions without endangering my anonymity.
1. Neutrals will be converted to negatives complete with red icons and reduced feedback scores. Afterward neutrals will not be offered as a choice of feedback.
2. The entire process of feedback will be automated. Buyers and sellers will chose standard feedback from a list. For sellers this operation will be performed automatically upon the buyer winning. For buyers there will be an extra free line with which to add a few comments about the seller without restriction to content. Replies will not be allowed.
3. The implementation of a stricter rules regarding shipping. From the boxes, packing, labels and tapes to where you can buy postage. Orders have been placed for prototypes of “eBay” boxes. UPS and FedEx will be instructed not to accept “eBay” merchandise if it’s not inside “eBay” boxing. They will know, of course, because when sellers buy the “eBay” postage from the “eBay” source, a detailed list of contents with item numbers will be available to the shippers upon scanning a bar code. As for those who continue to use USPS, another level of quality control will be implemented - buyers will be asked, upon confirmation of delivery, if the seller used “eBay” standard shipping items. Naturally, no verification of the buyer’s truthfulness will be attempted, and continued ‘infractions’ will result in suspension. eBay will have other ways to check if a seller is not using the “eBay” equipment - as they will be required to buy at cost the supplies immediately after items are listed. (This is such a large scale operation behind the scenes that I feel comfortable sharing as much of it as I know.)
4. Sales taxes will be included automatically; shipping cost and sales taxes will be used to determined FVF.
5. Item descriptions will be “standardized” with templates which include the posting of a new, universal return policy. Only yearly subscribers to the retail-outlet venue can opt out of these universal return policies but even they cannot alter the template structures being devised.
6. Strikes against buyers will be eliminated as the whole concept of a buyer and bidding will be altered. FVF will be calculated when payment is submitted.
7. Time to Close will be eliminated entirely. Best Match will be the non-alterable default. Best Match is a system that caters to the needs of shoppers not bidders.
8. Placement within Best Match will be determined by several factors, the most important of which will be the extra display features added onto the listing.
9. DSRs can be removed by retailers and powersellers who pay a certain yearly fee.
10. The end play itself which consists of four phases:
a) the main focus shifts to retail sellers whose fees are on a per listing basis
b) stores will be replaced by a classified section, fees will be based on yearly subscriptions and FVFs
c) occasional auctions will be conducted for unique items (celebrity auctions, items that have been featured on the news, etc.)
d) total elimination of auctions for regular sellers.
By August there will be no pretense and the intentions of the new and improved eBay will be clear. The following is only a partial list of the rules that will be imposed. It comes from a memo that circulated within my corner of the managerial department the week before Chicago. I cannot be too specific about certain items and I cannot reveal details of the latest additions without endangering my anonymity.
1. Neutrals will be converted to negatives complete with red icons and reduced feedback scores. Afterward neutrals will not be offered as a choice of feedback.
2. The entire process of feedback will be automated. Buyers and sellers will chose standard feedback from a list. For sellers this operation will be performed automatically upon the buyer winning. For buyers there will be an extra free line with which to add a few comments about the seller without restriction to content. Replies will not be allowed.
3. The implementation of a stricter rules regarding shipping. From the boxes, packing, labels and tapes to where you can buy postage. Orders have been placed for prototypes of “eBay” boxes. UPS and FedEx will be instructed not to accept “eBay” merchandise if it’s not inside “eBay” boxing. They will know, of course, because when sellers buy the “eBay” postage from the “eBay” source, a detailed list of contents with item numbers will be available to the shippers upon scanning a bar code. As for those who continue to use USPS, another level of quality control will be implemented - buyers will be asked, upon confirmation of delivery, if the seller used “eBay” standard shipping items. Naturally, no verification of the buyer’s truthfulness will be attempted, and continued ‘infractions’ will result in suspension. eBay will have other ways to check if a seller is not using the “eBay” equipment - as they will be required to buy at cost the supplies immediately after items are listed. (This is such a large scale operation behind the scenes that I feel comfortable sharing as much of it as I know.)
4. Sales taxes will be included automatically; shipping cost and sales taxes will be used to determined FVF.
5. Item descriptions will be “standardized” with templates which include the posting of a new, universal return policy. Only yearly subscribers to the retail-outlet venue can opt out of these universal return policies but even they cannot alter the template structures being devised.
6. Strikes against buyers will be eliminated as the whole concept of a buyer and bidding will be altered. FVF will be calculated when payment is submitted.
7. Time to Close will be eliminated entirely. Best Match will be the non-alterable default. Best Match is a system that caters to the needs of shoppers not bidders.
8. Placement within Best Match will be determined by several factors, the most important of which will be the extra display features added onto the listing.
9. DSRs can be removed by retailers and powersellers who pay a certain yearly fee.
10. The end play itself which consists of four phases:
a) the main focus shifts to retail sellers whose fees are on a per listing basis
b) stores will be replaced by a classified section, fees will be based on yearly subscriptions and FVFs
c) occasional auctions will be conducted for unique items (celebrity auctions, items that have been featured on the news, etc.)
d) total elimination of auctions for regular sellers.
Excellent article. The sad thing is everything mentioned is just common business sense. Why doesn't ebay understand that? It seems they refuse to ever admit they have changed something they shouldn't have. Every change they have made over the past year has made it harder for me to sell.
Ebay has turned against the people that make them money instead of doing everything they can to help them. I used to love selling on ebay, now? Not so much. I can't stop because I have too much product but everyday I hate logging in and seeing that I have a question from a buyer. I am afraid that something is wrong - and whether there is or not, ebay and paypal always side with the buyer.
Ebay has turned against the people that make them money instead of doing everything they can to help them. I used to love selling on ebay, now? Not so much. I can't stop because I have too much product but everyday I hate logging in and seeing that I have a question from a buyer. I am afraid that something is wrong - and whether there is or not, ebay and paypal always side with the buyer.
I have quit selling on eBay until they go back to the way they were.(I have been on eBay for over 9 years with over 2900 (100%) feedback) They have turned against the sellers, made us their enemies, I had a nightmare experience on PayPal, a buyer turned me in for a bogus SNAD, he got his money back plus a brand new item and eBay or PayPal would not listen to me. I was scammed as a seller, I have never felt so betrayed in my life! After that, I closed my PayPal account and therefore, unable to sell on eBay because of their "PayPal Only" payments. I will never use electronic payments again, I don't want to use my bank account on these sites. eBay has destroyed my business and I hope they see what they are doing to their business and others as well. Per the eBay forums, there are hundreds of sellers that have been scammed by buyers and PayPal, I don't understand how PayPal stays in business, they are so corrupt, it's unbelievable, really.
I have ceased selling on eBay for almost a year now and from what I see in the comments eBay is moving further away from their cores competancies. I don't wish to buy eBay shipping materials when I can get FedEx and UPS shipping materials without cost. eBay hs made it more difficult for sellers to sell and make a fair profit, I don't see that changing. If anything I see i becoming more difficult for the smaller independant merchant to deal with eBay. I'll continur to stay away.
That 10 point list will be the kiss of death for ebay.
Ebays future; continued decline in market share.
My future; continuation of less reliance on ebay for sales.
I am so glad I've spent the last 4 years building sales outside of ebay; boy was that a smart move.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ebays biggest problem is that they think it's still 2001 and they have a total monopoly.
I searched for a specific set of vintage Pioneer headphones just yesterday on eBay; 0 results.
Did a google search and found 10 pairs available on Craiglists plus other, smaller auction sites.
ZERO returns at ebay for what I was looking for; need I say more?
Ebay has cooked it's goose, they won't fail in short order but market share will continue to dwindle as they drive out small sellers with unique items and replace them with big sellers selling Chinese junk at prices higher than other sites.
Ebays future; continued decline in market share.
My future; continuation of less reliance on ebay for sales.
I am so glad I've spent the last 4 years building sales outside of ebay; boy was that a smart move.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ebays biggest problem is that they think it's still 2001 and they have a total monopoly.
I searched for a specific set of vintage Pioneer headphones just yesterday on eBay; 0 results.
Did a google search and found 10 pairs available on Craiglists plus other, smaller auction sites.
ZERO returns at ebay for what I was looking for; need I say more?
Ebay has cooked it's goose, they won't fail in short order but market share will continue to dwindle as they drive out small sellers with unique items and replace them with big sellers selling Chinese junk at prices higher than other sites.
I left e*ay in October 2008. PP only was the final straw. I'm now on ebid.net and I'm very satisfied. Their admin actually listens to their sellers and there are not all the restrictions on sellers as far as payment types, feedback abuse, etc. I can't imagine going back to e*ay.
Very interesting comments by PeSA. Unfortunately, ebay does not care, and while they might be willing to talk to PeSA, it won't matter much, until ebay decides to talk to the smaller sellers and buyers too.
EBay has burned a lot of bridges, and for what? To pretend they are Amazonian? They're not. They can do a lot of the same things Amazon is doing, but, until ebay realizes one thing, they will NEVER be like Amazon. Ebay has to learn that ALL their customers are important. But frankly, my dear, they dont give a damn. And while they are pursuing the ghost of huge retailers, reality sets in, and the truth must be made known: the little bit ebay is making off buy.com is a mere drop in the bucket, compared to all the fees they've lost by pissing the sellers and buyers off.
Ebay has burned a lot of bridges. Can they rebuild? Too soon to say, but, it's never easy to rebuild a name once it's been tarnished.
Join the boycott, it is working,
Tim
http://forums.delphiforums.com/boycottebay/start
EBay has burned a lot of bridges, and for what? To pretend they are Amazonian? They're not. They can do a lot of the same things Amazon is doing, but, until ebay realizes one thing, they will NEVER be like Amazon. Ebay has to learn that ALL their customers are important. But frankly, my dear, they dont give a damn. And while they are pursuing the ghost of huge retailers, reality sets in, and the truth must be made known: the little bit ebay is making off buy.com is a mere drop in the bucket, compared to all the fees they've lost by pissing the sellers and buyers off.
Ebay has burned a lot of bridges. Can they rebuild? Too soon to say, but, it's never easy to rebuild a name once it's been tarnished.
Join the boycott, it is working,
Tim
http://forums.delphiforums.com/boycottebay/start
I quit selling on eBay over a year ago. I have been with them loyally through most of their changes, but NOT anymore. It will give me great pleasure watching the "empire" fall. You have to hate it for the employees who for the most part have been great to deal with. They have no control over what is happening at eBay. I have 2062 feedback, 100% positive, and eBay punishes me for NO reason. That defies any logic I have found so far... If ALL the small sellers would back away from eBay for a while, they would have NO choice but to mend their ways. I have stayed a member, but WILL NOT sell there until they consider the sellers and NOT just the buyers. You are welcome to pass this around in emails.... 
Finally! Someone who talks some sense. Why the heck aren't you CEO of eBay!
Can the unfair stars (DSRs) and BM (Best Match).
Get rid of them! They are so unfair, and BM doesn't work for many categories (like art).
If they go, I would certainly list more IMMEDIATELY, as soon as this happens (long as fees don't increase).
Whether eBay can change and woo back those who left, I don't know. I rather have one place than the now 10 or so I've migrated to, looking for greener pastures.
Thank you.
Can the unfair stars (DSRs) and BM (Best Match).
Get rid of them! They are so unfair, and BM doesn't work for many categories (like art).
If they go, I would certainly list more IMMEDIATELY, as soon as this happens (long as fees don't increase).
Whether eBay can change and woo back those who left, I don't know. I rather have one place than the now 10 or so I've migrated to, looking for greener pastures.
Thank you.
If you want to read the WHOLE article (I posted just a small part), type in "EBAY sucks" into Google and pick either the first or second listing (can't remember which one it was, but is is very informative).
I am actively searching for a site with more
of what I sell and a good base of customers.
They think they are so smart. I hope the whole thing implodes on them and they are left high and dry!
Auctiva rocks! Hope they get their stores up and running soon.
I am actively searching for a site with more
of what I sell and a good base of customers.
They think they are so smart. I hope the whole thing implodes on them and they are left high and dry!
Auctiva rocks! Hope they get their stores up and running soon.
I totally agree with each of the sellers that have posted here in regards to all of the crazy changes with e-bay. Though I am not a power seller, it was something I was trying to achieve until all of the crazy changes that ebay has done to their core model. I am now going through the growing pains of trying to detach myself from the craziness known as ebay.
My seller ratings used to be 100% most of the time---back before ebay made it extremely hard to be a competent seller (yet, sellers cannot even have one complaint about non-paying customers, that can't leave honest feedback in regards to a buyer's behavior, etc., etc.) without an arbitrary rating system that not every buyer is willing to record DSR's---not to mention the buyers that refuse to leave feedback even when they were satisfied with the purchase.
I can't wait until I can find what I need---but, ebay is definitely not in the "need" category. They have definitely alienated some of their best sellers----which used to be the little guys. Now all they care about are the bigger guys like buy.com. It won't hurt my feelings to say goodbye for them once I find a better alternative.
My seller ratings used to be 100% most of the time---back before ebay made it extremely hard to be a competent seller (yet, sellers cannot even have one complaint about non-paying customers, that can't leave honest feedback in regards to a buyer's behavior, etc., etc.) without an arbitrary rating system that not every buyer is willing to record DSR's---not to mention the buyers that refuse to leave feedback even when they were satisfied with the purchase.
I can't wait until I can find what I need---but, ebay is definitely not in the "need" category. They have definitely alienated some of their best sellers----which used to be the little guys. Now all they care about are the bigger guys like buy.com. It won't hurt my feelings to say goodbye for them once I find a better alternative.
This should have been posted on April 1st. It is made up.
Ebay management is not the brightest in the world, but they are not totally stupid. If they implemented those policies, ALL management would be without jobs within a few months. The stockholders, who are NOT ebay members or management, would not stand for it.
Ebay management is not the brightest in the world, but they are not totally stupid. If they implemented those policies, ALL management would be without jobs within a few months. The stockholders, who are NOT ebay members or management, would not stand for it.
> Finally! Someone who talks some sense. Why the heck aren't you CEO of eBay!
Can the unfair stars (DSRs) and BM (Best Match).
Get rid of them! They are so unfair, and BM doesn't work for many categories (like art).
You didn't read the spoof very carefully.
What is says is that BM would be the ONLY choice. It also stated that sellers could buy their way out of DSR ratings, not that they would be removed.
But since it is a fraudulent creation by someone not in ebay management, it does not matter.
Can the unfair stars (DSRs) and BM (Best Match).
Get rid of them! They are so unfair, and BM doesn't work for many categories (like art).
You didn't read the spoof very carefully.
What is says is that BM would be the ONLY choice. It also stated that sellers could buy their way out of DSR ratings, not that they would be removed.
But since it is a fraudulent creation by someone not in ebay management, it does not matter.
WOW,
I have spent untold thousands with Ebay over the years , selling thousands of my products. I was floored when out of the blue one day I was susupended from listing NOT due to bad feedback or customer complaints, 98% positive feedback ...but because of their star rating system. They claim I was not IN COMPLIANCE...???
I was outraged. If they dont want my 400-$500 dollars a month fees plus the paypal fees they collect than to heck with them. I cant get anyone on the phone from Ebay to complain to, cant get a person to respond to my emails and done with them. I owe them about $250 in fees which i wont pay because they cut me off from selling!! Cant pay fees if there is not ebay income. its called bankrupting our businesses.
The best way to fight back is to find another forum to take our auctions to and say see ya Ebay. Let me in on it if you know of one who truly wants to partner with us.
One good thing has come of Ebay for me though, they have prompted me to spend my money on improving my website and gaining top exposure on Google and other poewerful search engines which has driven my business. I wish Ebay could see the light and not bite the hand that feeds them.
if there are any smart tech savvy peeps out there they would strat a new version of the old ebay and clean up...
I have spent untold thousands with Ebay over the years , selling thousands of my products. I was floored when out of the blue one day I was susupended from listing NOT due to bad feedback or customer complaints, 98% positive feedback ...but because of their star rating system. They claim I was not IN COMPLIANCE...???
I was outraged. If they dont want my 400-$500 dollars a month fees plus the paypal fees they collect than to heck with them. I cant get anyone on the phone from Ebay to complain to, cant get a person to respond to my emails and done with them. I owe them about $250 in fees which i wont pay because they cut me off from selling!! Cant pay fees if there is not ebay income. its called bankrupting our businesses.
The best way to fight back is to find another forum to take our auctions to and say see ya Ebay. Let me in on it if you know of one who truly wants to partner with us.
One good thing has come of Ebay for me though, they have prompted me to spend my money on improving my website and gaining top exposure on Google and other poewerful search engines which has driven my business. I wish Ebay could see the light and not bite the hand that feeds them.
if there are any smart tech savvy peeps out there they would strat a new version of the old ebay and clean up...
I believe that PeSA is on the right path. What eBay fails to recognize is that their customers are the SELLERS not the buyers. Unlike Amazon eBay has nothing to sell to the buyer. What they have to sell is a space for sellers to sell. Many of eBay's so called improvements hurt not only the sellers but the buyers. Best Match is a joke - even eBay cannot explain how it works. Free Shipping - hurts the Buyer when making multiple purchases because they no longer get shipping discounts - how can they if the shipping costs are added in to the products cost. If eBay wanted to curb the inflated shipping charges sellers were adding to avoid eBay fees there was a simple answer - include S&H charges in the final value fee. Many of eBays so called improvements make the sellers job more difficult and increases needless clicks on the site. Ebay needs to treat all sellers equally - no more favoritism for the large sellers such as no negative feedback or negative feedback removal for large sellers; no more inflated DSRs or Feedback scores for large sellers; no more Best Match.
I'll get back to eBay in a moment but I want to digress and talk about Amazon for a minute. Many eBay sellers seem to think that Amazon is a better alternative to eBay. I challenge this assumption. Amazon fees are higher overall than eBay; the cost to have an Amazon store is much higher than eBay's even for a premium store; Amazon is a paperless payment system and a seller must use Amazon's payment system; Amazon controls shipping prices; Amazon will boot you if you fail to follow their shipping policies. It is much more difficult to add unique items on Amazon than eBay. You must use Amazon's product descriptions not your own. Even if you write a product description for a unique item - it must be made available for any other seller to use for a like item. Is Amazon a better alternative to eBay - not in my opinion.
My suggestion to eBay is recognize that your customers are the sellers. Make it easy to sell on eBay with lower listing fees offset by higher final value fees - as long as they are not prohibitive - this may also discourage low priced junk on eBay. One good example is sellers that sell used media for $1 or less. Deal with abusers of the system individually rather than penalizing all sellers. I could turn this into a book (maybe I should) but the single biggest thing eBay must acknowledge is that their customers are the sellers - do more to attract quality sellers and eBay's revenue, profits, and marketshare will increase. Continue to believe that the buyers are your customers and pretty soon eBay will have a lot fewer sellers and will be wondering where their business went. Here is a hint eBay - they followed the sellers!
I'll get back to eBay in a moment but I want to digress and talk about Amazon for a minute. Many eBay sellers seem to think that Amazon is a better alternative to eBay. I challenge this assumption. Amazon fees are higher overall than eBay; the cost to have an Amazon store is much higher than eBay's even for a premium store; Amazon is a paperless payment system and a seller must use Amazon's payment system; Amazon controls shipping prices; Amazon will boot you if you fail to follow their shipping policies. It is much more difficult to add unique items on Amazon than eBay. You must use Amazon's product descriptions not your own. Even if you write a product description for a unique item - it must be made available for any other seller to use for a like item. Is Amazon a better alternative to eBay - not in my opinion.
My suggestion to eBay is recognize that your customers are the sellers. Make it easy to sell on eBay with lower listing fees offset by higher final value fees - as long as they are not prohibitive - this may also discourage low priced junk on eBay. One good example is sellers that sell used media for $1 or less. Deal with abusers of the system individually rather than penalizing all sellers. I could turn this into a book (maybe I should) but the single biggest thing eBay must acknowledge is that their customers are the sellers - do more to attract quality sellers and eBay's revenue, profits, and marketshare will increase. Continue to believe that the buyers are your customers and pretty soon eBay will have a lot fewer sellers and will be wondering where their business went. Here is a hint eBay - they followed the sellers!
I guess I must not have read right then.
But I do know is that DSRs and BM are what is killing eBay. I've sold about 4,000 items in 10 years, and now need to sell more than ever, but I'm not listing. I only get 1/4 of the hits to what I was getting 18 months ago, before these changes took place, and the change was IMMEDIATE, so I know what caused it. eBay hits are down a 1/3, so that should still mean that my hits should be at least 2/3. But this is not so. And this is despite MUCH self-promotion.
Yeah, sorry if I didn't read right, I have a tendency to skip some stuff.
Thanx
But I do know is that DSRs and BM are what is killing eBay. I've sold about 4,000 items in 10 years, and now need to sell more than ever, but I'm not listing. I only get 1/4 of the hits to what I was getting 18 months ago, before these changes took place, and the change was IMMEDIATE, so I know what caused it. eBay hits are down a 1/3, so that should still mean that my hits should be at least 2/3. But this is not so. And this is despite MUCH self-promotion.
Yeah, sorry if I didn't read right, I have a tendency to skip some stuff.
Thanx
>>DON'T STOP SELLING ON EBAY<<
Use them to your benefit instead.
Create a free web store at a site like eCrater or get your own domain.
Stock that store with everything you've got.
Sell low $$$ items at ebay.
Once you sell something, let the buyer know (don't use ebay's email system) that you have a web store with more selection and lower prices.
Put the buyers email in you address book.
Send out promotional emails once a month or so telling people about new items or specials at your website (be sure to allow them to opt out of future emails).
In short, use eBay to find/drive customers to your website.
Seller BUY at ebay is really Buy.com
If you buy something from BUY at ebay, from that day forward you will get an email every single day from Buy.com telling you about current deals.
Buy is a mega power seller at ebay with 500,000 to 1 million items listed at a time.
BUY is using ebay to drive traffic to Buy.com and you should too; it works, believe me...
Use them to your benefit instead.
Create a free web store at a site like eCrater or get your own domain.
Stock that store with everything you've got.
Sell low $$$ items at ebay.
Once you sell something, let the buyer know (don't use ebay's email system) that you have a web store with more selection and lower prices.
Put the buyers email in you address book.
Send out promotional emails once a month or so telling people about new items or specials at your website (be sure to allow them to opt out of future emails).
In short, use eBay to find/drive customers to your website.
Seller BUY at ebay is really Buy.com
If you buy something from BUY at ebay, from that day forward you will get an email every single day from Buy.com telling you about current deals.
Buy is a mega power seller at ebay with 500,000 to 1 million items listed at a time.
BUY is using ebay to drive traffic to Buy.com and you should too; it works, believe me...
great advise. i already email each of my ebay customers through constant contact about deals. I also place my phone number on my auctions and drive a ton of traffic that way to my website. I agree that ebay is a good way to drive biz to your website but it can eb a very costly thing now. But great advise. Also by utilizing sites like craigs list to list your items locally, the listing is propogated to the search engines and that also drives to your site.
Just wish Ebay didnt have to drive us biz owners to these measures.
Just wish Ebay didnt have to drive us biz owners to these measures.
KWPS: how do you get your eBay customer's emails into Constant Contact? sounds like a great idea, thanks