You can read "What's eBay Like for Buyers These Days?" here. Reply to this message to discuss it.
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Perhaps Ebay should clean up the rampant issues
like Chinese sellers who are selling counterfeit coins (and notably ruining the US coin market) as well as other fraud such as producing counterfeit collectibles before they focus on these more mundane issues.
If Ebay could get a grip on the dishonesty of some MAJOR sellers from foreign countries
and actually respond to sellers issues with real people, (not autobot messages),perhaps the TRUST might come back.
Don't let the mandatory Paypal MONOPOLY fool you! Since Ebay OWNS Paypal, for every transaction done through Paypal, ebay makes money. People have been using checks and money orders for years with no problems. If ebay wanted to stem fraud in this arena, then they would require a large deposit through Paypal that would deter check and money order fruad.
If you wanted to write a check or money order to pat for an auction, you could only write it for the amount up to the amount of your deposit. This $ would not be removable until all transactions were complete and valid. For larger amounts, Paypal would be exclusively required. Ebay is good for the buyers right now partially because of the economy, but also because the majority of sellers have left because of ebays continued CHANGE, greedy policies, only looking out for their stock price, and general disrespect for the seller.
Less poeple bidding and less people are seling.
I have noticed a significant difference since ebay has decided to "enforce" it's polices. People just don't want to put up with the BS anymore and be jacked around by a company that won't even help them when they have issues.
Just my 4 cents worth.
like Chinese sellers who are selling counterfeit coins (and notably ruining the US coin market) as well as other fraud such as producing counterfeit collectibles before they focus on these more mundane issues.
If Ebay could get a grip on the dishonesty of some MAJOR sellers from foreign countries
and actually respond to sellers issues with real people, (not autobot messages),perhaps the TRUST might come back.
Don't let the mandatory Paypal MONOPOLY fool you! Since Ebay OWNS Paypal, for every transaction done through Paypal, ebay makes money. People have been using checks and money orders for years with no problems. If ebay wanted to stem fraud in this arena, then they would require a large deposit through Paypal that would deter check and money order fruad.
If you wanted to write a check or money order to pat for an auction, you could only write it for the amount up to the amount of your deposit. This $ would not be removable until all transactions were complete and valid. For larger amounts, Paypal would be exclusively required. Ebay is good for the buyers right now partially because of the economy, but also because the majority of sellers have left because of ebays continued CHANGE, greedy policies, only looking out for their stock price, and general disrespect for the seller.
Less poeple bidding and less people are seling.
I have noticed a significant difference since ebay has decided to "enforce" it's polices. People just don't want to put up with the BS anymore and be jacked around by a company that won't even help them when they have issues.
Just my 4 cents worth.
Ebay is not serious about stopping fraud on their site.
Hold on, I'll find you a scam right now.
Ok, I'm back..took about 30 seconds to find a scam.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-FLAT-SCREEN-COMPUTER-MONITOR-WH...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
You can report this seller until your finger falls off and ebay will do nothing.
Do you think this buyer (newbe with a 1 feedback) is going to be happy with their ebay "buying experience" paying $86 for a wholesale list of Chinese suppliers..LOL...What a JOKE...I'll bet you anything they are expecting a brand new $2000 treadmill for the $86...
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cardio-Exercise-Treadmill-Whole...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the seller gets a bunch of negatives, they close up shop and start over.
Oh no, buyers reporting it's a scam. Feedback down to 89%. Time to close up shop and start scamming with a new ID.
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2...me=VIP:feedback:2:us
What a great buying experience for these ebayers...
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I also read in a retail industry report (a real report, not some hack journalist looking for quick story) that organized retail crime is at an all time high.
Where do gangsters prefer to dump the stolen goods....one guess....I'm not going to tell you because if you're that clueless you don't deserve to know.
Hold on, I'll find you a scam right now.
Ok, I'm back..took about 30 seconds to find a scam.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-FLAT-SCREEN-COMPUTER-MONITOR-WH...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
You can report this seller until your finger falls off and ebay will do nothing.
Do you think this buyer (newbe with a 1 feedback) is going to be happy with their ebay "buying experience" paying $86 for a wholesale list of Chinese suppliers..LOL...What a JOKE...I'll bet you anything they are expecting a brand new $2000 treadmill for the $86...
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cardio-Exercise-Treadmill-Whole...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the seller gets a bunch of negatives, they close up shop and start over.
Oh no, buyers reporting it's a scam. Feedback down to 89%. Time to close up shop and start scamming with a new ID.
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2...me=VIP:feedback:2:us
What a great buying experience for these ebayers...
`````````````````
I also read in a retail industry report (a real report, not some hack journalist looking for quick story) that organized retail crime is at an all time high.
Where do gangsters prefer to dump the stolen goods....one guess....I'm not going to tell you because if you're that clueless you don't deserve to know.
Oh,
want to find your own scam?
Run a search for wholesale list and you'll get 750 results.
I can find 750 scams with one search but ebay can't?
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Look at the hatred for ebay emanating from this page!
It's not just here either, go anywhere ebay is discussed and the hatred just pours out.
I was at an investing site and an ebay article came up. The hatred flowed like wine at a cocktail party.
Yep, the the "ebay experience" for everyone is so much better now.
want to find your own scam?
Run a search for wholesale list and you'll get 750 results.
I can find 750 scams with one search but ebay can't?
``````````````````````````
Look at the hatred for ebay emanating from this page!
It's not just here either, go anywhere ebay is discussed and the hatred just pours out.
I was at an investing site and an ebay article came up. The hatred flowed like wine at a cocktail party.
Yep, the the "ebay experience" for everyone is so much better now.
Well that Griff sure is a company man ! Cut of his hand and inside it will read ebray like a stick of candy. 
Not sue of my history but us humble humans have used cash for payments for 3000 year and now ebray makes it unlawful. Why dont they be honest and say use paypal because we want the extra fat fee. Same as the free shipping con is anybody fooled there is no such thing as free postage ask at your local post office. The postage fee is added to the selling fee and who gets a bigger $ commision yes our friends at ebray - thats bray like a horse. Try a site in Europe called Delcampe they a honest and admit when things go wrong posting a note across every page what the fault is and when it will be fixed an extra plus is they employ humans who know what they are doing not just guve a select few stock answers which is normally "cookies on yourPC" to everything.
I am watching the US news channels for cases being filed against ebay for restrictive practise hopefully the board of directors will end up in a prison in Cuba that will soon be empty.
Ebay needs to know who the customer is - Thats the sellers and they will leave this sinking ship as soon as google or another launches a comparable site.
Written by an ex very loyal ebay seller one of millions around the globe
Happy New Year
Not sue of my history but us humble humans have used cash for payments for 3000 year and now ebray makes it unlawful. Why dont they be honest and say use paypal because we want the extra fat fee. Same as the free shipping con is anybody fooled there is no such thing as free postage ask at your local post office. The postage fee is added to the selling fee and who gets a bigger $ commision yes our friends at ebray - thats bray like a horse. Try a site in Europe called Delcampe they a honest and admit when things go wrong posting a note across every page what the fault is and when it will be fixed an extra plus is they employ humans who know what they are doing not just guve a select few stock answers which is normally "cookies on yourPC" to everything.I am watching the US news channels for cases being filed against ebay for restrictive practise hopefully the board of directors will end up in a prison in Cuba that will soon be empty.
Ebay needs to know who the customer is - Thats the sellers and they will leave this sinking ship as soon as google or another launches a comparable site.
Written by an ex very loyal ebay seller one of millions around the globe
Happy New Year
Hail Hitler,,,, oh, um, um, I meant eBay.....
Thanks to everyone for their refreshing insight on what this article should have been. I think it says enough when the article is called "What's eBay Like for Buyers" when nearly everyone here is a past seller or current seller who is grabbing lifejackets while eBay shuffles deck chairs.
Does Mr. Griffith think we're stupid???? The real reason they quit taking checks and money orders is to force more people to use PayPal which makes them more money.
Also, this new push for listing with free shipping is also a crock.....Ebay knows that many sellers will just add the price of shipping to their selling price which AGAIN makes them more money because instead of charging fees on just the item itself they'll get to charge fees on the item plus what the seller has added for shipping.
Ebay may claim the changes they make are to make it better for the seller but if you look a little closer it seems you always find a hidden agenda to benefit them.
Also, this new push for listing with free shipping is also a crock.....Ebay knows that many sellers will just add the price of shipping to their selling price which AGAIN makes them more money because instead of charging fees on just the item itself they'll get to charge fees on the item plus what the seller has added for shipping.
Ebay may claim the changes they make are to make it better for the seller but if you look a little closer it seems you always find a hidden agenda to benefit them.
I guess I didn't get it all out with the first post.....Ebay is definately trying to get rid of the small business person. Case in point:
here's one of my recent auctions which was a "buy it now":
$8.99 item (price was retail, no mark up)
-$ .35 listing fee
-$1.08 final value fee
-$ .66 paypal fees
-$4.50 cost of item for resell(does Ebay think we get this stuff for free?)
That leaves a grand total of $2.40!!
Now I charged $3.50 shipping for media mail which included delivery confirmation cost & shipping supplies.
I could have charged more for the item & for shipping but whose gonna buy it if I did...I wouldn't. I'm thinking I'm gonna check out Craigs List.
here's one of my recent auctions which was a "buy it now":
$8.99 item (price was retail, no mark up)
-$ .35 listing fee
-$1.08 final value fee
-$ .66 paypal fees
-$4.50 cost of item for resell(does Ebay think we get this stuff for free?)
That leaves a grand total of $2.40!!
Now I charged $3.50 shipping for media mail which included delivery confirmation cost & shipping supplies.
I could have charged more for the item & for shipping but whose gonna buy it if I did...I wouldn't. I'm thinking I'm gonna check out Craigs List.
If eBay is going to force buyers to checkout after each and every listing they win, what will happen to the "combined shipping" discounts that result from paying for multiple items?
$2.40 profit for an item that cost you $4.50 is a huge markup: 53%! You should be happy that you got that much profit.
quote:Originally posted by mammycat:
I guess I didn't get it all out with the first post.....Ebay is definately trying to get rid of the small business person. Case in point:
here's one of my recent auctions which was a "buy it now":
$8.99 item (price was retail, no mark up)
-$ .35 listing fee
-$1.08 final value fee
-$ .66 paypal fees
-$4.50 cost of item for resell(does Ebay think we get this stuff for free?)
That leaves a grand total of $2.40!!
Now I charged $3.50 shipping for media mail which included delivery confirmation cost & shipping supplies.
I could have charged more for the item & for shipping but whose gonna buy it if I did...I wouldn't. I'm thinking I'm gonna check out Craigs List.
The problem with the DSR is that it is BUYER driven, and the seller has absolutely no control over what the buyer puts down, has no recourse to change what a buyer rates the seller at, and the buyer isn't compelled to put down ANYTHING - even worse for sellers with already slightly low DSR's trying to maintain their "elevated" search status.
For example,our store ships items out always in the next business day, yet our "shipping time" rating has been low in the past. Why? For reasons out of the seller's control - the USPS, the weather, and more importantly, what the buyer thinks is a "reasonable" time. One could argue that this problem could be solved by offering different shipping options, but buyers aren't going to pay for more expensive shipping when they're coming for the best deal they can find, even if it means they'll get their item faster.
The DSR simply exists as a way to force Mr. & Mrs. Smalltime off eBay and only retain the Powersellers and high volume, high profit (for eBay, that is) sellers. It's eBay's excuse for driving people off - "Hey, the buyers have spoken, it's not our issue you can't compete with the bigger sellers" they'll say. What they fail to mention that it is a system designed for the big to get bigger and the small to fail, just like eBay wants it, forging their way to be that "Large South American River" competitor.
I don't mean to sound bitter, but I guess I am. I've been on eBay since it started as a buyer, as an occasional seller, and a store owner, and I've seen the whole system go downhill quick. Very sad indeed.
For example,our store ships items out always in the next business day, yet our "shipping time" rating has been low in the past. Why? For reasons out of the seller's control - the USPS, the weather, and more importantly, what the buyer thinks is a "reasonable" time. One could argue that this problem could be solved by offering different shipping options, but buyers aren't going to pay for more expensive shipping when they're coming for the best deal they can find, even if it means they'll get their item faster.
The DSR simply exists as a way to force Mr. & Mrs. Smalltime off eBay and only retain the Powersellers and high volume, high profit (for eBay, that is) sellers. It's eBay's excuse for driving people off - "Hey, the buyers have spoken, it's not our issue you can't compete with the bigger sellers" they'll say. What they fail to mention that it is a system designed for the big to get bigger and the small to fail, just like eBay wants it, forging their way to be that "Large South American River" competitor.
I don't mean to sound bitter, but I guess I am. I've been on eBay since it started as a buyer, as an occasional seller, and a store owner, and I've seen the whole system go downhill quick. Very sad indeed.
Boy you got that right, nice to see some one else see this !
quote:Originally posted by mammycat:
Does Mr. Griffith think we're stupid???? The real reason they quit taking checks and money orders is to force more people to use PayPal which makes them more money.
Also, this new push for listing with free shipping is also a crock.....Ebay knows that many sellers will just add the price of shipping to their selling price which AGAIN makes them more money because instead of charging fees on just the item itself they'll get to charge fees on the item plus what the seller has added for shipping.
Ebay may claim the changes they make are to make it better for the seller but if you look a little closer it seems you always find a hidden agenda to benefit them.
Ebay has a lot to clean up!
For instance, they forced us to have a detailed return policy, however, when buyers pay via PayPal, the return policy of the eBay store is not enforced and buyer's almost always get their money back.
I had a buyer purchase a brand new garment and return it worn, with runs in the fabric and reaking of purfume. My policies clearly state that no refunds will be issued for worn or damaged items.
The buyer disputed my denial of refund based on the damages and I upload photos of the damages to PayPal and detailed the issues and PayPal still found in favor of the buyer.
So tell me, what's the point of having a return policy and then eBay and PayPal don't honor it and make buyers live up to it? I always had one anyhow, but the point is, if you are going to mandate something, then you have to also look at the seller's policies which were clear to the buyer in the winning listing and make the buyer adhere to the policies.
The excuse I got from PayPal is that even though eBay owns them, they are only a subsiduary of eBay and can't do anything about it.
Another problem I had was buying two items listed as shipping from Ottawa, Canada. They arrived in non working condition and I contacted the seller for the return Canadian shipping address. I was informed that they have no Canadian address and that I have to ship back to China.
PayPal requires that you ship back with tracking. From Canada the only tracking provided for international shipments is via Expresspost which cost me $49.95 to ship back to China after having contacted both eBay and PayPal about the fact that the seller listed fraudulently as items being located in Ottawa, Canada but shipped from China. I also informed eBay and PayPal that I had a right to ship back to the location of the item as shown in the winning listings and that I should not be forced to ship back to a country in which my items were not located. I was told by both eBay and PayPal that they were just a go between and don't interfere between buyer and seller in this kind of thing. So I told them both..."Well seems to me with all your talk about getting tough on fraud, that you are supporting fraud by allowing a seller to fraudulently advertise the item location as being Ottawa, Canada but in all actuality shipping from China with no valid Canadian address at all. I got no help from eBay or PayPal on this.
I had to file a dispute with PayPal to get the two items refunded as the seller wouldn't refund, but in order to insure I would get a refund, PayPal's crazy policy of shipping back with return online tracking cost me $49.95. I told PayPal I could get a receipt from the post office and ship regular mail and upload the receipt, but I was told, that is not their policy.
The seller promised in the PayPal dispute to reimburse my return shipping cost but has since refused, and when I contacted PayPal to get help getting the promised return shipping cost reimbursed, even though it clearly stated in the dispute that seller would do that, PayPal said they can't do anything as they are not a go between.
So I lost $49.95 to a fraudulent seller and the fraud continues to be promoted by eBay who I informed that the seller is listing falsely as item location Ottawa, Canada, but who to this day continue to list that way with eBay all the while knowing it and I lost $49.95 as PayPal won't make a seller pay up to a promise written by the seller within the PayPal dispute.
Then I lost out to a buyer who returned a worn and damage garment, after having proved my case, all because no one at eBay or PayPal enforces the return policies that sellers are now forced to state.
So you tell me, who is going to listen at both eBay and PayPal and fix these types of problems. I think this is just ridiculous and further more eBay's live help and PayPal's help are useless as all you ever get is the run around while wasting precious time and having it all end in frustration in the end.
I am not impressed with eBay and PayPal knowing promoting fraud after the fraudulent issues have been reported, nor of being forced to pay high fees for shipping with online tracking for PayPal even though valid, stamped and dated postal receipts can be scanned in and uploaded to PayPal.
Maybe someone at Auctiva would care enough to take the issues I have raised to some at eBay and PayPal who will actually listen and do something about it.
For now, I remain a very dissallusioned eBAy seller!
For instance, they forced us to have a detailed return policy, however, when buyers pay via PayPal, the return policy of the eBay store is not enforced and buyer's almost always get their money back.
I had a buyer purchase a brand new garment and return it worn, with runs in the fabric and reaking of purfume. My policies clearly state that no refunds will be issued for worn or damaged items.
The buyer disputed my denial of refund based on the damages and I upload photos of the damages to PayPal and detailed the issues and PayPal still found in favor of the buyer.
So tell me, what's the point of having a return policy and then eBay and PayPal don't honor it and make buyers live up to it? I always had one anyhow, but the point is, if you are going to mandate something, then you have to also look at the seller's policies which were clear to the buyer in the winning listing and make the buyer adhere to the policies.
The excuse I got from PayPal is that even though eBay owns them, they are only a subsiduary of eBay and can't do anything about it.
Another problem I had was buying two items listed as shipping from Ottawa, Canada. They arrived in non working condition and I contacted the seller for the return Canadian shipping address. I was informed that they have no Canadian address and that I have to ship back to China.
PayPal requires that you ship back with tracking. From Canada the only tracking provided for international shipments is via Expresspost which cost me $49.95 to ship back to China after having contacted both eBay and PayPal about the fact that the seller listed fraudulently as items being located in Ottawa, Canada but shipped from China. I also informed eBay and PayPal that I had a right to ship back to the location of the item as shown in the winning listings and that I should not be forced to ship back to a country in which my items were not located. I was told by both eBay and PayPal that they were just a go between and don't interfere between buyer and seller in this kind of thing. So I told them both..."Well seems to me with all your talk about getting tough on fraud, that you are supporting fraud by allowing a seller to fraudulently advertise the item location as being Ottawa, Canada but in all actuality shipping from China with no valid Canadian address at all. I got no help from eBay or PayPal on this.
I had to file a dispute with PayPal to get the two items refunded as the seller wouldn't refund, but in order to insure I would get a refund, PayPal's crazy policy of shipping back with return online tracking cost me $49.95. I told PayPal I could get a receipt from the post office and ship regular mail and upload the receipt, but I was told, that is not their policy.
The seller promised in the PayPal dispute to reimburse my return shipping cost but has since refused, and when I contacted PayPal to get help getting the promised return shipping cost reimbursed, even though it clearly stated in the dispute that seller would do that, PayPal said they can't do anything as they are not a go between.
So I lost $49.95 to a fraudulent seller and the fraud continues to be promoted by eBay who I informed that the seller is listing falsely as item location Ottawa, Canada, but who to this day continue to list that way with eBay all the while knowing it and I lost $49.95 as PayPal won't make a seller pay up to a promise written by the seller within the PayPal dispute.
Then I lost out to a buyer who returned a worn and damage garment, after having proved my case, all because no one at eBay or PayPal enforces the return policies that sellers are now forced to state.
So you tell me, who is going to listen at both eBay and PayPal and fix these types of problems. I think this is just ridiculous and further more eBay's live help and PayPal's help are useless as all you ever get is the run around while wasting precious time and having it all end in frustration in the end.
I am not impressed with eBay and PayPal knowing promoting fraud after the fraudulent issues have been reported, nor of being forced to pay high fees for shipping with online tracking for PayPal even though valid, stamped and dated postal receipts can be scanned in and uploaded to PayPal.
Maybe someone at Auctiva would care enough to take the issues I have raised to some at eBay and PayPal who will actually listen and do something about it.
For now, I remain a very dissallusioned eBAy seller!
Regarding the comment above about low DSR for shipping when item is shipped out the same day.
I have the same problem in my store and even though we list a 3 business day domestic (CANADA and USA) and a 5 day (INTERNATIONAL) turn around time for shipping, we almost always get all our items shipped out on the next business day.
To be fair, I think eBay can program it's system so that if the buyer paid and the item goes out on the same or next day or within the sellers stated turn around time, that a buyer cannot leave slow shipping speed scores.
I don't think that's to difficult for them to do and I know that buyers blame sellers for shipping delays via the post or couriers even when the seller shipped out on the same or next day.
I would like to see changes made in this area as it is absolutely crucial.
Another change that should be made is on the shipping cost DSR score. Not all countries have the same shipping rates as the USA, but the whole system is geared based on USA shipping.
I use the shipping calculator on all my listings so that the buyer pays only the actual shipping cost plus a clearly stated .75 cent handling fee to cover the hidden costs of shipping like supplies, labels, ink, etc.
When sellers use the calculator, eBay through the PayPal shipping module, knows what the buyer was charged and what the seller paid and when the charge is accurate, then the buyer should not be able to leave a rating of shipping costs to much. I can't afford to ship for free. I can't get the price for my garments that I can get in a physical store and I sell very lovely quality items and eBay really needs to look at this area of DSRs also.
Maybe someone at Auctiva would care to make them listen to us sellers? We have valid issues that are constantly being ignored by the powers that be!
I have the same problem in my store and even though we list a 3 business day domestic (CANADA and USA) and a 5 day (INTERNATIONAL) turn around time for shipping, we almost always get all our items shipped out on the next business day.
To be fair, I think eBay can program it's system so that if the buyer paid and the item goes out on the same or next day or within the sellers stated turn around time, that a buyer cannot leave slow shipping speed scores.
I don't think that's to difficult for them to do and I know that buyers blame sellers for shipping delays via the post or couriers even when the seller shipped out on the same or next day.
I would like to see changes made in this area as it is absolutely crucial.
Another change that should be made is on the shipping cost DSR score. Not all countries have the same shipping rates as the USA, but the whole system is geared based on USA shipping.
I use the shipping calculator on all my listings so that the buyer pays only the actual shipping cost plus a clearly stated .75 cent handling fee to cover the hidden costs of shipping like supplies, labels, ink, etc.
When sellers use the calculator, eBay through the PayPal shipping module, knows what the buyer was charged and what the seller paid and when the charge is accurate, then the buyer should not be able to leave a rating of shipping costs to much. I can't afford to ship for free. I can't get the price for my garments that I can get in a physical store and I sell very lovely quality items and eBay really needs to look at this area of DSRs also.
Maybe someone at Auctiva would care to make them listen to us sellers? We have valid issues that are constantly being ignored by the powers that be!
I too need to comment! I have lost out, with Ebay and PayPal, as a seller, and a buyer! First, as a buyer.....I bought a coat from a seller....she never shipped it....I opened an unpaid item dispute through Ebay, and won, but they don't award you any money if the item is under $25! So, I then filed through PayPal...and won! But, I never was able to collect any money, as they said the seller had no money in her account to pay me....how is that buyer protection?
As a seller, I shipped a pair of pants to Canada...right after she bought them, she was no longer a registered user, but paid me through PayPal....I should have known better than to still ship them, and just refunded her money, but I didn't....two days after I shipped them, she started emailing me, calling me a fraud, liar, etc...so, I knew she was going to scam me...plus, I had sent the pants through USPS using 1st Class International mailing, and there is no tracking information...I explained it all to PayPal, and of course, I lost.....
So, I lost as a buyer, and lost as a seller, and in both cases I was the honest person.....
So, there really is no buyer/seller protection, like they claim.......
As a seller, I shipped a pair of pants to Canada...right after she bought them, she was no longer a registered user, but paid me through PayPal....I should have known better than to still ship them, and just refunded her money, but I didn't....two days after I shipped them, she started emailing me, calling me a fraud, liar, etc...so, I knew she was going to scam me...plus, I had sent the pants through USPS using 1st Class International mailing, and there is no tracking information...I explained it all to PayPal, and of course, I lost.....
So, I lost as a buyer, and lost as a seller, and in both cases I was the honest person.....
So, there really is no buyer/seller protection, like they claim.......
I really can't relate to this article, and just do not believe the figures related to DSRs and 'Best Match' being the best thing since sliced bread. I am sure that current eBay mgt live in lala land. None of what they do follows any marketing rules whatsoever, and I've been in mktg a LONG time!
eBay is running people off their site - sellers, buyers. We (I head up an eBay group of over 7,000 members, as well as off-eBay) are all finding places elsewhere, and as they pick up, we're gone.
I had to resort to pleading with buyers to give me full 5 stars, and HATE having to do that. I've long worked in business and know that people WILL NOT usually give 5 stars unless something is EXCEPTIONAL. So, what I'm saying is that 5 stars mean NOTHING. Those that don't want to give me 5 stars, just don't do the feedback thing. So my rating doesn't go down ... even if it might be that I deserve it! I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, as they say, you can easily work around things. Buyer realize this. Noone used to look at feedback to buy, or rarely, and DSRs are a complete mystery to many. I teach selling online. So can speak with authority on this!
'Best Match' is a farce.
TOTALLY.
I can't use it to search for what I want AT ALL. It does not suit my purposes, nor any of the thousands of sellers I know. It MIGHT work for iPods, but it's a complete hinderance in the 'art' category. eBay outright LIES when it says, do this or that for better level in BM search - it's BS! I have thousands of feedback. One negative in 2001. Five stars, Raised rating. And with one hour to go, I'm on page 3 of BM in my specific art area. On page one is 'newbies' with 30 stars and 3 or more DAYS left on their listings. Art cannot be categorized by BM. It's ridiculous. My taste in art is not what comes up in BM, and even if it did, it wouldn't match yours.
Yes, we can change to 'ending soonest' or similar, but every day, I STILL get people who don't know how to do that!
I have further 'proof' this is WRONG. I used to get over 100 hits on my art auctions. Immediately prior to BM I was down to around 70 up to about 100. Since then, the MOST I've had is 30, and currently down to about 6 people - any idiot can determine that with so few people looking, I'm not going to sell. And I currently have more items up that I ever have had at one time, and not even one sold. I'm not doing anything different.
If I leave eBay, I'll also stop buying too. I won't close my account.
I have today heard another major leader of eBay sellers talk about what a joke eBay has become, and I would have never heard it 12 months ago from this person.
Oh, one final thing 'free shipping'. It's a joke. I just factor the whole $1.50 into my selling price. No biggie. I just guess it looks good for eBay, and I get a free subtitle out of it. But buyers are clued in, and know.
Thanks for letting me sound off.
eBay is distancing itself from the people who made it what it was, and it is only a shadow of that any more. Too bad! I was one of its biggest backers for years. I am now getting less inclined to recommend selling from there.
eBay is running people off their site - sellers, buyers. We (I head up an eBay group of over 7,000 members, as well as off-eBay) are all finding places elsewhere, and as they pick up, we're gone.
I had to resort to pleading with buyers to give me full 5 stars, and HATE having to do that. I've long worked in business and know that people WILL NOT usually give 5 stars unless something is EXCEPTIONAL. So, what I'm saying is that 5 stars mean NOTHING. Those that don't want to give me 5 stars, just don't do the feedback thing. So my rating doesn't go down ... even if it might be that I deserve it! I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, as they say, you can easily work around things. Buyer realize this. Noone used to look at feedback to buy, or rarely, and DSRs are a complete mystery to many. I teach selling online. So can speak with authority on this!
'Best Match' is a farce.
TOTALLY.
I can't use it to search for what I want AT ALL. It does not suit my purposes, nor any of the thousands of sellers I know. It MIGHT work for iPods, but it's a complete hinderance in the 'art' category. eBay outright LIES when it says, do this or that for better level in BM search - it's BS! I have thousands of feedback. One negative in 2001. Five stars, Raised rating. And with one hour to go, I'm on page 3 of BM in my specific art area. On page one is 'newbies' with 30 stars and 3 or more DAYS left on their listings. Art cannot be categorized by BM. It's ridiculous. My taste in art is not what comes up in BM, and even if it did, it wouldn't match yours.
Yes, we can change to 'ending soonest' or similar, but every day, I STILL get people who don't know how to do that!
I have further 'proof' this is WRONG. I used to get over 100 hits on my art auctions. Immediately prior to BM I was down to around 70 up to about 100. Since then, the MOST I've had is 30, and currently down to about 6 people - any idiot can determine that with so few people looking, I'm not going to sell. And I currently have more items up that I ever have had at one time, and not even one sold. I'm not doing anything different.
If I leave eBay, I'll also stop buying too. I won't close my account.
I have today heard another major leader of eBay sellers talk about what a joke eBay has become, and I would have never heard it 12 months ago from this person.
Oh, one final thing 'free shipping'. It's a joke. I just factor the whole $1.50 into my selling price. No biggie. I just guess it looks good for eBay, and I get a free subtitle out of it. But buyers are clued in, and know.
Thanks for letting me sound off.
eBay is distancing itself from the people who made it what it was, and it is only a shadow of that any more. Too bad! I was one of its biggest backers for years. I am now getting less inclined to recommend selling from there.
Oops, guess I hit a nerve! HAh!
I understand that Auctiva is tied to Ebay at the unbiical cord, but at least they are running a ligit business. Too bad they are associated at all with the dirtbag company ebay has become. I honestly believe that ebay sold out to gangsters and pimps a long time ago.
If it will raise their stock price, they will do it. Who cares if they screw their customer base.
IF YOU ARE UPSET ABOUT THE FEEDBACK SYSTEM, DON'T USE IT.
I stopped using it when they said they would no longer allow sellers to leave negs for buyers.
BS! When people email me to ask for feedback these days, I just explain that I cannot support a one sided system. If they want to leave me a neg, so be it. When ebay gets to a point where they want to block me from selling because of a low feedback or DSR (whatever that is!), I will leave. There are plenty of new sites who would jump at the opportunity to have my business, and it might even force me to open my own website.
Ebay is like the current gov't in America.
To heavy at the top and not really worried about the little people who support them. They think they can fix it all, but some day soon, the cards will come tumbling down.
Perhaps they shoulds have two ebays, Efraud, and Ereal. That way the Chinese can sell their fake counterfeit junk and people who are dishonest can buy it on their site.
I understand that Auctiva is tied to Ebay at the unbiical cord, but at least they are running a ligit business. Too bad they are associated at all with the dirtbag company ebay has become. I honestly believe that ebay sold out to gangsters and pimps a long time ago.
If it will raise their stock price, they will do it. Who cares if they screw their customer base.
IF YOU ARE UPSET ABOUT THE FEEDBACK SYSTEM, DON'T USE IT.
I stopped using it when they said they would no longer allow sellers to leave negs for buyers.
BS! When people email me to ask for feedback these days, I just explain that I cannot support a one sided system. If they want to leave me a neg, so be it. When ebay gets to a point where they want to block me from selling because of a low feedback or DSR (whatever that is!), I will leave. There are plenty of new sites who would jump at the opportunity to have my business, and it might even force me to open my own website.
Ebay is like the current gov't in America.
To heavy at the top and not really worried about the little people who support them. They think they can fix it all, but some day soon, the cards will come tumbling down.
Perhaps they shoulds have two ebays, Efraud, and Ereal. That way the Chinese can sell their fake counterfeit junk and people who are dishonest can buy it on their site.
quote:You can read "What's eBay Like for Buyers These Days?" here. Reply to this message to discuss it.
Ebay... "bet you didn't expect this kind of reponse to your upbeat article trying to Pump it up".
People are PISSED, when are they going to wake up?
quote:Originally posted by OOAJ:
Perhaps Ebay should clean up the rampant issues
like Chinese sellers who are selling counterfeit coins (and notably ruining the US coin market) as well as other fraud such as producing counterfeit collectibles before they focus on these more mundane issues.
If Ebay could get a grip on the dishonesty of some MAJOR sellers from foreign countries
and actually respond to sellers issues with real people, (not autobot messages),perhaps the TRUST might come back.
Don't let the mandatory Paypal MONOPOLY fool you! Since Ebay OWNS Paypal, for every transaction done through Paypal, ebay makes money. People have been using checks and money orders for years with no problems. If ebay wanted to stem fraud in this arena, then they would require a large deposit through Paypal that would deter check and money order fruad.
If you wanted to write a check or money order to pat for an auction, you could only write it for the amount up to the amount of your deposit. This $ would not be removable until all transactions were complete and valid. For larger amounts, Paypal would be exclusively required. Ebay is good for the buyers right now partially because of the economy, but also because the majority of sellers have left because of ebays continued CHANGE, greedy policies, only looking out for their stock price, and general disrespect for the seller.
Less poeple bidding and less people are seling.
I have noticed a significant difference since ebay has decided to "enforce" it's polices. People just don't want to put up with the BS anymore and be jacked around by a company that won't even help them when they have issues.
Just my 4 cents worth.
OOAJ, I'm not sure if it was the switch requiring FeeBay/PayUSMOREPal for payment processing or the fact that sellers were restricted from leaving negative feedback. But, since the middle of last year my unpaid items have gone up by about 300%. Before eBay started making changes to the feedback and payment process I very rarely had an unpaid item (maybe 1-2 every couple of months), and now I can count on at least 20% of my sales going unpaid. As to the other counterfeit collectibles that are coming out of China. I sell swords, daggers, knives, etc... and when I first started on eBay I tried to stay with strictly high-end swords and licensed replicas. I was getting my but kicked by all of the chinese reproductions of the licensed replicas that I listed and no matter how much I reported these listings eBay never did anything about the sellers that were listing them. I eventually stopped listing the licensed replicas on eBay, I do not list the reproductions either, but I am left with listing higher end hand forged handmade swords and general production style swords. But I do strongly agree that with all of the unlicensed reproductions on eBay there is very little exposure for the real licensed replicas and that eBay should work on cleaning up the counterfeits rather than bashing the majority of the sellers for what they allow their major sellers to get away with.