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Auctionbytes-Update, Number 121 - June 20, 2004 - ISSN 1528-6703     Previous Story | Contents

AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers June 20, 2004 Reading AuctionBytes: AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers

Hi Ina, It would be slick if you could find someone to give sellers a few tips on using eBay's new Store statistics data. It's kinda like eBay handing out 3 dimensional spatial pocket calculators but not giving you the instructions.... I see lots of cool graphs and stuff... but how do I make best use of it? What's it telling me? Which way to Jupiter? Robert ******** Hi, I am a blind person who uses JFW (Jaws For Windows) a screenreader that loves reading text but throws tantrums with graphics. I think it would call them names if I set it up so lol. eBay's pages not only have quite a few graphics, but their stuff has a lot of blank space between items and so many different things all on one page that it is time-consuming to set up listings that way. I was using myauctionpartner.com and they were quite easy for me to use, but they flushed down the toilet, at least for now. Right at holiday time, boo hiss! I have looked at Vendio, Auctionworks and some of those, but they have so much stuff it's overwhelming just to get them set up. Some of the systems have jump-to menus which do not work with screenreaders because they can't read fast enough before the text flies off into Cyberia. I am looking for a web-based system, plain text and simple and not a bunch of blank space or a CATzillion things all on one page to fill out. Is there any such thing? I sure hope so. Lauren ******** Hi Ina I do subscribe and read your newsletter regularly but must confess I have yet to determine if you are for, against or neutral with regard to ebay. Most of your stories are about ebay though your site is definitely informative in general and doesn't appear affiliated. I will get to my point. Are you bold enough to publish the phone numbers and address for ebay corporate headquarters? I am an ebay seller and recently ran afoul of them ( nothing new) for posting their contact information on ebay discussion boards. I have a response from them saying "they are not adequately staffed to handle calls from their customers" or words to that affect. I am appalled that a company with monumental profits lacks the funds to staff personnel to handle the concerns of their profit base. I know of no other company public or otherwise, that so jealously guards their contact information. The public has a right to know the information and that ebay does not want it known but the "vengeance of ebay" will be upon you if you attempt to disseminate the information. I will be happy to provide the details if interested. Regards Ann Hi Ann, I'd like to include this letter in our "Letters from Readers" section in the next issue of AuctionBytes-Update. My editorial last year where I pointed out the problem with eBay's customer service didn't seem to help, unfortunately: http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y203/m09/abu0103/s01 As far as our coverage, I try to be objective. The majority of our readers use eBay to sell, so we carry a lot of information to try and help them, whether it's new policies, features, pricing, etc. I also cover other auction marketplaces and storefronts, although eBay has the most news in general. I also write about the problems of marketplaces - glitches, complaints, etc. Thanks for writing, Ina ******** Regarding our Newsflash article, "Should eBay Retire Old User IDs?" by Jen Muehlbauer (http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y04/m06/i07/s01), we received some letters: Hi Ina, the only user IDs that I can see being released are those with 0 feedback, not showing any activity for years. This means they don't use the auction for saved e-mail searches, watched items, etc. I have a few IDs that I use for researching the competition but don't use to bid. But those with no activity and no feedback, I don't see any issue with releasing. The ones with dot.coms could definitely be released since you can't re-register them anyway! ;) Thanks, S. --- Ina, I feel this is silly for anyone to want an old Ebay ID. What if they scammed someone? What if their credit was bad with someone? What if they want to sell again in a year? I think Ebay is right to keep them in "use"........ if you can't think of a new ID you must not have any creativity. D ******** Ina: You might want to check out the changes eBay made to their "File Non-Paying Bidder Alert/Request Final Value Fee" page. It used to be a simple 1-2-3 deal, now they make it virtually impossible to get a simple request done without having to wade through pages of cr*p. Regards, Kevin ******** Not enough is written about the fake merchandise being sold on eBay. See (user ID removed by editor) and others like them. Made in China copies. My estimate is that it is 20% or more of eBay business. Bill ******** Dear Ina In regards to your article about angry Ebay sellers because of the new billing system and all the negative messages on the message boards, I have a comment. Most people on those message boards are there to complain. I have NEVER once written anything on a message board. When do you hear positives in the news and/or on a message board? The people complaining are probably a SMALL minority. I personally have had no problems. Cheryl ******** Hi, I happened to pick up the Reader's Digest for this month and was delightfully surprised by your article and thoroughly enjoyed it. Cindy ******** Hi Ina, Other than sellers talking among themselves and exchanging select links about the massive rising tide of anger over the arrogance and total apathy of Ebay management over the most recent chronically uncorrected problems, why is this whole situation being either downplayed, unrecognized, or being discussed at all by most auction reporting sites. I think the mounting volume of disgust and anger at what Ebay has been doing and NOT doing needs to get more coverage to avoid the perception that auction news sites are somehow either afraid of offending Ebay management or totally out of touch with the visceral anger being expressed by more and more Ebay sellers in all categories among themselves or in community discussions. http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jsp?forum=35&thread=410166916&modified=1086845019239 I think that the Ebay Conference will either make or break Ebay's perceptions of the leading auction site online as people will be able to express their concerns with Ebay representatives FACE TO FACE for a change instead of being ignored or taken for granted which is easy to do when Ebay provides no real support online or via phone. I'm anxious awaiting the reports on what occurs at the Ebay Conference this year. Best regards, Neil