In every issue, readers soundoff about issues important to them. From feedback to payment services, from increased fees to posting policies, AuctionBytes Soundoff gives you a chance to air your views.
You can also read the AuctionBytes blog, which has a place for reader comments under every posting (http://blog.auctionbytes.com).
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I saw your story on auction bytes. I want to know if you are going to do a story of what the sellers on ebay think of this new policy ebay wants to do with shipping cost. I for one think that it stinks.
They want to tell me what to charge for shipping regardless of what I have to pay to ship it. They say that they did a survey of what the buyers thought was a reasonable cost to ship. If I go to the post office to ship something out and the PO tells me that it will cost say $4.95 to ship it. I should be able to tell them, that it's too much and I only want to, pay $3.75 which i think is reasonable. You know what the PO will say ...you pay $4.95 or no shipping.
Or how about I tell ebay that I think their listing fee or final valve fee is too high and I want to pay less ...Again , do you know what ebay will tell me ....go somewhat else to sell ...But they feel it is alright to tell me what to charge . Or how to take payment on an item I sold.
I would like to know HOW and WHY they can do this! Do you think you could do a story on that?
Thanks,
Dennis
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If the return and handling time policy doesn't go into effect until "late October", why is Turbolister already requiring a Return Policy now? And when I tell it my policy is NO RETURNS, it either rejects it or changes it without my knowledge back to the most liberal return options? This has been happening for about a week. I've had listings go live that I put as AS-IS, NO RETURNS and later discover that TL changed them to 30 day Money Back returns with Seller paid return shipping!!!!!?
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Re: "Donahoe's Big Gamble: Free Listings on eBay?"
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/cab/abn/y08/m08/i15/s01
Ina:
I was re-reading your article stated above and you stated that Amazon.com has a high commission at 15%.
I am a seller on both Amazon.com and eBay.com and I would rather sell on amazon.com for many reasons.
The 15% isnt really a high commission when you consider the final value fees that ebay charges the store sales, plus the listing fee that is charged monthly per item until the item sells plus the paypal fee to collect the payment plus the Featured Store cost of $49.95 per month.
I almost think it is cheaper to sell on amazon overall if you figure in all of the costs of selling on ebay.
Over and above that, you have to consider that our items sell much faster on amazon.com because ebay has lost the buyers and the sellers so there is no longer an attraction to ebay by most.
It also takes less than 1/2 the time to list on amazon because you write one listing and add the sizes and color choices all into one listing so the customer looks at only one listing making the choice on color and sizing. It is very fast to list identical items with different specifics.
Time is money.
The only drawback I have selling on amazon versus ebay is the feedback system on amazon is lousy. There is no community and people will pop you whatever they want to depending on their mood. I believe amazon is starting to see this and is making a few moves to help the seller with the feedback re: the new feedback rules where amazon will take off any negative or neutral feedback that talks about the product rather than the seller (product review feedback).
Linda
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(Received July 30, 2008)
Ina,
Why and when did Ebay start to delete all COMPLETED auctions when a seller goes NARU? I am not talking about specific trademark items that they pulled for VERO, but items that buyers won and paid for and the seller went Naru for other violations.
In your blog today you wrote about the Australian seller ebusiness_supplies. This is a perfect example. IF you look at feedback left for them Ebay has pulled all the closed auctions. How is this even remotely fair to buyers that may need that information for legal purposes?
While I am not part of the Ebay bashing contingent, this particular action by Ebay reeks of self protection on Ebay's part and gives me pause. What exactly are they trying to hide by removing closed auctions that buyers have paid for? Why is Ebay hampering efforts by pervious buyers of these Naru sellers in gathering all the information they need to file complaints and possible police or legal action?
I am very surprised not to hear more stink about this. If you have more information I think it would make a wonderful blog post or article for auctionbytes.
Thanks for your time,
Phil
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I just spent over 2 hours on the internet looking for some news that might mention whether or not the sellers are going to boycott ebay when the new changes take place Oct 1.
One thing that really put me over the top is that I get the "shipping too high" warning for the collectibles I ship at 8.50 and I just looked at identical ebay auctions listed by Replacements.com, and they charge 8.99 for the same item - same shipping method.
After Oct 1st I am quite certain I will have to "eat" the difference in what I pay and what I can charge... but tell me, do you really think the big accounts like Replacements will be held to the same criteria?
By the way, the only reason I charge so much is I add insurance, signature, and delivery confirmation, after having been burned to the tune of $1000 in 3 separate incidents over the last 2 years, so i"ve learned I need to cover my butt from all angles.
I wish someone was organizing a protest of their monopoly status - they tell us how to ship, what to charge, how we can be paid, and now there is rumor they will be giving out 1099's? I do NOT work for them! IF ONLY someone would dare to compete.. .we could all move together on the same day! Please post if you hear anything about a boycott, strike, or whatever you would like to call it. I'd also like to hear where all the people who are leaving ebay are going????
In the last survey they sent me (I am a power seller), I compared them to Ma Bell. Everyone knew they were a monopoly.. no one liked it.. yet everyone had a telephone. Ebay is the same to me.... I do NOT like it, but it pays my bills. What's a seller to do?
(do not post name and address please... I am becoming paranoid about ebay.. I do need the income until I find somewhere to go).
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Hi Ina,
I just got really angry about Ebay's new Shipping rules and No Check policy and posted this on the Bookseller's Board:
For my $4.00 worth sent to the Town Hall meeting:
Please be advised that the USPS does NOT allow magazines to be shipped Media Mail. It is ILLEGAL to do so and your $4.00 cap on magazines is encouraging legitimate business people to commit fraud.
Most magazines need to be shipped Priority Mail and to follow the LEGAL rules of the USPS. They cannot be shipped First Class due to size limitations.
Priority Mail which is normally $4.80 for the standard envelope and $9.00 and up (depending if items fit in the USPS one price box) is the only LEGAL, and safe way to ship.
If you are concerned about high shipping costs, I would suggest that you look into some of the people that sell Jewelry and other such items.
Additionally, your removal of checks and money orders which is a legitimate form of business and to FORCE people to use Payflow is restraint of trade.
We have a secure, reliable Payment Gateway for our Merchant Account that we have used for many many years without any problems. Our credit card Bank Processor is a major USA Bank. Your Payflow is just another way to force people to use the Ebay form of Paypal.
Obviously, you no longer need the support of the sellers that have gotten you into the position of being a worldwide conglomerate.
We will certainly have to reconsider being party to someone who encourages illegal and criminal activity via the USPS.
Sincerely,
Elaine
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Re: "eBay Kills Auction Bidding Tool"
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/cab/abn/y08/m09/i08/s01
Esnipe has this service. "eSnipe helps save money and time with bid groups. Suppose you'd like to buy a new computer, digital camera, or other commodity item. Just find all the auctions you're interested in, set a price you're willing to pay for that item, and add to a bid group. As soon as you win one of the auctions, the other listings are all canceled automatically".
Joe
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Good Morning Ina,
I pulled this off of the Google Finance Boards and thought you might find it interesting,
Regards,
John
Take a look at the less than complimentary reviews eBay employees have given their own company. Apparently, if this rating were applied as eBay applies DSR ratings against sellers, eBay would have to suspend itself. These are comments from their own employees, and investors should read some of the remarks people have made from within eBay. You might doubt what eBay buyers and sellers have been saying, but there is much to be concerned about given the lack of confidence many employees have expressed on this site.
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/eBay-Reviews-E7853.htm
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Ina:
As a seller on EBAY, I visit your site daily for up-to-date, informative info regarding EBAY. I appreciate your fair and realistic reports, something that is hard to get from EBAY sources.
In the past year, I have reported more than a few times, apparent problems with EBAY's site, that were not, nor never listed in their announcements. This has left me with the feeling that EBAY has been less than candid regarding their problems. Is EBAY really aware of the loss of credibility they are causing in the market place?????????
Please keep up the good reporting.
Thanks,
K.
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HI Ina,
Here is a link to another case of unauthorized deductions from member accounts at PayPal.
As is typical, PayPal is refusing to assist the account holder and instead blaming the vendor, which in this case is Blockbuster.
These repeated cases of improper withdrawals and PayPal's repeated refusal to assist account holders demonstrate why so many people rightfully fear using PayPal. In fact, it makes the case that PayPal is actually refusing to protect its customers by refusing to take action and block the double dipping deductions at its customers request.
With eBay scheduled to become for all intents and purposes exclusively PayPal payments and eliminating Check and Money Orders, and PayPal demonstrating its refusal to provide helpful customer service to its members, its clear that another case of a PayPal glitch does nothing to prove the platform is safer or more secure than any other method.
Best regards,
Ric
