Ebay policy changes

Posts: 4382 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:49 pm

Sea-to-sky-games wrote:

My point was that, on the margin, and at this point in time, it may pay to cater to buyers rather than sellers given the importance of securing their large network. At some point, of course, more sellers will bail when they can't impose all these extra costs on consumers.

But right now I think they gain a lot more than they lose by these changes.

I agree. They are trying to win back buyers, and this will do so in the short run. Whether it works or not in the long run (sellers get dissatisfied with selling to buyers who feel entitled to have their butts wiped) remains to be seen, but Ebay has struck me the last few years as a company that is living year to year anyway....just hoping each and every change boosts stock up a little more...with no long term strategy in sight. I think in their hearts the bosses there know someday they are going to have competition that is going to murder them...the object is to make as much money as possible until that day.

Mike B.

Posts: 985 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:49 pm

benjoshua wrote:

I'd hate to limit my international buyers. They are shelling out the big bucks in many cases. The dollar is so low, it's not funny.

Yes it is riding a bit low at the moment Laughing

I remember a couple of years ago the dollar was very strong I was getting about 1aussie $= .55US $ (it used to average about 1 aussie $=.70US$) at the moment I'm getting 1 aussie $=.88 cents and it should get even better for me.. the aussie economy is still strong, we are still riding a strong demand for raw goods and Australia is rich in that and quite close to China. The fed droped their int rates the other day, in Australia we are talking about raising ours (again) so the Aussie $$ should get stronger (hopefully for me).. having said that I still value most things in US dollars so I still think something is worth $10us and not now $12us.. and of course I still have to pay higher postage costs (mush higher now the M-Bag rates have changed) so it sort of evens out a bit...

Brette:)

Posts: 4382 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:53 pm

benjoshua wrote:

I am pleased/O.K. with several things in particular. First, the buyer satisfaction stars will mean something and Cougie is cooked. He's nowhere near 4.6 in several areas(I'm assuming they wil use the same star system and values). However, that 4.6 and 4.8 standard is difficult to reach. I am at 4.8 to 4.7 on all my categories and I think I'm a pretty good seller.

The other thing I like is that the minimum selling price for fixed-price auctions is now at $1.00. I would hope that means Coug and other problematic sellers can no longer buy feedback.

The fees are at 3 1/2 percent higher. It's not good but it's not the end of the world. What this does is hurts (maybe stops?) people buying big lots on eBay and then re-selling. The profit margin is significantly cut and then some. Of course, if you are re-using used stamps and getting stuff for free by stealing from people with M-Bag schemes, you could at least make a living.

So, I find the changes distasteful, but if they put Coug out of business, I'll be happy about that. The enemy of my enemy is my friend? In this case, maybe, and maybe not. The jury is still out on that one.

Thank goodness I'm just about through selling stuff. I don't know how many of you know, but I bought a BUNCH of stuff from a gaming store that didn't pay it's taxes, and I've been selling it off for the past three years and still have stuff. I think I've got about a year to go. It was a fun ride. However, I wouldn't be surprised if I found another bonanza bargain and started all over again. But then again, maybe not. Cool

True, shouldn't look beyond the positives. Cougie and his ilk are positively finished unless they change their entire game plan. You know, Coug is an asshat, but he's never struck me as an absolute idiot. I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to adapt, just enough to avoid penalties, but not enough to enjoy any benefits. Sort of meander along like he's been doing for years now anyway....

Mike B.

Posts: 4382 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:55 pm

benjoshua wrote:

Yeah, but USPS needs to provide for the purchase of insurance on First Class International. The only way to get insurance now is with Priority(it's free for up to about $50.00 of coverage) or by Registered Mail ($9.50 plus the insurance cost). That's crazy expensive.

I'd hate to limit my international buyers. They are shelling out the big bucks in many cases. The dollar is so low, it's not funny.

I simply couldn't make it without the international buyer. He's that important. But as I said, having mandatory insurance is probably right around the corner for my online sales. Thank goodness for the free international boxes and envelopes.

If you ship anything valuable I always tell the international buyer it has to be sent global priority instead of international first class. 99% understand. the ones that don't, I don't need their business.

Mike B.

Posts: 4382 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:57 pm

serleran wrote:

With the fees, before the increase, I refused to sell anything for less than $4. Below that, anything sold was pointless... I might as well have just given it away. But, now, its almost like you have to sell for at least $9, which is great for eBay (the higher it goes the more they make - but not at the same time because people won't want to pay that so eBay makes nothing.) Hello eBay. Meet Damocles.

Selling below $9 only is useful for items that buyers have a tendency to combine, thus actually increasing your sales...for example, magazines, buyers tend to buy these in clumps. Personally I never figured out how a lot of those "Cds for 1 cent" guys made their money back unless it was on inflated shipping.

Mike B.

Posts: 985 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:12 pm

Badmike wrote:

I agree. They are trying to win back buyers, and this will do so in the short run. Whether it works or not in the long run (sellers get dissatisfied with selling to buyers who feel entitled to have their butts wiped) remains to be seen.

The pendulum swings to buyers and sellers and back again... there has to be a happy medium there somewere, the biggest problem is that is has gone from a hobby were people are selling what they don't want to people making a living and running it as a business, and thats were the problem lies I think. People rely on ebay to provide as their only source of income and ebay has been preaching this to people and encouraging it and, as with most businesses, and esp were money is concerned it tends to attract people who's job it is to rip other people off. Honestly the amount of FAKE product sold out of ebay is staggering! DVD, Cloths, Sunglasses.. you name it... and then you have the poeple that are just out to sell you nothing but air (oh you wanted a phone and not a picture of a phone, gee the description on the auction reads blah blah...) What ebay shouldbe doing is to concentrate those buyers and sellers that constantly get bad feedback and complaints... which the majority of buyers and sellers aren't..

Brette:)

Posts: 2611 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:27 pm

Sea-to-sky-games wrote:

I mean it takes a lot of effort to list a $1 CD that probably won't sell or sell for much, yet one sees them listed eveywhere.

Yo! That's me (although I usually try for a $2 opener, at the lowest).

I'm not proud to admit it, but I'm passing along all fees to my buyers when it comes to CDs. I charge between $2.40 and $2.75 to ship a single disc, which is well above what it actually costs to send a 4- or 5-ounce item.

It's also sort of frightening that my shipping costs for CDs are among the lowest I've ever seen. I've even been complimented on how reasonable they are ... Smile

That's what eBay has done to the small-timers, slowly but surely, year after year: we're forced to pass along at least some of the fees to our buyers. If not, it's possible to literally begin taking losses on tiny sales and/or no-sales.

Posts: 4690 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:29 pm

There is now nothing to stop buyers from prowling around and buying items that are shipped untrackable, then negging and charging back. The system is officially broken.

Posts: 985 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:42 pm

Deadlord39 wrote:

There is now nothing to stop buyers from prowling around and buying items that are shipped untrackable, then negging and charging back. The system is officially broken.

Yes but how many people know about it and how many people do it? In all my years I have done it once, and that was yesterday(!) and only because the buyer charged for insurance (insisted on it) and then didn't actually get it and then I actually had the chance to bloody use it! (usually I don't due to the time difference to send, cost involved with returning items and eating postage costs to and from etc) The problem is the people that abuse this loophole in the system CONSTANTLY and have a track record of doing so they should be the ones targeted... there are lots of other loopholes, I tried to buy a DVD recently, I was told that is wasn't in stock and that it could be ordered (it couldn't be.. only after I had paid and 3 weeks had passed of course) Looking into the sellers feedback, this is a constany feedback problem for him ie it looks like he doesn't have ANY stock at all and orderes it in when he sells something.. this is an unacceptable practice as far as I'm concerned, if you don't have the stock you should be able to sell the item or heaven forbid auction it off as he did as well...

Brette:)

Posts: 1165 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:45 pm

Badmike wrote:

I think it is MANDATORY that the sellers and buyers in this forum, who I trust quite a bit, to have an current and accurate "Bad Bidders" list. That way, when one of us is hit, the others can immediately close ranks, block the asshole, and have him scratching his head wondering why his "awesome scam" of leaving negs and charging back on a helpless seller isn't working on anyone else selling RPGS....

Mike B.

This is an excellent idea - the only problem is is such threads tend to get clogged with dialog and nonsense - we need a single thread that is simplya list of names, discussion can go on in threads elsewhere.

Any ideas on hopw to implement that? Is it just a matter of starting a new thread and hoping everyone gets the message JUST to post names?

I'm the ideas man - I leave the nuts and bolts to the technical people Very Happy

Posts: 161 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:00 pm

gyg wrote:

This is an excellent idea - the only problem is is such threads tend to get clogged with dialog and nonsense - we need a single thread that is simplya list of names, discussion can go on in threads elsewhere.

Any ideas on hopw to implement that? Is it just a matter of starting a new thread and hoping everyone gets the message JUST to post names?

I'm the ideas man - I leave the nuts and bolts to the technical people Very Happy

Two threads, not one. The list of names thread and the long winded explanation and discussion thread. The two sister threads work together. Good posters will link the name in the list thread to the post about the explanation in the other thread. Would take a moderator who could and would prune the list thread regularly.

Posts: 1165 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:07 pm

Busman wrote:

Two threads, not one. The list of names thread and the long winded explanation and discussion thread. The two sister threads work together. Good posters will link the name in the list thread to the post about the explanation in the other thread. Would take a moderator who could and would prune the list thread regularly.

Pretty much it really. though moderator is a dirty word here (j/k Very Happy

)
I think the major point is one list has to be just names (perhaps in a way that I can cut and paste on to my blocked bidder list?!)

Posts: 1159 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:12 pm

I think when it comes to providing information about bad buyers/sellers the less information posted about the details of their scams the better.

Otherwise we would be providing a convenient source of information for potential scammers.

Posts: 2611 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:20 pm

There's a middle ground somewhere that we're all smart enough to find.

I need some information on why a buyer/seller is being added to our lists ... otherwise, I might be tempted to think it's just some sort of grudge. But I don't necessarily need a huge blow-by-blow account of what happened, either (although some have been entertaining).

One thing that's worked for me is blocking the bidders mentioned on our "watch lists" right away. I don't mess around; I stop what I'm doing and add them right then.

Posts: 985 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:35 pm

I've just read through all the changes and dam! Auction and store fees have increased 20%-67% with some minor decreases in basic fees. I don't like the buyers can get only positive feedback, there will prob be some level of abuse for counting feedback from the same user by the looks, every item posted will be a Gallery item now (why not? its free) reserves will be used a lot less (fees are non-refundable if it doesn't sell).. but it looks better for buyers for sure... sellers are copping a reather large fee increase (for what exactly?) I must say I'm all for holding paypal money for certain products, those that have the highest percentage of fakes (DVD's etc)

I love the "Lower Fee!" they have .. not seeing any "Higher Fee!" though..

Brette:)

Posts: 1572 · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:15 am

I must say (as a powerseller) that this all seems pretty good to me! I can swallow the rate increase, but I just read those powerseller rewards . . .

Each 30 day period there are these discounts on the final value fee:

DSRs of 4.6 or higher = a 5% discount.

DSRs of 4.8 or higher = a 15% discount.

I'll always be getting 5% off and more often than not it will be 15% off. The 15% off reduction basically eliminates the increase for me . . . which gives me an advantage in that my rates are still the same.

As has been mentioned, ebay is totally trying to phase out all the "casual" sellers . . . at least, they are reducing it to selling "valuable" stuff. They know that whatever they take, it is still waaaayyyy more than most people could get selling this stuff without ebay . . .

Posts: 985 · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:43 am

Beyondthebreach wrote:

I must say (as a powerseller) that this all seems pretty good to me! I can swallow the rate increase, but I just read those powerseller rewards . . .

Each 30 day period there are these discounts on the final value fee:

DSRs of 4.6 or higher = a 5% discount.

DSRs of 4.8 or higher = a 15% discount.

I'll always be getting 5% off and more often than not it will be 15% off. The 15% off reduction basically eliminates the increase for me . . . which gives me an advantage in that my rates are still the same.

As has been mentioned, ebay is totally trying to phase out all the "casual" sellers . . . at least, they are reducing it to selling "valuable" stuff. They know that whatever they take, it is still waaaayyyy more than most people could get selling this stuff without ebay . . .

I also did the sums, its still an increase but a very moderate one for stores (about 2% or so after the 15% discount) auctions still are getting a bigger increase than I can see that deserve it.. I really does look like the casual seller or small dumster diver sellers are getting pushed... You should be geting 15% Wink

.. ebay does seem to be looking after their good Power sellers at least on paper..

Brette:)

Posts: 1244 · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:02 am

Does anyone know a good place to try and unload some rare and OoP board games? I was going to use eBay, but it seems that this is not my most viable option now. Sad

I had planned on it becoming relatively steady, but cannot do that until I have the flow going...

Posts: 985 · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:26 am

serleran wrote:

Does anyone know a good place to try and unload some rare and OoP board games? I was going to use eBay, but it seems that this is not my most viable option now. Sad

I had planned on it becoming relatively steady, but cannot do that until I have the flow going...

I'd just post here rpgnet, dragonsfoot etc.. I think its better to have a price of what you would like (which can be a problem with rares and its my own opinion, I don't like "Make an offer" posts too much...).. although with the rares ebay is still going to be your best bet (sometimes it's just silly...)

Brette:)

Posts: 1073 · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:33 am

Boardgamegeek is an option, though I don't know how active their marketplace is.