Ebay policy changes

Posts: 657 · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:11 pm

mbassoc2003 wrote:

Or maybe "Hey, Mike. How about you pay us X dollars a month to subscribe to our 'premuim' search engine and upgrade from the shitty 'basic' version?"

That's would be just like the other web search engine models!

I'm irritated about eBay automatically correcting my spelling, assuming that what I typed is not what I want, instead of just offering an alternative or leaving it alone. If I typed it incorrectly, I won't get any results dammit!

I'm also annoyed with the changes they are making to the presentation of specific search items. Instead of just giving a list, you get a "user friendly formatting" of the items.

Mad

Posts: 186 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:57 pm

I just logged into eBay, and got the following:

Quote:

We would like to tell you about a new security initiative. To help protect the Community against fraudulent access to our members’ accounts, eBay has started noting which computers members typically use to conduct their buying and selling activity.

Sometime this summer, eBay will begin checking to ensure you are logging in from the same machine you have successfully used previously, whether it is a home or business computer. If you attempt to list an item from a different computer – for example, from a PC you are borrowing in a hotel or library – eBay will ask you to confirm your identity.

The best way to confirm your identity is to choose an automated phone call – either now, or in 2 minutes -- that eBay will make to the number you have registered with us. The phone call will provide you with a PIN number to use to complete the confirmation process. This allows the system to confirm it is really you logging in to list items.

If this is not possible, we will provide alternatives such as confirming through Live Chat or receiving a call to a new number. These alternate methods will require you to provide more information (such as your secret question answer).

Most sellers will need to confirm their identity infrequently. By making sure you have a current phone number and a secret question and answer on file with eBay, you can help ensure this authentication process goes quickly and smoothly.

Yep, if you have 2 computers at home, and go to eBay with both of them, you'll need to go through the process of having them call you and give you a pin when you list stuff from a computer if you used your other computer last. Or probably more commonly, if you log into eBay at your work computer during the day, then go home and list stuff that night, you gotta go through this process. Every stinking time.

Honestly, how many sellers never log into eBay during the day from another computer (usually at work)?

I understand the need for security, but this is gonna be a pain to do every time I list stuff...

Posts: 1245 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:45 pm

It encourages anonymization which is very easy to do, if desired. However, if you're connecting from home on two PCs, you probably don't have to go through this process twice (or on each PC) because eBay will likely pull the public IP address from your ISP and not care at all about your private one. Nothing new here - banks do it.

Posts: 4393 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:03 pm

serleran wrote:

It encourages anonymization which is very easy to do, if desired. However, if you're connecting from home on two PCs, you probably don't have to go through this process twice (or on each PC) because eBay will likely pull the public IP address from your ISP and not care at all about your private one. Nothing new here - banks do it.

Plus, in the fine print, there IS a method for verification involving a password, or contacting Ebay on Ebay chat. I won't be giving them my cell phone (which they encourage you to do) so they can call me whenever they like and LET me use my own account. Sheesh!

Mike B.

Posts: 224 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:23 am

ACCC proposes to revoke immunity for eBay's PayPal only policy

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/831476

Very Happy

Posts: 4393 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:52 am

smarmy1 wrote:

ACCC proposes to revoke immunity for eBay's PayPal only policy

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/831476

Very Happy

Nice. Way to go down under! Of course, now Ebay has a chance to counter file, so hopefully the members of the ACCC can't be bought, because this will be drug out as long as Ebay thinks they have a chance. If they don't get this passed, it will be a major blow to Ebay's plan's for world domination, so expect them to go to the mat....otherwise it puts a very, very substantial roadblock in their path.

Mike B.

Posts: 1245 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:38 pm

Yay Koalaland!

Posts: 2611 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:30 pm

Gus Landt wrote:

I understand the need for security, but this is gonna be a pain to do every time I list stuff...

Yeah, I got the same message the other day. What a farce.

eBay has never had my phone number (I'm still using the same fake number I've had on file from 1998, actually) and never will. Ever. Ever, ever, ever. If it ever becomes a requirement that they need to verify a phone number before selling from any computer, then I will officially be done. I'll just take everything over to Amazon, where I've been seeing better results, anyway.

Posts: 408 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:46 pm

Please friends and fellow collectors, for the love of all that is holy, uproot all of your business from eBay and don't look back.

Amazon, Craigslist, the collector sites advocated here, face-to-face, private transactions via the Acaeum ... whatever you need to do, get out of there while you still can. Please.

I know it's untenable for some people, but if it's at all possible, do it. They're doing everything they can to destroy the small-time seller and get them out of the public eye so that the fixed-price corporations can move in.

Insert mass hysteria, dogs-and-cats-living-together closing witticism here. Razz

Posts: 2611 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:12 pm

darkseraphim wrote:

Please friends and fellow collectors, for the love of all that is holy, uproot all of your business from eBay and don't look back.

As recently as 18 months ago, I would have said this was either heretical or not good sense. Now, though, I couldn't agree more.

eBay no longer offers any benefits at all to the niche seller, other than a large audience (who might not even see your stuff, anyway, given the ridiculous new search algorithms). And the only way they could be any clearer about their utter disdain for the small seller would be to change their splash page to say, "You suck."

I haven't sold a single thing in months, and I don't miss it at all (I do miss the fabled "good old days" in general, but that's sort of a separate topic). I have a handful of RPG items left to sell, and those will likely go on eBay; after that, I'll be on Amazon full-time.

Posts: 987 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:40 pm

Well now this looks like it might turn a bit exciting..

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23883431-15306,00.ht ml

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23874693-5013040,00. html

Brette:)

Posts: 916 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:08 pm

beasterbrook wrote:

Well now this looks like it might turn a bit exciting..

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23883431-15306,00.ht ml

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23874693-5013040,00. html

Brette:)

It will certainly cost Ebay a pretty penny if they go ahead with it and then it is ruled anti-competitive.

Posts: 342 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:35 am

I just read on an ebay listing that in July all sellers will need to post a fixed shipping cost. I hadn't heard of this through the ebay announcements. I'm all for this myself, I just wish they'd enforce a no handling fee policy.

Posts: 916 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:58 pm

JZavoda wrote:

I just read on an ebay listing that in July all sellers will need to post a fixed shipping cost. I hadn't heard of this through the ebay announcements. I'm all for this myself, I just wish they'd enforce a no handling fee policy.

That will be terrible for Australian Sellers as postage varies dramatically depending on where in the country you want to send something. It is the hardest thing about listing. Many Sellers do not give a fixed cost, but list individual prices for states then send a quick invoice - the only way to do it accurately.

If there is no choice and you have to give a flat rate - then Seller's will either have to 1/ overcharge - then possibly send s refund through PayPal (which equals more profits for PayPal / Ebay) or 2/ choose a mid-range price then overcharge if bidders are close to you and lose money if they are far away.

There are also four international zone rates making it hard with the set up to give accurate overseas prices.

Posts: 987 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:16 pm

no substance to the article.. but you have to love the title...

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/06/ebay_hates_the_accc_you_other_seller s_likes_profits_lies.html

Brette:)

Posts: 916 · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:31 am

beasterbrook wrote:

no substance to the article.. but you have to love the title...

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/06/ebay_hates_the_accc_you_other_seller s_likes_profits_lies.html

Brette:)

LOL

Yes. Very funny title.

Posts: 4393 · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:17 pm

American Ebayers...get ready....

I believe Ian (Mbassoc) was chosen to participate in the "no opt out" version of this, and it sucks. Maybe Ian could refresh us on how the hell to get out of this if you are so "lucky" you get chosen to participate against your will....

Mike B.

Quote:

June 24, 2008 | 03:06PM PST/PT

Renee VonBergen
Hi everyone. It's Renee VonBergen from the My eBay team. Since we launched the beta version of My eBay last summer, we've gathered a lot of feedback which has been incorporated into the beta version. Based on what you've told us, here are a couple of the newest features we've included in this latest beta version of My eBay:

Columns so you can quickly scan for information, as well as the traditional sections available in the current version of My eBay--Watching, Bidding, Active Selling, and so on.

The ability to organize your items the way YOU want to--put items into lists that you create, such as "Items to Research," "My Wish List," or "Possible Gifts for Joe's Birthday." (More details are available on this thread on the My eBay discussion board.)
A new test
We're ready for a new round of testing, as we prepare for the expansion of the new My eBay to the whole Community sometime later this year. In the next few days, a group of members who have not yet used the beta will be randomly selected to be in the test. The easiest way to tell if you've been opted into our test is that My eBay will appear primarily yellow, while the "classic" My eBay is primarily blue.

Two different test groups will have slightly different experiences: one group will be able to opt out of the test, and one group will not. Why no opt out? Because it's important that we be able to measure the effectiveness of our changes through the total clicks and activity our test group makes. No single member is singled out, but together your numbers will be compared with the aggregate numbers in the control group.

You can learn more about the test by checking out my new thread on the My eBay discussion forum.

Send us Feedback!
Anyone who is placed in the test this week, or who is already using the beta version, can send us feedback at any time through the Send Comments link near the top of any My eBay beta page. You should also check out the beta thread on the My eBay discussion board and leave your feedback--my team and I monitor the thread and will pop in from time to time to answer questions.

I want to emphasize how much we appreciate the time you take to send us comments. Your opinion on what works--and what doesn't--helps us build a better tool. On behalf of the My eBay team, thank you!

Sincerely,

Renee VonBergen
Product Management

Posts: 987 · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:38 pm

Badmike wrote:

American Ebayers...get ready....

I believe Ian (Mbassoc) was chosen to participate in the "no opt out" version of this, and it sucks. Maybe Ian could refresh us on how the hell to get out of this if you are so "lucky" you get chosen to participate against your will....

Mike B.

Oh dear.. this reminds me of Paranoia..

"Congratulations Citizen, I have good news.. You have be volunteered to go on a sucide mission.. What joy you will have..."

Brette:)

Posts: 2611 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:53 am

eBay drone wrote:

... helps us build a better tool

(*snort*)

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:58 am

I just followed the links....much harder than I thought it would be...and left post on the Ebay site about this "beta test."

Anyone else who is upset might want to go there and let them know how you feel.

Why not?