posted on February 2, 2001 10:09:30 AM new
Now this next bit may be somewhat shocking to many here. Perhaps you should take your seats or hold on to something. Everyone, get in close, gather 'round. OK, I'm going to let all of you in on a little secret. Ready?
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LOVE EBAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has that occurred to anyone? In all the time spent spewing vitriolic hatred towards eBay on this board, other boards, personal websites, etc., how many have stopped to consider the possibility that millions of people actually prefer eBay and feel it's superior to these other eBay rip-off niche sites? BTW, for all the eBay paranoids out there, this is not because eBay has put people under mind control, or contaminated drinking water supplies with mood altering substances, or bought people off with secret stock deals, or forced employees and their families to promote eBay exclusively and under pain of death, it's simply because eBay is the best auction site on the web. Period.
"But eBay," they say, "is evil and is only concerned about stockholders and management getting rich!" Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........ and how would they go about doing that? Could it be by providing a superior outlet that people enjoy? No, that's not sinister enough is it? They have to be stealing the money from people, right?
posted on February 2, 2001 10:19:51 AM new
Right. Of course no one else in the world could possibly *like* the evil eBay, right? People who post in support of eBay are only members of eBay's management in disguise shilling for their company.
Look out!!!! Here come the black helicopters!! Run for your lives everyone!!!!
posted on February 2, 2001 10:22:10 AM new
mackdaddy32 - may I ask? Are you a buyer or seller or both on Ebay? And if so, may I have your username please? thanks
posted on February 2, 2001 10:23:01 AM new
You know what? I like ebay. That doesn't mean I have to like or agree with every decision they make or rule they institute.
Most of the posters here never declare their hatred for eBay. Most don't accuse them of Black Helicopter tactics. There is nothing wrong with discussion.
posted on February 2, 2001 10:23:37 AM new
I have had the best sales on eBay myself and that's what keeps me here. Should that change, then I will reevaluate my opinion. But in the meantime, I'm staying, fee increase and all.
posted on February 2, 2001 10:26:04 AM new
Millions of people do love ebay and millions don't, millions don't have computers and millions only tolerate them because they're the only big game in town. So what?
I used to hear nothing but praise for ebay, now people talk to me at yard sales, flea markets, estate sales ect. You know what they say? Ebay's sure not what it used to be (said in a derogatory tone of voice).
Everybody loved gas lights until electricity came along and then bulbs were even improved upon. So shouldn't we try to produce something better? If it wasn't the American way to try to produce something better we'd all still be in Model T's and sweeping with brooms.
posted on February 2, 2001 10:36:43 AM new
Nana - I'm a buyer on eBay. I have a couple things I've been meaning to list but haven't gotten around to it.
Meya - You're right about most not accusing of 'black helicopter' stuff. I sure think it's funny, though.
Deco
Everybody loved gas lights until electricity came along and then bulbs were even improved upon. So shouldn't we try to produce something better?
You're totally right and, personally, I think that's what eBay is *trying* to do. Of course, you can't please everybody, especially when you're talking about millions and I think sellers especially have legitimate gripes about eBay. Perhaps some of the rhetoric has gotten out of hand?
Edited for HTML goofs
[ edited by mackdaddy32 on Feb 2, 2001 10:38 AM ]
posted on February 2, 2001 10:39:21 AM new
No one expects eBay to please everyone. Myself, I just take issue with this new scheme of theirs to take control of all contact between members. It's just not right.
BTW, this board uses UBB instead of HTML. Use the [] brackets about your tags for bold, italic etc.
posted on February 2, 2001 10:40:00 AM new
People I like or love and see the need to accept some things I don't like about them in order to get along with them.
Abusiness that is taking my money for a service is a whole different relationship and I expect to be able to have them accomadate me as I am paying. They shopuld be responsive to my needs not the other way around. There can be more taalk of give and take when I an not shelling out more into their pocket than my house payment.
posted on February 2, 2001 06:58:58 PM new
Most people probably think they already know all they need to know about eBay, but I have some new information to bring to light. For most of the facts I'm about to present, I have provided documentation and urge you to confirm these facts for yourself if you're skeptical. The interesting point is this: I am not up on the latest gossip. Still, I have heard people say that I need your help if I'm ever to spread the word about ebay's scurrilous disquisitions to our friends, our neighbors, our relatives, our co-ebayers-- even to strangers. Even though I draw strength and courage from knowing that most people comprehend the crusade to stop eBay and are supportive of my role in it, this does not negate the fact that I, for one, frequently wish to tell eBay that it has studiously avoided being contaminated by the facts. But being a generally genteel person, however, I always bite my tongue. Consequently, appeasement is not the answer. I mean, think about it. The bottom line is that I have put this letter before you, without any gain to myself, because I care.
posted on February 2, 2001 07:15:47 PM new
Ebay is a business and has to make money to keep going. It is not a community, it does not have to take our needs into consideration, it is not a charity, it is not everything to everyone. It makes us money and we make them money. It's as simple as that. They have to raise fees to stay in business. I don't think the small increase in fees is going to hurt any of us. Amazon had the policy of blocking email addresses for a long time, it is nothing new. I am surprised that ebay didn't do it before now. It makes good business sense. Many sellers avoid fees by contacting the high bidders to sell after the auction when the reserve is not met, nothing new there either. I am not an ebay cheerleader, I am just a seller who has made a lot of money on ebay and plans to make a lot more in the future. Until something comes along to equal ebay I think most of us will be right here.
posted on February 2, 2001 07:35:58 PM newI'm a buyer on eBay. I have a couple things I've been meaning to list but haven't gotten around to it.
From a buyer's perspective, I gotta agree with you. Nothing even compares to Ebay.
But from a seller's prespective, I have a lot of problems with Ebay. They are effectively a monopoly, and they abuse that power tremendously.
And a lot of the things that Ebay does is not even in their own best interest, much less the sellers'. Like many dot coms (most of which have failed by now...) they base their business decisions not on the market in which they operate, but on the stock market.
That's bad for sellers, bad for Ebay, bad for stockholders, and bad for our economy.
posted on February 2, 2001 08:22:22 PM new
I am a buyer and a seller, and I have to admit I LOVE ebay! I can get better deals on ebay then I could ever dream of in my town! I can sell for more then what people around my town are willing to pay for stuff! I like it as a buyer and a seller. I could not list ads in my local paper for as cheap as the listing fees are on ebay, and I get worldwide exposure! I have to admit I love it! Just my 2 cents worth!
posted on February 2, 2001 10:18:44 PM new
Quoting Zeenza:
"Get a grip...last time I checked we are still entitled to our opinions."
Quoting Amy's reply:
"That does include Mackdaddy32 too, right?"
Amy .. where do you see anyone telling Mackdaddy32 he can't have his opinion? No one here has been any more belittling of him or sarcastic than he has been of others. Yes we are ALL entitled to our opinions...including Mackdaddy32 .. no one told him to shut up and go away did they?
GlassHat ~ I would tend to think so BUT there are always those little 'technicalities' ya know?
On Topic: I LOVE ebay as a buyer...I can snag some pretty good deals. As a seller .. it ain't what it used to be. BUT, I have options .. I only list certain things there now .. they do NOT control me!
Do they frustrate me? Yes! Do I want ebay to be the way it used to be? Yes! Is that going to happen? NO! What do I do about it? Still trying new sites and exploring other options.
My opinion still stands though that ebay does NOT care about their sellers in general. Why should they, when something like 5% of the sellers make up 85% of the sales. They're NOT a community anymore .. they were in the beginning.
I went through periods of being alternately distressed, annoyed, angry, etc. with all the changes. Now I just roll my eyes and move on. I know it must be harder for people who depend on ebay for their primary income and are having a tough go of it. It IS different than it was even a year ago and it is NOT as easy to make money. Unfortunately, that's life .. but we DO NOT have to like it!
I have a memory like a steel trap .. unfortunately it's rusted shut!
posted on February 2, 2001 11:32:45 PM new
Hey,
Macdaddy32 (who's Mac?) is not far off base!
I go trolling through other auction sites in hopes avoiding some of the weirdness I just saw from a newbie-sans-clue and just don't see the things I am looking for on a scale that makes it competative.
Okay, Yahoo is good for some stuff, and I sell enough books to buy the ones I want (I am always happily surprised when I sell something I thing is toast, then poof, happy customer!)
BUT, everyone I talk to, when I chat about auctions, surf's on over to ebay before any place else.
They are building brand loyalty, built on some super sellers backs, which is a shame because they don't do a lot to keep the skunks from dying under the foundations of those sellers and stinking the place up! (bidders and sellers).
BTW One email list I am on has an ongoing discussion (I lurk there only) about ebay sellers in one particular narrow field of collection. They are their own private benchmark for these people.
I seriously watch what they bid on, and what they avoid! It's a learning experience alone!
(oh and what they hope to limit in prices, but that's the x factor even they can't control...though I think they would like to)
Not Capriole on ebay....so, as barrelracer says, don't bug 'em!
