posted on February 10, 2001 01:58:58 PM new
I just closed my LAST EBAY auction an wrote this on my "ME" page.
I know some of you sellers will find fault with this but I don't care. It needed to be said!!
THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!!
<b><center>To the THOUSANDS (over 4000) of GREAT BUYERS who have been satisfied with their items or have shown patience when a mix-up has occured, God bless you and thank you.
<p>As for EBAY and some of the more "challenged" buyers I have the following comments:
<P>I am tired of selling on EBAY.
<br>With EBAYS constant policy changes, lack of customer service, unwillingness to enforce their rules, failure to abide by their own rules, use of MY email and customer base to send their SPAM, constant rate increases, constant outages, unwillingness to refund or adjust fees when their service goes down effecting my auctions and carefully planned ending times ETC. ETC. ETC. I just can't see going on.
<p>Ebay does everything they can to hinder sellers from deriving any extra income from their auctions by restricting banners from alladvantage, paypal etc. yet they throw up their banners all over the place.
<p>Ebay will not allow independent auction searches like GoTo and Biddersedge from accessing Ebay auctions to the detriment of both buyers AND sellers. What their reasoning is I don't know. More traffic CAN'T be a BAD thing.
<p>Ebay has been caught SELLING our user information in direct violation of their privacy policy.
<p>Ebay does these things because THEY CAN. They don't have to have a reason.
<p>Many BUYERS are also just too ignorant, paranoid and demanding to deal with. <p>These Buyers want fire sale prices, Dominoes
delivery times, K-Marts return policy and Marshall Fields customer service. <br>They FAIL fo follow directions for shipping information then blame the seller when the item is late.<br> They NEVER consider the item might have been held up, "mis-delivered or lost in the mail.<p>(We all know, THAT NEVER HAPPENS.)<br> Then they scream FRAUD when an item is a WEEK late and leave it in the sellers unremovable feedback.<br> When an item is a week or two late......THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FRAUD. LOOK IT UP IN THE DICTIONARY.<br> (if you can read.)
<p>All of these things have tarnished the experience for me. No matter how many positive feedbacks you have and no matter how hard you try some ignorant buyer is always accusing you of a CRIMINAL OFFENSE just because they didn't get their all important rollerblades in a week.<br> They may have failed to provide information, there may have been a holiday or weekend involved, the nation could be socked in with snow a$$ deep but that doesn't matter to them.<p> Many buyers are just too ignorant to be believed.<p> I guess Ebay sellers are never supposed to go on vacation and they should all have backup computer systems updated daily in the event of a crash. After all, rollerblades and snowboards ARE necessities of LIFE!!<p>
<p>IF BUYERS WANT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEN PAY FULL PRICE AND BUY YOUR STUFF AT A LOCAL STORE!!<br> That way you can see if the item fits or is the right shade of green, you can return it you don't like it and you can get it right away.
<p> THE ONLY DRAWBACK IS THAT THESE SERVICES COST THE STORE MONEY and YOU pay for them by paying RETAIL!!
<p>I will miss many of you. I've met some STELLER individuals through Ebay but as often happens the FEW @$$#0!$ have ruined it.
<P>Good bye, good buy, good luck and PEACE!
PLEASE try the MANY other auction sites out there. These auction sites are WHERE THE BARAGAINS ARE!!! I got MOST of my stuff from these other auctions to RESELL on EBAY. It's a little more work but well worth it.
Visit Auctionwatch.com, Andale.com, bidderesedge.com, goto.com (auction search) and other similar sites to find these alternative auction sites or just do a SEARCH for online auctions.
<p>THE ONLY WAY EBAY IS EVER GOING TO GET THE MESSAGE IS IF IT STARTS LOSING IT'S MONOPOLISTIC STRANGLEHOLD ON ONLINE AUCTIONS.
<p>Many of these auction sites are FREE to BUYERS as well as SELLERS but they cannot and will not grow without your support. <p>COMPETITION IS A GOOD THING.
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[ edited by horizonod on Feb 10, 2001 02:16 PM ]
posted on February 10, 2001 02:37:57 PM new
Well, that's all very well and good, but if you don't have any auctions listed at eBay, nobody will have any reason to look at your About Me page.
posted on February 10, 2001 03:36:03 PM new
horizon, I quit listing with eBay 2 years ago and never looked back. Most sellers discover that they make more money when they quit working for eBay and start working for themselves.
I don't know what you sell but I've found that promoting my own items on the newsgroups and clubs generate more sales than paying for eBay's TV commercials. I've found that free listing with a 10% to 15% sellthru rate is much more profitable than paying eBay for a 50% to 65% sell thru rate.
Ofcouse, most of the posters on these boards will claim they have a 85% to 100% sellthru rate to justify paying eBay's fees, but I look at the completed auctions, so I know this is not the norm. I don't doubt that some of these sellers are at 85% or better, but look at the selling prices.
posted on February 10, 2001 04:16:28 PM new
I know what horizonod is saying, and most of it is true. This most likely will be my last year and its not eBays fault. The post office is putting me out of business big time, and my postmaster told me next year the prices are jumping even more. My buyers are really upset with the high shipping fee, but there is nothing I can really do. One buyer wanted me to ship the item bookrate to save shipping, and it wasnt printed matter lol. I think this summer I will do the flea markets. Heck its only $5.00 for a Sunday.
posted on February 10, 2001 04:37:51 PM new
Lots and lots of room for a seller on Yahoo now, their auction listings have dropped 70%-80% in just a few weeks. If you like waving good bye to sellers Yahoo is the place to go. Yahoo Sellers Say, "Bon Voyage"
posted on February 10, 2001 06:00:10 PM new
anais.
my email is [email protected] or [email protected] or horizonod@hotmail / yahoo or msn.com. It shouldn't be bouncing back so stay in touch.
Spreland.
Get with me via Email on these newsgroups etc. Sounds very interesting.
As for those that say less sellers = more buyers there are too many things wrong with that statement to reply to. Think about it.
As for who will read my "ME" page now that I'm not selling? I'll post my Ebay ID on other venues and direct people to my me page if I want them to see why I left Ebay.
I really wrote if as more of a "cleansing of my soul". I couldn't say these things while selling but I've often wanted to. Now I have.
I've had 4 people file formal fraud complaints in the past month and NONE of the auctions were over two weeks old. 2 were a result of that damned "snow white" virus 1 was a post office screw up and ONE was because the idiot never sent me ANY info with payment (ADDRESS, ITEM ETC!!!). I'm sorry but these people are idiots that OBVIOUSLY don't know what fraud is. Their parrinoia of the internet and ignorance is at fault and they should not shop on line.
I just can't deal with these morons anymore. They are the VAST MINORITY but it's these boneheads that expect WAY TOO MUCH WAY TOO SOON FOR WAY TOO LITTLE.
Add in Ebays behavior, Postal problems, Paypal fees etc and the thrill is gone.
Another thing to think about, for those of you that think fewer sellers mean more business for you, think again. All of my Ebay buying was supported by my Ebay selling.
I no sell...I no buy . Ebay loses both times. Hmmmm. I feel better already!!
PEACE!
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posted on February 10, 2001 06:30:43 PM new
For every one seller who leaves, I bet there's ten buyers who leave too. Buyers either have to pay more on shipping and handling, or get less service when ebay, paypal and the PO raises their prices.
That's why I don't get some of these snide remarks like, "Bravo, Bravo, Next," and "Another one bites the dust." The same market pressures that force out one seller may cause you to the be the next to go unless you have huge capital to thrive during downturns.
\"They say the grass is greener on the other side. But have you flipped it over and looked?
\"
posted on February 10, 2001 06:45:58 PM new
Quickdraw
[q]That's why I don't get some of these snide remarks like, "Bravo, Bravo, Next," and "Another one bites the dust." The same market pressures that force out one seller may cause you to the be the next to go unless you have huge capital to thrive during downturns.[/q]
Bravo to you. Exactly! I'm always amazed at the nastiness that some people exhibit on these boards. Someone is down, someone is saying goodby, why the need to kick him? Even if one disagrees with a person, is it really that hard to say Goodby and Good Luck?
horizonod,
I will try later to resend my email. I'm up to my ears tonight in getting orders ready to go out. I will stay in touch. I sell somewhere else besides ebay also. My sales are very good. I will write to you about it if you are interested.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:03:37 PM new
Thanks QUICKDRAW! I like your sig:^)
I have noticed that there is a real mean streak through many of the posters here with no apparent reason. My "theory" is that it's all of that pent up hostility they can't vent toward some of their buyers for fear of losing a sale. Money ISN'T everything and I, for one, won't eat crap sandwiches to make a few bucks.
I think they are just burping up what they ate earlier:^)
Anais. Too bad you have to get those orders out. I'M OFF TONIGHT!!
No emails to answer.
No questions like, "I won an auction yesterday, is my payment there yet? When are you sending my item?" or
"WHERE IS MY STUFF!!!???" (with no name, item number or anything to go on)
Or....I LOVE THIS ONE, "What size should I order if I wear size 9?"
SIZE 9 WHAT?? Mens size 9 or Ladies size 9?? I would LOVE to reply, "please send in one of your feet and we'll measure it for you".
I think I'll just relax a few and explore the possabilities in peace and solitude.
The statement below is TRUE
The statement above is FALSE.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:05:25 PM new
Yet again, another poster who only wants agreement.
It's called business and many go under every year.
Also:
I guess Ebay sellers are never supposed to go on vacation and they should all have backup computer systems updated daily in the event of a crash. After all, rollerblades and snowboards ARE necessities of LIFE!!
If you're a seller, you shouldn't have auctions ending while away on vacation. Pretty simple. AND depends on your point of view doesn't it, to some rollerblades and snowboards are necessities just like computers to others.
Ain't Life Grand...
[ edited by twelvepole on Feb 10, 2001 07:09 PM ]
posted on February 10, 2001 07:48:56 PM new
I just have a little difficulty with this:
I've had 4 people file formal fraud complaints in the past month and NONE of the auctions were over two weeks old. 2 were a result of that damned "snow white" virus 1 was a post office screw up and ONE was because the idiot never sent me ANY info with payment (ADDRESS, ITEM ETC!!!). I'm sorry but these people are idiots that OBVIOUSLY don't know what fraud is. Their parrinoia of the internet and ignorance is at fault and they should not shop on line.
Out of all the transactions mentioned, NOT ONCE is the poster accepting responsibility for anything...
Surely, we all make an occasional mistake, non? a tiny, tiny one?
I cannot accept that the entire world is against the seller, and that the public at large is nothing but a bunch of morons...There are always two sides to a coin...
Future bidders reading this board must be dying to rush and bid, because who does not love being insulted....
I was not there, so I can only respond to what I see posted, which appears to be very biased.
posted on February 10, 2001 08:41:30 PM new
I guess some people just have to have everything spelled out in excrutiating detail.
When I say sellers aren't supposed to go on vacation I'm talking about the people that send payment for an auction that ende DAYS EARLIER. The payment arrives on say a Friday of a 3 or 4 day holiday weekend. Then they email you on Tuesday or Wednesday complaining because the auction has been over for 10 days and they don't have their item yet.
I also NEVER said ALL BUYERS are against me. If you would read my post you would see I say JUST THE OPPOSITE. The VAST MINORITY of buyers cause problems. Most folks are very understanding, honest and nice.
Is there some sort of disorder that afflicts some people ability to grasp any portion of the possitive and grossly exagerate any crumb of negative they can find?
We all make mistakes. NOBODY EVER SAID THEY NEVER MADE ANY MISTAKES. You extrapilated that on your own. You also however FAIL to use the same extrapilation when it comes to other aspects of the same post (like the vacation comment)
Yes there are 2 sides to every coin but a blind man can't read either of them.
Please TRY to use the same degree of intelligence to understand the positive that you use distorting the negative.
Either that or get a job with Home Shopping Club. They have taken ignoring one side of the facts while simultainiously exagrerating the other side to a new high!!
Or LOW as the case may be.
Your critisizm is simply not fair nor is it based in truth.
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[ edited by horizonod on Feb 10, 2001 08:45 PM ]
posted on February 10, 2001 09:02:53 PM new
Good luck to you in your future selling. What did you expect people to say? You are entitled to your opinion as everyone else is. If Ebay isn't for you then you are better off not doing ebay anymore.
How does a sound mind distort a comment that 4 people have been inconsiderate, impatient and unfair into "this person doesn't seem to bare responsability for ever making a mistake" or those other silly conclusions you came to?
That just not real sound deduction.
But you know WHAT??? I don't care!! YeeeeeHa.
I don't have to.
I can only hope you meet the same type of logic the next time you make a comment.
You certainly came to the right place for one sided, short sighted, half thought out, inconsiderate, scatter brained and uncompassionate opinions.
But you know what they say about opinions.
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posted on February 10, 2001 10:11:19 PM new
Sorry, Horizon, but a blind man CAN read both sides of a coin, if he reaches out, and touches it......Next time, try touching your customers...........AcesCasino
posted on February 10, 2001 10:46:21 PM new
I tend to agree with most of what horizonod says. I'm not intending on leaving Ebay but then again I don't see it ever turning into anything but part-time income. I've only been selling since this past fall but I've spent a kazillion hours researching completed auctions across the board to see what sells, what doesn't and why. If a person sells collectables & antiques for 8 to 50 time markups then this thread doesn't really apply to you...eBay is good for you.
The only way I can move a lot of my crap is to stick the word 'vintage' in front of it.
But when you try to sell new retail goods...well good luck. My conclusions are that overall eBay retail buyers expect to pay 50% or more off regular retail. Standard wholesale discounts on a wide variety of consumer goods generally are 50-60 off retail. They want $450 NY designer goods for
$40. They've obviously never shopped the so-called factory outlets. Don't you know every seller on eBay is actually running a bankruptcy sale? 10 cents on the dollar.
So how is one to make a profit?
I see scads of auctions ending with 0 bids or below wholesale cost. (and the stuff is not surplus). Short of buying trailerloads or pallets of liquidated goods, I don't see how anyone's making a profit on retail goods. Maybe they shouldn't. Maybe Ebay should have stuck to collectables, art and antiques and spun off another format for new retail goods.
As for the buyers...well the average intelligent person looses all brain cell capacity when sitting in front of a keyboard. I know...I did ISP tech support for 5 years. My pet peeves right now are buyers who can't read, type or answer email.
Hey..Canadians....Your country is NOT in the United States. How hard is that to understand?
My future TOS will include: $10 fee for filling out custom forms when my auction says USA only. What part of "payment must be received within 10 days of auction close" don't they understand? And the bidders that like to bid, win and then fall off the face of the earth and never respond to a single e-mail? They should be banned for life from e-Bay. Better yet how about you have to register with a credit card as a buyer and when you screw over a seller e-Bay charges their card on your behalf. eBay doesn't have a problem charging sellers credit cards. They do that rather well. Better than they maintain their IT systems. Paying for an auction on time is not a difficult thing. I do it myself when I buy...pay within hours of auction end via PayPal or BillPoint if the seller is intelligent enough to accept electronic payment for an electronic transaction in an electronic marketplace.
Money Orders???? Good lord give me a break. The last time I used one of those was eons ago when I was a student and poor and the landlord wouldn't take my latex checks
anymore. 70% of my customers pay the same day via PayPal or Billpoint and their goods are in their hands 2 to 3 days later.
Good luck horizonod. The e-commerce world does not revolve around eBay.
posted on February 10, 2001 10:57:29 PM new
Bye horizonod, or peaches, or whatever all your names have been....
You do all of us good eBay sellers a big favor by leaving. Thanks!
As for me, I have over 2000 transactions... no negs and no neutrals... No fraud charges and no unhappy customers. There are more sellers like me than there are like you. Is it any wonder that I'm still making a profit and am still, for the most part, happy with my eBay experience?
"My possessions are causing me suspicion." - Neil Finn
posted on February 10, 2001 11:18:03 PM new
I only met you through a previous post, but it is too bad when another eBayer abandons ship, actually I am close to jumping ship myself. Perhaps you could sell massage coupons! Good luck to you!!!
