loosecannon
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posted on February 26, 2001 06:03:18 AM new
I see that a seller friend of mine has changed her ebay name to her email addy, I'm sure because of ebay's email rule changes.
Good idea? I might just do it myself.
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RM
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posted on February 26, 2001 07:14:29 AM new
loosecannon,
eBay has hooked up their email system to the user name. Even if it's an email address. So, in order to reach anyone directly, a cut and paste would be necessary OR a direct email link in the item listing.
Ray
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busybiddy
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posted on February 26, 2001 07:20:55 AM new
I was thinking of changing mine, also, but I recently had to ask a seller a question about an auction I was interested in and I got a quick response and now have their e-mail address.
Anyone who wants your e-mail can use the E-bay system to ask a question like, "Is it really in mint condition?" and if you respond, they have your e-mail. So it's not hard to get that info in spite of the new system.
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RM
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posted on February 26, 2001 07:31:10 AM new
One more thing. It can't hurt to keep in mind that the newest email change is only the first step and there will be more changes to come. eBay COULD decide to STOP providing the actual email addresses after the first contact using eBay's system. eBay could also decide to disallow email addresses as user names. Maybe they would grandfather in existing email address I.D.'s. eBay could also decide to disallow email links in item listings as well.
Just some things to think about.
Ray
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minx47
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posted on February 26, 2001 08:37:29 AM new
After mulling this around for a few days...I have decided to add a clickable link in my auction description at the bottom...and probably use a gif to make it more noticeable..either a pic or a button.....ie they click on the pic, my email addy comes up....this would make it unharvestable for the spammer bots but would make it easily accessible for the bidder/buyers.....unless someone comes up with a better idea thats what I think I will do....Pam
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bhearsch
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posted on February 26, 2001 10:01:00 AM new
I didn't think you could change your user ID to your email addy now. I know for CERTAIN that a new user cannot sign up using their email address as their user ID because eBay has changed the code to not accept the @ symbol. Maybe someone who is already registered can change it BUT what's the point? I read on another forum that eBay is going to require those users who have an email addy in their name to change it. This information was given to toyranch by an eBay representative while he was attending the eBay University in Dallas.
I also firmly believe that eBay's next step will be to disallow any links to your email address on your auction page. And I don't think it's too big of a leap to expect them to eventually not allow any links to your web pages either. Please read reddeer's second post in this thread:
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=323990&id=324094
I don't think these new email rules have much to do with the spam factor because if that were the case they would have been applied on a voluntary basis. Also, the "spam" excuse will fly right out of the window if they DO eventually disallow email links on the auction page.
It's the GREED factor. EBay wants to have total control over it's userbase and it wants to STOP us from doing business off of their site. Basically, they want our customer list to be their customer list. This way eBay and their affiliates have removed any competition and have paved the way to exclusively spam our customers.
I have to say that's a pretty arrogant business practice for a company who doesn't own any of the merchandise that's being offered for sale on their site. Some venue!!
Blanche
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bhearsch
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posted on February 26, 2001 11:01:54 AM new
OK, I just registered a new user ID on eBay with a different email address. I didn't change my old one but I decided it might be a good idea to have more than one ID so I registered a NEW username with a NEW email address and I could not use the @ symbol as part of my user ID. Soooo, I used the dot symbol instead and it worked. (xxx.myrealbox.com) I'm assuming that someone will be able to figure out my email address by substituting the . for the @ symbol if eBay decides not to allow email links in our auctions.
BTW, eBay did not recognize the myrealbox email account as being a free account and I didn't have to give them my credit card info in order to register.
Blanche
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BlondeSense
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posted on February 26, 2001 11:02:22 AM new
First let me say that I agree that this change is a PITA and prefer it the old way.
However many sellers may not realize that they may actually benefit from this. A lot of people here think of spam only as emails trying to sell them low cost loans or viagra. Consider this: If you list a beanie baby or popular piece of software you and get a bid, your bidder would get approximately 47 emails from people offering to sell them the same item offsite.
Do you KNOW that you haven't lost bidders this way?
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cix
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posted on February 26, 2001 11:37:36 AM new
I just had a customer use the new feature to ask if I would sell them an item outside of ebay!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA !!!! So NO, it is not affecting me they way ebay set it up to.
I do like this feature simply because when a potential buyer emails me, the item number and title are included in the email. This makes it alot easier for me to answer a question rather than email them back asking what they are refering to.
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bhearsch
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posted on February 26, 2001 11:41:58 AM new
Hello blondeSense. You have a valid point but I don't have that problem in my category. I sell and buy antiques and vintage merchandise which are usually unique items and I've never had a problem with bottom feeders or spam either as a seller or bidder. That's the reason I think the new email rules should have been implemented on a voluntary basis. I personally don't appreciate eBay's interference with MY business and MY customers because I think it's just another step to their total domination and control of the userbase.
IF eBay plans on disallowing the placement of email links on the auction pages by those of us who wish to continue having direct communication with our customers then they are definitely interfering with my business and their "spam" excuse is a fabrication. The choice of whether to use an email link should be left up to the SELLER and, IMO, if eBay takes that choice away they will be making a very serious mistake.
Blanche
[ edited by bhearsch on Feb 26, 2001 04:11 PM ]
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ck4me
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posted on February 26, 2001 12:49:01 PM new
Just put a link in your auction. This one works <A HREF = "mailto:yourname@yourserver ">clicks hear </a> to email me
Cut and Paste it as shown, inserting your email address where it says "yourname@yourserver". Works like magic!
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Capriole
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posted on February 26, 2001 12:57:36 PM new
It's bad.
It's slow.
It stinks.
It's another layer between me and my seller/bidder.
Ebay...are you reading this thread?
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beatnikangel
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posted on February 26, 2001 03:25:33 PM new
I just tried to change my user name to my email address and it is no longer possible - the @ symbol is no longer available for user names.
Denise
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bhearsch
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posted on February 26, 2001 04:10:26 PM new
ck4me, You're right, it does work like a charm and I've always included an email link in my auction but THAT option is what I'm worried about. I know it's still possible to use a link but my concern is whether eBay will remove that ability in the near future.
Hello beatnikangel. So it appears that a current user can no longer change their user ID to an email addy either. I'm wondering how long we'll have to wait for the other shoe to drop!! 
Blanche
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loosecannon
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posted on February 26, 2001 05:02:12 PM new
Thanks to everyone for the replies.
I did see a seller very recently who had a user name like this: joeblowatserviceprovider.com. He substituted at for @. Of course the PTB at ebay will probably frown on this as well.
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taz8057
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posted on February 26, 2001 09:15:33 PM new
Why not have your email address on your auction...?
-Trey
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"If your mind can concieve it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
http://www.CondomDeals.com
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