posted on April 14, 2001 07:46:20 PM
When someone uses their e-mail address as their user ID on ebay, you would think that you could just click on it to send them e-mail, right? You used to be able to do that. But, you can't these days. You either have to sign-in, copy and paste it, or click on the link and then click again. Their e-mail address is no secret because everyone can already see it, so for what possible reason are these extra steps necessary!?!?!? Answer: It ain't necessary. Change it back ebay!
posted on April 15, 2001 07:34:09 AM
It works that way because it is automatic. The automated software doesn't know if it is a cryptic ID or the sellers valid email address.
Ebay changed the contact seller procedure because of spam and other non auction related crap that is generated by people abusing the system. It is not as convenient for a potential buyer, but it is not as convenient for the abusers either.
Why don't you just type the address into your own email tool and send the message if you know the email address?
The software DOES have the capability to distinguish a user ID from an e-mail address because it used to be able to. If it was possible a few months ago, then it's obviously possible now.
Why don't I type the address in? Because it's an unnecessary waste of time and I shouldn't have to.
Filing for a FVF credit is an unnecessary waste of time too. Ebay purposely makes you jump through all sorts of hoops so that people will be less likely to file for a credit, and therefore ebay will make more money.
posted on April 15, 2001 08:31:32 AM
"because it used to be able to. If it was
possible a few months ago, then it's obviously possible now."
Not necessarily. They changed the software. It may not work the same as it used to. "Upgrades" are not always able to do the same things as the previous version.
posted on April 15, 2001 08:46:08 AM
I find that with their so-called new software I don't get answers to most of the questions I send to sellers. This may help with the abuse problem but it can't be good for sellers.
I usually ask questions like "how much to ship to Canada?" If a seller does not answer, I don't bid. Most of the time (80% at least), they don't answer. Or they do but ebays new system sends the message out into the ether somewhere.
How can this be a good thing for sellers? I've got tons of dough that I won't give to them because of this new ebay thing
posted on April 15, 2001 09:11:01 AM
gboy: eBay changed the behavior of the link on ALL user I.D. (including User I.D.s that also happen to be an eMail address) a couple of months ago.
This was changed in an attempt to make it less likely that buyers and sellers will contact each other "directly" (without going through the eBay eMail forwarding system)... thus cutting down on the number of "OFF SITE" communications that lead to TRANSACTIONS outside of eBay.
Yes... it IS more INconvenient for Buyers and Sellers... YES, it DOES have the potential of making it less likely that Buyers and Sellers will approach each other OUTSIDE of eBays VENUE... YES when folks manage to communicate WITHOUT using the eBay eMail forwarding system to transact, eBay does NOT get a share of the pie.
Oh... and by the way... it tends to cut down on SPAM (UNsolicited eMail) - eBay considers ALL communications regarding trade OUTSIDE of the venue as SPAM... while many of us still understand that REAL SPAM is identified by being UNWANTED offers to buy or sell outside of the venue... OR COMMERCIAL eMails sent out to MASS MAILING LISTS.
AND... while many of us still feel strongly that ANY Spam can easily be Deleted from our eMail boxes with a simple tap of a single DELETE KEY... eBay would like us to believe that we should be "SAVED FROM SPAM" by their thoughtful roll-out of Free COMMUNICATION and Free Trade Inhibiting Features. *sigh*
Regardless... it's eBay Sandbox! eBay has a monopoly on the number of listings (sellers) and a monopoly on the TRAFFIC (buyers), so they can do whatever they want with the VENUE to encourage a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE (including forming strategic alliances with bigger corporations that compete for sales directly against the small time sellers that created eBays MONOPOLY in the first place)... and if we don't like it... we can go play somewhere else. *sigh*
posted on April 15, 2001 10:18:50 AM
Concerning eBay sellers' email contact...
Is it all right to include our email addy in description...any mention in eBay rules against that?
I've seen many auctions with either direct email links or simply typed in TOS or below description....such as *Please email me at [email protected] if you have any questions*.
posted on April 15, 2001 10:48:09 AM
BeachBound: It is Absolutely alright to include a "live eMail Link" within the body of your description!
It is ALSO alright to include a Live Link to your own Website as long as the first page (directly linked from an eBay page) of that website does not have the same items for sale for less money than what you're selling at eBay.
I think what is not alright, is to say something in the listings that is an OBVIOUS solicitation that encourages trading OUTSIDE of the venue.
For instance. Folks can say something like:
Please visit my website at www.LiveLinkHere.Com
or Folks can say: eMail me at (live eMail Link Here) for more information.
or even: "eMail me (Live eMail Link Here) with any questions. Your eMail is Always welcome and NEVER considered as Spam"
BUT, it would not be alright to say something like :
"eMail me at (Live eMail Link Here) to purchase more of this and other products directly"
(or anything to that effect)
For now... Live eMail Links and Live Website Links (that are within the guidelines set by eBay) are probably a very smart thing to include in every listing. I certainly encourage folks to use whatever means they still have available to them in order to TRANSACT - whether it's within eBays venue or not.
It's eBays JOB to find ways to keep the trading in THAT VENUE ONLY... it's NOT our "job" as independant sellers to RESTRICT ourselves to one Venue or Limit our ability to SELL by allowing ourselves to be exclusively captivated by eBay's money hungry clutches!
It's a common sense things... If Buyers are willing to Buy... Sellers should SELL!
posted on April 15, 2001 02:11:05 PM
Thanks Dottie....Great posts!
I was 99% certain the direct email addys, either linked or typed, were appropriate, but wanted to hear it straight from the horse's mouth...no offense, Dottie This board is the *corral of thoroughbreds*...
Best info in town!
Since eBay's email contact policy change, I've noticed several longtime fellow sellers in my city have added the direct contact link. I assumed it was cricket, as having quad # feedbacks, they aren't about to jeopardize their accounts.
Agreed! I totally play by the rules. eBay makes them....I follow them. We do have the ability to find, decide and apply the BEST presentation for our individual auctions, hopefully resulting in happy buyers and happy (us) with a bit of spare change in our pockets!
posted on April 15, 2001 02:30:53 PMI find that with their so-called new software I don't get answers to most of the questions I send to sellers.
The normal flurry of last-minute "ask seller a question" emails arrived in my inbox last week ... THREE DAYS after the auctions had closed!
I guess it isn't enough to have an email link in my listings ... I think I'm going to have to tell bidders specifically *not* to use the ebay link because it works as well as the rest of ebay.
posted on April 15, 2001 08:45:28 PM
Please Buyers!: Look for the direct email link in a sellers listing and use it.
I think more sellers are aware of this alternative than buyers,
who now send most questions through eBay.
I don't know if anyone has had trouble contacting me through the new eBay system, but how would I? I think a non-response from 80% of sellers indicates something is dreadfully wrong. Is it possible 80% of sellers don't respond to email?!!.
posted on April 16, 2001 03:16:19 AM
beachbound: Hi *smile*
naru: Actually, the way the eBay eMail forwarding system works (I've been told by the 'powers that be') is that IF for some reason an eMail is not deliverable, the sender of that eMail will receive a notice to that effect from eBay immediately.
Also, the eBay eMail forwarding system attempts to send THREE times (within about 5 minutes of the original attempt) before it "gives up" and notifies the author of it's Non Delivered Satus.
Additionally, the DEFAULT on the eBay eMail forwarding system is set to send the originator (the author of the eMail - NOT eBay - but either the seller or buyer, depending on who initiated the contact via the eBay eMail forwarding system) a COPY of the eMail being sent.
So... if the system weren't working properly (the way it is designed to function), I was told (by the fine folks at eBay) that you'd NOT get a copy of the letter you are attempting to send, rather a notice from eBay with the status of the eMail you were attempting to send via the eBay eMail forwarding system.
However, I've NOTICED that this does NOT seem to be the case between SELLER and WINNING BIDDER. Using the eBay eMail system for sending out winning notices does NOT generate a "copy" of the notice...Because it does NOT create an eMail that is "forwarded" from what I can tell. If you look in your own SENT eMail file, you will see that the behavior of the links from eBay for eMails between Seller and Winning Bidders is different, in that the notices seem to ORIGINATE from your own ISP (not eBays).
Regardless... I DO agree with you that BUYERS should look for the DIRECT eMail LINKS to sellers whenever possible, RATHER THAN going through eBays manipulative eMail maze. It just makes sense to correspond directly as possible and when Sellers go to the trouble of providing direct eMail links... it's a sign that ANY and ALL eMail from bidder/buyers is WELCOME.
posted on April 16, 2001 06:50:36 AM
Thanks Dottie!
It is a relief to hear that the new system is working. The only objection I had to the change was the #4@@!! reason eBay gave that they were trying to stop spam. It is quite obvious to a sub-moron that they were trying to limit off eBay contact and I have no objection. If it were my business, I would do the same. But as the lady says "Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining"
You either have to sign-in, copy and paste it, or click on the link and then click again. Their e-mail address is no secret because everyone can already see it, so for what possible reason are these extra steps necessary!?!?!? Answer: It ain't necessary. Change it back ebay!
