posted on February 27, 2002 04:52:26 PM new
i got this of "discuss ebay newest features". As of this writing, the "Sell Your item" form describes the "Featured Plus" option as it always has..that your auction will appear in a "Featured" section on top of all listing categories...the "See example" link even shows how it will appear in a picture....my lawyer tells me this submission form is in fact a contract and that so long as that form has not been updated we may all feel free to sign up for "Featured Plus" on as many auctions as we wish...when the fee comes due we are not required to pay the $19.95 because of Ebay's failure to provide the services described in the contract...In addition, the claim that "Featured" items sell 58% more than regular items is now false advertising, as it is statement based on a discontinued practice....any new claims made must be based on actual data obtained under the new, essentially castrated "Features Plus" system. So, go ahead and run up a few hundred bucks worth...or a few thousandd...you will not be obliged to pay these fees unless Ebay reinstates the former "Featured Plus" policies..That might get their panties in a bunch. Would any Ebay staffers care to comment on this??
posted on February 27, 2002 05:28:32 PM new
Why don't you do this and get back to us? Maybe under their new privacy and use policy, will get suspended for refusing to pay?
posted on February 27, 2002 07:42:19 PM new
The price of this option is right there next to this box, so why do you or an user think it is free? Ebay would suspend your account, and squash you in court if you went after them.
posted on February 28, 2002 05:22:13 AM new
Ebay has now backwatered on the changes to the featured category listings. It is putting them back the way they were. Too many complaints.
Your original point is well taken, however, in that ebay just suddenly dropped these changes into the middle of its operation wtihout notice, and without fixing the associated materials. Like the listing form.
I am sure you were being facetious about using the featured listing and claiming a refund for misrepresention, it is not something I would try except with an expendable id.
I do wonder how such stupid and ill-conceived nonsense as this change get implemented at ebay. Isn't there anyone there who understands the selling process?
They had also changed the new listing search and bidders complained, so they are putting that back the way it was too.
posted on February 28, 2002 08:21:36 AM new
<Isn't there anyone there who understands the selling process?>
That is what I don't understand. This was a no-brainer. The benefit was so small compared to harm done to sellers AND the potential loss of revenue by eBay.
They need some people there who actually SELL on ebay to run their ideas by.
posted on February 28, 2002 09:33:51 AM new
eBay management is first and foremost about the price of the eBay stock.
Stock price is very dependent on ever growing reportable quarterly profits.
They are not completely to blame for the short term approach. Wall Street creates a great deal of pressure on most companies for immediate profits.
With an extremely high P/E ratio and 50% year to year profit growth goals the stock is subject to severe downside moves if the gains are not made.
SEC reports show over 50% of the stock to be owned by management and insiders, as defined by their guidelines.
Even a few dollars drop in the stock price can cause 100's of millions of dollars in paper losses to management/insiders.
Much time and effort has to be devoted to immediate profits and the short term plans for ease of major retailers expanded growth on the site or acquisitions and international expansion, if they are going to protect their stock holdings.
I expect this sometimes leave the immediate effect of decisions on day to day seller functions and long term independent seller support not receiving the attention that we would like it to have nor that we feel is justified.
Conflicts of interests, we don't have the power or the money, we lose. End of story.
