posted on June 15, 2004 09:19:39 AM new
Changing waaaaayyyyy to many things, way to fast???
What is going on? Comparison shipping now, after eliminating categories, prefilled information, stock photo's, ...and on and on and on?
Will anyone even recognize Ebay this time next year? Will anyone even care? Do old users give up and go away or do they learn the "new" and improved Ebay?
Any opinions or thoughts on where all this is heading?
posted on June 15, 2004 09:26:18 AM new
I'm fearful, Linda. When in doubt, monkey with what works. Wish I knew if they're truly trying to get rid of all us little sellers. I'm trying to sell/dump/get rid of lots of smaller things in my Ebay room, afraid I'll be stuck with them when and if Ebay just welcomes the big sellers and companies.
Now "favorite search" doesn't work for me, as I said in another thread. "Apron wall pocket" now gives me "Apron"--everything with apron in the title/description, thousands of things. I'm about to dump my favorite searches--and I wonder if this is happening to lots of other buyers on Ebay.
___________________________________
As I've matured, I've learned . .
#2. . . that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the butt are permanent.
posted on June 15, 2004 09:45:42 AM new
I lost two of my four favorites in the last shuffle. It takes a few more steps to get where I want to go. Oh well, that's progress.
posted on June 15, 2004 10:54:01 AM new
I'm a firm believer in KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. But ebay seems to try to make it as complicated as they can with way too much clutter.
Many of my customers are barely computer literate. And just when they figure out to use ebay, the geniuses at ebay go and change things around.
"I voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
posted on June 15, 2004 11:08:20 AM new
Well, the new My Ebay is so much improved than the old way, that I watch my auctions via that now instead of Vendio.
Prefilled info is a good thing when it comes to stock items. And this new discount today and tomorrow for such makes selling them as fixed-price a perfect solution in time for Father's Day.
Some of us old timers like the improvements.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on June 15, 2004 11:16:52 AM new
I agree with roadsmith-eBay is trying to get rid of the small seller in favor of large companies. We've been selling on eBay for 4 years and watched sales go down-----and down---and down. while ebay fees have gone up------and up-------and up. The only ones making any money from are sales are; ebay, paypal, vendio, Square trade and the USPS.
posted on June 15, 2004 11:17:46 AM new
Do you think Ebays plans to move half.com merchandise into the Ebay store concept this month or next is behind most of the changes? Or is it finally coming to pass...Ebay is now becoming a giant mall?
I know I never shopped at half because I didn't like the browse function and returning 50 items with prefilled stock photo's rather than what I was buying.
I also tried Amazon and soon dropped them because I did not like the search function.
I liked Yahoo, but found the sellers to be rude, obnoxious and rarely received what I thought I was getting.
So, I LOVED EBAY! And, I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of items there. Rarely new items though because if I can go to a store and "see" what I am getting that is still my preference for gifts and new items.
The ways I enjoyed browsing are gone. Instead there is "item specifics" "product finder" and now "comparison shopping" so it is not FUN to shop on Ebay anymore.
Now, maybe it is just because I don't like change! I loved the old Ebay. But, if I have gone from buying $300+ of records, cd's, postcards, etc a month to $0 how many other potential buyers have found it is no longer "fun" either? How many have left and how many will leave.
With my categories gone in music I no longer shop there. And, when I call up an item and see 25 listings similar...all with different shipping, all different prices, I know I will wonder "why is this one so cheap" "what is wrong with it" "are these others charging too much". I just think they are making it way too complicated.
And, I KNOW they are making it harder for each individual seller to make a sale! But, even worse, they are making it harder for bidders to find what they want, to play the "auction" game and to have fun on Ebay.
When the fun stops I'm afraid the buying will too! I have watched all the changes and it seems there are just way toooooo many and way tooooo fast. Ebay changes daily. I don't think that is good for any business.
And, why a successful business would want to change like this is just beyond my comprehension. Unless they are heading in a new direction that does not include you and me So, what we think and how we succeed is not important anymore.
But, that is just my opinion.
Have you seen the new "comparison shopping" idea? If I am understanding it right, you can bid without even looking at the ad or reading the description (not that some read it anyway). Prices and shipping information is all there and you just click on "bid now".
[ edited by lindajean on Jun 15, 2004 11:25 AM ]
posted on June 15, 2004 11:23:18 AM new
peiklk: You are right for all you sellers of "new" merchandise. But, I rarely buy "new" merchandise on Ebay.
I don't like to shop online. I still prefer a mall. Soon, you may be competing with the very people who you are now getting product from. And, at your price, not your selling price
If it is so easy to list why have a middle man at all. I'm pretty sure that is what Ebay is thinking.
Has anyone checked out the Sams Club auction page? They already started their own for their returns and seconds. And, they are getting more for them than they could get at the online store.
WHY? Because they start it cheap and it is an auction! People still like the thrill of bidding and winning.
And, they have the rule that a bid in the final minutes extends the bid time so no sniping! I can't believe the prices they are getting for their items.
posted on June 15, 2004 12:37:14 PM new
All I know is I have been selling on eBay for over 4 years and this has been the worst year for me so far.
I used to buy a lot on eBay too but no more, most times I find that it takes way too much time to find what I am looking for.
posted on June 15, 2004 02:00:26 PM new
I have to wonder if they come up with all of these changes just to keep their employees busy. For example they probably have a whole dept for page design, and if things aren't changing, what do these people do all day? They wouldn't want to lay off any for fear of bad press.
posted on June 15, 2004 02:20:05 PM new
i wrote this to ebay:
Topics > PowerSeller Support > General PowerSeller inquiry
Message: The new "my eBay" page is constructed SO much wider than it
was, that i need to scroll over to the right to see the whole page ...
we should be able to delete from showing ANY columns we want to, not
just the columns ebay chose for us to show, or not show ... ... also ...
when I click to 'Sold' items for 'My Ebay,' to do my invoices, at end of
invoice-sending, I can only go back to my general 'my ebay' and not
taken directly to the 'sold' items i am working on the invoicing for.
.... we really like the older 'my ebay' better ... ALSO, the only
improvement/thing we like about the new 'my ebay' is that we see how
many ebayers put an item on their 'watch list' ... do you know what
would probably get more bids, ergo more money for ebay?... if you would
put on the BIDDERS 'my ebay' the number of other ebayers with that same
item on THEIR 'watch list' ............. you understand what i mean
here? ...
--------------------
....... they replied, (by the way, 'powerseller' replies come WAY later than they used to ..:
Hello,
Thank you for writing in. I am happy to assist you with your inquiry.
I am sorry to see that you are not happy with our new design for My
eBay. While these changes were based on suggestions from our members, we
understand that not everyone will be pleased with My eBay's new look.
If you've got a comment, suggestion, complaint or notice a problem about
My eBay 2.0, please email it to:
I hope that, as you become more familiar with My eBay 2.0, you will
agree that it makes eBay an even better place to buy and sell.
I do understand what you are saying about the watch list for the
bidders. That is a very interesting and clever suggestion. We appreciate
the feedback.
I wish you the best with your future transactions.
Regards,
Tarah L.S.
eBay PowerSeller Support
_________________________________________
Don't miss the biggest eBay conference where you can meet faces behind
eBay, network with other PowerSellers and gain valuable business growth
tips! Enjoy PowerSeller perks - a private lounge, registration, business
center, special gift and much more! Register now at the link below:
----------------
ooooooooooo should I go??????!!! I get a private lounge and everything!? ... nah, I'll just hang out here. LOL
posted on June 15, 2004 08:11:18 PM new
I think if I were a new seller today just starting to sell on E-Bay with the experience I had in the beginning,I would probably throw my hands up and quit before I ever got very far. The only hope a person has is to learn what they can on this board from experienced sellers,and that is still helping me even 5 years later. Everyone on this board has been so helpful.
posted on June 15, 2004 08:56:38 PM new
I remember when e bay notices looked like just an e mail.......simple,,,,,,over complicated this to the MAX.......
we are only kidding ourselves to think e bay reads anything WE say here.....OR in their OWN formats for that matter,,,,,,we are just blowin' in the winds,,,,,,,,
their employess need a reason to be of value,,,,,,change this, alter that,,,,,delete this, upgrade that,,,,,ENHANCE this,,,,,,and on and on and on ,,,,,,,
Insanities,,,,,,,,,,,
But do they EVER DO anything that the REAL People ASK?,,,,,,NOPE........were all idiots who have been here for like 4-5 years,,,,,,their people just got out of computer school and have GREAT ideas!
KISS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Most of my,,,,Buyers,,,,,,I doubt even got pass the 8th grade,,,,,,,,,,e bay wants alot o' fancy legal and Harvard Language thrown at them,,,,enhancement,,,,,,,,the only place MOST of MY buyers ever,,,,saw that word was in a penis enlargemnet spam e mail........
posted on June 15, 2004 09:06:21 PM new
I have to say that I am getting used to the new "My EBay" and even LIKE it...except that I can't tell store sales from auctions in the "sold" section. Thank goodness I had the foresight (dumb luck) to end all my store prices in "7" and the 6/10 FP items in "6" so I can identify the source of the sale and find my item to ship.
As for the other changes..they haven't affected me yet so I don't know how I feel about them. Once eBay starts "messing" with my postcard categories I am sure I will be ranting and raving. You have my sympathies.
If it's true that eBay wants to turn this into a giant on-line shopping mall, one has to wonder how long the major retailers will put up with the outrageous fees before selling from their own websites..and how long the buyers will stick around when the "thrill is gone".
posted on June 15, 2004 10:30:19 PM new
I didn't try to read all of th comments. I agree 100%. They are screwing things up beyond reason. Why are they doing this?? I deal in China & before I could list Lenox in one # & Noritake in another. Now all of it is in one great big category. WHY???? What can we do about this??
posted on June 15, 2004 11:08:45 PM new
Neglus: I know what you mean. I had just started trying to semi-support us with Ebay and we dropped two large clients in the "real" world so we could cut back on the hours and the driving time it took to do inspections.
Now, I wonder if it will last through all this.
If the buyers cannot find items they will leave. If they like it they will stay and all will be well.
I can adapt to all the changes...if they work! But, since I stopped spending around $300 a month I know others must have done the same. The categories I shopped in are not fun to shop in anymore...so I don't! Plain and simple. That means someone, somewhere is losing sales. Most were in the records and movie collectibles categories.
Sanmar: I feel for you as well. I have been reading the ebay boards and it sounds like a worse mess in glass than the one they made in music
In the not so distant future I am sure there will be no categories for anything. Neglus: if they did it to glass why not postcards and everything else? It is just a matter of time and could be anyday now
If they had just left search alone I don't think it would have been too bad for our categories. I like to search by category for records to find bargains and lps I didn't have...I can't do that now. But, I always shop by Texas and certain towns for postcards so maybe they won't be able to mess that up too bad (crossing fingers).
posted on June 15, 2004 11:46:16 PM new
I haven't been selling on eBay for over a month, have been doing a lot of buying & I am delighted with my purchases, but you know what....things are selling too cheaply.
I can buy what I usually sell, rubber stamps, wholesale, but wholesale or lower is all your going to get on eBay. Good news for buyers bad news for sellers. So where can you go from here.
How in the world did this ever happen.
So, what we think and how we succeed is not important anymore.