Alpha Consumer

EBay’s Marital Problems

By Kimberly Palmer

Posted: March 10, 2008

Blogger Randy Smythe offers a fascinating take on the eBay fees debate: He argues the company's management and sellers need some old-fashioned marital advice. He writes:

Why do I bring up divorce in an ecommerce blog? Because, marital problems are exactly like what is happening between eBay management and eBay's sellers. They are in the middle of a bad marriage and looking at their options....

For many sellers, eBay was their first love, but they have taken so much crap, for so long they've lost any hope that the relationship can be saved....

eBay needs a marriage counselor that both sides can agree on. Someone who can tell sellers when they are out of line and someone who can hold management accountable, but you know that will never happen because this is business not a marriage.... Unfortunately, I fear that the damage has been done and nothing that eBay management can say will improve the situation.

Smythe even points out that many eBay sellers have had affairs with other marketplaces. So, sellers, do you just need a good "marriage" counselor to fix this situation?

RUBY LANE SITE IS REALLY GOOD.

EBAY IS AFRAID OF SITES LIKE RUBY LANE -SMALL CHEAP AND GOOD .

MS. WHITMAN LOOTED THE EBAY CASH AND USED COMPANY FOR HER IMAGE . NOW NEW CEO IS CAUGHT . SITES LIKE RUBY LANE WILL HAVE HUGE GROWTH.

I'VE BEEN ON EBAY LONGER THAN ANYONE I KNOW. ITS SURELY THE END . I LOOK AT EBAY AS A MARKETING TOOL FOR BUILDING MY NEW SITES . ITS NO LONGER VIABLE, MANAGEMENT IS SO FAR OUT OF TOUCH, WE SELLERS DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THEIR LEARNING CURVE AT OUR EXPENSE.

EBAY IS STILL GOOD FOR UNUSUAL ITEMS -YOU CAN ASK INSANE PRICES AND HAGGLE FOR 1000-2000% PROFIT.

bridget spellicy of NY @ Nov 19, 2008 20:31:54 PM

Bad Bidders and feedback

I recently sold a product on Ebay on the Auction section.the price started at $50.00 and the shipping was to be calculated by the Buyer.Unfortunatly, I had a dumb buyer that calculated bid and bought to ship overseas.The price was to much for the buyer so instead of buying he blamed me for the final invoice price being to much.He not only will not pay but sent several E-mails to me with the F words and also used in my feedback(Yes Ebay sucurity OK`d it Also can use Scam)5 years of 100% rating selling/buying ruined. Ebay resalutions for Problems only FIT there own agenda.The only recourse the I have is:Ban this person from biding on my site,Email rejections,respond in 14 max word space,and continue selling with a BLACK EYE(ebay response)Who wants to buy from someone that was given a sexual suburitives and is called a SCAMMER???Ebay is a disapointment!

DL Dreasher of MO @ Aug 30, 2008 18:52:15 PM

eBay's New Feedback Policy

The idea that buyers can leave any kind of feedback they want, but sellers can leave only positive feedback, is totally absurd. As an occasional seller (with 100% feedback), I responded to the changes initiated by eBay's new management by closing my account.

Irene H. of WY @ Jul 03, 2008 17:09:02 PM

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Alpha Consumer

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.


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