Excellent post. Keep it up!…

Now on to the feedback. Total BS. I’m so sick and tired of walking on pins and needles from buyers who threaten you with a negative because something just isn’t quite right. Basically 98% of my buyers are fine but that 2% really chap my butt. Had these buyers read the entire descriptions which I don’t think anybody does, they would find out more than enough about what the auction has to offer and what they’re bidding on. We as sellers should be held accountable for our items but at the same time, the buyers should be accountable for their actions on ebay as well. Here’s my opninion, before any buyer is allowed to make a bid they need to accept the terms and conditions of each and every auction. Stating they understand the content of the auction and the item being described. Just like any software agreement you come across, you have to check the box before you get it. And then if a buyer descides to leave you a negative feedback for something not quite right then you have that checked box to fall back on to. This should also open up a mediation page which forces ebay to intervene. People often mention fraudulant sellers but there are also fraudulant buyers as well. I personally call it extortion. Refunding a portion of the sale to buy their positive feedback. Hush Money!!

My ultimate opinion is that the feedback should be left alone. I believe this is infringing on our constitutional rights for freedom of speach. Some people complain that sellers should leave a feedback first and I feel that’s crap. Sure the buyer may have paid for the item but will he handle himself in a professional manner to complete the transaction? I consider a transaction complete when a buyer pays for the item, I’ve shipped it to them, the buyer accepts the item and is satisfied. If there are problems I want to know about it before a negative is left. I’m always willing to work with people if I screwed up. Which is not very often! Just because a seller leaves feedback second doesn’t mean they are reserving it for a retalitory purpose. It’s just assurance that the transaction goes well and the seller was given every opportunity to correct any problems that may have occured.

Let me tell you, I’m not getting rich doing this kind of work. I enjoy it, I like the unique items people bring to me to sell on a daily basis, but if this keeps up I’ll stop selling and just go golfing.

Meg, when I spoke with you in Las vegas almost two years ago now I was very impressed with you and ebay. It seemed as though everything was running smooth and great changes were on the horizon. What happened? Why is ebay getting so greedy?

Millions of auctions each day and they still need more money?
B_ _ _ S_ _ _ !

Ebay, get your act together or you’re going to sink like the unsinkable Titanic.

I have been noticing a lot lately about the recent restructuring of ebay fees. It is my understanding from the article written at techcrunch.com that the fees are increasing for many of the items listed at or around the $25 mark, but decreasing the fe…

You can read my take on recent changes on What happens when you annoy eBay sellers

As far as the comment about sellers waiting to leave feedback until a buyer leaves it. A buyer’s obligation to a seller is not over with just a payment. That buyer’s conduct after the fact is critical to how I will rate them. I once had a woman write me verbally abusive e-mails because her neighbor’s dog ate the package that I mailed to her. (She threatened me with negative feedbacks.) Had I left her a positive feedback immediately upon payment, I would not have been able to gove her that neutral that stated “paid but would not do business with again.” Or consider the person who reverses charges after feedback is given? As a buyer, I always leave feedback first. Always.

Feedback is crucial for both sides and sellers should be warned about whom they are dealing with.

I will no longer sell or buy on Ebay. Check out the discussion boards. There are thousands upon thousands of sellers (most of which are buyers too!) that are leaving. Adios Ebay. And smell you later!

I found out more info at ukebid.com

Adjusting the sale price/shipping ratio, as Matt suggests, is a very bad idea. Besides the fact that it’s against the eBay TOS, it also is a good way to get a poor Detailed Seller Rating and get your auctions exposure in search reduced. Do it repeatedly and they’ll suspend your account rather quickly.

For people that complain about high shipping costs, realize that sellers jac up their shipping costs because eBay doesn’t charge a commission off those. So rather than sell something for $20 with a $5 shipping charge, the seller marks it down to $10 with a $15 shipping charge. Then the seller only pays commission on the $10.

I am not sure Amazon is a better alternative, infact I am more afraid of Amazon as it is not fixed fee, but a proration.

I sold some stuff on ebay, their search sucks. But I did get some some good bargains due to the auction format.