Patricia013

Should eBay Go Retail?

Yep - I just got:

"We were unable to run the search you entered. Please try again in a few minutes."

Search is down and seller pages are also down.

Should eBay Go Retail?

John, I value your opinion. You're a seller down in the trenches with the rest of us. Long ago Ebay gave up on trying to give sellers what they need in order to make sales. Instead, they took up the opinion that sellers are dispensible - a dime a dozen. Well, now looks like they're running out of the good sellers...the bad ones will stick around until they're thown out and all the fancy diamond sellers are looking to get their hands on buyers who frequent Ebay so they can direct them to their own sites LOL

Should eBay Go Retail?

Tony is absolutely correct - which is what I mean when I say Donahoe is blowing smoke up your skirt! Its all smoke and mirrors - it is NOT solid growth! Ebay has been stagnant and slightly declining every quarter for the past year. In fairness to people looking to invest - I think the analysts need to be more careful about what they say about this company!

Should eBay Go Retail?

User is right. The difference between Amazon and Ebay is almost laughable. Amazon has spent years on its business model and has become a well-oiled selling machine. It puts restrictions on its sellers but they are focused on making sales - not on hindering sales. Amazon knows full well what it takes to make sales and to make buyers keep coming back. Amazon knows the value of good customer service! Ebay on the other hand bumbles around - one year seller is king...next year buyer is king.... As for a business model let's try retail...no liquidation...no a mix of both...no....call in the Chinese and flood the site with junk!!! Nobody is happy and customers are beginning to stay away...in fact LOTS of customers are beginning to stay away! They've had it with a site that is cluttered with ads and puts them thru hoops in order to find what they want! Ebay does not sell anything and does not know what it takes to sell on a daily basis - they prefer to beat their sellers into stupid policies that merely throw obstacles in the path of what counts...SALES. They put other projects in front of sales when sales need to be utmost on their priority list - then they try to make up the decline in sales with fee raised or gimmicks (like the present two week half price listings for collectibles) - or ads to other listings on the sellers' paid up listing space!!!

A sad fact is that even if Donahoe admitted he's on the wrong path and tried to turn the ship around he would still fail. Sellers AND buyers have lost interest and lost faith in Ebay. Ebay has become a crazy, confusing place to both buyers and sellers! Ebay needs new management - a fresh start - one in which both seller and buyer are king - equally. Since Ebay doesn't sell anything but space, it needs to become "only a venue" once again. Selling space to sellers and mildly regulating transactions....nothing else could possibly save this company.

Should eBay Go Retail?

Hey Scot - wait till after the holiday season so you can report on Ebay's dismal failure along with their ......success??? ;-)

Should eBay Go Retail?

@Bhash - don't know what site you're talking about but for some time now Ebay is about the only online sales place where a seller can lose his item and his money to unscrupulous buyers - all with Ebay's help too! Buyers can now hold sellers hostage - ask for free items, for reduction in items cost, etc. because one bad negative from a buyer can restrict a small seller from selling on Ebay! You best read up on the new outrageous policies before you speak. This is a major reason why good small sellers are leaving with their hard-earned reputations in tact. Right now the buyers have ALL the power and the sellers are being treated like criminals.

Should eBay Go Retail?

"Should Ebay go Retail" - well....what do you think Scot? Have they been successful so far? Everything Donahoe has tried in almost two years has either failed or just been flat! In the meantime they are leaking sellers AND buyers like an old boat headed for the bottom of the sea! So, in all common sense and logic and putting all the hocus-pocus numbers aside...what do YOU think?

This company needs to sweep out the present management - ALL of it and start with a fresh team....a team who understands online selling and understands Ebay's roots and how to stimulate those roots once again. Its Ebay's ONLY chance for survival! Yeah, they're a big wealthy company but they can't simply rest on Paypal now - nor can they keep sitting on the cash they've accumulated from the "good days".

The writing is already on the wall - Ebay starts putting ads on paid for listings today! That shows a tremendous crack in Ebay's armor. They are now desperate and trying whatever they can to have a passable 4th quarter holiday season. They are doomed! Donahoe needs to go! His disruptive methods killed a solid business model and put a weak floundering one in its place! No more talk about retail - Ebay was not meant for retail and both buyers and sellers are showing their displeasure by LEAVING!

Amazon: Be Fearful While Others Are Greedy

Every time I buy off Amazon I am amazed! They have done their homework well and it shows in their attitude, the wide range of items and the super fast delivery and service! Right now, they are unparalled. With top notch service Donahoe has failed to beat and bludgeon his sellers into providing! This coming holiday season will see Amazon crush ALL competition and sales will soar! Good hard work is NOT a bubble...it is what it is!

I agree that the author doesn't really know what he's talking about. I buy enough on Amazon to have a credit card on file with them...something I wouldn't do with any other site.

Amazon Leads the Pack in October Same Store Sales

Hey - thanks arlin - sometimes I feel nobody is listening. Your post is pretty encouraging.

Amazon Leads the Pack in October Same Store Sales

"eBay (EBAY) had a slight tick down to 4.73% from Septembers 5.1% - that's small enough that I don't think it's cause for any concern."

When you're sitting on a couple of listings and those listings have only had one or two hits for the week - then its cause for great concern! Where are the buyers? If they are all frequenting diamond sellers then Ebay had no need for my fees - in fact I would say they're taking my fees under false pretenses. For the next two weeks Ebay is giving collectible sellers a break.....or is it simply for some fast cash from the suckers who just won't stop listing? I'm thinking its the latter! Ebay deserves to go DOWN and I'll continue making "noise."

How to Value Amazon?

I have no idea how to value Amazon. I only know that I've been buying there steadily for the past two years and only go to Ebay on the rare occasion when I can't find it on Amazon. I know Ebay is trying to emulate Amazon...which is good business FOR Amazon because Ebay is so badly run and mismanaged that it almost chases customers to Amazon ;-)

Will Big Returns Continue for Tech Giants?

I expect Amazon to do as well or better than last year. They've been eating Ebay's lunch and stealing off their buyers. I'm an 11 year Ebay seller yet I shop at Amazon. I'm not alone there ;-) The difference between Amazon and Ebay is that Ebay is a rank amateur up against a sleek pro.

Will Big Returns Continue for Tech Giants?

"The auction giant has been trading fairly strongly over the past couple months as investors seem to have welcomed the sale of its long-troubled Skype acquisition."

Okay, now I have to wipe the tea off my monitor! Ebay's stock is rising thru glowing articles by writers and analysts who cannot find their own backside using both hands! Never have I seen so many uninformed spout the virtues of company they do not understand!....odd....... sounds like their words came directly from ebay execs. The recent Ad Age article touting the wonderful "turnaround" at Ebay actually quotes Norrington throughout the article. This is SO WRONG! You are all giving an impression of Ebay that is NOT true. Ebay's core is failing. Their traffic is way way down...sales are way way down. Tell the truth because investors - who also do not understand ebay - are reading and wrongfully believing that Ebay is successful!

September Same Store Sales: eBay Continues Growth Trend

I'm so unimpressed with Ebay - its almost impossible to describe! I'll leave it to others. I, too, am hearing the complaints about the new TRS program. One thread on seller central made a big joke about being an A.S.S. "above standard seller" - he added to that "above standard seller helping others learn ebay" - that did it and now I have to wipe all the soda off my monitor! He could at least laugh about it and that made my day. Otherwise, you can find me on my website where sales have recently picked up and been darn good lately ;-)

E-Tail, Auto Sites, Hollywood Top July Website Visits / Growth List

So...... how much longer do you think it will take before Amazon streaks past Ebay in unique viewers? All that "disruptive innovation" rose such a cloud of dust and disgust that I'm sure the oncoming holiday season will be a very very interesting and telling one ;-) Its okay though, Mr. Donahoe will have his diamond sellers to keep him warm...at least for awhile.