Maggie's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/163389/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/119641/comments?source=feed#comment-383579 383579
Well, Donahoe is either too self-righteous or has dug himself in too deep to do this. Even when it was blatantly apparent that all the sites users - buyers and sellers - HATED Best Match - he kept it. Even though the DSR stars are totally biased - he keeps it just the way it is.

I could imagine his glee - thinking he rid himself of all the little flea market sellers' junk and made room for the big retailers. What little foresight. Now, at a time in the economy when he should have been positioned to accept all the small sellers who need to divest themselves of their possessions to pay their bills - he has instead created a site that is totally contrary to this. Fees are too high, negative feedbacks will end a new sellers career on eBay before it's begun.

All the trust on eBay is gone. Sellers of antiques and collectibles are not very likely to ship all their stuff off to ebay to sell on consignment for them because they do not trust eBay anymore. Also, they would undoubted get less by doing this than they are now - and right now they are not getting much of a profit as it is.

Also sellers, like myself, have established themselves in other places. Some are on other auction sites. Some on stores like I offer in my mall. They are not likely to abandon all that hard work and return to eBay under present management. ]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:34:20 -0500
Well, Donahoe is either too self-righteous or has dug himself in too deep to do this. Even when it was blatantly apparent that all the sites users - buyers and sellers - HATED Best Match - he kept it. Even though the DSR stars are totally biased - he keeps it just the way it is.

I could imagine his glee - thinking he rid himself of all the little flea market sellers' junk and made room for the big retailers. What little foresight. Now, at a time in the economy when he should have been positioned to accept all the small sellers who need to divest themselves of their possessions to pay their bills - he has instead created a site that is totally contrary to this. Fees are too high, negative feedbacks will end a new sellers career on eBay before it's begun.

All the trust on eBay is gone. Sellers of antiques and collectibles are not very likely to ship all their stuff off to ebay to sell on consignment for them because they do not trust eBay anymore. Also, they would undoubted get less by doing this than they are now - and right now they are not getting much of a profit as it is.

Also sellers, like myself, have established themselves in other places. Some are on other auction sites. Some on stores like I offer in my mall. They are not likely to abandon all that hard work and return to eBay under present management. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114087/comments?source=feed#comment-351574 351574
In my town alone - and it is small - there are hundreds of people selling on ebay. For these people this is either their sole source of income or at least an important supplement. And yes, some do these things to supplement their government benefits.

The rise in unemployment will cause many of these "underground entrepreneurs" to fail in their efforts since the demand for their products and services will be decreased. In fact, as unemployment runs out - many people will attempt to find alternative means of making money themselves. This will cause a great imbalance in supply and demand, worsening the situation.

It's frightening to think that this economy has been functioning on a precarious balance between those who work buying products and services from those who can't. When too many of those who can work have no jobs available the balance is upset and widespread poverty could prevail.]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2009 09:00:39 -0500
In my town alone - and it is small - there are hundreds of people selling on ebay. For these people this is either their sole source of income or at least an important supplement. And yes, some do these things to supplement their government benefits.

The rise in unemployment will cause many of these "underground entrepreneurs" to fail in their efforts since the demand for their products and services will be decreased. In fact, as unemployment runs out - many people will attempt to find alternative means of making money themselves. This will cause a great imbalance in supply and demand, worsening the situation.

It's frightening to think that this economy has been functioning on a precarious balance between those who work buying products and services from those who can't. When too many of those who can work have no jobs available the balance is upset and widespread poverty could prevail.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/99196/comments?source=feed#comment-281198 281198
Actually you're wrong -it is a popularity contest - ask car manufacturers.

How can you write everything that's wrong with ebay - all caused by J. Donahoe, and then say he's doing the right thing. It's like saying the powers that be are doing the right thing about the economy - now that they've messed it up.

I have already decreased our ebay sales to 10% of what I once sold due to their changed imposing a nonprofitability curve for many collectibles. That's OK, I opened my own online mall and am doing just fine selling there. The only reason we even list on ebay is for the crossover sales to our other site.

The day I'm forced to send someone an item and then sit around with crossed fingers waiting for them to maybe pay me is the day it's down to 1%. In fact, I'm rethinking it already. If someone can't pay for something then they shouldn't buy it. I

f the seller wants to accept lay-a-way or some sort of payment on those lines - I could see that, but mailing an item without payment is just sheer nonsense. Nobody is going to do it, probably including Buy.com, Sears and all the other huge retailers that eBay's been catering to of late.

So, when nobody does it - I guess eBay will have nothing to sell. Which is good for me, more antiques and collectibles sellers will come on over and get a store in my mall - 3 month free trial and as low as $5.50 a month after that. 6 different forms of payment processing - No extra charges.

See - it is a popularity contest!


]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:37:05 -0400
Actually you're wrong -it is a popularity contest - ask car manufacturers.

How can you write everything that's wrong with ebay - all caused by J. Donahoe, and then say he's doing the right thing. It's like saying the powers that be are doing the right thing about the economy - now that they've messed it up.

I have already decreased our ebay sales to 10% of what I once sold due to their changed imposing a nonprofitability curve for many collectibles. That's OK, I opened my own online mall and am doing just fine selling there. The only reason we even list on ebay is for the crossover sales to our other site.

The day I'm forced to send someone an item and then sit around with crossed fingers waiting for them to maybe pay me is the day it's down to 1%. In fact, I'm rethinking it already. If someone can't pay for something then they shouldn't buy it. I

f the seller wants to accept lay-a-way or some sort of payment on those lines - I could see that, but mailing an item without payment is just sheer nonsense. Nobody is going to do it, probably including Buy.com, Sears and all the other huge retailers that eBay's been catering to of late.

So, when nobody does it - I guess eBay will have nothing to sell. Which is good for me, more antiques and collectibles sellers will come on over and get a store in my mall - 3 month free trial and as low as $5.50 a month after that. 6 different forms of payment processing - No extra charges.

See - it is a popularity contest!


]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98431/comments?source=feed#comment-273340 273340 ]]> Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:26:43 -0400 ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/95515/comments?source=feed#comment-258776 258776
eBay's customer representatives are so poorly informed about the company's rules and policies that in lieu of trying to contact them, new sellers most frequently go to eBay boards to get help from other sellers and to PowerSellersUnite for answers to really complicated problems. If you can reach them at all - they are reading canned responses to your questions that often make no sense. ]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0400
eBay's customer representatives are so poorly informed about the company's rules and policies that in lieu of trying to contact them, new sellers most frequently go to eBay boards to get help from other sellers and to PowerSellersUnite for answers to really complicated problems. If you can reach them at all - they are reading canned responses to your questions that often make no sense. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/95329/comments?source=feed#comment-258773 258773
What sellers and buyers have learned from all this eBay drama - They can sell and buy elsewhere for less- Etsy, CollectorsOnlineMall, OnlineAuctions, Ebid, etc. -- And thanks for the training on selling at fixed price eBay! Sellers have flocked to online malls and store hosting sites and, thanks to GoogleBase, buyers are following.

The question is... when all the small seller competition is gone will eBay's new favorites - the giant retailers like Sears and BUY - still need eBay?]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:54:05 -0400
What sellers and buyers have learned from all this eBay drama - They can sell and buy elsewhere for less- Etsy, CollectorsOnlineMall, OnlineAuctions, Ebid, etc. -- And thanks for the training on selling at fixed price eBay! Sellers have flocked to online malls and store hosting sites and, thanks to GoogleBase, buyers are following.

The question is... when all the small seller competition is gone will eBay's new favorites - the giant retailers like Sears and BUY - still need eBay?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/71328/comments?source=feed#comment-146661 146661 www.google.com/coop/cs...

You may have to copy & past the entire url above in your browser. The link doesn't seem to be taking here.]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:09:33 -0400 www.google.com/coop/cs...

You may have to copy & past the entire url above in your browser. The link doesn't seem to be taking here.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/71328/comments?source=feed#comment-146660 146660 www.google.com/coop/cs...

This is a link to an aggregated search engine for displaced ebay sellers. Blujay and Ecrater stores have already been included as well as some independent websites. Please email me your link if you'd like to be included. There's also an option to place the search on your website.

Great article. Despite ebay, we'll work together and find a way.]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:08:08 -0400 www.google.com/coop/cs...

This is a link to an aggregated search engine for displaced ebay sellers. Blujay and Ecrater stores have already been included as well as some independent websites. Please email me your link if you'd like to be included. There's also an option to place the search on your website.

Great article. Despite ebay, we'll work together and find a way.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/69380/comments?source=feed#comment-129581 129581
I'm one of the founding sellers who is leaving and I'm not complaining- just selling a lot on other sites.]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:39:30 -0400
I'm one of the founding sellers who is leaving and I'm not complaining- just selling a lot on other sites.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/68211/comments?source=feed#comment-125961 125961
Ebay, on the other hand, seems to be seeing a refugee-like departure of their core sellers in categories like antiques, hand-made items, collectibles, sports cards, etc. This is likely to increase once sellers start seeing the increased final value fees in black and white on their ebay invoices while facing the threat of having their money tied up in Paypal for 21 days.

Ebay alternatives have been marketing a lot to sellers, but there is a shift - and now they're marketing to shoppers. It may not be long before shoppers learn that they'll have to look off-ebay for the hard to find items they long for.]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:46:44 -0400
Ebay, on the other hand, seems to be seeing a refugee-like departure of their core sellers in categories like antiques, hand-made items, collectibles, sports cards, etc. This is likely to increase once sellers start seeing the increased final value fees in black and white on their ebay invoices while facing the threat of having their money tied up in Paypal for 21 days.

Ebay alternatives have been marketing a lot to sellers, but there is a shift - and now they're marketing to shoppers. It may not be long before shoppers learn that they'll have to look off-ebay for the hard to find items they long for.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/68211/comments?source=feed#comment-125953 125953
Shopping sites like Ecrater have drawn my business and that of many others. There are no listing or final value fees. They have secure shopping carts like Google Checkout, Paypal, and credit card options, checks and money order payments.

So, in a recession, when people need to save every penny - it would be a wise decision to use sites like this. Once the shoppers become aware of sites like Ecrater they'll also like them better because the prices are generally lower since we merchants are saving money on fees.]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:32:42 -0400
Shopping sites like Ecrater have drawn my business and that of many others. There are no listing or final value fees. They have secure shopping carts like Google Checkout, Paypal, and credit card options, checks and money order payments.

So, in a recession, when people need to save every penny - it would be a wise decision to use sites like this. Once the shoppers become aware of sites like Ecrater they'll also like them better because the prices are generally lower since we merchants are saving money on fees.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/68343/comments?source=feed#comment-125951 125951 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:29:02 -0400