Power Sellers Unite

irked · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

A few days ago I received a phone call from a polite young woman who
told me she was calling me on behalf of eBay to "clarify" their latest
monetary maneuver.

I cut her off and asked her what, exactly, it was that she thought needed
clarification. I assured her that, as far as I was concerned, that this
latest abuse was but one of many of a long series of incremental offenses
by eBay and that the cumulative effect of these abuses was what had
finally pushed me over the edge.

In no uncertain terms I made it clear how I felt and told her that I had
already moved the bulk of my business to another site and that I was
willing to trade traffic flow for inegrity.

I must give her credit for being very polite and genuinely sounding
concerned. It's gotta be a tough job!
I can't help but supect that she was more sympathetic to me than her
employer. She assured me that my comments and observations would
be "passed on".

When I asked how I had been singled out for this "clarification" call,
she told me that eBay was calling ALL of its sellers. Has anyone else
gotten a similar call from eBay? If so, how did it go?

littlebitz · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 96

I also received a phone call - rather my husband took it. It was about the fee increase and how they had a wonderful special to offer us. (I got my call in January)

Well needless to say the conversation did not go well as my husband asked her why in the h*ll she or eBay thought that we would accept a buy one - get one free offer for the month of Feb when we couldn't even afford ONE with the price hike! He told her to take the fee increases to management and that they should shove them where the sun does not shine and that we have closed our store and would have all of our auctions moved over to Overstock where we are treated fairly and with dignity and where they LISTEN to their sellers and buyers - let alone they didn't charge a fortune for listing there AND they have national exposure to boot!

He really didn't even give her a chance to talk after she offered her "wonderful special".

They are trying to do damage control - they realized their mistake from the first few days out. I doubt they will call us again but I am prepared if they do.

They have only hurt themselves with this one. Someone wrote it's kind of like finding your husband or wife in bed with someone else - they have betrayed us, lied, stolen and broken our trust. I will never go back.

littlebitz

irked · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Hmm... I guess they really are trying to "reach out and touch someone"...
apparently all of us. I can't help but wonder how many calls go something
like littlebitz's and mine did. Is it possible that anyone would say "Gee, that
makes perfect sense to me - you can count on me to be loyal to whatever
policy you set for us!" ???!?!!! They can call all they want, but what difference
will it make if they don't like what they hear?

eBay is so large at this point, with such a heavy investment in the
current infrastructure/paradigm that it is not likely that they will
suddenly re-make themselves into a fair, concerned, and helpful
service. Money is the bottom line, and the amount of it that they
need to keep their current game going exceeds the amount that a truly
quality and user-friendly approach to business would generate.
(Don't expect any real, substantive or tuly beneficial changes!)

Support all competition which is less bloated with corporate excess
and greed!!!

"Just Say No." - Nancy Reagan
.

janajacimom · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 19

I haven't received a phone call (I guess I was the smallest of the small fry sellers!), but I mentioned the fee increase, boycott, and this website to another mom (and eBay seller) during my daughter's ballet class. (She had been inactive a while and was unaware of all the fee hoopla.) When SHE received a call a couple of weeks ago, she gave eBay an earful. So keep the word of mouth going--it must be having some kind of effect, don't you think??

irked · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Yes, janajacimom, it is having an effect all right. The fact that eBay
is calling us and Bill Cobb is sending out emails that feign concern
for us is proof that we are having an effect.

The best thing we can do is to SPANK BACK. We the people have
the power and must take the situation into our own hands by
refusing to allow corporate bullies to to abuse us.

Battered wives return to abusive husbands because they are so
broken emotionally and have lost their sense of self-respect OR
because they are financially unable to leave.

We DO have OPTIONS.

Be strong, tell the abuser "It's over", and start a new life on another
site. It will take time - lots of it - for the competition to grow, but
it will if people stand up to the abuser and begin to take charge
instead of passively participating in incremental enslavement.

"Just Say No" -Nancy Reagan
.

littlebitz · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 96

Your right irked - we do have choices and options. We DON'T need to be enslaved by eBay - I am actually selling more at Overstock then what I was selling at eBay! I understand that there will probably be slow days but we had the same there at eFee too. I figured it out the other day...

A $9.99 ad listed 3 times before it sold (at $9.99) with added features of Gallery, Sub-title & Buy it Now (or MIM) each time - would cost me

At eBay: $3.70
At Overstock: .69

I don't believe there has been one item that I have had to list more then 3 times before it sold at Overstock thats why I used these figures.

Interesting isn't it - This does not even count the FVF's which are 3.25% at Overstock and 5.25% at eBay.

So my point is, is that there IS hope out there WITHOUT paying all the horrible fees that eBay has inflicted on us. We CAN have a better "way of life".

I'd also love to be a fly on the wall as they make these phone calls! I imagine they'd be hearing a LOT of interesting responses! LOL

I actually also got my letter back from writing Bill Cobb - Of COURSE - you guessed it - He DID NOT respond personally but rather had "Henry" do it for him. I was told he was forwarding it on to approporite people for further review. My guess is, (anyone else got a response back yet??) is that this is ANOTHER form letter and nothing special. Just another joke. They really care about the community and what they think?? YEAH RIGHT!

Be strong all - Just say NO - And don't look back - You'll probably not like what you see anyways.....

littlebitz

ldgifts · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 249 Location: lamps.LDGifts.com

Didn't Lot's wife, in the bible, turn to salt when she turned back to look at Sodom and Gomorrah? :P