Power Sellers Unite

luckyalive · Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 590

LOL, just cleaning out my junk mail and low and behold I found eBay's seller secrets insider - you know, that publication that adopts the typical corporate philosophy of treating everyone ecept themselves as complete dumbasses. This email is a complete laugh riot. If eBay corprate really believes this stuff - I have a bridge to sell them. Here's some gems:

"Our strategy was to increase the price of each item by a small amount. We created three brackets: under $5, between $5 and $20, and over $20. We increased the Buy It Now prices by $1, $2, and $3 respectively for those brackets, then set our standard shipping to zero for both domestic and international. Wow, it worked! We saw a jump of about 30% in orders immediately. Our net profit increased by about 10%. Not only did the new model increase sales, it also reduced customer service emails. The number of customer questions about shipping dropped to nothing!" Zack Boonjue (User ID: aeravida)"

What joke! I'll be sure never to order from this eBay shill! Want to explain how that model would work for antiques and collectibles whereas one item could be an antique card part weighing 20 pounds and the next item 30 pounds of books and so on.

"Inspire larger orders--offer combined shipping discounts. They'll be prominently displayed in the eBay Shopping Cart!
With the NEW eBay Shopping Cart, buyers can either add items to their cart or use the familiar Buy It Now button to make an immediate purchase. To best take advantage of this new feature, be sure to offer combined shipping discounts. It's a great way to inspire larger orders, as buyers who want to purchase more than one of your items will clearly see what they're saving on shipping displayed within their cart. Also consider adding Immediate Pay to your Fixed Price listings--when you do, you won't have to worry about unpaid items!"

So eBay how about you telling me off the top of your head how much antique A, collectible B, and books C to Z are going to cost in the same box, let alone give a discount on the items. How about the size of the package ebay - you sure all these items can fit in the same box to offer a discount? Why the hell would I give a discount anyway - its an auction. Besides it may actually be cheaper to send in multiple boxes since books can go media.

"How we're making eBay THE place to go for all shoppers to find all the products they need
For every online buyer today, there are four more shoppers who use the web to research products before buying locally. To attract this huge audience, eBay is going all out in December with expanded Local Shopping. Soon, you'll see the Local Shopping tab in a number of categories, plus advertising on eBay and other sites designed to attract new buyers--especially in the last few days before Christmas."

Sorry, will not be buying anything.

"If you manage your brick-and-mortar store's inventory using one of the major point of sale systems, you can showcase your items via eBay Local Shopping by simply downloading the FREE eBay Fetch software. Once installed, your items will be visible to buyers on eBay (and other partner sites) within 24 hours."

Why would I install spyware?

"A great return policy is one of the best ways to boost buyer confidence, and for many sellers, a generous return policy (at least 14 days, or ideally 30 days after Christmas) can boost sales significantly with a surprisingly low rate of returns. Listings with great return policies now get an added boost in Best Match, too! These great apps make managing returns a snap:"

Why would I have return? Write good descriptions and pics from a pro camera. On the other hand if I relied on what eBay has installed into their system I would have a lot of returns, such as having to provide the "condition" of books such as "new", "acceptable" and so on. Using such terms are absolute nonsense anda re totally meaningless - thats where you have problems with customers, by using your completely ignoranr system. What matters is a list of defects and great pics.

"Report returns issues, other concerns with buyers via the Seller Reporting Hub
Last year we launched a streamlined reporting hub that easily enables sellers to share and report their experiences with buyers--unpaid items, Feedback extortion, misuse of eBay Buyer Protection and more. You can now also report buyers that misuse the returns process--returning something other than what had shipped, returning a defective item in place of the fully-functioning item you'd sent, or returning the originally-shipped item with some parts removed. eBay investigates incoming reports and will take the necessary corrective action to ensure that everybody has a good experience--including the removal any negative or neutral Feedback that's in violation of eBay policy. You can track the number of times Feedback and Buyer Protection cases were removed from your account as a result of your reports (and eBay's detection systems) directly in your Seller Dashboard."

What a complete bunch of crap! you really think anyone is that stupid to believe this.

"Get cash to fuel your business on eBay with Kabbage
Need funds fast? Kabbage offers qualified sellers cash to help them grow their businesses on eBay. For example, seller Lesia DeFelice (User ID: carpartsandcores) used Kabbage to prepare for the busy holiday season by stocking up on inventory and staffing for the seasonal rush:

"Our customers depend upon our fast delivery and excellent customer service. Thanks to Kabbage, not only were we able to acquire inventory quickly to keep up with our orders, but we were able to make bulk purchases resulting in steeper discounts which we passed along to our customers. Our Kabbage funds have also been instrumental in allowing us to hire additional employees to assist with shipping, accounting, listing and more." Lesia DeFelice (User ID: carpartsandcores)

With Kabbage, you can go from application to cash in your PayPal account within 10 minutes. There's no cost to set up an account, and you can take cash if and when you need it. Apply online today!"

LOL, sorry eBay I already do that BY BUYING at hundreds of estate auctions. Where the hell do you think people get items to resale on eBay in the first place? I buy at a lot lower prices that on eBay because I only have to compete against you is there.

"Did you know that you can offset many of your holiday expenses with points?
This year, instead of reaching into your cash reserves to cover many of your holiday expenses, use the Membership Rewards® points you've earned on purchases made with the New Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN to offset:

* Holiday gifts--Employee bonuses using Gift Cards as a substitute for cash
* Office holiday parties--Book at many of our dining partners
* Thank you gifts--Treat your best clients to the theater, dinner, concerts, and more

If you're not already a Cardmember, apply today and get approved to start earning points on expenses you're already making, like 3X points on airfare, and 2X points on advertising, gas, and shipping costs. Learn more."

Thats strange eBay and PayPal go out of their way to prevent you from using 3rd party credit cards for paying for shipping. The only way to do this is empty out your account and individually change the funding source for each shipping label to your credit card. At least come up with some good lies eBay.

"Have a car to sell? List your vehicle on eBay and receive a Guaranteed Offer
Selling a used car just got easier! Now, when you list a vehicle on eBay Local Classifieds, you can choose to receive a Guaranteed Offer from AutoNation Direct. Any car newer than 1981 is eligible--simply provide some additional information about your vehicle's condition and you'll receive a no-obligation offer for your vehicle within 24 hours. Best of all, Guaranteed Offers are good for 10 days, so you have ample time to show your car to local buyers responding to your eBay Classifieds listing before you decide to accept. Learn more."

I just hang onto my older cars and take them to the scrap yard when the prices go up. Even now there is an endless stream of semi trucks on a nearby highway full of flattened cars being sent to the shredder. Why cut you into the deal?

Why do all the people bay puts in its emails and on its web site look like they have not exercised in years and belong on a hog farm? Apparently eBay has not heard of corporate image?

luckyalive · Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 590

From that seller's listings (1st item, 2nd item shipping):

Standard Domestic Shipping Free Free
USPS Priority $6.95 Free
UPS 2nd Day Air $22.00 Free
USPS First Class Mail International* $3.25 Free
usps USPS Priority Mail International* $14.95 Free

So if order one item for $7.99 and a second for $7.99 and have it shipped International for free ($14.95) where's the profit? Must be this new math they are teaching in schools these days.

luckyalive · Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 590

I like ebay to explain how one would handle a 5 pound priority package just an one example if we are to follow eBay's guidlines and jump of the edge of the cliff with this jewelry seller.

Five pounds costs anywhere from $6.81 to $16.83. So I am supose to increase the price of my 5 pound items by $16.83? And then when USPS changes it rates I am suppose to edit thousands of auctions to increase the price. Oh, but I am suppose to also offer free international shipping too - lets see, thats like $28.65 to $40.50, assuming the item can even be shipped to the country - like I am going to read each countries regulations. Wow, now my item's price includes $40.50 built into the price. I am confused I thought they said to put this into a handling fee before, now they go ahead and change it to deceiving the customer by building it into the price so as to give the customer the illusion of price shipping. Why not just make sellers list free items with free shipping and charge them for the privledge of kissing your butt ebay?

Perhaps the jewelry seller on eBay they cited in their newsletter can step in here and clear up the confusion? I wonder if they are connected with ebay in some way?