posted on September 9, 2000 03:12:41 PM
Some of the diecast have sponsor decals on the car and some folks want to know if all the decals are on correctly, straight, etc.... Some have real rubber tires, some don't... some are just detailed to the max and people want to know more than what is stated in the description. I really do enjoy talking with people that share an interest that I have. Plus, they called me. Collect call.....just E-mail me!
posted on September 9, 2000 03:33:21 PM
Two male customers this spring ask if they could come and get their item from my home. They both recognized my zip, but not the town. They did not.
I now have a post office box and I am using our second line for the computer as my
primary business line.
I do believe that having the buyers & sellers info given out was probably a deterrent to some. But, the really sleazy members probably gave different names and addresses to Ebay anyway.
Those of us from metro areas WILL have to be concerned with phone calls. Any creep in my area will only have to do a search of 3 states and be able to choose hundreds of names. Give the sleaze the phone number and address and it would be easy picking! We have parts of three states that are without tolls here.
I wonder what kind of media coverage Ebay will get on this one? Surely someone will report this as a public interest story. A "COULD EBAY BE PUTTING THEIR SELLERS AT RISK?" kind of title.
A customer emailed and ask if I would check a few (7) books I was selling to see if five of her family names were included. A couple of the books were listed as unindexed. Someone like that will not have any qualms about calling a few times locally. Heck, maybe not even long distance!
This may be a way to get rid of small sellers fast. I do think some without store fronts, 800 numbers or the money for PO boxes would leave. On the other hand, they will get rid of buyers too. If there are no small interesting buyers offering one of a kind whats-its or an antique or postcard from my ancestor's hometowns there will be no reason to shop Ebay, for me anyway.
Have been checking out Yahoo lately and have seen some pretty nice auctions. Just buying
for now though...
LabRat - - I guess in more ways than one!!!
[crawling back to my nest now–sick this week]
[ edited by labrat4gmos on Sep 9, 2000 03:42 PM ]
posted on September 9, 2000 05:10:51 PM
Just found out about this today, and spent a few minutes running around the house screaming. Then calmly sat and read through the whole thread. After only the first few posts, the same thought occurred to me that has occurred to labrat4gmos. Consider the following theory:
ebaY's revenue per auction has dropped the past three quarters in a row. Their average revenue per auction is now less than $1.50. It is the very small sales that keep this number low. Could it have occurred to the powers that be that if they found a way to cut out the very small sales, they would boost their average revenue tremendously? Not to mention that decreasing the overall number of auctions and sellers would enable them to reduce their overhead.
Now, how to eliminate the low-end auctions/sellers? Well, how about instituting a policy that garauntees that sellers who work out of their homes and use their home telephone numbers as ebaY contact will suddenly start getting a lot of calls from potential bidders? Therefore, if they want to continue to sell on ebaY and avoid such inconvenience, they will have to go to the trouble and expense of (as burmz suggested) of getting a PO box and a second phone line (which, unless you're willing to try to scam the phone company, will have to be a more expensive BUSINESS line). Folks, I can't do that. I mostly sell small tickets items and my daughter's outgrown clothes. I don't really make money on the clothes, but it helps offset the expense of buying new clothes for her. On my small items, I buy things that I expect to make at least $5-10 on. If I have to increase my overhead and time, I will not be able to list the same items, because I will have to list fewer auctions (given the added phone time and the more frequent trips to the PO) that I can make more money on (to cover the extra expense). Maybe I can do that, or maybe I just can't afford to sell anymore. Either way, ebaY wins. I lose, and the happy buyers that I have had in past will also lose. Multiply this situation by, say, a million buyers and sellers. ebaY's revenues increase while their expenses decrease, and they get rid of all of us "flea market" vendors.
posted on September 9, 2000 06:00:38 PM
The day e-bay starts sending out my personal infomation is the day I go elsewhere. This look just like abuse looking for a place to happen.
tex
posted on September 9, 2000 06:08:11 PM
auntiesissy:
I say continue as usual! Personal information or not, I'm not changing a thing. The PO Box and extra phone line example was used to show people that if they want to run a business out of their homes, do it right......right the stuff off. Secure your inventory with a alarm, have an extra phone for your Ebay customers only. My wife did it with her basket business. Me, I'll keep it simple. If someone has my phone number, so be it...they already haave my address!
posted on September 9, 2000 06:12:37 PM
I could write a BESTSELLING novel that would spend 25 weeks on the NY Times list just from ebay's allowing personal info in EOA notices. Actually this thought has me salivating. Maybe I will give up my antique business and start my NOVEL!
posted on September 9, 2000 06:34:55 PM
Call Before Bidding >>>I thought that was the point of FEEDBACK so you can check out the seller. I have a business but I don't make my home number available.
If they are willing to publish our information, how about they post E-bay's contact numbers where we may call them anytime of the day or night. And how about their home numbers, cell numbers and beeper number, Just In Case of Emergency!
Tex
posted on September 9, 2000 06:49:15 PM
bmurz-
(btw, I apologize for the misspelling of your ID in my previous post)
The point I am trying to make is that many sellers can't AFFORD to take the steps you've outlined given the very low profit margin under which they work.
Whether or not this is a deliberate attempt on ebaY's part to drive off low-end sellers, there are a lot of problems I have with the policy. Bear with me, as many of these have already been brought up, but:
1. ebaY encourages bidders to email before bidding to avoid FRAUD. As asked by previous posters, exactly how is this supposed to prevent fraud? Isn't this what the VERO thing was all about? If I'm a verified seller, isn't my identity already confirmed? And if I'm an accomplished con artist, am I not going to quickly figure out a way around this by setting up a bogus phone number along with my bogus email and address? There are lots of other things ebaY can do to help avoid the very small number of fraudulent sellers besides ENCOURAGE bidders to call me at home.
2. My phone number has always been available through contact information. Over the past 2 1/2 years, I have had two phone calls related to my sales, both from the same buyer, both calls to assure me that she would be sending payment eventually. Any bidder who wanted to could have called me at any time, but the contact information was orginally provided to encourage attempts to resolve post auction problems. Explicitly encouraging pre-bidding calls will give the impression that there's nothing wrong with just phoning up a seller and asking a question which could be answered via email. Therefore, I think sellers are going to be getting lots more calls.
3. I work out of my home. I do not mind getting an occaisional phone call at home regarding a problem, but ebaY pushing bidders to call and giving them my home phone number makes my phone a BUSINESS phone. I don't pay for a business phone. Again, I could get another phone line, but that is too great an expense to justify given the items I list. And the User Agreement that I signed said nothing to the effect that I have to provide a business number in order to sell on ebaY.
4. As I said before, I sell my daughter's outgrown clothes. I have something far more valuble in my home than all the ebaY inventory in the world. I have a 5 year old child. Paranoid thinking? Darlin', when it comes to my daughter's well being, I PRIDE myself on being paranoid.
5. Like some other sellers, I sell on ebaY because of certain limitations that I have which prevent me from going out and selling in the real world. To preserve my own privacy, I will not go into details about these limitations. Suffice to say that I do not intend to run a phone based business. I can handle an occaisional call, but ebaY deliberately encouraging bidders to call me just to see if I'm a fraud does, indeed, violate my privacy and will likely tax my abilities beyond what I am capable of handling.
6. Finally, suppose I get a second line and an answering machine. I can't afford to return a bunch of long-distance calls either, nor can I be by my phone to answer it day and night. What will the bidder, calling to see if I'm a fraud and getting neither a live person nor a return call, going to think of this? Gee, maybe she's not for real. Better not bid.
With all due respect (because I do respect your opinions), I would like to hear back from you in another month or so. I will be interested to hear if you have received an increase in the number of calls you receive, if you get any calls in the middle of the night, and if you still feel like it's no big deal. I will also be waiting to see if I start getting weird calls, as I may be worried for nothing, and business may continue as usual. However, hearing from other posters who have ALREADY received such calls, I am not hopeful.
posted on September 9, 2000 06:52:10 PM
packer - Sorry for the confusion, as there are two separate issues here. In addition to phone numbers in EOA thing, ebaY has posted a message on their announcement board specifically encouraging bidders to look up contact info and call sellers BEFORE bidding on an auction. I don't have the exact quote in front of me, but if you scroll up in this thread, I belive someone else posted it.
posted on September 9, 2000 06:56:56 PM
Okay.......I gave my personal info. to eBay when I registered....address, phone #, credit card information, etc. They are now contemplating whether to give phone numbers, street addresses, etc. on the EOA notices. NOW - WHAT I WANT IS THE MAIN PHONE NUMBER FOR EBAY AND EVERY EXTENSION THAT EXISTS - PLUS HOME PHONE NUMBERS IF NO ONE ANSWERS AT EBAY AND IF YOU'RE NOT HOME, I WILL NEED YOUR STREET ADDRESS TO PAY A VISIT. After all, how do I know eBay is reputable when they won't even post their own phone number????
posted on September 9, 2000 07:07:19 PM
Looking at the two different issues.
The first one being eBay encouraging potencial bidders to call....I don't see much coming from that. As they have always encouraged the buyer/seller to pull contact info and calling when there is a problem. Most are very reluctant to go through the steps to get the number and also knowing then that the other party is notified that they have been "looked up".
Now with the second issue, being the phone number on the EOA could lead to more of a problem. You have an impatient buyer/seller get in a twit and over the least little thing could be ringing you up because they have your number right there at hand. No hoops to jump through to get it...so to speak.
I still think comunicating by e-mail is the best way...at least to start out with.
edited for packer by packer!!
Having a BAD hair moment! ...
posted on September 9, 2000 07:14:41 PM
Can you imagine being in Italy, near Milan, and having nothing better to do but sit at your keyboard and wave pom poms for eBay? Go get some culture, bmurz.
I'm with you and fully understand your opinions. Hopefully, you will be able to continue what you do and have fun doing it. The whole online auction world is changing everyday. Do I think the small sellers will start to deminsh...yes. Why, In my opinion, the small sellers doing moderate business can not compete with a lot of the "business" oriented sellers. By business oriented, I'm talking quantity. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who does this as a hobby and really for no other reason. I feel for people who have bought into this system and are not happy with the direction Ebay is taking. Take care and do your best!
Being 0420am and sitting here on a midshift, there really isn't to much culture to grab. I really don't feel bad for waving the Pom-Poms either. I think it's a great site. So, how many times have you been to Italy?
posted on September 9, 2000 07:31:04 PMbmurz:
Keep in mind that some of us have unlisted phone numbers for a reason. While I do not mind that an auction winner can request my contact info to resolve a problem, I DO mind that my unlisted number will automatically be sent out to every auction winner. What is to stop any of these bidders from compiling lists to sell to telemarketing firms? I get very few telemarketing calls now and that is the way I like it. Please realize that some of us have small children and do not appreciate the phone ringing late at night or early in the morning. Please also realize that some of us have unlisted numbers for safety reasons. Due to my husband's profession he has been the target of a stalker before. All I need is for eBay to make it easy for some other crackpot to figure out how to get his home phone number.
I am a reputable seller with over 150 positives, no neutrals, no negs. Not wanting my phone number sent out to each and every winning bidder does not decrease my credibility. I offer outstanding customer service, as do most sellers. I still have a right to privacy, though.
I have already changed my contact number to a free voicemail account that I can check via the web or by phone. I am not taking any chances.
If I was selling a high-ticket item and someone wanted to speak to me I would certainly agree to email them my number or call them directly.
Yikes----if I wanted to run a full-fledged BUSINESS out of my home then I would. Right now I don't. I like the fact that I can schedule my eBay activities around the rest of my life without disrupting the lives of my whole family. Giving away my home phone number is just too invasive...
posted on September 9, 2000 07:41:12 PM
debbielennon:
I do realize that everybody has a different situation. In my situation, I don;t care if my number is given out. Has anybody with these concerns tried to post over at the Ebay site. They are running a poll in the Townsquare section moderated by an Ebay employee. I'm just giving my opinion here. I really don't need to realize anything, I don't make the decisions.
posted on September 9, 2000 07:46:59 PM
Yup. Posted my opinion there also. Then I changed my contact number.
"I'm sort of glad I'm a seller so I don't have to deal with most of you. I can't believe that there are so called business people out there that want as little contact with customers as possible."
Glad to hear that you realize everyone's situation is different--also glad to hear that you are not involved in the decision on this issue.
It's okay for you if you don't mind having your number freely available--more power to you! I can not, will not allow mine to be given out for the previously mentioned reasons. I guess you can count me as one of the "so-called business people out there" then.
[ edited by debbielennon on Sep 9, 2000 07:54 PM ]
posted on September 9, 2000 07:56:40 PM
debbielennon:
Please don't think I'm some kind of jerk for what I've said. I'm not talking everybody here, but I think some people have to look at the situation they have put themselves in. Your right, if I had kids at home, maybe my thinking would be different, but I can't know that unless it was. Everybody is different and everybody has different agendas when it comes to Ebay. Some do it small, some do it large. The ones that have to watch are the ones who choose to do it large out of their homes. You are at the mercy of Ebay. I'm sure they make decisions in their best interest, and I think those interest are changing. I still think it's a cool place to sell and buy stuff though.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:00:47 PM
debbielennon:
That statement was a reply to this:
"Can you imagine trying to get work done while fielding phone calls from people who may or may not bid on your items? From people who have nothing better to do all day but interrogate you about your items?"
posted on September 9, 2000 08:11:45 PM
I really don't want every lonely flake out there calling me to interrogate me about my items. I'm not a big (in quantity or $$) seller, either. The original post remarked about how eBay was encouraging bidders to call their sellers before bidding--No thanks!
Anyway...I just wanted to clarify some reasons why sellers are opposed to this proposal. I don't think avoiding phone contact with the mass public makes us bad sellers.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:13:24 PM
I agree with debbielennon. I do this on the side on my time and you can check out my feedback as it speaks for itself. If I were selling a $1000. item of which I can understand someone being uneasy, there is the escrow acct. or e-mail and I will be happy to give my phone number. But this is a privacy issue. I have another business with storefront and I don't advertise my home number because when I leave there I have a life.
Truly if this is such a good idea why doesn't ebay post there phone numbers and street address etc! Come on Ebay!
It's Internet People . . .E-Mail.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:15:58 PM
debbielennon:
With all the bad press Ebay has been getting about fraud, I'm sure they are trying to put potential bidders at ease by putting a number there and saying, go ahead call your seller, there really is a person behind that username and your money is safe. Whether it is right or not, we'll find out.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:18:59 PM
I still think nobody will call. Long distance cost money and E-mail is free. I, like others have already stated, don't even open EOA. I wait to hear from the seller or bidder.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:25:46 PMI understand what you are saying about privacy, but when someone says I don't want to give out my number because someone knows I have auctions up and they can check if I'm home...and if I'm not home, they can come and rob my house and grab my inventory.....that paranoia in my opinion.
This isn't paranoia at work. This is using common sense to try to prevent burglars from using this m.o., which happens to be very common. There is very little risk involved to the burglar when he knows the homeowner's routine. He can pretty much come and go as he pleases. Neighborhood watches and alarm systems help, but a pro can be in and out with your valuables in a matter of minutes as they know where to look for the expensive items. This is a common occurence and one worthy of protecting oneself against.
posted on September 9, 2000 08:31:21 PM
auntiesiisy:
I'm not saying this step is going to prevent fraud.
Put it this way, if you are someone brand new to Ebay, you might be a little leary about getting in there and bidding on items. I've read many articles and have seen the tv reports talking about fraud in the auction arena. I just think their trying to make it a little more personal for the new bidders. I still don't think they will call.
