posted on February 24, 2008 10:41:54 AM new
From what I see, before the strike started, the listings were around 12,000,000 in the first weeks of feb. The counts zoomed to 16,000,000 around the 13th...were at 14,500,000 the day the strike started....12,000,000 on the 21st...back up to 13,000,000 today. If anything, the strike hasn't had any effect at all.
The sell-through stats are hovering around 50% all this month.
posted on February 24, 2008 01:53:17 PM new
The 13th was the 20 cent listing day so you would expect it to be high.
I wish more had taken part in the boycott but oh well!!!
posted on February 24, 2008 02:19:09 PM new
I don't know how the strike is going, but my ebay sales this month, and particularly this past week, have been spectacular. I wish they had a strike more often!
posted on February 25, 2008 03:37:44 AM new
the strike is going well ~ eBaY is spending milliions on prime time ads to get the buyers attention ~ wish they would've done that BEFORE the strike!
Sold two items at OLA last week ~ I only had five listed!
NO FEES! Sold for less than on eBaY, with more money in my pocket!
woo-hoo!
Moving on seems to be the plan for me!
posted on February 25, 2008 08:23:57 AM new
"eBay suffers 13% drop in auctions during boycott"
I would have to read the story, but I think part of that has to do with they ran a 20 cent listing day before the strike, so if the numbers are off that, then they aren't worth anything in my opinion.
It's also a week. My guess is that sell-through (information we may not be privy to) was higher - but again, it is now the 25th, welcome back strikers, hope you enjoyed your vacation...It is business as usual again lol
posted on February 25, 2008 09:44:47 AM new
REMEMBER this is just my opinion NOT a divine revelation!
IMO- the strike (not listing) will not hurt eBay enough to do any good.
The story needs in the media, such as Fluffy eluded to...in front of feebay headquarters.
The sellers side is not really being broadcast!
Buyers just know they are getting a free command, but do they know the cost?
How many can keep selling them "quality" items for the price they are accustomed to getting on eBay?
The walls of Jericho did not come tumbling down because Joshua and his staff sat busily writing letters and expressing opinions. Only by marching and making a terrible noise did things change.
Get organized. Stand Up. Step Away From Your Computer.
Get Off of the Net and Into the Streets
hehehee
Seriously the "strike" was not loud enuff for eBay to hear.
IMO
posted on February 25, 2008 10:02:35 AM new
Listen I have to agree ,when hurricane Katrina hit ,wall street found a new game its call manipulate the barrel of oil nobody came together no outrage now they don't even use a hurricane as a excuse to raise the barrel they just bid it up! now where is the outrage by everyday Americans they should be rioting in the streets instead of being ripped off at the pump!
so as far as ebay goes they will do what they want and when the crap hits the fan I don't want to hear it when everyone's feedback is shot
posted on February 25, 2008 12:25:39 PM new
only eBaY knows:
the real effect of the strike ~ so many 'test auctions' running, GM with free listings, analysis of the 20 cent listing day.
OUR only measure accurate way to measure due to lack of information:
We can only see REAL results by analysis of competitve auction sites ~ the increase in closed listings are the money that eBay DIDNT get.
As a Seller, eBaY received zero income from me.
As a buyer, eBaY had no profits as I didn't buy.
posted on February 25, 2008 12:43:54 PM new
oops ~ forgot that eBaY also needs to use add in the expense of prime time advertising expenses (gave a bbost to the sales but how much??)
Again, the only way clear figures anyone other than eBaY can decipher is the lost revenue that was spent at other sites.
posted on February 25, 2008 01:12:19 PM new
From my personal perspective, I haven't listed anything new since the announcements. I have a few relists that have trickled onto ebay, but I am doing what I can to avoid it altogether. It hurts to some degree, but I have shifted to other sources to sell items, particularly larger items locally.
Last month I had over $500 in just ebay fees, this month it is less than $200... and most of that was from FVF for items that sold after the announcement. I had almost 100 auctions listed at one point just a month ago... today it is seven.
Remember everyone... it isn't just ebay that gets affected by sellers not listing on ebay... Paypal will also feel the affect. The important thing is to keep a tight lid on.
posted on February 25, 2008 01:34:49 PM newoops ~ forgot that eBaY also needs to use add in the expense of prime time advertising expenses (gave a bbost to the sales but how much??)
Oh, what is this nonsense? eBay advertises constantly. You only just noticed it now, is all. The "Win Victoriously" campaign has been going on for months.
eBay spent $519 MILLION in fourth quarter 2007 on sales and marketing, long before this measly strike was ever thought of.
posted on February 25, 2008 04:23:23 PM new
fluffy:
when is the last time eBaY ran multiple prime time spots for four consecutive days?
anytime other than X-Mas (if even then??)
posted on February 25, 2008 05:08:14 PM new
As the folks in the snowy east are fond of saying "it didn't amount to a pizz hole in the snow." which translates to some sellers gave up a days pay or more eBay gave up nothing!
posted on February 25, 2008 07:17:25 PM new
I think the boycott gave many sellers the push to move off of eBaY ~ got them pi**ed off enough to finally try elsewhere! The 'blip' that we cant accurately measure (due to variables both known and unknown) will have longer term effects on eBaY. As long as the sellers continue to move their buyers off of eBaY ~ bringing them to alternate sites ~ eBaY will lose money. Again, the results of any boycott and any effects can most accurately be measured by the growth, sales, and closing rates on the alternate sites.
I dont think the drop in stock price is relevant to the strike ~ the economy is too unstable right now to create a true link.
fluffy:
so you wouldn't know / wouldn't care / dont watch television
or
they advertise constantly and you can quote their advertising campaign dollars per quarter for 2007?
Who are you kidding that eBaY would make such a strong investment in prime time ad money in the middle of February?
What for?
Who are they trying to reach?
Aint the SuperBowl, aint Sweeps Week, aint Christmas.
If the spending wasn't a reaction to the strike, it was poor spending of their advertising budget ~ reaching whoever might watch prime time tv rather than the masses during peak seasons.
GUARANTEED they have spent more of their advertising budget this month than LY.
posted on February 25, 2008 07:48:26 PM new
They advertise constantly all across the media. That's what spending a half-billion dollars in three months gets you. I don't have to sit slack-jawed in front of the tube with green brain matter oozing gently from my ears to figure that out. I read the Wall Street Journal. I read trade publications. I read eBay's press releases and quarterly results.
I wish that people who spend so much time complaining about the evil eBay and ferreting out imaginary conspiracies would do a little research to discover for themselves what marketing initiatives are in place. Either that or devote their TV time to improving their businesses instead. I'd be thrilled if that happened. There's enough downer crap in this forum; it's fun to see someone succeed, like Bill K.
posted on February 25, 2008 07:48:49 PM new
No one said the kids at eBay spend their marketing dollars wisely. The whole idea of their ill-conceived catalog snail-mailings is ridiculous. Why not have monthly targeted specific-to-category email catalogs with real value to the recipients? Why not invite sellers to participate in special promotions - some months it could be a dollars-off coupon, other months a free gift with purchase and list the participating sellers' promotions in the e-catalog? Heck, this could bring a lot of fun back to the eBay venue.
[ edited by pixiamom on Feb 25, 2008 07:54 PM ]
posted on February 25, 2008 08:05:57 PM new
C'mon, you know that marketing is a crapshoot. Sometimes it's hard to measure effectiveness but that doesn't mean you should stop marketing.
People actually come on here and say that eBay isn't doing anything to promote the site. That's absurd.
The whole idea of their ill-conceived catalog snail-mailings is ridiculous.
No argument here, but didn't they stop doing that three or so years ago? I haven't gotten one in at least that long.
Look, eBay is an entity in search of an identity. Has been for years. Tried to line itself up as a catalog marketer (as you pointed out); that didn't work. Tried to portray itself as a e-commerce retailer like Lands' End (via eBay Express); that hasn't worked, either. Tried to get interest by allying itself with Web 2.0 pop culture (eBay Pop, eBay Matchups, eBay MyWorld -- anyone remember those?) Wow, that's worked really well, hasn't it.
The stock market hates companies that are unsure of themselves. Look at Starbucks. They've lost their way, and the market punishes their stock for it. And now they've eliminated the hot breakfast sandwiches, which were truly one of the great bargains in roadfood. Hard to see where they or eBay is going with this.
fLufF
--
Now updated daily. Jewelry news, views and pretty baubles for those with low impulse control.
posted on February 25, 2008 08:35:01 PM new
I still get catalog mailings. Into the recycle bin. Edited to add: Bad marketing is a crap shoot. Smart marketing is why most folks are on Microsoft/IBM-legacy architecture computers instead of better technologies.
[ edited by pixiamom on Feb 25, 2008 08:41 PM ]
posted on February 26, 2008 06:18:13 AM new
I still get the catalogs on my buyers ID address. Liked the one with stickers. Seems like they come quarterly. I only buy magazines with my buying ID and yet they hope I will branch out to electronics and clothing
Also I got the $10 coupon today on my buying ID. You buy something by 2/28 and make sure the buyer accepts Paypal. Your ebay and Paypal addys must be the same. Then they will deposit $10 in your PP account (after the deal is done). I don't have a bank account linked to my buyers Paypal account. So basically, I will have to spend the $10 somewhere that accepts Paypal.
As for the strike, it did get people to move some stuff. I have a store on ecrater and have seen an uptick in the entry over there. I sell pretty regularly there, about once a week. NOTHING, like eBay but I have a niche store that caters to a certain client and every time I have someone buy a soft drink industry ad on eBay I lure them to ecrater and it works pretty well.
posted on February 26, 2008 08:03:12 AM new
USAToday:
According to data released by USAToday on Monday, the number of auctions on eBay have fallen 13% to just 13 million listings,down from 18 million. But there's another effect of the boycott that hasn't yet been quantified - the PayPal effect.
eBay purchased the online payment processing company in October 2002, arguably the most popular payment method for eBay auctions. So in addition to earning revenue from auctions, eBay also earns money by taking a cut of transactions processed through PayPal. With a reduction in auctions and items sold, it can be assumed that the company will also feel the effects through a reduced number of transactions at PayPal.
The original protest thread posted on eBay's discussion board is now over 209 pages long, and is growing rapidly. Scores of eBay sellers have "signed" the pledge agreeing to honor the strike, and have subsequently stopped listing new auctions, shut down their eBay stores, and have altogether ceased their activities on the site. Some have even put up virtual "closed for business" signs in their eBay stores and eBay profiles, alerting potential buyers that they will not be selling during the strike. So where are all the sellers going? Many have relocated their listings to a site called OnlineAuction.com, which also happens to be accessible by typing in ola.com.
Offering a simple $8.00 per month flat-rate fee to list auctions, and no individual listing fees or final value assessments, OLA is a much more appealing option in light of the policy and fee changes at eBay. OLA is no small potatoes either - as of Monday, their total number of online auctions was hovering near 12 million. With eBay at 13 million and falling, the gap is closing quickly. Many eBay sellers have taken up residence here, and have begun directing buyers to their new auctions at OLA.
As far as payment processing goes, the strike also includes a boycott of PayPal. The next biggest payment processing system, which is simple to use and takes far less in fees, is Google Checkout. Users can store their payment details easily in a Google Profile, for quick and easy payments. Sellers can easily accept payments, which are directly deposited into your bank account by Google, unlike PayPal where it is held in limbo until you cash out.
eBay sellers may not be familiar with Google Checkout, however, as eBay effectively barred users from using their competitor's service in connection with online auctions. This was clearly a scare tactic designed to stave off any mass exodus to Google Checkout, which offers lower fees and quicker payments.
While the boycott rages on into its second week, eBay is putting on a stoic face, refusing to show any sign of weakness despite the obvious affect it is has having on the company. Jim Griffith, dean of eBay Education, declined to comment on the 13% drop in auctions as provided by third-party groups. However, he said that according to their own internal statistics, the boycott "has had no impact on our listings." Furthermore, eBay insists that they will not be changing the newly enacted policies and fee structures to meet sellers' demands.
posted on February 26, 2008 08:45:16 AM new
Huh. According to the charts at powersellersunite, OLA has 260,000 auctions, a far cry from the purported 12 million.
posted on February 26, 2008 08:46:17 AM new
looks and sounds like a great site. THE 12 MILLION was "items" ....not auctions
Never really liked the terms...."...FOR LIFE"
I worked for a company, their "saying" was --A FRIEND FOR LIFE---
2 years with them and they SOLD OUT to a larger company...I guess I was not much of a friend to have any say in it.
Bank accounts...FREE CHECXKING for LIFE....or until we merge with a different bank.....
ONLINE AUCTIONS....
$196 for initial setup and $96 per yr...NO INCREASES...definitely BEATS eBay fees and Paypal...just need to get buyers there!!
posted on February 26, 2008 09:19:02 AM new
Oh for Pete's sake! Ebay had a listing special that made the listings "soar" to 18 million. And, as always, when the listing sale was over, the listings plummeted to exactly where they had been before the listing sale. This was not because of the boycott/strike. This is what happens every time there is a listing sale.
On the other hand, I was a little surprised and gladdened (maybe I see more in this than there is) to read the announcement about the DSR glitch and how ebay is going to make all DSR's left during the glitch period "5's" across the board. The DSR glitch was that the little pop-up box explaining the DSR process covered all the 4 and 5 star ratings so users either couldn't see the higher ratings or couldn't get the pesky thing to disappear so they could rate sellers as 4's and 5's. This apparently has been fixed and all ratings given during that time period were changed to "5's". Maybe in a small way the strike had something to do with a kinder, gentler ebay??
An aside but something I have been wondering about: Is the noun "Ebay" singular or plural? I have always used it as singular " Ebay is..." but have read many articles where "Ebay" is treated as plural: "EBay are..."? Or is this possibly a UK/Canada/Australian thing?
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