eauctionmgnt
|
posted on May 14, 2008 10:41:54 AM new
Fluffy...
The bestmatch may not be as big a deal if you sell distinctly unique merchandise... but it probably could hurt sellers when more than a few similar items are available.
I'm certainly not an "end-of-the-world" type person... and, honestly I've already moved on. I'm already set to sell on another venue and will be off eBay once I clear off the inventory I brought in specifically for that market.
However, just a word of caution... I know that you're not too worried about this type of stuff... but just wanted to point out that your account's gonna drop to about a 98.3% after they factor in the neutrals. I would also expect a higher number of bidders leaving negs and nuetrals... since it seems like eBay's encouraging that behavior (see Neglus's Australia feedback thread). Keep in mind that if you drop below 98%... you'll lose your power seller status, and any associated power-seller discounts.
I anticipate we'll be seeing a lot less power-sellers over the next few months...
******************************
Vintage Paper Ads
http://www.vintagepaperads.com
|
ewora
|
posted on May 14, 2008 10:42:20 AM new
Well you have an advantage in that you have a repeat customer base and the volume so best match is not going to effect you. You also have consistently been listing items so that you always have items listed at any given time.
I however was working full time this past year and went from silver level power seller to just dabbling.
My items are affected because I am not listing regularly or with any kind of volume.
When eBay came out with their new pricing structure this year I came to the conclusion that to do any real business on this site you would have to get big or get out.
I've just recently left my full time job and find myself at home again. I'm having a bit of trouble getting motivated to ramp it all back up. Maybe I'm buying into to much of the "hype" but with rumors of more changes coming I can't figure out what I want my plan to be until e-bay settles on something.
In the meantime I work on other sites like Etsy.
|
eauctionmgnt
|
posted on May 14, 2008 10:49:18 AM new
whoops! I was looking at the wrong jewelry seller's feedback! Sorry Fluffy! Your feedback's gonna go from a 98.2 to a 98.5. No wonder you're not worried! You're getting a bump! 
Still... betcha anything we'll be losing a bunch of power-sellers based on all the new criteria...
******************************
Vintage Paper Ads
http://www.vintagepaperads.com
|
fluffythewondercat
|
posted on May 14, 2008 10:53:26 AM new
Keep in mind that if you drop below 98%... you'll lose your power seller status, and any associated power-seller discounts.
I'm going to lose it in July anyway. That's when PowerSeller status will be based on DSRs.
--
We're also going to raise the bar on what it means to be a PowerSeller � we want the PowerSeller icon to really mean something to buyers and sellers. Given that this program has historically only required a certain level of sales and a 98 percent positive feedback rating, a number of our buyers have complained that there's not a consistently great experience when they're buying from PowerSellers.
We're going to change all that by making PowerSeller status a competitive advantage ... and it all starts with setting a higher bar for sellers using their DSRs.
We're going to give you some time to do this, but starting this July, you will need to have a minimum 4.5 score in all four DSR criteria over a 12-month period to be designated as a PowerSeller (or remain in the program).
--
I know, I know. They've made so many changes that it's hard to keep them all in mind. I lose track all the time.
fLufF
--
The prettiest Czechoslovakian jewelry you ever did see! Hurry, before it's gone.
|
mcjane
|
posted on May 14, 2008 01:30:16 PM new
neglus, I know her negs were unfair, but so are most of yours, mine & everyone elses on this site. So how come she gets a brake & we don't, if there going to wipe out her's they should wipe out ours. That's my complaint. The new system begins on 5/19 & that is when it should start. The past should be the past.
When buyers get socked with unwarrented negs buyers might be hesitant to bid & eBay sales will drop or items will go for a lower price. I think this may backfire on eBay.
My experience is that buyers are afraid of negs. We've all gotten emails from late payers saying how sorry they are with a multitude of excuses & blah, blah, blah.
Why, fear of neg FB & clueless about 3 strikes which is the thing to do & what really hurts them.
|
deichen
|
posted on May 14, 2008 01:50:38 PM new
Those of you who live and die in your emotional lives according to your feedback are sad enough but you know who's the worst? Smart people like you, neglus, and you, zippy. You know better and you still go along with it.
fLufF
What is your problem? If you don't like the company move on to another litter box. I know, you don't care if you are hateful but maybe a little self-examination would do you some good.
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:09:19 PM new
I am now accepting applications for my Emotionally Traumatized by eBay's Feedback Changes support group.
Aside from being emotionally traumatized, the only requirements are an ability to hold one's liquor and experience in bottle feeding motherless kittens.
(The kitten part is negotiable.)
Interested parties, just drop me an ASQ through eBay!
|
fluffythewondercat
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:12:18 PM new
The past should be the past
You're right, mcjane, that is absolutely the only way to make it fair. Patching the old lousy system just won't work; it still has a rotten core.
But can you imagine the screams? "I worked so hard for my 100% and now it's gone!" I'll bet eBay imagined it.
fLuFf
--
The prettiest Czechoslovakian jewelry you ever did see! Hurry, before it's gone.
|
neglus
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:25:19 PM new
LOL - missed that. I don't really care that much about FB - as I stated, postcard buyers are a responsible lot and not likely to resort to FB extortion. I also don't think buyers put that much stock in FB - to most, anything above 90% is probably an "A" in their book. If they want something, they buy it.
I DO care about the way eBay is handling feedback however. They had the opportunity to set a positive tone in the pop-ups and prompts but have chosen instead to use inflammatory language. It's little things like this that set the tone and make Buyers sense that Sellers are all a wicked lot.
I also care that sellers used negative FB in a retaliatory way (as they did in McJane's friend's case) or as leverage to extort FB withdrawal. That's why EBay took away our ability to leave negative FB in the first place.
I also care about my placement in Search. This will become even more critical when/if all the Store listings get thrown in with Auctions. I don't think Best Match has reached its stride yet. I don't think DSR'S are in the mix yet for one thing. Let's just say that it frustrates me to be unable to plan and adapt until I know how things will shake out in the end. I am not about to modify 9000 listings until I know EXACTLY what I am going to do with them.
My FB % new and old way is 99.9% and probably will stay there forever unless I go over to the "dark side". 
-------------------------------------
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
|
cblev65252
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:43:04 PM new
Maybe it's what I've been selling currently, but Best Match hasn't hurt me. . .yet. Right now everything I sell is rather unique because I sell for other people. Fluffy is in a very competitive category and I applaud her for having the stats that she does. I'll stick with what I'm doing right now because it's making me money.
I have one negative that no longer counts because I got enough feedback to erase it from my stats. I'm also letting my customers know that a neutral is now going to be a negative. I don't understand why EBay would even have it as an option. Are they getting rid of it?
I don't like not being able to leave a negative, but I don't think I'm too worried about it. I handle all problems that come up as quickly as I can and as calmly as I can. I've only left a few negatives and those were for people who neglected to pay. I've never had a customer threaten to leave me a negative, not that I don't anticipate it happening one day.
Cheryl
|
deichen
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:47:43 PM new
zippy2dah
I am in if I can be exempt from the kitten part!
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 14, 2008 02:57:05 PM new
I will seat you in the furball free area, Deichen.
There will also be snacks.
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 14, 2008 03:00:06 PM new
"I don't understand why EBay would even have it as an option. Are they getting rid of it?"
I don't understand this either.
Either find someone at eBay who understands what the word 'neutral' means or get rid of it altogether.
|
sthoemke
|
posted on May 14, 2008 07:17:06 PM new
My feedback will go from 100% to 99.8%, mainly because some newbie gave me 3 neutrals for no reason.
[ edited by sthoemke on May 14, 2008 07:25 PM ]
|
sthoemke
|
posted on May 14, 2008 07:26:45 PM new
You can go to ebay Australia and see how your feedback will look next week:
http://www.ebay.com.au
|
deichen
|
posted on May 14, 2008 07:34:29 PM new
Weren't we also supposed to get credit from repeat feedback (buyers who bought more than 1 item) or am I imagining that?
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 14, 2008 07:57:21 PM new
Yes, but only if they did so within a one week period.
I have no idea if one week equals one seven day period or one Monday through Sunday period or something else entirely that only eBay could fathom as a week.
|
zoomin
|
posted on May 15, 2008 04:29:11 AM new
To help keep Feedback Scores fair with our revised approach, members can now leave Feedback again, and, as long as the transactions members are leaving Feedback for occurred in separate weeks, the repeat Feedback will be calculated in members' Feedback Scores. For Feedback, eBay defines a week as Monday through Sunday, Pacific Time.
note: The "week' part works as it says ~ for TRANSACTIONS occurring withih the same week.
Posting feedbacks in different weeks will not count as repeat feedback if the TRANSACTIONS themselves occurred in the same week!
|
rhpepsi
|
posted on May 15, 2008 08:35:33 AM new
And the new Feedback Profile will include an important change — you will be able to leave repeat Feedback to contribute more than once to a member's overall Feedback Score.
Members have always been able to leave repeat Feedback for each other, but that Feedback was only calculated in members' Feedback Scores once. With our revised approach, members will be able to leave Feedback for repeat business with a member, and that Feedback will count toward the member's Feedback Score as long as the repeat transactions end in separate weeks.
Every week, you'll be able to leave Feedback for your favorite trading partner. This will help your trading partner's Feedback Score rise faster. And your partner can return the favor and help boost your score faster.
Repeat Feedback will be a great way for buyers to reward their favorite sellers with the Feedback recognition they deserve. And the one-week limit will help us make sure Feedback remains fair and fun for our entire community of buyers and sellers.
http://pages.ebay.com/services/forum/pre-launch.html
So if SUZIE Q buys 14 widgets on monday from you...and leaves feedback...you get credit for ONE.
Now if JOE buys a widget last month and then another this month...and leaves feedback...you get 2.
|
zoomin
|
posted on May 15, 2008 08:41:57 AM new
if Suzy buys a widget on Saturday and another on Tuesday, you get 2.
|
rhpepsi
|
posted on May 15, 2008 08:59:36 AM new
no...
she would get 2 !!!!
But only if you SHIPPED THEM!!!
Which you better do or you may get TWO NEGATIVES!!!
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 15, 2008 11:30:51 AM new
lol!
I'm still confused.
|
rhpepsi
|
posted on May 15, 2008 12:25:57 PM new
zippy...what are you confused about...
surely not something eBay is doing!!!
|
zippy2dah
|
posted on May 15, 2008 02:20:16 PM new
I'm confused because Fluffy keeps waving shiny objects in front of my face.
Ohhhhhhh, pretty!
|
pixiamom
|
posted on May 15, 2008 09:38:18 PM new
Question for Fluff: of all of us, you seem to have one of the largest repeat customer base. Have you ever tried directing them to an off ebay site to purchase your jewelry? I can see eBay as an excellent way to harvest new customers but why pay high fees to service the customers you already have?
[ edited by pixiamom on May 15, 2008 09:39 PM ]
|
TheFamilyBiz
|
posted on May 16, 2008 09:03:12 AM new
Pixiamom,
Fluffy's sig line here contains her off-eBay site - www.ClearanceClarance.com.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
|
fluffythewondercat
|
posted on May 16, 2008 09:47:41 AM new
But Wayne, there's almost none of my stuff for sale there, and if you do click on one of mine, it takes you back to eBay.
Pixiamom, yes, I've been evaluating and surveying that issue for years. The bottom line is that my buyers -- and they're probably not unique in this -- want the variety that eBay offers.
An example: A long-time repeat customer recently bought several music items on Half.com, perfume from 3 different sellers, a Billy Idol CD and leopard-print towels, as well as sterling silver jewelry from me and other sellers.
Just a gentle nudge, you guys; you ARE looking at what else your customers buy, right?
I think there is a huge need and desire for what eBay offers, warts and all. I sometimes get frustrated because I can't find what I want on eBay, which means it's going to be a whole lot of work searching for it elsewhere. I wish there were more sellers on eBay, because that might make it easier to find what I'm looking for. I'm not worried about competition in my category; I own my niche.
I'm still thrilled to be part of this online flea market. You'll never hear me complain about paying fees.
fLufF
--
If you want me in the next couple of weeks, I'll be here.
The prettiest Czechoslovakian jewelry you ever did see! Hurry, before it's gone.
|
eauctionmgnt
|
posted on May 16, 2008 10:35:31 AM new
Pixia,
When I first started my website... I promoted it in two ways:
1) I launched auctions on eBay, had my website in my signature when I responded to all questions, gave discount coupons to all my eBay customers for my website, and put in business cards for my website with all eBay purchases
2) I spent $40 a month advertising with Google AdWords
I did this for about a half-year. My results found that VERY few people from eBay ended up purchasing from my site... while I got a LOT of traffic from the Google search engine. When I realized that I was spending MUCH more than $40 on my fees at eBay for what was essentially ineffective advertising... I dropped the auctions, and just upped my AdWords campaign.
I absolutely think that Fluffy's hit the nail on the head. There are people that will go JUST to eBay and search for what they're looking for there. If they don't find it, they won't look elsewhere. However... I also think that an increasingly large number of people no longer use eBay's search engine as their starting point... and actually start searching for items on Google (and probably other search engines like Yahoo, but I haven't test the waters there yet). When they find the results.... if the item's on eBay... they'll go there and purchase it... however, if the items on another website... they'll go there to buy it. As eBay continues to muck up their search engine (gotta love best match) I think more and more customers are going to use true search engines like Google. They don't necessarily care that they buy from multiple sites... as long as they have a good starting place to begin... and I think Google is providing them with much better success than eBay is right now.
******************************
Vintage Paper Ads
http://www.vintagepaperads.com
|
ST0NEC0LD613
|
posted on May 16, 2008 12:00:21 PM new
Excellent point Beth.
|
gaugagaug
|
posted on May 16, 2008 06:19:14 PM new
This one hurts.
I have 216 positives, 2 neutrals and 0 negatives.
This tool says my feedback will plummet from 100% down to 95.2%
I don't pretend to be a whiz at arithmetic, even as a math major. But what kind of math are they using???
|
