posted on February 6, 2001 12:40:03 PM
I see that Ebay's BIN option is still "Free During Promotion."
While I know they surely charge for most everything else... does it seem probable that they will charge for BIN? It seems to me that eBay would be making a killing off the BIN option.
I sell several "duplicate" items. They ALWAYS Sell for the same average price. I hate waiting the 3-5 days (I don't want to list too many at once... flooding my own market! LOL) before listing new items. I know ebay has gotten many more auctions by me simply because the clock is no longer slowing me down...
Seems they would want to keep it "free" to speed along some sales and keep sellers adding new auctions...
Wondering what your thoughts are... think Ebay will charge for this option eventually?
posted on February 6, 2001 12:53:30 PM
It's logical that eBay is going to start charging a fee for using the BIN feature, mostly because almost every time a bidder uses it, eBay loses money.
Why's this?
Take this example:
You place an auction with a minimum bid of $9.99 ($0.30 listing fee), and with a BIN of $20.00. Lets say a bider uses the BIN. Now, the first bid was $20.00, not $9.99, but the seller paid just $0.30 in listing fees, not $0.55. Multiply those $0.25 into the thousands and you'll get the idea.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:05:54 PM
The last I heard was that the BIN feature would remain free through the 1st quarter 2000. I don't think it gained in popularity enough in the short amount of time it was available through the holidays for eBay to see clear to charge for it. Not enough people were using it.
I think they'll use the 1st quarter to allow it to gain in popularity with the sellers but especially the buyers and to gauge its benefits.
Once everybody's hooked, they'll probably start charging for it even though they'll be benefiting the most due to increased cash flow and quicker turn around time for auctions thus the freeing of system resources.
eBay charges for everything simply because they keep getting away with it.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:06:22 PM
I agree with Preacher. On one hand, BIN is like a reserve and, if there is a fee for it, the listing fee should be based on the BIN instead of the starting price.
On the other hand, Ebay charges more for 10-day auctions because they use more resources. So, if a BIN is met the first day, shouldn't Ebay give a partial refund of fees because the early ending saved resources?
On the third hand (I'm a mutant!), it doesn't seem fair to charge for a BIN considering that the BIN disappears with the first bid.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:08:30 PM
preacher4u,
you're forgetting one thing. the listing fee is just that.
using your example, if the BIN wasn't applied and the auction ended with a higher dollar amount, the listing fee would still be the amount for the $9.99 opening bid.
where ebay may lose money is if the BIN price is cheaper than if it was run like a traditional ebay auction.
again, using your example, if the ending auction price was greater than the $20.00 BIN price, they'd lose that percentage above and beyond that amount.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:15:29 PMpreacher4u, it's really no different than a regular auction. You're assuming that the item will sell with BIN. I'ts very possible someone will bid $9.99 turning it into a standard auction and it will end there.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:19:57 PM
I think the BIN will work like the reserve fee: the fee will be waived if the BIN is not used at all.
Now, it would be cool if the BIN remained on an auction even if it has some bids, but the high bid is below the BIN itself, and then the BIN would disappear if the bid goes above it.
posted on February 6, 2001 01:30:12 PM
I agree with Paulswife. Assuming a minimum of $9.99 and a BIN of $20, there's no reason to believe that without BIN the seller would start with a minimum of $20. BIN allows a quicker turn-around which is good for eBay. It wouldn't make sense to charge for something that makes them money, costs nothing, but that's typically eBay. Paying for BIN is a gamble at best. I've used it with success, but it isn't worth paying for.
posted on February 6, 2001 03:52:56 PMBlondeSense: Quite true. I've already done it (bidding on an item I'm interested in that happens to be a BIN, thus turning off the BIN feature), because I really don't want to give credit card information to eBay, and definitely don't want to pay to be "verified." But maybe that's just me.
I'm still here for auctions....
----
What's being done in the name of direct marketing nowadays is crazy.
The above are all just my opinions, except where I cite facts as such.
Oh, I am not dc9a320 anywhere except AW. Any others are not me.
Is eBay is changing from a world bazaar into a bizarre world?
posted on February 6, 2001 04:34:16 PM
I don't think eBay would charge for this as long as seller sentiment is that it's nice but not essential to the success of our sales. If sellers get to the point of feeling as though they can't sell without it, then eBay would start charging.
posted on February 6, 2001 08:44:25 PM
<<I've already done it (bidding on an item I'm interested in that happens to be a BIN, thus turning off the BIN feature), because I really don't want to give credit card information to eBay, and definitely don't want to pay to be "verified." But maybe that's just me. >>
You can use BIN and send a money order to the seller. You do not have to use a credit card or be verified.
posted on February 6, 2001 09:39:48 PM
It would be unreasonable to think eBay isn't going to charge for BIN features. However, why ruin a good thing. The turnover is faster, and more directed toward buyers who want the item and seller who can deliver the item. Ebay knows it customers very well on both sides of the register!! My guess is a charge similar to the fees already established will be implemented, thus keeping auctions running vertical to BIN. (Similar charges for those that got lost). FVF's will stay the same. I'd like to see PowerSellers get a break somewhere along the line! BIN works well for me. 3 day turnovers in the collectible field. Faster payment, near immediate cash flow minus all fees.
posted on February 6, 2001 09:41:04 PMBarrelracer, you do need a credit card. Unless they changed it recently, ebay requires you have a credit card number registered with them before you can buy with BIN -one on the reasons I haven't bought anything with it yet.
posted on February 6, 2001 10:47:37 PM
Interesting, I didn't know buyers had to be verified or have a CC on file to use BIN. Now I know why some bidders didn't use the BIN in a few of my auctions even though it was just 50¢ higher.
Seems to me ebay is preparing to charge buyers for the use of BIN. It'd be unfair to charge a seller if not all buyers can readily use it.
Ebay says it was a success with 25% of auctions ending with a BIN.
\"They say the grass is greener on the other side. But have you flipped it over and looked?
\"
posted on February 6, 2001 11:08:23 PM
Hey Quickdraw !! Long time:^)
You don't have to give a CC# to use BIN and GreedEbay still gets the Final value fee it would get if the auction ended at $20.
Ebay PLANS to charge for it eventually UNLESS they crunch the numbers and find 40% of the time the $9.99 item sold for an average of $14.99 and 42% of the time it sold with BIN at $20.00.
BIN could be MAKING GreedEbay $$ in higher final values and quicker turnaround listings.
posted on February 7, 2001 05:47:59 AM BlondeSense
I looked at the link you provided and I see where ebay is misleading bidders.
If you look at the example bidding page they give on your link, and then at a real BIN auction bidding page, note the text on the real BIN bidding page does not say anything about being verified.
Makes you wonder if they are just trying to get more verified members, or did they simply forget to change the sample.
Maybe someone who uses it today will let us know. I used it last week and paid with a MO.
As a seller, I still love it, (and take many payments by MO) It allows me a fster turnover on popular products, which does give ebay more listing and FVF fees.
posted on February 7, 2001 05:51:26 AM
barrelracer - the first and last I checked, in order for a buyer to use the BIN feature on an auction, they had to first register a CC with eBay. This is not to say you have to end up paying for the auction with your CC but it has to be on file prior to using the BIN.
Once the auction is over, the buyer pays as usual in the method they choose. They don't have to use their CC to pay. This has been a reason some of my buyers have not utilized the BIN feature as well.
posted on February 7, 2001 06:04:10 AM
If eBay starts charging for BIN, I wonder if that charge will be refunded on BIN deadbeat bidders? I get a few of those--it's baffling to me why they would BIN and then not pay?
posted on February 7, 2001 06:05:51 AM
I love BIN. For stuff that isn't collectible, you can usually get good price much faster.
I do not think that eBay should charge for this feature however. They already got the insertion fee increase and that should cover their costs on this one.
posted on February 7, 2001 08:54:52 AM
Hummmm.... I guess I should've tried my bidder ID on the BIN before I went to all the trouble to register a CC on file for it. I almost did, ya know, but wasn't going to take any chances on not getting the item I wanted.
Maybe eBay changed the requirement of needing to register a CC or become verified in order to utilize the BIN.
posted on February 7, 2001 10:56:15 AM
Empires, it is NOT "unreasonable" to think eBay WON'T charge for BIN. It all comes down to how "important" sellers think using this feature is to them, and if they would be WILLING to pay. The jury seems to still be out, but so far, there has been much sentiment expressed that sellers see BIN only as a nice option, a convenience, but not worth paying extra for. (I don't know if I'm allowed to post those links to other message board threads). Many of us sellers already use BIN judiciously, often limiting BIN to things we want to just move quickly or on our lower-end items where bidding is unlikely to be competitive. Why would I want to shell out more $$ on items like that? I don't, and I would bet many sellers would not.
eBay has to be very careful not to pull the rug out from under this one.
posted on February 7, 2001 11:08:40 AM
Lisa_B, I think ebay would have made a windfall if they charged 10 cents for BIN, and the FVF, rather than 10 cents for a 10 day listing. I see it coming! Easily and affordable. Easy to pass on to the sellers!
posted on February 7, 2001 12:41:01 PM
You're entitled to your opinion of course, I have very strong doubts. Here is one seller who absolutely would not pay one penny for something that would
a) Disappear after first bid
b) Where a definite trade-off exists: potentially quicker sale vs. potentially higher clubdown price.
No thanks! In fact with the new fees, I have virtually discontinued my use of Photo Gallery.
