horizonod
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:23:37 PM new
I had a bidder Email me and say he didn't bid on a perfectly good, brand new cordless drill because he read this message from EBAY that was on TOP the bid page.
Is GreedEbay TRYING to drive off bidders?????
(Copied from bid page)
Attention Bidders:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Educate yourself about tools that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as potential consumer hazards. These items cannot be listed on eBay - learn more by going to the CPSC "About Me" page by clicking here.
(end ebay)
IF "these items CANNOT BE LISTED ON EBAY", as they say, then DON'T ALLOW THEM but don't queer my sales of perfectly fine items.
I realize this bidder might not fly his flag all the way up the pole but REALLY.
If you read that would it confuse you a bit and sway your willingness to buy the item?
I don't think it's right for Ebay to post this type of warning unless that particular item had been recalled. If the item is included in the CPSC then the auction should be cancelled.
We all know that would take a watchful eye and GreedEbays too "techenomically deficient" to REALLY WATCH but "techenomically saavy" enough to seem look like they are.
I see it in other catagories too.
Is the next message going to be,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~"PAYING TOO MUCH for this item? Shop Ebay mall for the lowest prices anywhere. If you can't find it there check our affiliates at the numerous links provided free of charge by the caring folks at Ebay"~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the sense??
I realize some of this may be over the heads of some of the more challenged AWers.
If you can't understand the malapropisms (I know it's a big word....look it up) perhaps you should finish 7th grade and come back when you are able more capable.
No disrespect intended.
[ edited by horizonod on Feb 6, 2001 11:14 PM ]
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powderblue
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:36:44 PM new
I mean no disrespect, but are you from this country originally?
I am only wondering because of your grammar. I'm so tired of seeing illiterate writings and I often wonder if it's a matter of poor education or just someone trying to communicate outside of their primary language.
Again, no disrespect meant, just curious.
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amy
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:45:49 PM new
If you just had a new baby and wanted to buy a car seat on ebay, wouldn't you want to be warned to check out information on recalled car seats?
Let's say there was no such warning and you bought a car seat for your new baby on ebay and the first time you used it you got into an accident...and your baby was killed because the one you bought was unsafe...and if you had used another brand your child would still be alive. Would you be angry that ebay hadn't warned you to check out the car seat first?
With millions of auctions up at any one time, ebay can't possibly check each item to make sure it is not on a recall list. To warn the buyers to check first may help save someone from serious injury or death.
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horizonod
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:50:16 PM new
No. I wouldn't expect EBAY to warn me. I'm an adult and if I wanted a carseat I should check them out to see which ones I might want to bid on, then I would go bid on those.
As with ANY AUCTION the buyer should do their own homework.
I don't beleive it's Ebays job and think it scares away some bidders.
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MichelleG
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:50:52 PM new
powderblue
Despite stating you mean no disrespect, your comments are exactly that - disrespectful. Please confine yourself to addressing the topic of this thread not the User.
MichelleG
Moderator
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reddeer
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posted on February 6, 2001 10:54:04 PM new
Good call Michelle.
I don't like the BIG red bold WARNINGS either, but it's the NEW ebay, best get used to it.
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amy
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posted on February 6, 2001 11:39:35 PM new
May scare some bidders away...and may save someone from harm...I wonder which is really more important.
But if every buyer is totally responsible for his bidding activity, why were so many calling for ebay to do something about the box auctions? After all, the buyers were adults and should have been expected to make sure they were buying a playstaion in that box.
And using that logic, ebay should not stop shillers or scammers...it should be the responsibility of the buyer to not bid...after all, they are adults.
Oh well, doesn't really matter because I doubt if ebay will withdraw the warnings.
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horizonod
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posted on February 6, 2001 11:48:21 PM new
Yea. And with THAT logic Beanie Babies shouldn't be sold at all because somebody could cram one down somebody elses throat and KILL them. Come to think of it that goes for just about ANYTHING!!!
Do people REALLY need Ebay to warn of every POTENTIAL hazzard??!! If they DO.....they shouldn't even be allowed to shop.
Do you REALLY think FRAUD (sending only a box) and shilling are even CLOSE to being the same?
Ebay says"items recalled by the CPSC are NOT ALLOWED ON EBAY". SO DON'T ALLOW THEM!! Don't scare my customers away with INAPPROPRIATE warnings.
[ edited by horizonod on Feb 6, 2001 11:50 PM ]
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powderblue
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:27:59 AM new
Gee, Michelle, don't you think that perhaps the original poster's response to me was far more rude and abrasive?
I asked a legitimate question and tried my best to temper it with an apology ahead of time so as not to offend, and what do I get? An attack by the original poster, aided and abetted by a "moderator'.
Nice call, Michelle.
[ edited by powderblue on Feb 7, 2001 12:28 AM ]
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MichelleG
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:42:32 AM new
powderblue
Perhaps you might like to check the timestamps on the edit of the original post. The edit was made to include those comments almost 25minutes after my post to you.
That aside, if you want to discuss a moderation decision, then take it to the appropriate forum - the Moderator's Corner.
horizonod
The comments added to your original message after my post:
I realize some of this may be over the heads of some of the more challenged AWers.
If you can't understand the malapropisms (I know it's a big word....look it up) perhaps you should finish 7th grade and come back when you are able more capable.
No disrespect intended.
only serve to further inflame the situation. Please address the topic, not the individual. Better still, utilise the ignore feature.
MichelleG
Moderator
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:44:02 AM new
We don't think TOO MUCH of ourself , DO WE??
The comment was for all of the circle rowers (a referrance to a person with only one oar in the water)(no disrespect intended) and not aimed at any one person.
Many people, in the same "boat" as yourself, might not recognize a malapropism if it bit them in the ninnie. I'm just trying to help.
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:47:44 AM new
Good call M.
I got sidetracked when the topic was indavertently changed by a poster that felt an undying need to critisize, ridicule and belittle rather than comment on the topic at hand.
Sorry
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MichelleG
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:48:05 AM new
horizonod
Knock it off!
I strongly suggest you get back to the original topic . Keep posting in this manner and you will find yourself the proud owner of an official warning.
MichelleG
Moderator
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:51:53 AM new
I really do appologize M. I get bothered by people that that come here simply to critisize and then don't even comment on the subject.
Peace.
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amy
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:09:13 AM new
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree because I don't find the warnings inappropriate at all.
There is no way for ebay to police the site closely enough that they can find and end all auctions of items that are not allowed. So they give a warning to people, suggesting they check out sources that will tell them if a product has been recalled...helping the customer be a more aware consumer.
Its only prudent for ebay to do this.
IMO a few loss dollars in sales is a small price to pay if it helps to prevent someone from being injured.
Remember, these items have been recalled because of safety reasons...normally AFTER people have already been injured by the product.
But if your sales are more important to you...
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gravid
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:23:11 AM new
These warnings are the type of thing mandated by lawyers to try to save their clients from silly litigation.
There are lots of people too dumb to use a power tool or a drain cleaner without killing themselves. They are probably the same ones who can look at this disclaimer and not know if it is specific to that particular auction or not. Then there are the people who are bright enough to understand but will just want to argue about it because they are nasty aggresive people. The loss of either from the gene pool helps the rest of us.
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cmbtboots
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:26:35 AM new
Hi, I am here for the massage.
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powderblue
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:28:59 AM new
horizonod:
I believe the word is "criticize".
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powderblue
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:30:15 AM new
cmbtboots:
LOL!! LOL!! ROTFL!!
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:58:06 AM new
Stoned again. What can I say. PEACE Powder. I love yoU MAN!!
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:04:03 AM new
Boots. THAT's HiLaRioUse. Your cool. I made a mistake. What can I say. Thanks for pointing it out though.
(mathew 7-2)
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:10:45 AM new
Sorry....another mistake.
Man, I'm full of them tohight.
I cannot however take credit for the "massages". It seems, in the interest of neatness, AW has opted to reset my title. I don't beleive I wrote "massages" but if I did............wrack up another mistake. I'm probably wrong, though but being mistake prone.......who knows, maybe I'm wrong about that. Man this is confuzzzzing.:^)
Man..........it's after 4 am.
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horizonod
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:22:30 AM new
BOOTS
You are right on man. It IS late. (other post)
Just for skits and giggles........ there doesn't seem to be an charge for E $ transfers from paypal and postal rates may rise again:6)
I'm still wondering where I left all my "free massage" coupons. :^)
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debbielennon
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posted on February 7, 2001 04:23:37 AM new
"There is no way for ebay to police the site closely enough that they can find and end all auctions of items that are not allowed."
I wouldn't say that there is no way for eBay to police the site. I believe that they make a conscious decision not to. If they start policing their site themselves for illegal auctions it makes it mighty hard to stand behind their standard "We are only a venue." rhetoric.
I do agree with the principle of the warning, but not necessarily in the way in which it appears to bidders. The big bold warnings also come up when trying to bid on CDs and software, which are hardly in the same category as a potentially dangerous item.
[ edited by debbielennon on Feb 7, 2001 04:25 AM ]
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cmbtboots
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posted on February 7, 2001 11:02:06 AM new
Believe me I am the last person who should point anyone's mistakes, I just really want a massage. My back hurts
Peace to you too my friend!
edited to say increased postal rates SUCK!
[ edited by cmbtboots on Feb 7, 2001 11:03 AM ]
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timptech
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posted on February 7, 2001 11:09:20 AM new
I'm pretty sure I have both oars in the water but I still don't know what malapropism means. HELP ! ! ! !
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Shoshanah
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posted on February 7, 2001 11:22:00 AM new
timptech....Call the White House...Our new Pres has a WONDERFUL vocabulary...  (just teasing ya..)
Actually, malapropoticisivity or whatever, is a great word...just like Supercalefragilisticexpialedocious...Remember "Mary Poppins" ???
As to the issue, well Ebay is just passing on info which one would have to go dig up somewhere anyway...They must have their hands full, with all the Internet Scams taking place...I don't care for it, no, as it can deter bidders...but if bidder is very jittery he/she will not bid, no matter what...If they are truly ready to bid, again, they will bid, no matter what.
********
Gosh Shosh!
About Me
[ edited by Shoshanah on Feb 7, 2001 11:26 AM ]
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spuddy98
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posted on February 7, 2001 11:39:55 AM new
the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase; especially : the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context--mal·a·prop·ism
Call me stupid but I don't see where this fits.
Anyhow the note posted by ebay is certainly a method they are using to protect themselves. This type of thing would appear in oyur local newspaper if they had the circulation that ebay has. When I see their notes I generally ignor them. I hope that one sale is not a persons whole life. The items on ebay bring what they are worth.
Prepare for the worst but hope for the best!! Spuddy98
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codasaurus
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:18:17 PM new
Hello Horizonod,
There is no way for AW to change a topic title. Massage was most definitely your own error.
About your response to the car seat situation. Would it be fair to say that had you actually been looking for a car seat (either new or used) you would want to check to see if there were any recall notices or other types of alerts regarding the car seat you were considering buying?
And assuming your answer is yes, let me ask you this...
Where would you expect to find that information?
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amy
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:23:46 PM new
Debbielennon....the logistics is what makes it almost impossible for ebay to police the auctions for items that are against the ebay rules.
I know that quite some time ago i heard that there are over 1000 items listed every minute. That means that in any one day there are 1,440,000 new items listed (and probably an equal number ending). In one week that is 10,080,000 new items listed.
In order to fully police the site for items that are against the rules, including items in the wrong category and items that are listed in a way to avoid fees, etc, ebay would need to hire staff to preview all new listings. Since many of those that are in violation of the rules would not be apparant unless the auction was actually read, it would take some time for each auction to be read, checked for violations, and action taken if needed.
I think it is reasonable to assume that one person could preview one auction every five minutes on average. That means one person can preview 12 auctions every hour. Divide the number of auctions listed per week (10,080,000) by 12 and you come up with 840,000 manhours needed per week to preview the auctions. Divide 840,000 by 40 (the number of hours one person can work per week) and you come up with a work force of 21,000 just to preview the auctions.
These 21,000 need supervisors...one per about 30 employees, or about 700 supervisors. and of course there would need to be supervisors for the supervisors. So now the workforce to police new auctions numbers close to 22,000.
But...one would hope that there would be some form of review of any auction judged by the worker to be violating...it would be awful if all those 21,000 had full power to kill any auction they decided violated the rules, so there needs to be some form of review system in place which would add more employees.
23,000 employees could easily be needed to police new auctions. Working in three shifts a day (auctions are listed 24/7), there would be over 7000 employees on a shift. This would require space to house the employees.
The preview of auctions would need to be done BEFORE they hit the listings so there would now be a delay between the time one hit submit and the auction was actually listed. There is already a delay between when we list an item and when it shows up on search..this would just extend that delay.
Yes, ebay COULD police all auctions to cull out violating auctions before they are actually put on the site. But it would be expensive...and would probably mean fees would have to go up again...something which the users would complain loudly about.
I think I prefer things the way they are now.
[ edited by amy on Feb 7, 2001 01:33 PM ]
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