posted on March 15, 2001 03:53:01 AM
Have you seen the Ebay promotion for the half billionth listing on their home page?
Interesting that as sellers eBay specifically bans us from using giveaways, sweepstakes and similar incentives in our listings yet they feel it's ok to do it themselves.
Also, the sweepstakes are discriminatory in as much as it is only open to U.S. residents. The thousands of International sellers and buyers who contribute to eBays coffers are excluded.
Doesn't sound too fair and equitable to me!
posted on March 15, 2001 06:33:51 AM
1. I'm ok with ebay doing giveaways even though we can't. First, any $/stuff flowing FROM them TO me is good, and second I can actually understand their interest in putting some boundaries on auction behavior. Unfortunately the tradeoff is that the more freedom they give sellers, the harder it can be to remain in control, deal with buyer complaints, etc.
2. I wonder if the reason for restricting the giveaway is due to legal issues? It may be that the laws of other countries are to blame here, not ebay. I doubt they "like" US sellers more than international, per se, but I know many countries regulate giveaways, so maybe the thought of dealing with 150 sets of conflicting laws was too much in this case?
