posted on September 16, 2001 10:06:04 AM
I just received the powerseller email "Plea for Help" email from eBay. I would like to volunteer but I don't really understand how the program relates to the tragedy? Will it be helping others with charity listings?
From the email:
"members to help answer other member's listing and bidding questions through our Community Help Boards and through a special email system"
posted on September 16, 2001 01:33:11 PM
I read through it too and I still don't understand what they are doing either.
Maybe they will be more clear tomorrow?
posted on September 16, 2001 02:56:15 PM
I also recall taking an eBay survey about a month ago which was done by insightexpress.com. It was a series of questions regarding an "eBay Assistants" program. It seems this program has been in the works for a long time before the tragedy. Anyone else take that survey? I think I smell something...
posted on September 16, 2001 04:31:24 PM
I had the same reaction. What does this have to do with the events of the 11th? Figured I would wait and see. Struck me as a recruitment of free labor.
posted on September 16, 2001 04:38:16 PM
This is one of the few times I've posted here, so please be gentle with me.
I too received the plea for help, powersellers email this morning. Maybe I'm too cynical. I hope I'm wrong. But I feel ebay is trying to use the tragedy as a way to get volunteers to sign up, by saying it is a program to honor the victims. My emotions have run the gamut this past week, and maybe I am over-reacting.
My take on the situation is that ebay wants us to volunteer to help answer questions on the chat boards, and volunteer to answer questions via email from new ebay users. Thereby lightening the load on their own employees. Nothing wrong with that in itself.
But if they (ebay) are using the tragedy, knowing that people are emotional and really would like to do something to feel they have helped, to get us to volunteer, to make the launch of a new ebay-member help program successful, they are despicable beyond words.
I hope I'm wrong
I will be the first to admit it if I am. I'm awaiting further information from them as to the program.
posted on September 16, 2001 05:13:55 PM
Does anyone know what eBay wants people to do? It all seems so murky and ambiguous.
Maybe I am naive, but I can't believe that eBay would stoop so low to use this horror to get sellers to provide free labor and man their Boards.
And too, aside from the moral and ethical implications, there is also the issue that we pay eBay for a service that they often don't really provide, and asking sellers to man their Boards so a seller can essentially teach others how to compete with themselves is like rubbing salt into an open wound.
posted on September 16, 2001 06:44:01 PM
eBay says they're "working diligently to design a program to honor the victims." GE donated $10 million and Cisco donated $4 million to recovery efforts virtually instantaneously.
eBay can help with the power of the community by donating a percentage of their revenues collected from us to the organizations they list on their homepage. Does anyone know if they are doing this?
In my opinion, educating other members about bidding and listing has absolutely nothing to do with helping the victims. This looks like a plea to help eBay rather than the victims. I hope I am wrong.
posted on September 16, 2001 09:28:49 PM
Indeed.......
eBay has listed all sorts of info for "members" to donate to relief funds and not word one about eBay itself bellying up to the bar with buckets of eBay cash.
I read the Marketing Board again about the mysterious "community program" eBay is planning. Other than getting free labor for their Boards, the only scenario that makes any sense to me is that we will be asked to list items and donate the winning bids to a fund eBay will set up. Can anyone think of any other scenario that would require help with listing and bidding for this "program"??? I can't.
posted on September 17, 2001 07:21:13 AM
We now know, of course, (those of us who have listed this morning), that eBay wants sellers to donate the entire cost of our listed items (including shipping) to the Auctions for America program.
Many strong words come to mind. For now we will just say that we have done our relief efforts according to our own consciences and will not be participating in Auctions for America to Make eBay Look Good at No Cost to eBay.
posted on September 17, 2001 08:47:17 AM
Wow...How can we ever thank ebay for offering sellers the opportunity donate items for sale, volunteer our time to increase the numbers of registered members, prop up the falling auctions listing numbers, sign up ourselves and others for Billpoint, and work our tails off to give eBay one hell of a PR story, all in the name of patriotic charity??
But wait, how can I dare say this?? eBay is waiving listing fees and final value fees, and how about the money eBay will collect that will go to help?? The listing fees and FVF area a mere bagatelle to what ebay can expect in new registered members, and no doubt eBay is counting on people to continue to use Billpoint. Not to mention that eBay couldn't buy this kind of PR for any amount. God willing the only good thing to come out of this transparent self serving eBay program is that dollars will reach the people who need it.
No thanks, I am not going to be a part of ebay's Auction America program. I wrote a check for more than I can afford to the Red Cross without any expectation that I would receive anything in return other than knowing I may have helped a little.
I am so naive I have been waiting for eBay to step up and write a check for a few million out of the corporate coffers with no strings attached.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:17:52 AM
I guess it's like a local silent auction or similar fundraiser, in which some people donate goods and others bid for them, except that in this case the donator also pays for shipping costs. I've always studiously ignored BillPoint so I am not sure about the ramifications of that. As a buyer I guess I'd use it, but as a seller I've never been interested in any payment service with fees.
I glanced at the listings...the first one I looked at was up for sale by...a Canadian! Interesting. The stuff was a basic assortment, nothing much jumped out as a "wow" item.
I am not sure what to think. I did think that hosting links to the main charities was helpful. I've also wondered if ebay would be doing a FLD this month if their listings plummet. But would that be profiting from tragedy?
It's hard to think clearly. I was rear-ended a few nights ago in my car and immediately went into a shock-state in which I could barely think, let alone speak to people who stopped to help. I feel a little bit like that all the time now.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:19:31 AM
My God what a cynical group here. I personally don't care so much about eBay's motives as they fact that it gives me another way to contribute.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:34:33 AM...as they fact that it gives me another way to contribute.
Why do we need another "way" to contribute. There are plenty of organizations, including the Red Cross, that are taking donations. Ebay is not a charitable or a registered non-profit organization. I don't believe that eBay is the only source of information for peple first finding out about "ways" to contribute.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:50:56 AMI am so naive I have been waiting for eBay to step up and write a check for a few million out of the corporate coffers with no strings attached.
Ebay IS making a donation through the ebay foundation. They are also donating any optional fees (bolding, featured gallery etc) used in these auctions.
Yes, we can donate to regular charities directly so we don't NEED to do it through ebay...but all ebay is doing is the same thing that is occurring at workplaces throughout this country...they are taking up a collection and then turning it over to a charity.
Gads, do you all hate ebay so much that you can't look at this through anything but scepticism?
Do you love eBay so much that you are assuming they are doing their part, or do you have access to information that most of us don't about what in fact they ARE doing??? If so, please post it or provide a link. Don't you think that if eBay is directly asking sellers to donate all proceeds from sales and pay shipping themselves that it's a valid question to ask what eBay ITSELF is doing besides generating favorable publicity from the actions of their sellers? Look at eBay's homepage... Where is a SYLLABLE about what THEY are doing??? All I see is a big banner promoting Auctions For America. It may well be that they ARE doing something independent of asking US to do it, but if they aren't, what's the difference between them and the sellers who are selling WTC debris for profit????? NOTHING, in my opinion, publicity is worth its weight in gold. All I ask is that eBay shows me that they are in fact part of this "community" that they so frequently refer to. Until then, if I want to donate proceeds from my auctions, I can do it myself without eBay's help, thank you very much...
posted on September 17, 2001 10:15:14 AM
amy: To be perfectly clear, I also oppose charitable solicitations in the workplace, which are way too often coerced with subtle and not-so-subtle hints of retaliation should the worker not participate in giving.
Your protest that that is what eBay is doing makes it worse, not better.
Fortunately, so far eBay has made this voluntary. So far. Perhaps that will change on day 60, when it becomes apparent the Auction of America won't yield anything like $100m when it's over.
So many of us have already given...to the Red Cross, to the Widows and Orphans fund, to our local firefighters so that they might not find themselves in the same spot FDNY did, trapped in a collapsing building.
The word "cynical" should be applied to eBay, not us.
Not to kick this injured horse, but there is a VAST difference between employers asking their employees in a workplace to help in the effort, and ebay asking sellers to do the same- we are CUSTOMERS, NOT employees, eBay as they keep on insisting is "ONLY A VENUE," even though they seem to love using the word "community" all the time, and the eBay site is NOT a workplace except for those who work for eBay. Sellers are some of the most generous people around in my experience. We are more than capable of donating time and money on our own, and we have a right to question eBay's motives, the Deity Him or Herself only knows that eBay has given us more-than-ample reason to do so, especially in the past year... The issue is simple and clear to me- IF this is just a cynical attempt to generate free and favorable publicity, screw eBay. If it's not, and eBay is in fact acting like the "community" member it urges US to be, SHOW US!
posted on September 17, 2001 10:22:33 AM
GreedBay...sometimes it is best to do a little simple investigations before one spouts off.
Go to the ebay home page, look under the very large US flag...there are 4 stars, one next to the word "buy", another in front of "sell", another next to the words "donate cash", and the final star next to the words "learn more".
Move your mouse curser to the words "learn more" and click on it. This will bring you to another page. On that page are a series of red boxes down the side of the screen. Put your curser on the fifth box from the top and click on it.
You will be on another page. On this page look for a topic heading that says "Top questions". Click on the question that says "What is Auction for America".
You are now on the next page. Look at question #4 "What is ebay doing besides conducting the auction to help this cause?"
In case you are having difficulty following my directions or reading the answer to the question I will post it here...
What is eBay doing besides conducting the auction to help this cause?
As part of our contribution, eBay has agreed to waive the Insertion and Final Value Fees for all Auction for America listings, and optional Insertion Fees (such as Featured Fees) are donated as well. The eBay Foundation is also making a cash contribution. Additionally, dozens of eBay employees have worked hundreds of hours in a special effort to make it possible for the eBay community to contribute to the relief effort through Auction for America.
Its been a long time since I have seen such an advanced case of "foot in mouth" disease. Does it hurt much?
posted on September 17, 2001 10:29:52 AM
Bettylou...your philosophical beliefs are not being challenged by ebay. They are not twisting your arm to donate.
If you truely believe that ebay would retaliate against those who don't participate or truely believe ebay would make it mandatory 60 days down the road then you have my sincere condolences...it must be a burden to be that cynical.
I could post the answer you so richly deserve with your unwarranted obnoxious hostility, but instead I'll follow your kindly-proferred instructions... Let's see...
I'm on eBay's hompeage, what do I see? first thing, a HUGE 1/3 page solicitation for Auctions For america. Fine so far. I click on "learn more" about that program. I see ZERO about what ebay is doing. OK. I am now going to click again on the fifth box as you kindly instructed me to. Let's see, now what should I click on in my quest to find out what ebay is doing? OH, click on "What is auction for America?" My fingers are getting tired now. OK, I'm there. And the following is what YOU ASKED ME TO CLICK UMPTEEN TIMES TO FIND????????
<<<The eBay Foundation is also making a cash contribution. Additionally, dozens of eBay employees have worked hundreds of hours in a special effort to make it possible for the eBay community to contribute to the relief effort through Auction for America.>>>
GEE, now I know after going to page after page that eBay says they're making a "cash contribution." Thanks, eBay for clearing that up, and giving us an idea of the extent of your community involvement. I've made cash contributions too. And, "dozens of ebay employees have worked blahblah in a special effort blahblah?" Would someone there (or you, as the apparent eBay cheerleader on this board) tell me WHAT that special effort is????? Oh, do they mean being assigned the task of creating the Auction For America program by their supervisors? This is a special effort? Guess so. When HUNDREDS of companies all across this nation are saying they're donating 5, 10 million to these efforts, and their declarations are actually important, because these companies are showing their participation, whether they are being partially cynical or not, they are doing something substantial, the extent of ebay's declaration is that they're "making a cash contribution," a declaration hidden 5 webpages under the huge solicitations for their program? Forgive me Amy for not trusting ebay. It's allllllll clear now.
posted on September 17, 2001 10:52:37 AM
GreedBay...you have my sincere sympathy. It is so sad to see such a cynical attitude. I hope that some day you may find peace.
posted on September 17, 2001 10:52:55 AM
Aren't we just expressing opinions here? Exchanging ideas? Amy, I do not see cynicism here. cynic: a person who believes people's motives are bad or selfish and shows this by sneering at them.
The only sneering post I have read is your post to Greedbay.
My intention is not to start a fight here. We have all seen enough disrespect lately. What I read in the posts Amy, is a desire to hear more from Ebay Corporate. I would love to read that eBay is giving $$$$$ (insert impressive amount here) to a relief fund PLUS giving us the opportunity to hold donation auctions.
I do not hate eBay. It is a wonderful opportunity. I just would like to see some action to make me proud to be part of this community.
posted on September 17, 2001 11:02:26 AM
Igetbargains...each of us sees things differently. You don't see cynicism, I do. We have different opinions.
I did see sneering...from people who were assuming ebay was NOT contributing anything when if those people had first done a little investigation they would have found out how inacurate that accusation was.
When I pointed out that they were making contributions also, GreedBay responded in a manner that could never have been classified as "politely discussing".
posted on September 17, 2001 11:05:09 AM
Iget (this being said after putting Amy on permamnent ignore because of her unwarranted and over-the-top inexplicabe attacks on me)-
You are EXACTLY correct. It's simply that when people ask me to do something that I might SUSPECT on the surface looks like it might be using me for their own purposes, I feel that I have a right to ask them questions about what THEY are doing concurrently, so that I know that they are not being hypocritical or manipulative in their efforts... They ask me to do something, what I ask in return is information about what THEY are doing, and a one-liner buried on page whatever that reads
"The ebay Foundation is making a cash contribution" tells me NOTHING. To what organization? When? How much? Etc. None of my business UNTIL they ask me for MY help. THEN it becomes totally germane. IF they want my help, let them step forward and
document what THEY are doing. A more reasonable request I couldn't imagine.
Unfortunately I caught your last post before I relegated you to the ignore ozone where you belong. You responded to me by saying the following BEFORE I said an "impolite" SYLLABLE to you, did you expect me to say "Gee, thanks, Amy, for insulting the hell out of me"?????
#1. GreedBay...sometimes it is best to do a little simple investigations before one spouts off..
(and it's simple INVESTIGATION, singular)
#2. In case you are having difficulty following my directions or reading the answer to the question I will post it here...
#3. Its been a long time since I have seen such an advanced case of "foot in mouth" disease. Does it hurt much?
