jake
|
posted on September 17, 2001 06:42:25 AM new
http://pages.ebay.com/auctionforamerica/
"Our goal is to raise $100 million within 100 days. Your contributions — through buying, selling, or donating cash directly — will go to benefit work of organizations like the September 11th Fund. No matter how you contribute, eBay and eBay Online Payments will waive 100% of all related listing, final value, and processing fees to help maximize the impact of your participation."
[ edited by jake on Sep 17, 2001 06:48 AM ]
|
antiquealley
|
posted on September 17, 2001 07:09:51 AM new
Great idea. The only problem I see is that users of bulk listing tools might not be able to use those tools and still list them as Auction for America. OR, is it all auctions, regardless?
In other words, do we have to manually list through eBay's "sell item" link off of the Auction for America page?
|
hcross
|
posted on September 17, 2001 07:11:37 AM new
Yes, you do have to list through the Auction for America link, I just listed several and I hope others will do the same.
|
cherrytreegirls
|
posted on September 17, 2001 08:00:56 AM new
hcross
I have been trying to list on eBay's "Auction for America". (I must admit... I have not tried to list through eBay sence I joined Auction Watch over a year ago)
I'm having a hard time getting eBay to accept my pic. I used the URL:
http://imagehost.auctionwatch.com/bin/viewimage.x/00000000/cherrytreegirls/DStrawFlowers.JPG
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Deb
Remember amateurs built the ark - Professionals built the Titanic.
|
richierich
|
posted on September 17, 2001 08:45:17 AM new
Do I understand this correctly?
Sellers basically donate an item and shipping cost.
Bidders donate the cost they plan to pay for the item.
ebay donates all listing and final value fees.
Is that correct?
|
soapfish
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:23:31 AM new
Try this URL
http://imagehost.auctionwatch.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/cherrytreegirls/DStrawFlowers.JPG
It should work!
|
hcross
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:26:12 AM new
cherrytreegirls, they would not accept any of my photos in the url field, all I could do was save them in my computer and upload them on ebay's image server.
Yes, it is awful how they went about this, I have probably 100 items I could put up for this, but cannot because I cannt afford to eat that much in shipping charges, I already donated my Paypal balance, plus made a donation to the Firefighter and EMS Personnel Fund.
richierich, you are correct, ebay pays all listing fees, except for gallery and any extras. The bidder pays automatically by Billpoint and the money is put into the September 11th Fund. Sellers must pay to ship the items out of their own pockets, you do not get any shipping reimbursement.
|
eSeller004
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:35:40 AM new
Sounds like a ploy by eBay to DRAW ATTENTION to they and their user's charitable efforts. It taints the whole concept IMO. Forget eBay and just donate money directly to the organizations in need. Why help eBay in their efforts to obtain good press? Charity should be done in private, secretly, not for your own aggrandizement. I'm sure thousands have given to worthwhile organizations privately, and with no attempt to draw attention to themselves, but NO, not eBay! 
|
GreedBay
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:39:13 AM new
Guys-
Understand, the ONLY things eBay is "donating" is the sellers' money, and a very small amount of server space, the server space that would be used to list these items, in exchange for all the free publicity they will get from such a "generous" act. PLEASE read my thread about this, and ask yourself, where is eBay ITSELF doing anything to directly contribute to the relief effort??????
|
uaru
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:45:54 AM new
Forget eBay and just donate money directly to the organizations in need.
Agreed!
I see no reason for the song and dance 'free auction' plus having to pay the USPS or UPS fees and dilute the contribution. Nice idea on the surface but when you look closer it appears eBay's plan is self serving.
|
Dawna34
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:54:59 AM new
Let me get this straight, The seller donates the item and pays for the shipping, I'm sorry but there wer thing I could have donated but can't afford the shipping & Handling to. Plus I hate to say what effect will it have on ebay for regular selling does this mean that a buyer (Bidder) can bid on an item win it and not pay shipping fees if this is the case than buyers will look not only to help with the cause but no shipping fees. This will slow down the bids in the regular format thus leaving me even more unable to donate and pay shipping fees.
I depend on income from ebay and after a slow summer this is not going to help.
|
eSeller004
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:56:52 AM new
The $100 million # will be bandied about by eBay. You better believe they'll use that monumental figure to draw major media attention to themselves. Think about the news articles and television snippets about eBay's "generosity" that will result. Every move eBay makes is calculated. You better believe eBay execs know they can milk this situation! Leaves you with a real bad taste in your mouth for them taking advantage of the situation like that. Self-serving is RIGHT!
Charity is fantastic, but don't do it for the betterment of eBay!
|
eSeller004
|
posted on September 17, 2001 09:58:52 AM new
Maybe the thread should be retitled, "Auction for eBay".
|
glasshappy
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:26:29 AM new
AGREED! JUST DONATE ON YOUR OWN! WHY SPEND SO MUCH EFFORT JUST TO PAT EBAY ON THE BACK FOR SOMETHING "THEY" AREN'T DOING. IT WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER TO JUST SIT DOWN AND WRITE A SMALL OR LARGE CHECK TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE!
|
gr8ful2bhere
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:36:09 AM new
I don't feel so bitter about this as some seem to be feeling. If eBay can provide a forum for people to give, then that's great. Most corporations give services and money for the good PR in generates, why slam eBay for doing the same?
The only complaint I see that I can get behind is the postage costs being too much for some - but if eBay covered the postage, they'd be opening themselves to fraud.
Presumably many people who are not regular sellers will turn something into cash for the disaster fund, and generate much more cash than they could have afforded to give otherwise.
|
RainyBear
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:43:59 AM new
It's also a good way to get users to sign up for Billpoint, which is the mandatory method of payment for these auctions.
Interestingly, even though these auctions are Billpoint-only with shipping paid by the sellers, lots of them say "buyer pays shipping" and/or "no PayPal or Billpoint." I've got to wonder if some of these sellers are paying attention.
|
vargas
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:46:24 AM new
I'd rather make a direct cash donation to an aid society, which my employer will match, up to $1,000. (My employer also donated $5 million cash, set up computers in the new Family Center in NY.)
BTW, just how much cash did eBay Foundation donate?
|
robnzak
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:48:44 AM new
um...charitable contributions are tax deductable, so who gets that? the seller(donor) or ebay?
|
anggellene
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:52:30 AM new
I'm not sure ebay wouldn't have done better just setting up a *community* donation page and collecting donations like PayPal and Amazon have done.
That way ebay could have presented the money and said it was from the *ebay Community* of buyers and sellers - they are always spouting off about or glamourizing.
I can't help but think this auction for America thing is just going to end up being a big mess in the long run.
What happens when large groups of people start complaining about not getting their packages or that the item wasn't what was expected. Sure you would expect they might not complain because it was for charity but you know some will - I just see a bunch of problems arising - call me a pessimist!
If they are going to go ahead with this semi-lame idea I sure hope ebay will agree to match it's community member's donations dollar for dollar.
|
toke
|
posted on September 17, 2001 11:59:07 AM new
Everyone has to sign up to use eBay's online payment services, to do the Auction for America thing. You don't think that could have anything to do with it, do you?
|
eSeller004
|
posted on September 17, 2001 12:13:44 PM new
Wow, I didn't know eBay was taking advantage of the disaster to drive a stake in PayPal's heart, too! BillPoint only???? And people think ePier is underhanded!
|
keziak
|
posted on September 17, 2001 12:47:35 PM new
I am debating it due to the issue of shipping. I have some books right here that I would be happy to offer up for charity auctions, but if they end up selling and I pay $2-3 each for shipping, am I doing better giving that money to the P.O. rather than writing a check to the Red Cross...?
keziak
|
LaneFamily
|
posted on September 17, 2001 01:59:49 PM new
I have seen a lot of messages and copies of messages from eBay but I just got this one.
> Dear Computer & Networking eBay Community Member:
>
> The eBay Computers & Networking Team would really appreciate your support
> and participation in the eBay Auction for America relief effort launched
> today to help those people and communities who were impacted by the
> tragedy on September 11th. You may have received other emails from eBay
> regarding this effort. However, as a top seller in the Computers &
> Networking category we wanted to extend a personal invitation for you to
> join this effort (http://pages.ebay.com/auctionforamerica/).
>
> On Thursday, we were approached by New York Governor George E. Pataki and
> New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to create an interactive way for
> people around the world to raise funds for those affected by the tragedy.
> As a result, we have created "Auction for America" which allows users to
> buy and sell items on eBay with all proceeds going to the September 11th
> Fund. The goal is to raise $100 million in 100 days. All eBay and credit
> card fees will be waived using eBay Online Payments (ie. Billpoint).
>
> Sellers can list items for sale and designate all proceeds to the relief
> efforts; buyers will be able to find and buy these items, knowing that the
> proceeds go to the relief efforts. All eBay employees are 100% dedicated
> to supporting this effort and hope you will join us in doing the same.
>
> We plan to promote the program heavily to our entire community of over 35
> million users and highlight our major contributors prominently. Just as
> importantly, the Governor and Mayor Giuliani are endorsing the program and
> will channel countless volunteers & donors to eBay. We believe it is a
> program that will have a strong impact on America.
>
> We are asking our best partners to participate in the program. In fact, a
> large number have already committed major resources. For example, VISA,
> Discover, MasterCard, and Wells Fargo have agreed to waive their credit
> card fees on these auctions.
>
> Potential ways for you to support this effort include:
> 1. Selling (donating items) through Auction for America
> 2. Buying items donated to Auction for America
> 3. Donating cash through Auction for America
>
> For more information on Auction for America and to join the effort, please
> go to the following link...
> http://pages.ebay.com/auctionforamerica/
>
> Thank you for your support,
> The Computers & Networking Team
Is everyone getting these for the cat they sell in?
Thanks
Jim
|
MrsSantaClaus
|
posted on September 17, 2001 04:09:54 PM new
Where is the statement that says
For every dollar eBay sellers raise eBay will donate a matching dollar.
It looks to me like eBay will try to make themselves look good using the sellers' hard work and items .... and just donate the listing fees? Sellers must also come out of pocket with shipping costs?
I would prefer to just make direct donations. I donate alot to major charities, but, this one cuts to the heart of the eBay seller that is trying to make a living.
I would suggest you donate directly to the 911 Fund ... or list the auctions on eBay, pay the listing fees, and charge shipping. Send the amount over shipping to the 911 Fund. That way, you do not have to sign up for anything you don't already use.
As I have said before, ask for two checks from the customer ... one made out to the fund or the Red Cross, and the shipping one made out to you.
JMHO
Becky
|
wranglers
|
posted on September 17, 2001 04:43:10 PM new
I think the having to sign up for billpoint is just a win win for ebay, and a in your face to PayPal.
|
lorndav
|
posted on September 17, 2001 04:51:59 PM new
I posted this in the other thread. I have looked at some of these auctions, and they DO charge shipping. When eBay said "Seller responsible for shipping", I think they just meant, THEY aren't. No buyer expects they will ge the shipping free. If you click on the "buy" link for these auctions, it says nothing about gettting free shipping. It says, "it works just like eBay". eBay just worded this WRONG.
|
rgrem
|
posted on September 17, 2001 05:07:57 PM new
another flash (if it hasn't been flashed before): look at search, there is a box to click that says "AFA Only".
|
aliceroad
|
posted on September 17, 2001 05:08:05 PM new
I will not sign up for billpoint. Here is an idea: if for every buyer who pays with billpoint, billpoint donates $5 to the fund, then maybe this would be a little more attractive to me.
This would cost billpoint as much as the different charge facilities spent building their lists. I have resisted using billpoint till now, and do not intend to have them build their client list at my expense. I can donate other places.
|
booksbooksbooks
|
posted on September 17, 2001 05:11:29 PM new
This is from one of the official eBay announcements in the eBay discission thread titled "Auction for America Announcements" or something like that:
"In addition, sellers will be responsible for shipping charges on all Auction for America items, and will not receive reimbursement from the buyer."
|
kolonel22
|
posted on September 17, 2001 05:24:17 PM new
I think anyone who is opposed to eBay’s Auction for America should take a moment and at least log onto eBay’s community page and take their poll which asks the following question:
Do you plan to buy/sell any items on eBay's Auction for America charity program?
Yes- I will buy and sell what I can
Yes- I will at least buy or sell 1 item
No- I have donated in other ways
Currently 360 people have voted. The results are as follows:
Yes- I will buy and sell what I can - 18%
Yes- I will at least buy or sell 1 item -12%
No- I have donated in other ways - 68%
I cast my NO vote, now it’s your turn to send a message to eBay. I’m sure they are checking out Discussion & Help Boards, AW as well as other similar boards and their poll.
Go to: http://pages.ebay.com/community/index.html
Health & happiness
"The Colonel"
|
