dtconley
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:14:10 PM new
Auction for America. For example only:
I'd need to list at least five auctions to feel like I was making a decent contribution. Since bidding is way down, I'm listing low end items (value approximately $10 each). Shipping on these items would be at least $7.00 each, with insurance.
I'm donating $50 worth of product to the charity.
I'm also donating at least $35 to the USPS.
Why would I go to the trouble of listing, packing, and shipping, when I could add an extra $15.00 to the estimated shipping I'd be required to pay, and zip off a check for $50.00 to the charity of my choice? Why give the money to the post office, or UPS, when it could go directly to the charity? It doesn't make any sense to me economically at, all. So what is Ebay thinking? Why didn't they just set a fund to let us donate directly?
I know I may get flamed for this, reading some of the other poster's responses,but it is an honest question.
[ edited by dtconley on Sep 17, 2001 06:18 PM ]
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MRBucks
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:19:18 PM new
I would donate the $50 and the He-- with eBay and their "Greed"...
eBay is only doing the auction charity for the HYPE it will give them with the media...
Please, don't anyone fall for it..!!!
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dixielady
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:20:47 PM new
I agree with you. I have already donated through paypal and though I don't mind donating more I don't plan to do it through ebay as I make (try) part of my living selling on ebay and I feel like they are hurting us little guys badly by doing this. I hope eveyone goes and votes NO and maybe they will get the message and just set up a fund where you can donate money through billpoint.
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outoftheblue
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:20:50 PM new
What, didn't you know that the USPS is a charity. They are going broke so Ebay is attempting to help them out. 
Hey, maybe if this 100 million dollar tax write off goes as Ebay plans, the USPS won't have to raise their rates.
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ashlandtrader
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:26:45 PM new
This whole Auction for America thing has had me shaking my head all day! After a long summer with slow sales I was looking forward to this month (through Dec) to things picking up. I'll be lucky to stay afloat at all in these waters!
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kolonel22
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:31:49 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 410 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 - 70%
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"
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dtconley
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:34:25 PM new
I've already voted no on their poll- I think they are in for a big disappointment from the "community"!
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kathleenrock
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:34:54 PM new
I'm also choosing not to participate in ebay's Auctions for America.
I feel it is free advertising for ebay AND in direct competition with our non-charity auctions that provide our livelihood. Plus the seller is really the ONLY one donating in this case.
Have you noticed that the ebay search engine now has a SHOW ONLY AUCTION FOR AMERICA auctions????????? I'm so afraid that our other auctions will shrivel up and die, while well-meaning buyers limit their SEARCH of items to this campaign!!!!!!!
Also, it requires listing directly through ebay, without using AW.
THREE alternatives:
1. Ebay should allow sellers to list auctions with a new special $1 icon in the title (a flag) and let the entire $1 go to charity.
2. Sellers list auctions in a special "charity section", where they state IN the auction whether all or part will go to charity. After being paid (in any way they choose) by the buyer, and sending out the merchandise, the seller writes a check to the charity. In a few days that check clears and the seller sends a copy of the cancelled check to the buyer so the buyer KNOWS it went to a good cause and in the proper proportion. THEN, the buyer can leave feedback.
3. Sellers can directly donate goods to Salvation Army, which SAVES shipment, allows the seller to mark it at fair market value, and the Salvation Army often PICKS up the item!
My biggest fear? Ebay gets kudos for donating money that came from sellers' pockets AND our non-charity auctions suffer while well-meaning buyers limit their searches!
*******
"Sweetfulfillment" - from my FAVE song, "When You Wish Upon A Star" - dedicated to FULFILLING your ebay dream needs
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ashlandtrader
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:35:49 PM new
I voted "no" too! Thanks for posting that Colonel! :0)
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petertdavis
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:55:44 PM new
I'm seriously considering ceasing all ebay activity during this campaign. It's really a no-win situation for every seller.
Give your contributions directly to the Red Cross.
www.redcross.org
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packer
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posted on September 17, 2001 06:56:14 PM new
I also voted "NO".
Why in the hell don't they just put a big banner across it saying "FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL BUYERS".
This SUCKS big time.
I too was looking foward to some good xmas sales after the very slow summer.
My heart sank with this world crisis, as I'm sure my little collectables are the furthest from everyones mind to buy. Don't get me wrong, I'm as upset as everyone else about what happened, but now its time to get back to business. NOW THERES THIS...with eBay.
I just can't afford to give my stuff away.
packer
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dixielady
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:04:17 PM new
What happened to the poll? It was there a little while ago and now I can't find it.
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MAH645
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:11:05 PM new
What is E-Bay thinking???
How great I am, How great I'll be.
When everyone uses just Billpoint and Me!
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tooltrader
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:12:37 PM new
Hey I have a great Idea !! I think that Ebay should donate all of your listing Fees and final value fees just for say one day. I would be more than glad to list . LOL I am sure they would like that deal much better .
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Mallary
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:18:40 PM new
Ditto from me on all comments!
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petertdavis
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:20:07 PM new
Make your contributions direct to the Red Cross. Cut out the middleman. Or, in this case, the middleMeg.
www.redcross.org
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soldat2
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posted on September 17, 2001 07:31:48 PM new
Thanks for the url kolonel22.
I voted NO also.
Same reasons as all the rest.
Insert packers post again here.....
"This SUCKS big time."
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Microbes
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posted on September 17, 2001 08:36:28 PM new
This could have been a really good thing, if eBay had done like our president, TAKE ENOUGH TIME to do it RIGHT. This is "Half baked".
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MartyAW
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posted on September 17, 2001 08:44:44 PM new
Hi folks,
I realize this is a hot topic right now, but I would appreciate it if we could move the discussion to the two other existing threads.
Therefore, this thread is now locked.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Marty
Moderator
[email protected]
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