outoftheblue
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posted on September 23, 2001 09:07:37 PM
Some of the folks on the Ebay discussion boards have started listing their auctions with S4S [sellers 4 sellers] in the title.
This is so sellers can bid on each other's auctions durring the lean times caused by the the recent events and Auctions 4 America.
I did a search tonight and there was around 2 pages of S4S auctions. I'm considering it out of protest against the A4A. I just hope that Ebay doesn't shut them down.
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Coonr
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posted on September 23, 2001 09:23:07 PM
96 items - 1 bid
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outoftheblue
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posted on September 23, 2001 09:35:38 PM
Coonr
I still think it's a good idea, but it will only work if people participate. Maybe, if it catches on Ebay will get a clue that there's a problem.
I'm sick of b*tching and moaning. It's time to do something about it.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Sep 23, 2001 09:37 PM ]
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Eventer
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posted on September 23, 2001 09:54:13 PM
So you buy mine & I buy yours.
ebay gets the listing fees, ebay gets the FVFs.
Somehow I fail to see the logic in how this is going to give ebay a "clue". Seems to me, they'll be getting their money either way.
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icyu
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posted on September 23, 2001 10:12:37 PM
It'll generate confusion for most buyers.
They'll:
1--Ask ebay what it means. Enough of this and ebay will cancel you (using the reasoning that you're trying to profit off of A4A).
2--The viewer will ask you, and you'll basically have to explain that you don't like widows and orphans interfering with your business.
3--They ignore your widget because of the uncertainty over what S4S means.
This A4A business has too much momentum for small sellers to challenge now.
But are you really finding that your particular widget/category is facing severe competition from the A4A items?
[ edited by icyu on Sep 23, 2001 10:14 PM ]
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ecomputeremporium
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posted on September 23, 2001 10:41:00 PM
I am not sure why but my sales went from several a day to nothing for 3 days. I have been doing this since 2-2001 and have never had such a thing happen.
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outoftheblue
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posted on September 23, 2001 10:44:08 PM
icyu
Ok, so I was wrong. It may not be such a good idea. I'm going to watch and see what happens.
The idea wasn't really set up as a protest of Auctions for America, so I don't think people will make the connection. I don't think #2 applies..
[ edited by outoftheblue on Sep 23, 2001 10:45 PM ]
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icyu
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posted on September 23, 2001 10:53:04 PM
outoftheblue:
And I certainly didn't mean #2 as an insult to you and the sellers who don't go along with Meg's marketing genius.
I do undertand why sellers have a legitimate gripe with ebay about this, but that's because I read these discussion boards. I'd bet that 99% of buyers don't visit here, so they only see the A4A flag and hear of the selfless dedication ebay has shown to the bereaved.
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Coonr
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posted on September 24, 2001 07:15:21 AM
Here is another thought for everyone. If the only items listed were A4A auctions, what would happen to eBays revenue?
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ee88jade
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posted on September 24, 2001 07:44:26 AM
* * * Kind of reminds me of the island nation whose economy consisted of everyone taking in everyone else's laundry. 
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tree411
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posted on September 24, 2001 07:45:27 AM
I am listing all of my auction S4S.
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deco100
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posted on September 24, 2001 07:50:08 AM
So how much is ebay making off the A4A? I read somewhere it was 10-15%. They are sure getting good publicity from it and their stock went back up this morning.
I was planning to start listing again Oct.1st. Now I just don't know.
Seems like a lose/lose situation. You lose if you're against money for orphans and widows. You lose if you list and have no buyers.
Does anybody think 100 days is a bit long?
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kolonel22
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posted on September 24, 2001 07:59:02 AM
I just checked there is currently 272 SAS auctions.
The news is spreading. The only problem is out of 6 pages of listing there was only 5 bids 
[ edited by kolonel22 on Sep 24, 2001 08:05 AM ]
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jadejim
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posted on September 24, 2001 08:00:34 AM
I guess we are all out here groping about trying to figure some plan that will keep us from losing our shirts as a result of this A4A. I don't think this is the answer and since ebay has painted themselves into a corner on this issue, we can't look for relief from them.
I think this may be the beginning of the end for ebay as we now have no choice but to find other sites for selling our things. I do antiques and collectibles and there are several fixed price outlets I can use. I will also be diverting significantly more of my holiday inventory to the brick & mortar.
I feel sorry for the folks in remote locations that have grown to depend on ebay as their source for collectibles as they will have much less to choose from.
I will survive but ebay will be a much smaller part of my business plan in the future. They make way too many knee-jerk decisions for me to bet my business on.
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theredcircle
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posted on September 24, 2001 08:15:44 AM
Well, I just did a search for "S4S", and if this is the typical fare offered by sellers complaining about AFA, I can certainly understand why you are complaining now...the majority (and mind you I say "majority" and not "all" of it seems to be the same type of mass-produced, mass-market stuff you can pick up nowadays at any flea market, farmer's market, or for that matter, most convenience stores. The sort of stuff I wouldn't even give a second glance at, since you can get it most everywhere.
I was trying to figure out if my good sales over the past few weeks or so was just a fluke and thinking that maybe I should start worrying about AFA and its effects...I mean, after all it was certainly outraging everyone else around here, wasn't it?
After that search, its a big Nope to both questions.
----
TRC
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amy
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posted on September 24, 2001 08:38:35 AM
Chicken littles should be careful as they scramble to get off the ebay selling wagon...pieces of the falling sky may hit them in the head.
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wbdareme
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posted on September 24, 2001 08:40:46 AM
coonr: "Here is another thought for everyone. If the only items listed were A4A auctions, what would happen to eBays revenue?"
It will tank and they'll do something. It occurred to me too, if sellers stop listing due to the AFAs, eBay won't get it's $$. We know they won't let THAT happen!
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Coonr
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posted on September 24, 2001 09:38:17 AM
I know in my case fully 1/3 - 1/2 of my fees are final value fees. I would imagine they will not let revenue drop by 30-50% for any sustained period. I am hoping we can continue to list and bids will pick up.
While eBay does have a coporotate responsibility to try and assist in the disaster, they also have a reponsibilty to their share holders to generate a profit. AFA does NOT generate any profit.
I do not mind competing with AFA, but do feel AFA should not be give any further preferential treatment. Look at the home page and you will see how newbies will easily wind up in AFA auctions and never see the rest.
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kolonel22
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posted on September 24, 2001 02:24:40 PM
eBay is now getting promoted by the United States Post Office. If you log into the Post Office's web site at: www.usps.com on the front page there is link to eBay's Auctions for America program.
I can certainily undersatnd them promoting ebay since that means more revenue for them. More packages being mailed and more USPS Money Orders being purchased. It sure can't hurt the Post Office to advertise ebay.
I'm not really happy that my tax dollars are going to advertise a 'for profit" organization. This is an outrage!
Health & Happiness
"The Colonel"
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AuntPerfect
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posted on September 24, 2001 03:10:48 PM
More like W4W
"whiners for whiners" or
"beggers for whiners" or
"whiners for beggers" or
"I can't figure out how to sell if it ain't easy 4 I can only sell if everything is just right" or
"Can't adapt 4 always quitting eBay"
Forgot "blind 4 blind"
[ edited by AuntPerfect on Sep 24, 2001 03:12 PM ]
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MartyAW
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posted on September 24, 2001 03:19:22 PM
Hello AuntPerfect,
Please keep the Community Guidelines in mind when you post. References to others as "whiners" or "beggars" violates the respect aspect of our user agreement.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Marty
Moderator
[email protected]
Edited for spelling snafu.
[ edited by MartyAW on Sep 24, 2001 03:23 PM ]
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