posted on May 5, 2002 09:40:00 AM
uaru, thanks for posting that. It is an interesting read.
Quotes:
"The funny thing about eBay is that people have a love-hate relationship with them," said Debra Schaum, a Bronx, N.Y., computer consultant who sells miniature collectibles. "People spend a lot of time complaining about it, but they are still there."
Whitman says:
"Buyers attract sellers, who in turn attract buyers, and so on. That's been the success formula in every category on eBay so far."
posted on May 5, 2002 09:52:14 AM
I don't know where you all sell on Ebay at this time where it's costing under 10% of your sales in fees.
it is costing me $40 in fees for every $150 in sales and that dont include fees for bill point or other credit card or e check payments.
if you want to add in paypal fees, auction watch fees, fees to stamps.com and other services required to list including ISP costs my fees are already well over 10% of what I sell.
in fact I have months were my fees to sell are as much as 40% of my sales.
today I plan on $2.30 in fees for every $11 in sales and thats befor any marketing or advertising.
posted on May 6, 2002 05:09:05 AM
I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..I gotta get a real job..
kiddo2
posted on May 6, 2002 06:28:08 AM
I agree with DMAN, this is still cheaper than selling with a B & M. I don't want fee increases but I am not going to be going out to get a different job. And by the way, this is a real job, thank you very much!
posted on May 6, 2002 09:06:34 AM
it may be cheaper than brick and mortar,but it does not build brandname,unless your name is pierre or meg.
but then on the other hand,you dont lose as much,brick and mortar stores can wipe you out.
posted on May 6, 2002 09:31:22 AM
Sales slumped so badly last year, combined with big personal expenses, that I did get a "real" job after five years of eBay as my sole source of income.
I still make much, much more per hour selling on eBay. I could have expanded my line on eBay, but truth be told, I think it was just one too many deadbeats, new rules, abusive customers and third party services trying to get a slice of the pie.
Yes I do eBay part time but I love my job. It's real money and my boss doesn't deadbeat on my paycheck. I get out of the house and meet new people every day. eBay makes a good sideline but I don't want to rely on it for a regular income.
posted on May 6, 2002 09:38:43 AM
Of course, Meg is no slouch. All she'd have to do is raise the listing fee to $.50 cents and the junk dealers would all leave. But as she noted, the sellers bring the buyers. What would happen to eBay if 250,000 sellers suddenly moved to Yahoo? As much as eBay despises the mom and pop sellers, we are what brings in the customers. eBay would not survive as a high-end auction house.
posted on May 6, 2002 10:43:50 AM
The big problem with that picture is if that many sellers move, (most likely already selling there already) will the buyers follow. In my experience, few do. Yes, if the seller is also a buyer, they do go to the new sites, but if they are buyers only, they tend to stay put. It would take all Ebay sellers starting today, to let other buyers know that Yahoo exists and provide links those Yahoo auctions.
[ edited by caffeitalia on May 6, 2002 05:31 PM ]
