posted on January 29, 2008 03:44:00 AM new
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse. This should make your day (until new fees are announced at any rate)
There are five key elements to the new Feedback system being introduced in the first half of 2008:
1. Beginning in February, buyers and sellers will be able to earn up to one Feedback per week from the same trading partner. Today, members may only affect each other's Feedback scores one time, regardless of the number of transactions between the parties. This change will both encourage repeat transactions and reward good service.
2. Sellers will no longer be able to leave negative or neutral Feedback for buyers. This change will occur in May, 2008.
3. Removal of negative and neutral Feedback left by members who are suspended or who fail to respond to the Unpaid Item Process (UPI).
4. Positive Feedback percentage will be based on the past 12 months of Feedback, rather than lifetime, since it is most indicative of the seller's recent performance.
5. Restrictions on when Feedback can be left:
* Buyers must wait three days before leaving negative or neutral Feedback
* Instead of 90 days, members will be able to leave Feedback for 60 days
posted on January 29, 2008 05:35:54 AM new
You know what this will mean, as sellers, we will no longer have the option we have now of delaying leaving feedback until the buyers leaves it. We will be open to all kinds of negs because the buyer will know that we can't leave one in return. This is going to be a real mess.
posted on January 29, 2008 05:45:03 AM new
!!!!!OH MY GOD!!!!!
I woke up this morning with an anxiety attack I read and responded to the new listing fees ....EAH GADS.... and now this
they really are idiots running this company!Can someone tell me why buyers are any more important to them than sellers?
posted on January 29, 2008 05:53:31 AM new
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of... talk about a one way street. What opportunities this opens up for mean, nasty buyers!!
No heads up for other sellers if you have a NPB. Who dreams up these things!!
posted on January 29, 2008 06:24:57 AM new
My worry: Some of you may remember me posting that my packages mailed between 12/15 and 12/28 went on the missing list.
It took three weeks from the date of mailing for the packages to arrive. There were 18 in all. Many of the buyers did not understand that the date on the Endicia label was the date the item was mailed and that the post office would not accept an item with the wrong date on it and that I could not "postdate" an item (which one buyer said had happened).
I do believe that by 1/10 I would have had 18 negs. And, all of the packages did arrive eventually. It seems that they were catagorized as parcel instead of first class parcel. As an aside, I now have first class stamps that I put on the packages.
At least we have a three month warning as to feedback so we can figure out what to do.
Beth
posted on January 29, 2008 06:46:37 AM new
Does ebay understand that once this starts, that some buyer will demand refunds, discounts, cheaper shipping - anything they want and a seller will either have to comply or end up with undeserved negatives.
This is not good
posted on January 29, 2008 06:49:48 AM new
Good God. What is WRONG (wronger, I mean) with eBay! We'll have no recourse for nonpaying buyers?
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posted on January 29, 2008 06:58:10 AM new
I see upon further reading that buyers who don't respond in the UPI process won't be able to leave neg or neutral FB.
Still. This does look as though eBay wants us smaller sellers off the lot.
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posted on January 29, 2008 07:08:06 AM new
Well, it's going to be a wild ride. There are some good things like reduced listing fees and free gallery. But it looks like everything good is geared to Power Sellers and I just can't sell $1000.00 a month consistantly so I guess I will be way down in the listings even though my DSR's are up where they need to be.
posted on January 29, 2008 07:33:40 AM new
I think these changes will impact my decision about starting my eBay selling again. We had a severe drop off in our holiday sales on the cyber mall shop this year and I was working up to increasing my eBay listings. I may still list some specialized things where I am likely to know my buyers but I don't like where these changes are going. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on January 29, 2008 08:16:01 AM new
The easiest solution: DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE FB SYSTEM AFTER MAY 08!
This is probablt a parting shot from ole Bill Corn-Cobb..Or maybe by Grif, or Bif, or Buck, or whoever...
Also, I just don't see HOW I can ever again mail PC's to EUROPE via FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL??? After these "improvements" go into effect, ALL CARDS will go via PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL at approx. 6X the expense to the buyers...
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF GOOGLE OPENED AN AUCTION SITE RIGHT NOW?
posted on January 29, 2008 08:16:31 AM new
2. Sellers will no longer be able to leave negative or neutral Feedback for buyers. This change will occur in May, 2008.
posted on January 29, 2008 08:24:17 AM new
Basic Fees
Unless otherwise indicated, all changes will be effective February 20, 2008, and will apply to listings on www.ebay.com and www.ebaymotors.com (Parts & Accessories only).
Insertion Fees
The insertion fee for Auction-style and Fixed Price listings will be reduced as indicated in the chart below. Also, all listings will now include the Gallery picture feature for free!
Starting Price: Fixed Price, Store Inventory, and Buy It Now
The "N/A" in the charts above reflects a new minimum start price for Fixed Price listings, Store Inventory listings and the Buy It Now feature. Store Inventory and Fixed Price listings must have a starting price of at least $1.00. The Buy It Now feature, which can be added to Auction-style listings, must also have a minimum Buy It Now price of at least $1.00.
Gallery Feature Fee
The Gallery picture feature fee for all listings will be free as indicated in the chart below. Unless otherwise indicated, all changes will be applicable to listings on www.ebay.com and www.ebaymotors.com (Parts & Accessories only).
Gallery Feature Fees
Starting or Reserve Price Current Gallery Fee Gallery Fee (effective 02/20/2008)
Auction-style Listings $0.35 FREE
Fixed Price Listings $0.35 FREE
Store Inventory Listings $0.01 FREE
Classified Ads Variable FREE
PowerSeller Discounts
Get up to 15% discount on Final Value Fees (or Transaction Service Fees) when you maintain high detailed seller ratings (DSRs) as a US or Canadian PowerSeller on your eBay.com, eBay Motors and eBay.ca sales. These discounts recognize and reward sellers who consistently provide excellent customer service on eBay.
Final Value Fees
The Final Value Fees will be revised per the table below.
Final Value Fees for Auction-style and Fixed Price listings
Closing Price Final Value Fee Final Value Fee (effective 02/20/2008)
Item not sold No fee No change
$0.01-$25.00 5.25% of the closing value 8.75% of the closing value
$25.01 - $1,000.00 5.25% of the initial $25.00, plus 3.25% of the remaining closing value balance ($25.01 to $1,000.00) 8.75% of the initial $25.00, plus 3.50% of the remaining closing value balance ($25.01 to $1,000.00)
Over $1,000.01 5.25% of the initial $25.00, plus 3.25% of the initial $25.00 - $1,000.00 plus 1.50% of the remaining closing value balance ($1,000.01 - closing value) 8.75% of the initial $25.00, plus 3.50% of the initial $25.00 - $1,000.00 plus 1.50% of the remaining closing value balance ($1,000.01 - closing value)
Final Value Fees for Store Inventory listings
Closing Price Final Value Fee Final Value Fee (effective 02/20/2008)
Item not sold No fee No change
$0.01-$25.00 10.00% of the closing value 12.00% of the closing value
$25.01 - $100.00 10.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 7.00% of the remaining closing value balance ($25.01 to $100.00) 12.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 8.00% of the remaining closing value balance ($25.01 to $100.00)
$100.01-$1000.00 10.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 7.00% of the initial $25.01 - $100.00, plus 5.00% of the remaining closing value balance $100.01 - $1,000.00 12.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 8.00% of the initial $25.01 - $100.00, plus 4.00% of the remaining closing value balance $100.01 - $1,000.00
Over $1,000.01 10.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 7.00% of the initial US$25.01 - $100.00, plus 5.00% of the initial $100.01 $1,000.00, plus 3.00% of the remaining closing value balance 12.00% of the initial $25.00, plus 8.00% of the initial $25.01 - $100.00, plus 4.00% of the initial $100.01 - $1,000.00, plus 2.00% of the remaining closing value balance
posted on January 29, 2008 09:14:11 AM new
It looks as if buyers will now be able to make all kinds of unreasonable demands and complaints with no penalties. Sellers were already penalizes with the DSL system, and this is even worse. I wish I could opt out of the feedback system altogether. My shipping is higher because I live in Canada, and my mail to the US takes longer. I see a bunch of negs coming my way.
posted on January 29, 2008 10:47:07 AM new
This is probably the very changes that will take E-Bay out. As a Seller talk about being caught up in the very forces your trying to conquer.
**********************************
Just wanted to let you know about this new website that pays us up to 36% of the seller's fees whenever we buy something on eBay.
We can also get cash back at other retailers and earn extra cash when other people shop.
Just use the link below to check it out and let me know what you think!
posted on January 29, 2008 10:52:44 AM new
What exactly will be the point of feedback?? If you can't leave neutral or negative for NPBs, why have feedback for buyers at all?
If this is the way Ebay is going, why don't they just leave the feedback for us when the item is paid for, save me some trouble. I can't protect myself against unwarranted feedback since there is no protection!!
posted on January 29, 2008 11:22:45 AM new
I've been reading the blogs and forums about this. Has anyone noticed that with that ONE little sentence thrown in there about sellers not being able to leave negative feedback..that NO ONE is complaining about the new outrageous fees being applied?? Could there be a method to ebay's madness...like...maybe they will make a concession..be nice to us and take back the feedback thing..as long as we're ok with the new fees....? I mean..isn't that what all big companies do? I could be wrong..have been a time or two before...
posted on January 29, 2008 12:22:49 PM new
You know the feedback system has worked fine for me for almost 9 years and now the wonder idiots at eBay have to muck it all up. I guess it gives them something to do to justify their over paid sorry butts. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!
One more reason too seek out other revenue sources. eBay with its ever present blinders on can’t see that other venues are taking a little piece of their business every time they do this crap. Those little pieces are starting to add up and they are losing market share and will continue to do so.
The internet is a big sandbox and I am always looking for somewhere else to play. eBay will be a part of my plan but everyday I am giving a little piece of MY business to other venues.
Now I get to read the NEW AND IMPROVED RATE FEES a.k.a BEND OVER AND GRIN! Oh the joy!
posted on January 29, 2008 01:13:38 PM new
I was thinking the same thing annekila was thinking......
eBay is a bunch of evil genuises.....
They give us sellers free gallery and modest reductions in listing fees, then they drop this bomb about sellers not being allowed to post neutral or negative feedback for buyers.
Everyone is so up in arms, and justifiably so, about this feedback crap that few voices are rising up in anger about the rise in FVF fees, which are substantial.
Eventually, eBay will back down on the crazy feedback changes, the sellers will love eBay again, and the higher FVF values will slip in under the radar.
posted on January 29, 2008 03:57:42 PM new
Oh this is funny..or not..
"Will sellers still have access to Buyer Requirements to manage their buyers?
Yes. The Buyer requirements tool enables sellers to prevent or limit the buyers from bidding or buying their items if certain criteria have not been met. The criteria are:
buyer is registered in a country where seller doesn't ship to
buyer has negative FB score
buyer has a recent Unpaid item strike
buyer does not have a PayPal account"
OK..how can a seller prevent a buyer from bidding due to a negative FB score??? The buyer will have no negatives!!! Lord save us from kids in suits...
posted on January 29, 2008 04:01:16 PM new
annekila: That is a good one!! No one ever thinks things through, do they?? That's why they are getting the big bucks.
posted on January 29, 2008 05:31:23 PM new
Could someone give me a hint of what other venues are available besides Ebay? I'd like to have my own website, but I don't have the slightest idea what it should cost and what I would need to ask of someone willing to build one. Ruby Lane? Go Antiques?
posted on January 29, 2008 05:40:41 PM new
Here's the list of the most popular sites taken from powersellersunite.com which shows the # of items listed (note: list does include specialty sites - postcards, stamps, trading cards, etc)
posted on January 29, 2008 05:48:46 PM new
I was afraid of that. There is no other auction site even close to the same numbers. What about sites with stores? Any numbers on those? Quick! Before Venio hears.
posted on January 29, 2008 05:54:24 PM new
I say, EBAY FINALLY GOT SOMETHING RIGHT!!! For all the sellers who constantly hold onto feedback to extort it from the buyer when they provide crappy service or don't stand behind their products, it's about time. Personally, I won't worry about it one bit. I treat my customers great. I communicate throughout the whole process with them. I personally communitcate at the end of the auction, when payment arrives and when the item ships. No BS automated crap.
Here is a blurb from Corn Cobbs message. "Now, we realize that feedback has been a two-way street, but our data shows a disturbing trend, which is that sellers leave retaliatory feedback eight times more frequently than buyers do ... and this figure is up dramatically from only a few years ago.
Guess that most of the rest of you fall into this statement.
I haven't received a neg in over 4 years. And trust me, I have left many for non-payment. Now that I won't be able to leave it, it still don't bother me. I always file for my fees back. So close enough.
Frankly, I always have left feedback first anyway and you may be surprised at how many e-mails I received thanking me for doing that. I really didn't think much about it until now. I guess that reinforces eBay's decision to do feedback this new way.
posted on January 29, 2008 06:03:35 PM new
Neglus, If sellers are suppose to be filing 8 times more retaliatory feedback than buyers, there could be a reason for it. Like buyers not paying? In the Ebay groups that I belong to this is a very common complaint. Buyers don't pay. I never leave feedback first as a seller because I am afraid of the few fruitloop buyers out there.
posted on January 29, 2008 06:30:48 PM new
Ebay sellers, always file a non paying bidder dispute. Three strikes gets npbidders off of Ebay.(with that ID anyway).
So sellers can't leave negatives anymore, but the buyers can grade sellers on the fees that the post office charges.
And how the unaccountable buyers grade you will directly affect the fees you pay.
So what are we supposed to do, offer free shipping and go broke?
