TheFamilyBiz
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posted on January 29, 2008 09:48:07 AM new
While I think the fees thing will shake out in the end - with ways to modify starting prices, etc. - and we'll pass along some of that cost to customers in one way or another in order to survive, I'm very interested in what you have to say about how we can adapt to the changes that are coming with the feedback modifications.
We just had a customer purchase a fairly expensive lamp and e-mailed us afterward with a polite "request" to indicate the item was a "gift" or lower the value for customs purposes. And they ended the note with "I look forward to your response and then I will pay the invoice."
In the past, we have politely explained that we wouldn't do that, identifying the final price (excluding shipping, of course) on the US Customs form and indicate "other" because there really isn't any option for "merchandise" on the form.
Now, I believe with the changes as announced, there would be no recourse to any extortion that might arise. I guess they could just "not" pay the invoice and there's all the processes we have to follow to get the FVF back, etc -- as well as having the item out of circulation during the down time. What a perfect way for competitors to eliminate the competition or at least hinder it for a time... huh?
Now - that being said, does anyone want to share ideas on what options we might have to protect ourselves, etc. against the negative impact of the changes? I'd like to keep it as positive as possible - there's plenty of hand-wringing going on now and this might be more constructive...
Your thoughts?
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
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tomwiii
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posted on January 29, 2008 09:58:26 AM new
Well...
Ralphie for one, is doing a LOT of..."paw wringing"
Lest ye forget yer bretheran of da BOSTON persuasion!
GRAND OPENING of RALPHIE'S EMPORIUM of EARTHLY DELIGHTS~All Vd'ers get 50% DISCOUNT!(except electronics)
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capolady
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posted on January 29, 2008 10:12:29 AM new
Absolutely unbelievable!!!
Talk about a marketing mess. The ebay feedback boards are in an uproar. If ebay wants to become a retailer of goods and only deal with the big boys then this is certainly the way to get it done. If you're not a PowerSeller you're listings go to the bottom of the pile? What sense does that make? Unless you as a company are trying to get rid of the little guys. Which is exactly what ebay is attempting to do and more than likely will succeed.
My response will be to slowly end my ebay business and go on to bigger and better things.
If you would like to sign a petition about feedback the ebay community board has one going.
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rhpepsi
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posted on January 29, 2008 10:14:39 AM new
Buyers will only be able to receive positive Feedback.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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MAH645
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posted on January 29, 2008 10:15:39 AM new
I got through the Christmas season without any bad feedback at all. Then in January in the same week,I get one Bozo give me a neutral because the picture didn't match on his DVD, I don't always remember to put that in the desciption. The other one claimed the DVD wouldn't play but never e-mailed me about it. He said it was a region one, but everything I have is all region so he gives me a neutral.
**********************************
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!
http://www.bigcrumbs.com/crumbs/frontpage.jsp?r=moviehut
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deur1
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:15:35 AM new
just sit down with lots of chocolate and cry
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pmelcher
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:31:28 AM new
I'm not exactly sure how to handle the feedback situation. I send out invoices the same day (usually same hour) acknowledge payment right away and in the same email tell the buyer when it will be shipped. I guess I can just try to do everything just perfect and hope. We could leave positive feedback but explain the problem like 'Rude buyer, paid late, etc'. We will just have to get creative to let other sellers know of problems with buyers. Just because we have to check positive does not mean our words can't tell the real story.
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Libra63
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:32:19 AM new
That is well and good Family Biz but it is against the LAW and with you doing that you are responsible not your buyer. If they should find out, then you are in trouble not your buyer. Your buyer wants YOU to committ fraud. What does she care about you, nothing. Well yes she does she wants you to lie so she doesn't have to pay her countries duty. I would not do that and take the negative if she should give you one. Then you in return neg her for asking to check gift. That should alert other sellers.
I have had many buyers from Canada and I have never been asked to check gift. If I had I would ignore it send the item and mark it merchandise. I also always send the eBay form with the package. I would not ask a Canadian seller to check gift. I have bought something from a Canadian website that sold foreign Pez's but I was never charged a duty on that package.
In your next auctions put something like this.If you are a Foreign or International buyer I will not lie on customs form as it is against the law. If you can't abide by that statement then please don't bid. You probably can word it better.
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amber
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:32:39 AM new
Should we be saying "Come back Meg"! What were we saying about "Better the devil you know?"
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:40:27 AM new
Libra - I totally agree with you - as it's the ethics that bother me more than the threat of fines and jail time.
Your suggestion about giving a neg if they neg you -- that's old thinking <smile>... We won't have that option soon as buyers won't be able to give negative or neutral feedback.
Any other ideas?
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
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roadsmith
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:40:57 AM new
Call 1-877-222-0856 and leave a 60-second message.
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tomwiii
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:44:58 AM new
Libra said:
"I have had many buyers from Canada and I have never been asked to check gift."
I, OTOH, have encountered the EXACT opposite...At LEAST 90% of my CANADIAN buyers BEG for the "GIFT" box to be checked off! Which, of course, we ignore...
GRAND OPENING of RALPHIE'S EMPORIUM of EARTHLY DELIGHTS~All Vd'ers get 50% DISCOUNT!(except electronics)
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tomwiii
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:49:56 AM new
As long as feeBay has a TOTAL 100% MONOPLOY on online auctions, NOTHING FOR THE SELLERS' BETTERMENT will ever come to pass!
ONLY way to change things for the better is for real COMPETITION to take place!
AND, the only 600lb bear in the business who has the NAME RECOGNITION needed to firetruck feeBay is: GOOGLE!
If GOOGLE opened a well-planned, well-run AUCTION SITE, would 50% of feeBay sellers jump ship?
CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE THE STOCK HIT FEEBAY WOULD TAKE if 50% of its sellers LEFT?
WRITE GOOGLE!
WRITE GOOGLE!
WRITE GOOGLE!
WRITE GOOGLE!
Tom & "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore" Ralphie
GRAND OPENING of RALPHIE'S EMPORIUM of EARTHLY DELIGHTS~All Vd'ers get 50% DISCOUNT!(except electronics)
[ edited by tomwiii on Jan 29, 2008 11:50 AM ]
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:50:15 AM new
Unfortunately, eBay sellers are not united. If we were, we could go on feedback strike: leave no feedback for buyers. That doesn't really hurt the buyers, but enough of them seem to care (don't ask me why) about not receiving their positive that eBay would change the rule.
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NEGLUS
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:50:34 AM new
Here's the guy responsible for the "Seller Experience" - I guess we need to let me know how our experience is going to hell in a handbasket. He has a new announcement:
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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tomwiii
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posted on January 29, 2008 11:51:59 AM new
He looks like a total SPANKER!
GRAND OPENING of RALPHIE'S EMPORIUM of EARTHLY DELIGHTS~All Vd'ers get 50% DISCOUNT!(except electronics)
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on January 29, 2008 12:18:20 PM new
I think the petition is a good idea. It may not work but it can't hurt..
Maybe if we sent emails daily about our disappointment in this new system they would reconsider???
A Vendio store or personal website may also be a good idea for anyone who doesn't already have one or the other.
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deur1
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posted on January 29, 2008 12:20:01 PM new
I am in- will sign or hold the sign.
This is terrible , worst than terrible
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northwoodsguy
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posted on January 29, 2008 01:22:19 PM new
Tom, don't you mean he looks like a total WANKER?
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northwoodsguy
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posted on January 29, 2008 01:22:19 PM new
double post
[ edited by northwoodsguy on Jan 29, 2008 01:23 PM ]
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zippy2dah
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posted on January 29, 2008 01:26:44 PM new
I vote spankee not spanker.
As in SPANK ME AGAIN MISTRESS MAKE ME DO BAD AND STUPID THINGS ON EBAY OHHH AAAAAHHHHH
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tomwiii
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posted on January 29, 2008 01:54:02 PM new
"Tom, don't you mean he looks like a total WANKER?"
Au Contraire, my fine grizzled friend of the NORTH!
Ralphie & I LOVE watching ANIMAL PLANET, especially the series on the lowly NORTH AMERCAN WANKER (selfus abusius) seen here in its natural habitat, in and around SAN JOSE CA!
GRAND OPENING of RALPHIE'S EMPORIUM of EARTHLY DELIGHTS~All Vd'ers get 50% DISCOUNT!(except electronics)
[ edited by tomwiii on Jan 29, 2008 02:01 PM ]
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ebayvet
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posted on January 29, 2008 02:38:20 PM new
You know what, I am tired of "adapting" to annual changes in the way ebay charges us (and it always is a fee increase) - My business on ebay has been decreasing each year for the past several years, and I am pretty close to moving even more of it away. My overall business is going great, each year sees more than the last - but ebay isn't getting that much of it anymore. I thought this re-alignment might bring me back but I am wrong.
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bjboswell
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posted on January 29, 2008 04:08:48 PM new
I still have a headache....
Today I heard a new economic report on the housing market. This gentleman said that 1 in every 100 homes in America is today being foreclosed upon! 1 in 100. That just floors me. To listen to that report and wade through all this new fee-bay greed has, well just left me pretty low.
At a time in America when the idiot president and equally numb congress try to bring themselves to say one word, RECESSION and all they can manage is "economic slowdown".... just ask us the struggling middle class. Ask us, the ebay sellers about slowdowns! Are you mad at ebay I am ... gol darned it hold the line give us a break... please!
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bhouses
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posted on January 29, 2008 07:01:51 PM new
There is a petition on Google, to Google, asking for an auction site.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ga05/
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Libra63
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posted on January 29, 2008 08:25:47 PM new
Can someone tell my why Yahoo gave up on their auction site?
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niel35
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posted on January 30, 2008 12:51:12 AM new
http://www.petitiononline.com/ga05/
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