How would you revamp Ebay?

[Sideonecincy]

I hate it now that the buyers have no responsibility. If they don't want to pay, they don't have to and you are no longer able to leave negative feedback.

Also I wish they would make a membership that you could pay for so that they wouldn't take their 3% fees off each auction.

 

[Sdashiki]

I hate it now that the buyers have no responsibility. If they don't want to pay, they don't have to and you are no longer able to leave negative feedback.

Also I wish they would make a membership that you could pay for so that they wouldn't take their 3% fees off each auction.

Whose 3% fees?

Not being able to leave -feedback does suck, but if someone doesnt pay, you can still file a non paying bidder strike and get your fees back.

 

[ZachsMacDaddy]

Um, you dont have to use paypal to pay unless the buyer specifically ONLY accepts PP (which few do, unless they do large volume, and even then, not always)

eBay BOUGHT paypal years ago, knowing it would work in their profitable favor. And it does make the buying experience ALOT easier and smoother, you cant argue that.

Anyone, who is pissed like you about the fee doubling, doesnt use PP and accept money orders OR credit cards through another merchant account.

You dont HAVE to sell on eBay. You dont HAVE to accept PP. You dont HAVE to pay fees then.

The business model of eBay is incredibly efficient, while sometimes I think it is a bit $$$, it works. Pay to list, pay for the sale. THATS ALL you are obligated to pay when using eBay. Its YOU who are using PP and incurring fees.

AND, as Im sure you know (unless things have changed radically) that you dont pay ANY fees when accepting PP payments, so long as you arent a "premier/business" member. Being a premier member allows people to pay with CC vs just a bank account. And honestly, I havent run into ANYONE who only uses a CC to pay with paypal. So, if you became a premier member to accept CC and all the bonuses that comes with, you agreed to now start paying fees on ALL payments to you.

You have some good points, although your "holier than thou" presentation isn't quite necessary.

Yes, I have a premier account. But what bothers me the most about that is that I pay that extra fee no matter HOW the buyer pays. I have to pay a percentage whether I am paid from someone's balance, an e-check or a CC. While it may be in the fine print of the agreement, it's still a bum deal. I can see paying the % fee on CC transactions, but on ANY transaction, seems a bit much.

If you are selling computers or high end stuff, what choice do you have? PayPal has receiving limits on standard accounts, practically forcing users to upgrade to one of their fee based plans. Accepting credit cards is just one part of the Premier/Business accounts. The unlimited receiving is a feature that many need more than being able to take CC.

 

[SDLSteve]

They are going to set a limit on shipping for items such as CDs and books. I am able to sell used textbooks and will now be limited to charging a max of $4 to ship 5-6 lb books that cost $12-$16 to ship. I understand there are always people to set high rates to ship but I ignore those auctions. Also, if you look at anyone's seller ratings, the shipping feedback is always the lowest score. I don't think most buyers realize how much it actually costs to ship things especially now that USPS changed their shipping rates

 

[Sdashiki]

They are going to set a limit on shipping for items such as CDs and books. I am able to sell used textbooks and will now be limited to charging a max of $4 to ship 5-6 lb books that cost $12-$16 to ship. I understand there are always people to set high rates to ship but I ignore those auctions. Also, if you look at anyone's seller ratings, the shipping feedback is always the lowest score. I don't think most buyers realize how much it actually costs to ship things especially now that USPS changed their shipping rates

Shipping 6lbs Media Mail is a couple of dollars.

And if you can fit things into the flat rate priority boxes its $10-14 at most for any weight.

 

[nep61]

Why does everyone seem to want everything for FREE? Both eBay & PayPal are providing a service... Banks charge ATM fees, credit cards charge late fees and interest, brokerage houses charge transaction fees, accountants charge a fee to help you tell the government how much money you made last year...

For all of the above, there are alternatives, don't use the service or pay cash.

For the average person, eBay & PayPal are just one way of getting rid of your old junk and getting a few bucks for it... (basically). I have no problem paying whatever FEES are involved for selling something that would have otherwise sat in my basement or closet.

Spend a few minutes, list an item, sell it for a few bucks, get paid, and give ebay & paypal a few bucks for helping out...

If you want so save $$ on fees... list your item elsewhere, accept Money Orders or checks and wait for their arrival in the mail...

IMHO....The ability to get cash instantly from someone across the country for something I sold on ebay, and not having to get in my car, go to the bank to cash a check, stand in line waiting to be called up to the teller window to get my $$, is WELL WORTH the fees that are charged by using ebay & PayPal....

That's just my take on it... as THEY say (who are "THEY" anyway?)
--- That's the cost of doing business.

 

[Unspeaked]

So Sdashiki, how long have you worked for eBay now?

Your disputing the very valid points people are making in this thread is amazing. The only people I've ever seen defend eBay so strongly are its own employees (and even then, only somtimes).

Nearly everyone who sells on eBay - and many people who buy on eBay - have a laundry list of complaints, far more than the average consumers has with a company. Just look around.

Few corporations have entire organizations and websites devoted to helping people deal with their issues and find alternatives.

Sadly, the reason eBay/PayPal gets away with this is because they know their seller base is tied to them. Despite you saying that no one "has" to sell on eBay, that just isn't the case. The eBay giant has forced so many small business to close shop that the only way for people selling certain types of good to make a living is through them. Just try and find a collectible or antique shop that doesn't at least have some sort of presence on eBay; you can't do it.

And just look at how many companies have tried to complete and failed miserably: Amazon, Yahoo, Outpost and more. Buyers have no choice but to go on eBay for these goods because that's where the sellers are. Buyers have no choice but to go to eBay because that's where the sellers are.

For example, if you have a baseball card you need to sell, what can you do? You can't open up a storefront and sell it because stand alone sports collectible stores are almost unheard of now (how can you pay rent, utilities and such and compete with large eBay stores that only pay storage costs?). You can't just start a web store and list it because who's going to look at it? You can try putting it on Craigslist, but eBay even own a piece of that action.

 

[Sideonecincy]

Whose 3% fees?

Not being able to leave -feedback does suck, but if someone doesnt pay, you can still file a non paying bidder strike and get your fees back.

The final selling fees are what I was talking about...I figured they were around 3% typically because paypal charges close to the same rate.

 

[Unspeaked]

Shipping 6lbs Media Mail is a couple of dollars.

And if you can fit things into the flat rate priority boxes its $10-14 at most for any weight.

Try $3.98 for media mail, plus $0.75 for delivery confirmation (which you're forced to get on eBay or else the buyer can lie and say you never sent anything and eBay can take away your money) for a minimum of $4.73.

And so what if $10 - 14 is what it costs for Priority Mail? That's still a lot more than the $4 limit the post is referring to...

For the average person, eBay & PayPal are just one way of getting rid of your old junk and getting a few bucks for it... (basically). I have no problem paying whatever FEES are involved for selling something that would have otherwise sat in my basement or closet.

Spend a few minutes, list an item, sell it for a few bucks, get paid, and give ebay & paypal a few bucks for helping out...

First of all, it's not eBay & PayPal - it's just eBay. One company, getting all the fees.

Second, your example goes more like this:

Spend a few minutes, list an item (pay fees), sell it for a few bucks (pay fees), get paid (pay fees), and give ebay & paypal a few (or more...) bucks for helping out...

 

[Consultant]

Everyone has to have a working credit card. Winning bids are automatically charged to the credit card. Shipment to confirmed credit card address only.

Needs to have less risky method of doing business with people in other countries. PayPal cannot confirm address beyond US, Canada, and UK.

Better dispute resolution.

Lower fees. PayPal is part of ebay, but ebay charges fees on top of paypal fees.

To the one who said you don't have to use PayPal, do know if you don't use PayPal (and follow specific instructions made by ebay), then you have no fraud protection?

eBay does not allow LESS EXPENSIVE, more seller friendly payment methods.

I understand, but who is going to pay $700 for a phone when you can get it for $200? All it does is waste server space, and as a result increase listing fees.

Don

$200 retail for 8GB iPhone is
- before tax
- before activation fee ($36?)
- before 1st month charge + taxes ($70 + $10?)
- before termination fees
- before shipping + insurance fees
- before packaging time and cost
- before ebay fees + paypal fees
- and other factors

 

[aristobrat]

First of all, it's not eBay & PayPal - it's just eBay. One company, getting all the fees.

Spend a few minutes, list an item (pay fees), sell it for a few bucks (pay fees), get paid (pay fees), and give ebay & paypal a few (or more...) bucks for helping out...

So would you not have a fee for listing items? If not, how would you stop the onslaught of everyone listing every piece of crap they own, knowing most won't sell, just in hopes that one or two would?

Would you not have a final value fee? If not, how else would you make money to keep the company going? Charge a bigger amount upfront when people list an auction? Charge a monthly membership fee that equals something close to final value fees?

Would you not charge a fee for credit payments? Whoever your processor is charging you a fee. You have to pay for the overhead of the staff to run the payment service. How do you pay for that? Just give it away free???

I hate the fees, too. But when you realistically look at them, and the logical reasons that they're there, what changes would you make (that would actually work in the realworld)?

 

[Sdashiki]

So Sdashiki, how long have you worked for eBay now?

Considering I dont, I think you mean how long have I used eBay? 9yrs

Your disputing the very valid points people are making in this thread is amazing. The only people I've ever seen defend eBay so strongly are its own employees (and even then, only somtimes).

Defending what? Im just telling it like it is. I dont know what you dont get.

Nearly everyone who sells on eBay - and many people who buy on eBay - have a laundry list of complaints, far more than the average consumers has with a company. Just look around.

Everyone is going to have something to say when millions of sales are made monthly over the past decade. Its not usually eBay that the problem is with, its other members.

Few corporations have entire organizations and websites devoted to helping people deal with their issues and find alternatives.

And yet eBay is still the biggest player in town. Must be doing something right.

Sadly, the reason eBay/PayPal gets away with this is because they know their seller base is tied to them. Despite you saying that no one "has" to sell on eBay, that just isn't the case. The eBay giant has forced so many small business to close shop that the only way for people selling certain types of good to make a living is through them. Just try and find a collectible or antique shop that doesn't at least have some sort of presence on eBay; you can't do it.

No one forces you to use it. And if having a storefront in the middle of nowhere AND a presence on eBay is bad, I dont understand. Reaching out to the millions of user worldwide is more than you could ever hope to bring to your actual brick and mortar. eBay gives those types of business, business. Not take it away.

And just look at how many companies have tried to complete and failed miserably: Amazon, Yahoo, Outpost and more. Buyers have no choice but to go on eBay for these goods because that's where the sellers are. Buyers have no choice but to go to eBay because that's where the sellers are.

eBay has done so well because it works. If something new doesnt work, there's a reason for it.

For example, if you have a baseball card you need to sell, what can you do? You can't open up a storefront and sell it because stand alone sports collectible stores are almost unheard of now (how can you pay rent, utilities and such and compete with large eBay stores that only pay storage costs?). You can't just start a web store and list it because who's going to look at it? You can try putting it on Craigslist, but eBay even own a piece of that action.

That makes no sense. You're saying i have less of a chance to sell something on eBay than if I went local only? Its as if you dont want to find buyers.

I like eBay and I like PP because with them I make money. Money I wouldnt have if I used craigslist and newspapers. Why? Because of the worldwide audience eBay gives me. Things I sell wouldnt sell any other way, and if paying fees is part of the deal, so be it. Id rather some money than none at all and a pile of junk in my garage.

 

[ZachsMacDaddy]

For all of the above, there are alternatives, don't use the service or pay cash.

Cash is only good for local transactions done in person unless you're crazy enough to stick a wad of cash in a box and ship it (send me a box full?).

Ebay's new policy changes include "No more checks and money orders." That leaves very little choice in how to pay now, doesn't it?

 

[Sdashiki]

Cash is only good for local transactions done in person unless you're crazy enough to stick a wad of cash in a box and ship it (send me a box full?).

Ebay's new policy changes include "No more checks and money orders." That leaves very little choice in how to pay now, doesn't it?

yes, now that sucks...

but if anything itll give those who want something OTHER than eBay to come along and take over.

till then, I have no choice.

though I can understand why they are doing it...sort of. the fees aside, it certainly is better for the buyer when they have actual electronic records of their payments etc etc...online shopping has 9/10 been credit card driven. This just makes eBay another one just like it. Changes the idea of eBay a bit, but not online shopping.

 

[nep61]

Cash is only good for local transactions done in person unless you're crazy enough to stick a wad of cash in a box and ship it (send me a box full?).

Ebay's new policy changes include "No more checks and money orders." That leaves very little choice in how to pay now, doesn't it?

I'd like a Box 'o Cash too...

As far as the "No more checks and money orders." ... I wasn't aware of that, as I haven't used ebay for a few months.

 

[aristobrat]

Ebay's new policy changes include "No more checks and money orders." That leaves very little choice in how to pay now, doesn't it?

Does it prevent you from using Google Checkout or some other form of taking credit cards besides PayPal?

Personally, even with local transactions, I'd never accept a check or money order.

 

[ZachsMacDaddy]

yes, now that sucks...

but if anything itll give those who want something OTHER than eBay to come along and take over.

till then, I have no choice.

That about sums it up, huh? What other choice do we have?

Just like you said, you either sell, pay the fees and get paid or you sit at home with all your junk and an empty wallet.

I think we'll wait forever and still never see anyone come up with something that can beat ebay for the audience. They will have to fight hard to build a reputation that will convince ebayers to switch over.

 

[ZachsMacDaddy]

Does it prevent you from using Google Checkout or some other form of taking credit cards besides PayPal?

Personally, even with local transactions, I'd never accept a check or money order.

I'm not sure. Here's the text of the message that came from ebay about the upcoming changes:


We're taking steps to give sellers the most dynamic marketplace on the Internet: reduced upfront cost, optimized exposure, and a more consistent buyer experience to drive more sales.

1. Reduced upfront fees for Fixed Price:
List multi-quantity items up to 30 days for just 35¢
We're lowering the upfront cost of selling in Fixed Price with a great new package of benefits:
* New 35¢ Insertion Fee, regardless of asking price or item quantity
* NEW 30-day duration at no extra cost with automatic renewal option to boost efficiency
* Adjusted Final Value Fees - reduced in some categories
* Boost in exposure based on listings' recent sales

This is the perfect opportunity to list more inventory in Fixed Price at a low upfront cost--including moving your best Stores inventory to full exposure on eBay.

Plus, we're holding the line on current fees for auction-style listings. When you
start pricing low, and with ending-soonest exposure, auction-style listings are still
the best deal on eBay.
2. Driving more sales with a more consistent buyer experience
We're taking other steps to ensure buyers keep coming back to eBay:

* Limits on shipping and handling charges in some categories
* Big seller rewards for free shipping, including free subtitle, a boost in search results, and double PowerSeller fee discounts
* No more checks and money orders
* New seller standards: Minimum 4.3 on all DSRs

3. More relevant search results to drive more sales: We're optimizing Best Match to surface the inventory most relevant to each buyer and show the best of Auction-style and Fixed Price.

Get more information about these important changes. You're also invited to participate in one of several webinars scheduled for August 20-26.

 

[Sdashiki]

I'd like a Box 'o Cash too...

As far as the "No more checks and money orders." ... I wasn't aware of that, as I haven't used ebay for a few months.

Not until October and not enforced to the letter until January 09

 

[Unspeaked]

Does it prevent you from using Google Checkout or some other form of taking credit cards besides PayPal?

Personally, even with local transactions, I'd never accept a check or money order.

I was under the impression that eBay never allowed Google Checkout for their auctions?

That about sums it up, huh? What other choice do we have?

Just like you said, you either sell, pay the fees and get paid or you sit at home with all your junk and an empty wallet.

I think we'll wait forever and still never see anyone come up with something that can beat ebay for the audience. They will have to fight hard to build a reputation that will convince ebayers to switch over.

Sdashiki, this guy knows exactly what the deal is with eBay.

As he says (and even you point out), there's really no alternative to eBay. They can treat their customers however they want and they have no choice but to take it. Fees and policies are fine, but the rate of increase for fees over the past few years has been ridiculous. And what can a seller do? Either accept it or not sell. That's not really a choice if it's your livelihood, is it?

 

[ZachsMacDaddy]

Not until October and not enforced to the letter until January 09

True. Good thing I only said it was a new policy change and didn't try to say it was a current policy.

Regardless, it's still a major change that will force people to pay using online services. I know some folks who refuse to pay or accept payment using anything but money orders because of their distrust of online services or they just don't want to sign up for anything else.

Personally I hate Money Orders. I have used them, but prefer not to. Those and personal checks are risky. Although PayPal can be risky with some of the scammers out there.

 

[SDLSteve]

Shipping 6lbs Media Mail is a couple of dollars.

And if you can fit things into the flat rate priority boxes its $10-14 at most for any weight.

The textbooks are about 1/4 inch bigger than the flat rate boxes. I was definitely bummed when it wouldn't fit.

I'll look into media mail. THanks for the suggestion.

 

[gregdrummeraz]

How often do reverse transactions happen? Is that a bad thing? What is a way the receiving end of the money can protect them selves from malicious buyers that are stealing.

 

[Sdashiki]

How often do reverse transactions happen? Is that a bad thing? What is a way the receiving end of the money can protect them selves from malicious buyers that are stealing.

Paypal tells you this each and everytime you receive a payment, how to protect yourself.

Depending on the amount you have to take different steps:

At least delivery confirmation ($0.75 USPS, cheaper if done online) or if UPS/FedEx a tracking#.
At most signature confirmation ($2.20 USPS, cheaper if done online) which comes with FedEx/UPS typically.
​

Reverse transactions (where PP takes the $ you have and gives it back to the buyer, basically a refund you didnt authorize) happen when, well, sh*t happens. Typically its when its a high price item, like computers, cameras and the like. If you have what PayPal requires for the item to protect yourself as a seller, youll be fine even if they file a claim. PP will ask for something to prove you did what you were required, and close the dispute.


Problems can arise when:

You get morons bidding on what they cant afford and will try to pull something.
You get hijacked accounts bidding and hoping you won't notice before eBay does, and ship the item anyway.
People notice you didn't protect yourself with delivery confirmation and will use it as a loophole to get a refund through PP.​

Remember ebay is a company, yes, but it doesnt make the auctions, a community of users do. If you communicate and are a good person to your buyers/sellers, you can't go wrong.


A tip from a lesson learned when selling:

always try to sell your item worldwide (well, if its worth someone spending the $$$ to have it shipped to them), this puts it among the searches people run on ebay.ca, ebay.uk etc...and youll get more bids, maybe.

problem with international shipping is with PP of course. To protect yourself, you need a delivery confirmation. Well, international shipping doesnt have the $0.75 sticker and barcode.

So, when shipping intl, always use priority mail. The customs form you fill out has a tracking # you can use to prove it was shipped and received.

I sent something to someone in France 1st class, i know he got it. We emailed back and forth many times about the item and camera stuff in general. But, he used the lack of proof of receipt to basically steal $56 of mine using PP as his b*tch.

 

[topgunn]

Reverse transactions (where PP takes the $ you have and gives it back to the buyer, basically a refund you didnt authorize) happen when, well, sh*t happens. Typically its when its a high price item, like computers, cameras and the like. If you have what PayPal requires for the item to protect yourself as a seller, youll be fine even if they file a claim. PP will ask for something to prove you did what you were required, and close the dispute.

And what happens when the person who bought your $1500 iMac tells PayPal that you sent them a brick in a box? PayPal tells them to return the brick in a box and then they get their money back.

This is why I will never sell another high-dollar item with PayPal again (except to Macrumors users perhaps).