Why would a founding member leave? Why would one close their account?

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

I'm categorized as a founding a member. I've been with eBay since: Jan-01-00. I have a 98.5% satisfaction rating. he big question is; Why would I leave eBay after almost 20 years of selling?

A little about me

I am a seller who runs this part time from home as a side business. I do not sell in large scale typically 200 to 300 sales a year. Grossing between $1500 to $5000. ***Both these number's  have declined over time. Recently eBay bumped my free sales per month to 200 then called and asked if I was going to list more items. I told them I was and started to but...

I keep asking myself; Why am I still here?  Especially with falling sales margins and dwindling numbers? The answers are few;

1.) History mostly I've been here for a long time and have adabpted to the changes. I sell across catagories, From Comic Books to Computers and anything else of value. Heck I've evan sold a Ford Taurus wagon many years ago.

2.) When I've used other sites I've not had as much success. bonanza brought me a whopping 5 sales in the last 5 years. Not really worth it there. Unless I pay a monthly subscription. And cannot afford it as my margins are tight and don't leave much room for extra fees.

Overtime I have tried some of the extra fee items with a mixed bag of results. Example; eBay's advertising option which has helped but not so much as to make it worthwhile.

I also donate to some of my favorite charities directly through eBay via sales.

So what is the nail in this coffin? More to the point the direct question; Why would I leave eBay after almost 20 years of selling?

eBay's forcing sellers into their poorly designed single stream payment method. I do not have a lot of working capital to wait 2 business days for eBay to send me my money. I've had 6 sales so far this month and 4 of them within the last 24 hours. Today is the 15th of November and well into the Christmas selling season. eBay's single payer system will force me to ship an item I that has not been paid for and wait 2 business days. This does not support my working business model.

I'm not naive I know eventually every buyer and seller will all be forced to use only eBay payments. eBay dropped PayPal and is going to this method to keep more of our cash as processing fees. When that happens my days of buying\selling on eBay are over.

I wonder how the masses will respond?

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

This is not my primary career I sell on the side to boost my income. eBay is making it more of a hassle than it's worth.

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

Buyers do but, sellers do not have the option you have to change to a checking account in order to continue selling on ebay. That is what I meant

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

Actually I keep reserves that's not the issue. Perhaps we sellers became to "spoiled" with the instant access to our funds via paypal

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

I actually do and founding member for my status means that I have been buying\selling on ebay since almost its inception

[cedar_brewed_bourbon]

Could be only time will tell

[oceanlites]

Yep same here...been selling since 99 and should have probably bought stock so I could recoup some of my money back from them if nothing else but from that! Sheesh. What a hose job. I think what I am MOST disagreeable about is the handing over of personal info like.... my ss # for starters !!They say they " need" that so when I hit 20k they can turn my butt into the government for tax deductions.........hahahaha...I will NEVER hit that mark.. EVER. So why not just target those hefty sellers and ESPECIALLY  the ones from overseas your SO fond of ebay??? I am not so dang sure I feel comfortable  just handing this info over so readily when so many companies like yours get so easily hacked. Then you want access to a bank account....seriously.  Meanwhile you say I have till the 9th of this month to give you this info ..yet you are withholding ( illegally i am sure)money I earned from my sales . I bet I am not the only one either.

[oceanlites]

I think we should get stock options.

[mam98031]

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@oceanlites wrote:

I think we should get stock options.

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Why, we aren't employees?  We can, you can purchase Ebay stock whenever you want to.

[mam98031]

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@cedar_brewed_bourbon wrote:

Founding members are defined as members that have been on eBay since early on. I received my founding member notice \ discount last year 2019

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@cedar_brewed_bourbon 

What is a "founding member notice / discount"?

[tdrake]

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@mam98031 wrote:

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@cedar_brewed_bourbon wrote:

Founding members are defined as members that have been on eBay since early on. I received my founding member notice \ discount last year 2019

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@cedar_brewed_bourbon 

What is a "founding member notice / discount"?

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Good question... what is a "founding member notice/discount"? 

[kythrill]

I'm not sure why someone who joined in 2000 would be a "founding member".  I joined in 1998, and there are many who joined earlier than me.  So why would 2000 make you a founding member. 

Seems like some fake marketing **bleep** they told you to make you feel good...

[Anonymous]

Now, it takes four-five days to see your money.  In a year or less, the payouts will be once a month.  It's all about squeezing every penny from us.  I, too, will be pulling the plug on or before January 31st.  I, too, am a founding member, August 1999.

[mam98031]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Now, it takes four-five days to see your money.  In a year or less, the payouts will be once a month.  It's all about squeezing every penny from us.  I, too, will be pulling the plug on or before January 31st.  I, too, am a founding member, August 1999.

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It is actually 1-4 days once the transfer is sent.  Mine arrive next day as they do for many sellers.  It will however depend on your bank.  Smaller more local banks may take longer.

MP fees did not increase our fees paid.

[firesteel_surplus]

I didn't read ALL the replies, but I've been here since 1997. I should own the company by now or at least be on first name basis with the board members.

Edit: Dang...found someone who was here when it was called AuctionWeb then changed to ebay. They even have me beat.

Mike

Firesteel Surplus

[blackforestcuckooclockrepair]

I have already moved most of my stuff off eBay to another auction site and likewise to one of 6 websites I own 

I downsized my store and that extra money will go to the other auction site I dropped from 325 items listed to 65 and stopped all international business 

I just started and things ran smoothly for months with paypal 

I have stopped buying I have great feedback and built a great base with buyers now days gone by

People here locally are going to stop buying on eBay - most are going to do shows again regardless of the virus

Shows here Antique and train you have to wear a mask  

I've made enough posts you asked about the mass's I have a restoration business and sell mainly rare items so many will just follow me anyways 

Good luck to all of you I limited to just a few things and if things do not change I'll be gone as well 

Stay Safe