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?

[treasure_hunter_68]

Hi! I was been rubbed by buyer. After 45 days since after receiving, buyer request money return for  item outside of eBay. Bad enough buyer request was out of return period, they didn't contacted me at all for return, went straight to Paypal. No pictures proof either was provided that item was damaged. I spoke to eBay customer service right away and he assure me not to worry, I will win this case and if not, eBay will step up. Today I found out that buyer was awarded my money without return of item, eBay sent money to them and on my today's call to them, representative told me that eBay doesn't provide any protection to the seller!!!!! I just need to move on, he said! It is Paypal took my money from my account, he said! Even I am top rated seller and was working hard to keep it that way, I am thinking of moving away from eBay, if this will not be taking care of. I am so disappointed with company! Used to be fair and safe to sell here, but I don't feel this anymore.

[forward-motion]

Founding member? Ok. Any who, I too have been here about that long. THE ONLY reason I would close up shop is I could not make money anymore. I have changed what I sell and how I sell over the years. I have found that this works for me. When I go to sold items, you know things are selling. I then need to figure out how to get them to buy from me and make a profit. 

[jda11121]

"People here locally are going to stop buying on eBay" You know how long we have been hearing that nonsense.

[downunder-61]

12 month old thread

[kh-ornesh]

Hi everyone,

Due to the length of time that has passed since this thread began, we have locked it from future replies. If this is still an issue that warrants discussion, don't hesitate to begin a new thread HERE.

Thanks.