Back to Basics

[klassic*kids]

eBay was once the king of auctions: That's what built the site's name,  that was the ingenious of it all.  Now with 'buy it nows' eBay has lost it's lacklustre and has become just another ecommerce lost in the shuffle of amongst countless others.  

Am I the only one who believes eBay should get back to the basics and become an auction site again?  Do you believe that could/would build the site back up again and make a marked improvement in sales?

[klassic*kids]

@retrose1  Rose, what you say about search results and manipulations and the cultviated "mall shoppers" makes a lot of sense.  I see this differently now.  

I also think what you say here: "When internet shopping was new, people were willing to try and do anything to get in on the trendy stuff, just so they could brag that they got it on ebay" makes a ton of sense as well.

Thanks.

[mr_lincoln]

@klassic*kids  Great thread & a lot of good replies.  I think it depends on what one is selling.  I prefer auctions but am primarily in collectible categories.  On a few occasions buyers have messaged me asking if I can add the BIN feature ... I know they are thinking more just to buy it immediately and not the 30% adder for the BIN option on Auction listings.  Anyway, if the item has no watchers I at times am willing to let them know if they bid I can end the item, accept their bid, etc.  If it is something I know or think will bid up I decline to end it early.

[whimseys*]

The way I see it is…ebay’s buyers/customers are their sellers. We pay to list, FVFs including the unethical shipping FVF and jump through their hoops. TRS 20% cut in half—is that the way to treat your best customers?

Our buyers are our customers. Just think if we treated our buyers the way ebay treats theirs. They’d be gone. (Well, ebay has the Chinese market that they bend over backward for.) I think ebay is loosing sellers daily because of this.

Ebay needs to take care of their customers and let the sellers take care of theirs.

Yes, ebay also needs to decide if they want to be a little Amazon want-a-be or the giant they once were. If it’s the latter, they better start making good solid decision that will help their buyers—the sellers.

I buy and sell a particular vintage collectible using both auctions and BINs. Ebay has the best selection in my category. I’ve looked at other sites and there is no comparison to selection. So ebay is a good venue for me.

JMO

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

@whimseys*

YOU may see it that way but Ebay doesn't and I don't. Ebay is a brand. The buyers are the customers of the brand. The sellers are also customers but more like licensed providers. People say "I bought it on Ebay". They don't say "I bought it from seller xyz".

BTW I also don't agree that the shipping FVF is unethical. If it didn't exist they would charge more on the item price and the shipping bandits would flourish. If you're selling an orange ball for $10 why does it matter how much of the $10 comes from the shipping charge? If a seller sells a ball for $10 total price the fees should be the same whether they charge actual shipping, S&H or offer "free" shipping.

The newer generations (in general) do not want the collectibles and gewgaws that made Ebay the great it once was. Life moves on. People change.