eBay

scene.of.the.crop · ‎01-23-2018

Hi, everyone!

We’ve posted our next installment in “The Modern Buyer” blog series where we are exploring the current global shopping habits of the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1980)—two generational groups that pioneered eBay in 1995. As part of our four-part blog series that started earlier this month, we’re continuing to dive deep into the shopping experience today’s buyers expect, and what this means for eBay sellers. Let us know how are you thinking about the direction for your business in the short and long term as it relates to new buying behaviors.

I’m Jennifer Deal, eBay Seller Marketing Manager, and I’ll be popping in and out of this thread to answer your questions over the next couple of days. We also did a Facebook Live discussion on this topic, be sure to check it out:

Join the discussion below!

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

@retrose1 wrote:
What happened to the perfectly good discussion that went on about this a week ago? Asking again will not change the opinions that were posted before. The bad posts could have been edited out and we could have gone back to ignoring it.

With all due respect, retrose, that discussion was on the first installment of the series and had a different topic. It was closed, I believe, because it was felt to have garnered enough responses. This is the second installment and focuses on Baby Boomers and Gen X.

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

This is a good idea during a transaction. But contacting buyers post sale, after that transaction has concluded, about other merchandise you may have is spamming your customer, which is a violation. And buyers can and have reported sellers for that.

This is a general response and directed at you, Sherry.

golfingaddict · ‎01-23-2018

Who is the writer of this blog?

Do they have an expertise in selling on ebay or just writing a blog?

They pulled a lot of quotes and information from other blogs.

For example, one from a blog on the chain store retail site talks about baby boomers and loyalty but that article also said At 84%, baby boomers easily topped all survey groups in saying they prefer to shop in-store.

Yes.. In store...

And baby boomers are transitioning into retirement and near retirement. They are downsizing and are more likely to become sellers on ebay than to start buying a bunch of stuff. The accumulation over the years is not necessarily wanted by their children and grandchildren.

What experience does the blogger bring to ebay? I'm just thinking that ebay gave her some talking points and she found some quotes that fit that. (good feedback, low prices, sales events, promotions)

bubbleman2010 · ‎01-23-2018

mist those articles were written about the internet as a whole not about ebay. The majority of the info supplied doesn't apply to selling on ebay its a whole different world and trying to apply anything from those articles to your selling on ebay can result in a ton of headaches...

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

@jason_incognito wrote:
As a gen x that was around near the start of eBay, the biggest peeve I have is horrible descriptions.

I don't need a 6 page explanation, but a title and a pic with 2 words just doesn't do it for me.

Sellers can keep their tirades and threats, but they really need to do a better job of actually describing what they're selling and learn how to take measurements. If I want to buy a jacket, XL won't cut it. Pull out the measuring tape and give me the real measurements.

Some just say, see pictures.

golfingaddict · ‎01-23-2018

And just because I can throw this out here...

I do not want long drawn out interaction with buyers. I don't want to chit chat or exchange multiple emails.

I want to sell my items.

If I want to socialize I got out with friends or have friends over.

It seems that socializing through member to member messages is just asking for trouble anymore. eBay has removed most of our ability to interact with buyers and warn us if a buyer says the wrong word. I don't want emails anymore. I do not want to risk my account over the "wrong wording" by a buyer.

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

@mistwomandancing wrote:
What eBay sellers can do: Appeal to these deal-motivated buyers by increasing your sales events, or adding more discount features throughout the year. And since we just learned that this generation also values a more personal shopping interaction, make an effort to connect with your customers on an individual level when you can.

LOL The above is so very funny, so very eBay. In actuality, sellers now are being discouraged from discussion with eBay buyers by eBay bot actions that are mindless. You don't start sending out warning messages about off-eBay transactions when there has been absolutely NO discussion of that subject... and then on the other hand indicate today's buyers WANT interaction. Yeah..... no, thanks, eBay. Just don't feel courageous enough to take the chance of walking through the hot coals of eBay messages, knowing that the bots are reading our mail and can easily misconstrue what they are spying on.

Ebay is not trustworthy, so safer to disregard their advice on this subject, since they have a way of making you sorry. We've read too many posts here from sellers who have been warned, who did nothing wrong to warrant receiving that warning. (You raise your hand to a kid often enough, you condition his response of shying away!!!)

It hasn't been very long since sellers were given automatic 5-Stars for NOT communicating with buyers, which we were told at that time was (somehow) construed to mean the transaction was having a problem!!!

Mist, I have read that some sellers are disabling customer communication in fears of sanctions.

nawlinsron2 · ‎01-23-2018

"What eBay sellers can do: Provide top-notch customer service and products. When your brand treats these customers well, they are more likely to return the favor with repeat business."

OK...I'm retired, have a 4-year degree (took a mite longer), and I may be stupid, ignorant, or both.
BUT....the above makes ZERO sense. Individual sellers on ebay have an ID/reputation. None to my knowledge has a "brand".
So...in the context above...what does "brand" mean?

mistwomandancing · ‎01-23-2018

bubbleman2010 wrote:
mist those articles were written about the internet as a whole not about ebay. The majority of the info supplied doesn't apply to selling on ebay its a whole different world and trying to apply anything from those articles to your selling on ebay can result in a ton of headaches...

????? What articles? You must be replying to somebody else.....

jason_incognito · ‎01-23-2018

eBay wants you to meet your buyer on facebook, and then refer them over here to buy the stuff.

But why involve eBay if I'm doing all the work out there socializing?

"Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything" Colin Kaepernick the new face of NIKE

bubbleman2010 · ‎01-23-2018

mist I figured you read the little click articles in the posting they go into great detail about information they have gathered,but it mostly applies to the internet overall has very little bearing on ebays site...

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

@castlemagicmemories wrote:
This is a good idea during a transaction. But contacting buyers post sale, after that transaction has concluded, about other merchandise you may have is spamming your customer, which is a violation. And buyers can and have reported sellers for that.

This is a general response and directed at you, Sherry.

Just want to add you also up your chances of the bots finding your messages inappropriate and earning a suspension, which can be up to and including indefinite as in permanently.

odditiesandantiquities1 · ‎01-23-2018

I guess I read that before the edit.

Well I can for one say that not one single customer in the years I have been selling have ever had an issue with my contacting them. I guess it's all about the relationship you form with them on the first purchase.

odditiesandantiquities1 · ‎01-23-2018

@scene.of.the.crop

Can you clarify that eBay is OK with positive communication with customers post sale is ok, as long as they have no problem with it?

Thanks so much.

castlemagicmemories · ‎01-23-2018

@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@castlemagicmemories wrote:
This is a good idea during a transaction. But contacting buyers post sale, after that transaction has concluded, about other merchandise you may have is spamming your customer, which is a violation. And buyers can and have reported sellers for that.

This is a general response and directed at you, Sherry.
Just want to add you also up your chances of the bots finding your messages inappropriate and earning a suspension, which can be up to and including indefinite as in permanently.

You may never know how many buyers who don't tell you that they find your messages inappropriate but Ebay may certainly get an earful, which is then on your account.