Ebay is too controlling True or False?

[disneyfanatic1515]

I am a member of 10+ years here and Im feeling like I dont even own my stuff I sell. The fees are getting too high, dont have any control of my listings with them adding best offers when they feel like it or charging shipping fees on top of already high shipping prices to ship our items, my fees are based on their messed up grading system and much more like no protection for us. REALLY@@!! I have ended all my listings and refuse to sell here anymore until who ever owns EBAY understands all you are doing is hosting our stuff and should charge only for that, paypal is a separate entity and does charge a small fee for their part, but it is within reason!!! We are not in school and dont need to be graded for higher fees, on stuff we own. All you need to do is host and add the paypal link in the ad. Thats it.

[sharingtheland]

OP did not state or ask anything about "low/no sales" or ask for a critique of her/his listings.   The post was about the control(s) that OP perceives ebay places on sellers.

[nawlinsron2]

At the end of the day, ebay, for better or worse, is not forcing you to stay.
I'm not wild about the changes either...I'm giving up TRS+ next month because voluntary free shipping doesn't fit my wheelhouse.
And I'm no longer listing items over $100 unless it's a consignment.

[disneyfanatic1515]

Exactly, as if......

[sharingtheland]

What nawlins said.   I have some items I will continue to list because this place has/had a good track record for visibility in the particular categories.

I'm not, however, even trying to keep up with the recent changes.  I've never had TRS+ listings (2-day handling) so that doesn't matter to me.  As far as the returns, I have just a few but all but one buyer (bless his heart) has claimed some type of issue and I've paid return shipping.

I use other places for highly priced items and if I wasn't so weary of it all, I'd do a better job of getting my lower priced items elsewhere.  Somehow, it just seems easier right now to donate it all and use those giant Ikea cabinets for things other than mailers and items that are now too heavy to pay shipping both ways.   I am definitely in the Seen By Buyers On The Other Coast selling zone.  

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I would think to both buyers AND Ebay that the whole selling experience belongs to Ebay and you as the seller just provide the item and the effort to write it up. You are renting space on a thriving and dependable marketplace. Ebay brings all the buyers and considers them to be their customers. They only want "subcontractors" who treat the Ebay customers well.

You can be a subcontractor or you can forge out and build your own worldwide brand and website. That's what I did. If Ebay doesn't work for you, make your own business happen.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@disneyfanatic1515 wrote:

Exactly really why should any of this **bleep** matter? Its mine and all they do is host the ad. If you havent looked at my feedback already Im 100% that means im an honest seller who makes sure my product reaches you, not EBAY!! See our world is commercialized bad!! Who cares what I sell and what its worth to me or the buyer, you have a choice to either buy or move on, im not forcing nothing on no one, but Im being forced by EBAY is all im saying!!

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OP, I totally understand what you are saying and why you are upset.  I never said you were not honest.  Just that sadly there may be dishonest buyers and sellers.  Having the Best Offer placed without their control or consent has many sellers upset; you are not the only one~and I understand why they feel like that.  I only suggested that with ten years here, you might want to stay here and work around the things that you don't like.  But of course, you don't have to.  You can do whatever makes you happy, including not selling here.  

[dirk12955]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

I would think to both buyers AND Ebay that the whole selling experience belongs to Ebay and you as the seller just provide the item and the effort to write it up. You are renting space on a thriving and dependable marketplace. Ebay brings all the buyers and considers them to be their customers. They only want "subcontractors" who treat the Ebay customers well.

You can be a subcontractor or you can forge out and build your own worldwide brand and website. That's what I did. If Ebay doesn't work for you, make your own business happen.

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Yes!   Exactly!

[disneyfanatic1515]

Thats my point its our product, I have been and love selling on Ebay and being able to send my items all around the world but dang enough is enough with the rules on things that we own. And being made to feel like we failed an exam so we get higher fees thrown at us. Im here to make a few dollars on things I have not being used basically like flea market things and its just becoming no fun anymore!!  I probably buy more than I sell but dang everytime I turn around its something else with them. I didnt use to do returns, I didnt ship around the world, I didnt do best offers, and I didnt offer free shipping, I understand they are trying to reach something, but dont do it thru other people by making it look like oh yeah, everybody is on board and loves the new ebay and policies. They force it or change the website to make you comply. Just have way too many rules now and honestly I dont know why, ebay is an online flea market not a retailer like walgreens, walmart, sears, etc.

[pingpong517]

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@disneyfanatic1515 wrote:

I am a member of 10+ years here and Im feeling like I dont even own my stuff I sell. The fees are getting too high, dont have any control of my listings with them adding best offers when they feel like it or charging shipping fees on top of already high shipping prices to ship our items, my fees are based on their messed up grading system and much more like no protection for us. REALLY@@!! I have ended all my listings and refuse to sell here anymore until who ever owns EBAY understands all you are doing is hosting our stuff and should charge only for that, paypal is a separate entity and does charge a small fee for their part, but it is within reason!!! We are not in school and dont need to be graded for higher fees, on stuff we own. All you need to do is host and add the paypal link in the ad. Thats it. Please everyone stop selling here till this place thinks about its controlling policies for stuff they dont even own!!! 

IS that really all they do? 

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[disneyfanatic1515]

Why should We have to be graded period this is an online flea market not COLLEGE!! Im so glad you are happy with your monthly bill to them, I personally think for that kind of money for you I would have my own store for real.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Sellers are graded when they disappoint customers. If you break their rules and disappoint customers they raise your fees and give you a chance to fix your account. If you don't, you lose your privileges.

You can look at Ebay any way you want. What matters is how Ebay and the buyers look at Ebay. A great way to buy stuff and get what they pay for. 

If you start your own site, better only take checks since the credit card rules will be just as strict as Ebay's rules.

[ymeagainlord]

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@keziak wrote:

I mostly sell on Amazon where the fees are much higher so I am philosophical about it here. But beyond that ebay is intrusive into how we run our businesses and it gets tiresome. I kept sucking up the new requirements for Top Rated + until the latest: must have free returns. Sorry, not going there. Nope. 

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I think they might find they finally managed to find the tipping point where sellers abandon TRS Plus

[tunicaslot · Accepted solution]

Let's be fair tho - sellers are also being graded by buyers who just don't get their way and will lie to get back at a seller. I only have a 1.06 return rate ( knock on wood! ) and for the most part - I have honest buyers who admit they made a mistake as far as sizing. But.... I've seen an increase in false SNADs or neg/ neutral feedback because I won't give them a partial - just had one last week.

Other sites are booming and have no where near the regulations that Ebay has. Are there scam buyers elsewhere - absolutely - but I haven't run into one yet. In fact the one site makes the buyer prove the reason for the return and only gives them 3 days from the date of delivery to do so - and yet buyers comply. There is no money back guarentee - prove an item is not as described and then we'll think about letting you return it.

I love Ebay - but the MBG is only keeping bad buyers here - honest buyers are looking for a good product at a good price and will buy it where ever they find it.

[djmovers99]

True, but life gets much easier when you realize and accept the fact that they do not want small sellers here anymore.  I agree, but unfortunately it is eBay not DJBay, so they do what they want, not what I want.  I know they would have no problem with my leaving.  I respect whatever you decide to do, however, just remember that by quiting, you may be giving them what they want!

Good luck to us!

DJ

[disneyfanatic1515]

Exactly!! But man Ebay has to somehow go the extra mile for the sellers we are the ones who have to deal with these crazy buyers and their crazy demands.