How much longer before eBay wakes up and reverses GTC?? How much damage has to be done??

[micsett-99]

I've just read a few posts where ebay CS has now been telling people who call to complain about the new GTC mandate and to close or downgrade their stores - that GTC is not a permanent change yet, and ebay is still taking feedback about it.

So if this is true (which there's no way to know), I think its important that all of us who are being affected by this negatively?  Keep posting here about it, and keep calling customer service, etc..

I'm really wondering though how long this is going to have continue before enough is enough?  How many businesses will have to lay people off, how many will actually go out of business on ebay?  How much destruction are they going to allow here??  

Personally for me?  This whole fiasco has been like watching a train wreck happen..I absolutely knew this was  going to kill my business, as soon as it was announced the few months before they made the change official..

Sure enough?  As soon as this "change' hit?  My sales plummeted, and have stayed basically in the toilet...Items that I had that were selling in 2 days without fail??  Now are taking 10 - 20 days to sell, and all the while its just a race to the bottom on price and profits...

I'm sorry but this is insanity all around. 

When a platform implements a sweeping change like this, that actually slows sales velocity to a crawl, while forcing sellers to lose money because they now have to go on a downward spiral in price along with everyone other seller on the site?  You no longer have a healthy, productive marketplace..

When you are forced to use a listing tool duration that was designed SPECIFICALLY for LONG TERM STORE inventory items, where sellers have A TON of one item sku to sell?  To list a one off unique item a seller will never have twice??  You no longer have a healthy, productive marketplace..

When you have THOUSANDS of sellers up in arms about this change, which is actively destroying their sales and businesses? And the platforms response to these sellers who are going crazy because they are going out of business is: "WE feel that this is the best way to increase item exposure, and provide sellers with the greatest sales velocity possible" ..I'm sorry but you no longer have a healthy, productive marketplace..

The bottom line here is that we were all sold a false bill of goods here folks.  GTC does not increase sales "velocity", it DECREASES it, drastically.  If you aren't selling a lot of one item?  You have absolutely ZERO need for GTC, and it was not designed for your items.  That's the bottom line here. 

So this is my 2 cents, and I will continue posting things like this to speak my opinion.  If you and your business and livelihood is being adversely affected by this as well?  I would encourage you to let ebay know too and keep posting..

The only sane thing I have heard here yet in regards to GTC is that they may change it if sellers keep complaining..

Again though we have to wonder how much damage will be done before that happens, if it in fact does happen.

So keep speaking your minds everyone..It seems like it might be the only shot we have to end this GTC nightmare...

[vtcomm]

I agree 100%. I used to turn inventory over in a matter of days. I now have items that have been sitting for 2 weeks. I am using other channels to sell the majority of my inventory until they fix this. I can't believe they did not poll us to get our input on this drastic change. I asked them why they did not seek Top Seller input and they told me that some decisions are based on data. Maybe they will make a change once they see the revenue from fees has dropped because of this. 

[mr_lincoln]

@micsett-99   wrote: " ... I'm really wondering though how long this is going to have continue before enough is enough? ..."

___________________________________________________-

The short answer is early May, that is when Mr. Tempkin advised eBay would make further announcements about GTC ...

I think a lot depends on what one is selling, I'm giving it 3 months ... prior to the GTC mandate going live I looked at Jan thru Mar sales = 54% Auction and 46% Fixed price.  Over the next 3 months those numbers will either remain constant, increase or decrease.  3 weeks in to April and the numbers are 56% Auction and 44% GTC - Fixed Price but the month is not over ... and the % numbers are not that far off.    On the other hand, dollar volume is running a little behind but I think that has more to do with Tax season ending and Easter weekend.

[evry1nositswindy]

I posted to several of these threads before the GTC started.  Here is what I am experiencing now that we are a month into it.  

It’s more work and yet it’s less work.  More work because I have to count how many will renew and match that up with what I have left in my free listings.  I also have to decide if it is something I want to renew or not.  Less work because with more renewing, I have to list fewer new items.  Great plan…she said sarcastically.

I'm making the best of it, adapting as we sellers have to every few months when the new rules come out.

[lightlily_arts]

This is the stupidest thing they have done.  I generally only have one of an item.   When listings end after 30 days I decide whether to change my price or the type of listing.  Depending on how long I've been trying to sell it I might just pull  it too. This type of listing format is not for us small sellers

[Anonymous]

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@pburn wrote:

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@micsett-99 wrote:

So keep speaking your minds everyone..It seems like it might be the only shot we have to end this GTC nightmare...

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I believe eBay representatives have already addressed the notion that the new GTC policy might be reversed in the April 17th Weekly Chat:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Weekly-Chat-with-eBay-Staff/Community-Chat-April-17-1-00-pm-PT-General...

@Anonymous 

Is there anything you'd like to add to your April 17th response to this member? 

Would you like to respond to the rumor that customer service representatives are telling members the GTC might be reversed if sellers express their dislike of the policy?

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Hi @pburn, it looks like the response you are linking to is from tyler@ebay, but I can confirm that we believe this is change is beneficial for our sellers and there are no plans to reverse it. We of course are open to feedback from our Community and will work to help our seller's navigate change. The majority of the concerns we've received from our sellers on this change are rooted in misconceptions we believe will be cleared up from experience. Some are concerned that this will negatively impact sales and traffic, when in fact we have reason to believe quite the opposite.

[frenchblueshutters]

Im Sorry It Does NOT WORK Like That for My Sales, I Tweaked it for Years and FOUND WHAT WORKS FOR ME, It May Work For You, But I Guarantee It Doesn't work for MANY Selling One of a Kind Items. ALL GTC Did was Create More WATCHERS I KNOW what worked FOR MY OWN BUSINESS, I Perfected it Over Years. 7 Day Durations is What Sells, Sometimes Right after Listing and Other Times towards the End of 7 Days Some in the Middle of the 7 Days. They DID NOT KNOW If I would Relist. I HAD BUYERS and Questions and People Making Offers. With GTC I Have NONE of That. And You Know I can Wait 7 Days on Items It Beats 30 Days all to Heck. GTC Does NOT Work for one of a Kind Sellers. I Refuse to Drink the koolaid when People Say It Works Good For Us. It Does NOT. I and I alone Know How to Run My Business. I Don't Have Tank Tops in 150 Colors and Sizes for 99 Cents and Free Shipping from China, I Sell Antiques and Vintage Collectibles only have 1 of Each, and will Have No More. GTC is Absolutely the WORST Thing Ebay Has EVER Done to Loyal Sellers. PERIOD!! I Have Done 7 Day Durations for Years and It is NOT More Time Consuming. It Is My Business I Spend Time on My Business. Guess What they are Watching not Buying, They KNOW THEY HAVE TIME. I have Things on My Watch List from 2 Years ago.. When It Goes there I Might Be Interested But Mostly I Forget about it, Because I Found New Listings or Something about to End. I RARELY Buy off my Watch List. I am a Buyer Too as Well as a Seller. GTC Is Way More Time Consuming and Useless Unless You are a Bulk Seller. They cannot Say it works for all as it DOES NOT.

[stumblebumble]

I just relisted an item from GTC to 7-day auction. It had 6 views 5 seconds after I hit the relist button. We all know that is unlikely. Then at about 10 seconds it was up to 9 views. Very unlikely.

[lindyslucky]

It appears that the view count has been quick to tick up on all the new listings I have done as well.

 I have read about this in the last few days on the boards.

Some sellers have crazy high views.

It's quite obviously not correct. 

Usually the "bots" do one or two views on a new item.

Wonder what's up with this? 

[kensgiftshop]

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@kittykat.949 wrote:
You are so wrong---I commend micsett99---Obviously He/she is fighting for the survival of their business & at the same time micsett99 is beating the drum trying to wake up the complacent & clueless masses

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I understand some sellers are upset about the change.

What I don't understand, is he said that most of his items sold in 2 days.

If his items sold in 2 days after listing, GTC should not have any effect on his sales.

[this*old*attic]

What do you not understand?

Even if you don’t agree with Ebay’s assertions that the GTC change will ultimately increase visibility (and therefore sales)...

1. It is not anyone’s “right” to have or use any particular type or duration of listing.

2. People using the short durations were getting better visibility and search boosts compared to other options. This evens out the playing field.

[this*old*attic]

What urgency?

Everyone knows nothing is rare anymore. It isn’t 2002 any more. Another will come along. Heck, it might even be concurrently listed.

[this*old*attic]

When 3,5,7 and 10 day buyers see the same items again and again, they think nothing new gets listed on Ebay

[kensgiftshop]

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@frenchblueshutters wrote:
With GTC Buyers See It Over and Over and Over There is NO Urgency to Buy At All. None. ANYONE Who Says it Works for One Of a Kind Items is Purely Delusional.. The Items HAVE MANY LOOKIE LOOS NOT BUYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Buyers don't see it over and over with GTC unless they are looking for it.

When buyers see it over and over is when the same item is listed every 3, 5 and 7 days.

If you have an item that a buyer is interested in, they will find it and buy it if they want, doesn't matter how long it's been listed.

[bigdeals.etc]

[micsett-99]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

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Yeah, I guess pigs were flying too when they walked back the "14 day Sale Mandate" due to seller outcry and backlash...So yeah this is REALLY funny and productive...Are you a stand up comedian as well?  Just curious because clearly you are quite gifted in the realm "comedy"....