eBay

desertratmotosports · ‎04-03-2017

So sales slowed down past few weeks right, no big deal. Some times it consumer confidence fluxuations, weather, events, seasons, etc... Since I'm full-time business as some of you are or even serious part-time I keep a keen observations on listing performance and competition. It's common for me to search my own products logged in and not logged in. I used the promoted listing feature on most products at a low rate, pay to play I guess. I get a few sales via this system, but not consistent, no big deal.

This is where it gets interesting. So a drop in sales(20%) and a uptick in promoted listing sales, that's odd usually it is linearly correlated (Mathematics background, yes I use stats with my business). I do a search of products that are using the promoted listing system and turns out, only the promoted (Sponsored) listing shows up in the search results. The native listing are nowhere to be found. So I conduct a search of items that are not apart of the promoted listing program. These listings show up as normal and none of which are apart of the rolling blackout. While it's no secret and apart of the user agreement that eBay can control when listings can be shown. Kind of irks you at first, but it's their business and service, I'll give them that part. However, eliminating all my native listings and only showing promoted listings to ensure conversion of the promoted listing program is....a bit sketchy and dabbling a grey area of fleecing your sellers.

Thoughts? Not intended to bash eBay by this post. I never been done wrong by CSR and I have conducting many sales through eBay. I mean, from a business perspective, if this is how it's going work, would it behoove of me to cancel promoted listings?

d-k_treasures · ‎04-06-2017

@ryanrobyn wrote:
Are they supposed to call you back. If so don't hold your breath. After selling for about 1 3 years I have NEVER received a promised call back. Ebay reps don't know what a promise is and only tell people that to get them off their back.

Sure they do - they think it's a butter alternative .............

_____________________________
"Nothing is obvious to the oblivious"

Anonymous · ‎04-06-2017

@dhbookds wrote:

that's good news Trinton, I trust you will let people know when it's fixed? And do the "subset" who were impacted have to get on a list to get the credit or do you have the info? Probably would save some questions if it were to be put on the Current System Status board?

@Anonymous

We will definitely keep you posted as soon as we hear this issue is resolved. No additional action will be needed by those impacted, we'll be able to see this on our end and work to get you credited. Overall the information we have now is that only a small portion of sellers have been impacted, but I'll be sure to communicate with the team that updates the System Status board for any necessary communications!

dhbookds · ‎04-06-2017

I'll be sure to communicate with the team that updates the System Status board for any necessary communications!

yep, that's the answer I expected.........and it's always a "small" group with the problems that can't find the answers...........because you put ONE post on ONE thread (for which we thank you).........

dhbookds · ‎04-06-2017

@Anonymous

My apologies, you did answer the one on the tech board..still one on Powersellers, if you want to address it............

Anonymous · ‎04-06-2017

Totally fine, I completely understand how tech issues that cause an upset in your business feel far from small. I tried searching for all the threads that referenced this issue but looks like I missed one! Happy to go comment over there as well!

mallontown · ‎04-06-2017

@Anonymous wrote:
@dhbookds wrote:
that's good news Trinton, I trust you will let people know when it's fixed? And do the "subset" who were impacted have to get on a list to get the credit or do you have the info? Probably would save some questions if it were to be put on the Current System Status board?
@Anonymous
We will definitely keep you posted as soon as we hear this issue is resolved. No additional action will be needed by those impacted, we'll be able to see this on our end and work to get you credited. Overall the information we have now is that only a small portion of sellers have been impacted, but I'll be sure to communicate with the team that updates the System Status board for any necessary communications!

Hi Trinton,

Thanks for the update. I have done many searches since I became aware of this problem and in all cases, 100%, I could not find 1 seller who has a promoted listing that is showing up correctly with both the original listing and the "SPONSERED" listing both on the best match sort page.

So when you say small subset I did not see that to be the case. Others on this board have stated the same. Can you tell us what this small subset is in percentage terms?

"If you found my reply useful, please give it a Helpful.

If my response assisted in resolving your question, please click Accept as Solution."

nana-nana-boo-boo

moondogblues · ‎04-07-2017

"Sure wish the 'jump to last post read' was fixed ...."

Boy howdy, no kiddin'!

Anonymous · ‎04-07-2017

I don't have percentages to supply publicly but assure you we are working on a fix for this as soon as possible and will make sure that appropriate credits are given to all members impacted. Once I get an update, I'll be sure to share it with everyone!

bigdeals.etc · ‎04-07-2017

I never even knew eBay even replies to these threads anymore. I've been following this for awhile, had promoted listings since 2015. I wondered why sales has been so low lately. I've turned off all my promoted listings and it seems sales is slowly rising again. Thanks to the OP for his huge effort into this issue. I appreciate it.

desertratmotosports · ‎04-07-2017

Hey no problem. I use software to that pulls raw data, tracks sales, where sales are going, catagories, trends, etc over various sites including my own page. If my sales so much as sneeze, I will know and can see the data. So when I conducted the investigation, I wasn't basing it off emotion or hunches, but actual observational data.

Some sellers based on the replies, acted as if I punched their mother in the mouth by claiming that there was a glitch in the eBay matrix. Emotional attachment can obscure critical business decisions. I like eBay, but you have to babysit it as the variables are always changing. The scams keep you on your toes and your always adding to library of recognizing shenanigans. I run my business by the philosophy, money talks and bull **bleep** walks. If the service I'm payng for out of my own business capital isn't performing, I trim the fat...nothing personal, just business. I turned off the promotions, sales drastically up on eBay. It will take a few days for buyers to see it, recognize your product, add to watch, and convert into a sale. Good luck!

bigdeals.etc · ‎04-07-2017

So a seller friend of mine (not me) received an email from ebay today:

"We are contacting you about a recent technical issue related to our promoted listings advertising service. On March 31, we made some updates to our marketplace platform that inadvertently affected your promoted listings. Although your promoted listings appeared correctly in their sponsored placements, they were not visible in Best Match and other search placements. This issue has now been resolved. We will credit you for any promoted listing fees incurred due to this issue between March 31 and April 6 (when the issue was resolved).

At this time, there is no action required on your behalf. You will see the credit on your next invoice. We apologize for any inconvenience or disruption this may have caused.

As always, thank you for selling on eBay. "

I guess I won't be getting any credit since they didn't email me.

Anonymous · ‎04-07-2017

@bigdeals.etc wrote:

So a seller friend of mine (not me) received an email from ebay today:

"We are contacting you about a recent technical issue related to our promoted listings advertising service. On March 31, we made some updates to our marketplace platform that inadvertently affected your promoted listings. Although your promoted listings appeared correctly in their sponsored placements, they were not visible in Best Match and other search placements. This issue has now been resolved. We will credit you for any promoted listing fees incurred due to this issue between March 31 and April 6 (when the issue was resolved).

At this time, there is no action required on your behalf. You will see the credit on your next invoice. We apologize for any inconvenience or disruption this may have caused.

As always, thank you for selling on eBay. "

I guess I won't be getting any credit since they didn't email me.

I was just coming to this thread to update everyone about this. We've got the issue resolved at this time. If you did not receive an email and you feel you were impacted by the search issue, I recommend you contact customer support (http://ocsnext.ebay.com/ocs/cuhome?from_ocs=1)

to have this reported on so we can make sure all appropriate credits are applied!

catchreleaseshop · ‎04-07-2017

Looks like it was fixed, received this message earlier today. I thought I was in the sales slump for the past week, thinking maybe I need to list more than usual.

coolections · ‎05-15-2017

@desertratmotosports wrote:
Easy up on the kool-aid, it's like alcohol , drink in moderation.

@desertratmotosports

Zero koolaid. I saw your listings easily without koolaid.

skatesave · ‎05-16-2017

@gracieallen01 wrote:
Personally, I think a big part of the problem is that folks (sellers) want to believe - or live in the wishful world - that ebay is what it was before JD and the subsequent upheaval.

ebay has left that part of their history behind and hasn't looked back. They aren't inclined to look back, either. It is nothing more than the future myth of the beginnings of ebay - those long-past, mist-shrouded days of yore.

It's been 15 years or better since ebay started playing free and loose with the function of the platform in their bid to make themselves a 'name' in the industry. If it doesn't work one way, it will work another. Meg admitted it, long ago, when she said that a monkey could drive this train. The platform is on auto-pilot whilst they play with their beta tests, AI and what-not. Whatever happens to the platform, it will continue on its path, through the help of the sellers - those who wish things would be different or those who want things to be different or those who don't care if things are different and for those who want ..... . Take your pick, as there are plenty of all to go around.

ebay has their backs covered with their multitude of 'at our sole discretion' clauses throughout their TOS, they have their business plan of monetizing every aspect of the platform for the BOD and the other stockholders.

I think the real question is whether it is worth it to the individual to use it.

Just my 2 cents worth - your mileage may vary.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This is all factual, except your 3 words "The Other Stockholders". eBay is not on the radar screen at investment firms or with any private, independent or rogue stockbrokers.

When the statement "We will never pay a dividend " was issued, that is the time investment America declined eBay as an investment. Those that know the stock from the early days, still play it up and down in a very narrow window.

Ebay corporate does not care much about stockholders whatsoever. If so the stock would be up 3000% since the initital public offering