Look, there ARE people that post here that just hate eBay. For whatever reason for their hate, nothing eBay can ever do will make them happy. However, I truly don't think most posters that are unhappy are haters.
We ALL want our sales to be good, right? We all want to sell here and do well, right?
Well the elephant in the room, is how this "game" is played. Those of us paying for a store, expect our items to show up when relevant searches are made. We expect our items to have just the same chance of selling, as anyone else does. The manipulation and "behind the curtain" shenanigans is getting REALLY old. If eBay wants 25% of the sale, then would it not be better to end all the promoted stuff, and just say THIS is what the fees are? Yeah sure, some people are not going to go along with that. Ok, fine. But how long do you think sellers are going to stay when they are paying for a store and nary get a sale?
How long are sellers going to pay for a store every month, and the payout can't hardly pay the expenses?
I personally backed off from having a yearly plan, to month to month. After last years horrible sales, I was not going to commit to another. And so far, this is looking like it's about time to walk away. I REALLY want to give this a chance, but I have to make a business decision based on what my business is doing.
Other sellers can dismiss this as "you just aren't selling the right stuff" or "your prices just aren't completive enough". All horse hockey. As an experiment, last month I sent some stuff to auction, to test the waters. Nope, not huge profits, but not ONE thing didn't sell. Not one return, CC chargeback, or any hassles. No shipping costs or problems, no one telling me what I am selling isn't allowed for mysterious and made up reasons, no problems. This isn't the way I would prefer to sell, but stuff is selling. And with way, WAY less eyes on items. It's not the economy. It's not because people don't want the stuff I sell. For all the hassle a seller goes through to sell online, profits need to be made. We are on the hook for everything, and no one else takes any responsibility. eBay conveniently excuses itself at every turn. Which, might be more tolerable, if the sales were good enough to treat problems as a "cost of doing business". The costs of doing business here, are becoming business killers.
It's not just a few odd people out complaining. The complaints are valid, and even in eBay's own reports to shareholders, it's showing. Anyone trying to defend eBay's actions have not bothered to even look at the data and the facts. You can't blame everything on a poor economy. You can't blame everything on seller's when they certainly can make sales in other places. For all the time sellers put it, there needs to be a return. Because as noted, without sellers, eBay has nothing to sell and no fees can be made. The more that leave, the less variety will be here. The less variety, the less buyers. The more they can't find, the less they shop and spend.
Any of you have any idea how much time it takes to list 10K items? Any of you know how many hours it takes to "fix" listings when eBay makes a change and 6K listings need fixed? All that labor wrapped up into this, and in the end, you just waste your time. Jump through the hoops. Sit, like a good dog. Roll over. Beg. Many people complaining have wrapped a LOT of money and time into this platform. It's not like they have one listing and because it didn't sell instantly, now they are disgruntled. Many of us have "invested" in eBay to sell with them. But because you are not out of the blue, giving them what they want, well, suffer because we are just a dog to kick when they feel like it. It leaves a very bad taste in the mouth of some of us. No need to play games with "promotions". If they expect 25%, then just move to it and be done with these silly games. If they don't want certain items or items priced in a certain way, just tell everyone. Because when the rules aren't clear, people end up leaving. And when they feel used and abused because eBay can't just say exactly what they want, they aren't going to give it a second chance.
I'm giving this until the end of the month. I'm just out of "care" about it. I can move my stuff somewhere else and not have to put anymore effort into this losing battle. And like others, when I walk away, I'll just wash my hands of it all for good.
Regards,
