Why are you even here?

[bigdeals.etc]

In a previous post a member (who was misunderstanding other people’s replies and got defensive) felt that and accused the people who spend a lot of time on here replying to posts to either comment or help were actually part of a larger organized conspiracy to try and defraud him and other members. I guess a sort of “ebay Illuminati”.

That member said there is no other reason why anyone would want to reply to so many posts and “help” and not get anything out of it. Totally paranoid if you ask me.

So I thought, why not just ask everyone. So let’s hear it. Why are you here, and why do you come here to reply to other people’s posts? What do you get out of it?

[yuzuha]

As for why I'm here, I initially came here looking for some advice when I first started selling seriously, and then I just stuck around and read and learned and eventually started answering questions myself when I knew the answer.

However, what @richard1rst said is absolutely correct: fewer and fewer people these days seem to be looking for actual help, they just want to complain.  And, well, in my family we had very strict rules about complaining: my mother would allow my sister and I to vent our piece about something, and then she would ask, "All right, so what are you going to do about it?" In other words, if you're going to complain, you also have to take some sort of steps to solve the problem. A lot of people here, however, don't seem to want to do that part.

[jonathankirkland]

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@yuzuha wrote:

As for why I'm here, I initially came here looking for some advice when I first started selling seriously, and then I just stuck around and read and learned and eventually started answering questions myself when I knew the answer.

However, what @richard1rst said is absolutely correct: fewer and fewer people these days seem to be looking for actual help, they just want to complain.  And, well, in my family we had very strict rules about complaining: my mother would allow my sister and I to vent our piece about something, and then she would ask, "All right, so what are you going to do about it?" In other words, if you're going to complain, you also have to take some sort of steps to solve the problem. A lot of people here, however, don't seem to want to do that part.

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Honestly though, some of these people are so absurd it genuinely makes me laugh. Good source of entertainment. 😄

I'm just glad these boards are not as heavily moderated as they were just a few years ago. Allows for a little bit of 'fun'. I never ridicule anyone actively seeking help of course but once the OP has started becoming hostile and toxic and attacking every responder then I think a bit of good natured ribbing is in order.  😆

[downunder-61]

I realised I did not answe the OP's question in my earlier reply - Why are you even here?

You are quite a bit ahead of us in the MP roll out, and various other changes to eBay, so by reading replies and responses to these issues I am hoping to learn a few fixes in advance to some future issues we may face here in OZ.

I guess I would be classed as a lurker, and you are my guinea pig’s (in the most respectful of ways LOL)

Spoiler

Also because most of my lot are sleeping while you are awake 😄

[vintagecraze50]

I am with you on the reasons for being here. It gives me insights and warning about problem transactions and also if I have had a similar experience I try to help out . I also enjoy the connection here with people because of the Pandemic. 

[powell-memorabilia]

I come here to cheerlead for eBay- otherwise, they don’t pay me 🙂

[coolections]

To help those that are actually here in need of help. To refute the comments that are nothing but conspiracies. And lastly to laugh at the haters who call posters cheerleaders, Ebay employees, and all types of other ridiculous names.

[evry1nositswindy]

I am a buyer and a seller.  I first came here because I had a problem transaction as a seller and was given good solid advice.  Then I started reading new posts and archived posts.   I was waiting for a family member to come out of surgery so I had a lot of time on my hands.  I read the community for hours that day and learned so much in that time.  Problems that I have encountered over the years were easier to solve because I had already read about them.  Years later and I am still coming here for help and to help others.   As for the people,  I dig the humor of some, find others annoying, and want to give thumbs down to some.   Some people who get perfectly good advice are so rude and don't remember there are real people behind the seller names and posting id's.  

I find it funny that some responders accuse some of being eBay employees.  Most of the time, I am (like right now) doing this instead of sleeping.  Hubby gets tired of hearing about eBay, so I come here to talk with others who speak the same language.  Usually that is late at night or early in the morning.  If I'm an employee, I would be fired, as I am lying in bed, flat on my back in pj' s, hair a mess, teeth not brushed, and no caffeine yet!   Yep, a real person who just so happens to sell on eBay!

[powell-memorabilia]

@evry1nositswindy 

Home run on “talking” to others that understand eBay.  My wife is into Bitcoin, I’m into eBay for our extra income.  

I could care less how much Bitcoin changes from blue to hour, and she could care less about my issues with sourcing.!

[reallyhardtofind]

I come here out of shear boredom when sales are slow. Sometimes the forum junkies crack me up.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@richard1rst wrote:

Well I used to be a somewhat active responder. I believe I have responded to some of your questions.

When someone asked a question to which I believed I could contribute a solution I would reply. We are all in this together. Over time I have also picked up some pretty good suggestions and ideas and have tried to reciprocate.

Lately however, I scan through the posts and I find there are fewer and fewer real questions and a greater number of irrational rants. For example, every January the world is shocked - SHOCKED - that postal rates have gone up again - as they have every year since forever. And if you provide an answer that is at odds with the current mantra you are ridiculed as an eBay shill (sticks and stones, etc). So I have pretty much walked away from active participation.

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^^^THIS^^^

Nobody wants to hear facts, they only want to hear what they want to hear.  I no longer have the patience to deal with it. Also, I don't appreciate being called names when the advice I give is spot on correct and the OP just doesn't want to hear it.  I'd rather deal with people who actually want to LEARN something that will help them, not bash people because the facts don't align with their own thinking.

I prefer to spend my time where I'm more appreciated for my knowledge, not belittled for it.

[jayjaspersgarage]

"You asked for my 3 cents"

Is that a silver 3 cent piece or just a clunker III?   (smirk)

[coastaltechsolution]

I'm just paying it forward, through the years many other sellers have helped me learn and grow as an eBay seller and I want to do the same for others (if I can and if they want the help). 

[jayjaspersgarage]

As sad as this may seem I come for the company.  I lost three relatives in 2017 and got laid off in March of 2020.   I have been selling on ebay for ten years and fill a little bit of time reading and learning from the boards.  Since I am officially almost old (in my 60s) I figure I must have something to offer although I get off track in my responses at times.  

There is no doubt that I have been convinced to sell certain high priced items elsewhere because of all the potential scams we read about daily.  I don't believe every post I read.  The longer the rant the less effective or believable they seem at times.  

P.S.  I rarely go back to read responses to my replies but do read every DM I get.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

southern sweet tea:

"I prefer to spend my time where I'm more appreciated for my knowledge, not belittled for it."

You mean....such a magical place exists? On the Internet?

A place where people ask questions and appreciate candid, thoughtful, accurate answers?  I have heard such legends from the Elders of the Old Information Superhighway That Is The World Wide Web, but I thought such places were all left behind as Dial Up vanished from the Land....

Thank you. I am given strength.

I will continue my quest to find these hidden places before they are all extinct....

[luckythewinner]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

So I thought, why not just ask everyone. So let’s hear it. Why are you here, and why do you come here to reply to other people’s posts? What do you get out of it?

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I am here because I enjoy selling on eBay.

This board is an invaluable tool for learning about how eBay works and how to use it effectively, but it only works if knowledgeable people contribute useful information - and also call out misinformation when it appears.

I have gotten tons of information, insight, and help from these boards.

I am also dismayed by the volume of misinformation, sweeping generalizations, and mistaken assumptions that are posted here. So I try my best to present more detailed and nuanced explanations ... despite the surprising amount of hostility displayed by those whose misinformation is being challenged.

BTW I love the phrase "eBay Illuminati".