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?

[bigdeals.etc]

I’m obviously in this game full time. For me being a business owner is a lifelong learning experience. With the constant (and often stupid) changes in ebay, being here helps me stay on top of everything and adjust if necessary. Because if I don’t, it’s really easy to fall behind and eventually die out.

Sometimes when going thru these posts for my own benefit, I end up seeing a few posts that either are very easy for me to answer or has someone going thru exactly what I went thru before (which sometimes is a difficult situation that I can relate to and help). That “paranoid member” I mentioned earlier doesn’t understand that if a person stumbles and falls to the ground... many (not all) times a stranger will come along and help that person up just for the sake of helping. Perhaps because the stranger remembered how it felt when they once fell.

Helping other people in the ebay community is not without benefit. Teaching other sellers to become better will help draw in and retain more buyers... thus making ebay larger. Teaching buyers will hopefully allow them to come back versus writing ebay off and leaving. It indirectly helps ebay as a whole, which in turn will help me.

And pretty much all the other times I’m here, I’m either taking a break from my hectic schedule, enjoying the occasional drama, or just trolling for sh__s and giggles. Hence this post. It’s not worth my time to try and scam people here.

[alcoforever]

I do it for entertainment and it helps pass the time.   If I can help someone, that's just a bonus.

[nuclearomen]

well I'm not here all the time, though when I am it's typically cause ebay is a mess and sales are currently slow so to burn time I check out this circus and in the wake I happen to make posts. Am I "helping" specifically...idk, sure I try, but more I'm just voicing my opinion/experience and or when I see something posted that is completely false. Time to time I have questions as well, and post to see what kind of answers can stir up. We all know how helpful ebay CS is so why on earth post on community for answers? 🤣 

Seriously though, I like you am full time seller, and while my list of ebay irks and rants are long I still would like to see everyone succeed their goals of selling on this platform. I have tried others, even with all ebays faults still like selling here the best. Community is one of the only good things left on ebay. You can learn a lot, maybe things you never known about selling, maybe things about the site/ebay. You can lend help to others if you have any to offer. And you can get real opinions and outlooks on ebay/selling direct from other sellers not ebay or their employees who will always pour glitter on everything to make sound amazing. There is still the fact that sellers made this site and continue it's success. Reflect this in sellers of old and new here. Sure some people don't get along, some things get carried away, not all advice you give or get will be appreciated... misunderstandings, drama... happen. Flip side is can have some good laughs (some days that alone can help), learn, see things in another way, get some tips/advice... all good things. But in general I think the community can be helpful where no other help can be had. 

[oldwestcoins]

There are members here that post just to raise their numbers and also use this as a chat room instead of what it is for - to help eBay'rs. Of course, this is just my opinion as I have been here for over 20 years operating under multiple IDs. Again in my opinion if you want to talk about the flowers and bees you should use another platform or at least a certain discussion. And yes, there are too many people that continually attack the OP which ticks me off. The number one rule here should be the old one - If you don't have anything nice(or productive) to say don't say it at all. You asked for my 3 cents(inflation).  Peace and have a good day!

[bimm_corp]

I provide some help (some would say amusement) and get "Helpfuls" from time to time. However, I quite enjoy watching the machinations of the "Cheerleading Squad" aka Comment Police. Reminds me of snowflakes who adopt morally superior postures on social issues so they look good to their friends.

[fashunu4eeuh]

I come here to help people. It makes me feel good (most of the time!). Helping is its own reward.

[chapeau-noir]

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@bimm_corp wrote:

I provide some help (some would say amusement) and get "Helpfuls" from time to time. However, I quite enjoy watching the machinations of the "Cheerleading Squad" aka Comment Police. Reminds me of snowflakes who adopt morally superior postures on social issues so they look good to their friends.

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Interesting comment.

[jonathankirkland]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

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”.

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[jonathankirkland]

In all seriousness though, to answer your question: "why are you here?"

Mostly it's to learn. I love reading about the latest (and oldest) scams and features the land of ebay has to offer from far and wide. Information such as this is invaluable and it's all here for free for anyone to enjoy.

I also figured well, if I can help others along the way and give some (what I believe to be) solid/correct advice, then why not? I try to be very careful when I answer things so as not to mislead anyone or give outdated information. Though that still does happen. I do appreciate when I am correct by those with more updated or accurate info. But again, hopefully that doesn't happen often. I'd like to do more good than harm. 🙂

[downunder-61]

I am a buyer and a seller, and I think the main reason people get annoyed (and abusive at times) to members replies is because they did not want your/my opinions.

What they wanted was their opinion coming out of my/your mouth (or on screen LOL).

[annadryl]

I didn't stumble across the boards until after selling for about three years (and as a buyer for a bit before) and whoa, I think I learned more there in a few hours than I had in all my time as an active ebay member. There were topics and solutions I hadn't even thought of. It's been a great help and it continues to be as things are constantly changing. I also like some of the category and hobby communities although some are pretty dormant. So Thanks long-timers for all the great advice and insight!

[richard1rst]

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.

[lisa5768]

Interesting question. I guess for me it comes down to wanting to help. If someone has spent the time to come here and look for help and I can help, I will. I have been selling since 2003 and seen just about everything in that time. As eBay has swung to the buyer is king, new sellers have more chances to have bad outcomes and give up. Buyers can't buy if there are no sellers. The ever changing maze of rules and pitfalls is hard enough if you are experienced, but I can't even imaging trying to start selling now.

I came here originally looking for information to keep from being scammed again after I lost several hundred dollars in camera equipment to a scammer. This was just after they changed the feedback system to no negatives for buyers. I got great advise and changed my selling to minimize the risk.

As I spent time just reading other posters questions and the answers I learned a lot. Sometimes I would see someone ask a question and realized hey I know that, so I started answering questions. I found it rewarding and getting a thank you and you helped me back was great.

I enjoy the community and it has been an invaluable resource to keep up on all the constant changes over the years.

Everything we do has a reward, otherwise we would not do it. Sometimes the challenge is figuring out what it is. For me, here, it is the satisfaction of knowing that I helped someone.

[yuzuha]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

I am a buyer and a seller, and I think the main reason people get annoyed (and abusive at times) to members replies is because they did not want your/my opinions.

What they wanted was their opinion coming out of my/your mouth (or on screen LOL).

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Got it in one.