Why everyone I know is no longer using ebay...

[octarr]

Ebay, like all other large corporations are in business to make money. It no longer matters how. They know that if you stop using their platform 10 others will start. It is a perpetual revolving door of "who cares - 10 others will join today".

I am a long time client of ebay and used their site regularly.

The first thing that bothered me was when people started to offer a $100 item for $1 and shipping for $99.

They did this to circumvent the fees from the selling price. It was deceptive and ebay should have terminated their accounts. Instead ebay put fees on shipping costs to insure the scammers wouldn't be able to scam. But that punished the decent honest people. I once purchased a large, heavy item for $1200. Shipping was $600. I could not buy that item today because the selling fees and shipping fees would be exorbitant.

That ended listing and buying large items on ebay.

The next problem I have is when I look for some antique and a billion new items appear as "antique". I have to spend hours searching for what I want. It isn't worth my time.

Then there is the "numbers" game. I searched for a 5" hole saw from lowest to highest price. An infinite amount of offers popped up with prices quoted in a "range". ( ie $2.75 - 57.23) In these posts you select the size you want to buy but now I have to look through each one just to see what the 5" saw costs. More time wasted.

Next there is the "algorithms" game. This is when ebay steers you to a particular item. I looked for a computer module for my car and ebay presented one that was inoperative. Friends told me there about a dozen of them listed that didn't appear for me. Here's how that works: Someone has an item that has been listed for a very long time and is not selling. ebay will present only that item to a buyer who is not a regular buyer hoping that he buys it and the seller is happy finally selling it. Ebay is trying to keep the seller happy at the expense of the buyer. When my friends told me the item numbers of the items that did not appear on my screen I was finally able to see them. Deceptive.

With refunds, I and several friends have fought many times with ebay to get a refund from items that were not as described. Sometimes the seller never even answered ebay! Ebay would rather keep sellers with higher volume sales happy than you. You represent a small profit and the seller represents big money to ebay.

The worst thing for a seller is that someone sees your product and is ready to purchase it. They scroll down and see ebay lists ads of the same product for other sellers. Ebay makes a profit for listing these ads and doesnt care that they are directing your customer away from you. Why sell anything if ebay is going to steer your customers away to others?

These are things that I and others have tested and found to be true. I could go on with more.

Ebay used to be fun but now it has become so complicated that it isn't worth the time.

Every time they say they are improving or making it easier is a farce.

I don't know why no one has developed a rival auction platform that only charges a flat fee of $5 for selling and buying. If a million people list items and they sell that would generate $10,000,000 dollars.

Doesn't that motivate any or those computer wizards out there?

[octarr]

To give you one of several instances me and my friends encountered:

A company advertised in their post that their item had a 5 year warranty. That warranty persuaded us to buy from them. After the product failed the seller would not make good on that warranty. The seller told us there was no warranty. We contacted ebay to step in. Ebay said they would not  because the sale was a year old. We told ebay that our complaint was the deceptive advertisement of a "5 year warranty" listed in the seller's ad. Ebay said that they don't police separate warranties. We told ebay that since it was listed on ebay as part of the sale, ebay had a responsibility to police the ad.  We produced a snapshot of the seller's original post and current posts that offered the same warranty.  Ebay did nothing and the  deceptive ads still run.

This seller generates millions of dollars of sales and profits for ebay. They were not going to rock the boat.

[meme6253]

It would certainly motivate me!, Wish i had the talent!

[bonjourami]

You would have had to contact the mfg about the warranty. But most do not guarantee any warranty for an item sold on the internet.As Ebay notes on every listing, the seller is responsible for the listing, not Ebay. Even if it is deceptive.Sorry you didnt know that. Were these electronic items from China?

[octarr]

I would like to take the time to thank all the people who responded to my post; "Why Everyone I Know Is No Longer Using ebay." Especially the ones who offered advise and suggestions.

I started with ebay at their conception. I brought a lot of friends, family and strangers to the platform. It was profitable and fun. Through the years it grew into a large corporation. Today more big companies use it than a regular person like me. Ebay has aligned itself more toward these million dollar sellers and we little guys (that were there since the beginning) feel neglected. Why wouldn't they? They are in the business of success and profit. I am not opposed to companies making profits, I have one.

But through the years  all the people I brought in have been slighted in various ways. (I always hear about it because I brought them to ebay). These people have waned off and like me only use ebay when we have to. We have all found that you can do an internet shopping search and find better or equal quality at lower prices; and today, brick and mortar stores are now competitive. The world is catching up.

I have been criticized for being an "older" ebayer and "ebay would be better without us". Diehard fans lash at me. Those people are probably doing very well on ebay financially and will defend it like a baby.

That's okay but they must remember there are others who use it for pleasure.

Then there are the people who reply with non-related banter.

I am thrilled that many people responded to my comment. Good and bad. But I was hoping that someone actually working with ebay would.  It's a hangover of the days when businesses listened to their clients to learn and improve their product. It worked then and will work today.

"The World has become a place of misdirected anger." -

but only since the invention of the home computer.

[bonjourami]

"I started with ebay at their conception"

Actually Ebay 'started' in 1995...not 2006.I didnt see any references to you being an 'older' Ebayer,and 'Ebay would be better off without you'... do you mean age wise, or your Ebay longevity? If its age wise, there are many 'older' Ebayers responding to your thread,and many,many, responders who have been here much,much, longer than you, myself included, 25 years as a matter of fact...but thats not really pertinent.

Actually Ebay doesnt monitor these boards,they will come in occasionally, and their posts are outlined in blue.Khoros monitors these boards, just making sure the board guidelines are being followed.

[mam98031]

Through the years the world changed too.  As did the habits of buyers.  Back when this was all new there was much excitement over the Auction process.  Other companies were formed to take advantage of this new selling method on the internet.

Over the years, most if not all of those other sites failed.  Buyer habits changed over time too and auctions are no longer as popular as they once were.  Which is evident here on Ebay, the last or one of the last sites to do auctions.  Auctions are now only about 12-15% of the active listings.

The collectibles is typically the category that really enjoys the benefits of the Auction format.  But over the years some sellers have had a tough time realizing that what buyers collect now are much different from what they collected 15-20 years ago.

I have been criticized for being an "older" ebayer and "ebay would be better without us".

I am sorry you EVER had to endure someone saying that to you.  It isn't anything I've ever heard of someone saying on the threads and I'm here a good amount of time, but clearly I missed this.  I am deeply sorry you had to read such an awful statement.  I think you will find that NONE of us believe that.  

It actually just doesn't make sense anyway.  I'd be asking why someone would think that way?!?!  What would improve?  The statement simply lacks a valid piece of information.

Costs go up.  Carriers raise their rates at least once per year, sometimes more like USPS that does it 3 times a year.

"The World has become a place of misdirected anger." -

but only since the invention of the home computer.

I personally don't believe that to be true.  It is far more likely that it is due to the creation of Social Media.  Trying to work you way through the correct info vs the lies is a real adventure in and of itself.

[bonjourami]

"I have been criticized for being an "older" ebayer and "ebay would be better without us".

'I am sorry you EVER had to endure someone saying that to you.  It isn't anything I've ever heard of someone saying on the threads and I'm here a good amount of time, but clearly I missed this.  I am deeply sorry you had to read such an awful statement.  I think you will find that NONE of us believe that. '

I dont see any references to that, anywhere in this thread. Maybe just a little drama thrown in. 

[octarr]

One of the  "NAD" items was a 5 yr. warranty that was included with the sale of an item.

The purchase of the item was ultimately decided upon the included warranty. The warranty was for 5 years.

A year and a half later, when the warranty was needed,  the seller said there wasn't any.

First ebay said the sale was past a year and they could not step in.

Then they said that they don't honor 3rd party warranties.

We never expected ebay to acquire a refund or honor a 3rd party warranty.

Our complaint was that the seller advertised a fictitious warranty it and is still advertising it in their ads.

We produced all information including the seller's statement that they don't have warranties.

We even produced the original listing along including current listings with the same deceptive claims.

Ebay has a legal responsibility to address statements of fraud and deception listed  through their company.

We expected ebay to ask the seller to change their ad.

The seller (who is a multi-million dollar seller) continues to advertise a fictitious warranty as part of the purchase of an item. Ebay never addressed it.

Why would ebay rock the boat with a multi-million dollar seller?

[retro_entertainment_collectibles]

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@mam98031 wrote:

Through the years the world changed too.  As did the habits of buyers.  Back when this was all new there was much excitement over the Auction process.  Other companies were formed to take advantage of this new selling method on the internet.

Over the years, most if not all of those other sites failed.  Buyer habits changed over time too and auctions are no longer as popular as they once were.  Which is evident here on Ebay, the last or one of the last sites to do auctions.  Auctions are now only about 12-15% of the active listings.

The collectibles is typically the category that really enjoys the benefits of the Auction format.  But over the years some sellers have had a tough time realizing that what buyers collect now are much different from what they collected 15-20 years ago.

I have been criticized for being an "older" ebayer and "ebay would be better without us".

I am sorry you EVER had to endure someone saying that to you.  It isn't anything I've ever heard of someone saying on the threads and I'm here a good amount of time, but clearly I missed this.  I am deeply sorry you had to read such an awful statement.  I think you will find that NONE of us believe that.  

It actually just doesn't make sense anyway.  I'd be asking why someone would think that way?!?!  What would improve?  The statement simply lacks a valid piece of information.

Costs go up.  Carriers raise their rates at least once per year, sometimes more like USPS that does it 3 times a year.

"The World has become a place of misdirected anger." -

but only since the invention of the home computer.

I personally don't believe that to be true.  It is far more likely that it is due to the creation of Social Media.  Trying to work you way through the correct info vs the lies is a real adventure in and of itself.

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This is spot on... There used to be tens of handfuls of viable auction sites albeit most the sellers had to be approved by the venue(s).  They all went under due to Amazon's reverse price format and eBay's very intelligent agility within the marketplace.  Amazon had auctions and shops too back in the day but replaced them for the price competitive format which helped launch them to #1.

The biggest recent change that everyone seems to neglect is the changes that happened in online retail via Covid.  Online retailers for the most part have been doing quite well online with retail associations claiming traffic up 40% since Covid's alleged end and of that 40% a uptick of 30% in purchases.  Online Retailers have abilities we simply do not via the unified supply chain, overstocks, delists, surplus and more towards inventory.  They have the capability to evolve transacting models such as Walmart has done and catapulted them into the #2 spot globally in eCommerce.

When people here were howling about Q2 sales for example Target Merchandise Online Sales were up a WHOPPING 400%.  The argument that retailers are different than eBay is both true and false.  Sure, buckets of stuff here you wont find at online retailers and bucket full's you will as many sellers buy clearance, delisted and surplus merch too or via retail arbitrage.  The bottom line is when one looks at the sheer MASS of online retailers eBay's appears to be a small squeak.  Online Retail evolution lets call it is the biggest mover globally in eCommerce now, there is no arguing it.  Take last Q4 when sellers here howling about sales but retailers online had a banner season.

Its no different than me owning a mom and pop store inside a huge flea market but all around me Walmart set up a super store,  Target, Kohls, this on and that one all set up stores around the place.  ALL are in competition for the consumer's money and that is now the case online and unfortunately the unified supply chain and online retailers have ENORMOUS advantages over all of us.

I am also 100% agreement that the computer has nothing to do with global anger, social media has become a Pandora's Box of destruction which is a shame because it can also bring great beauty into peoples lives.  

[octarr]

I would re-evaluate her friendship. In essence her statement is she hates everything associated with ebay and that means you. We all have a list of sellers who took advantage of us on ebay.  It's not big because most people using ebay are decent.  This is true with everything in life.

Her problem was probably what angers me and my friends about ebay.

It has become so complicate that it is confusing.

A new user will run into learning curves. Maybe she didn't understand it.

Would your friend hate her neighborhood if one bad person moved onto her block?

Would she stop buying food if prices go up?

[bonjourami]

"Ebay has a legal responsibility to address statements of fraud and deception listed  through their company.

We expected ebay to ask the seller to change their ad."

As Ebay has stated many times, they are a listing venue..period. With two billion listings here, they take no responsibility for those listings, which are the responsibility of each individual seller. They do have a very stringent thirty day buyer protection program,and remain very buyer centric, when the procedures are followed correctly.Unfortunately, a five year guarantee on any item would be the mgfr's responsibility to enforce...not Ebays,and probably not the seller either.When you return a guaranteed item to a store, they will always refer you to the mgfr.

[ltldpr]

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@octarr wrote:

Ebay, like all other large corporations are in business to make money. It no longer matters how. They know that if you stop using their platform 10 others will start. It is a perpetual revolving door of "who cares - 10 others will join today".

The next problem I have is when I look for some antique and a billion new items appear as "antique". I have to spend hours searching for what I want. It isn't worth my time.

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They have a financial incentive with all those "new" sellers too. They hold the funds of new sellers. Interest is earned during that time. It's a financial incentive for them to attract as many new sellers as they possibly can because it's easy money.

Regarding the search. I guess they've taken a page out of the Google playbook. Pay-to-play (be seen) and I guess it doesn't matter that something that's called an "antique" or "vintage" is brand new, fresh off the boat from China, because pay-to-play. 

I'm actually more irritated by completely unrelated items showing up on a search than liars calling a brand new item antique. If I'm looking for a particular item, I don't want to see ANY listings that aren't even in the same category. It appears, at least to me, that they're putting these unrelated items in the search simply because pay-to-play (promoted listing). I think that's on purpose, which is sad, but it's not my sandbox. 

All that said, I don't hate eBay. It's been a wild ride over the decades. 

[bennotbill]

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@bonjourami wrote:

they take no responsibility for those listings

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There's a good chance that could be changing, at least here in the UK. And ebay would only have themselves to blame.

How did that regulator put it on a recent radio program - you get them to take an item down and ten seconds later another one pops up, it's like whackamole. They don't appear to have control of their own systems. Other comments as expected were along the lines of it seems to be mainly Chinese sellers.

[ed8108]

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@octarr wrote:

Ebay, like all other large corporations are in business to make money. It no longer matters how. They know that if you stop using their platform 10 others will start. It is a perpetual revolving door of "who cares - 10 others will join today".

I am a long time client of ebay and used their site regularly.

Ebay used to be fun but now it has become so complicated that it isn't worth the time.

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Yes, a seller or buyer is considered & viewed as replaceable by another, & so far ebay has continued to prosper

[thecollectionbuyer]

The obvious question, to me is, why are you here? If there are so many flaws, and you won't use eBay, why are you posting?