In exchange for higher fees paid by some sellers EBay has now "unleveled the playing field" and is manipulating search results to place those sellers listings in places they do not belong based upon a buyer's search.
If a buyer searches for an item using "Time:Newly Listed" they will see mostly newly listed items, along with many listings that are months old, "sponsored listings" that do not meet the buyer search criteria in any way.
More significantly, if a buyer searches for an item "Price Plus Shipping Lowest First" the results provided by EBay will include one, or often more, listings, "sponsored listings", more expensive items that have been moved by EBay from where they belong based on the search criteria and misrepresented to EBay's buyers, ahead of items that are priced well below them.
There are several more examples that you may have noticed as a Seller or Buyer.
As a Valued Buyer on EBay do you expect EBay to provide honest search results? Results you can rely upon and which do not waste your time? Results that do not cause you to buy something you might not have or to pay more than you should because you did not realize "Newly Listed" does not mean Newly Listed and "Price Plus Shipping Lowest First" does not mean Price Plus Shipping lowest First?
As a Valued Seller on EBay do you think it is ethical or serves your interest in any way for EBay to lessen the position of your listings by falsely representing other listings, diminishing the position of your listings... because another seller is willing to pay EBay more money to do so?
Is search and browse manipulation an ethical profit center for EBay? Does it enhance EBay's credibility with Valued Buyers and Valued Sellers? A lot of people and businesses rely upon EBay's reputation for their success. Do you feel EBay is looking out for You as a Valued Buyer Or Valued Seller, and own reputation... or has a Focus on Profit blurred the Vision?
