eBay Down 31%

[Fishin Fool]

In an economy that should encourage bargain hunting and online auctions, eBay reports that it's profit is down 31% over this time last year. I think, like Circuit City, this is a company that forgot who it's customers were. It seems to me that under the new CEO they have done nothing but attempt to run off sellers, charge them unfair fees, and pretty much leave them open to every scam artist in the country with no recourse. For the folks that use eBay, what do you think is the reason for the big downturn? As I said at the beginning, every retailer online or actual store (walmart included) that sells discounted or close out goods has seen modest growth. At the worst case eBay should have broken even.

 

[foodsaver]

I think you are absolutely right about Ebay forgetting who their customer is. We don't sell anything on there anymore with the fees and the way feedback is set up its just not worth the effort.

 

[Guest]

Greed Terry. The more e-bay makes the more they want to make. Just like individuals, how much is enough money. Just a little bit more. E-bay started out charging fees that they could profit from and still help the sellers. Now they are gouging trying to make up for slowing business. Many sellers have been gouging for years. To me there are not that many real deals on e-bay anymore.

 

[Fishin Fool]

I think both you guys hit the nail on the head. I have been a Powerseller for 7 years now. I have over 4600 in feedback and a 99.3% positive rating. YET I am getting eat up with fees, lying buyers, and lack of customer service/protection from eBay. Like Cheez said......it's always just a little more money. The sad thing is the "more money" would have come along IF they had just left eBay alone, in the form it was a couple years back. The playing field was level for both buyers and sellers. eBay has never understood that the buyers aren't paying the bills. It is the sellers. If there is no one selling, then eBay isn't going to make money. The deals are getting few and far between on there as Cheez said. I used to love buying there. Not anymore

 

[shsimons]

I put a guided bass trip up from the bank for the spring, just for fun. Sold for $2.47!!! Now don't tell me I'm not making big time profits. I think I came out on top like 80 cents.

 

[ukfod1]

I have bought in the past on Ebay, and rarely even get on there anymore. I have never had a problem buying on there and I have never tried to sell on there. From what I hear they have charging more to post on there now. I do believe they have forgot who there customers are, and I believe there are a lot of other online retailers and other actual stores that have forgotten as well.

 

[Kirk]

EBay pretty well shot themselves in the foot when they took away the Sellers right to give negative feedback on deadbeat buyers. I am a Silver Power Seller and was selling the hound out of Summit Tree Stands. When this change occurred my no payment problems increased dramatically. Then eBay started squeezing power sellers to offer free shipping. Under normal eBay sales shipping is not charged a final value fee. However if you offer free shipping the cost you add to your total cost to cover your "free" shipping does fall under the fee structure. Basically they threatened power Sellers with less exposure and poor placement on searches if they didn't offer free shipping. I ran my P&L and saw I wasn't making enough to worry with the hassle and quit selling on eBay.

 

[BassmanIU]

I agree with the above also. It's hard to find any deals. It seems more like a place where businesses go to sell their goods, not a community place where individuals are making transactions.

 

[Nickajack Angler]

I've had postive and negative experiences on Ebay. Yes, they charge more now, but everything costs more. When you take away the level playing field as a few of you above commented, for sellers to rate buyers, then you are shooting yourself in the foot. Why can I not, as a seller, report how some buyer engaged with me? It DOES allow the creeps to creep into the business model and diminish what I think it was a few years ago. But if I were to speculate, I would say that less people have the dollars to get inventory, and the buyers have less to buy. It's a product of a poor economy.

 

[minner]

I used to sell a lot of stuff on Ebay but its just not worth it anymore. Too many fees, you cant afford to sell small ticket items anymore.

 

[jake279]

I have only bought a couple of things on E-Bay, but I had to look for several weeks to get what I wanted because bids were what I would pay for it new at a store. No deals anymore.

 

[tyler ware]

Craigslist!!!!! Free!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

I agree with Tyler on Craig's list but I will give you fair warning, don't buy anything unless you can go see it and pay for it with cash, never accept checks and never try to get anything shipped to you. Too many shysters on the computer.</p>

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Note: When you are bored, try reading "The best of Craig's List"</p>

 

[Bprice]

Thanks for the advice Doc... I am about to put a diamond on there, and that is good advice for sellers as well.

 

[tyler ware]

Yeah you can be scammed very easy. My mother in law sold a piano on there, got the check and it was for $1500 more than she asked. They did not cash it, and found out it was a scam. You should always see the goods in person and pay cash. Know someone else that got scammed trying to buy a motorcycle.