Bye Ebay

[Anonymous]

I have been selling on ebay for over 11 years. Always had a good seller rating and we are the world's largest producer of speed skates, so we are not a small company. We use ebay to sell off excess skates. Last year, we had shipping issues that were caused by Aust post late deliveries during covid. Ebay banned us from selling. I contacted ebay and said that I have had a great seller score for 11 years, can you help us to fix this problem. The customer service said 'do you expect me to contact senior management for every problem that occurs? They then went on to tell me that we are not welcome to sell on ebay but we are welcome to continue to purchase on ebay. No thanks. By Ebay, we are moving on to Amazon. I know why ebay is dying, it is because of poor customer service and a lack of respect for their sellers. 

[chameleon54]

I  need to go to bed. Too tired for reading annual reports. Does that really say Buyers down 9% for the fourth quarter and sellers down 8% for the fourth quarter ? Plus merchandise volumes down 10% for the fourth quarter ?  Cant be...........If that was added to the third quarter results which showed similar falls, the company is a slow motion train wreck. It cant possibly be that bad can it ?

[countessalmirena]

Chameleon, I respect the fact that you admitted making a brain-fog error.

That’s one reason why I don’t do certain things when tired; I know there’s a higher chance of my making a mistake.

In terms of eBay’s growth/decline, time will give us the inklings of inclination. eBay is profitable; will it continue to be? The only certain thing is that the world situation constantly changes, and with change cones changing responses…

[springyzone]

Countess said:

In terms of eBay’s growth/decline, time will give us the inklings of inclination. eBay is profitable; will it continue to be? The only certain thing is that the world situation constantly changes....

It does indeed.

Where ebay will be in eg 20 years, I don't know. I might not be around to see in any case.

But it seems to me that ebay, over the last 20 years, has changed direction significantly. It started off as one of the only places where you could buy stuff online and you could sell off some of your things too. It was virtually a version of marketplace but with an auction format with a set finish time, and fees.

It took off like a rocket.

It was before the time of facebook and most businesses did not have online sales.

Fast forward to today and the big difference is ebay now advertises on TV but they are trying to push the idea they sell new items at cheaper prices.

It seems to me they are missing their chance. They're now not known for anything in particular. If I were an exec on the ebay board, I'd think of pushing the line that on ebay you can also find the rare or unusual products you may have been looking for. The out of print book, the specialised craft materials etc

That's a huge point of difference yet they try to be pushing the used/second hand market under the table as if it is something to be embarrassed about. It's not.

Losing an individual seller or buyer won't worry ebay in the least, but losing either in significant statistical numbers will.

I use ebay for some purchases, my adult children don't, but they buy an awful lot online. My sister recently said she hadn't looked at ebay in ages-yet at one time we were regular sellers. Not that my family is definitive but it looks to me as if ebay might  eventually settle down as one of the minor players.

[papermoon.lady]

During COVID I have been buying a bit more on eBay, Springy, but in normal times for me eBay is exactly about old and unusual items (which are also the reason why I love OP shops and flea markets).