Wow! I didn't expect so many responses, especially getting a response from Joe.
My point was directed at ebay, not looking after sellers like us, who do the right thing. Every day I wonder if I am going to get a defect due to broken items. I had one item that looked like it had been run over by a truck. It was through Australia post, which I do my very best not to use them. They take no responsibility for the items in their custody once in transit. Their vans are filled to the brim, yet us small sellers have to refund the buyer the money for the item and postage costs, yet ebay takes a cut. "big boys being greedy"
Ebay is looking after the big companies, wiping out the small sellers, so I believe in the future, we will be gone.
Yes, there are minority of sellers, who don't package their items up well, and give poor customer service, but there are a hell of a lot that do care.
I have so many gripes with ebay, with their ads on radio, TV, Facebook, plugging the big brands and no mention of us at all. I see two dollar shops popping up in shopping strips an malls, and I thought the last place it would happen is on ebay, where you can still get your variety.
I try not buy from China, as I would much rather buy locally. I had a look at your shop Joe, and you are the next suburb from me. We buy a lot of paint, fixing up items, and I would much rather buy from you than Bunnings. That keeps money in your pocket, and supports your family. I just think you used the wrong analogy, about how VW treated your son. He was spending big bucks, and I promise you, I wouldn't have treated your son like a King for an hour, I would have topped it with two hours!
I am trying to make a go of selling vintage items. I have grown from a hobby to now a business, and employing a friend to help me out. I buy my items from around Australia, which I know is quite hard to do now, and I rent a factory. Hence, the money stays in Australia, and supports local families. Big companies as listed above, plus ebay and Australia post are making it quite difficult for us to survive.
It is the same as putting a Coles or Woolworth’s right next door to an independent grocery store, cutting their prices down, where the small store goes out of business, but it is now happening on line.
The thing is, I would love to take my business off ebay, but where do I go? They have the monopoly within Australia. It is very sad.
Each week, I think ebay can't get any worse, but it does.
