There are definitely site issues involved. I'm worried about security, to be honest. I log in, browse, maybe put something on Watch and it demands I log in again. I was logged in when I read this thread. Yet I was required to log in again, BUT when I went to do so, my ID was already showing in what was supposed to be a blank space. The other night I logged out of ebay AND cleared cookies etc. before logging-off and switching off my computer at the wall. Two days LATER I returned to ebay and discovered I was STILL logged in ! That's dodgy. No-one likes that
When I click on an item, up comes a page claiming 'This site is busy', plus lots of other very strange things happening
As to May sales slump, I'm not a seller. Have just completed a long search in certain area of women's fashion and yes, postage has risen, but there are sellers out there and more than a few, who're charging up to $12 postage to send a thin polyester shirt. No bids of course. Not that I'd pay that for postage on one lightweight item. Other sellers, very similar item weight - $6.50 postage. Too much variation and it's cheesing prospective buyers off and all becoming more of a pain than it's worth
I think a lot of previous ebay buyers are heading back to bricks and mortar, seeing what they like and buying on the spot with the option to return for refund or exchange
EBay's changed. Huge amount of Asian stuff on ebay now. Lots of fakes. Much of it pretty vile. 20 years ago you wouldn't have found too many Australian women going around in purple, yellow, green and black combinations in cheap, slimy material. Now, it seems that (and other disgusting combinations) are all that's on offer
Ebay doesn't seem to care about buyers OR sellers - just an impersonal juggernaut which has far more confidence in its continued success than I believe is warranted
Australia Post is the same, and people are tired of both of them, I think
The only thing to save ebay would be if it began subsidising postage. Maybe someone should suggest it at the next shareholders meeting but we won't hold our breath
Added to all the above is the state of the economy. Not sure of the ratio, but the other day read that 52% of Australians are employed, with ten hours paid employment per week being the government's idea of 'employed'. That means close to 50% of Aussies are living on what -- thin air ? Hope ? Welfare ? Makes it a great time for Aust. Post to bring in another postage rise
Go in any supermarket and you'll find the Specials are sold out as are the generic brands. The government drones should investigate supermarkets regularly and see it for themselves. Yes, people will always try to save money, which is what Specials and Sales are all about, but it seems these days, if the Specials are gone, people are doing without, because all around those empty Specials are shelves filled with name-brands. This is a good indication that Aussies are doing it tough. People losing their jobs daily. Others worried sick they'll lose theirs
The next time Gillard or Swan claim this is a 'lucky' or 'rich' nation, someone should clip them around the ear, because it's a blatant lie, but the government and media keep peddling the same old lies whilst ignoring the reality
When the government grabs people's bank-accounts because they haven't been 'active' for three years, and when they rush through legislation permitting themselves to do that over the Christmas holidays --- all so they can get their hands on $109 million of citizens' money -- then you know things are at desperation point. Heaven forbid they should kick out all those retired politicians who're living high on the hog for up to forty years on the public purse though
Well, May's on its last legs, so we'll have to see what June brings. I've a feeling things will not improve
