THE ebay MONOPOLY

[gd01]

Considering ebay has a practical monopoly on the internet auction scene, it would explain why they do as they please, with almost complete disregard for sellers needs.

ebays needs (money) come first, the buyers second and the sellers a distant third.

We as sellers have no means by which to vent our frustration and actually know we have been heard. We are told to post in forums and send feedback that is never answered! I know of no other company that does no respond to written complaints. It really is a poor system and the worst I have ever dealt with. You may ask, how can a company seemingly ignore complaints and feedback from sellers, as we are none the wiser if anything is actually being done.

The customer support centre is average at best, the complaints department is non-existent, and the technical department are impossible to contact. We have one avenue to discuss any issues, the customer support centre, but the seem to lacking in anything beyond basic technical help and answers.

ebay is a global company and all the sites are now connected, which allows me to trade around the world more efficiently. It also forces me to compete with other sellers around the world. The thing is, sellers from different countries receive different benefits and fees. For example, a seller in the US in the coins category, with the same subscription level receives 300 more free listings per month, plus the pay 2.5% less final value fee per item !!!


When I used the 'Fee Illustrator' from both sites and typed in the exact same numbers (for 200 listings) the US sellers pay just under $100 less per month. When the listings become greater the US sellers save even more !!!  How is this fair? And how am I supposed to compete on the international market?

The ebay Monopoly has allowed them to do as they please, charging different rates and providing a very poor service.

It just not good enough, but what can we do? Nothing.

[putney32]

as there are many different on-line auction sites around the world, including here in Australia, ebay certainly could not be counted as a monopoly

certainly they may be the best and most well known online auction but certainly NOT a monopoly, not by a long shot.

[loosechangeau]

I said practical monopoly. If you look at the number of visits to these other sites, ebay has a 'practical' monopoly on the online auction market.

Id like to see any seller operate on another site and maintain the same level of sales as they do on ebay.

ebay dosent do right.

[6o7o8o]

As with all arrogant businesses ebay will be a distant memory one day.....along with a few of their over zealous forum posters! Time for a change I say but until then I'll just play by their rules......NOT!

[stampingpaws]

Hi there,

EBay is terrific. 40 free listings a month with 10% fee. Secure payment process via PayPal with 2.5% fee. Having a practical monopoly means there are heaps of potential customers. Being worldwide, customers are all over the globe.  Want more free listings, open a store.

Best wishes

Ebay Fan

[kidoo]

You're kidding - eBay and PayPal are greedy. Last eBay fee increase was a doubling of final value fees - so what if the listing fee is now free for 40 listings - eBay make more money than sellers do - it's a joke

[maranock]

As a seller (on a different ID) I am very happy with the service I have received from Ebay - Their policies are clear, I get lots of lookers and buyers and as my prices include all the fees and other selling costs it is easy to budget and conduct my business. I follow the rules so I VERY rarely have a problem with buyers or anything else.

What is your problem OP? I guess that many people who complain about the fees don't take into account the many benefits selling through here has and possibly don't conduct their own selling in a professional way by trying to sell things too cheap and don't put on enough profit to be worth it.

[straybooksoz]

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@viewbay! wrote:

You're kidding - eBay and PayPal are greedy. Last eBay fee increase was a doubling of final value fees - so what if the listing fee is now free for 40 listings - eBay make more money than sellers do - it's a joke

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Latest eBay fee increase cut my fixed costs by 60%. Gave me free listings which I never got before, AND lowered my FVF.

[exquicity]

i brought up similar points last year, and to my surprise i had next to none support from the fellow Australian sellers here. 

we here are stuffed around as ebay pleases as apparently Australian sellers are incapable of rising their voices in masses.. 

on a digital international platform it is inexplicable how fees and figures vary from one country to another, often at rates so remarkable !!

just an example.. we here have to pay nearly double the subscription fee for an anchored store compared to USA and receive no discounts providing premium service etc... 

any sense ?

and yet.. as you say, their listings appear next to mines as default, and especially with stupid auspost rates local and international we are expected to compete.