more ebay

As a (mostly) buyer, I might disagree with the characterization that buyers are not customers of eBay... a) I am both a buyer AND a seller, albeit mostly a buyer; I want to be able to complain or answer a complaint when I'm treated badly, whether I'm a buyer or a seller b) Even when I'm a buyer I pay the eBay fees indirectly when an item is sold to me c) eBay deals with me directly, via their computer interface, as does the seller; without the buyer (just as without the seller) there is no eBay

That said, I too, disagree with sellers not being able to leave factual feedback; as a buyer, when I find the seller of an item I'm interested in has a habit of flaming buyers who complain, I'm not likely to bid on his items, because a) multiple buyers are obviously unhappy with him b) people with an attitude/temper are not people I want to do business with; there's no excuse for sellers to be other than polite and factual, especially when writing in a place where potential buyers see it... they're stupid for doing it

They are just going through another one of their phases, that makes no real sense. Then everytime the top-dog leaves, it is their excuse to raise prices. They said prices are going down, but big deal. They dropped the posting fee slightly, but raised the final value fee greatly. They only told half the story, the half that they want people and the media to hear. Their own forums are filling up fast with angry comments. Business is hurting and it is affecting their pockets and their shareholder's pockets.. The sellers foot the bill, yet many are disgruntled. Either way, their glory days are just about over. It's just the same-old, same-old. They don't really like occasional sellers and are trying hard to make some of them bow out. Looks like they found a way.

eBay has gotten to big for its britches and this is one of the results.

Also, it gets more complicated to list an item for sale. What used to take a few minutes now has become a tiresome involved procedure.

Hence, I rely more on Craig's List these days...

JT

Barry wrote:

Minor point: If buyers use Pay Pal, then they are customers of eBay. In a way, that fee is insurance against the seller getting your credit card number.

FWIW, I got a Jefferson clock with a broken (crack from center to edge, round glass. The USPS said that there was dirt in the crack that indicated it was there before shipping. As ir worked fine, I didn't bother following up when the seller "didn't return my call."