eBay=feeBay

[jbird]

Josh,

A dislexic friend of mine had this to say about his spelling... "Thomas Jefferson said it was a boring man who spelled his words the same way every time."

I kind of like that phrase.

Go2Tex,

Awesome work!!!

I like it good words thanks.

Josh

[SmokinP]

I've sold some miscellaneous items that probably couldn't market anywhere else. Like was said before, a few cents either way didn't matter. But was really an eye opener as to what brings big money and what doesn't. That was kind of an interesting thing to see anyways.

But for high quality stuff or things that have my labor costs, forget it. Your competing with some fella that spends all day in front of the computer in his underwear going between Chinese drop shippers and Ebay. Seems good photographs sell better than quality items. And the fees will eat up any profits until you're working for the same wage as the Chinese prison laborers.

Then you got the items for a dollar and $200.00 shipping. Supposed to be against policy but happens quite a bit. And the folks who have their geek buddies bid on stuff for them. Now the big time sellers who get their 10,000 items listed before yours because they are a "best match". And as a buyer I usually figure I'm paying all the Ebay fees since a lot of sellers do figure a way to get them into their price.

As a buyer I wouldn't buy any high dollar item on Ebay. I use it to find items sometimes but then try to find a direct link to the seller. I want to deal with a real person, not a screen name.

I would encourage anyone trying to sell their work to get a website. I've got a lot of bookmarked websites I got from Leatherworker as well as other special interest sites. When I go looking for top quality gear that's what I turn to. I'll take quite a while looking things over and comparing. Without a website you'll probably get passed over. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. The one I made is free through my internet provider and I did it myself.

Another point in how I like to do business. If you've got a page long list of policies that looks like it was written by a lawyer I won't buy from you. If your return policy is any more complicated then "if you got a problem call me and we'll work it out" I'm not buying. If you don't list an addrees, no sale. And in return I will provide you with all my contact information. Kind of like face to face business without being face to face, or toe to toe if need be.

[Bree]

Can't argue with any of that either, Bree. But don't you agree that putting a hold on the payment because the seller doesn't sell much, eventhough the seller has a 100% positive feedback for many years is going a bit too far? Now, I can understand the reasoning behind that move, but at the same time they make that the only method of payment that you can accept. So, they put a hold on your funds and charge you $50-$100 for the privilege of using Paypal?

It may be free enterprise, and legal but is it ethical and good business practice? Your customers aren't entitled to cheap prices but they expect good service, don't they? And if they pay a fair price they deserve a fair deal. Ebay is taking advantage of their unique situation in the market place and I believe they are abusing it and lying about it too.

They put on the holds to protect themselves. Unfortunately, there are many many unscrupuous sellers who will rip you off in a heartbeat if you let them. Almost every bad guy was a good guy right up to the moment that he committed his first crime. EBay doesn't want to be somebody's first victim. I don't blame them. Having been ripped off many times by my own customers, I feel their pain.

OTOH... EBay's security is no picnic for good sellers who have to suffer these restrictions and service delays because of the bad guys. The deal is simple though... you can walk right now. You can find another way to market your products. There was life before EBay and there will be life after EBay.

I suspect that much of the bad feelings has to do with people becoming dependent on EBay as a primary marketing channel. That is a very dangerous thing because it puts your present and future into the hands of an organization that you don't control and can have very little influence over. Bottom line... never rely on EBay. Use them when it is convenient but don't get addicted to EBay marketing heroin. Bad things inevitably follow.

My $.02.

[UKRay]

Your competing with some fella that spends all day in front of the computer in his underwear...

Have you been peeking? LOL

Bottom line... never rely on EBay. Use them when it is convenient but don't get addicted to EBay marketing heroin. Bad things inevitably follow.My $.02.

Hugely good advice, Bree. The more routes to market you can develop the better chance you have of surviving if one goes bad on you.

[Echo4V]

I saw this thread yesterday and read through it. I haven't used ebay in a while but right now I have a couple of things for sale. I sold a junk saddle last night and recieved payment today. Did you know that ebay can decide you're a scammer and put a hold on your money until you ship the item and get positive feedback from the buyer?

I called the contact number and after literally 20 minutes on hold that's what I was told, we think you're a scammer so we won't give you the money until you get positive feedback. WTF??? Guess who just sold his last item on ebay. Now I have to pay for shipping for this saddle out of pocket and wait on the buyer to give me positive feedback before I will get the lousy hundred dollars. It's almost worth it just to call the buyer and cancel the sell then put the saddle back in the corner of the barn, but I know it's not the buyer's fault and their kid probably really wants the saddle.

It should be illegal for them to just take my money like that but I'm sure they've got some kinda fancy pants lawyer that got them around the legalities of it.

[gtwister09]

I don't sell on eBay. However like Bree I never think that it's good to put all your eggs into one basket or to only rely on them. Unfortunately they have changed over time. This could be any number of reasons...corporate greed, governmental policies due to banking or any other number of reasons. Many have tried to get them to change direction over the past few years and return to the "good old days" but to no avail.

I sent several sites to either help you tame the eBay animal or if you were not inclined to do that to seek an alternative. Some of you may be able to use the information in the taming portion to try to contain costs. It may mean that you don't use them for some things and maybe use them for other things. It most likely depends upon your business models and products. Some of you feel extremely strong about it so I would suggest that you develop a plan and migrate away so that it stops. It's your business and you are responsible for it's growth and care. If eBay no longer fits your needs and requirements then vote with your feet if you are so inclined. The best defense against them is education and a plan.

Regards,

Ben

[JLD]

Yes, Yes Yes

I agree it is even better here in Australia as a seller you are not able to leave any feedback but POSITIVE. So if you get a bad payer, purchaser etc you cant respond or even reply to an incorrect feedback.

I received a note from Auctiva stating that they are starting up an online auction site so there might be some competition in the future. I agree the fees are a bit much and they are double diping with Pay Pal but then again no one is forcing me to use them.

As moe people visit my online shop (not ebay) I might not need ebay to "get the name out there"

Anyone interested in starting an online Auction house???? I am prepared to help

Johanna what about a Leatherworker.net auction ?

Johanne

[MADMAX22]

Yes, Yes Yes

I agree it is even better here in Australia as a seller you are not able to leave any feedback but POSITIVE. So if you get a bad payer, purchaser etc you cant respond or even reply to an incorrect feedback.

I received a note from Auctiva stating that they are starting up an online auction site so there might be some competition in the future. I agree the fees are a bit much and they are double diping with Pay Pal but then again no one is forcing me to use them.

As moe people visit my online shop (not ebay) I might not need ebay to "get the name out there"

Anyone interested in starting an online Auction house???? I am prepared to help

Johanna what about a Leatherworker.net auction ?

Johanne

Thats not a bad idea at all. Strictly a leather related only auction house. When people want something made of leather they go to the leather auction.

[jbird]

If you read back a few pages you will see that I suggested this same thing I have been thinking of it for monthes.

Josh

[JSLeathercraft]

Hello all! My first post on here! I've been a lurker for awhile. Anyway, I read through this thread and I wanted to say there was a comment some time back which included some sarcasm about being afraid of money orders. Well, we have had a family tack shop that has sold on Ebay and our own website for over 10 years. We have received 2 counterfeit money orders in our years. Both were for new saddles and were $2500-3000 checks. These were so good, in fact, that the bank didn't even know for weeks. FBI (I think) was involved both times and knew who the offenders were but there is no way to get paid. So, even though there are fees for Paypal it is also a quick way to get your money safely and is comparable to the fees for our merchant account. I do agree though that the fees have gotten a little high for Ebay. But, then again, where else can you get the attention of thousands of people looking for your specific item every day!

Jennifer

J. Stephenson Leathercraft

Tipton, IN