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Ebay policy changes
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red_bus
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:55 pm

I am so dreading the new search function coming in here at the end of the month.

Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!

JasonZavoda
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:49 pm

red_bus wrote:I am so dreading the new search function coming in here at the end of the month.

Every new page I've seen is worse than what it is replacing. Ebay's philosophy of the day seems to be if it isn't broke, lets break it really badly.

JohnGaunt
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:05 pm

JasonZavoda wrote:Every new page I've seen is worse than what it is replacing. Ebay's philosophy of the day seems to be if it isn't broke, lets break it really badly.

Any amateur can design an auction site, but it takes eBay to really screw it up.

Smaller pictures, colors everywhere, more crowded and busy layouts . . .

Badmike
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:08 am

For those that missed it, Ebay is pissing on you once again. As of October, they will be setting MAXIMUM shipping amounts in some categories. If this maximum shipping does NOT cover costs.....well, tough luck dude. Part of their continuing campaign to drive smaller sellers off ebay for good.

The maximum shipping charges for books are $4, for Cds are $3, which means you can no longer ship these items only by priority mail, even if the buyer desires you do so, it has to be a option along with the cheaper price. Handling and supply charges (for example, charging extra for a padded envelope) are essentially forbidden at this point in these categories. Essentially, for example, I can no longer sell records because I insist on a priority box to protect the item, not simply a hard envelope.

What are maximum shipping and handling charges?
In Books, Movies & DVDs, Music, and Video Games eBay will be enforcing limits on what sellers can charge for shipping and handling. For specific information by category see Maximum Shipping Costs.

Why are you establishing maximum shipping and handling costs?
Buyers have told us that shipping costs on eBay are too high, and this is causing them to make their purchases elsewhere. This is hurting both our sellers and our buyers. Setting maximum shipping and handling costs based on historical date of what buyers have told us is reasonable will keep more buyers satisfied and drive more sales for sellers.

Why were these categories selected?
We are starting with categories where we believe buyer expectations are particularly heightened to free and reasonable shipping. Our goal over time is to bring reasonable shipping limits to more categories.

How did eBay determine the maximum shipping and handling costs for a category?
We based our maximum shipping & handling costs on recent transaction data of what sellers are charging and what buyers have told us is reasonable.

Do the maximum shipping costs include handling costs?
Yes. Handling costs are included in the maximum amounts.

Why are you setting limits on shipping charges lower than my actual costs to ship?
We based our maximum shipping & handling charges on recent transaction data of what sellers are charging and what buyers have told us is reasonable. We know that what buyers consider to be reasonable will be less than sellers' actual costs in some cases. We believe that by offering buyers at least one shipping option that they deem reasonable, sellers will increase their overall sales and conversion.

Are there shipping cost limits for international shipping services or expedited shipping?
No. Maximum shipping and handling costs apply only to the first flat rate shipping service to the U.S.

What can I do if the maximum shipping and handling costs do not cover my expenses for packaging and shipping?
The maximum shipping and handling cost may not cover sellers' shipping costs in some cases. In the event that it does not, you can do one of the following:
When selling a bundle or quantity of items, you can use the shipping calculator to charge actual shipping charges

When selling via fixed price, include all or part of the shipping cost in the item price

When selling via auction:

Continue to list your item with the same start price and a shipping price at or below the maximum shipping cost. Many of our sellers have success with auctions, even at free shipping, because their item looks more competitive to their buyers.

If your actual shipping costs are higher than the maximum shipping & handling cost, start the item price higher to cover your shipping cost. This technique will minimize risk that you will lose money on shipping.

Move your item to fixed price and include all or part of the shipping cost in the item price.

If you are selling a bundle or quantity of items, you can use the shipping calculator to charge actual shipping charges
I'm an international seller. Do the shipping cost limits still apply?
Yes. If you are listing your item on the U.S. site, maximum shipping costs will apply for sales to the U.S. regardless of the location of your item.

As of October, checks and money orders are no longer allowed on Ebay.

As of November, Sellers with DSRs lower than 4.3 will not be allowed to sell or relist on ebay.

And thus it begins....... :evil:

Mike B.

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Badmike
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:17 am

JasonZavoda wrote:
Every new page I've seen is worse than what it is replacing. Ebay's philosophy of the day seems to be if it isn't broke, lets break it really badly.

Not to mention that their stock flirted with their all time low today, and has all week. I swear on my life I have never seen a better example of a company trying to destroy itself than Ebay the last 12 months. Incredible.

Mike B.

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"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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gyg
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:44 am

When selling via fixed price, include all or part of the shipping cost in the item price

Just unbelievable, I can't believe ebay actually said this.

Also - as an ebay seller I have to say, and bear with me on this, - " Who really gives a f*** what buyers want?" - Yes free shipping is great, but so is regular oral sex - unfortunately both things cost you something, somewhere along the line :roll:

.

Are people really so stupid as to think "cool, 5 bucks for my DVD and I get free shipping - that must be better than a buck plus three more for shipping, after all I'm getting something for free" (and as a happy coincidence ebay earn a bit more cash!)

Clearly this is a bit of a rant - I'm sure you know what I'm trying to get at though.

You can never have too much of something you didn't need in the first place.

Badmike
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:58 am

gyg wrote:
Just unbelievable, I can't believe ebay actually said this.

Also - as an ebay seller I have to say, and bear with me on this, - " Who really gives a f*** what buyers want?" - Yes free shipping is great, but so is regular oral sex - unfortunately both things cost you something, somewhere along the line .

Are people really so stupid as to think "cool, 5 bucks for my DVD and I get free shipping - that must be better than a buck plus three more for shipping, after all I'm getting something for free" (and as a happy coincidence ebay earn a bit more cash!)

Clearly this is a bit of a rant - I'm sure you know what I'm trying to get at though.

Yeh, its ludicrous. I just cancelled all my cd and Lp listings, and I'm pruning my books right now (anything large is going offsite to amazon.....and once again I'm sitting here wondering just why it is I haven't switched EVERYTHING to amazon yet....)

All it will lead to is HIGHER costs and LESS choices for buyers....but I think most of them are savvy enough to figure out what is going on here.

I have to say here, as a matter of business, pure and simple, if they stick the Toys and Hobbies category in with this crap I'm moving everything out. I'll have to, or lose enough money it's really not worth staying. Nice to know one day you'll have a choice between Troll & Toad and three other guys who all charge inflated prices for their D&D stuff to cover shipping, and to top it off ship in an unpadded plain brown envelope.

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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beasterbrook
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:37 am

Actually T&T inflate the costs to cover ebay fees, they charge the shipping on top.. (you can see this as the price for things on ebay are that much more than listed on their web site)

Brette:)

Being healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

JasonZavoda
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:07 am

Badmike wrote:For those that missed it, Ebay is pissing on you once again. As of October, they will be setting MAXIMUM shipping amounts in some categories. If this maximum shipping does NOT cover costs.....well, tough luck dude. Part of their continuing campaign to drive smaller sellers off ebay for good.
The maximum shipping charges for books are $4, for Cds are $3, which means you can no longer ship these items only by priority mail, even if the buyer desires you do so, it has to be a option along with the cheaper price. Handling and supply charges (for example, charging extra for a padded envelope) are essentially forbidden at this point in these categories. Essentially, for example, I can no longer sell records because I insist on a priority box to protect the item, not simply a hard envelope.

As of October, checks and money orders are no longer allowed on Ebay.

As of November, Sellers with DSRs lower than 4.3 will not be allowed to sell or relist on ebay.

And thus it begins.......

Mike B.

This maximum shipping cost thing is because ebay doesn't get a taste of the money for shipping. What they want is a fixed price auction where the seller pays a percentage for the total sale including shipping.

My own experiment with free shipping proved to me that at this point most buyers don't look at shipping when they bid. The fact that I've been getting between a 4.8 and 4.9 DSR for shipping costs which have been Free, has also made me reconsider free shipping. I now charge a small shipping fee and can offer combined shipping.

Now this DSR thing. According to ebay a 4 rating is Good. Yet they are saying that a 4.3 rating will get you kicked off ebay.

bclarkie
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:26 am

Badmike wrote:
Not to mention that their stock flirted with their all time low today, and has all week. I swear on my life I have never seen a better example of a company trying to destroy itself than Ebay the last 12 months. Incredible.

Mike B.

I am completely at a loss as to what to say. It's like just when you think Ebay can't get any more dumb and that thye have hit rock bottom, they just keep digging. Well whatever, all this bullshit is why I have done my absolute best to not sell anything on it anymore, its become a joke and as a result I have only listed 1 set of auctions in pretty much the last 5 months.

Ebay has pretty much become the poster child for corporate arrogance and greed and it eventually is going to bite them square on the ass. It seems to be on the way now much sooner than later and it sure will be fun to see it happen.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." -Neitzche

killjoy32
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:27 am

agreed, lets hope it all plummets fast, then something actually worthwhile can take its place and be what ebay SHOULD have been.

Al

Are we nearly there yet?

JasonZavoda
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:42 am

killjoy32 wrote:agreed, lets hope it all plummets fast, then something actually worthwhile can take its place and be what ebay SHOULD have been.

Al

I'd like to see it break up into smaller auction sites that specialize. How ebay doesn't qulify as a monopoly I don't know.

Xaxaxe
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:31 pm

Badmike wrote:For those that missed it, Ebay is pissing on you once again. As of October, they will be setting MAXIMUM shipping amounts in some categories. If this maximum shipping does NOT cover costs.....well, tough luck dude. Part of their continuing campaign to drive smaller sellers off ebay for good.

I can't believe some of my eBay predictions are actually coming true.

I've been wondering for years when they would get around to doing this.

The problem, of course, is that it's eBay ... so, by definition, they've taken a pretty easy idea and screwed it up. A "shipping cap" is not, on the surface, a bad idea. It's worked just fine for years over at Amazon (technically, sellers are reimbursed at Amazon, but the principle is close enough for this discussion), and it's yet another blow to idiots and thieves like Cougie, who have seen their bag of tricks pretty much emptied in the past year or so (I'll give eBay credit for that much; they've done a lot to hurt the CougTards of the world).

But, as usual, eBay's "one-size-fits-all" approach pretty much assumes two things:

1. All sellers are the same;

2. All sellers, if they aren't regulated to death, will be like Cougar.

Add to that the completely insulting (and transparently greedy) attitude of "Hey, sellers, you should just offer free shipping anyway!" and you've got a nice recipe for disaster.

Plus, as mentioned, there are times when flexibility is a good thing. Valuable media-related items probably should be shipped Priority, which is more sturdy, offers free delivery confirmation, and gets the item to the buyer much sooner. Hell, many buyers want their stuff sooner, and are happy to pay $5 for a quick, reliable form of shipping that has a much greater chance of protecting their first-edition book or whatever.

The sub-text here is interesting: eBay understands it is getting clobbered by Amazon in all media-related categories. Sellers who list a fair amount of media items, like myself, have left eBay in stampedes and aren't coming back (I personally have not paid a penny of eBay/PayPal fees since February). Their solution appears to be "let's just be like Amazon." Which, of course, fails to recognize that the companies have more differences than similarities. Square peg, meet round hole.

JasonZavoda wrote:Now this DSR thing. According to ebay a 4 rating is Good. Yet they are saying that a 4.3 rating will get you kicked off ebay.

This puzzles me, as well. It's like eBay has some sort of weird schizophrenia about the DSR concept ... or it's like half of their employees didn't get the memo or something. Is a 4 "good" or not? It depends on who is doing the asking and who is doing the answering. It also depends far too much on buyers who have not been educated well enough about the concept (or who, frankly, just don't care) and, as established in previous uproars, actually see a screen that basically says "4 is good!"

One interesting sidebar: as of right now, Cougar is at a 4.3 in the "shipping and handling charges" category. If that falls by even a tenth, then the Karma Missile will have well and truly landed. Can you imagine? After all the years we've begged eBay to throw that thief out, and then he basically does it to himself? Oh, irony, you funny bitch!

Badmike wrote:Not to mention that their stock flirted with their all time low today, and has all week.

eBay stock prices for the last three months, courtesy of the New York Times:

Headed straight for the teens ... amazing. I fully expect my son will be studying eBay in his college business classes. The topic will be "American Business Disasters."

Zenopus
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:10 pm

Aren't Amazon Marketplace fees higher than Half.com (owned by Ebay)?

"Amazon.com collects your sales price and shipping costs from the buyer, deducts a commission of 6 to 15 percent of the sales price, a per-transaction fee of $0.99, and a variable closing fee." Books and CDs have a 15% commission rate & a set $1.35 "variable closing fee".

So, for each book that $2.34 + 15% of sale price - whereas Half is only 15% of sale price. Amazon does have many more old or obscure books listed that are not found on Half (you can't list on Half without a preset entry). Also, on Half.com you get to use your Ebay feedback, whereas starting new on Amazon you are back to zero.

g026r
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:13 pm

I'm trying to puzzle out why neutrals no longer count against the feedback rating.

All they're doing is forcing further polarization of feedback: positive or negative, no point in neutrals. (After all, how many actually look at feedback and how many just glance at the numbers?) I know that I recently left a neutral that would have been a negative had I known it was still going to show up as the seller being a perfect dealer. :roll:

"Reader, Carthegena was of the mind, that unto thoſe Three Things, which the Ancients held Impoſſible, there ſhould be added this Fourth ; To find a Book Printed without Errata's."

Xaxaxe
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:18 pm

There's advantages to each. The feedback one is important, for sure ... my Amazon feedback, for example is like 29. And, for whatever reason, a significant amount of Amazon deals are completed without the buyers even bothering to leave feedback at all.

Amazon's shipping reimbursements are more than fair, which helps to off-set some of the fees. For virtually every item I've sold, I've actually pocketed a bit of profit in shipping.

I would encourage interested sellers to try both. They are similar in a lot of ways, but different enough to warrant investigation.

Johnson
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:22 pm

Hi,

actually, my biggest gripe on Ebay is those sellers who rip you off for postage.

So maximum postage charges seems quite good to me.

But then, I mainly buy, not sell.

Cheers,
Malc

JasonZavoda
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:58 pm

g026r wrote:I'm trying to puzzle out why neutrals no longer count against the feedback rating.

All they're doing is forcing further polarization of feedback: positive or negative, no point in neutrals. (After all, how many actually look at feedback and how many just glance at the numbers?) I know that I recently left a neutral that would have been a negative had I known it was still going to show up as the seller being a perfect dealer.

What would be useful would be able to click on the negative or neutral feedback score and see the comments without having to wade through pages and pages (when you're dealing with a big seller).

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