Yet again Ebay are controlling sellers even more

RFW

stevew8975 wrote: »

And that means not having petulant tantrums every time a policy changes.

I'm the same, good job really, I don't think the NHS would be able to cope if I did so every new policy tweak;)

I still find it puzzling that people who detest Ebay as much as they say continue to use it and continue to bleat about it. I do my best to not deal with companies, and even people, I dislike. I personally don't think the alternatives to Ebay are anywhere near as good, but they are still around and usable.

cyberbob

RFW wrote: »

I still find it puzzling that people who detest Ebay as much as they say continue to use it and continue to bleat about it.

The one that I always find puzzling is the people who post inabsolute shock when the changes occur even though they have been talked about for months. You just have to look at the amount of posts here and on the community boards about Free P&P even though its been introduced in different categories for the past 6 months.

hubballi

I rest my case.

Obviously the people here making 6 figures are going to obey everything. How on earth you can make that much in a recession is beyond me but good luck to you.

soolin

hubballi wrote: »

I rest my case.

Obviously the people here making 6 figures are going to obey everything. How on earth you can make that much in a recession is beyond me but good luck to you.

It pays to read and understand how ebay and paypal work rather than make assumptions. Quite often fees can be legitimately shaved or lessened well within the rules but only if you understand what you are doing.

If you are not happy with understanding the system then try elsewhere, Amazon is great for books although there practices are sharper than ebay are the fees can be much higher. For standard auctions try www.ebid.co.uk .

Oh and I don't make 6 figures, but i do make enough across all the various selling platforms for several very good holidays a year.

StaffsSW

hubballi wrote: »

I rest my case.

Obviously the people here making 6 figures are going to obey everything. How on earth you can make that much in a recession is beyond me but good luck to you.

I work with ebay, rather than against it. I use it as a marketing tool and maximise it's capabilities and restrictions. There's much, much more to earining an income from ebay than just worrying about free insertion fees, free P&P, negative feedback, low star ratings etc.

However, I still feel it is easier to use as a platform than a bricks and mortar outlet.

And not every industry sector is in recession. There is, no doubt, a shrinkage in overall expenditure, but there is also a shift in spending priorities of many people. By looking at how and where people are now spending money, it is not impossible to find an opportunity to benefit from that.

RFW

stevew8975 wrote: »

However, I still feel it is easier to use as a platform than a bricks and mortar outlet.

I've just been going over some figures from ten years ago, we had pretty much the same business but with considerably more overheads than we have now using Ebay. I was amazed at how few customers (about 10%) we had compared with now and the amount we spent in getting those few customers.

It was fortunate that Ebay fitted in with our business so we didn't have to do much to make it work. I can understand how Ebay won't work for some people. I can't sell through Sotheby's (we don't sell the right items and couldn't afford the fees) but know a few who do well out of doing just that.

RFW

hubballi wrote: »

I rest my case.

Obviously the people here making 6 figures are going to obey everything.

There's plenty of successful sellers who aren't happy with recent changes, some will complain, but the better sellers will roll with the changes or move on. No business can succeed in bemoaning what has happened whilst ignoring what will happen.

cyberbob

hubballi wrote: »

I rest my case.

Obviously the people here making 6 figures are going to obey everything. How on earth you can make that much in a recession is beyond me but good luck to you.

I don't make 6 figures but I make an OK living. Its a case as in any business understanding mechanisms. Understanding how both ebay and paypal work so you can minimise fees. Understanding your market and competition and being prepared for any changes. I changed most of my sales to Free P&P 12 months ago as I new it was on the cards, by doing it early I worked out the best way to stay competitive. You have to keep working at it. Ebay to some rule changes that infuriate me but they are not going to change. I can stamp my feet all i like but its better to find a way to work with it. I wish to keep selling there as I could not get that much exposure myself if I just used my website

StaffsSW

I spend on average about £270-£350 per month in ebay and paypal fees, and that gives me a pretty much worldwide reach. Add another £500 a month or so in postage costs and fixed expenses, there are not many B&M shops that you can run for £850 per month for that sort of market exposure.

CCFC_80

hubballi wrote: »

So all postage is free. What about postage overseas ? Thats always higher and I will definatley loose out by listing as free.

Is it just me or are there a lot of one eyed views in favor of Ebay here ?

No it is not just you. Ebay are so far up their buyers' backsides and do not give a s**t about the sellers. People will say if you don't like their policies then don't use them, well I did use them but now I don't.