Estocks

johnnyboyrebel

ludovico wrote: »

estocks do use software on eBay, it can only undercut if you enter the barcode when listing your product but at the moment eBay isn't forcing media sellers to use the catalogue (thank god as it's full of errors) so if you list without the barcode added then they won't undercut.

I cant disagree with you on this as like I said, I dont know ebay too well but as far as I am aware some of the software applications I speak of reprice against any seller (as long as no exclusions are stated) so I'm not too sure why a seller would be ignored and not undercut just because they have listed something without a barcode (EAN/UPC etc.)

It is all down to the API eBay supply. This notes all of the oppositions prices then looks at your current listing price and prices you to be as competitive as you can be whilst staying within your boundaries/pricing rules. Most API's will note price only for repricing purposes so as long as it is listed, it will be priced against (or undercut in this case)

Therefore as the API would have no idea if you listed with a barcode or not, it would simply price against you. If you are repricing, then you want to compete with anyone so it wouldnt make any sense to exclude some sellers because of the way the product was listed,

i of course may be wrong so I may stand corrected.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

eBay is very different to Amazon, everything on Amazon has a barcode and ASIN number to define the product and then a seller must list against a product.

When you search Amazon for a film there is one page for that product and then lots of listings against that product, when you search on eBay there are lots of pages for the same product. The advantage to the smaller seller on eBay is unless you use the product catalogue by entering a barcode your listing is just a random item number on eBay. The API program is using the barcode to check the prices so no barcode, no ability to price check that product but buyers are always searching for key words (for example the title of a film) so will always see your listing.

I've started to use the barcodes on eBay only to appear on Find-DVD for titles where I am the cheapest on the net but still run hundreds of lstings without the product details that sell as normal.

paddyrg

If I were in your position, it would be the *automated* undercutting that would f me off - so impersonal! I guess what you really need is for a second company to get into a throat-slashing bidding war with their bot, let them undercut each other and keep your customers happy by making a point in your ads of "all my stock is *in stock* and at the *advertised condition* unlike some companies trying to flood ebay - their listing is robot controlled to be exactly 1p less than I charge, but I'll let you check their feedback and mine before making your decision - to save just a penny!"

pmduk

Have you considered all of the retailers that you undercut with your prices? Unfortunately it's free trade, you'll have to live with it.

nexus2011

If you are a regular seller do you also pay tax ?

pmduk

Nexus makes a good point. E-stocks are contributing to the economy through VAT, other taxes and employing people.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Nexu's question doesn't have any relevance to the OP and as I understand estocks are Channel Island based so aren't paying VAT. I think we can also assume the OP pays their bills, buys food and other goods, fuel or transports costs, etc, etc which across the general populace contributes more to the economy than large companies based off shore to ensure they pay as little tax as possible.

traybro

That's correct, yes, the undercutting happens with ebay catalogue based products.
What pee's me off is the constant undercutting often 2 -3 times a day and the stock automatically refilling. Knowing that SOME of the time they don't physically have the product. It's all good and well a business selling stock that it does have but I don't think it's fair to agressively undercut something you don't even have,the feedback is starting to speak volumes and some customers are being asked to wait 14 days for delivery, hopefully this wont last long.
I have always sold stock that I have physically got and ebay customers are very demanding, if not delivered within the given time frame , feedback and dsr's do take a big knock.

I pay my tax on sales like any business so I don't really see what relevance your comment has got nexus? The thread is about undercutting with software NOT who pays most tax etc. And if you did your research properly the particular company doesn't pay VAT.So no, it's not contributing to the economy, but that's irrelevant to this thread anyhow.

I'm not wanting to employ others, become big.I simply wanted to earn a living, pay my taxes, pay my bills, look after my kids financially but this isn't going to happen when someone's using software that undercuts to a point that losses are made.
I studied business studies, I understand loss leaders and why it benefits companies but Ebay used to be a marketplace , it never had huge businesses selling on there.

johnnyboyrebel

traybro wrote: »

some customers are being asked to wait 14 days for delivery

This is the maximum period applied by Royal Mail, any item sent by first class post is subject to this period. More to do with Royal Mail than anything else.

That said, by taking advantage of this rule, this gives them 2 weeks to source the item and dispatch it.

Kite2010

johnnyboyrebel wrote: »

This is the maximum period applied by Royal Mail, any item sent by first class post is subject to this period. More to do with Royal Mail than anything else.

That said, by taking advantage of this rule, this gives them 2 weeks to source the item and dispatch it.

But then they will be hit in the dispatch time stars and maybe poor communication