Ebid anyone ?

RFW

sequence wrote: »

I think ebid have the right strategy for their site. Sit back and wait for the disgruntled ebay sellers to pay for lifetime memberships. No need to do any work, or change the site in anyway. There's virtually no chance of pulling buyers away from ebay and amazon, no matter how much they sink into advertising.

I think you're right. The last time I checked Ebid wasn't a bad little business for its directors. They occasionally make a few noises about expansion and doing better but it's only really sellers who know who they are. Joe & Jill Public have never heard of them, for a 15 year old online business that's remarkably unimpressive.

soolin

scarlet_sky wrote: »

Oh. I just signed up for the reduced lifetime membership yesterday. It seems I may have made a big mistake...

I suspect you have just waved goodbye to your money- like i did all those years ago.

Incidentally, the lifetime membership is *always* on special offer, it is never charged at full price. It is a bit like the old MFI sales , the summer 'once only' sale merged seamlessly into the Autumn' once only' sale and then into the Christmas sale with no gaps in between.

I'm surprised no one has reported Ebid for their false advertising on that one.

soolin

RFW wrote: »

I think you're right. The last time I checked Ebid wasn't a bad little business for its directors. They occasionally make a few noises about expansion and doing better but it's only really sellers who know who they are. Joe & Jill Public have never heard of them, for a 15 year old online business that's remarkably unimpressive.

There is always the rumour that the owners make enough from us sellers daft enough to sign up for lifetime membership (me included) that the small percentage they take on the few sales there are is almost immaterial.

StaffsSW

When was the last time anyone saw an eBid item appear on a google search? Ebay stuff crops up all the time on searches, but I don't think I've ever seen an ebid listing on there.

That said, eBid are now offering an affiliate scheme on purchases, not just on new seller sign ups. If a few big players in the affiliate business get on board, then lots could change.

RFW

StaffsSW wrote: »

That said, eBid are now offering an affiliate scheme on purchases, not just on new seller sign ups. If a few big players in the affiliate business get on board, then lots could change.

I don't think that's new, unless they've stopped and started. I was doing some good business with affiliate links a few years ago and looked at Ebid, it was a bit like the rest of it, pointless.

scarlet_sky

soolin wrote: »

I suspect you have just waved goodbye to your money- like i did all those years ago.

Incidentally, the lifetime membership is *always* on special offer, it is never charged at full price. It is a bit like the old MFI sales , the summer 'once only' sale merged seamlessly into the Autumn' once only' sale and then into the Christmas sale with no gaps in between.

I'm surprised no one has reported Ebid for their false advertising on that one.

The email I got when I joined said I only had 24 hours to take up the lifetime membership offer! I'm guessing I might never get the free T-shirt either, as there has been no mention of it since I paid up. Well, I have to make the best of it now I'm signed up. Feeling rather disappointed