Sellers & this new feedback lark...

shellsuit

I've bought quite a few items in the last couple of weeks, probably 11 and only ONE seller has actually made communication with me, to let me know they have sent out my item.

With this new feedback in play, wouldn't you think that sellers would make more of an effort

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to neg them for not communicating with me, but there will be some buyers out there who will neg for that reason.

DGJsaver

I always communicate to my buyers and like to communicate when I AM the buyer

This will be why i have 5.0 as my rating in communication , it can make a big difference and i will ensure i continue this especially as you say with the new system in place

Manners goes a LONG WAY towards good feedback

Some sellers could do well to rememeber that

especially some that come on this forum bleating about the feedback

StaffsSW

Death-throws...

The word on the street is that many sellers are simply giving up on eBay and could not care about the consequences of their actions. They are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Personally I'm focusing my attentions elsewhere - there are easier ways to make a living than pandering about on ebay, but I'm still using SMP, so buyers are getting emailed every step of the way, and these emails are also copying into their eBay messages inbox. It may be overkill, but from the best part of 30k feedback, my 12 months comms DSR is 4.96.

kevinyork

Yup me too. SMP automates the emails so just rely on these although Ive had one buyer email to say they are unhappy with the number of emails just for one transaction so you cant always win.

The last week was our lowest in terms of sales in 2 years despite us having more listings then ever before. We are on standard searches with good feedback and DSR's. Maybe its just because if was half term but it isnt looking good. We are investing now in our website and relying on Amazon more.

Is there anywhere you can monitor eBay's website hits or indeed total sales/income to see how they are doing overall?

StaffsSW

kevinyork wrote: »

Is there anywhere you can monitor eBay's website hits or indeed total sales/income to see how they are doing overall?

Alexa.com shows traffic and page views, but is only an indicator.

I have access to the ebay API system through which I can pull data from, and from the rough figures that I can see, sales have dropped off a cliff in the last few months - less items with successful completed listings, and a much lower average selling price is noted, although the number of listings has been reasonably stable.

I can also see the traffic spikes at Weekends, and last bank holiday was VERY busy for traffic due to the bad weather, and this past week has been well down on traffic - half term and decent weather both must be contributing as well as the whole SNP and feedback issues.

The Q2 results will be very interesting, but I fear that the drop in listings revenue will be offset by the increased use of Paypal and sponsored links for income. The shareholders tend to look at high level listings numbers, so since the Buy.com and General Motors deals have kicked off in the US, that's another 350,000 listings at any given moment, although they will be on a preferential insertion and FVF rate.

kevinyork

Thanks Steve

richto

Speak for yourself.

My sales have gone up from about £15,000 a month to £25,000 a month - almost entirely due to not having to refund unconfirmed payments anymore.

zebedy

I've bought and sold a reasonable number of things on ebay over the years and would never contact a buyer to tell them i have despatched the item. I use mark as despatched on myebay and they can see it's been despatched on their myebay - I don't see the need to contact them as well.

As a buyer I've only had one or two emails saying your item has been despatched. I don't think it's a problem

shellsuit

zebedy wrote: »

I've bought and sold a reasonable number of things on ebay over the years and would never contact a buyer to tell them i have despatched the item. I use mark as despatched on myebay and they can see it's been despatched on their myebay - I don't see the need to contact them as well.

As a buyer I've only had one or two emails saying your item has been despatched. I don't think it's a problem

Why wouldn't you contact them?

Is it because you just can't be bothered

EDIT : I can't see anywhere on 'my ebay' where I can see whether an item has been dispatched or not. I've just looked under customise display too and there's nothing there?

DGJsaver

zebedy wrote: »

I've bought and sold a reasonable number of things on ebay over the years and would never contact a buyer to tell them i have despatched the item. I use mark as despatched on myebay and they can see it's been despatched on their myebay - I don't see the need to contact them as well.

As a buyer I've only had one or two emails saying your item has been despatched. I don't think it's a problem

It isnt a problem
but manners cost nothing and can promote repeat buyers;)

StaffsSW

Using SMP, when an item is marked as dispatched by the seller, it automatically emails and messages the buyers with a custom template.

As a buyer, if you select "View Order Details" form the summary page, the dispatch date is displayed on that.