"eBay Top Seller Calls It Quits" Ecommerce Bytes

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Permalink Reply by WhimsicalVintage on July 28, 2012 at 8:04pm

I was glued to this as I read it!  What a story...well written and sincere.

I'm afraid that this is a trending theme and I'm not sure what can be done about it.  I find it very ironic (and disheartening) that these larger ecommerce sites don't seem to care about those who built them into what they are.  Outstanding customer service and business practices combined with a "roll with the punches" attitude is the very foundation of these businesses, yet, in many cases, it goes unnoticed.

I commend Jeff on his honesty and hope that, possibly he can rebuild himself on another site. 

Very moving and insightful...thank you Lora for linking it:)

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Permalink Reply by ElsiesAttic ~ CEO on July 28, 2012 at 11:15pm

I know. As he said, his blood sweat and tears was part of what BUILT eBay and in the end... it just meant nothing to them. I was riveted to his story to.

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Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on July 29, 2012 at 12:12am

Wow...that's all I can say...wow...that was the same time frame as my rise and fall on eBay, but no where near the extent of this person's heartache...I hope and pray he survives...

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Permalink Reply by Pearl's Parlor on July 29, 2012 at 5:13am

Thanks Lora for the story.  eBay used to be a fun place, but no more.  I bought and sold a little for about 4 years but quit eBay in 2008 along with many others when all the changes started happening - the feedback issues, those crazy stars.  You could see the handwriting on the wall with the sellers jumping through hoops to keep up with the daily changes.  It was almost like you were their employee, but with no health benefits.

Some of the comments to his story on the site say he should write a book.  Good way to pull in some money and expose what happened.  Wish him the best.  What a shame.

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Antiques on July 29, 2012 at 7:52am

Wow is right - I couldn't stop reading this article - couldn't believe what I was reading - what a mess and really glad I am not even interested in that venue.

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Permalink Reply by Gizmos on July 29, 2012 at 10:14am

I believe this wholeheartedly, as my sales dropped off like a stone as well about the same time, and we realized it was because of the moves of this Donahoe creep, everything went south as soon as Meg left. I shudder everytime I have to list something on feebay.

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Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on July 29, 2012 at 1:01pm

PTSD for me reading this as, although on a much much smaller scale, in 2007 eBay killed my lucrative business that I had there since 2002 when they "accidentally" obliterated my store one night and suspended my account....as soon as I contacted them, they realized and admitted the error (long story, they thought I was someone else...) but they were "unable" to recover the hundreds of items I had in my shop and I had to start over again. Never recovered, especially as I had shown NRU for the 2 days it took to get re-instated.  I stuck it out for another 6 months and saw more and more of the anti-small seller changes occurring  and decided to say goodbye.

Sadly, as I have learned, there are other marketplaces who also seem to forget that their #1 customers are their sellers, and I have noticed how many of them too have dropped or are dropping from the positions of strength they once held in the market.... with some even having the attitude of "if you don't like how we do things, feel free to go elsewhere"

Well, with all the options out there for sellers nowadays, that is exactly what many of us, big and small, have done and will continue to do.  No marketplace is too big to fail, and with eBay a shadow of its former self, others would be wise to take note IMHO!

PTSD vent over!

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Permalink Reply by BWs Vintage Collectibles on September 13, 2012 at 12:51pm

Hello, I have read the info.  I am sorry for the editor's bad luck. I have been buying/selling on Ebay every now and then, but two years ago, decided to turn my hobby into a full time experience. It used to be an uneven playing field with top sellers always on top, or the special listing item features putting those who could afford it on top.  I went to other sites, and they were NOT able to compete with Ebay's advertising...I sold literally 10 things in 1 year. No fees mind you, but no sales either, no matter how many blogs, comments, photos, or keywords I tried.  SO, back to Ebay.  Although I am a small seller with a hobby, my quality is 100%.  I am personally involved and here 24/7.  The fees are high, but I have to deal with it. I feel it is a more even playing field, but have to agree, the searchwords and keywords are not allowing ebay listings on top for an audience to search.  With that said, I am hopeful with the weeding out of Ebay most unscrupulous sellers....they will focus on their promotion angles. If the writer published his book, it will allow another company to build or rebuild their business which use the Ebay pits to their advantage.  We might see another company pop up within a couple more years, if not sooner, and we can support it with our business and comments.....ultimately, the consumer has the power.  America was built when the PEOPLE wanted and sought change.  When they didn't find a democracy to switch to....they built one of their own.  It wasn't always perfect, still isn't, but the people had the power....then and now, and as it equates to our small business.  I advocate supporting Ebay for what we can use it for..AND move our thoughts forward to helping them make a better format for all....and also look for the small website who wishes to expand using the pits as a catapult....the only weapon we have to keep ourselves happy and in business is to constantly seek a user friendly format....and pass it along in groups and communities like......The Vintage Village.....thevintagevillage.com.........it is a waste of our time and energy and brain smarts to bash Ebay...and highlight the faults....just put our brains to work on the positives....and move on, move forward, turning lemons into lemonade....

-=brenda    BWs Vintage Collectibles                      formerly BWs Recollections Wholesale

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