Marketing Online Review » Business eBay

I walked off job today

admin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

::I havn’t been here for a while. My anxiety problem has gotten much ::better. I take my benzos sparingly. My ebay and craigslist ::businesses have done well plus I have been picking up new clients with ::my handyman business. I received a job offer 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was ::a bit concerned because the owner had antiquated computers to do 21st ::century work. I talked with a couple of his employees who were ::fumbling around with the computers and outdated software. I have been ::in situations where an employer was not willing to pay for maintenence ::agreements and good software. The result is a lot of time wasted plus ::I got the blame for it. I left after 3 hours this morning – my first ::day. and I did not suffer any anxiety problems. Dear Fred, Good to hear from you again! Glad life’s been treating you good Sounds like you made the right decision leaving this job. Jackie ~*~Sit and daydream, and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind~*~ ~~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Fred, If the owner had to "blame" you for his cheapness in his computer and software, you made the right decision to get out of there. So glad this didn’t trigger any anxiety for you. Will you be pursuing a new job? Glad your other businesses are taking off. smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I havn’t been here for a while. My anxiety problem has gotten much better. I take my benzos sparingly. My ebay and craigslist businesses have done well plus I have been picking up new clients with my handyman business. I received a job offer 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was a bit concerned because the owner had antiquated computers to do 21st century work. I talked with a couple of his employees who were fumbling around with the computers and outdated software. I have been in situations where an employer was not willing to pay for maintenence agreements and good software. The result is a lot of time wasted plus I got the blame for it. I left after 3 hours this morning – my first day. and I did not suffer any anxiety problems. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m so sorry you walked off your job, Fred, but really glad you didn’t suffer with anxiety. I wish you the best finding something new. Hugs, Di

I havn’t been here for a while. My anxiety problem has gotten much better. I take my benzos sparingly. My ebay and craigslist businesses have done well plus I have been picking up new clients with my handyman business. I received a job offer 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was a bit concerned because the owner had antiquated computers to do 21st century work. I talked with a couple of his employees who were fumbling around with the computers and outdated software. I have been in situations where an employer was not willing to pay for maintenence agreements and good software. The result is a lot of time wasted plus I got the blame for it. I left after 3 hours this morning – my first day. and I did not suffer any anxiety problems.

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I havn’t been here for a while. My anxiety problem has gotten much better. I take my benzos sparingly. My ebay and craigslist businesses have done well plus I have been picking up new clients with my handyman business. I received a job offer 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was a bit concerned because the owner had antiquated computers to do 21st century work. I talked with a couple of his employees who were fumbling around with the computers and outdated software. I have been in situations where an employer was not willing to pay for maintenence agreements and good software. The result is a lot of time wasted plus I got the blame for it. I left after 3 hours this morning – my first day. and I did not suffer any anxiety problems. — The charter is available at:http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

I know little more than how to turn my computer on/off. But I understand your anxiety problem having been there and fighing it daily. (Had somewhat similiar problems) I have found you can’t keep all the people happy all the time; which you have as well. Still easier said than done. Best wishes. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Beware of Fleabay Meter Ripoff

admin — Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Beware of dgrant00 also known as Becky’s Boutique. I bought and paid for a Fluke 189 two weeks ago and nothing, was supposed to ship next business day UPS ground.Sent 2 emails, 3 phone calls, no answer. Hr made feedback private and just this month has 5 + and 4-..Fixing to get another neg too…They have 4 more of these same meters for sale now. M.M.

Response:

Ebay yanked his stuff….goodbye asshole e – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Beware of dgrant00 also known as Becky’s Boutique. I bought and paid for a Fluke 189 two weeks ago and nothing, was supposed to ship next business day UPS ground.Sent 2 emails, 3 phone calls, no answer. Hr made feedback private and just this month has 5 + and 4-..Fixing to get another neg too…They have 4 more of these same meters for sale now. M.M.

Response:

60's Bassman Cab

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I have what I believe is a 60s era bassman 212 cab. It has one missing speaker and one very nice sounding Oxford 12T6-1. It’s got tiltback but no Fender nameplate and is reasonably scuffed with a couple of small grille tears. Any experts out there with info on how/where to sell and at what ballpark value? Advice on whether to look for another speaker to make it more sellable or sell as-is? Thanks Al

Response:

I used to have a webpage bookmarked for company who sold "vintage" speakers. The prices, even for speakers without much demand for them was just nuts though. I guess they did business with people obsessed with restoring amps. It’s kind of cool that your’s has tiltback legs, but I kind of doubt that it’s worth enough to make it worth spending a lot of money restoring it, and finding the correct speaker. Check Ebay finished auctions though. IMO, cabinets like that are too heavy to be worth what it’d cost to safely ship them. You might even have better luck selling the Oxford speaker, and the empty cabinet separately. Pete — So… your corndog has radar. I knew that. But what would it want… with radar? –Mouse "Fitz" Fitzgerald

Response:

help trying to get my refund

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Paypal says –the buyer’s claim has been granted but the seller did not have sufficient funds in his PayPal account to cover the refund. PayPal is working with the seller to recover funds on the buyer’s behalf. I the buyer got back 175 which is ebays standard maximum amount for claims. The item I paid for with paypal was 400. Can I do anything to recover the funds myself?

Response:

yes, so I file a chargeback for 400 – 175 from ebay? How much info does my credit card company need? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – File a chargeback with your credit card company. You did fund this PayPal payment with a CC didn’t you?

Response:

thanks, called my credit card company which is a Paypal visa and forms to fill out are on the way. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – yes, so I file a chargeback for 400 – 175 from ebay? How much info does my credit card company need? Just call your CC company and explain your situation to them. Inform them that you did get $175 back. They will do the math and take back from PayPal what is owed to you. Rita

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – thanks, called my credit card company which is a Paypal visa and forms to fill out are on the way. yes, so I file a chargeback for 400 – 175 from ebay? How much info does my credit card company need? Just call your CC company and explain your situation to them. Inform them that you did get $175 back. They will do the math and take back from PayPal what is owed to you. Rita

A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it? When I have done charge backs there was no form to be mailed or filled out. I just called them told them what was going on, they looked it up, said no problem. After that the only thing I got in the mail was a confirmation that the charge had been permanently removed. and thanking me for me business bla bla bla. — 25% graduate functional illiterates. We should remove the warning labels from everything and let nature take care of the problem. Peter Weisbach

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it? When I have done charge backs there was no form to be mailed or filled out. I just called them told them what was going on, they looked it up, said no problem. After that the only thing I got in the mail was a confirmation that the charge had been permanently removed. and thanking me for me business bla bla bla. This is my thought as well. I didn’t respond because I have suspicions of being chummed since nobody uses or should use a PayPal Visa card. The mailed forms aren’t out of the ordinary and my bank does use them as well. The phone call gives you instant results and a provisional credit and the form is a formality that my bank uses for record and part of the investigation process. Rita

Ok I guess it just depends on the bank. Does anyone know if the PP CC is drawn on some bank? I have got many of their spam offers to get one, but never paid any attention to them. The last charge back I had to do was with Discover. I was getting fed up with McAfee and decided to try Norton. The company that makes it (Syn something?) had a download for it, I tried, something went wrong, probably my fault, most kids in Jr High know more about a computer than I do, but it would not work, would not let me download again, but did charge my card. After much searching the only phone # I could find was a place you had to pay by the min. to talk to them. While I was on the phone to Discover telling them I wanted to reverse the charge the operator gave me a free (800) # for them. While he was doing his thing I dialed it, got a recording that it was no longer in service to try to reach them on line. I told him this and asked him if he wanted to hear it, he laughed and said no. I never did hear from Norton, but Discover reversed the charge. — "Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks." [Lazarus Long]

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it? When I have done charge backs there was no form to be mailed or filled out. I just called them told them what was going on, they looked it up, said no problem. After that the only thing I got in the mail was a confirmation that the charge had been permanently removed. and thanking me for me business bla bla bla. The mailed forms aren’t out of the ordinary and my bank does use them as well. The phone call gives you instant results and a provisional credit and the form is a formality that my bank uses for record and part of the investigation process.

You’re so absolutely retarded. You have to complain in writing to preserve your legal rights. It is not just a formality. Read the back of your statement. They use small words. A

Response:

A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it?

PayPal’s Visa debit card is issued by 1st Bank. Its Master Card credit card comes from Providian Natl. Bank.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it? When I have done charge backs there was no form to be mailed or filled out. I just called them told them what was going on, they looked it up, said no problem. After that the only thing I got in the mail was a confirmation that the charge had been permanently removed. and thanking me for me business bla bla bla. The mailed forms aren’t out of the ordinary and my bank does use them as well. The phone call gives you instant results and a provisional credit and the form is a formality that my bank uses for record and part of the investigation process.

You’re so absolutely retarded. You have to complain in writing to preserve your legal rights. It is not just a formality. Read the back of your statement. They use small words. A LOL, is that right? You are certain of that huh? So when I did not fill out any "forms" for my last couple chargeback’s, and I then got a letter confirming that the charge had been permanently removed, the bank was just lying to me huh? Those damn bankers, always trying to pull one over on us. Good thing we have "smart" people like you to give us the real story so they can’t take advantage of us. — Stupidity should be painful

Response:

A PayPal Visa? You "may" be out of luck. Is it drawn on a National bank with just the PayPal name on it? PayPal’s Visa debit card is issued by 1st Bank. Its Master Card credit card comes from Providian Natl. Bank.

That would be scary if they are still anything like they (Providian) was years ago. Friend of mine had one of their cards. Twice when I was with him and he tried to buy something his card was declined. I asked him "do you have it maxed"? He said he had a 0 balance. Both times when he called them to ask what was up, the answer was "our computers are down so the charges will not go through". He gave up on them the second time. Maybe by now they have upgraded and no longer use old 486’s they got at the Good Will. — "Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks." [Lazarus Long]

Response:

Noob: is this a bad seller?

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This silence seems to me really bad form.

A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, they may not have time to send something so unnecesary.

Response:

Did I hear Powerseller? No time for something so trivial?

Response:

: But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this : guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that : everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This : silence seems to me really bad form. : : A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I : don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me : too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, : they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. Every online retailer I have ever dealt with always sends an acknowledgment email that they have received my payment, and will usually give some estimated shipment date. The only times it hasn’t happened? You guessed it…..eBay transactions. Small sellers I can understand. Power Sellers….no excuse.

Response:

But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy!

Peep. There — feel better? Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way?

No. This silence seems to me really bad form.

You should try it some time. Should I slap some negative feedback on this seller already?

You really have a way with people, don’t you? What should be considered "best practice"?

I vote you just shut up. Ed

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this : guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that : everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This : silence seems to me really bad form. : : A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I : don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me : too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, : they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. Every online retailer I have ever dealt with always sends an acknowledgment email that they have received my payment, and will usually give some estimated shipment date. The only times it hasn’t happened? You guessed it…..eBay transactions. Small sellers I can understand. Power Sellers….no excuse.

Why do you understand "small sellers" not communicating, and expect PSs to do so? Kris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This silence seems to me really bad form. A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. Did I hear Powerseller? No time for something so trivial?

Not at all, I’m just a small seller, but found that a lot of people don’t want this, I know I don’t, whenever I get one it goes straight in the email trash can.

Response:

Last night (over 24 hours ago) I bought $150 worth of stuff (two different items) from the same seller through eBay. I paid for the stuff immediately via PayPal (one of the methods accepted by the seller), and PayPal confirmed that the payment went through without any problem. But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This silence seems to me really bad form. Should I slap some negative feedback on this seller already? What should be considered "best practice"?

I can get my prison buddies to put out a hit on him. Craig

Response:

You shouldn’t expect to. Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way?

No. This silence seems to me really bad form.

So is your reaction. Should I slap some negative feedback on this seller already?

Do so, and he will retaliate with bad feedback. What should be considered "best practice"?

Wait for your item to be delivered. Do you intend, by the way, to email him when your item arrives and give him acknowledgement of this? — Tony Cooper Orlando, FL

Response:

: : : : : : But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this : : guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that : : everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This : : silence seems to me really bad form. : : : : A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I : : don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me : : too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, : : they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. : : : Every online retailer I have ever dealt with always sends an : acknowledgment : email that they have received my payment, and will usually give some : estimated shipment date. The only times it hasn’t happened? You guessed : it…..eBay transactions. Small sellers I can understand. Power : Sellers….no excuse. : : Why do you understand "small sellers" not communicating, and : expect PSs to do so? Simple. IMO a lot of small sellers are not selling on eBay as a business, but just trying to make some extra money on items they no longer use. I do think they should communicate, but can understand if they don’t. OTOH Power Sellers are running a business and should act accordingly.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : : : : : But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this : : guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that : : everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This : : silence seems to me really bad form. : : : : A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want it. I : : don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me : : too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, : : they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. : : : Every online retailer I have ever dealt with always sends an : acknowledgment : email that they have received my payment, and will usually give some : estimated shipment date. The only times it hasn’t happened? You guessed : it…..eBay transactions. Small sellers I can understand. Power : Sellers….no excuse. : : Why do you understand "small sellers" not communicating, and : expect PSs to do so? Simple. IMO a lot of small sellers are not selling on eBay as a business, but just trying to make some extra money on items they no longer use. I do think they should communicate, but can understand if they don’t. OTOH Power Sellers are running a business and should act accordingly.

But you don’t know who is (or is not) a powerseller. About half the time, I am….but I don’t display the icon. It doesn’t change how I respond to buyers. *Anyone* selling on eBay is in a business relationship with their buyer, and all should respond accordingly. Frankly, I think eBay has it backwards. They should honor powerbuyers Kris

Response:

We always follow up payment with a notice it’s been received / when the item is being shipped. Seems to be just proper follow up by the seller. If nothing else, it probably minimizes after-sale requests by the buyer following up on delivery dates, etc, which are much more time consuming. On the other hand, I do get many follow-ups thanking me for that information. Makes me wonder if most don’t do such. Most, although not all the seller’s I’ve dealt with, have had some type of follow up. Then again, I try to avoid "big-time" PSs and/or those with reduced feedback ratings (<99.8%), so I’m probably biased toward most likely to provide such courtesy.

Response:

: : : : : : : : : : : : But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this : : : guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that : : : everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This : : : silence seems to me really bad form. : : : : : : A lot of sellers don’t acknowledge it, a lot of buyers don’t want : it. : I : : : don’t send acknowledgements as standard but will if someone wants me : : : too. Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, : : : they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. : : : : : : Every online retailer I have ever dealt with always sends an : : acknowledgment : : email that they have received my payment, and will usually give some : : estimated shipment date. The only times it hasn’t happened? You : guessed : : it…..eBay transactions. Small sellers I can understand. Power : : Sellers….no excuse. : : : : Why do you understand "small sellers" not communicating, and : : expect PSs to do so? : : Simple. IMO a lot of small sellers are not selling on eBay as a business, : but just trying to make some extra money on items they no longer use. I : do : think they should communicate, but can understand if they don’t. OTOH : Power : Sellers are running a business and should act accordingly. : : But you don’t know who is (or is not) a powerseller. About half the : time, I am….but I don’t display the icon. It doesn’t change how I : respond to buyers. : : *Anyone* selling on eBay is in a business relationship with their buyer, : and all should respond accordingly. I don’t think we really disagree, but maybe I’m more understanding than you are I was mainly responding to Flic’s statement "Think of all the sellers who sell over a thousand items a day, they may not have time to send something so unnecesary. (sic)" If they can spend the time listing those items, then they should be able to spend the time acknowledging receipt of payment, particularly since there is software that will do it automatically. : Frankly, I think eBay has it backwards. They should honor powerbuyers Totally agree since I do much more buying than selling

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last night (over 24 hours ago) I bought $150 worth of stuff (two different items) from the same seller through eBay. I paid for the stuff immediately via PayPal (one of the methods accepted by the seller), and PayPal confirmed that the payment went through without any problem. But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This silence seems to me really bad form. Should I slap some negative feedback on this seller already? What should be considered "best practice"? kj — NOTE: In my address everything before the first period is backwards; and the last period, and everything after it, should be discarded.

I have automated emails, but sometimes I can’t check my orders every day to reply. What if his/her PC is down? What if he’s sick or out of town? Would a canned email be OK?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last night (over 24 hours ago) I bought $150 worth of stuff (two different items) from the same seller through eBay. I paid for the stuff immediately via PayPal (one of the methods accepted by the seller), and PayPal confirmed that the payment went through without any problem. But I haven’t yet heard a *peep* from this guy! Isn’t he supposed to send me some acknowledgement that everything is in order and my merchandise is on its way? This silence seems to me really bad form. Should I slap some negative feedback on this seller already? What should be considered "best practice"? kj — NOTE: In my address everything before the first period is backwards; and the last period, and everything after it, should be discarded.

LOL, yes! By all means make sure you promptly leave Neg Feedback. You also need to promptly post your ebay user ID so everyone can add you to their blocked bidders list. — Stupidity should be painful

Response:

"Best practice" is compliance is eBay policies, which state that buyer/seller have "three business days" to make contact. Your question about "slap some negative feedback on this seller already", though, puts you so far under the bridge that we might let timmudman out of our killfiles. Kris

Response:

Unless he promised you some acknowledgement and shipping notice, he doesn’t owe you any. If you "slap some negative feedback on this seller" then you can expect the same in return. I want my sellers shipping my order, not sending me emails. If I don’t get my stuff in 14 days, then I file an item-not-received complaint with eBay. Invariably, my stuff has arrived shortly thereafter.

Response:

"Buy it Now" has disappeared

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

It seems to me that the BIN option should be a way for the bidder to bypass the auctioning process and not wait for the closing deadline.

As a buyer, I would love to see the BIN hang around. It used to be that even after the BIN was stomped, you could see there had been a BIN offered and what that price had been. But they eliminated that so there’s no trace of the BIN after the first bid. As a seller, if the BIN price remained, you would guarantee that your selling price would never exceed your BIN. Is that what you want?

Response:

I thought that the option would remain for the duration of the listing.

It would be only if the auction is set at fixed price listing. if it’s lsited as standard auction format and the starting bid price (or reserve) is below the buy it now price, bidder can place a small bid without using buy it now and the buy it now will be gone. — When you hear the toilet flush, and hear the words "uh oh", it’s already too late. - by anonymous Mother in Austin, TX Spam block in place, no emil reply is expected at all.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The first bidder comes along and bids 99-cents. Fine. Fair enough. But why should the BIN option now disappear? Why can’t a subsequent bidder do just as you described … *Click* on "Buy it Now", pay the $21.00 … and dispense with the whole bidding process? I thought that was the whole point of BIN. if you want the BIN to remain, then try a fixed-price listing. otherwise, you’re just asking for someone to BIN-stomp your auction. especially with such a big difference between opening bid and BIN price. personally, i would have done the same thing. (if i’d wanted OC DVDs – i don’t know why anyone would.) david

BIN stomping can be deferred by a low reserve. More at http://www.tinaja.com/auct01.asp — Many thanks, Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073 Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

I much rather start at a high / realistic price to avoid the bottom feeders.

I have learned from ebay, that you only need one sucker. errr……. customer. And there are people out on the farm and in rural areas that don’t have access to stores that will pay more than something’s worth, or at least what a person puts the starting bid at or reserve. I have auctioned countless items, had them not sell, moved them to the store, increased the price, and sold them within 72 hours. About the time you think you have a grasp on ebay, something happens to blow that idea to small particles. For most people, this is just like a business. That item is $10. Period. I want $10 for that item. We have all seen countless episodes where a $5 item will bring $25, and a $25 item won’t bring $5. Nothing wrong with putting it out there with the price you want and sticking to it. If you DO want to come down, then rearrange the auction, the reserve, the starting price, etc. No one needs to apologize for what they want, and all you need is one newbie/sucker to buy it. Or two people who will have a bidding war. Or better yet, three. Just like there are smart deer that elude the hunters and live a long life and die of old age, there are the stupid ones who just stand there saying, BAM! Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But there’s no faster way to drive away potential bidders (using a reserve). Absolutely! This is the intended effect, to drive away bidders that aren’t serious, window-shoppers, troublemakers, and other assorted malcontents. A reserve has no bearing on a serious bidder’s decision on whether to bid or not. I suppose that’s true in theory and in some cases, but I’ve seen a lot of competitors’ auctions end up quite short of the average market pricing, selling at a low price as well as never sold vs. similar items being sold at / above the average market pricing. I much rather start at a high / realistic price to avoid the bottom feeders.

You should not have any competitors. If you do, you are selling the wrong items in the wrong way to the wrong people. http://www.tinaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073 Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The first bidder comes along and bids 99-cents. Fine. Fair enough. But why should the BIN option now disappear? Why can’t a subsequent bidder do just as you described … *Click* on "Buy it Now", pay the $21.00 … and dispense with the whole bidding process? I thought that was the whole point of BIN. if you want the BIN to remain, then try a fixed-price listing. otherwise, you’re just asking for someone to BIN-stomp your auction. especially with such a big difference between opening bid and BIN price. personally, i would have done the same thing. (if i’d wanted OC DVDs – i don’t know why anyone would.) david BIN stomping can be deferred by a low reserve. More at http://www.tinaja.com/auct01.asp

But there’s no faster way to drive away potential bidders (using a reserve).

Response:

I suppose that’s true in theory and in some cases, but I’ve seen a lot of competitors’ auctions end up quite short of the average market pricing, selling at a low price as well as never sold vs. similar items being sold at / above the average market pricing. I much rather start at a high / realistic price to avoid the bottom feeders.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just listed an item and included a "Buy it Now" option. My email verification correctly indicated this option. I just got my first bidder – who elected to participate in the auction, not the "Buy it Now". I just noticed that the "Buy it Now" option has now disappeared from the listing! I’ve never used "Buy it Now" option before and I don’t understand why it would disappear just because there is a bidder. Is there something I’m misunderstanding about this option? I thought that the option would remain for the duration of the listing. David Emerling BIN is only available until getting bids that meet or exceed the reserve price. No reserve? BIN is available to the first bidder only. Yours just got "Stomped". Thanks for the explanation. I still don’t see the logic in it, however. It seems to me that the BIN option should be a way for the bidder to bypass the auctioning process and not wait for the closing deadline.

Yes, it sure is. For example: Let’s say an item has an opening bid of $1 (no reserve). And the seller places a BIN option for $25. What logic would cause the BIN option to disappear once somebody bids $1? Couldn’t somebody come along and think, "I *really* want this item. I don’t have the time, nor the inclination to haggle over this for 5 days. I think $25 is a fair price and I’ll just pay it now!"?

"Logic" might be too black and white for a discussion of rationales for formats to help various types of people to buy and sell items. It’s a little hard to come up with basic postulates for complex behaviors. Wouldn’t you agree that eBay’s current setup for a BIN, combined with a low starting bid and no reserve might generate a greater motivation to Buy It Now since it can disappear so easily? Wouldn’t it also generate a greater motivation to stomp the BIN with an opening bid? Couldn’t both could be desirable? Substitute "logical" for desirable, if you wish. Wouldn’t your suggestion of a BIN remaining concurrent with bids REDUCE the motivation to use it, because it’s not going to disappear? By the way, would your BIN disappear at some point, and allow higher bids to go beyond it? Or would your auction just end at the level of the BIN and no higher? When WOULD you have your BIN disappear? Can you see how a low starting bid, a modest reserve price combined with a BIN would have advantages over your suggested format? That combination, early on, would allow low bids to generate interest and excitement and competition (among some), yet prevent selling too low, and still provide the opportunity for a BIN at a price that you, as the seller, set a little higher than the typical selling price? I thought that’s what the "Buy it Now" option was all about. It would seem to me that you could have bids *AND* "Buy it Now" all running concurrently and I don’t really see what the "reserve price" has to do with it … logically speaking. Obviously, the seller isn’t going to set a BIN price beneath the "reserve price".

Wouldn’t your suggestion of concurrent BIN and bids reduce bidding, especially the EARLY bidding in the auction? I would think people would avoid the added potential for disappointment and waste of time, believing that the end of the auction (with your format) could occur at any time, even late in the auction. Wouldn’t fewer early bids reduce the amount of time for generating more interest and competition? Wouldn’t your suggestion also reduce bids in general? In other words, be an unpopular format? That would bring us logically back to just using a BIN only or a BIN with a low starting bid and modest reserve, both of which have been suggested in this discussion. Since both formats are quite popular with buyers and sellers alike, you might get pretty good traffic. Seems pretty logical to me, but I’m open to suggestions. 8^) HTH. Dave C

Response:

Or start the auction at a much higher price. I tend to start auctions about 30% below my BIN (15% below typical market). Starting at 99 cents only encourage the BIN stompers. Hint – it’s only about 30 cents more to insure a reasonable price.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought that’s what the "Buy it Now" option was all about. It would seem to me that you could have bids *AND* "Buy it Now" all running concurrently and I don’t really see what the "reserve price" has to do with it … logically speaking. Obviously, the seller isn’t going to set a BIN price beneath the "reserve price". David Emerling When all else fails, RTFM. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/bin.html — Joanne I thought this was too obvious (and logical) to have to read the manual. Clearly I was wrong. I haven’t read the manual on my car and somehow I get to work each day. I haven’t read the manual for replacing the toilet paper roll. Nor have I read the instructions for "cooking" Pop-Tarts. Things that are *supposed* to be simple are not *supposed* to have manuals. If something is inherently complicated, then it needs a manual. If something is not inherently complicated, yet *has* a manual, then it calls into question whether that something is actually more complicated than it should be. I thought this fell into the "don’t need to read the manual" category. Oh well, no big deal. If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about ebay, no matter what your starting price, the product always tends to migrate toward its market value. Which, makes me wonder why even have a "reserve price." If you are not willing to sell something for less than $25, why not just start the bidding at $25? David Emerling

Once upon a time, in a galaxy very close to here, eBay was simple. It was intuitive. But if you needed information, it was very easy to find. In fact, a person could read the entire site within a short time. Somehow, as time passed, more and more MBAs went to work at eBay, and all that was simple and easy to use became more and more complex. More and more choices were offered. More and more features appeared. Many of these were useless, but probably secured someone’s position in the heirarchy. So, today, we must learn to use the site. We have boards and newsgroups and newsletters and radio programs and seminars and workshops and books to help us figure out a site that once we could all use easily. This has provided employment to many, many people who were not able to support themselves selling on eBay. This is the American Way. — Joanne

Response:

If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about ebay, no matter what your starting price, the product always tends to migrate toward its market value. Which, makes me wonder why even have a "reserve price." If you are not willing to sell something for less than $25, why not just start the bidding at $25?

The insertion fees for ads increases as the opening price increases. Your insertion fee for an opening price of 5.00 is 35 cents. The fee is 60 cents for up to 24.99, but $1.20 if you make it $25.00. If you are not willing to take less than $25, then pay the higher fee. If you are willing to take less, then set the opening price at the minimum you will accept. If the item doesn’t sell, you will have a higher cost with a higher initial price. The reserve fee this price range item is $1.00. It is refunded if the item sells. It’s generally used with higher ticket items. That extra penny between $24.99 and $25.00 costs you an extra 60 cents. You might want to get familiar with fee structure. — Tony Cooper Orlando, FL

Response:

The first bidder comes along and bids 99-cents. Fine. Fair enough. But why should the BIN option now disappear? Why can’t a subsequent bidder do just as you described … *Click* on "Buy it Now", pay the $21.00 … and dispense with the whole bidding process? I thought that was the whole point of BIN.

if you want the BIN to remain, then try a fixed-price listing. otherwise, you’re just asking for someone to BIN-stomp your auction. especially with such a big difference between opening bid and BIN price. personally, i would have done the same thing. (if i’d wanted OC DVDs – i don’t know why anyone would.) david — http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amoephoto/

Response:

I thought that’s what the "Buy it Now" option was all about. It would seem to me that you could have bids *AND* "Buy it Now" all running concurrently and I don’t really see what the "reserve price" has to do with it … logically speaking. Obviously, the seller isn’t going to set a BIN price beneath the "reserve price". David Emerling When all else fails, RTFM. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/bin.html — Joanne

I thought this was too obvious (and logical) to have to read the manual. Clearly I was wrong. I haven’t read the manual on my car and somehow I get to work each day. I haven’t read the manual for replacing the toilet paper roll. Nor have I read the instructions for "cooking" Pop-Tarts. Things that are *supposed* to be simple are not *supposed* to have manuals. If something is inherently complicated, then it needs a manual. If something is not inherently complicated, yet *has* a manual, then it calls into question whether that something is actually more complicated than it should be. I thought this fell into the "don’t need to read the manual" category. Oh well, no big deal. If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about ebay, no matter what your starting price, the product always tends to migrate toward its market value. Which, makes me wonder why even have a "reserve price." If you are not willing to sell something for less than $25, why not just start the bidding at $25? David Emerling

Response:

What’s the logic in that? Perfectly good logic, actually. The BIN price is generally higher than the starting price. As a bidder, I have the option of trying to win the item at a lower price than the BIN (but having to wait for the auction to play out and perhaps having it won by someone else)…

I’m starting a new feature on my auctions. "Invoice it Now" If there are no other bids, or if the reserve has not been met, the buyer may invoice himself and edit/change the amounts for shipping, discounts etc. If you agree with me please respond. If you don’t you’re an AOL troll. Craig

Response:

It only remains in certain categories, iirc houses, cars, and the like. Well that’s news to me! You mean, that as soon as the first bidder opts *NOT* to "Buy it Now", the option completely disappears? What’s the logic in that?

it’s called BIN-stomping. five cents wasted. wasn’t that fun!? david — http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amoephoto/

Response:

When all else fails, RTFM. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/bin.html — Joanne

Response:

Illogical!

You’re right but it’s not based on logic. It’s based on eBay’s income. In order to keep the BIN there you have to specify and pay for a reserve. Ed

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It only remains in certain categories, iirc houses, cars, and the like. Well that’s news to me! You mean, that as soon as the first bidder opts *NOT* to "Buy it Now", the option completely disappears? What’s the logic in that? David Emerling

Check the dictionary meaning of "now". You can defer BIN stomping by using a low reserve. — Many thanks, Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073 Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just listed an item and included a "Buy it Now" option. My email verification correctly indicated this option. I just got my first bidder – who elected to participate in the auction, not the "Buy it Now". I just noticed that the "Buy it Now" option has now disappeared from the listing! I’ve never used "Buy it Now" option before and I don’t understand why it would disappear just because there is a bidder. Is there something I’m misunderstanding about this option? I thought that the option would remain for the duration of the listing. David Emerling BIN is only available until getting bids that meet or exceed the reserve price. No reserve? BIN is available to the first bidder only. Yours just got "Stomped". Rob

Thanks for the explanation. I still don’t see the logic in it, however. It seems to me that the BIN option should be a way for the bidder to bypass the auctioning process and not wait for the closing deadline. For example: Let’s say an item has an opening bid of $1 (no reserve). And the seller places a BIN option for $25. What logic would cause the BIN option to disappear once somebody bids $1? Couldn’t somebody come along and think, "I *really* want this item. I don’t have the time, nor the inclination to haggle over this for 5 days. I think $25 is a fair price and I’ll just pay it now!"? I thought that’s what the "Buy it Now" option was all about. It would seem to me that you could have bids *AND* "Buy it Now" all running concurrently and I don’t really see what the "reserve price" has to do with it … logically speaking. Obviously, the seller isn’t going to set a BIN price beneath the "reserve price". David Emerling

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It only remains in certain categories, iirc houses, cars, and the like. Well that’s news to me! You mean, that as soon as the first bidder opts *NOT* to "Buy it Now", the option completely disappears? What’s the logic in that? Perfectly good logic, actually. The BIN price is generally higher than the starting price. As a bidder, I have the option of trying to win the item at a lower price than the BIN (but having to wait for the auction to play out and perhaps having it won by someone else) or of paying more than the starting bid but assuring myself of winning the item *and* not having to wait around for auction to close. — Ty

You just made my point! Here’s the deal. I am selling a 7-DVD box set of "The O.C. – The Complete Season", 5-day auction. The opening bid is 0.99 but I placed a BIN for $21.00. No reserve. The first bidder comes along and bids 99-cents. Fine. Fair enough. But why should the BIN option now disappear? Why can’t a subsequent bidder do just as you described … *Click* on "Buy it Now", pay the $21.00 … and dispense with the whole bidding process? I thought that was the whole point of BIN. But, now, the BIN option has completely disappeared. It’s a straight-up auction. Illogical! David Emerling

Response:

Perfectly good logic, actually. The BIN price is generally higher than the starting price. As a bidder, I have the option of trying to win the item at a lower price than the BIN (but having to wait for the auction to play out and perhaps having it won by someone else) or of paying more than the starting bid but assuring myself of winning the item *and* not having to wait around for auction to close. — Ty Who is mostly just a slightly skewed Donna Reed Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~~Voltaire, 1767

Response:

I just listed an item and included a "Buy it Now" option. My email verification correctly indicated this option. I just got my first bidder – who elected to participate in the auction, not the "Buy it Now". I just noticed that the "Buy it Now" option has now disappeared from the listing! I’ve never used "Buy it Now" option before and I don’t understand why it would disappear just because there is a bidder. Is there something I’m misunderstanding about this option? I thought that the option would remain for the duration of the listing. David Emerling

Response:

It only remains in certain categories, iirc houses, cars, and the like.

Response:

It only remains in certain categories, iirc houses, cars, and the like.

Well that’s news to me! You mean, that as soon as the first bidder opts *NOT* to "Buy it Now", the option completely disappears? What’s the logic in that? David Emerling

Response:

BIN is only available until getting bids that meet or exceed the reserve price. No reserve? BIN is available to the first bidder only. Yours just got "Stomped". Rob

Response:

New Ebay user agreement flawed from 1st sentence

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First sentence of the "new" agreement: While using the Site, you will not: a.. post content or items in an inappropriate category or areas on the Site; Wow so this means they are going to finally get rid of people listing shipping tape & supplies in catagories besides business? yeah right! Just like people listing bowling towels in the bowling ball catagory. Wasn’t too long ago it was encouraged to list in different catagories which i do to get that "needle in a haystack" bidder to pay more than normal. Let me get back to see what else they CHANGED! In eBay’s earlier days they would move listings that were in incorrect categories to more appropriate ones. I suppose that became impractical as the number of listings grew into the millions. I wonder if they plan to do something about this problem now? It’s counter-productive for shoppers so I imagine eBay wants to do something about it (as opposed to something that hurts sellers, which eBay couldn’t care less about). I doubt they would cancel offending listings as refunding all those listing fees would impact their income. Maybe if they created a new, hodgepodge category and moved all the off-category stuff there? Then again, maybe they’ll do nothing at all about it, as usual.

I know but all i have been saying is if this is a "real" company their words/writing in the site or sometimes posted here in/there need to be more professional & accurate. It is like they are writing like 4th graders or like we do here. For a billion $ company thats a joke but again its probably the people in foreign places writing that stuff. I cant believe their bosses or dept. heads keep allowing it after all this time. Oh well.

Response:

First sentence of the "new" agreement: While using the Site, you will not: a.. post content or items in an inappropriate category or areas on the Site;

The more I read, the more it looks like this was written by a summer intern. (You will not) "post false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, or libelous content (including personal information)… How can my name, address, height, weight, etc., be false, inaccurate, misleading, etc.? "fail to deliver items purchased from you, unless the buyer fails to meet the posted terms" OK, so all of a seller’s TOS is now enforceable? Uh-uh, not if one offers PayPal. eBay and PayPal REALLY need to make their UAs consistent with each other! "take any action that may undermine the feedback or ratings systems (such as displaying, importing or exporting feedback information off of the Site or for using it for purposes unrelated to eBay)" Aside from the appalling grammar of "or for using it for…," how does displaying or exporting feedback info off of the Site or using for purposes unrelated to eBay "undermine" the feedback system? WTF does "undermine" mean? "distribute viruses or any other technologies that may harm eBay, or the interests or property of eBay users" Well, there goes archery equipment; power tools; knives, scissors, and all other things that will putcher eye out; and a whole lot more. Christ, this thing sucks!

Response:

Heres an example for you of 1 of the maybe million items in a catagory they are not suppose to be in according to the rules. It is a shipping tape dispenser gun in the golf catagory # 7200163544 .

Once again, you’re interpreting it based on what you personally are guessing about. I don’t think there’s a mention in any of the TOS about specifics "you can’t sell shipping tape in the golf category". You’re hunting for problems. You’ve got some kind of big chip on your shoulder or stick up your ass and you want eBay to be the fall guy. If eBay is such a ripoff trying to kill you then why not take your whining little childish ass someplace else. Craig

Response:

You post your height and weight on eBay? Of course they don’t want you to post misleading or inaccurate information. They don’t want you to say you’re in Denver when you’re really in Jakarta. Jump off the gang bang wagon. Craig

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The more I read, the more it looks like this was written by a summer intern. (You will not) "post false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, or libelous content (including personal information)… How can my name, address, height, weight, etc., be false, inaccurate, misleading, etc.? You post your height and weight on eBay?

Actually, I was thinking of posting that Lumpy is a short, fat little fuck of about 4′ 11" and 320 pounds. Is that false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, or libelous? Of course they don’t want you to post misleading or inaccurate information. They don’t want you to say you’re in Denver when you’re really in Jakarta.

So we won’t see any more "item location: Sunny Florida" or "seller location: United States?" It will have to be a city/state? Country alone is not very accurate. Jump off the gang bang wagon.

But I like it up here with your Mom, Craig!

Response:

Actually, I was thinking of posting that Lumpy is a short, fat little fuck of about 4′ 11" and 320 pounds. Is that false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, or libelous?

Not sure. I’ve never seen a place on eBay where anything like that would be posted. Do you think that eBay should make their terms read "It is acceptable to post information that is false, inaccurate [etc]"? I was under the original impression that you wanted to entertain an intelligent arguement. I’ll switch to "I’m fucking your dead mother mode" if you prefer. Craig

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First sentence of the "new" agreement: While using the Site, you will not: a.. post content or items in an inappropriate category or areas on the Site; Wow so this means they are going to finally get rid of people listing shipping tape & supplies in catagories besides business? yeah right! Just like people listing bowling towels in the bowling ball catagory. Wasn’t too long ago it was encouraged to list in different catagories which i do to get that "needle in a haystack" bidder to pay more than normal. Let me get back to see what else they CHANGED! In eBay’s earlier days they would move listings that were in incorrect categories to more appropriate ones. I suppose that became impractical as the number of listings grew into the millions. I wonder if they plan to do something about this problem now? It’s counter-productive for shoppers so I imagine eBay wants to do something about it (as opposed to something that hurts sellers, which eBay couldn’t care less about). I doubt they would cancel offending listings as refunding all those listing fees would impact their income. Maybe if they created a new, hodgepodge category and moved all the off-category stuff there? Then again, maybe they’ll do nothing at all about it, as usual.

That’s the method I prefer, actually. a

Response:

I was under the original impression that you wanted to entertain an intelligent arguement. I’ll switch to "I’m fucking your dead mother mode" if you prefer.

Hey, I didn’t start with "the gang bang wagon!" Do you think that eBay should make their terms read "It is acceptable to post information that is false, inaccurate [etc]"?

No, I think eBay’s legal counsel should hit the Return key and type, "You may not publish another member’s personal information anywhere on the Site under any circumstances, or off the Site without the member’s expressed permission." But the moron just slipped "including personal information" parenthetically into a line where it doesn’t belong. Summer intern, non-English speaker, whatever… it’s sloppy shit like this that gets a lot of people in trouble. Now the UA LOOKS nice and short, but the real mangled meat of it is buried in all those linked policy files. Those are still fucked up.

Response:

so if you think i have issues….then why does Ebay even have "policies"? In the beginning of the late 90’s as the site got big, rules were rules and all of the things that people found to beat the system on started to get hammered down. Now days with all of the complaints from Paypal to even Ebay raising the fees their policy is like buried under the BS. Why even have 1 then? If they can’t enforce them or properly display them then what good are they? This is suppose to be a BILLION $ company regardless of how much i make or sell or list. A very good percentage of the problems between the buyers & sellers results directly back to Ebay & the policy and lack there of. Rules are rules & if Ebay enforced them more like laws it would be better for all but it will never happen for the site makes BIG$$ off scammers & lack of policy enforcement. When they do enforce something many times errors are made against the seller for lack of knowledge or skills. Since your such an expert explain to us why they don’t & can’t do anything about it at this point? huh?

Response:

Now the UA LOOKS nice and short, but the real mangled meat of it is buried in all those linked policy files. Those are still fucked up.

I haven’t even looked at yet. Did anybody / everybody get an email announcing it had changed? I thought I had opted for that. Another board noticed that it now claims eBay has the right to scoop deadbeat seller fees from a PayPal account. A

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – so if you think i have issues….then why does Ebay even have "policies"? In the beginning of the late 90’s as the site got big, rules were rules and all of the things that people found to beat the system on started to get hammered down. Now days with all of the complaints from Paypal to even Ebay raising the fees their policy is like buried under the BS. Why even have 1 then? If they can’t enforce them or properly display them then what good are they? This is suppose to be a BILLION $ company regardless of how much i make or sell or list. A very good percentage of the problems between the buyers & sellers results directly back to Ebay & the policy and lack there of. Rules are rules & if Ebay enforced them more like laws it would be better for all but it will never happen for the site makes BIG$$ off scammers & lack of policy enforcement. When they do enforce something many times errors are made against the seller for lack of knowledge or skills. Since your such an expert explain to us why they don’t & can’t do anything about it at this point? huh?

Why did you attribute that paragraph to me? I didn’t write it. I think you should hire some high school kids at min wage to proofread your posts. Craig

Response:

Translation: The fact that we didn’t fuck you up the ass yesterday by accident or otherwise does not mean that we won’t fuck you over tomorrow either by accident or on purpose. As our customer we own your ass you stupid dipshit. We have the power. Our lawyers are bigger than your lawyers. The fact that you may not like this new TOS clause and close your account will not in any way protect your privacy with respect to any of the private information about you already in our files. Live with it. ron

Response:

First sentence of the "new" agreement: While using the Site, you will not: a.. post content or items in an inappropriate category or areas on the Site; Wow so this means they are going to finally get rid of people listing shipping tape & supplies in catagories besides business? yeah right! Just like people listing bowling towels in the bowling ball catagory. Wasn’t too long ago it was encouraged to list in different catagories which i do to get that "needle in a haystack" bidder to pay more than normal. Let me get back to see what else they CHANGED!

Response:

You are confusing what the UA says with what eBay will do This is already against the current UA, isn’t it?

Response:

Not sure how you’re getting anything about shipping tape out of that. I think a big, expensive class action suit is what you need. You’ll feel better after you get your 72 cents, six years from now. Craig

Response:

yes but the wording is different and as an update is substantial in placing it first sentence and using the words they did. Look at the security section where it says: " Therefore, although we work very hard to protect your privacy, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information or private communications will always remain private. What a great choice of words. I dont remember seeing words like this before.

Response:

Heres an example for you of 1 of the maybe million items in a catagory they are not suppose to be in according to the rules. It is a shipping tape dispenser gun in the golf catagory # 7200163544 .

Response:

In eBay’s earlier days they would move listings that were in incorrect categories to more appropriate ones. I suppose that became impractical as the number of listings grew into the millions. I wonder if they plan to do something about this problem now? It’s counter-productive for shoppers so I imagine eBay wants to do something about it (as opposed to something that hurts sellers, which eBay couldn’t care less about). I doubt they would cancel offending listings as refunding all those listing fees would impact their income. Maybe if they created a new, hodgepodge category and moved all the off-category stuff there? Then again, maybe they’ll do nothing at all about it, as usual. Ed

Response:

Ebay Unfair and Selective Endings of Listings

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? No I havn’t. Why would I ? I beg your pardon. I was under the apparently mistaken impression that you buy or sell on eBay. Only someone who does neither can afford to be ignorant of the business environment that eBay offers. Okay, I pardon you. Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business. If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies. You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you? No, I didn’t consider it relevant. Of course you didn’t. You believe that two minimum-waged employees can scan 8.4 million auctions per day, and have no clue how the eBay system really works.

So how does it work? Oh…….It doesn’t. Ebay relies on reports from its users to police their listings. Exactly as the OP stated.

Response:

Ebay doesn’t pull listings on their own initiative. They rely on reports from members. That’s what the OP said. Uh-huh. The OP really knows what he’s talking about, as do you.

Exactly. We were speaking from experience. You were speaking from your theories about minimum wage workers and eBay’s inability to enforce their own listing policies. Thanks for admiting that you "have no idea".

Response:

Ebay doesn’t pull listings on their own initiative. They rely on reports from members. That’s what the OP said.

Uh-huh. The OP really knows what he’s talking about, as do you.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? No I havn’t. Why would I ? I beg your pardon. I was under the apparently mistaken impression that you buy or sell on eBay. Only someone who does neither can afford to be ignorant of the business environment that eBay offers. Okay, I pardon you. Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business. If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies. You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you? No, I didn’t consider it relevant.

Of course you didn’t. You believe that two minimum-waged employees can scan 8.4 million auctions per day, and have no clue how the eBay system really works.

Response:

You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you? No, I didn’t consider it relevant. Then you really are ignorant. Minimum wagers in this country can’t work a Burger King cash register without little pictures on the keys and an automatic change-maker. They sure as hell can’t tell an eBay policy violation from a fireplug. So you agree with the OP. Ebay does not police the listings themselves and enforce their policies across the board.

I have no idea how many pulled listings are discovered by eBay employees on their own initiative vs. reports from members. All I’m saying is that it will take a lot more than minimum wage to hire people who are smart enough to do the job.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies. Its obvious eBay would rather stick to the status quo and collect their fees. By the most recent stats I can find (first quarter 2005), there are, on average, 4.8 million eBay auctions posted every day. If it takes one minute to check an auction for violations (and it probably takes longer than that), it would take about 80,000 person-hours to check a day’s worth of auctions. So there would have to be about 3400 employees at all times, around the clock, doing nothing but checking auctions. Three 8-hour shifts in a day and you’re up to over 10,000 employees who do nothing but check auctions for violations (and that’s if they work 7 days a week with no breaks in their shift).

And for minimum wage, according to so-what’sisface. Hmmm… I wonder how many Katrina victims are still seeking work?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you? No, I didn’t consider it relevant. Then you really are ignorant. Minimum wagers in this country can’t work a Burger King cash register without little pictures on the keys and an automatic change-maker. They sure as hell can’t tell an eBay policy violation from a fireplug. So you agree with the OP. Ebay does not police the listings themselves and enforce their policies across the board. I have no idea how many pulled listings are discovered by eBay employees on their own initiative vs. reports from members. All I’m saying is that it will take a lot more than minimum wage to hire people who are smart enough to do the job.

Ebay doesn’t pull listings on their own initiative. They rely on reports from members. That’s what the OP said.

Response:

You have no idea whether eBay acts only on reported policy violations. Neither does anyone else. My contention is this, If Ebay can stop me from listing a discription that says ‘visit our website…’ or ‘goto our website…’ Which is a clear violation as stated in their Cicumventing Fees policy, there should never be any instance of an off policy listing. Error checking is a wonderful thing and is commonplace in all computer coding and the fact that they dont allow for the visit or goto to be in any discription tells me they have a form of error checking already in place.

I think it’s your Rice Krispies telling you that. You have no idea whether eBay catches all such listing violations. Nobody does, including eBay. Also, it doesnt take a genius to do a simple search and find 1000’s of Illegal listings. Simply type the word ‘STYLE’ in the search box and tell me how many violations are there? I just got 132,567 listings with that word in it. Sure not all of those are in Violation but you can be sure there are at least 10,000 that are.

More snap, crackle, and pop. You’re very of a lot of things that are impossible to know. Ebay has been around long enough and is savy enough to follow the money, there is no excuse for them not being able to assure 100% compliance of policy before a listing goes live.

O, my God! You really want sellers to submit their Christmas listings in July?? FYI, My product is a competely LEGAL product. I have researched the law with regards to this. Nothing I make or sell can be actionable

Given the incredibly stupid things you’ve already said, I find it very difficult to put faith in your research skills or legal acumen. As it is now, Buyers dont bitch.

BWAAAHHHAHHAHAHHAAAA!!!! We’re beyond Rice Krispies now. You’re cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!

Response:

You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? No I havn’t. Why would I ? I beg your pardon. I was under the apparently mistaken impression that you buy or sell on eBay. Only someone who does neither can afford to be ignorant of the business environment that eBay offers.

Okay, I pardon you. Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business. If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies. You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you?

No, I didn’t consider it relevant.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me Clarify this a bit more for you. I did make all the corrections per their policy. And I have no problem with this at all. What isnt right in my eyes is that Ebay knowly allows Illegal listings to contunie and only acts on those that are reported. My contention is this, If Ebay can stop me from listing a discription that says ‘visit our website…’ or ‘goto our website…’ Which is a clear violation as stated in their Cicumventing Fees policy, there should never be any instance of an off policy listing. Error checking is a wonderful thing and is commonplace in all computer coding and the fact that they dont allow for the visit or goto to be in any discription tells me they have a form of error checking already in place. Also, it doesnt take a genius to do a simple search and find 1000’s of Illegal listings. Simply type the word ‘STYLE’ in the search box and tell me how many violations are there? I just got 132,567 listings with that word in it. Sure not all of those are in Violation but you can be sure there are at least 10,000 that are. Ebay has been around long enough and is savy enough to follow the money, there is no excuse for them not being able to assure 100% compliance of policy before a listing goes live. FYI, My product is a competely LEGAL product. I have researched the law with regards to this. Nothing I make or sell can be actionable So say what you will. As it is now, Buyers dont bitch. And it is clearly setup for the benefit of the competition to go around and see who’s around. Believe me, I have looked at my competition and I see what they have, hell I have my own buyers by my kits, finish them then turn around and sell them against me. Do I care? NO it’s called CAPITALISM. KnE Sales Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another. I have found that Ebay uses KGB Style tactics to end listings. IN other words they want you to turn in your neighbor. Their policy for ending listings for whatever reason relies solely on other users turning you in. Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Of course they dont. so it is logical to conclude only other Sellers report listing violations. And if it is a Seller turning in another Seller then it goes without saying the Reporting of violations isnt to protect anyone but is more to remove competition. Now if you know anything you know Ebay only ends listings that are reported. They dont police the listings themselve. So if you are reported for a violation you can do a search and find 100’s of other sellers with the same violations still selling. Does this seem right? Isn’t Ebay’s policy suppose to be enforced across the board and not passively or selectively used as a tool to remove the competition? I am curious if any of you have experienced this type of attack or lack of policy enforcement. I am currently preparing a complaint to be filed with the FTC, The Attorney General of the State of California, The Better Business Bureau and a few other agencies. I am asking any of you who have experienced this to help me with this. Thank you in Advance for any and all help you can provide. KnE Sales

You are 100% correct.

Response:

You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you? No, I didn’t consider it relevant.

Then you really are ignorant. Minimum wagers in this country can’t work a Burger King cash register without little pictures on the keys and an automatic change-maker. They sure as hell can’t tell an eBay policy violation from a fireplug.

Response:

So you agree with the OP. Ebay does not police the listings themselves and enforce their policies across the board.

Response:

Let me Clarify this a bit more for you. I did make all the corrections per their policy. And I have no problem with this at all. What isnt right in my eyes is that Ebay knowly allows Illegal listings to contunie and only acts on those that are reported. My contention is this, If Ebay can stop me from listing a discription that says ‘visit our website…’ or ‘goto our website…’ Which is a clear violation as stated in their Cicumventing Fees policy, there should never be any instance of an off policy listing. Error checking is a wonderful thing and is commonplace in all computer coding and the fact that they dont allow for the visit or goto to be in any discription tells me they have a form of error checking already in place. Also, it doesnt take a genius to do a simple search and find 1000’s of Illegal listings. Simply type the word ‘STYLE’ in the search box and tell me how many violations are there? I just got 132,567 listings with that word in it. Sure not all of those are in Violation but you can be sure there are at least 10,000 that are. Ebay has been around long enough and is savy enough to follow the money, there is no excuse for them not being able to assure 100% compliance of policy before a listing goes live. FYI, My product is a competely LEGAL product. I have researched the law with regards to this. Nothing I make or sell can be actionable So say what you will. As it is now, Buyers dont bitch. And it is clearly setup for the benefit of the competition to go around and see who’s around. Believe me, I have looked at my competition and I see what they have, hell I have my own buyers by my kits, finish them then turn around and sell them against me. Do I care? NO it’s called CAPITALISM. KnE Sales – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another. I have found that Ebay uses KGB Style tactics to end listings. IN other words they want you to turn in your neighbor. Their policy for ending listings for whatever reason relies solely on other users turning you in. Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Of course they dont. so it is logical to conclude only other Sellers report listing violations. And if it is a Seller turning in another Seller then it goes without saying the Reporting of violations isnt to protect anyone but is more to remove competition. Now if you know anything you know Ebay only ends listings that are reported. They dont police the listings themselve. So if you are reported for a violation you can do a search and find 100’s of other sellers with the same violations still selling. Does this seem right? Isn’t Ebay’s policy suppose to be enforced across the board and not passively or selectively used as a tool to remove the competition? I am curious if any of you have experienced this type of attack or lack of policy enforcement. I am currently preparing a complaint to be filed with the FTC, The Attorney General of the State of California, The Better Business Bureau and a few other agencies. I am asking any of you who have experienced this to help me with this. Thank you in Advance for any and all help you can provide. KnE Sales

Response:

My complaint to eBay customer service was that I assumed that the items were not against eBay’s policies, because I’ve seen the same items posted every day on eBay for years.

HOW many TIMES did your Mom say to you, "Just because everyone else jumps off a cliff, does that mean you should?" They credited my account for the listing fees (I don’t believe this is the norm).

Yes it is. The exception is people who keep doing the same dumb thing. They lose their listing fee credits. I’m sure eBay could hire one or two employees at minimum wage to monitor the listings.

Actually, Indians work cheaper than that. I wouldn’t want an American minimum wage worker to have life-and-death power over my listings. As long as its not reported, I doubt if eBay cares what you list. They don’t have any motive to delete listings. Its bad for business.

You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business.

Response:

You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you?

No I havn’t. Why would I ? I’m not an eBay employee. I don’t own stock in eBay. I’m not a shill for eBay. And unlike many of the regulars who post to a.m.o.e. I’m not interested in kissing eBay’s butt. Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business.

If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies. Its obvious eBay would rather stick to the status quo and collect their fees.

Response:

You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? No I havn’t. Why would I ? I’m not an eBay employee. I don’t own stock in eBay. I’m not a shill for eBay. And unlike many of the regulars who post to a.m.o.e. I’m not interested in kissing eBay’s butt.

What exactly ARE you interested in? Craig

Response:

You really haven’t thought much about eBay’s business model, have you? No I havn’t. Why would I ?

I beg your pardon. I was under the apparently mistaken impression that you buy or sell on eBay. Only someone who does neither can afford to be ignorant of the business environment that eBay offers. Every policy violation is bad for eBay’s business. If this were true, eBay would hire a couple of minimum wage employees who would monitor and delete any listings that were against eBay’s policies.

You missed my comments about American minimum wage workers, didn’t you?

Response:

Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another.

What were the reasons? Ed

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another. I have found that Ebay uses KGB Style tactics to end listings. IN other words they want you to turn in your neighbor. Their policy for ending listings for whatever reason relies solely on other users turning you in. Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Of course they dont. so it is logical to conclude only other Sellers report listing violations. And if it is a Seller turning in another Seller then it goes without saying the Reporting of violations isnt to protect anyone but is more to remove competition. Now if you know anything you know Ebay only ends listings that are reported. They dont police the listings themselve. So if you are reported for a violation you can do a search and find 100’s of other sellers with the same violations still selling. Does this seem right? Isn’t Ebay’s policy suppose to be enforced across the board and not passively or selectively used as a tool to remove the competition? I am curious if any of you have experienced this type of attack or lack of policy enforcement. I am currently preparing a complaint to be filed with the FTC, The Attorney General of the State of California, The Better Business Bureau and a few other agencies. I am asking any of you who have experienced this to help me with this. Thank you in Advance for any and all help you can provide. KnE Sales

This has also been my experience. I’ve had listings deleted and continue to see other listings for the exact same items. Not a big issue for me. My listings were against eBay’s policies. I could have reported the other items that were identical to the ones I had deleted but I don’t have any interest in eBay policy enforcement. My complaint to eBay customer service was that I assumed that the items were not against eBay’s policies, because I’ve seen the same items posted every day on eBay for years. They credited my account for the listing fees (I don’t believe this is the norm). Fair enough. I’m sure eBay could hire one or two employees at minimum wage to monitor the listings. As long as its not reported, I doubt if eBay cares what you list. They don’t have any motive to delete listings. Its bad for business.

Response:

By the most recent stats I can find (first quarter 2005), there are, on average, 4.8 million eBay auctions posted every day. If it takes one minute to check an auction for violations (and it probably takes longer than that), it would take about 80,000 person-hours to check a day’s worth of auctions. So there would have to be about 3400 employees at all times, around the clock, doing nothing but checking auctions. Three 8-hour shifts in a day and you’re up to over 10,000 employees who do nothing but check auctions for violations (and that’s if they work 7 days a week with no breaks in their shift).

Response:

Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy?

Yes, of course. Buyers benefit more from reporting you than your competitors would. For example: If no-one reported keyword spamming (or inappropriate category) it would become impossible to search for what I want to find. Fee avoidance can make it hard to determine the actual price and makes it hard to compare prices. Choice auctions make it difficult to claim that what was delivered is not what was promised. What was the rule violation in your case?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Yes, of course. Buyers benefit more from reporting you than your competitors would. For example: If no-one reported keyword spamming (or inappropriate category) it would become impossible to search for what I want to find. Fee avoidance can make it hard to determine the actual price and makes it hard to compare prices. Choice auctions make it difficult to claim that what was delivered is not what was promised. What was the rule violation in your case?

Buyers also hate receiving CDRs, illegal software, and scams. Tademark holders hate VERO violations. Sounds like whatever it is, his violations were many and his listings illegal. I wonder why he kept ignoring the warnings? Kris

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another. I have found that Ebay uses KGB Style tactics to end listings. IN other words they want you to turn in your neighbor. Their policy for ending listings for whatever reason relies solely on other users turning you in. Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Of course they dont. so it is logical to conclude only other Sellers report listing violations. And if it is a Seller turning in another Seller then it goes without saying the Reporting of violations isnt to protect anyone but is more to remove competition. Now if you know anything you know Ebay only ends listings that are reported. They dont police the listings themselve. So if you are reported for a violation you can do a search and find 100’s of other sellers with the same violations still selling. Does this seem right? Isn’t Ebay’s policy suppose to be enforced across the board and not passively or selectively used as a tool to remove the competition? I am curious if any of you have experienced this type of attack or lack of policy enforcement. I am currently preparing a complaint to be filed with the FTC, The Attorney General of the State of California, The Better Business Bureau and a few other agencies. I am asking any of you who have experienced this to help me with this. Thank you in Advance for any and all help you can provide. KnE Sales

Good luck with that complaint. Your local police depend on citizens to report car thefts, bank robberies and rapes. So next time you need help, you’re going to call them "The KGB"? No one knows who turned you in, but you obviously refused to live by the rules you agreed to, when you signed up for eBay. Your complaint sounds like a bank robber who sues the Feds because they haven’t caught D.B.Cooper yet. Maybe you should include a civil rights and First Amendment violation, to make it look like you REALLY know they’re out to get just you. But, eBay DOES police listings themselves. So you’re wrong there, too. They have a very active fraud unit. Your complaint is going to have to include information on why you ignored eBay’s prior warnings. But please. Keep us posted. This will be entertaining….as it sounds like you’re trying to set eBay up, without understanding how their system (which you agreed to) works. Kris

Response:

You are clearly trying to sell the wrong items in the wrong way on the wrong venue. http://www.tinaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073 Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

Recently I have had all my listings ended for one reason or another. I have found that Ebay uses KGB Style tactics to end listings. IN other words they want you to turn in your neighbor. Their policy for ending listings for whatever reason relies solely on other users turning you in. Now I ask you, Do buyers care if a seller is violating an Ebay listing policy? Of course they dont. so it is logical to conclude only other Sellers report listing violations. And if it is a Seller turning in another Seller then it goes without saying the Reporting of violations isnt to protect anyone but is more to remove competition. Now if you know anything you know Ebay only ends listings that are reported. They dont police the listings themselve. So if you are reported for a violation you can do a search and find 100’s of other sellers with the same violations still selling. Does this seem right? Isn’t Ebay’s policy suppose to be enforced across the board and not passively or selectively used as a tool to remove the competition? I am curious if any of you have experienced this type of attack or lack of policy enforcement. I am currently preparing a complaint to be filed with the FTC, The Attorney General of the State of California, The Better Business Bureau and a few other agencies. I am asking any of you who have experienced this to help me with this. Thank you in Advance for any and all help you can provide. KnE Sales

Response:

PayPal Opportunity — a way to hurt these assholes

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

This is going to sound bizarre but…. There have been cases where people (crackers) use someone elses account without them knowing it until the accounts get closed. This happened to my mother and it caused her some grief both in business, ratings and finances. Best policy is to just ignore the idiots directly and report the potential fraud to the proper businesses. Greg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you send these turds one cent payments, they will have to pay 30 cent fees. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_display-receiving-fees-out… I already sent each one one cent. I made sure that my address is not supplied. i Did you also turn them in to PayPal, via the fraud reporting link? I like it when they know there’s money, and they can’t get it. Yes, I did report them. i Even better, it looks like some of them are registered eBay accounts.

Response:

If you send these turds one cent payments, they will have to pay 30 cent fees.

Doesn’t work that way. Kris and I tried it. I sent her a penny. She didn’t pay any fees to receive it, didn’t get the penny either. She refunded it to me, I got the penny back. If the amount of money sent is less than the fees, the receiver doesn’t pay fees to receive zero. They just receive zero. Craig

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you send these turds one cent payments, they will have to pay 30 cent fees. Doesn’t work that way. Kris and I tried it. I sent her a penny. She didn’t pay any fees to receive it, didn’t get the penny either. She refunded it to me, I got the penny back. If the amount of money sent is less than the fees, the receiver doesn’t pay fees to receive zero. They just receive zero. I did not realize that (and paypal did not say it on that webpage, unless I missed it). i

But you know what? It’s even BETTER! Just think, you can email them in a week and tell them that you sent them money, and their system sucks. Kris

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — If you send these turds one cent payments, they will have to pay 30 cent fees. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_display-receiving-fees-out… I already sent each one one cent. I made sure that my address is not supplied. i

Did you also turn them in to PayPal, via the fraud reporting link? I like it when they know there’s money, and they can’t get it. Kris

Response:

Even better, it looks like some of them are registered eBay accounts.

Response:

OT: suspicious ebay paypal payment plan

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s an auction I’m bidding on where you’re given the option to use paypal. The problem is, they don’t want you to pay through paypal’s site, but make your paypal transaction through THEIR site. The thing is, if I’m logging into paypal’s site through theirs they could be logging ALL my paypal information (both username and password). They have a history of many transactions on ebay (just under 700) and their rating is something like 97%, but who knows they could disappear tomorrow and nail EVERYONE who has ever paid via paypal by simply logging in as that person and wiring money orders. I don’t think they’re allowed to do this either. I don’t think paypal allows paypal subscribers to require using someone else’s website to make their paypal order. I think I’ll report this one to paypal. It’s all too fishy for me. The other thing is they have really low prices (and really high shipping costs). Anyone have any opinions? — there is no .sig

Sounds fishy to me too. Report them to PayPal and Ebay. They may be just fine, but it seems strange that they aren’t going by the "rules" that most every other vendor goes by — just using PayPal. I sure wouldn’t buy anything from them. There was a guy here in Columbus that was selling football tickets that he didn’t actually have over Ebay. I don’t know how many thousands of dollars he made, but he skipped town, and the authorities are looking for him. Caveat Emptor! Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I lost the auction, luckily I guess. I never knew a 97% rating was bad! I figured since this person/company has almost 700 feedbacks 97% wouldn’t be bad. I’ve got a 100% feedback but I’ve only got 10 feedbacks (yes, I’m a ebay n00b). Anyway, I reported the company/person to paypal. This person/company has also changed their DBA (Doing Business As) name at least once, which I think clears them of any and all feedbacks from their previous name. — there is no .sig

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s an auction I’m bidding on where you’re given the option to use paypal. The problem is, they don’t want you to pay through paypal’s site, but make your paypal transaction through THEIR site. The thing is, if I’m logging into paypal’s site through theirs they could be logging ALL my paypal information (both username and password). They have a history of many transactions on ebay (just under 700) and their rating is something like 97%, but who knows they could disappear tomorrow and nail EVERYONE who has ever paid via paypal by simply logging in as that person and wiring money orders. I don’t think they’re allowed to do this either. I don’t think paypal allows paypal subscribers to require using someone else’s website to make their paypal order. I think I’ll report this one to paypal. It’s all too fishy for me. The other thing is they have really low prices (and really high shipping costs). Anyone have any opinions? — there is no .sig — Auction #? I’ve seen people who want you to use their check out rather than the ebay check out, but a redirect for paypal is odd. If nothing fishy is going on they;ll have no idea how you got the paypal payment to them. It’s possible that it could be a hijacked account, are they selling expensive goods at fire sale prices? . FWIW 97% positive is a lousy feedback rating on ebay. Jess — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Auction #? I’ve seen people who want you to use their check out rather than the ebay check out, but a redirect for paypal is odd. If nothing fishy is going on they;ll have no idea how you got the paypal payment to them. It’s possible that it could be a hijacked account, are they selling expensive goods at fire sale prices? . FWIW 97% positive is a lousy feedback rating on ebay. Jess — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

"Doug" wrote : There’s an auction I’m bidding on where you’re given the option to use paypal. The problem is, they don’t want you to pay through paypal’s site, but make your paypal transaction through THEIR site. The thing is, if I’m logging into paypal’s site through theirs they could be logging ALL my paypal information (both username and password). They have a history of many transactions on ebay (just under 700) and their rating is something like 97%, but who knows they could disappear tomorrow and nail EVERYONE who has ever paid via paypal by simply logging in as that person and wiring money orders. I don’t think they’re allowed to do this either. I don’t think paypal allows paypal subscribers to require using someone else’s website to make their paypal order. I think I’ll report this one to paypal. It’s all too fishy for me. The other thing is they have really low prices (and really high shipping costs). Anyone have any opinions?

I don’t have a lot of experience, but it sure sounds phishy to me! Don’t let them attack you like that. Dennis — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:: I don’t think ::paypal allows paypal subscribers to require using someone else’s website to ::make their paypal order. I think I’ll report this one to paypal. It’s all ::too fishy for me. The other thing is they have really low prices (and really ::high shipping costs). Anyone have any opinions? Hi Doug, I have paid sellers this way many times and have never had a problem. In "my" experience, it is usually a eBay store that asks you to use their checkout instead of paying directly through Paypal. It`s usually a form with such info as name, mailing address… and what not, never any credit card or bank info. When I was done with that part, I was connected to Paypals site and paid. I don`t believe there is a way for the store to get my PayPal info. My opinion? Never bid on an item where they over charge on shipping. I also steer clear of sellers with a feedback rating of 98 % or less. I always read the negative feedback. If it is the same theme being expressed over and over, such as slow shipping, improperly packaged, then I don`t bid. I have 530 eBay transactions and have only come across two shitty sellers. I believe this is because I`m so picky. Two options, hope you`re outbid, or look into canceling your bid if you are that worried about being ripped off. I don`t really know the ramifications of canceling a bid, so know what they are before you do it. Good luck!! Jackie ~*~’ve been on an emotional roller coaster lately. The other day my mood ring exploded~*~ ~~ Janine DiTullio — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

There’s an auction I’m bidding on where you’re given the option to use paypal. The problem is, they don’t want you to pay through paypal’s site, but make your paypal transaction through THEIR site. The thing is, if I’m logging into paypal’s site through theirs they could be logging ALL my paypal information (both username and password). They have a history of many transactions on ebay (just under 700) and their rating is something like 97%, but who knows they could disappear tomorrow and nail EVERYONE who has ever paid via paypal by simply logging in as that person and wiring money orders. I don’t think they’re allowed to do this either. I don’t think paypal allows paypal subscribers to require using someone else’s website to make their paypal order. I think I’ll report this one to paypal. It’s all too fishy for me. The other thing is they have really low prices (and really high shipping costs). Anyone have any opinions? — there is no .sig — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm