EBay has Lost its Way

Posted Sun January 25, 2009 12:00 pm, by Mark S. written to EBay

Write a Letter to this Company  |  Rate this Company

You have lost your way as a business.
In your arrogance and greed you have been strangling the goose that lays golden eggs.

If you do some research into what people think of eBay you will find that you have ruined the companies good name. I have listed several factors that once made eBay a empire.

1. The belief that eBay can help you get ahead and succeed in life; a belief that eBay puts you in control.

2. Almost any product in the world and amazing deals can be found on eBay.

3. eBay is fun to use for both sellers and buyers.

You and your company has violated these three concepts that made eBay what it once was.

Repeated fee increases and constant restructuring has destroyed concept #1. Hardly anyone believes that they can get ahead using eBay anymore. The common belief now is that eBay gets most of the profit, and sellers get the shaft.

By favoring large companies over small sellers, many sellers have left your business model for other pastures; as a result, products once available, are now no longer available. Consequently, you have seriously damaged concept #2.

Lastly, you have destroyed concept #3. eBay is no longer fun for either sellers or buyers. eBay management has made using eBay the equivalent to running an obstacle course. You have squeezed your sellers, that drive your business, to the point that they want to destroy you. You have taken any belief of the magical eBay factor away. Furthermore, when your customers have tried to address their complaints about eBay's new business model, you have insulted them, and treated them with contempt.

Apologize to your customers, both sellers and buyers for your arrogant and rude treatment.

Instead of trying to squeeze every last penny out of your sellers, look for ways to reduce sellers cost.

Do every thing possible to re-instill the eBay dream and REALITY that you can use eBay to get ahead in life. Make people believe that eBay is there for them, not just eBay's selfish expansion.

Make eBay fun again. Ask yourself, "Why would anyone want to use eBay."

Frankly, eBay has lost it way. eBay does not understand what drives a business anymore. Customers drive businesses. Your sellers are you biggest advertisers. Once unhappy, they will continuously, and tirelessly tell all they know of their unhappiness with eBay.

I know you will not even consider the contents of this letter, but I figured it was worth a try to save eBay.

Log In/Create an account | 6 comments

del.icio.us      Digg this

PlanetFeedback Comments are subject to strict terms and conditions. We reserve the right to deny site membership privileges to any individuals acting inappropriately.

Re: EBay has Lost its Way by Casmly Posted Mon January 26, 2009 @ 9:16 PM I agree completely! I used to use Ebay for both buying and selling, but it just isn't worth it to me anymore. It's very difficult to walk away making anything from Ebay anymore. And I feel it's just as difficult to find a reasonable deal from a trusted seller. It seems so many of the sellers now are mass sellers who could really care less about the little guy. I use Craigslist, I don't use Ebay. Usually I can find what I need in little boutiques, antique stores, or on a local free/for sale board. Reply You are right by Chris M Posted Mon January 26, 2009 @ 5:35 PM E-Bay is not fun anymore, and it's no longer where I go to look for stuff in most cases. It's their business model, and it's their decisions. As consumers, more people like myself need to stop spending time and money on that site or on PayPal. That's the best vote we can give them. Reply Re: EBay has Lost its Way by Nate. Posted Sun January 25, 2009 @ 6:44 PM I could not agree more. However, eBay at this point in time is definitely a buyers market with eBay making the sellers kiss butt by offering free shipping and bending over backwards for the buyer because of the "star" ratings. The prices on eBay are low right now, and if you look past the free shipping and powerseller items that come up first with "Best Match", you can usually find the stuff from small sellers at super low prices. Reply Re: EBay has Lost its Way by Commander-X-23 Posted Sun January 25, 2009 @ 6:06 PM Ebay is not as pleasant to use as it once was. However, I buy many vintage and collectible items there I would never be able to find otherwise. Also, I frequently find newer items that are cheaper on ebay than I can buy elsewhere. I have sold many items on ebay that I would have otherwise not been able to sell, and the visibility to a wide audience has allowed me to get good prices on what I have sold. It does however definitely feel as though the small seller is being shown the door, which totally sucks. I'm glad I got most of my selling out of the way before their policies changed. Reply What he said! by The Original Nethead Posted Sun January 25, 2009 @ 5:19 PM The 64 million dollar question is whether Ebay will actually listen. That sound your hearing is thousands of small Ebay sellers laughing with derision. Reply I couldn't agree more. Well said. n/t by Steve-OH Posted Sun January 25, 2009 @ 2:16 PM Reply