Riverotter1948, Thanks for posting this, I spent some time on Saturday unsuccessfully trying to find this as I had read it some time ago and was delighted to see the coming changes. I've got 4 negative feedbacks on EBAY, each from a crook I took to task. Several of them were booted from EBay but the black mark remained on my record. As for the practicality of EBAY, I think its value is the reciprocal of the economy. As the economy boomed, eBay's value fell. As more people need to raise emergency cash in our faltering economy, I'm expecting eBay to resurge in value to me. Thanks again for posting the detailed list. Joe Daddy
They have not. Making it into a one way street for Feedback, and that anonymous DSR system for backstabbers, is a hoax. For years there's been a mistaken belief about a sequence, or protocol established in their Rules. There never has been. I can't count how many buyers have rudely never posted Feedback, after I had wasted my precious time time doing the same for their reputation. The category where I used to sell, has dropped in activity to almost nothing, since February. Fewer listings to shop. Great for buyers! Boxcab E50
Originally Posted by Midnight Railroader I don't bid more than I want to pay, including shipping. So, I've gotten a good many deals on eBay. This has been the course of action for me. I recently managed to buy a LaserKit Northern Pacific depot for about $43.00. I've seen it in mags and hobby shops for about $89.00. In other words, I got a good deal. I did get burned once or twice on locomotive purchases but that was due to my own lack of sharpness. So long as I continue to be shrewed, I have no problems with eBay. "Don't bid more than you can pay, including shpping." Stay within your stated budget. I've noticed more than a few times that someone (often times the same seller) will come right back with the same locomotive or other item, hoping to sell it for the cost that its earlier locomotive sale went for. Sellers are watching too, to see what kind of price will fly. That's just business. If it looks silly, let it pass. If you aren't satisfied, step back from the table - beforehand. Any poker players here? You should know when to fold 'em.
I have no problems with ebay. I study carefully what I want to buy. I shop around local stores for price and availability. I watch said items over several months on ebay to see what things generally cost. I figure in shipping as part of the cost and then figure what I'm willing to pay based on the above. I bid only to that amount and let alot of stuff go. There are items I want but I feel are too expensive and I wait to find a deal I'm satisfied with. Until then I don't bid. I always pay immediately to earn my good feedback and if I don't get it, I'll give the buyer a little reminder that I've left good feedback and wish the same in return. Ebay has been great for me.
I welcome some of the changes. As a seller on ebay some time ago there is all kinds of scams buyers can push onto a un-suspecting seller from falsified damaged in shipping claims to people simply saying the item was stolen off their porch. My favorite one was where 2 assumed "acquaintences" both buy the same item shipping to the same zcity and zip. One guy pays but doesn't include a item #-you figure what the hell-same item the other guy will pay you'll ship his too, and when the payment comes you ship one item. Whoever you ship the item to, it will be the other guy that paid and didn't get anything. So you've given away 2 items for 1 price or you get dinged with negative feedback from the guy who "never recieved his item". My other favorite was simply groups of scam artist who sell each other socks and pencils to build up feedback, then jack peoples photo's from other auctions and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. I had a dohc VTEC engine auction that got "Hijacked" 4 times!!! I think generally ebay is trying to make a more honest environment to buy and sell in, because that is it's biggest current downfall is all the scammers and misrepresented items sold on ebay. Nevermind these people are just following our role model bush administration, but that's another subject......... So far my train purchases have been a positive experience on ebay, some not much of a deal but what I really wanted that the LHS doesn't carry. Other times I watch alot of items I could use but aren't dying to have, and occasionally snag a really good deal. Last buy was 8ea brand new NS100 atlas #4 LH turnouts, $18.50 shipped!
This is one of the reasons I have stopped using eBay. I now sell on a brand new auction site (came on line in April). If you're interested, the site is: https://www.ethicalauctions.com
It is not ebay that is unethical; it is a natural human trait amongst some individuals, and when you have a site pull as much attention as ebay, you tend to pull all types - not JUST the good nice types!!!
eBay used to rock hard. Now it's nothing but a weak shadow of it's glorious past. There is no proper competition. They made changes and took decisions that should invariably lead to business suicide. Somehow, it does not. They get away with it for lack of proper competition. They won't have my business any more.
Agreed, i.e. they're acting like Microsoft. As "the only wiseguy in town", they can afford to be cocky.
