By Tim Ferguson, 21 April 2008 17:15
NEWS
eBay has hit back at a proposed seller boycott over changes to the site that will mean sellers won't be able to post negative feedback.
From May, eBay is banning sellers from posting negative feedback in order to avoid unjustified comments posted on buyers' profiles unfairly compromising their reputations.
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The company suggested some sellers alter their feedback ratings by threatening to leave negative feedback in retaliation for less than complimentary comments from buyers.
An eBay statement said although the company doesn't want to be dismissive about the "small number of sellers who are unhappy at the rate of change taking place on the site" the changes are designed to make sellers more successful.
But a group of sellers is proposing a boycott of the site on 1 May to show their disapproval of the move.
eBay is also proposing to make it easier for sellers to report bad buyers and remove unfair feedback left for sellers.
The hope is to boost user confidence to leave honest feedback in the knowledge that they won't be unfairly treated in return.
The company said this means sellers with good reputations will stand out even more as bad sellers won't be able to affect their trust rating.
Comments
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1. anonymous
So, in the authors estimation, what was it that eBay did to "hit back"?
I see no evidence in the article that eBay has done anything different than it has since January when announcements were made. Deny, Deny, Deny.
Sharpen your pencil and try again.
2. Balzenawe
Hi- There is an ongoing eBay Boycott by more than a few of us members since February 18th, with an exodus planned by many more on May 1st. We have tried to communicate with eBay for a reasonable compromise on these severe changes that are being implemented in its world-wide sites, to no response.
Granted, eBay is not a 'community', but a business. But what it has forgotten [or ignored] is that it is also a 'community of businesses', and should at least offer its customers [ALL members] some sort of communication option regarding these drastic changes that affect our money and reputations. We have worked hard for many years to build both eBay's reputation and its revenue, along with ours. That point also seems to be forgotten, or just plain ignored by new eBay management, including JD.
Only a very small percentage, the less scrupulous eBay members, were used as an example to justify these changes that can only help eBay's own revenue, not its customers'. --Joe
3. padiopal
"The hope is to boost user confidence to leave honest feedback in the knowledge that they won't be unfairly treated in return.
The company said this means sellers with good reputations will stand out even more as bad sellers won't be able to affect their trust rating."
As if. Don't buy IT!
4. arrowsmith-rd
Since sellers can no longer leave any type of feedback, that means that as a buyer, there will be no feedback acrued either. So new buyers will always be a (0)? This will make buying on ebay no different than buying from Walmart or Sears. And that is where I would go, if that is the case. Why let ebay have their cut of sales if I can get what I need elsewhere?
There are many up and coming new auction sites that are treating sellers and buyers with respect.
5. Ric Roe
Time for a fact check.
1 May is not a short-term boycott, but rather the day a growing number of sellers and yes, buyers are leaving the site.
Feedback changes are not the singular reason for this exodus.
PayPal is initiating a new policy that will allow them to hold sellers payments for long periods of time for even the most minor infractions.
Low DSR scores, even new accounts will all see their payments delayed and held by PayPal.
As to eBay's claim that it is making it easier for sellers to report bad buyers, sellers are left with little confidence because eBay has a very low enforcement rate on so many other eBay policies.
eBay has policies against excessive shipping and handling, yet the site is full of listings with grossly inflated shipping rates, and most of these listings are from the very sellers that eBay is now going to feature.
eBay is no longer the electronic garage sale that it built its worldwide reputation on. Instead, it has become the place where small home sellers are getting the boot.
It will be interesting to see which auction site steps up to accept these eBay refugees, and the site-building potential they bring with them as they close their stores and eBay accounts.
6. Debi P
So if a buyer lies about a seller, there is absolutely no way to defend one's self.
Boycott last from May 1, 2008 until they change it to be a more honest system and a fair venue for both buyer and seller.
Amazing...
7. anonymous
Hi Tim,
As a seller, I believe the feedback change is needed. However, I do get annoyed with non-paying bidders(what a waste of time!) and bidders that like to return things.
8. anonymous
The current method of feedback is wrong, and this is more to do with the users than the system.
As a buyer quite often my part of the transaction is completed up to a week before the sellers yet sellers will not give feedback until I have to prevent any negative feedback.
IMHO the seller should have to leave feedback as soon as payment is made. The buyers part of the transaction is now complete. The buyer should leave feedback as soon as goods recieved. There should be a period of time after this where feedback can be commented on by either party.
9. Justoneinmany
This boycott isn't just about not being able to leave feedback. It is also about a minimum 21 days' hold of the sellers PayPal funds, it's about Best Match being dysfunctional, it's about the anonymous bidder policy, it's about eBay marketing how it was were going to reduce fees for sellers in the front end and give them a free picture, but conveniently forgot to add until the end that it had raised back-end fees by up to 66 per cent.
I understand business, but at some point, when you promote what a wonderful community you have and how dedicated your community is and have done that for years, I would hope a company would at least have a moral responsibility to implement these changes better than they did.
And, eBay can say all it wants that this will weed out the bad sellers from the good. I personally sold on eBay for a hobby. I had 100 per cent feedback. Guess that shoots down eBay's theory because I was weeded me out along with 10s of hundreds like me because we weren't large enough. The boycott is 1 May and beyond. I'm participating.
10. poetryeater
It is not a "small number of sellers" who are displeased by eBay's asinine decision to remove the ability of sellers to leave honest feedback while allowing buyers to retain that ability - it is all good sellers who are aware of the decision, as well as all good buyers who are aware of the decision.
Because of this insanity on the part of eBay executives, I ceased all selling and buying activity on eBay back in January, and I will never start selling and buying on eBay again unless and until this asinine change to feedback policy is reversed. eCay is carting itself to hell in the proverbial handbasket, and I hope its executives enjoy the trip, because it will be a short one.
11. robert cruz
No more eBay for me till it fixes this feedback thing. I'm done and rather annoyed that eBay thinks upset sellers constitute a small margin of their business. If that is the case, why have many of the alternative auction sites been growing since eBay caused this whole mess in February? Let's see eBay's PR people explain that one?
12. Maggie Dressler
eBay couldn't have meant small number of sellers - it must have meant the number of small sellers, since all it cares about is the large retailers.
Making more successful?
Yes, when we all settle on an alternative auction site without the enormous fees eBay has. Did I say enormous - exorbitant would be more like it.
13. Tamara
The boycott is becoming an exodus as more and more buyers and sellers see that eBay will continue to refuse even to discuss its changes. The boycott has become larger than anyone thought and eBay is losing a vast number of buyers and sellers including hundreds of powersellers.
The small sellers are taking the largest of the hits because they are, for the most part, poor, disabled, single parents, veterans, retired folks. They are being hurt financially, physically, and emotional by eBay's disdain for what once made it great.
Many people are struggling to buy food and medicine with their eBay income. This option has now been taken away from them and they must do without these necessities of life.
14. anonymous
In the past two weeks I have had five non-paying buyers (NPBs). Each of those is registered on eBay with a card. Some have no feedback, others have feedback.
I have no way to stop them and the new changes will not help me as a seller.
Each of those NPBs can hit me three times with each purchase.
First, with negative feedback.
Secondly, hit my detailed seller ratings (DSRs).
Thirdly, to claim item not receievd or not as described.
And there is not a thing I can do about it or that eBay will do about it.
I am not a massive retailer like those eBay prefers who can have five hundred bad feedback a year and still keep running. After four I will be told to shape up or ship out. If I get another two, I am no longer a registered user, due to being a bad seller, just because those NPBs felt like having a laugh or just wanted rid of the competition. Me.
Now you wonder why I support the boycott, all the changes eBay has made in the name of safety over the past three years and the place is like the Wild West.
15. anonymous
eBay has overcomplicated itself to such an extent that you almost need a PhD to use it. Feedback used to be nice and simple, and while feedback threats could happen, it was one channel of abuse. Now the site is so complicated, there are many ways in which a dishonest person can abuse the site.
At the end of the day, sellers are annoyed and leaving, while buyers don't appear to have any more confidence when using the site. I don't. If anything buyers are now less confident, because the rules are so complex.
FWIW, a boycott won't make the slightest different. Sellers leaving for good might. I'm off, it's not selling for fun on eBay any more. I used to be a silver PS, which means I sold £1,500 per month.
16. Henrietta
First sale 1999, 100% positive feedback, average 4 repeat sales per buyer, never left a negative as a seller, 100% satisfaction guarantee in writing, return item for refund for ANY reason.
I am gone, no purchases, no sales on eBay. Not only because f the feedback but as a low volume seller I get no visibility. I keep more with less sales elsewhere.
NOBODY needs to stay that doesn't want to, visit my blog for alternative venues.
17. Karen luckiethree
Look, these sellers all have near perfect feedback and little to no negatives.
We are verified, confirmed, respectable, professional sellers that have provided top notch customer service with prompt shipping, great communications and quality items, as described.
We are honest, to put it simply.
18. Scott
I hear your complaints, sellers ought to be able to report a bad experience on their part, but the buyers on Ebay have almost always had the short end of the stick.
Ever had someone bid on their own items to run up the bid?
Ever have a seller hold their feedback expecting the buyer to report first "and together build a better Ebay community"...hah
Ever have the bids go up in small incriments until you are beaten, and then magically have a "second chance" offer for exactly what your max was?
Ever have a seller send something that was less then expected, and then expect the buyer to pay to have it sent back....but you say that was a part of the agreement...yes and so was the description.
Ever pay far more for shipping then what it actually cost to ship?
I suppose I ought to stop venting now.
19. eGad!
My company has been selling on eBay for more than 7 years and it's time for us to move on. With their raise in fees my company's new web site will be less expensive to operate. And don't worry the door will not hit our ass on the way out.
20. anonymous
Bought an item on ebay.Took almost three weeks to arrive after being charged over twice what postageon the box showed, was not in the condition presented and seller was rude-uncooperative etc.