19 March 2009
eBay's new feedback policy: no real feedback - Ars Technica
eBay's new feedback policy: no real feedback - Ars Technica: "Last week, eBay announced the first significant changes to its feedback policy since the site launched over a decade ago. In order to clamp down on the practice of tit-for-tat feedback, eBay will begin preventing sellers from leaving negative feedback on buyers. The change is scheduled to take place in May, and, as you might expect, sellers are not happy."
Most effective way to have customers leave you feedback is to ask for it. With eBay Blackthorne Pro, you also get SM PRO (Selling Manager Pro) which has a Feedback Reminder feature. In the e-mail, there is customized feedback link so it makes it very easy for buyers to leave you feedback. We leave positive feedback after payment is made. This makes the buyer happy and it reduces e-mails asking for feedback from buyers later. Part of good customer service is anticipating the needs of buyers. Its really no different from a butler in many ways, except with a business angle. In the past, some sellers would only reciprocate positive feedback, but with the feedback change in Feb 2008 by eBay, there is no good reason to withhold feedback from paying customers.
Labels: Blackthorne, eBay, eBay feedback, reciprocating feedback, SMPRO
14 November 2008
E-Commerce News: E-Marketing: Cashback Program Grows MS Product Search From Puny to Small
The smallest rebate purchase I made on this was $32.50. Everything else is ranging in the $100 to $200 rebate range. I see little point in purchasing something via Live.com cashback unless you can get maximize your rebate. But then again, the purchases are for business so perhaps we are not the ideal target market. :)
E-Commerce News: E-Marketing: Cashback Program Grows MS Product Search From Puny to Small: "Under Microsoft's Cashback program, launched in May, the company rewards shoppers with rebates from a few cents to US$20 or more on items they find using its search engine, Live Search."
E-Commerce News: E-Marketing: Cashback Program Grows MS Product Search From Puny to Small: "Under Microsoft's Cashback program, launched in May, the company rewards shoppers with rebates from a few cents to US$20 or more on items they find using its search engine, Live Search."
Labels: eBay, live.com cashback, microsoft, rebate
28 July 2006
Sellers can boost profits on eBay with high shipping
If you are currently a seller on eBay, for certain categorires (e.g. computers, electronics) building your profit in to the item cost can be dangerous on common goods. Your sell through rate will plummet. Many sellers utilize the strategy of low item price and high shipping. The eBay reprot out of Berkeley supports the idea that a buyer will look at an item with lower starting price more. More eyeballs = more sales. Many sellers engage in excessive shipping mostly to compete in a crowded marketplace like eBay. The savings on listing and finaly value fees is mostly a side benefit that helps, but is not the main motivator.
Labels: eBay
23 July 2006
Trust & Safety: Excessive Shipping Policy Update
eBay is going after items that fall under "egregious" shipping. The next step is to define the "grey" area -- what is black vs white? Since eBay has not stretched the definition of "excessive" yet, eBay can not be proactive in ending listings that violate policy. The first issue is that eBay no longer is a "venue" status if they proactively end listings. It'll be interesting to see if eBay will be proactive in this way.
In my opinion, "excessive shipping" is unique to each category and subcategories. If eBay wants to enforce this policy, perhaps eBay could sysmetically analyze the top 10% of items that meet the "excessive shipping" policy. Take a look at the shipping calculator figures (e.g. weigh & handling amount). While this data is not complete, eBay could use this data to determine what is "excessive" for that subcategory. The dollar value would be a rolling average, say over 6 months. eBay could diligently work to bring this average down over time. If the average decreases, then they know they have effectively reduced "excessive" shipping in the category. I like this idea because the "excessive shipping" value is unique to each subcategory. This also provides customer service a concrete dollar value to determine if an item is considered "excessive". Of course, all a seller has to do is increase the "weight" of their item to avoid this loophole, but let's see if eBay will have a clever counter for this.
In my opinion, "excessive shipping" is unique to each category and subcategories. If eBay wants to enforce this policy, perhaps eBay could sysmetically analyze the top 10% of items that meet the "excessive shipping" policy. Take a look at the shipping calculator figures (e.g. weigh & handling amount). While this data is not complete, eBay could use this data to determine what is "excessive" for that subcategory. The dollar value would be a rolling average, say over 6 months. eBay could diligently work to bring this average down over time. If the average decreases, then they know they have effectively reduced "excessive" shipping in the category. I like this idea because the "excessive shipping" value is unique to each subcategory. This also provides customer service a concrete dollar value to determine if an item is considered "excessive". Of course, all a seller has to do is increase the "weight" of their item to avoid this loophole, but let's see if eBay will have a clever counter for this.
Labels: eBay
20 July 2006
A Message from Bill Cobb: Resetting the Balance of the eBay Marketplace
Bill Cobb, President of eBay North America, announced last night that the eBay list fee for Stores and Final Value Fee (FVF) will increase. Final Value Fee will be 10% effective August 22, 2006 for items $0.01 to $25 with a lower FVF as the selling price increases. According to eBay, a seller "will experience an overall fee increase of less than six percent, based on our analysis of all June [2006] selling activity."
I would not be surprised if eBay in 2007, raised their fees again to bring them closer to Amazon's 15% Marketplace commission. But that will take at least two years I think.
eBay wants to encourage the use of core features (auctions, auctions with buy it now, and fixed priced listings) with this change. But all this change will do is reduce the number of Stores items listed. If eBay wants to increase core listings, reduce the listing fee.
Our strategy going forward is to remove Store listings that have not performed well. If we can remove 60% of our total inventory, we will break even on the new insertion fee. We will also have to increase our prices to reflect the new FVF.
Its getting to a point where eBay is pricing itself out of the online marketplace and buyers can find a better deal elsewhere.
I would not be surprised if eBay in 2007, raised their fees again to bring them closer to Amazon's 15% Marketplace commission. But that will take at least two years I think.
eBay wants to encourage the use of core features (auctions, auctions with buy it now, and fixed priced listings) with this change. But all this change will do is reduce the number of Stores items listed. If eBay wants to increase core listings, reduce the listing fee.
Our strategy going forward is to remove Store listings that have not performed well. If we can remove 60% of our total inventory, we will break even on the new insertion fee. We will also have to increase our prices to reflect the new FVF.
Its getting to a point where eBay is pricing itself out of the online marketplace and buyers can find a better deal elsewhere.
Labels: eBay
20 April 2006
The Internet Stock Blog ยป eBay, Inc. Q1 2006 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (EBAY)
eBay removed eBay Store listings at the end of search results from the main site because:
1) Less revenue per listing. eBay seems to be focused on the raw number of listings, rather than successfully ended listings. The low fee of store listings ($0.02 to list for 30 days, plus $0.01 for gallery for 30 days) probably encouraged sellers to park their items at the eBay Store. Its better strategy for items that do not sell.
2) Too many results. It is possible there were lots of irrelevant results or items posted from mass database catalog that did not reflect the current market pricing. For example, you might typically find a widget for $30, but the eBay store had a listing for $300. Unrealistic pricing mucking up the search results. You have to give buyers a good set of results to work from without overwhelming them. Auction/fixed price listing based on fees people have to pay will strike a balance between those items that are "worthy" of listing on the main site.
1) Less revenue per listing. eBay seems to be focused on the raw number of listings, rather than successfully ended listings. The low fee of store listings ($0.02 to list for 30 days, plus $0.01 for gallery for 30 days) probably encouraged sellers to park their items at the eBay Store. Its better strategy for items that do not sell.
2) Too many results. It is possible there were lots of irrelevant results or items posted from mass database catalog that did not reflect the current market pricing. For example, you might typically find a widget for $30, but the eBay store had a listing for $300. Unrealistic pricing mucking up the search results. You have to give buyers a good set of results to work from without overwhelming them. Auction/fixed price listing based on fees people have to pay will strike a balance between those items that are "worthy" of listing on the main site.
Labels: eBay
15 April 2006
Tax time for eBay sellers
Those of you still dily-dallying around your taxes. I recommend consulting with a tax agent. I love mine in San Francisco, Tax Matters. How to categorize your expenses, keeping reciepts, and records is so important. I know I'm not the most organized person, but with patience and perserverance, even you can be diligent about record keeping. If you run your own business, you have to do it.
Labels: eBay
12 April 2006
eBay's Bid For Impatient Shoppers
eBay's Bid For Impatient Shoppers: "Available via a link from eBay.com, the new service will be more like Amazon.com (AMZN ) and other online retail sites, offering largely new merchandise ranging from books and DVDs to apparel and electronics. Customers will pay with a credit card or an account with eBay's PayPal online payment unit."
I think eBay needs to make eBay Express feedback rate 99.0% or better since I find that with a lower percentage than that, I run into more issues with description accuracy, seller communication, and shipping time after payment. Do you agree or disagree?
I think eBay needs to make eBay Express feedback rate 99.0% or better since I find that with a lower percentage than that, I run into more issues with description accuracy, seller communication, and shipping time after payment. Do you agree or disagree?
Labels: eBay
eBay Tips: Choosing Auction Management Software
My favorite auction manager TimberCreekSoftware.com SOLD V is not listed on there, but the article does haev a good break down of auction software and services available to help your online business.
Labels: eBay
10 April 2006
Handling Buyer's Remorse After Making the Sale
I kept hearing the term "buyer's remorse" being discussed on the eBay PowerSeller's forum. I never had a clear concept of what it was so surfed around a bit. I found a great link going into detail and how we, as sellers, can help buyers feel reassured. The last section talks about seller's remorse.
Labels: eBay
Sellers have high expectations for eBay Express
eBay Express reminds me of Amazon Marketplace. I'm looking forward to having a focused and streamlined marketplace. I am hopeful the streamlining the buying process will drive more buyers to the site, leading to more sales for me! :)
eBay Express article on InfoWorld
eBay Express article on InfoWorld
Labels: eBay
Uncovering the Right eBay Inventory
Uncovering the Right eBay Inventory
If you're selling clearance or excess items, you better sell it quick or risk selling it for less than you bought it for.
If you're selling clearance or excess items, you better sell it quick or risk selling it for less than you bought it for.
Labels: eBay
eBay Express eBay Announcement
Many sellers are complaining about the requirement for sellers to accept Paypal unconfirmed payment. While I understand this is convenient for buyers, it is a big risk for some sellers to not have seller protection from Paypal. Some sellers are excluding themselves from eBay Express which I think is extreme. I think sellers can create a second ID and sell items they are willing to ship to Unconfirmed addresses. A little more administrative work, but I think the additional sales will be better than excluding yourself from eBay Express.
Many sellers are complaining about the requirement for sellers to accept Paypal unconfirmed payment. While I understand this is convenient for buyers, it is a big risk for some sellers to not have seller protection from Paypal. Some sellers are excluding themselves from eBay Express which I think is extreme. I think sellers can create a second ID and sell items they are willing to ship to Unconfirmed addresses. A little more administrative work, but I think the additional sales will be better than excluding yourself from eBay Express.
Labels: eBay
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]