Is Ebay becoming an on-line shop, and not an auction??
Discussion
I was in Vehicle Parts and Accessories, American parts, and there were 5000+ items for sale. So, I clicked on 'Auctions Only' and that figure dropped to barely 300 parts. 
I guess the rest were either 'Classifieds', or 'Buy It Now'.
Whatever happened to the auction side, the bidding, the competition, the sniping, getting a good deal etc?
And one ad I just opened: Transit van indicator lenses: 0.99p starting offer, but £18.51 postage. Within the UK!!!!
The whole Ebay thing seems to be getting out of hand now.
I guess the rest were either 'Classifieds', or 'Buy It Now'.
Whatever happened to the auction side, the bidding, the competition, the sniping, getting a good deal etc?
And one ad I just opened: Transit van indicator lenses: 0.99p starting offer, but £18.51 postage. Within the UK!!!!
The whole Ebay thing seems to be getting out of hand now.
I buy stuff when I'm bored at work, usually things that seem interesting, or cheap for what they are.
I've toyed with the idea of selling some of my collected junk, but I really see it as too much of a minefield, with all I've heard.
Plus, unless you make a decent profit margin on an item, is it really worth the hassle of packing it all up, estimating postage for the ad, going to the post office etc etc. Which is probably why so many people go for the Buy It Now option, I guess.
I've toyed with the idea of selling some of my collected junk, but I really see it as too much of a minefield, with all I've heard.
Plus, unless you make a decent profit margin on an item, is it really worth the hassle of packing it all up, estimating postage for the ad, going to the post office etc etc. Which is probably why so many people go for the Buy It Now option, I guess.
It is getting quite out of hand now, as you mentioned its becoming more of an overpriced online store. An item
of clothing i was after was £130 over the retail price. Even the actual auctions have reserves which are far too high. I used to look at it for wheels etc, but they're hundreds more than other places.
of clothing i was after was £130 over the retail price. Even the actual auctions have reserves which are far too high. I used to look at it for wheels etc, but they're hundreds more than other places.
Mainly I think is that eBay have removed the dutch auction facility. ie 100 items starting at 99p and just see what sells.
Now you cannot do this which is quite annoying as you need to know what things are worth. So you need to create a BIN for the 100 items instead of an online auction.
Sodding annoying and one of the many good options they removed.
Now you cannot do this which is quite annoying as you need to know what things are worth. So you need to create a BIN for the 100 items instead of an online auction.
Sodding annoying and one of the many good options they removed.
In 2009 a mandatory free Postage & Packaging (P&P) policy was introduced in categories where excessive postage charges were a problem. Although buyers have responded positively, some sellers indicated this is having a negative impact on their listings and asked for alternative options to prevent excessive postage. This is especially when listing in the auction style format with a low starting price. Therefore, to help drive further sales, the existing free P&P policy will be removed and replaced with maximum limits to Postage & Packaging charges from 8 February 2010. Buyers continue to respond positively to free Postage & Packaging. Sellers who offer it on their fixed price listings will continue to receive a boost in search results. Regards, The eBay team
Mr E Driver said:
In 2009 a mandatory free Postage & Packaging (P&P) policy was introduced in categories where excessive postage charges were a problem. Although buyers have responded positively, some sellers indicated this is having a negative impact on their listings and asked for alternative options to prevent excessive postage. This is especially when listing in the auction style format with a low starting price. Therefore, to help drive further sales, the existing free P&P policy will be removed and replaced with maximum limits to Postage & Packaging charges from 8 February 2010. Buyers continue to respond positively to free Postage & Packaging. Sellers who offer it on their fixed price listings will continue to receive a boost in search results. Regards, The eBay team
I thought all the eBay-naysayers were keeping quiet about this. Unless I've missed the thread 
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