Model Forum / General / Models / January 2008

Got an e-mail touting their nickel discount on insertion fees starting
2/20/08. Hurray! Panning further down is the real surprise that I must say
they're rather muted on - they're increasing FV fees 3.5% (auction) and 2%
(store) for their slice of the revenue pie. New fees tier up to
8.75-3.75-1.5% auction and 12-8-4% in store listings, respectively.

FLAME ON!!!

And all over Ebay, bewildered sellers sharpen their crayons and raise
shipping and handling fees 15%. Very soon it will be cheaper to make with
your bare hands whatever it is you can buy on Ebay.

To read their email one is reminded that even though this is a big election
year, spin is not the private domain of politicians.

In addition to the fees and in the truly bizzare world of Ebay they dropped
these gems:

*** Sellers will no longer be able to give customers anything but positive
feedback.

   This postive self-esteem thing at all costs is really getting out of
hand

*** Feedback after 12 months drops off the board

   You'll be out of business in 2 once the crackpots know they're immune.

*** Sellers being herded towards accepting Paypal or merchant CCs -
mandatory.

       Have less than 100 feedback ratings?
       More than 5% negative ratings?
       Not yet, you will when buyers understand they're RPGing on Ebay in
"God mode"
       Selling items ebay deems "risky"?
       No I don't know what that means either.

       Well stumble into any of the above categories and Ebay will require
you to Paypal or Visa.
       So everybody looking to sell something on Ebay is going to have to
become a merchant - yay...

*** Buyers will be held more accountable when sellers report a UPI  or
commit other violations.

       Uh oh, someone's getting sent to bed and getting their MySpace
privilges reduced from 10 hours to 9.

The rest was a few more carrots and meaningless drivel about what Ebay is
going to do for sellers now that the overall cost of doing business on Ebay
just went up another 10% for sellers and 18% for buyers.

       * repeat customer feedback counts. Limit 1 per week, per customer.

             No way that will get abused to get a Power Seller rating, huh.

       * buyers must wait 3 days to leave negative feedback against
"established sellers".

           Can you feel them twisting your arm to pay up to be a Power
Seller.

There has got to be a better way for the casual hobbyist whose number one
goal in life is something other enriching these bastards.

FLAME OFF!

Beer on.

WmB