Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake (Post 13561281)

That post didn't actually have much to do with eBay, but I'll assume you had a logical reason for responding the way you did and will respond as though it was made to one of the posts that was about eBay.

You see this incredibly silly and generic answer anytime someone discusses anything. It's really quite ignorant actually, but I guess it beats coming up with an argument, or having to think critically.

"I don't like Government policy xxx"
"Why don't you leave the country?"

Obviously people use eBay and tolerate it because that's where the money is and they have the wider audience, just as people used monopolistic railroads because that's what went cross country. I explicitly stated I have no problem with eBay's fees, or even policies at an individual level. My issue is with their integration with Craigslist and Paypal, which extend a monopoly that make it more difficult to use other sources and give them a very anti-consumer, heavy handed approach to their customers. Policies like this are why we have anti-trust laws. Whether and when we use them is usually political, but I'm making an argument that we SHOULD use these rules for ebay/paypal/Craigslist. If you want to counter that with an argument on why we shouldn't, fine...but saying it ain't gonna change and just live with it isn't an argument, it's just lazy and annoying. It's actually just contrarian and vapid. In fact I do avoid eBay as a seller and actively avoid Paypal, it doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on anti-trust legislation and how it should apply...or on fraudulent and misleading claims made by Paypal regarding FDIC insurance.

As for buyers paying for everything - no. That only works if shipping and fees are pass through expenses, and the reality is that the buyer and the market will dictate the final price, not the costs. The costs might dictate a needed price, but they won't dictate what buyers are willing to pay. Bottom line is no items for sale, no eBay fees. Period. Both are components to the system and eBay is just a successful market.

Thank you for correcting grammar/spelling on a web forum...I'm sure you can find an error in any post I make. I suppose a correction like that also saves time on actually having to think about a response. What's really amazing is that you offer proofreading for free...the person who does it in our office makes about $12/hr. You're short changing yourself.

Originally Posted by miamijim (Post 13562520)

If you want to make alot of money sell your goods on ebay.

If you want to make a little money sell your goods elsewhere.

Its really that simple.

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 13562049)

My b|tch|ng had more to do with the fact that eBay didn't lift a finger to do anything about the matter, this despite numerous messages, several phone calls and at least certified snail mail letters. The only way any justice was done was by the "virtual posse" we formed to hunt the b@stard down. Believe me, I was happy about the money... :D

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13561354)

I think the implications behind the complaints is that people feel that ebay has no competition. But that just isn't true. No one is as big, and no one has as big an audience, but that's exactly why they command the highest fees. You can pay less, and you get less. I think they offer a better deal than the local newspaper did before we sold stuff on the intarwebs.

Originally Posted by Drillium Dude (Post 13562496)

I'll take a little less money for an item here on the Forum than sell on Ebay anymore. I mean, it's really not about every last dime that can be squeezed from a sale, at least not for me.

So I lose a worldwide audience; oh well. There's more to life, I think. This stuff will always sell one way or another, no matter what mechanism is used.

I just had my first successful sale on the For Sale or Trade thread and am content with the money involved for the goods that are going out. I also got to have a great conversation with a fellow member who gave me interesting details on what his plans are, and I got to give him some history. That right there was worth the difference in what I could get on Ebay vice BF. Best $12.00 I ever spent :)

DD

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13561354)

I think ... people feel that ebay has no competition. But that just isn't true. No one is as big, and no one has as big an audience, but that's exactly why they command the highest fees. You can pay less, and you get less. I think they offer a better deal than the local newspaper did before we sold stuff on the intarwebs.

Originally Posted by wrk101 (Post 13565380)

I agree with Aaron, pretty surprising the government has not looked at the linkage between ebay and paypal.

Originally Posted by cuda2k (Post 13563402)

eBay will be the gorilla in the room till we, as buyers and sellers, decide to find better solutions.

Originally Posted by himespau (Post 13565796)

At this point, ebay seems like a necessary evil. I prefer to sell my stuff here and/or locally, though and that's what I do. Hmm, I must be out of the loop as I wasn't aware ebay had bought CL.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13565924)

Does craigslist make any money? If so, how? And if not, why does ebay keep it?

Originally Posted by autonoz (Post 13566007)

I am not sure what the OP means, I sell on Ebay and pay shipping with my PayPal account. No where does it say my funds are being held and my shipping payment comes right out of my PayPal account balance.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13565934)

Velobase Market. I never thought of that. Turns out I'm a member. I must have joined years ago. Thanks for the tip!

Originally Posted by cuda2k (Post 13566179)

Probably because the VeloBase Marketplace is less than a month old. :thumb: Its still in Beta, lots of little things to finish with it, but it's getting there. (won't thread-jack any more than that)

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13565497)

Is there an anti-trust suit going on with ebay? If so, I was unaware.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13565287)

It's true that there's little or no competition that is like ebay. That's what makes their high fees worth it. If they're not singular, they are close to it. Their service is worth what they get or what you pay for it.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 13565287)

But there are alternatives. You can sell by newspaper, word of mouth, craigslist, other classified ads, OR you could choose not to sell it at all. That is a choice, and it completely avoids the fees.

You can also give your stuff away. That's how I get a lot of my bikes. People with no time, such as when they're moving house or just cleaning up, just want the bikes out of the way. And because people send so much good will this way, I give a lot of them away.