eBay changes in rules and fees.

At this point eBay is a phenomenon of our generation and I am not going to introduce eBay to you. However, I will try to explain why eBay became a phenomenon.
It is simpler than you think of, because:
- The Founders of eBay from the start had a couple of excellent ideas.
- The hard work of the eBay team.
- The hard work of the eBay community: sellers, buyers.

First Idea:
eBay facilitates a direct conversation between Sellers and Buyers, eliminating the middlemen. eBay does not position itself as a middleman between Sellers and Buyers. eBay is nothing more than an online application which facilitates the direct conversation between people who have something to sell and people who need a specific item and are willing to buy it!
You will pay a fee for eBay services, but eBay will never interfere between Sellers and Buyers decisions.
eBay used to treat Sellers and Buyers equally (at list the founders did)
Now there is a slight tendency to favor the buyers, which I personally don’t like; I think eBay will only continue to be prosperous with Happy Sellers and Happy Buyers.

Second Idea:
The Founders have created a powerful element of trust, much needed in the on-line environment, the feedback system. The feedback you have is your reputation, and it is very effective and necessary. I used to tell my eBay students, Don’t sell your grandmother jewelry until you have a minimum of 100 positive feedbacks.

Third Idea:
The eBay Application was created with specific rules that we have to follow. Some people might consider the rules too restrictive, others argue that rules mean discipline and principles; there is nothing wrong with them.
The years 2007, 2008 will remain in history as the years of changes on eBay Market. Now eBay has the tendency to be more flexible and we will see soon if this is a good or bad idea.

Fourth Idea:
eBay is a Company that listens to its base of Sellers and Buyers (for me, this is a sign of respect for the base).
It looks trivial but it is not. 90% of the changes/enhancements eBay implemented over the years were done because they listened to our concerns, needs, and ideas. eBay filtered them with an open mind and made things happen.
I worked for many years as Programmer, System Analyst, and IT Consultant. I worked for a lot of Companies, and if I have to make a list of most receptive Companies, eBay will be on the top of my list.

All these ideas plus the hard work of the eBay Community have made eBay what it is today, a revolutionary new way to buy and sell, the World’s On-Line Marketplace.

Usually I like to go to the point, but this is an exception to the rule because I want you to understand my position.

Changes in Feedback System.
1) Buyers will only be able to receive positive Feedback.
Why we, the sellers and the buyers, are not equal anymore on responsibilities and services we produce?
2) Positive repeat customers Feedback will count.
This is a good improvement.
3) Feedback more than 12-months old won’t count toward your Feedback percentage.
I really do not understand why! What is the benefit of it!
4) When a buyer doesn’t respond to the unpaid item, the negative or neutral Feedback they have left for that transaction will be automatically removed.This is dream come true for sellers; we request this change for years.
5) When a member is suspended, all their negative and neutral Feedback left will be removed. Very good!
6) Buyers must wait 3 days before leaving negative a neutral Feedback for sellers with an established track record, to encourage communications.
Finally a small sign to discipline the buyers as well
7) All feedback must be left within 60 days

Changes on eBay fees.
As usual, it is given and taken.
The insertion fees are smaller now, but the end of the month are much bigger.
I am Ok with this. The insertion fees affect all listings. The end of the month fees are only for sold items.

Regards
Michaela
http://www.mc-ebay-resources.com
http://www.emrauction.com
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