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Ebay policy changes
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Zenopus
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:41 pm

I think an RPG Marketplace is a good idea, but I too was extremely put off by not being able to register with a gmail account - it's the only email I currently use. I also thought it was strange that it was set up by an Acaeum member but not personally advertised by that individual.

beasterbrook
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:08 am

The aussie dollar is at a 24year high against the US dollar at the moment, so you would have to be insane to stop selling overseas in the current exchange rate climate, that and the fact the the US economy is going backwards, you would be shooting yourself in the foot as far as I'm concerned... and I'm expecting the rate to get better looks like there is at least a good probablity that the fed is goinf to drop interest rates again next month for most of you guys while the Aussie reserve Bank is almost 100% certain to increase the rate her by a quarter of a percent... they even talked about parity on the news today... Go you good thing! :lol:

Brette:)

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gyg
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:38 am

Go-Captain Suzdal wrote:
(waiting for a retroactive pay raise to come through, might as well waste the difference .

Are you saying buying old D&D stuff is a WASTE of money - begone from here you sinning unbeliever :lol:

You can never have too much of something you didn't need in the first place.

Xaxaxe
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:44 am

Mercenary_Roadie wrote:I will also call you on the phone number you listed as well as to a reverse lookup on your number to verify your address.

Um, no ... no, you won't.

Give me an effing break; that's just lame. [late edit: see follow-up comment below]

zhowar wrote:I also thought it was strange that it was set up by an Acaeum member but not personally advertised by that individual.

I'm lost. Who set this thing up?

I've checked both the FAQ and the About Us page and ... nothing. What's with the secrecy?

Last edited by Xaxaxe on Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:02 am, edited 2 times in total.

Badmike
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:48 am

zhowar wrote:I think an RPG Marketplace is a good idea, but I too was extremely put off by not being able to register with a gmail account - it's the only email I currently use. I also thought it was strange that it was set up by an Acaeum member but not personally advertised by that individual.

Time for me to pimp the site I guess and answer a few questions....

RPGmarktetplace.com is a concept Doug Rhea and I have tossed around for some time. Obviously since I have zero technical aptitude or background Doug was going to have to be the one to do the dirty work, and he took all the initiative, but it's something we've talked about on and off since I met him. He hasn't advertised the site here because well, frankly, he's been attacked like a kitten smeared with Alpo at a Michael Vick dogfight whenever he's posted in the past. If he had advertised the site as such I'm sure he would have been pounded like a tent peg and he really didn't see the need, so he's letting others talk about it instead. He thought it best to just let a few people know at first, and let word of mouth grow. If it'll help you accept it just pretend I set the darn thing up, or that I work for Doug, or whatever. I back the site 100% obviously or I wouldn't be listing there. My rep in the community is, hopefully, good enough that you will at least take a chance looking at the site. You don't have to register to do that much if you want.

The site is primarily a collector's and gamer's forum and thus is not a "professional" setup like Ebay, etc. It's more like a swap shop than a slick venue. We forsee it as a good place for fellow Acaeum members to go and advertise their wares. The Classifieds here are good, but you can't post photos or do a lot of other things except drive business to an ebay site anyway. If you are going to do trades and swaps and sales using the Acaeum Classifieds, I highly recommend it. That's great. Or you can use the RPGMarketplace. Super. Either way extends and helps the gaming community.

So this site will stay "mom and pop" and not become filled with spammers, Afrikacorps, or Cougars, Doug has instituted certain policies...one being you should be a Acaeum or Dragonsfoot member, another that you have to have a "paid for" email account. I know it's a pain...maybe it will change in the future, I don't know, this is Doug's baby and he can do what he wants I guess. It's mostly a security measure though. Maybe we can see about doing something about the email requirement but frankly I'm an idiot about security stuff and I don't know if that is a deal breaker on Doug's end or not. Stay tuned.

The information you need to enter to join is minimal. If you don't want to leave it, don't, I don't even think I entered my "correct" birthdate (I can't remember if it even asked me for that). I don't think there's a single thing on there anyone can learn about me that they can't learn about me on google in ten minutes. Once again, a safety/security measure. I also have to stress this site has been open for a week or so. It should get better as it goes, right now it's still in the baby stages. But it's 100% voluntary so you can check it out, shrug and move on if you wish no harm done.

Doug isn't making a cent off it. NOT A CENT. He's lost money....the first software we tested for the site couldn't invoice properly...so he had to dump it after paying for it, a loss. Right now all activities, including setting up a store, listing, etc are free. The price is right.

I know there are a lot of similar sites on the internet. We aren't trying to compete with those sites, or ebay, or Amazon, or whatever. It's just an alternative that could save everyone a lot of money....sellers because of no listing or FV fees, buyers in (hopefully) savings from sellers not having to pay those associated fees. And it's based on the fact that the main users will be part of a community that know their stuff and go into something like this with eyes wide open.

I'm listing a few items, mainly duplicating items I already have on Ebay. I'm probably not the best example of someone who should use the site. It's much more intended for a smaller seller that maybe just has a few items to get rid of, knows what he wants to sell them for, and would rather have piece of mind that he will actually get paid based on the buyers rep through the forums. Right now, Ebay has all but said they are not interested in smaller volume or new sellers. Starting soon all new sellers will be forced to use Paypal and Paypal will be holding their funds for 21 days until the buyer leaves them positive feedback...nice. Rather, you've gotta be frakking kidding me. So it might be a boon to that someone that either just wants to list a "lot" full of D&D items but doesn't want to take a chance that Coug will bid, or that they won't get paid, or that Ebay is going to suck down a large chunk of his profit. You can customize the procedure as you wish....you want only cash? Only paypal? You want to invoice? You want to swap only? You want to give discounts on hardbacks? You want to post a want ad? Done. With none of the craptastic illogic ebay is showing in their doings nowadays.

Basically my deal is that anyone wanting to purchase from my ebay store, if you are a Acaeum or Dragonsfoot member, just let me know what items you want, I will transfer them to my rpgmarketplace store, buy them there and I will give you discounted shipping. It's no secret a lot of us that do this for a living are forced to pad our shipping/handling charges to help pay ebay/paypal fees....rpgmarketplace eliminates that need and allows us to pass the savings to the customer. I will still sell primarily through ebay because let's face it they are the 500 lb gorilla in the RPG collecting business right now. No one can generate the looks they can or the international traffic. But also I don't enjoy paying 12% of my FVF as well as all the other sundry expenses associated with it now.

This is the way it was done in the old days on the AOL marketplace and then on the FRP marketplace on usenet. It was based on trust that someone you didn't know was going to ship you gaming stuff if you put a money order for $100 in an envelope and mailed it to them...and you know, for the most part it worked. At one point in the mid 90s I was selling stuff to people all over the world WITHOUT EBAY OR PAYPAL based only on my online rep...people as far away as Germany, Australia, the Uk all knew that if they bought something on my list and sent me the money they were going to get their product. The reason you knew you were going to get your stuff? It was based on the rep of the person you were buying from, much as this site is based on our rep as Aceaum members. If there was a problem, I dealt with it, and like I said it seemed to work fine. No reason it can't work again.

I was a big supporter of ebay and it's helped me a lot both in completing collections and making me money. Lately it's filled with an overwhelming corporate mentality that as X said has really made it a No Fun Zone. We are hoping RPGmarketplace will bring some of the fun back. Everyone will know practically everyone there, which will facilitate sales and trades.

Centerstage made the first sale the other day from there and there was a surreal moment when the buyer, who didn't know Matt, paid him and HAD TO RELY ON HIS WORD he would ship the book. It really made me remember the old days and how everything was based on someone's word and not the whims of a corporate entity. I kind of liked the feeling

The site is not for everyone. There probably aren't going to be a lot of unbelievable deals (although it is probably a good site to sell overstock from if you have it), or super rare items (although there is a woodie there if you want to mortgage the house). The cupboard is a little bare right now....I'm mostly just listing smaller ticket items that are becoming increasingly difficult to sell on ebay due to price gouging, or duplicate items. It might not work, it might become a ghost town, it might crash and burn. It's not geared towards making anyone rich so it probably won't survive....I know, a negative view, but in today's world if you aren't making someone a millionaire then screw you. If you want to sell your own gaming doodads, or your own published items, it's probably not a bad idea to stick a couple of your goodies there for some ebay-fee-free traffic. I've got a couple of wild ass ideas for later in the year concering T-shirts with gaming oriented themes...or even Acaeum-related subjects. We'll see!

I would appeal to the Acaeum community one small thing. I really believe in the people here and what we do/talk about (promise I'm not going to get all Obama on you now). For the most part everyone here has good intentions, and honestly belive most here will give you the shirt off their back if you need it. We have our squabbles and occasionally a nutjob is booted off, but for the most part we get along like the typical disfunctional family. If you don't like the site, don't want to use it, or don't want to become a part of it, I just ask you please don't bad mouth it based on who runs it, who sells there, or any other nitpick. Let it stand or fall on it's own merits. If the idea blows let the marketplace decide. Constructive criticism is welcome; bad natured sniping you should keep to yourself, or here's a thought, start your own alternate gaming site and we can all take potshots at it! But the fact I've and others have taken the time to list items there, or register there, shows that a few of us might believe it has a place.

I really hope that someday the 100th member will register there, and it will be a place where forum members can safely and easily trade, buy and sell there when you don't want to deal with ebay. Just check it out and if it's not your cup of tea, no harm done, it's not like you just sold a big lot to Cougie and he's asking you to ship it to him in an M-bag...

Back to your regularly scheduled Ebay ass kicking....

Mike B.

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Xaxaxe
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:01 am

A lot of interesting information there ... too much to keep hitting the quote button, in fact.

I respect the effort, I really do. I'll remain as a lurker for now, but with an open mind.

In terms of constructive criticism, I'll mention the two points I brought up above, but without any sarcasm this time:

1. I want to know who I'm dealing with. Someone needs to put a name out there on the FAQ, the About Us, or maybe both.

2. Seriously, all due respect, but no one is calling me or doing any reverse-lookups just so I can join what amounts to a trading post. Not a chance in hell. That's just an incredible turn-off. With respect, I'd consider a less draconian policy.

But, no matter what happens, I see no reason not to wish everyone the best of luck. As I mentioned, I'll be an interested lurker.

Badmike
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:10 am

Xaxaxe wrote:A lot of interesting information there ... too much to keep hitting the quote button, in fact.

I respect the effort, I really do. I'll remain as a lurker for now, but with an open mind.

In terms of constructive criticism, I'll mention the two points I brought up above, but without any sarcasm this time:

1. I want to know who I'm dealing with. Someone needs to put a name out there on the FAQ, the About Us, or maybe both.

2. Seriously, all due respect, but no one is calling me or doing any reverse-lookups just so I can join what amounts to a trading post. Not a chance in hell. That's just an incredible turn-off. With respect, I'd consider a less draconian policy.

But, no matter what happens, I see no reason not to wish everyone the best of luck. As I mentioned, I'll be an interested lurker.

Thanks Duke it's all we can ask for, and thanks for your suggestions, I don't disagree.

As for the phone call...I don't think there has been ANY made. As long as you are forum member of good standing you are pretty much in. I suspect that line might have been thrown in there to discourage any lurking Cougies or Afrikacorp types that might think it's hilarious to mess with Acaeum members there by starting up a fake account. To reiterate I don't believe that's really a set in stone requirement. I will say that all the hoops are mostly with member safety in mind....we don't want to let anyone in that isn't a reliable and trusted member of our collecting community. If you have a solid rep here that's really all that's needed.

I'll tell Doug to put up something in the FAQ page.

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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gyg
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:11 am

Bravo Mike - I personally hope it takes off (Though I can't register with my hotmail account, I have emailed the site- If I have to get a new address I might just have to do it)

I feel that it can only be a good thing - most of us here are niche collectors in an already small niche market - read the websites, rpg's are generally going to hell in a handcart!!

If you don't like it, that's fine, but at least let it try and survive in the big wide world. (My mother would have said "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything" - trite maybe, but true nonetheless).

(And good luck Doug)

You can never have too much of something you didn't need in the first place.

Badmike
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:20 am

bbarsh wrote:I just love how he keeps avoiding the extremely valid point about the 4 rating; 4 is great, unless you are a seller, then you get screwed.

His solution to some very genuine concerns is appalling. Ebay has made sellers 100% responsible for delivery to the buyer's front door within minutes of the customer purchasing the item. And you have to do it for free. Sure...

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry after I finished the 5 or so pages. If the new CEO is relying on these sorts of minions to spread the word...Jeez. $27 a share might seem like a mountain of money for Ebay if this keeps up...it could be half that by summer. I also enjoyed the way Ebay has not one solid answer to the feedback question except to restate policy, or flat out tell the seller to beg for five stars.
It's very, very obvious from this and other recent items I've read that Ebay is extremely disinterested in catering in any way to the smaller seller and would like them to exit very quickly, stage left, and take their crap with them......

Mike B.

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"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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Badmike
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:27 am

gyg wrote:Bravo Mike - I personally hope it takes off (Though I can't register with my hotmail account, I have emailed the site- If I have to get a new address I might just have to do it)

I feel that it can only be a good thing - most of us here are niche collectors in an already small niche market - read the websites, rpg's are generally going to hell in a handcart!!

If you don't like it, that's fine, but at least let it try and survive in the big wide world. (My mother would have said "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything" - trite maybe, but true nonetheless).

(And good luck Doug)

Thanks man I'll work on Doug about the hotmail thing...it's keeping a lot of people out. I don't know if it's a specific issue or just a preference at this point.

I guess the best advice is that if you don't like it or aren't interested, just ignore it....and it won't bother you either.

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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beasterbrook
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:33 am

the casual seller is not going to be put out, it justs adds up to a fee increase thats all, they will never get any sort of discount on their fees, the small power sellers I really don't see as a problem as well.. from memory we are talking about a 2% increase in shops (10% to 12%) which if you sell $1000 per month is a $20 increase... I understand auctions will be higher but still we aren't talking big $$ are we? What it will be putting preasure on is those that depend on the extra $$ to get by...

Brette:)

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Badmike
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:37 am

beasterbrook wrote:the casual seller is not going to be put out, it justs adds up to a fee increase thats all, they will never get any sort of discount on their fees, the small power sellers I really don't see as a problem as well.. from memory we are talking about a 2% increase in shops (10% to 12%) which if you sell $1000 per month is a $20 increase... I understand auctions will be higher but still we aren't talking big $$ are we? What it will be putting preasure on is those that depend on the extra $$ to get by...

Brette:)

I don't think the fee increase will destroy the smaller seller, maybe just the hoops they have to jump through since negatives or low DSRs will matter quite a bit more to smaller sellers who will have much less of a sampling to work with. If you only have 15 sales per month vs 150 obviously the bad ratings are going to be far out of proportion (if you get them).

Another hilarious suggestion in the workshop was for preventing foreign buyers from destroying your feedback too much due to low shipping times ratings (if the item is held up in customs or takes two weeks or whatever). Their solution is to have TWO ids, one for international customers and one for US only....that way the international sales low ratings won't hurt your "real" ebay identity!!!!

I can't even continue I'm so amazed at the illogic here....

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
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beasterbrook
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:52 am

Badmike wrote:Another hilarious suggestion in the workshop was for preventing foreign buyers from destroying your feedback too much due to low shipping times ratings (if the item is held up in customs or takes two weeks or whatever). Their solution is to have TWO ids, one for international customers and one for US only....that way the international sales low ratings won't hurt your "real" ebay identity!!!!

Yes I read that as well.. 2 ebay stores, list the same thing in 2 stores and pay twice the fees?? What the... I don't know how that is ever going to work.. If it was me I'd just suck up the fees and move on, thats the way it looks.. I don't agree with the leaving no negative feedback for bidders, but still a mountain out of mole hill and all that... rpg items back up over the 8000 mark today....

Brette:)

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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:07 am

Mike, thanks for that overview of RPG Marketplace. I talked to Doug and SSL is on the way soon, within the next two weeks. I think the site's a great idea and I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. My rule today applies the same as yesterday. If somebody has been straight with me then I'll return the sentiments. I've been slaughtered for that attitude but haven't changed my view. I'm very encouraged that you're directly involved yourself, that's a good enough endorsement as far as I'm concerned. I think this can be a big success and have tons of ideas I'm willing to kick in if anyone is interested. Plus I'm head developer on a major UK finance site and have a whole lot of experience in the technologies you've decided to go with so I'm happy to help if anyone needs it. I was planning to do this myself later on in the year so you've saved me the effort.

Back to eBay. A few hours on I'm still struggling to believe my eyes at the responses given to sellers with legitimate concerns. This is the most convoluted price hike I've ever seen. That 4 star, 5 star business has an obvious answer. eBay wants to keep hold of the 'generous' discounts it claims it's offering. Raising the fees and then setting unattainable targets is what's going on here and that's why the eBay robot-staff can't give a straight answer. The DSR system is a joke and everyone, eBay included, knows it. Now that it's essentially replacing the old feedback system (what does positive and negative mean anymore?) buyers are going to take it more seriously. And when they do that everyone is going to see their DSRs drop. Who's going to give 5 stars (in an environment of generally improving services) unless the service has been over and above the norm? And if the expectations are being set so high, even the top notch sellers are going to struggle. As was pointed out, the buyers will think they are doing the sellers a favour by awarding 4 stars for Good. In reality they'll be doing eBay a favour by allowing them to keep their 'discounts' and enjoy their increased fees. What a con. That's what it is, a con game. All hidden under a blanket stamped 'Customer Service!' This is worthy of the most cynical political party hack or fast talking snake-oil sales salesman. Just when you think you've seen everything, another surprise comes along. I'm all for improved customer service but only when the expectation is remotely realistic. Free shipping! Anyone seen how much postage costs in the UK? SO you add that up over the year and knock off the eBay fee generated from transferring the P&P to the item cost. Bingo, even more profits for these greedy... okay, time to stop now before I regret it... finally speechless...

Deadlord
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:07 am

Honestly, I can't see why anyone is upset by this. This is the nail in the eBay coffin, mark my words. Sellers will jack their starting prices up in response to the free shipping, which will result in less sales. People will quit eBay altogether, and start listing on Amazon, Hlaf and other sites.

If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.

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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:13 am

megnelwil wrote:Mike, thanks for that overview of RPG Marketplace. I talked to Doug and SSL is on the way soon, within the next two weeks. I think the site's a great idea and I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. My rule today applies the same as yesterday. If somebody has been straight with me then I'll return the sentiments. I've been slaughtered for that attitude but haven't changed my view. I'm very encouraged that you're directly involved yourself, that's a good enough endorsement as far as I'm concerned. I think this can be a big success and have tons of ideas I'm willing to kick in if anyone is interested. Plus I'm head developer on a major UK finance site and have a whole lot of experience in the technologies you've decided to go with so I'm happy to help if anyone needs it. I was planning to do this myself later on in the year so you've saved me the effort.

Thanks for your support. Hopefully it will be a useful venue!

Back to eBay. A few hours on I'm still struggling to believe my eyes at the responses given to sellers with legitimate concerns. This is the most convoluted price hike I've ever seen. That 4 star, 5 star business has an obvious answer. eBay wants to keep hold of the 'generous' discounts it claims it's offering. Raising the fees and then setting unattainable targets is what's going on here and that's why the eBay robot-staff can't give a straight answer. The DSR system is a joke and everyone, eBay included, knows it. Now that it's essentially replacing the old feedback system (what does positive and negative mean anymore?) buyers are going to take it more seriously. And when they do that everyone is going to see their DSRs drop. Who's going to give 5 stars (in an environment of generally improving services) unless the service has been over and above the norm? And if the expectations are being set so high, even the top notch sellers are going to struggle. As was pointed out, the buyers will think they are doing the sellers a favour by awarding 4 stars for Good. In reality they'll be doing eBay a favour by allowing them to keep their 'discounts' and enjoy their increased fees. What a con. That's what it is, a con game. All hidden under a blanket stamped 'Customer Service!' This is worthy of the most cynical political party hack or fast talking snake-oil sales salesman. Just when you think you've seen everything, another surprise comes along. I'm all for improved customer service but only when the expectation is remotely realistic. Free shipping! Anyone seen how much postage costs in the UK? SO you add that up over the year and knock off the eBay fee generated from transferring the P&P to the item cost. Bingo, even more profits for these greedy... okay, time to stop now before I regret it... finally speechless.

I don't even know where to start. I think the cynical thing to think is that ebay started this entire "discount" nonsense merely to place the bar so high that very few will ever reach yet, still they'll still be able to point to the program and say "see, we are offering discounts!". I agree feedback has largely been rendered meaningless as the DSRs are far and away the more important part of the equation. Not only that but ACCUMULATED feedback is now practically meaningless as recent (12 month) feedback has been given higher priority. God help you if someone with 5000 positives over 10 years decides to take a vacation and not sell for awhile.....when you return six months later you'll be in the same boat as a newbie that has virtually no feedback when you start up again.

The entire enterprise seems incredibly poorly thought out and implemented, to the point where it alienated thousands of sellers (but they've been told they can take their junk and leave anyway), you wonder what kind of marketing research, if any, they used. It reeks of fiascos like New Coke, where faulty marketing research told management that America wanted a "sweeter tasting" coke, only to have the decision hammered when finally implemented.

The free shipping garbage is nothing more than trying to grab more money for themselves.....they suggest several times to the sellers to make up for free shipping by RAISING the final price of the product so they don't lose any money....but since you dont pay FVF on shipping, in the long run free shipping WILL lose you money. There are some funny graphics on 3rd party sites from sellers who have experimented by using Free shipping on one id they have and charging for shipping on another. Ironically, their DSR's are the SAME under both ids, showing that customers are more concerned they get their items quickly and undamaged than they get it shipped free, entirely counter to Ebay's advice.

The self serving BS the company is promoting in their "workshops" lately has actually been entertaining in it's own twisted way.

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
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Deadlord
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:09 am

There is no question the shipping bullshit is just a way for them to get more FVF's in their pockets.

If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.

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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:12 am

That "workshop" was an utter disaster. What a joke.

Highlights of advice from the ChannelAdvisor thread(bold are the extra special highlights :roll:

) from the vaunted ChannelAdvisor:

Hey if you don't ask for a 5, you probably won't get any and other sellers will be more advantaged that do ask for it and will get PREMIUM placement in bestmatch and sell more than you do. I understand you're upset, but this is business and you need to look at the economic decision of DSRs not how they make you feel.

We over at CA understand your frustration. I think this is all about communication. If you begin to make your clients aware in every way that a 5 is perfect and that you strive for excellence then you should see more 5's. Make sure that you are communicating your company's expectations and then exceeding them. The key to this is Communication Communication Communication.

I hope this helps

Well if we all want to clean up the marketplace there needs to be some way to measure bad/good/great sellers and eBay chose Feedback 2.0.

It's hear to stay and if you fight it, you're going to eventually show up less in search, lose PS status and potentially kicked off the marketplace.

So if you're serious about eBay, it's about time to get serious about DSRs!!!

eBay inspects the site on a regular basis looking for clients who are misleading their customers. If you make sure your products are explained clearly and accurately then you are avoiding the crack down that your competition will surely get

CF

Thank you for asking for clarification. Remember that if your DSRs are above 4.8, you will get a 15% discount on your final value fees.

However, also consider that with the US dollar weakening, some of eBay's largest sellers have seen an increase to their business - with up to 20% of their revenue coming from overseas. Think about whether a slight decrease in DSR score outweighs the increased demand from overseas

While it is eBay's job to communicate feedback policies, you should make it clear what you expect of your buyers if they have a positive experience buying from you. Asking for 5s from a customer who is happy is not only a good starting point, but gives you a chance for them to contact you at a special phone # or email address if they are not 100% happy. You can probably also stave off any undeserved negative ratings this way, and learn a lot about your sellers.

This is why it's important to communicate to buyers that you expect them to rate you a 5 (in nice language of course) if they had a happy experience.

Invite them to contact you at a special # or email address if they feel like they can't rate you a 5 and you can not only learn about your buyers more but perhaps prevent undeserved poor ratings.

poetryeater 77 - If you are a serious business seller, this may not be a great decision, but the good news is that other sellers will probably step in to fill the gap left by your absence.

Best of luck in your next selling adventure!

SW

Hi northwest**treasures -- post # 98

Your thoughts are shared by many sellers and as history has proved, eBay does listen to their community and will make appropriate changes. Continue to provide your feedback to eBay, continue to strive to exceed your customer expectations and your business will continue to grow in an always dynamic marketplace. Your voice will be heard, it will simply take some time for things to evolve. Stay positive and proactive.
SJ

legendsofbatman - post 103:

Adding a call center or phone number hits two best practices we recommend:

(1) Amp up your customer service
(2) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Keep in mind that you can specify times (be sure to note the time zone) that you're available to answer questions.

RZ

@bay94c -- post 121

If it will help your business, a translation service might actually help to knock out the best translations you can of frequent communication.

- SH

I have 4.9/5.0 on first 3 and 4.7/5.0 on shipping costs. I have 100% feedback with glowing reviews at nearly 4,000 feedbacks. I charge actual shipping plus $1 for packing materials even tho it costs more. I have had a buyer tell me they were extremely pleased and I went beyond expectations and they gratefully gave me 4's on the dsr's. I will be penalized 10% on the FVF discount because the buyer didn't understand that a 4 is not acceptable for an outstanding seller.

I communicate every step along the way, I have education in my listings and emails.

I WILL NOT EVER CHARGE FREE SHIPPING - the buyer bids on the item value and considers the shipping a freebie. I don't ship flat rate shipping type items - every item is different in size and weight and being on the west coast I am subject to dimensional charges and hence different shipping for a CA buyer vs. NY buyer (let alone international). PLUS I REFUSE TO GIVE EBAY ADDITIONAL FEES BASED ON SHIPPING COSTS. I RESENT THE UNDERHANDED SUGGESTIONS OF FREE SHIPPING.

TELL ME HOW TO IMPROVE MY SCORES........THIS IS WHAT THIS FORUM IS ABOUT.

First, you are doing very well with your current DSRs - congrats.

Looking at your eBay listings and comparing them to the best practices we posted in number 2, here are some ideas for you:

1. Offer something less speedy than priority mail. Your shipping+handling is > $7 and that's a lot in today's day and age. On a $30 item, that's a 30% increase in cost! If you could offer buyers a < $5 option that is slower, I feel they would like that.

2. You are using the shipping calculator, we recommend flat-rate.

3. Your shipping and handling part of your template is complicated and sounds negative.

lifesstories - Question 172

eBay sees the DSR's as a great way to let buyers know who is the cream of the crop as far as eBay sellers. That being said 4 is great and 5 is excellent. Strive for excellence and you will excel within eBay's DSR's

CF

formycastle913 - post 149

I am not sure you are getting what many here are trying to tell you channeladvisor! This DSR IS NOT WORKING! A nd unless it gets fixed all these folks that are 4.8 and better well at sometime take a hit!

DSRs are working if you understand eBay's objective which is to understand which sellers are bad/good/great. 4.8 is GREAT, 4.6 is good, < 4.5 is heading to bad.

SW

Okay, aside for the fact that the "Channeladvisor" running the workshop clearly contradicts himself a multitude of times throughout this "workshop", including a few where he does within the same answer, seriuously is the guy for real? Set up a MF***ing Call Center???? F**king Ebay doesn't even have a call center!!! Also, a translation service???? A translation Service??? Is he really serious??? :lol:

On top of that, it's also completely 100% obvious that this guy has never, ever sold a single thing on Ebay before. EVER. As I said above what a joke. :roll:

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." -Neitzche

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