E-Bay is really starting to pi$$ me off

[Justin B.]

Not only did they double the selling fees recently, now sellers are no longer given the option of leaving anything but positive feedback for buyers!  [smiley=furious3.gif]  They say it is to enhance the buying experience and make buyers feel more at ease.

Let the feedback blackmailing begin!

[NC Steve]

I agree 100% about the new feedback system, Justin. What incentive is there for the buyer to hold up his/her end of the deal, since a seller can no longer report poor business behavior? :-? And, an honest seller can be left at the mercy of a disgruntled buyer who has the power to leave basically any sort of feedback, especially the new folks who often don't understand the "auction process" well to begin with. I've seen several experienced sellers who are now stating in their listings that they'll no longer participate in the Feedback process.

The old feedback system seemed to work fine, but if Ebay felt the need to try something new, they should have put into place some sort of mediation process, whereby each side could present their stories before Negative feedback would become permanent. At least then a seller would have a chance to present their side of a deal gone bad.

[nhmaf]

I think that this is also a bad change, although I never sold anything on ebay, I did (and do) buy a fair amount of stuff.

The old system was not without its flaws, either.  I was often irked (but could understand why) when sellers wouldn't post any feedback on me when I communicated well and paid them in full within minutes of the end of the auction, until after I left positive feedback on them - which would not happen until after I Received the purchased material, of course.

In any case, I suspect E-bay will see some reduced business with these policy changes, and hopefully when it hits them in the pocketbook enough, they will reconsider.  Of course, they are still largely the only game in town for that type of online sales service - 'cept for individual sellers of specific items on craigslist.

[BooG]

I've lost interest in the whole e-bay experience. There seem to be a whole lot of idiots out there. Are there realistically any "bargins" to be had any more?

[Justin B.]

Yes, as long as you are patient.  I try to look 6-10 months into the future and decide what part I might need and then start watching.  Sometimes this works, sometimes I wind up with several of an assembly, and sometimes I still have to pay through the nose at the last minute!  Makes it interesting...