Hi Scott--Thank you for posting the link to the CNN Money article which I found informative but also a bit disheartening in that is showed that efforts made by the small sellers that helped build eBay into the company it is today (aren't we so proud) made no difference in eBay's position. Then I noticed the date of the article and realized that this policy started almost a year ago and apparently not enough sellers were inconvenienced or even aware of these changes. Now that this policy appears to affect all sellers, power sellers excluded I believe, there is much more interest and sellers actually coming to realize there are other alternatives.
Fortunately I made it through the Christmas season in tact without holds and I did not receive notification of future holds on my account until last week when I did not have any active listings. I join the group of sellers with 100% feedback, member since 2002 and a part time seller.
Since last Monday I have gone through what I look at as stages of weaning off eBay and PayPal. First denial, then outrage, revenge follows and ultimately my choice was to accept the policy or move on. I am moving on but will continue to monitor this board, lend my support and send emails and complaints to continue on with the fight.
This article quoted and the ideas in this forum have been very beneficial and I have taken advantage of many of the ideas, registering with auction sites and new payment processing companies. I needed this kick in the a** by eBay to end my relationship with eBay and PayPal.
Yesterday only affirmed my decision as it turns out I had listed a few duplicate items on Craig's List over the holidays and yes I realize that doing so is against eBay's policy--but oh well! I had an inventory of shoes that I had purchased over the summer at a deal including designers. I am only speaking of about 15 pairs and all in my size just in case but the auctions failed miserably on eBay and they were not worth relisting. Then I received an email from a person in response to one pair of shoes that I had listed on Craig's List and I sold him all 15 pairs of shoes after negotiations, for cash, no fees deducted and no shipping costs. This person is a student from Ghana doing his doctoral work at a college here and buys items like shoes to send home to Ghana and now we have a little network in that his family and friends in Ghana will hopefully contact me directly by email to shop for them--what fun.
So I look at eBay/PayPal's new policy as a sign that it was time to sever ties with eBay. I remember when I started it was fun.
This is my plan and I am sure I am not alone in making this decision but again I remain committed also to assisting in any efforts to take action against eBay. I have filed my complaints with the FTC, the SEC, BBB and anywhere else I could and will continue. I might also suggest writing to Steve or Joe at www.ivetriedthat.com . These guys provide a daily email about latest scams along with a very good website that offers great advice but also will write about issues of online fraud and what to beware of--I am actually composing an email to them now as just a few days ago then ran a blog about BillMeLater--I imagine they would look into eBay as well and get the word out. Worth a try!
If you have not read the CNN money article that Scott provided a link to you might want to glance through it as it lists alternatives to both eBay and PayPal. Unfortunately it has an article about the Power Sellers who like this idea and do not support our position. A shame really for GothamCityonLine was one of my favorites sellers from the beginning and now they are a huge seller for eBay. I have watched their fees and shipping cost go up over the years and have not purchased anything from them in years.
Let's keep this issue going and continue to make noise.
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no one." ~William Shakespeare
