I've been trying to get on there this morning and my web browser keeps pulling up a page that says website not responding or unable to open website. I restarted my computer, and I am able to go to every other site I have tried. Anyone else having trouble?
I have absolutely no trouble accessing eBay. Now, to answer your question: 1) Their fees are too high. 2) They are too buyer-oriented, not seller-oriented. 3) They are complicit in fraud by letting counterfeits and misleading sellers run rampant. 4) They seek to avoid communication with their clients, instead of embracing it. 5) They got greedy. 6) They're essentially a monopoly, so it's unlikely that any of the above will change anytime soon. Anything I left out?
I think a much easier and shorter answer would be more along the lines of: What is right with fleaBay?
No, I am not having any problems accessing eBay. However, they have multiple servers throughout the USA. Because I can access it does not mean that everyone else can.
i see. the message now says "server failed to respond"...anyway something i was selling sold last night and i was trying to check if it had been paid for so i could ship it, but it doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to any time soon lol. why doesn't someone just open a site just like ebay but for coin and paper money collectors? i bet if they just advertised it on this website it would get enough hits to stay afloat. just a thought. i hate ebay's high sellers fees...ugh.
I agree with both of these statements to some extent, however in some way I see them contradicting one another. Letting counterfeits and misleading sellers run rampant is not very buyer-oriented, because it's not a good thing for buyers. My main objection to ebay is the fact that one is required to use paypal. Paypal sucked before ebay got it, and the fact that ebay now owns it and charges money for payments going through paypal on top of auction fees just bugs the crap out of me. How long before someone comes up with a decent alternative? There is so much to improve upon over ebay.
There have been at least a dozen such sites mentioned here in the past couple of years. Depends what you mean by "stay afloat". If you mean continue operating, you'd win some, lose some. If you mean attain importance as coin/currency sources for collectors, you'd totally lose your bet!
It strikes me that eBay has taken a top-down approach with a business model that would work best at the community level. By imposing a structure which promises an umbrella of security (in theory), yet hindering the strength of an online community, they encourage unscrupulous types to game eBay's deceptively weak system. If you have ever tracked the coin frauds on eBay, consider how things would be improved if collectors could warn bidders of fake/doctored coins (no hidden IDs), or in blog fashion--by commenting directly on individual auctions for all to see? Ebay's policy is in direct opposition to free community interaction, because I suspect they care more about sales volume than quality. It's a cynical form of corporatism to leverage $ from the user base without providing adequate self-determination. Yet, everyone seems to think that's called "business" Then again, I find some deals on eBay--but it's a jungle in there.
How would you deal with competitors coming in and trying to ruin your auction by posting scary comments?
I honestly don't have an "easy fix" for eBay because I think it's flawed at the ground level; cynicism at the top leads to cascading problems. That said, I think open community interaction would be a good start in the right direction. Open community dialog might mean that every comment is open to rating and response. Like other current blog models, weird comments get scored down rather quickly and consistently. But like I said--eBay's corporate is insincere towards the end-user, and the whole thing needs a overhaul.
I have been selling & buying since 1998 on ebay..BORGOVAN, You are right with what you said. They don't give a dam about the sellers..There getting to big for there briches..I know someday they will have some competition.
Couldn't have said it better. Fear of other sites trying to sabotage the auctions by posting comments makes no sense. If the web community is given power, things move in the right direction.
Yep, Ebay can be all of those things. I think of it as going into the Columbian hills to buy gem stones from the native miners. If you escape safe and sound with a real bargain, you got a blessing. 1. Know your goods. If you don't know or can't tell if what is there is real, untreated, or overpriced, then backoff. 2. Know how to grade. Gem rough buyers don't go by bad photos, neither should you. At least most ebay sellers have a return process, use them. 3. Know how much you can lose. With the miners, maybe your life, with ebay just money and maybe ego. 4. If you go wrong, suck it up, and ask for help. Many have done so here and that is good, others let ego or greed control them.If you win 90% of the time , you are doing very well.If only true with all things in Life. 5. If you are on ebay looking for a specific coin, and know its attributes, pricing, how to grade it, prior selling history, you can be patient and win on your terms. If you think you will never see another one in your life time, then EBAY is the wrong place for you. Patience and Knowledge!!! Ebay is a jungle. Take your weapons and backup with you. Jim
Me, too, actually (as a buyer -- I haven't tied selling yet). If you look, you can find some bargains, and (so far) I haven't had any problems if I restrict my purchases to sellers that have a lot of ratings (close to 100%), and those with good pictures so I can accurately grade the coin with my own eyes. One can also look at eBay's completed transactions as another data point regarding what price coins are going for these days.
The community level direct commenting idea sounds like a winner. :thumb: Ebay could easily setup a blog like thingy for every auction and if you are interested in bidding on something, it would be your choice to check the blog for that item before bidding. Ebay can also setup safeguards against unwarranted remarks but that's basically already in place (harass someone and see what happens). Too bad Ebay doesn't listen to the people! :whistle: They are no better than bad government. :goof: Ribbit
