Question
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200506....05-06-23092251
June 23, 2005 | 09:38AM PST/PT
Matt Halprin
Hi … This is Matt Halprin, Vice President, Global Marketplace Policy Management, and I'm at the eBay Live! conference in San Jose. I've just shared some news with attendees at the event that I'd like to share with the rest of the Community.
We know we've had some work to do to make our policies easier to understand. At the same time, we are working to make our enforcement efforts more consistent, fair, and effective. In 2005, we've been making progress in these areas, and there are several changes coming later this year that we want you to know about:
More Policy Tutorials – Earlier this year we moved over 100 policy pages into a new, more clear and easy to understand template. We also launched our VeRO Tutorial, an effective education tool members can use to learn about our policies. In September, we will launch 5 more 5-10 minute online tutorials for several policy groups including Fee Circumvention, Search & Browse Manipulation (e.g. key word spam), Shill Bidding, Feedback, and Overall Marketplace Policy.
“Report This Item” Link on View Item page – You told us that reporting questionable items was too difficult, so later this summer, every View Item page will have a "Report this Item" link at the bottom of the page. This feature has been live in Australia since May and has been received favorably by the Australian Community.
New Enforcement Consequences and Mitigation – Later this summer, we will be adding three new consequence guidelines that that we believe will both create a more level playing field for the majority of members who follow the rules, as well as encourage compliance with marketplace policies. Soon, members who violate policy may also be subject to:
Limits on account privileges – Soon members who violate eBay policies may be limited in their trading activities. For example, the number of listings they can create or bids they may place may be restricted. Or they may be required to take a tutorial before they can continue trading activities.
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings – Later this year, sellers who violate policies could lose their listing fees. We believe this will encourage policy compliance and help create a more level playing field for the majority of good sellers who follow policy.
Loss of PowerSeller status – A very small percentage of PowerSellers violate eBay policies, but the actions of these few reflect negatively on the rest and set a bad example in the Community. In August, meeting a minimum level of eBay policy compliance will be a new requirement for entering the PowerSeller program and maintaining membership. We believe this is the right thing to do for the reputation and credibility of our good PowerSellers.
To learn about all of the progress that we're making in these areas, I encourage you to read an advance copy of my article that will be appearing in the July issue of The Chatter newsletter We will be working on these plans throughout 2005 and into 2006, and I'll update you on our progress periodically.
Sincerely,
Matt Halprin
VP, Global Marketplace Policy Management
So if your listing was deleted when there was no actual violation, you're out the money.
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That should read more like "We're losing so much money by hair-trigger ending auctions, we had to change the rules. We don't care if you don't like it, we don't care if it's fair or not. We're eBay and we do what we want."
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Originally Posted by FLvamp
That should read more like "We're losing so much money by hair-trigger ending auctions, we had to change the rules. We don't care if you don't like it, we don't care if it's fair or not. We're eBay and we do what we want."
very true
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it says COULD lose their fees
if I break a rule, I expect to still pay the price
I never understood why they ever did reimburse the fees back.
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But ebay's rules are subject to a great deal of interpretation even within their own company-if you get 10 cs reps you'll get 10 different answers. Noone at ebay knows what they are doing. Isn't this against the law?
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"“Report This Item” Link on View Item page – You told us that reporting questionable items was too difficult, so later this summer, every View Item page will have a "Report this Item" link at the bottom of the page."
I see things becoming very nasty -- I don't like this at all. Not ONLY will they have "competitors" shutting down each others auctions... but this will be a blast for those with nothing else to do, besides hit the "report this item" link over and over.
Particularly ugly, if they aren't going to refund fees. I remember quite a few times, Ebay has shut down auctions with no real response or reason, just canned replies with no actual info as to what the violation actually was.
No flames for the "competitors" label... thats for lack of a better word. You know the skum I'm talking about. They can't compete on a level playing field... that includes the nuts who file negs & complaints moments after the auction closes for nondelivery! If they can't make their own feedback look better, yours CAN look worse -- or better yet, it won't matter if your auction isn't running!
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EXACTLY! The "report this item" thing bothers me a whole lot more than losing fees on listing violations.
How on earth is Ebay going to hire enough CS people to investigate every item reported? Or will it be somehow automated, like 3 strikes and you're out - the listing is zapped? As Taz said, there will be tons of nefarious reports and this will be a MESS. Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, too.
I'll bet there could be some real revenue generated for Ebay with this combination of the report button and non-refunding of fees on cancelled listings?
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Originally Posted by RetroRed
I'll bet there could be some real revenue generated for eBay with this combination of the report button and non-refunding of fees on cancelled listings?
I bet this is the underlined goal here. They want more revenue but didn't want the bad press from raising fees again so close to last time. Maybe they'll even hire some people to report listings as well to get even more moola???
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If that is true, buyers and sellers alike will lose out. I only pay attention to EMAILS sent directly to ME. I pay NO attention to the "My Message" folder in "My eBay".
When will eBay start doing things to drive people to their site INSTEAD of AWAY?
Ever since eBay's fee hike I only list regular auctions when they have 10 cent listing days and I dont put Anything extra (not even gallery) to make sure I keep it at only 10 cents. I'm starting to list now on Amazon and Overstock with alot less of my work going into eBay.
My back is almost healed and I will be returning to my regular job shortly. Once I do this I will be more financially stable and plan on pulling away from eBay completely and having my own website.
Ebay was once Great, but now I just look forward to the day they become just a "memory"
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-if you get 10 cs reps you'll get 10 different answers. No one at eBay knows what they are doing.
-so true, i learned that within the first few months of ebaying.