Expert: Marvinator - 6/10/2004

Question
Hi,
I just wanted to know what your opinion is
on the current eBay Fiasco going on with the new category changes in glass,pottery and art?
It seems to have everyone in an uproar (and I can clearly see why) on the glass board and there are a few threads in the Technical issues forum.
People are writing the media, some people are dropping their stock, and even voting online to give thumbs down on the CEO Meg.

Looks like a big mistake on eBay's part and they don't seem to want to change back.

Just wondering what you think will happen or if you have any opinions on all this?

Thanks for your time - Dawn  

Answer
I would like to answer this question honestly and hope you will take the information to heart.


At the core, I have no feeling on this one way or the other. Not because I'm deaf to the noise it has caused or blind to the changes themselves.  No, I'm not really going to get upset because nothing you or I say or do will affect Ebay one way or the other.  We can sit by and gnash our teeth and wail and beat our drums and call other's to arms but in the end Ebay will do what Ebay wants to do.  

For years I've watched as Ebay made changes to the categories, regardles of what or why or how they made people upset.  Why Ebay does this is not really as important as what WE do once the changes are in place.  In the past some have gone on to other Auction sites.  Some have stopped selling.  Others, like you, have gone out to beat the drums and drive others out of hiding to show them the egregious errors that Ebay has made.  Has it helped?  Again, it does not matter, as Ebay will do what Ebay wants to do.

Those that went to other Auction sites have found no sales and returned to Ebay.  Those that stopped selling came back after they cooled down.  Those that were upset, well, they may  still upset, but they've figured out how to work the new system changes and they are back to selling.

You see, every change that comes out means people have to change the way they do things, change the way they think, they way they sell the way they buy. Sellers and Bidders alike. People don't like change. But, once the Sellers learn to use the new system, and once the bidders learn how to find what the Sellers are doing, sales are again going.  ARe they at the same level?  Some say Yes, some say no.  

I know one woman who stopped selling plates when they divided up the plate category by manufacturer rather than letting her list by Design or subject.  She hasn't gone back, but she is now selling something else.  She was affected by the change, and you might even say for the worse, but she adapted and continued on.

If these changes truley makes you mad, then write ebay.  Don't shout, don't rale and please don't threaten to go elsewhere because Ebay really doesn't care about one person's rant.  State your point, get others behind you, sign petitions, and then learn to use whatever system Ebay leaves in place. Ebay's going to do what Ebay wants to do. It's not a democracy, it's Ebay.