Business sellers providing a contact phone number

[daron620]

Hi everyone,

I've recently signed up for a seller+ monthly subscription as an alternative to my usual online market place where I have been selling for
several years now.

I've already started listing Items and was pleased that I could transfer my feedback as well but ( as always ) the one thing I did find quite perplexing is the rule to "no contact details in listings". Now I'm only referring to a contact phone number and no other details.

While I can see why some sellers and buyers would be happy with this as rule I find it to be out of date in respect to modern day businesses. I currently have a low cost free phone number and a mobile number and through these have been able to secure many sales.

It goes without saying that the option to add this to our listings would be great and perhaps other sellers would agreed or not. So I've add a poll to this in the hope that we can have the option if we want to.

[lakeleilani]

I have voted 'no' to displaying my phone number because of the potential for abuse - unlikely, I know, but not impossible. If a customer wants to contact me they can do so by the ASL or PM system. I wouldn't object to my e-mail address being displayed, though.

[JanetB]

I didn't vote but would just like to say that by adding contact information ie email, phone, address etc on your Me Page, Auction Listings and/or forums is not desirable by eBid as they would not appreciate their business (FVFs etc or Fee avoidance) being taken away from this site, or the risk of it, hence the rule being in place here. However, as far as I am aware, you can carry on with 'outside' deals from an existing customer who has gone through the eBid system first.

[Tiskets]

I have voted 'no'. I would prefer contact via PM, via the AAL or on an auction listing through buying or selling. Our emails are shown when auctions end and I am happy with that.

[darklisruthven]

I prefer to do written (as in, the AAL ideally) communications with both buyers and sellers, because then everthing said is on record. Having said that, even as a private seller, I do not mind buyers having my phone-number. I would rather be contactable with any questions.

[daron620]

Hi and thanks for your votes.

As for the likelihood of abuse you are totally right as I have experienced this myself but it has been from companies contacting me about using their services which I find annoying and not from customers. I do believe that no matter what you do in business the good and bad go hand in hand though.

The pricing was one of the reason I signed up and while I agree business deals could be done outside of ebid which they'd not like of course and I totally understand. Doesn't the fact that you can list for free ( not including the subscription fee ) void this issue in part or full though. I'm happy to use the gallery listing for obvious reason.

Having all communications in black and white is also important and can't disagreed as it protects both the buyer and seller.

[MPS16]

..... As for the likelihood of abuse you are totally right as i have experienced this myself but it has been from
companies contacting me about using their services which I find annoying.....

The abuse I am thinking of is the abuse of the eBid selling platform by mean minded and deceitful sellers who resent paying eBid their fair dues.

[daron620]

The abuse I am thinking of is the abuse of the eBid selling platform by mean minded and deceitful sellers who resent paying eBid their fair dues.

A very good point but is that not the going theme these days i.e rules created because of the actions of some people.

[JanetB]

A very good point but is that not the going theme these days i.e rules created because of the actions of some people.

I'm afraid so.
Because of the actions of the odd few inconsiderate sellers, we all have to 'suffer' the consequences (respect eBid rules).

[tony41]

Hi and thanks for your votes.

As for the likelihood of abuse you are totally right as I have experienced this myself but it has been from companies contacting me about using their services which I find annoying and not from customers. I do believe that no matter what you do in business the good and bad go hand in hand though.

The pricing was one of the reason I signed up and while I agree business deals could be done outside of ebid which they'd not like of course and I totally understand. Doesn't the fact that you can list for free ( not including the subscription fee ) void this issue in part or full though. I'm happy to use the gallery listing for obvious reason.

Having all communications in black and white is also important and can't disagreed as it protects both the buyer and seller.

The free listing is not the point IMO. The loss to eBid would be the lost of Final Value Fee.

I also agree with those who prefer contact through AAL or PM or Ask a Question.