A Feedback Resolution I hope the Owners of eBid Concider...

[LoriKeet08]

TCC Sales,

Welcome to Ebid! I too, came over from the "other site" less than a month ago, after buying and selling for 7+ years, and I too, felt a little "lost" at trying to reinvent myself, HOWEVER, I must say that this site is like no other that I breezed through while I searched for a new online site where I could set up shop.

Even though Ebid has been around longer than E**y it is still a fledgling--but a fast growing one! I spent the first couple of weeks here just reading and posting all over the boards--just like when I started with E**y, so I could learn from the senior members, and I highly recommend you do the same--besides the members here are actually FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL--something you may not be used to having come from E**y!!!

As was recommended by other posters:

* I jumped in and took advantage of the Seller+ Lifetime membership (which was equivalent to about a WEEK of selling on E**y--so not a tough decision to make!!!)

* I read and post on these forums regularly, always including my
signature with links to my stores

* I shamelessly plug my auctions wherever I can!

* I have bought a few items to build up my feedback (currently
awaiting more!)

* I wrote an extensive About Me page and included my E**y feedback from auctionfb.com. Feel free to check it out and "borrow" ideas!

* I contacted ALL of my previous E**y customers through the Buddy Points program here (you can obtain their email addresses from your sold confirmations, then copy and paste them here)

* I also left a "cryptic" feedback message to all of the buyers that I owed feedback to on E**y, telling them where I went to! Since the feedback is still there, I guess it's true that E**y doesn't really read it!


* If you run 8+ day auctions, Google will pick them up which will help to draw more traffic--so spend a lot of time creating detailed keyword titles and descriptions!

* AND, I am in the process of creating a simple flier to mail to all of
my BEST customers--offering them a percentage discount, if they
buy from me here on this site.

So, there really are A LOT of ways to market yourself, and build your business, you just need to jump in, and give it 100% dedication--just like you did on the other site.

I am confident that when my past customers are searching once again for the items I sell, I will be successful again--just had my first sale from a member HERE! While I am no longer buying and selling on E**y, I did NOT close my account (just my store and various subscriptions so I'm not paying for anything), so buyers can still locate me through my ID, and send me a question via ASQ, where I will tell them where I am!

Now, it's true the foot traffic is a bit lighter over here, but just like on E**y, if you have a product that is in demand, original, unique or hard to find, the buyers will come, and conversely if you have a product that can be purchased anywhere locally, you're less likely to sell it. With less competition, and LESS fees you have more advantages!

Hope this helps!!!

[TCCSales]

Hello again all,

Johnwash1: "Suppose I'm a scammer thinking of starting up on various auction sites? What's to stop me looking around ebay for a 10,000+ seller and registering under that name here?"

Actually, nothing stops you from doing that with the current system now. In fact, it is EASIER to do with the current system. By NOT verifying the feedback of sellers logging on & selling here, it actually HELPS scammers. I could, as you stated, claim to be anyone on here.....BUT.....IF....the feedback was transferred & VERIFIED, I could NOT be a scammer here stating I was someone on eBay who had 10,000+ feedback. The main reason for that would be because if I came over from eBay & had 10,000+ feedback at eBay, I would NEVER just leave it there & NOT transfer it....I do not think ANY seller would.

Again, we are talking about VERIFYING the feedback. Not just accepting it at face value; just because a sellers "claims" he is who he says he is.

The tool ioffer uses requires you giving them (ioffer) your eBay ID & password in order for their system to verify you are who you claim to be....If you have the eBay account info, then it is pretty hard to scam the system.

"Seriously, I don't think feedback is much of an issue."

I would have to disagree. If feedback wasn't an issue, then so many other auctions sites would never have bothered importing eBay feedback. It needs to be recognized that a feedback rating DOES affect sales for both site & seller.


Cmjewels925: "Anyone who has/had an established business on feebay either already has a loyal customer base or has so many negative feedback that transferring it would be counter-productive."

I must admit, I read the statement...sat back & thought to myself ...."Whoa....were do I even start with this comment!?" Yes, after nearly 10 years on eBay, we have many loyal buyers.....BUT....Most buy from us DIRECTLY, so feedback is not an issue since none can be posted. Although having repeat business is great & it DOES contribute to the bottom line at the end of the year; it does NOT keep the ship sailing....ONLY NEW customers keep a business going. "Loyal customers" come & go as time goes by. Only a constant stream of new customers can keep the attrition rate of loyal buyers from killing a business.

Also, we have a fantastic feedback rating at eBay. We have nearly 5000 feedback; with only 23 negatives. Most of those negatives are from non-paying bidders who were reported to eBay. So to be honest, I really do not understand how transferring that would be "counter-productive".

"There is no way I would move my business, or even open in an additional location, without telling my customers where to find me. These buyers already know and trust you so low feedback on a new site would not deter them."

Very true......but again, we are not talking about "regulars"....At one time every regular was a new customer. Higher feedback ratings simply help make new buyers take the plunge & thus hopefully become a regular.

"Okay, so that doesn't help with new customers who don't already know you. Why not kick start your feedback by buying some things? Every seller needs packaging if nothing else. Or have a look at the charity listings; even if you don't really need anything, at least the money is going to a good cause. And no, it doesn't matter that it's buyer feedback, not seller feedback. Any buyer who is too lazy to check if the feedback is imported is also going to be too lazy to check if the feedback was gained as a buyer or as a seller."

Agreed, it doesn't help to get new customers; & that is the entire issue at hand in importing feedback. I have searched eBid just now for items we regularly use in the course of every day.....I searched for, Bubble wrap, mailers, tape, & shipping labels......ALL returned with zero results. So buying sellers supplies is out. As for a buyer who is too lazy to check feedback, I ENTIRELY agree.....To THAT type of buyer, what the feedback says is not as important as HOW MUCH FEEDBACK the seller has. Also, that type of buyer just scans right past "zero" feedback auctions & looks for more established auctions....even if they spend more. It should also be noted, that IMHO, MOST buyers fall into that category.


"Personally, I don't trust either imported feedback or feedback graphics. The scammers have already realised that they can pick any feebay username with good feedback and claim to be that person. The only way any auction site could verify feedback claims is to have feebay confirm the user's personal details. Even if this didn't go against their user agreement, they 'aint ever gonna do it."

I agree; but please read my reply to johnwash1 above about the same issue. It addresses what you just spoke of.


LoriKeet08: "I must say that this site is like no other that I breezed through while I searched for a new online site where I could set up shop."

I couldnt agree more! That is exactly why we decided to drop anchor here; just as you did. THIS site has some real potential!

"Even though Ebid has been around longer than E**y it is still a fledgling--but a fast growing one! "

True....VERY true, in fact. Until about 90 days ago, I had never heard of eBid. It took searching for a new home to find them. I would imagine it was the same for you....Now.....if we (sellers) had to search to find eBid, how likely is it for buyers to stumble upon the site? Also, once on eBid, how do you get them to take a chance & buy something? I know that for myself, as I scan for ANY item I would like to buy, I am confronted by a page littered with sunglassed zeros....Even for me...a person who has been online selling online for nearly 10 years, am a bit turned off by so much "uncertainty" as to who is reputable & who is not.....ESPECIALLY since MOST of those zeros are NEW members.

"...the members here are actually FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL--something you may not be used to having come from E**y!!!"

VERY VERY TRUE!!

"I am confident that when my past customers are searching once again for the items I sell, I will be successful again!"

I wish you luck with building your business on eBid; but wouldn't you agree that it be a bit easier to sell here if you had your feedback transferred?

"Now, it's true the foot traffic is a bit lighter over here, ..."

Again, very very true.....traffic is very light....Now.....couple a fledgling site, with low traffic, & a sea of new sellers with zero feedback ratings; & I think you will agree that it is NOT a very enticing place for a buyer to "jump right in & buy"......


Ironically, the growth of eBid's seller base is actually watering down the potency of its selling power for sellers. How? Well, it is better to have 10,000 (just using round numbers here) sellers with substantial feedback on file for buyers to see, rather than to have 50,000 sellers with mostly zero feedback on file. One way, a new buyer searching for something will be met with a search page of sellers with feedback....the other way, the buyer is flooded with zero feedback sellers with a few eBid seasoned sellers mixed in.

Importing feedback numbers would help NEW sellers, eBid themselves, AS WELL AS, the current sellers on eBid. EVERYONE would win. Buyers buy where they feel most comfortable.....thousands of sunglassed zero's does not foster much trust within a buyers mind.

[LoriKeet08]

TCC Sales:

Might I suggest that you include a short narrative about what you sold on E**y, your store name, and user name on your About Me page in addition to adding your E**y feedback "badge" from auctionfb.com, and ALSO add it to each of your auction listings? Then make sure to direct potential customers to your About Me page at the bottom of each of your listings? This way you are kind of "cross referencing" your customers--new and old!

In your About Me page mention your E**y and/or store name--or make it the same on this site--so those familiar with you on E**y can easily find you here! You can refer people to your E**y history--just don't provide any active/live links, or your listings may be pulled.

As I stated earlier, I have kept my E**y account "open" for the SOLE purpose of old buyers being able to locate and contact me. Of course, I'm still sending emails and fliers to them to let them know about this site, too!

I think what will hurt newbie sellers and hamper their sales MORE than just being new, is appearing clueless! An honest, savvy and/or seasoned seller WILL include detailed auction descriptions and good pictures, along with a possible promo--such as free shipping or BOGO offers, to draw interest. They will also offer a variety of low, moderate, and higher priced listings (proportionate to what you primarily sell). A good seller will always be looking for new ways to sell their merchandise. They will keep on top of trends and interest patterns, and they will continually seek ways to gain visibility and market their products to the public. Whereas a poor seller will just list, sit back and wait for a sale, not putting much effort in to it. I'm sure you saw PLENTY of the latter on the other site, as I did, and quickly hit the "back" button on your keyboard!

I hope these suggestions help! Good luck!!!

[ugrow]

I have searched eBid just now for items we regularly use in the course of every day.....I searched for, Bubble wrap, mailers, tape, & shipping labels......ALL returned with zero results. So buying sellers supplies is out.

I have just entered a search for Bubble Wrap and this has returned 32 results, enterd Labels and this returns 322 results. These include address labels, self seal labels etc.

Mailers and tape I have to agree are not showing any results. there are results for tape but that is only for decorative wrapping tape not the type for large parcels etc. Ebid do their own tape with the eBid logo on it and I believe that a lot of the sellers use this.

The search that I did was on the UK site not sure which site you were looking at.

[TCCSales]

Hello ugrow,

We are located in the United States; & thus, that was where I did our search. Would'nt be terribly cost effective to have our shipping supplies shipped to us from a half a world away. ;-)

[ugrow]

Hello ugrow,

We are located in the United States; & thus, that was where I did our search. Would'nt be terribly cost effective to have our shipping supplies shipped to us from a half a world away. ;-)

I agree wouldn't be very cost effective. As the US site is newer than the UK site I can see that there may be a shortage of certain items listed. Hope that this situation changes as time goes on as we really need a good alternative international site to the all the others.

[johnwash1]

Hello again all,

Johnwash1: "Suppose I'm a scammer thinking of starting up on various auction sites? What's to stop me looking around ebay for a 10,000+ seller and registering under that name here?"

..
The tool ioffer uses requires you giving them (ioffer) your eBay ID & password in order for their system to verify you are who you claim to be....If you have the eBay account info, then it is pretty hard to scam the system.

Ouch, can't say I regard handing out my passwords as a viable option. But I realise some will be ok with it.

Judging by the number of scams on eBay where accounts are hijacked, even that check isn't watertight. I guess there are too many naive users around who pick passwords like ebay123.

Agreed, it doesn't help to get new customers; & that is the entire issue at hand in importing feedback. I have searched eBid just now for items we regularly use in the course of every day.....I searched for, Bubble wrap, mailers, tape, & shipping labels......ALL returned with zero results.

That surprised me until I realised that you're US based. A business opportunity for you?

"Even though Ebid has been around longer than E**y it is still a fledgling--but a fast growing one! "

Really? I thought Ebay was started 95/96 and Ebid about 2001. BICBW.

Ironically, the growth of eBid's seller base is actually watering down the potency of its selling power for sellers. How? Well, it is better to have 10,000 (just using round numbers here) sellers with substantial feedback on file for buyers to see, rather than to have 50,000 sellers with mostly zero feedback on file. One way, a new buyer searching for something will be met with a search page of sellers with feedback....the other way, the buyer is flooded with zero feedback sellers with a few eBid seasoned sellers mixed in.

Most usually, even on the UK site, my searches aren't met by a flood of zero f/b sellers, but by no items at all. For example I've just been searching for Kango chisels, but even just Kango doesn't get a hit (whereas there are 100's on ebay.co.uk). So I totally disagree -- I don't want to see 10,000 sellers or 50,000 sellers here, I want to see 500,000 and rising.

Likewise, there's just ONE seller here offering a farm jack (and at a price a little higher than they often go for on ebay, though doubtless he would claim his is a quality item). There needs to be enough sellers here that the buyer will be comfortable that there's a bit of healthy competition.

Still, on major issues we have no disagreement, we want to see ebid succeed, and we think it's entirely possible!

[ArtisanUK]

Speaking as a buyer, I would like to see more sellers and a wider choice as well. Mind you, looking at the boards on the other side at the moment, sales have dropped off that much I don't think it will be long before we get them.

Personally, this week I have searched for several items on here. Waterproof trousers, vegetable seeds, and four books. No trousers in my size, no mixed veggie seeds (AARRGGHH - considering the time of year) and only two out of the four books. One I bought, the other was ... expensive.

Saying that, over on e..y I found many of the books to be expensive as well and ended up getting one I wanted from Amazon.

I've said before that I want my buyers to come to the site and be held here - not by force or shackles - but because there is stuff to buy.
It's a great site. Friendly, easy to use and because of the lower fee (or free fee) situation, there are bargains out there.
I just hope both buyers and sellers cotton on to this, before all of them move to buying off-line, rather than on it.

[LoriKeet08]

Speaking as a buyer, I would like to see more sellers and a wider choice as well. Mind you, looking at the boards on the other side at the moment, sales have dropped off that much I don't think it will be long before we get them.

Personally, this week I have searched for several items on here. Waterproof trousers, vegetable seeds, and four books. No trousers in my size, no mixed veggie seeds (AARRGGHH - considering the time of year) and only two out of the four books. One I bought, the other was ... expensive.

Saying that, over on e..y I found many of the books to be expensive as well and ended up getting one I wanted from Amazon.

I've said before that I want my buyers to come to the site and be held here - not by force or shackles - but because there is stuff to buy.
It's a great site. Friendly, easy to use and because of the lower fee (or free fee) situation, there are bargains out there.
I just hope both buyers and sellers cotton on to this, before all of them move to buying off-line, rather than on it.

I think the problem buyers are having with finding items they wish to purchase is, when the proposed changes were announced at E**y, you had literally 1000's of sellers scatter to a dozen or more different auction sites (some with more of a specialty focus than others...like Am***zon for books, Et**sy for handcrafted items, iO**er for "eclectic" stuff, etc), thus divvying up what a buyer could once conveniently find in one place...E**y!

My hope is that as THIS site continues to grow (both in membership and listings), and other sites, "dry up" because they prove not to be able to bring the traffic and sales that sellers need, those sellers will migrate over here, along with their variety of products, and we'll then be a true competitor to whatever is left of E**y!!!

[dltradingdirect]

I have just entered a search for Bubble Wrap and this has returned 32 results, enterd Labels and this returns 322 results. These include address labels, self seal labels etc.

Mailers and tape I have to agree are not showing any results. there are results for tape but that is only for decorative wrapping tape not the type for large parcels etc. Ebid do their own tape with the eBid logo on it and I believe that a lot of the sellers use this.

The search that I did was on the UK site not sure which site you were looking at.

Not sure how you searched for tape but it brought up lots of results in "business, office & industrial" including some from my own store......sorry had to get that plug in lol