Design theft

[wyocowgirl1]

If we were on the dark side, we couldn't even link to each other's about me and stores, so it's better. Having been jumped on for trying to help out, I sympathize with you completely.

[Maggieross]

Pssst! Hi, I have seen several references to "the dark side" . . . and even did a SEARCH in FAQs, hoping that I'd be able to find out without asking; but what is it? I'm thinking it is something like another auction site or perhaps a POD . . . I know I mentioned stuff in my first post that was taboo. . .and I'm truly sorry. I REALLY need to learn more about eBid so I am thankful that kimbo's tutorial is posted. Lots of work to do. . .Ann K.

[bykimbo]

Pssst! Hi, I have seen several references to "the dark side" . . . and even did a SEARCH in FAQs, hoping that I'd be able to find out without asking; but what is it? I'm thinking it is something like another auction site or perhaps a POD . . . I know I mentioned stuff in my first post that was taboo. . .and I'm truly sorry. I REALLY need to learn more about eBid so I am thankful that kimbo's tutorial is posted. Lots of work to do. . .Ann K.

Glad you're finding it useful. Have a little read of this section: http://www.bykimbo.com/ebid/help/index.htm#nickname and a bit more will become clear.

[Maggieross]

Aha! That is what I suspected. . .Thanks, Kimbo! I've bookmarked your tutorials and am VERY grateful to have them. . .

Ann K.

[bykimbo]

That's great, thanks for the kind words.

[sidthelamp]

Okay, for anybody interested in the outcome of my discussion with support over external links.

Support now say that they will also remove links where they feel that the "spirit" of the site to which a link is given is one that's intended to drive sales away from ebid. They appreciate that this is not black/white, so it seems it is no longer going to be possible to give a concrete ruling to anybody who asks. They do say that anybody who disagrees with their link being removed is welcome to contact them - they don't use the word "appeal" but that's the implication.

Since those of us who maintain external help sites are clearly intending to help sales *here*, the "spirit" of our sites is presumably acceptable. I'm not thrilled that this now opens up the way for spiteful tykes to report previously legitimate links in the hope they cause some of us grief, but if that's what ebid wants... they'd better be ready to deal with it!

I will be leaving the external links and affiliate banners etc on my help site until told by ebid that it's wrong - I don't think I've ever made a single sale this way, but if there is some slight hope of getting something to help pay for a tiny part of the time and energy I put into supporting ebidders, I'm going to go for it. Don't get me wrong, I do the help pages and guides because I believe in it, and enjoy it - but some people persist in seeing it as a wicked money-making scheme to feather my own nest... if they know something I don't about making this stuff pay, I wish they'd tell me.

So there you go: you can have links to non-commerce sites, except where you can't. Good luck.

spiteful tykes you mean people who report spammers who drive away traffic from ebid and the ones who bend the rules so there e-commerce sites were two clicks away instead of one. i for one am glad ebid will look upon this in a different light now, il be going for no external links unless ebid say its ok first.