As I wrote in An Open Letter to eBay last week I have grave concerns regarding the recent announcement by eBay to significantly change the fee and feedback policies for the online marketplace. This post proved to touch a nerve with many sellers (and buyers) and I have received hundreds of comments and emails from them discussing their specific difficulties with the new policies and, more generally, their experiences on eBay.
I’ve heard from big sellers and small sellers from all around the country and the vast majority – nearly all – feel these moves by eBay are a threat to their livelihoods, businesses and, most of all, to the eBay community at large.
I’ve also heard from many buyers who are equally concerned because they have grown to rely on eBay sellers as a source to find those special additions to their collections. They fear a loss of sellers, especially small to mid-sized sellers, will eliminate the availability of the very collectibles they are seeking.
In addition to the people who have contacted me I’ve been on the eBay chat boards, online seller sites, and have followed the news coverage regarding these issues. Virtually everywhere I have gone I have encountered sellers who are frightened, frustrated and feel as though eBay, that place which has become extremely important to them, is leaving us all behind.
Almost immediately after the announcement by eBay some began calling for a boycott. While this has happened before, with little or no results, this time seemed different. Never in my numerous years of experience with eBay have I seen this large an amount of sustained outrage from eBay users. Many have already closed their eBay stores or removed listings. Some have closed their accounts completely and still others are organizing for an eBay boycott beginning February 18th. Virtually all are combing the web in search of other options and venues to utilize as sales platforms for their wares.
After much analysis, thinking, discussion and examination we have decided to join the eBay strike beginning Monday February 18th. We will be removing all of our listings and closing our eBay store as of that date.
We do not take this step lightly. Our relationship with eBay, particularly with the buyers and sellers, was the beginning of our business. Selling on eBay is an important part of our overall business plan and has been a vital component of our growth. However, the changes which eBay is planning to implement will dramatically change the marketplace in ways which will make it too costly and risky for us to continue as we have.
Over the coming week, I will be discussing each of the eBay policy changes in depth and the implications they have on sellers and buyers.
To our eBay customers who are currently involved in a transaction with us at that time – rest assured you will receive the same excellent service you have come to expect. We will be handling all open transactions in the same professional manner as we always have.
We urge our eBay customers to join us in this effort to protect the eBay marketplace by refraining from buying on eBay from February 18th to at least February 25th. By boycotting eBay during this period you can assist in keeping eBay a fair and competitive market for unique, vintage collectibles.
To the many sellers I have communicated with over the past week – stand together and make your voices heard. Remember the words of Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
We are the citizens of eBay – the ones who searched for the items to sell and risked our own money to stock the “shelves”. We have spent late nights answering emails and packing our goods to ship. Through our efforts eBay became the giant it is today.
But the giant is turning on us and we have only one choice –
STRIKE!
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