Is ebay turning into Kmart.com, Walmart.com etc?

[Ilovthevu']

Before when ebay was launched it seemed like there were people out there that wanted to get rid of things they owned, and would sell them. They would actually auction them and whoever would get the highest bidder wins. Now, they still have "auctions" but they have come out with the Buy It Now option (It's been a little while since this option has come out though.), and it just seems like a lot of people won't go below a certain price. Also, there are so many stores on that site that it's getting kind of ridiculous, and the stores just want you to buy it now. Ebay used to be a cheaper way of buying stuff and it used to be a way of finding stuff you couldn't find, but with so many stores, you can't get the deals like you did before, and if they are selling the same stuff at other stores, what's the point?

Granted there are non-stores on ebay, and you can get deals, but there aren't as many just regular people putting up auctions as before.

[monsterfan99]

Sadly, the auction part of the site has been going downhill since 2003. Stuff used to be very cheap and the site was easy to use. Heck, even my grandparents in their 60's, whom had little knowledge of buying things online, were able to use it.

However, purchase of Paypal was the "jump the shark" moment. Since then, Buy it Now was added (which hurt the amount of auction listings,) cash/money orders are no longer allowed as a form of payment (so you have to pay paypal fees,) shipping caps were created but hurt the buyer and you can no longer leave negative feedback for buyers(aka the buyer has 100% leverage.) The last part is what made me leave for amazon.com as a seller. Their fees are higher, but there was less risk involved.

Now and then I can find unusual items. I collect amusement/theme park pins so when I do find a non-Disney pin it is a treat. Heck, last week I was able to find a Congo River Rapids pin from Busch Gardens Tampa. But for common items, like DVD's and books, I use amazon.com marketplace. The prices are lower and much better buyer protection. Plus you know shipping on a DVD from Ohio will not be $8.00.

As a seller, I feel they have abandoned the person selling junk with their fees. A $15.00 DVD you are looking at a listing fee depending on the starting price, a final value fee plus paypal fees on the money. Mind you, the paypal fees are on the entire sale price, so you are paying fees on money that is their cut already. If you are a massive seller listing hundreds of items a week, no biggie as it is a business expense. But if you are a seller selling 2-3 items a week, it adds up.

The biggest problem is any site that has try to compete with them has failed. Yahoo Auctions and Amazon.com auctions both failed horribly. Any site set-up by angry former sellers has under 5000 items total. Right now the only competition in the "used crap" market is Craig's List. Even then, EBAY owns 25% of the company and it is only regional.

I feel your pain as both a buyer and seller. I would love to see the site back in the days of old, but it is not going to happen. We just have to make the best of it until a new site comes along.

[rct2wizard360]

Craig's List

[Ilovthevu']

Half.com is good for movies, books, music, and such like that, but not for decor, clothes, pins, and such. This isn't an auction site though. It's in conjunction with ebay though.