Ebay to raise fees [C&P} - The Firearms Forum

geezler · 01-14-2005, 07:43 AM

EBay to Increase Fees, Angering Sellers

By RACHEL KONRAD
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Some small business owners who reach most of their customers via eBay Inc. expressed anger Thursday at the online auction giant's plan to boost the monthly fee it charges sellers by 60 percent. Its shares lost nearly 4 percent.

EBay outlined the increase in a terse e-mail on Wednesday to all buyers and sellers, including small business owners who hawk clothing, electronics and other low-margin commodities.

``It seems as though the larger eBay becomes, the more greedy they become,'' said Lynette McDonald of Alton, Ill., who has sold Barbie and baby clothes on eBay since 2001. She says she may close her eBay store entirely because of the fee hikes or raise prices she changes buyers.

Starting Feb. 18, eBay said the monthly subscription fee for people who operate ``Basic eBay Stores'' will increase from $9.95 to $15.95.

The fee for a standard listing of 10 days will double, from 20 cents to 40 cents.

``This site used to be a place where one could get a good deal,'' McDonald said. ``Now that the starting prices on goods are higher to accommodate the growing fees incurred, there are no more deals to be had.''

Such reactions underscore the popularity eBay has achieved with small business owners who can't create their own Web sites or operate a traditional bricks-and-mortar establishments. Peddling vintage china, handmade sweaters, classic cars and other collectibles on eBay generates supplemental income for senior citizens, rural Americans and others who live far from commercial hubs.

EBay spokesman Hani Durzy declined to discuss how the price hikes would affect revenue at the San Jose, Calif.-based company, which reported sales of $805.88 million in the first three quarters of 2004. The company will report fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday.

``We believe the price changes are the right thing to do to ensure the continued success of the marketplace,'' Durzy said. ``Ultimately that's good for the entire community of buyers and sellers.''

The changes, combined with eBay's dominance in the auction and online payment sectors, prompted some members to ask whether the government or a fair-business consortium should regulate fee structures so small-scale entrepreneurs don't get gouged.

``Yes, it is a free market and sellers can take their business elsewhere, but there is very little competition for this style format,'' said Artie Klawans, an art dealer in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

EBay shares fell $4.12 to close at $103.13 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Its shares were at a 52-week high of $118.42 in December.

[The buyers will be the ones to pay for this greedy sham!

]

Bigtire · 01-14-2005, 09:10 AM

Since Fleabay has a monopoly they figure they can charge whatever they want. I hope this prompts someone to start up an alternative site.

geezler · 01-14-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Since Fleabay has a monopoly they figure they can charge whatever they want. I hope this prompts someone to start up an alternative site.

That would be a great idea! Especially if it wasn't ANTI-GUN like Ebag.

Too bad we couldn't do that!

Winchester73 · 01-14-2005, 03:25 PM

I recently became a "Power Seller" for what that's worth. I doubt I'll be able to maintain that status long because I sold several high $ items that got me qualified. The fees have been steadily increasing since I joined 5 years ago, at this rate the steady sellers will eventually be forced somewhere else...Websites, other auction sites etc.

Unfortunately, I'm kind of stuck on Ebay, because it helps me make a supplemental income from a hobby that I otherwise couldn't. I would say that I profitted about $2500 from sales on Ebay last year. For the most part the picture taking is where the labor is in my niche.

pickenup · 01-14-2005, 06:39 PM

Monopoly + Greed = eBay.

Ya, there are other sites.
But they do not draw the crowd eBay does.

Huck Finn · 01-15-2005, 02:26 AM

Monoply + Greed = Walmart, Microsoft, AT&T,Cable TV, Etc, Etc,Etc...
It's called American Free Enterprise. We don't need a government entity making more laws & sticking their nose into eBay's business. The people at eBay invested a lot of their own money, time, work, and most importantly, their creative thinking into their business & deserve to make a profit out of it.I can't understand why some people have to cry "foul" when somebody else gets rich from working hard & being smarter than the average guy.Compete with them, if you think you can!

SaxonPig · 01-15-2005, 02:57 PM

When ebay costs reach a point where another entreprenuer thinks he can take business away you'll see a competitor.

01-14-2005, 07:43 AM	#1
geezler V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 253	Ebay to raise fees [C&P} EBay to Increase Fees, Angering Sellers By RACHEL KONRAD SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Some small business owners who reach most of their customers via eBay Inc. expressed anger Thursday at the online auction giant's plan to boost the monthly fee it charges sellers by 60 percent. Its shares lost nearly 4 percent. EBay outlined the increase in a terse e-mail on Wednesday to all buyers and sellers, including small business owners who hawk clothing, electronics and other low-margin commodities. ``It seems as though the larger eBay becomes, the more greedy they become,'' said Lynette McDonald of Alton, Ill., who has sold Barbie and baby clothes on eBay since 2001. She says she may close her eBay store entirely because of the fee hikes or raise prices she changes buyers. Starting Feb. 18, eBay said the monthly subscription fee for people who operate ``Basic eBay Stores'' will increase from $9.95 to $15.95. The fee for a standard listing of 10 days will double, from 20 cents to 40 cents. ``This site used to be a place where one could get a good deal,'' McDonald said. ``Now that the starting prices on goods are higher to accommodate the growing fees incurred, there are no more deals to be had.'' Such reactions underscore the popularity eBay has achieved with small business owners who can't create their own Web sites or operate a traditional bricks-and-mortar establishments. Peddling vintage china, handmade sweaters, classic cars and other collectibles on eBay generates supplemental income for senior citizens, rural Americans and others who live far from commercial hubs. EBay spokesman Hani Durzy declined to discuss how the price hikes would affect revenue at the San Jose, Calif.-based company, which reported sales of $805.88 million in the first three quarters of 2004. The company will report fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday. ``We believe the price changes are the right thing to do to ensure the continued success of the marketplace,'' Durzy said. ``Ultimately that's good for the entire community of buyers and sellers.'' The changes, combined with eBay's dominance in the auction and online payment sectors, prompted some members to ask whether the government or a fair-business consortium should regulate fee structures so small-scale entrepreneurs don't get gouged. ``Yes, it is a free market and sellers can take their business elsewhere, but there is very little competition for this style format,'' said Artie Klawans, an art dealer in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. EBay shares fell $4.12 to close at $103.13 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Its shares were at a 52-week high of $118.42 in December. [The buyers will be the ones to pay for this greedy sham! ] --> Last edited by geezler; 01-14-2005 at 07:53 AM..

01-14-2005, 09:10 AM	#2
Bigtire V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 106	Re: Ebay to raise fees [C&P} Since Fleabay has a monopoly they figure they can charge whatever they want. I hope this prompts someone to start up an alternative site. __________________ An evil tree bears evil fruit. You can destroy as much fruit as you want, but it will always grow back, and it will always be evil. Tear the tree out of the ground by the roots and burn it. Burn it to ash and grind out the embers with your boot until there's nothing left. Not a single spark. Not a single seed.

01-14-2005, 03:25 PM	#4
Winchester73 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 30	Re: Ebay to raise fees [C&P} I recently became a "Power Seller" for what that's worth. I doubt I'll be able to maintain that status long because I sold several high $ items that got me qualified. The fees have been steadily increasing since I joined 5 years ago, at this rate the steady sellers will eventually be forced somewhere else...Websites, other auction sites etc. Unfortunately, I'm kind of stuck on Ebay, because it helps me make a supplemental income from a hobby that I otherwise couldn't. I would say that I profitted about $2500 from sales on Ebay last year. For the most part the picture taking is where the labor is in my niche.

01-14-2005, 06:39 PM	#5
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: Ebay to raise fees [C&P} Monopoly + Greed = eBay. Ya, there are other sites. But they do not draw the crowd eBay does. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

01-15-2005, 02:26 AM	#6
Huck Finn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 834	Re: Ebay to raise fees [C&P} Monoply + Greed = Walmart, Microsoft, AT&T,Cable TV, Etc, Etc,Etc... It's called American Free Enterprise. We don't need a government entity making more laws & sticking their nose into eBay's business. The people at eBay invested a lot of their own money, time, work, and most importantly, their creative thinking into their business & deserve to make a profit out of it.I can't understand why some people have to cry "foul" when somebody else gets rich from working hard & being smarter than the average guy.Compete with them, if you think you can! __________________ Tiocfaidh Ár Lá ! "Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest"

01-15-2005, 02:57 PM	#7
SaxonPig V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 98	Re: Ebay to raise fees [C&P} When ebay costs reach a point where another entreprenuer thinks he can take business away you'll see a competitor.