"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.
And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference."Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor, author and winner of 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace
There is an interesting thing happening in the eBay community. It seems like the hatred and anger caused by last year's changes are fading a bit. I'm primarily focused on the Mr. Wiesel's first line from the quote above, and applying it to eBay.
Not that people are okay with the major changes eBay instituted. Sellers (many of which once loved eBay) passionately spoke out against the changes. They hated them. The reason things have quieted down is because sellers are becoming indifferent.
It's much like relationships between people. You love a person. Then when things go sour, you may hate that person. Eventually, you just become indifferent.
Love, then Hate, then Indifference.
This is the worst thing that can happen to eBay. The site was built on passion. Even Jay Leno stopped talking about eBay and now talks about "Amazon's Worst Sellers."
Once the line to indifference is crossed - there is almost certainly no turning back.
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Mid year last year, a lot of UK PowerSellers adopted the forum signature tagline of “Lost the will to list” – a pseudo club of “lost willers” was half-heartedly accumulated, and most of those sellers are now on other venues and are seen no more in discussion boards and blog comment columns discussing eBay.
… of course a number of those are no longer seen on the eBay discussion boards because the UK Pinks had a marathon banning season too – but that rarely gets discussed either, people just don’t care anymore and most that I know have implemented, or are implementing, eBay exit strategies.
The “alternatives” are showing significant seller acquisition rates since Christmas, and once booming categories on eBay are now just ghost towns.
Gaz
Business is business.
For many sellers business is no longer viable on eBay, it died primarily because of eBay mismanagement, through massive ignorance and pure greed.
We tried reason. We tried ridicule. Some tried petitions. The appeasers and cheerleaders struggled on trying to keep afloat. Many of those sellers set targets for for the holiday season which were not attained. There comes a point when you can no longer keep throwing money away.
It was painful not only because of income loss but loss of the community. The community has moved, and moved on. I see you on Bonanzle!
I got tired of the constant pocket picking and blatant will to defraud me. Ebay and Paypal are total scams, Why would I want to deal with these people who have done nothing but disrespect me and everyone else?
I know I’m not the only one that feels this way as I no longer even look at the Ebay website. Why? Becuase there just isnt anything to look at anymore. Ebay crushed everyone who isnt a bog box outlet and all Ebay has is the same big box crap I can buy at a dollar store. Why would I look at Ebay when they dont have anything I can just walk to the dollar sotre or Walmart and buy – no shipping – no BS.
As a seller of unique items my own website works much better. Sure its not mega traffic – buts its way eaasier to sell this way and the money saved on paypal fees and time wasting makes up the difference.
As a buyer, other peoples own websites work better too. I dont have to wade thru all the big box crap Ebay tries to shove in my face (go ahead do a search on Ebay – it will go as far as to edit what you searched for to bring up crap)
The truth is its way safer to by from a complete stranger and bank wire them money than to use Ebay/Paypal. If you have a problem Ebay or Paypal will NOT help you. With bank wires there is a thing called wire fraud. You can actually track the erson down and charge them. UNlike Ebay or Paypal which stand in the way as a middleman with attitude.
So Ebay did us all a favor. They pushed and pushed until we took a breather, looked around and realized they were no longer any use to us. Life is easier now. Without the constant baggering and dimelifting from the monolith Ebay/Paypal. … I can do business my way and do OK as plenty of buyers have given up on them too. Those who still do Ebay are the scammers and morons – Ebay can keep those people – Ebay caters to them! Good ridance.