Where is eBay Going Next? Look into the Crystal Ball
So many changes are happening at eBay and eBay executives tell us that we haven’t seen anything yet… that eBay as we know it will be unrecognizable by next year.
The new feedback calculations (where neutrals equal negatives) and the new feedback policy (where sellers can only leave positives for their buyers) went into effect for U.S. sellers on May 19th. So, what comes next?
I don’t have a crystal ball but I think one of the things we will see happening very soon is eBay will offer even more incentives to Powersellers who provide a good buyer experience. eBay has been experimenting with a new fee structure (the Buy.com partnership) and soon I expect they will offer a “good deal” to Powersellers who want to feast at the all-you-can list eBay buffet. I would look for eBay to offer Powersellers the ability to list in huge proportions for one monthly fee or a monthly fee plus nominal insertion fee. The deal will likely be offered only to Powersellers who have a certain feedback rating and DSR level which would indicate that they provide good customer service.
Why do I think this will be rolling out soon? Look to the signs:
* Buy.com fee structure is currently in the experimental stages
* eBay Italy has done away with the Store Inventory format in favor of 30 day fixed price core listings
* The availability of automation rules (for ease of relisting) has been widely advertised in the past few weeks
* One of the most recent listing “specials” was given only to Powersellers with good DSRs
* New policies have been announced limiting exposure of multiple listings and limiting items to 10 per page
All signs point to eBay preparing to offer their new fee structure to Powersellers. But, before they do, they are putting into place new policies that will prevent any one seller from overwhelming any particular category. The new limits for multiple listings and limiting exposure for any one seller to 10 items per page is, in my opinion, eBay’s way of making sure the marketplace is not going to be dominated by a few very aggressive sellers.
eBay’s Playground is no longer a Level Playing Field within and I think eBay will be creating even more incentives for the large seller to stay. Membership into the eBay Powerseller ranks has its privileges.
Great,right on the money. They sold us right down the river. I hope it bites them right on the ass. I got ripped off twice.oncke was a Movado watch that when I went to get
a new battery I was told the movement was Japanese not Swiss.I filed a complaint
with ebay dispute & Pay Pal but the 45-60 days elasped,but the dealer had 200
negitive & netural feedbacks but nothing was done.The dealer sellsu aggers,hunting knifes,bulletproff vests and were told,but they are a High Etnd Power .Seller. The other was a sterling Navajo bracelet I never received. I sent th;e money first,the seller was
ok by ebay.
john the quad
May 20, 2008
[...] which would indicate that they provide good customer service. You can read my original article HERE The formal announcement about a change in the fee structure may be coming soon. A Powerseller [...]
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