Additionally, Bongo can save them up to 82% off common carrier rates through their consolidation processes. So if they want to buy from a couple different retailers and ship together overseas it’s all good.

Just smart business.

With the current “invisibility” of the Best Match algorythm, Ebay can do what they please.

They could favour any large seller as a sweetener to get them onside.

We have already seen Ebay do this with Buy.com with a “special rate” for listing.

Now if Ebay are prepared to give a special rate, who is to say why they would not give a “special” placement in search.

The invisibility of “best match” is a concern, and until it is transparent, there is going to be this distrust of Ebay.

Why keep it hidden other than to benefit someone?

Keeping it hidden does not benefit the seller that is for sure.

Keeping it hidden does not benefit the buyer (if it does I cannot figure out a reason). I know they can argue the best listings can get the best sales, but who defines what the “best listings” are and for who’s benefit?

That is an irrelevant argument for the buyer, they just want to buy something based on their criteria, but Ebay have decided to set the criteria, which ultimately has to be in their best interests.

If it were open, then sellers and buyers would know why there is success in some quarters and not others and respond appropriately.

Keeping it hidden so that Ebay can favour corporate clients benefits Ebay, a wonderful sweetener, if that is indeed happening.

“We will give you the best fees and the best placement if you put all of your inventory on Ebay, are you interested?”

This is the only logical reason I can think of for having “Best Match” closed to scrutiny.

Something that is hidden by nature is trying to hide something.

Have you also noticed that DSR’s calculations are hidden…

Now Buys DSR’s sit there at a comfortable 4.8 across the board.

Could it be that DSR ratings are hidden to benefit corporate clients?

Could it be that Best Match algorithm is hidden to benefit corporate clients?

While it is all so hush hush, how will we ever know?

Now if you were trying to bring a big seller online to replace all the small sellers, without alienating those small sellers, how would you do it?

Would you create a system whereby you could do the following:

1. Move out the small sellers that clutter the site with low value items.
2. Give the corporates lower rates.
2. Protect the corporates from buyer discontent with a weighted hidden feedback system.
3. Favour the corporates in searches.

That would work, wouldn’t it?

And remember, the current changes are just the first year of a three year plan according to J. Donahoe (the MD of Ebay).

A three year plan to achieve what exactly?

The corporate selling hub of the internet?

Thoughts?

Mark

Do you think Ebay is aware of how deep the animosity is toward them. The genuineseller blog mentioned in the above post really got people riled up on the seller central discussion board. John Donahoe is playing with people’s lives during a very crucial, terrifying time in history.

I think Ebay could honestly bail out their tarnished reputation by suspending Best Match, abandon those damn ridiculous DSR stars and just quit making anymore policy changes for awhile. America is hurting. Ebay is a great vehicle to help out with the rising costs of living, not to mention all the people who currently depend on their Ebay income for a living and have employees who depend on them as well.

I personally think that disruptive innovation article is the writings of a lunatic. What is wrong with the leader of Ebay? Does he not see the substantial damage he’s caused, the ill feelings, the justified anger and frustration?

It’s a crazy world right now. I long for some stability and Ebay could give us that gift.