eBay is known the world over as an auction website where shoppers go to find great deals. Books, cds, clothes, novelty fabric and even automobiles are regularly sold online. In reality, eBay has changed the way consumers shop for even basic goods. How many times have you been at the store and thought “I could get that cheaper on eBay”?
- “I can get that cheaper on eBay!”
Despite – or perhaps because of – eBay’s success, over the years it has become embroiled in a variety of controversies. Great success often brings greater scrutiny and eBay is no exception. These controversies are of particular interest to J&O because our online fabric store started off as nothing more than an eBay store. Furthermore, many of our loyal customers first encountered us on eBay. Even today, we still have our eBay store to cater to customers who may feel more comfortable shopping through that site. So the occasionally controversial decisions that eBay makes continue to be of concern to J&O. Since starting life in 1995 as AuctionWeb eBay has become an internet giant, albeit a controversial one.
Let’s take a look at some of the criticisms leveled at eBay throughout its history:
Though prohibited by eBay, shill bidding has been a problem for years. Shill bidding refers to a seller artificially increasing the bidding price on an item by bidding on it through a separate account or through an accomplice. An Australian man started his own investigation into the practice and published a case study with his findings in 2009. An article published by The Register calls into question whether eBay is doing all it can to protect buyers from shill bidding. In 2006, Bay enacted a policy that may have even made shill bidding easier by showing less information about a bidder once an auction reached a certain price. A Sunday Times report uncovered instances of shill bidding on eBay.
One of the most potent eBay controversies was brewed when the auction site overhauled its feedback system. Previously both buyers and sellers were allowed to leave negative or neutral feedback regarding a transaction. In January of 2008, however, the feedback system was changed so that sellers could leave no feedback other than positive for their buyers. The change left sellers feeling vulnerable and without recourse. Simply reading the comments in this one article gives an idea of how incensed many sellers felt at this change.
Another controversy involves the PayPal service, which is owned by eBay. Starting in October 2008, eBay required sellers in some countries to accept PayPal as a payment method. Sellers were upset that they would now have to pay Paypal fees on auctions in addition to eBay fees. Sellers in the United States and government agencies in Australia have taken exception to the requirement and are looking to combat it.
With our focus primarily on jandofabrics.com, J&O is able to offer our customers the finest in both service and fabric selection at the best prices. Are you looking for quilting fabrics? Find them Novelty Fabrics and Quilted Fabrics sections. Do you need dress fabrics or notions for your projects? You can find them here, too. With J&O you will find what you need to make your fabric projects a success.
Do you have recollections of your adventures on eBay? Leave them for us in the comments!
I myself seem to look at ebay 1st before making purchases anywhere. I also prefer to shop online vs. in store due to the fact that there are so many rewards sites. By shopping online I’m able to earn a % or reward points that I can use for other things later on, which saves me even more $$. I do not like the new feedback system. As a seller I ONLY leave negative when a person doesn’t pay an follow through w/ a transaction. All we can do is file but this doesn’t make the buyers look bad, they can keep bidding & doing it to others till eventually they have too many claims on them. Buyers can leave negative on a seller for any reason they feel, just because they have that power & sellers do not. Sellers then can try to ask to have it removed but it’s mainly up to the buyers to agree and the chances of that are slim. I love ebay but I do wish they would change the feedback back.
I’ve been on ebay 10yrs.. Its defintely not what it use to be..
I use to really good at selling ANYTHING on ebay.. Nowdays its really good day if I’m able to sell anything.
My biggest issue is US buyer who think the moment they pay for their stuff, that it should be at their house the next day. (even though they didn’t pay for express s shipping). I’m in the US also, but a little more practical in knowing it takes awhile !
My international customers on the other hand rarely complain that it can take a couple of weeks to a month to arrive.