Hi - A downturn in eBay? What do you think?

no more looking at it as sole source of income just a supplement

Slowed down for us. Frustrating.

I don't believe eBay is safe. After this Christmas season, unless the item offered is very unique or a low priced, I will do my buying from retail stores.

Hi Suz..I think it is safe if you stay within the program~the real world has good or bad buyers and good or bad sellers too..I think I'll find who is trustworthy and do business with them..my store is growing, and I work hard to sell a good product, give good customer service, keep my shipping low..It has been a great experiance for me and I have met some great people, some of who are now friends..

Hiya
I agree with you - that it is becomming a supplement - it is a worrying time
Trade seems to have slowed down across site, and as edye has posted - buyers do not feel sake, and will not freely and readily buy from eBay

Sherri - you are right, it is the real world, but I do think that the balance tips, rightly or wrongly in the buyers favour.

Am debating whether to list solely on .com
Has any one else tried this?
Suz x

Hi Suz, My first port of call when looking for a specific item will be ebay every time,I have been shopping,buying and selling since july 01,so I have seen a few changes.In that time I have had one terrible seller,and at the moment my first NPB.I have seen ebay go through downturns upturns but it still remains the best of its kind.Not without its faults,but always striving to better the ebay experiance for all.I dont mind listening to people talk about the challenges that buying and selling on line brings, but I hate the attitude of kicking the dog when its down.If you listen to the news today you will know there is a downturn in spending on the high street,so who says ebay cannot take advantage of this by pricing very competitivly,give people what they want, in this case good service,lower prices and I think ebay will be THE place to shop. Maj

Hi Maj
Glad to hear it. I was certainly thinking that the eBay bubble had started to ooze around the sides, it is getting harder and harder to sell, and the marketplace is losing a lot of its friendly nature
I for one, treat every customer as they are special - as they are, but the attitude of some of the sellers, with their ok, lost that customer another one will come along is horrible. I think some sellers are thinking back to eBays glory days and that it will always be like that when the reality honestly is that unless peeps strive to make the experience when shopping with them as unique as possible and as pleasant experience, then they will lose customers.
I pride myself I having top notch customer service, and am still loosing customers, part of it is definately the economic downturn we are hearing so much about, but I would think that some of it will be due to the nature of eBay and a lack of confidence in it,
I am glad to hear that you as a buyer love the site, and I sincerely hope more peeps do
Suz x

As an individual seller/buyer (not a shop) my perception of ebay has changed which affects my decision to buy/sell on ebay.

I used to see ebay as a 'fun/friendly putting buyers in touch with sellers for the good of all organisation'. i.e. providing a service to others as much as making a profit.

I now perceive ebay as much profit making orientated and with a callous attitude to their customers. My perception is Ebay has become so big, so successful, that 'I' (the lowly customer) doesnt count any more.

Clearing out a load of hobby stuff today. For the first time instead of listing them on ebay I'm taking them to an event where I can sell them myself. Why? Because its cheaper than ebay, its quicker/immediate, no paypal added charge and potential big brother reversals. But probably the biggest factor is that doing this I dont feel i'm being used/abused by an Ebay monster that doesnt value me as a customer just as an 'income'.