This is INFURIATING.
I just received a message from eBay, announcing their new discount program for Power Sellers (which has been going on since April, apparently, but I got notified today).
Turns out, Power Sellers who have 4.8 / 5 or higher on all their "detailed seller ratings" (those are the little star ratings on the feedback page) are eligible for a 15% discount on final value fees. I'm a Power Seller! I have a perfect score of 5/5 stars on all ratings. I also happen to have a 100% positive feedback score. I must be doing something right.
Isn't that nice?
Oh, but wait. The discount is ONLY FOR US AND CANADIAN SELLERS. Sorry.
Uhhh, WHY? What could possibly be the logic behind this? Why on earth (no pun intended) would geography have anything to do with this? Do international sellers somehow "cost" eBay more than US sellers? Would they have to pay to ship us our discount through priority airmail? Would it require manpower? Radical technical adjustments? Would eBay have to DO anything in particular in order to just offer the discount to everyone? I don't think so. Basically, it's yet another "we just don't feel the need to give you anything so we're not going to" and a *shrug* from the eBay/Paypal monster.
15% off is a substantial discount. It's not like it would have made me much richer or poorer, but this just SO PISSES ME OFF. I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF GETTING SCREWED BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.
I sent an angry e-mail to customer support. I'm sure they'll throw some nice generic response in my direction within 24 hours. (They have to, I'm a Power Seller!)
ARGH.
AAARRRGGGHHH.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH.
Goddammit.
Sarah, You need to send out a new glass slipper message asking everyone who reads it to email ebay and complain! We do not have to complain for you persay, but just in a big "generic" way (oohh, that rhymes)! Not only will that let them know that customers who use ebay do not agree with it but that it is discrimination against any country outside of the us and canada. I mean isn't that what the internet is for, to be able to shop or sell around the world? This is a huge discrimination on their part. This effects a huge percentage of their audience. Not only does it effect the sellers cost but in the long run the buyers cost because some of the starting bids might be higher to cover the initial cost of the auction. I know that is down to the nitty gritty but it is true. I will proudly defend the other countries by emailing them and telling them that it is not fair to save some people money without saving all of their customers money. I happen to have an account because i had sold in the past. Come on everybody, stand up for all!!!!! steph
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This is what I wrote to them:
I cannot tell you how disappointed i am that ebay chooses to save customers of the United States and Canada "only" with powerseller status. I am a citizen of the the United States and it infuriates me to know that people of other countries with great customer status cannot be a part of powerseller discount fees. Is this not the reason that we have ebay, to reach all over the world. this is discrimination on the part of ebay against half of the people who have made ebay what it is today. Why is ebay only saving part of its customers money? I would appreciate more than a generic response please. Do not send me a patronizing answer. This is a huge mistake on the part of ebay and i am sure there will be losses. Ebay is sending a very powerful message to its loyal customers. "They have no choice to accept it and we do not care"! Shame on you EBAY!
There you go! Now I too will wait for my "generic shemeric" pile of dung in my inbox
steph
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Thanks for your support, Steph. I wonder if you'll actually get a reply.
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This is really crap! Stupid Ebay!
Did you get your generic answer yet? Or did they answer you personally this time?
I wanted to thank you very much for the hollow bead! I'll try and make a beautiful pendant with it, stille figuring out how
Hugs, Carolien
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This is the only reply I got so far:
"Thank you for writing to eBay's PowerSeller Customer Support Team. We
have received your email and will be responding to you within 24 hours.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
Regards,
eBay PowerSeller Customer Support"
Responding within 24 hours? Yeah right.
Argh.
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Ah yes... FeeBay. Aren't they a-holes? They make sure those in the US and Canada are okay, but forget the rest of the planet. In June, they're bringing in a new 'rule' for us Australian sellers - we can ONLY accept cash from buyers, if they collect the items, or Paypal - we are no longer allowed to offer direct deposit/internet transfer to our bank account - and the reason? "It's going to make eBay a safer trading place". Bullsh*t! It's all about the almighty dollar! If someone pays with Paypal, as you know, we incur a charge, but with bank deposit, we don't. So of course eBay want to slug us double - FVF AND Paypal fees. Is it any wonder I hate FeeBay?
I feel for you Sarah - as a non-US seller, I know *exactly* how screwed over you feel.
Sue
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That really sucks. Argh.
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Hi Sarah, You seemed to have developed such a loyal customer base. Could you move more of your business to Etsy? or how bout Ruby Lane? I don't know how their fees compare to Ebay. There's been a huge change in Ebay since the original CEO, Meg Whitman, left. In a very short time Ebay's focus has shifted completely to the buyer. I do not sell my own jewelry on Ebay because the fees are too high and I don't want to sell it at bargain prices. But I do sell a line of Italian charms, and I'm a Power Seller too. As far as I'm concerned, the only advantage to being a power seller is the discount on the final value fees. I cannot believe that they're discriminating against international sellers. They certainly don't have a hard time taking your money to begin with, and continuously raising fees to sellers. I am so sorry for you for this major 'bummer'. What a royal pain on top of the lousy US dollar.
Yet another reason for you to move to Italy! OK, so you still won't get your power seller fees but at least you'll be surrounded by glass!
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Maybe I will focus less on eBay at some point... as of now, it seems like that's where most of the buyers are.
Argh.
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I have the 24 hour message too, still nothing else!! I am really curious as to how ebay will relate to this impending problem. If it has gotten the few of us stirred up, imagine the backlash from every where else????
steph
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Sarah, my basement is still available for you. lol!! :o)
I'm sorry you are getting screwed by ebay.
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