Friday, May 9th, 2008
Small Sellers: Our Competitive Advantage
In reading some of the comments in Richard’s eBay partners with Buy.com post and the Evolution of the eBay Feedback post I think it’s important that we address the misperception that eBay dislikes small sellers. Let me be clear: eBay has always believed that small and casual sellers — “the little guys” — are eBay’s most important competitive advantage … These sellers created our community, bring a human touch to the marketplace, and continue to make eBay a truly one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
However, having a unique selection alone is no longer enough to maintain a growing and healthy marketplace. People also want to find inventory that includes the latest and greatest brand name models. As a result, in January, we lowered insertion fees, for all sellers, to decrease the risk of selling on eBay and bring more overall inventory onto eBay.
After a few months observing these changes, it is clear that gaps remain between buyer demand and the supply of inventory on our site. This is an obvious opportunity to delight buyers.
We have chosen to partner with Buy.com because we believe their new-in-season inventory, 4.8 DSRs, liberal return policy, and low shipping costs meet unfulfilled demand on eBay.com. Put another way, we are actively pursuing the merchandise our shoppers want and are willing to experiment with new ways of securing it for this holiday season.
We are closely monitoring the results so stay tuned for next steps. But regardless of the outcome of this particular experiment to bring more supply to eBay, we are determined to create opportunities to succeed on eBay for all sellers who consistently deliver great customer experiences– no matter your size.
Thank you,
Lorrie Norrington
President, Marketplace Operations
Tagged: buy, buy.com, buyers, community, ebay, ecommerce, Marketplace, online community, sellers, small+sellers
AmberOn 05.19.2008 at 10:03 pm Said:
“they said only a small section of sellers were unhappy with the changes”
Patricia, that’s why they said in on the radio. No one could keep a straight face while uttering that sentence. 
I’d pass the napkins for your monitor, but am afraid I used them up when my coke sprayed all over mine.
I couldn’t finish the Town Hall. I was that disgusted. They know sellers are leaving in record numbers. That’s why they are bringing in the retailers like Buy. That’s why they changed the links policies so we can’t advertise our new homes. That’s why they are allowing duplicate listings without limit. It’s all about padding those listing numbers to cover up the fact that we (the selling community) ARE upset–the ones they’re hearing from are the minority, but there are plenty of sellers who don’t post etc that are just as mad–if not more so.
As for the PS “safety” factor, you have to figure it’s ebay math. It should, quite frankly, have its own university course, because it has never made sense to the rest of us. When store fees were hiked, we were told it was a 6% increase when in reality it was 500%.
I do resent the fact that I don’t have a “track record.” That was badly done–instead of focusing on how it is a reward for Powersellers, it is seen as saying anyone NOT a powerseller is unsafe. Which just isn’t the case.
Patricia1On 05.19.2008 at 10:06 pm Said:
Well, like I said the noise is only just beginning. Sellers have to actually feel the changes before they really start complaining. I’m just going to sit back and watch the action Actually, that’s all one can do anyway..
MistyOn 05.27.2008 at 4:54 pm Said:
Hmmmm peeking in to see if we had at all received a response from Lorrie… disappointed to see we have not:(
@Patricia
I see you mentioned about getting a pink slap… I have never had one before, how do you know when you have been slapped? The reason I am asking is I can not access any of the discussion boards right now may just be maintenance but don’t know for sure… I don’t believe I have done anything to be slapped for 
DaveyOn 06.02.2008 at 6:31 pm Said:
Yep, Lorrie, I really feel the appreciation you have for small sellers. For being eBay’s “competitive advantage,” all I feel is taken advantage of. Now I hear that only Powersellers get certain fee refunds if our buyers are NPB. We small sellers have just as many if not more NPB’s from eBay’s “quality” bidding pool. Why no protection for us if we provide no higher NPB rates per items sold than the big boys?
Shame. Here’s something eBay could do that would be ethically correct as well as a show of appreciation for small sellers and all we get again is meaningless lip service.
Disgruntled Ebay PowersellerOn 06.09.2008 at 10:46 pm Said:
Ebay has really screwed up this time. The thieves are coming out of the woodwork and ruining sellers with stupid feedback like “Didn’t recieve thank you note, after payment” Now c’mon and ebay is going to let this happen and let the feedback stay.
Totally ridiculous!
JohnOn 06.10.2008 at 7:41 am Said:
Ebay has chased our customers away, many sellers who were buyers also are gone, way to go ebay
TWOn 06.10.2008 at 8:35 am Said:
If this was the blog that Richard told me he would insert on the problems the new policies cause for the small seller then we can expect more ludicrous do nothing promises from everybody at eBay in the future. This blog is a total farce.
Patricia1On 06.10.2008 at 9:27 am Said:
Misty - if you’re around - I just noticed your post about pink slaps. Oh you know alright - you’ll get an email from the Moderation Board and they will state exactly what you said and they will either warn you or suspend you for a time.
Patricia1On 06.10.2008 at 9:29 am Said:
TW - I agree with you - this board does NOT address small sellers - we’re third class citizens on ebay now no matter how good our reputations have been and it doesn’t look like its going to get any better until it gets a LOT worse. I can see that coming.
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