@Lisa – with all the people unhappy with ebay, one of the little guys is trying to step foot into the arena to see if we can maybe help the situation…I launched an online classifieds site about a year ago called Listasaurus.com, and we’re in the process of upgrading to add auctions.

We’re different because we offer video classifieds, and we also pay users to list their ads on our site (a bit of a twist!). We’ll also be allowing users to include video in their auctions, and paying them to list auctions.

So maybe there’s hope yet out there! We certainly do value our userbase, and while we hope to grow leaps and bounds, we don’t ever hope to become so big (i.e. corporate) that we lose sight of the value of our audience.

Wish there was a preview post feature.

I know.

Really good article on your Red Ink Diary site by Kevin T about the nasty phenomenon that Ebay has become. I think eventually enough sellers will tire of these negative restrictions and unfair practices and a new site will rise to the top who not only shows respect for individuals but knows how important it is for people to feel they are worth something or than a throw-away commodity.

Oh, and Kijiji, or however you spell it, haven’t checked it yet.

Yes, Kijiji (is that right?) has just as many secret doors as eBay when it comes to fees. They also remain consistent in their use of threatening communication.

EVERYBODY who works for a corporation in any capacity where they are privy to confidential information or proprietary information, and in PR or any associated field is required to sign a confidentiality contract these days, and that is normal and reasonable. Even nannies to the rich and famous sign if they want the job and that is very understandable. Absolutely standard practice, and the contract itself is covered by confidentiality clauses too.

@ Lisa, dream on!

@ Sandi

GC is still free under certain circumstances, I use Ad Words and have Google Ads on the blog and my GC is free.

AND re Kijiji, how about this from the TOS:

Fees and Services. Using Kijiji is free, but we sometimes charge a fee for some of our services. Our fees are quoted in US Dollars, and we may change them from time to time. Our fees are non-refundable, and you are responsible for paying them when they’re due. If you don’t, we may limit your ability to use the services. If your payment method fails or your account is past due, we may collect fees owed using other collection mechanisms (for accounts over 180 days past due, we may deduct the amount owed from your PayPal account balance).

Think about it- tires, mowers, musical gear, kitchen appliances… knowing the what and where of 2ndhand pricing on these items could put them way ahead of, say, Target.

I’ve used Craigslist and Oodles for years and love them both. I cannot remember how to spell Kijiji nor pronounce it, and I really don’t want to learn. But I’m biased.

I live most of the year in Hawaii. My other residence is in SD.

I realize these aren’t population hubs.

You have one Kijiji in Hawaii on Oahu, basically Honolulu. Maui is the next most heavily populated island followed by the Big Island and Kauai, no presence there.

You have one Kijiji in Sioux Falls with 303 offered and 45 wanted. Sioux Falls is 90 miles from where I live, I go once or twice a month usually trip pooling which is the way country folk do things.

There is nothing in Rapid City, or Pierre our state capital, the next two largest population centers, then Mitchell, Yankton, Brookings, Aberdeen, Huron, Watertown, reasonable sized towns, nothing.

What does it cost to add a few pages of standardized code for each of these locations?
If it is not there people can’t use it.

I just don’t get a feeling of permanent commitment on Kijiji, although I would congratulate you on the site design, lovely clean bright and easy on the eyes.

That was my first thought too.

I wonder how many people have read that one–it’s a bit old fashioned. ;)