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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 8, 2018 5:42:07 GMT
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 8, 2018 6:44:22 GMT
From the tech side (since the article is focusing on Seller Hub), it's a good choice. Thomson Reuters makes some really good software, and their research info is top notch. They know their stuff.
His title might be misleading, though, based on what it appears his duties will be. If he is more the Seller Tech Officer, I think it may be a very good fit. Goodness knows we can use a better dashboard and some decent traffic reports. I like the appointment.
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Post by zoesam on Nov 8, 2018 17:33:26 GMT
Great. More unnecessary changes, focused on lowering prices even further. Sending offers to all watchers, that'll be really annoying. More buyer initiated offers that are product based. More racing to the bottom. At this rate, everything on the site will cost 99c soon. Why do they keep focusing on the wrong things? No one needed or wanted SH to begin with.
ETA: Oh & price too high notifications that will let you bulk lower prices. While that may actually be helpful, it's just more race to the bottom.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 8, 2018 19:28:05 GMT
I construed his title to be in charge of all seller services not just the tech side. If he sticks to the tech side it could be what eBay needs, but I'm afraid he's going to be making actual retail decisions. That's where my concern lies. As I say, I try to keep an open mind. ETA: Also, as zoesam says, a lot of focus is on continually lower prices - I hope that takes a back seat to efficiency. |
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 8, 2018 19:31:18 GMT
If he leads development of actual meaningful stats, then GOOD.
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Post by RetroMonde on Nov 9, 2018 1:57:56 GMT
I agree with Zoe about suggestions for lowering a sellers price speeding the race to the bottom price-wise. If I choose to be one of the higher priced EF sweaters why is that a problem? I don't think bots understand nuances of pricing- it's just raw stats for them, right? If I'm okay with taking a month to sell instead of 2 days why would that be a problem that I need to be nagged about? If that's one of the new guy's big ideas then color me unimpressed.
Accurate traffic reports? That would be nice. I'm trying to keep an open mind; it's not like my negativity affects anyone but myself. But my open mind can't stay like that forever indefinitely. I'd like to see positive results in my bank account from the constant changes for a change.
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Post by somany on Nov 9, 2018 3:09:54 GMT
At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, anyone from the outside might be a good choice. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the race to the bottom does not benefit anyone, ergo anyone who is not immersed in the ebay culture might be able to figure it out. I won't hold my breath, though. And I'll stop with the cliche's now, too.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 9, 2018 6:33:25 GMT
Well, this is guy is a friend of Weinig - I guess that's where my skepticism lay, but as Val says, if he sticks to the tech side of things there could be some good change coming down the road, particularly in the stats - I had seen the title as much more far reaching. They really DO need to get someone in who knows the nuts and bolts of merchandising better - everything is done as a reaction to Amazon and little that I can see to bolster eBay's own brand.
Here is this huge gray market (gaining ground to being one of the biggest markets in the country), and eBay is in a position to dominate it - eBay has everything it needs - name recognition, experience in those markets, etc., and they're just throwing it away and really, they're so far behind Amazon it's not even funny. It's so disheartening to see such a waste of resources.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 9, 2018 19:35:39 GMT
Cynical much, folks? The changes are coming whether we like them or not. Maybe try looking at changes positively instead of ALWAYS assuming the worst - figure out how you can make the change work for you. That takes a lot less energy than being negative. We need to remember that used isn't the only thing sold on eBay, and maybe look at the broader picture of how this affects the site overall.
Meanwhile...
Multiple Top Pick (MTP)
eBay already provides pricing guidance, but MTP takes it further. eBay will display off-eBay "web-based" prices of products (low, mid, high), and it will display prices for the top 5 comparable products on eBay (taking into account sellers' policies). MTP is launching to a limited audience starting this week with a full rollout next year.
I like this idea. Catherines brand clothing started selling more frequently and for higher prices when Catherines click ads started on eBay. Or least that was the effect on MY sales. Buyers would see retailer price and my price. For used item sellers, this can be a big benefit.
Seller Initiated Offers
Sellers will be able to initiate an offer to anyone who is watching their listings.
This kicked off yesterday to a limited number of sellers in the test group. I can see where it would be an awesome tool in several categories on eBay. As for me, I'd like to be able to send offers to watchers in real time, not when eBay sends me the email, since I have no idea how long that watcher has been watching the item. I wonder if we'll be limited to $X or X% off, or if we can send offers like free shipping or buy 2 get FS, etc.?
Price-too-high Notifications and Adjustments
Temkin wants a mechanism to inform sellers in realtime if their product prices aren't comparable to other prices (on or off eBay), and give sellers the ability to either have eBay adjust the price for them, or reduce prices themselves in bulk by a set percentage relative to the prices eBay found.
The sellers in my meetup group who sell in categories where the norm is new items with multi-quantities seemed happy with this change. I can see where sellers of OOAK used clothing might not see it as a benefit, but a seller in a highly competitive category might not think like we do. I wonder if the feature could also be programmed to tell a seller when their price is too low? Can't hurt to ask. I know the Amazon sellers in my meetup group liked this change, which makes me wonder if Amazon already offers it.
Multi-user Access and Authentication
eBay will roll out multi-user access and authentication sometime in the first three months of 2019. This allows an eBay seller to give employees partial or full access to their account.
LONG overdue change. The sellers at my local eBay meetup group last night were very excited with the change. Several use VAs, or are considering hiring help and being able to have an employee/VA have partial access to the account opens up a wider range of work the sellers can outsource.
Seller Protections
eBay will work on seller trust issues in 2019 - "As the head of seller experience, it's my job to protect you as the seller," Temkin said. "It's a high priority to add more seller protections."
More seller protection would be a good thing. We asked Brian Burke about the changes to the SNAD policy. He couldn't give us a specific answer, but did say they were hearing from sellers (ALL sizes) daily about the issue and they were revisiting the policy. In other words, eBay knows they screwed up on that move. I have to wonder if that is part of what Temkin is referring to.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 9, 2018 19:57:50 GMT
I always look at the larger picture. Used clothing is only the latest thing (and not the only even now) I've sold on eBay, and I've sold in numerous other places and, actually, been buying and selling for over 40 years. My criticism comes from reading a lot in both print and online press about markets and trends. And I'm not looking at individual changes, which to me present a mixed bag and aren't really the focus of my statement, but at the site direction as a whole.
This little change, that little change, sure, they're fine, some are badly needed, but I have to keep my eye on the big picture, and I feel eBay is neglecting a big opportunity for future growth.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 9, 2018 23:19:29 GMT
Seller Protections
eBay will work on seller trust issues in 2019 - "As the head of seller experience, it's my job to protect you as the seller," Temkin said. "It's a high priority to add more seller protections."
More seller protection would be a good thing. We asked Brian Burke about the changes to the SNAD policy. He couldn't give us a specific answer, but did say they were hearing from sellers (ALL sizes) daily about the issue and they were revisiting the policy. In other words, eBay knows they screwed up on that move. I have to wonder if that is part of what Temkin is referring to.
It has to be, because there's nothing else that they've implemented (as far as I'm concerned) that has had a negative impact such as that 'policy' - even the 40% hike in fees for sellers with high SNAD/INR reports is understandable - there ARE too many sloppy, bad sellers on the site and this hopefully polices them a bit better - but it's a free for all at this point with too many sellers potentially being slapped with that due to fake SNADs.
They've been trying to drive people into offering free return shipping, free shipping, free free free, but somehow I don't think the SNAD policy was a major factor in that (though possibly a welcome side effect). I see it as merely reactive - possibly due to layoffs and a reduction in CSR staff?? Dunno, but the site has shown itself to be amenable to changes even if it's only in reaction to seller outrage (i.e., the returns policy debacle), and they do seem to take the results from the Experience surveys pretty seriously.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 9, 2018 23:54:18 GMT
I think the SNAD issue may have been driven a little by staff cuts. It has to take time for staff to be on the phones, working this out. You make a one size fits all, no exceptions policy, and ta da! You just reduced staff time and freed them up to work on other stuff. IMO anyway.
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Post by zoesam on Nov 10, 2018 19:05:29 GMT
Cynical yes, b/c of past experience. This co has repeatedly shown that they cannot manage even the most basic IT functions, even tho' that's the main structure of their business. At any given time there are 7 or 8 current glitches, many of which never get fixed & just become a part of the landscape. Their IS's which THEY introduced & function as part of the search are a ludicrous mess amongst many categories. A "new" search engine that is pathetic & worthless & often doesn't show customers what they are asking for, but yet they base their entire business on. An unwillingness to hear their customers or even acknowledge that sellers are customers too. Unnecessary changes being rolled out daily for several years now, which frustrates buyers & sellers & causes them to leave the site. Bottom line in IT is you try to never change the UI (user interface) but if you're going to, you do it once & that's it. Users hate change & Ebay doesn't understand this. Constant policy changes that are drummed up & sold to us, a good 75% of which are then backed out in short order, shows a lack of clarity & a lot of indecisiveness. The whole Seller Hub fiasco. CSR's that can't speak English or understand the most basic of issues & who are poorly trained.
Most of us who have been selling for 20 years, are working much harder, have many more listings & are making fewer sales for less money than ever before. You bet I'm cynical. This company has shown me nothing but ineptitude over the last 8-10 years & some guy (who was fired from his last job) hiring a crony, does not make me feel all warm & fuzzy. Sounds like a friend giving another friend a favor. I assume the worst b/c that's all they've shown for years now. If it goes the other way, great, then I'll be pleasantly surprised. This way I won't be disappointed when things get even worse.
I also find several of the s'posed initiatives to escalate the race to the bottom & I'm not happy about them. Luckily, they will likely get backed out, like practically everything else they announce. So yeah, you bet I'm cynical. Unfortunately, they still have the most pairs of eyes of all the auction sites, but if things keep going this way, that will change too.
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Post by SA on Nov 10, 2018 23:01:06 GMT
Awesome changes that are already being implemented.
I've already sent out offers to some of my watchers this morning and have had someone purchase.
I'm up over 10% for the month and over 20% for the year.
All the changes have had positive impact for me. I'm making more money. My stuff is getting seen. Yet, my "job" seems easier.
This is the landscape of internet shopping. Period. Prices are down everywhere.
Fewer people want moldy oldies. They're saturated across multiple platforms.
I've changed my outlook and views on how I run my business and make money. It's working for me. And I'm still only selling on eBay.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 10, 2018 23:04:33 GMT
SA, what kind of offers can you send? Just % off, or can you send offers to bundle, free shipping, etc.?
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Post by SA on Nov 10, 2018 23:13:16 GMT
Just like if you were to send a best offer on an ASQ.
There is a box to write a message and a box for the offer price.
It will tell you how many watchers your message will go out to.
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Post by SA on Nov 10, 2018 23:15:14 GMT
"It will tell you how many watchers your message will go out to."
It will tell you how many watchers your message and offer will go out to. The first to accept gets the item for that price.
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Post by SA on Nov 10, 2018 23:17:18 GMT
I can turn the line for promoted items on or off (the line under my item in active listings that say whether or not my item is promoted with a quick pop up to add it if I want). I get to choose whether I see it or not.
I love that I have the option right inside the listing to add to promoted listings AND add items to volume pricing - which I've been doing a lot of on my MQ items! eBay is offering 50% off FVF for those items that customers take advantage of the promo (already had one buyer purchase all 4 of one of my items.)
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Nov 11, 2018 19:37:21 GMT
I don't see an option to send best offers to watchers. I guess it's not an option for everyone?
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Post by kat on Nov 11, 2018 19:57:07 GMT
I don't see an option to send best offers to watchers. I guess it's not an option for everyone? It’s being rolled out. I was able to send eleven yesterday before it went away. Shoppingaddiction watched one of mine before I sent the offer and she received it in less than ten minutes. The thing we both liked was it was worded that they aren’t the only one getting the offer.  She sent some out too before the window of opportunity closed and I think she said she had some success. |
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Nov 11, 2018 20:12:44 GMT
That's cool, definitely interested in that. Promoted listings are working out well too.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 11, 2018 20:14:48 GMT
I've had that option for a while and have used it number of times but no nibbles. I also use the abandoned cart option, but often most of those things are sold already when the email drops in - I don't know what the time lag is in notification but on a normal selling day stuff moves out without watchers- they just come in and buy.
It's no time at all, though, to send those out, and unlike Etsy they don't charge you for it.
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Post by kat on Nov 11, 2018 20:21:56 GMT
I've had that option for a while and have used it number of times but no nibbles. I also use the abandoned cart option, but often most of those things are sold already when the email drops in - I don't know what the time lag is in notification but on a normal selling day stuff moves out without watchers- they just come in and buy. It's no time at all, though, to send those out, and unlike Etsy they don't charge you for it. When you send the offers, does it show in the hub or on the item what the offer was? |
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 11, 2018 20:27:23 GMT
I like the idea of being able to send an offer of some sort to a watcher in a timely fashion - while the listing is still active, and not wait on eBay to notify me  |
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Post by Pantlandia on Nov 11, 2018 21:36:50 GMT
Where would you find the option to send the offer to a watcher? I have over watchers on about 100 CDs.
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Post by kat on Nov 11, 2018 22:50:32 GMT
Where would you find the option to send the offer to a watcher? I have over watchers on about 100 CDs. I sent you a PM. I don’t want to post incorrect directions if it’s no longer there. |
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 11, 2018 22:54:14 GMT
I get a notification from eBay.
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Post by kat on Nov 11, 2018 23:10:00 GMT
I get a notification from eBay. I’m trying to figure out a way to get back to it and send some more offers. Does the email just take you individual items or do you get a page with all your items? Yesterday I had a page with all my items, just showing five at a time. I individually chose the item amount and once I sent it, another would be shown, keeping five on the screen at a time. The rest of the page looks like the old myebay/selling but with huge font and icons. I just searched to see if I overlooked an email but mine are just the “eyes are on your item, lower prices now” and the “item are in carts, lower prices”. You must be on the lucky list. |
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Post by SA on Nov 11, 2018 23:55:02 GMT
I get a notification from eBay. I think what you're talking about is something totally different chapeaunoir This is where you send a direct offer to your watchers. Not the email that that eBay sends sellers that they have watchers and to reduce your price. This is on a slow rollout. It's not available to everyone yet. Right now, some people that offer best offer, it's showing up in their active listings as a line right under the title their listings that say "eligible for offer". You click that and it will let you send the offer to your watchers of that item. It's set up just like if you were to respond to an asq with "send an offer". It's a dollar amount. And a space for you to type your watchers a message if you want to. I found a temp back door. I haven't had the options since I sent out my first five. It worked for Kat once. Those that now have this option are finding success with it. I cannot wait until the full roll out! |
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Post by kat on Nov 12, 2018 0:09:39 GMT
Thank you for the explanation. I do best offer and do not have that option either, so I guess I’ll just have to be patient until it’s available to me. I was hoping Chap had a link in her emails that might work for us, like how sometimes we miss a promo email so someone else’s link works if we’re invited.
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It's really tough trying to keep an open mind. 
It's really tough trying to keep an open mind. 
