Ina Steiner of Auctionbytes writes about eBay Sellers protesting the new fees:
eBay sellers found a creative outlet to vent their frustration over Store fee increases that were announced last week. A search on eBay for the term "fee hike" yielded more than 100 auctions protesting the rate hike, many of them humorous.
A "protest" auction that cuts to the core of the issue
One listing stated that the auction for "eBay's ear" is the seller's contribution to restore the magic store sellers seem to have taken from eBay, referring to eBay CEO Meg Whitman's comments to analysts on Wednesday that, "The marketplace has been overwhelmed with identical, often poorly-priced items that have diluted the magic of the eBay experience."
Other items with "fee hike" in the listing title included: a Fog Machine, for "blowing smoke…"; an eBay Stores Fee Hike Official Paddle" (because, "If you have an eBay store, you are UP SHEE-YUT CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE!"; a scarf to cry in; and even an "eBay Store Burial Plot."
What eBay needed to do was charge FVF on the total sale including shipping. I am sick and tired of the .01-.99 auctions with $99 shipping (yes the item may be worth $100) but this is fee avoidance.
If they fix these fee avoidances they could increase the income and still make the legitimate sellers happy.
Posted by: Jim | July 26, 2006 7:18 AM | Permalink to Comment