Another blow to biz sellers?

[blueskystore777]

Is the labelling of 'seller type' (Business/Private),on individual listings now hurting business seller traffic and sales? It certainly seems so. When searching for items as a buyer, would you be biased against a seller marked as business believing them to have higher costs and therefore a higher price. You'd assume the bargain price will be with the private seller, wouldn't you?? Another unforced error that will hit biz sellers?? Er on the side of caution  ebay....remove the flipping  labels!

[lucy_farmer]

Perhaps some buyers may see it that way; but I'm sure others may feel more comfortable with a business who does actually have to stick to the rules/laws of distance selling, and have their contact details visible? (but obviously this only applies if the buyer *knows* the regulations and laws actually exist!)

[pg_kicks]

Totally agree, eBay should highlight is better in my opinion, let buyers be aware that if they are buying from private accounts you do not have as many rights. I'd guess at least 50% of people buying from eBay wont know the difference and dont even notice the business/private wording.

[kempseykate]

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@blueskystore777 wrote:

Is the labelling of 'seller type' (Business/Private),on individual listings now hurting business seller traffic and sales? It certainly seems so. When searching for items as a buyer, would you be biased against a seller marked as business believing them to have higher costs and therefore a higher price. You'd assume the bargain price will be with the private seller, wouldn't you?? Another unforced error that will hit biz sellers?? Er on the side of caution  ebay....remove the flipping  labels!

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I'd just make my decision as I always have. I've never automatically gone for lowest price, and I never knowingly buy from unregistered business sellers.

[hudsonsclothes]

Surely the opposite may also be true. Businesses buy stock in bulk and packaging so have economies of scale and can afford to sell things for cheaper. They also have a reputation that will be in most cases more important to them to uphold than someone casually seeking a couple of bits. 

[vinylscot]

I think you may be missing the point, or at least part of it.

Many of these "private" sellers are really businesses, so they are just as likely to buy packaging in bulk, and benefit from economies of scale, while also benefitting from fee-free selling, as well as failing to provide required consumer information/protections.

Even if only 10% of "private" sellers are actually businesses, they may well account for the majority of eBay's private seller sales (and they certainly appear to, as a quick sample suggests), as they will tend to sell far more items, and, being businesses, they need to sell.

I get the OP's point. Although eBay obviously can't go as far as removing the labels, it only reinforces the need for eBay to DO SOMETHING about this, instead of continuing to fob us off with obvious nonsense.

Any poster on these boards could find a dozen business accounts masquerading as private accounts in less than half an hour. eBay MUST be actively avoiding policing this properly.

[thetimetower]

Id think it be the opposite. I'm always wary buying off a private seller as u have no comeback really. I mean u do but if i didnt know that ebay accepts INADs id assume i didnt.

[shave.india]

Hi I completly agree with you 

i use ebay in a similar way 

 I want to by from private sellers 

thats the circular economy thing is is not ? 

i see and always have see Ebay as the online carboot 

It kinda was at the start but by human nature its changed as users started to buy and resell 

My view is we  have Amazon,aliexpress and all the other sites out there to by 60 % of what on ebay right now .

I Only see a couple of gains from buying direct and not using a ebay middle person ?

many people use ebay as they dont have the long wait time and less problematic returns and overall confidence to use other site (bank details paying Loads of social stuff)

apart from that you get the same thing maybe 40% cheaper buying from other sites? Ive FOUND anyway.

If i was ebay id be looking to split the site.  

id sugest that one platform should be all PREloved Used Worn .Nothing in a new packet unless old .

Or at very least be able to only view non buisness users when searching in the current platform .

The other platform for things in packets new things 

I try and firstly search auction as i think this is more likely to be private sellers 

I look at their other auctions to try confirm this 

i often search local too (ebay kinda alread covered this with ebay local )

There is loads of good gear lying around. They are telling us something that we all know 

as time get harder we dispose of less(well most of us anyway )

ebay needs to be the people conector it should be and not just pedeling brand new landfill for profit?

[kath3735_wxmjn]

Once again i have to agree with you, as a buyer i look for the item i want and then check out the seller,  I deliberately avoid any pseudo private sellers and then it depends on what i see and read (I also avoid anyone soley using AI in the description box).  One of the deciders is the photographs, if the seller cannot be bothered to even iron the item then it is a no no.  The other decider is the delivery company used, EVRI is another red flag.  Quite honestly sometimes i think it would be easier getting off my ... and going out actually shopping because E Bays search engine is complete rubbish to start with.....   Being labelled business or private is not a big decider for me.

[a45heaven]

Buying and Selling despite ebay rather than with them as it used to be.

[danieledwardsmall]

It depends on the item; should it be something ubiquitous, I would compare prices across the web, not just eBay.  The concept of private or business seller would largely be irrelevant since if there was a problem with an item, I can return it anyway.

OTOH, if it is something quite sought after, I prefer buying from private sellers as they tend to have a better sentimental attachment to an item, and are a lot more responsive to enquiries.

In the last couple of years, I have had major problems with business sellers responding to enquiries appertaining to the items they sell, particularly if they have a large inventory.  Questions often go ignored.  I tend to avoid business sellers in this instance since it impresses a degree of arrogance.

So my bias would be towards the best priced private seller even if they are masquerading.

[a45heaven]

I can argue with you, apart from

In the last couple of years, I have had major problems with business sellers responding to enquiries appertaining to the items they sell, particularly if they have a large inventory.  Questions often go ignored. 

Messages on ebay are famously unreliable, the direct email links used to work much better for important info / questions - but ebay didnt like that route as it was outside their control and censorship.

So when you feel a seller isnt responding , ask yourself why would they avoid you and a sale.

[kempseykate]

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@danieledwardsmall wrote:

OTOH, if it is something quite sought after, I prefer buying from private sellers as they tend to have a better sentimental attachment to an item, and are a lot more responsive to enquiries.

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Unless of course, they just picked it up from the boot sale at the weekend!

[danieledwardsmall]

Fair point, but if I can't reach them or resolve the issue, it looks bad for the seller regardless of reason.

I'm warming to the theory of high volume/low price sellers won't engage as the time lost having to investigate isn't worth it aka "I sell enough product to survive, I can't be dealing with enquiries on a £1.55 item.  There's always other buyers!"

[kath3735_wxmjn]

only thing i buy on a car boot and resell on e bay are jigsaws and only after i have done them and know they are complete.  I buy off car boot during summer because they are cheaper (only 65 to do!!).   I also sell on the car boot and you can usually tell the ones who are buying to resell on other sites, they try and argue you down to rock bottom, a personal shopper might try for a reduction but then usually buy anyway!  Bit like e bay i suppose, all those sat watching just waiting for a seller to lower their prices in desperation or send you a silly offer even when you do not offer the option!  My last one someone offered me £5 for a £15 item! 

[messier44000]

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@danieledwardsmall wrote:

"In the last couple of years, I have had major problems with business sellers responding to enquiries appertaining to the items they sell, particularly if they have a large inventory.  Questions often go ignored.  I tend to avoid business sellers in this instance since it impresses a degree of arrogance."

If having communication issues with business sellers here. There is a world outside eBay

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[danieledwardsmall]

Absolutely.

More people should take note.

[theelench]

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@kempseykate wrote:

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@danieledwardsmall wrote:

OTOH, if it is something quite sought after, I prefer buying from private sellers as they tend to have a better sentimental attachment to an item, and are a lot more responsive to enquiries.

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Unless of course, they just picked it up from the boot sale at the weekend!

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Even then the "private" seller will often know rather more than a business seller doing exactly the same thing and these days, I'd guess, just using their Image Search App. to spot anything they might make something on.

ATM I've got one item on my Watch List.  The business seller has got the manufacturer right but doesn't  include any other detail in the listing title.

The "description", which I quote in full is -

"Perfect no damage

16 x 19 cm"

Will I bid?  Probably, because the opening bid is about 25% of the average price they sell for and this vase has been on my wish-list for a few years.  But does the seller know they come in two sizes?  More importantly do the usual gaggle of Watchers the item, without doubt, will have attracted, waiting for a lower offer know?   I'm looking for the smaller size to match the clock!

Most importantly, does this seller have a clue about how to package glass safely so it arrives intact?

The joys of buying on ebay!! 

[kempseykate]

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@kath3735_wxmjn wrote:

only thing i buy on a car boot and resell on e bay are jigsaws and only after i have done them and know they are complete.  I buy off car boot during summer because they are cheaper (only 65 to do!!).   I also sell on the car boot and you can usually tell the ones who are buying to resell on other sites, they try and argue you down to rock bottom, a personal shopper might try for a reduction but then usually buy anyway!  Bit like e bay i suppose, all those sat watching just waiting for a seller to lower their prices in desperation or send you a silly offer even when you do not offer the option!  My last one someone offered me £5 for a £15 item! 

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Yes, we used to buy them at boot sales and charity shops for my bro-in-law and then sell on here, when he had completed them (uncomplete were binned). But sadly he died earlier this year, and you actually bought the last one he had made. It's very strange going to a boot sale and seeing a puzzle he would have liked and not getting it 😞