Dear Eve

[suelel1968]

It would be good to see everyone else's "Dear Eve" letters here. I can't post the email addresses, but just ask copilot. Feel free to copy mine, post the one you have already written. Even if you are just quitting the platform, don't tell us on the forum, tell her. It's high time we got some answers.

Dear Ms. Williams,

As a private seller on eBay UK, I’m reaching out with a simple request: please listen to the voices of individual private sellers.

One pressing concern is the rollout of Simple Delivery. Whilst we know it is here to stay the message is not being heard. Many private sellers feel it adds complexity and cost without improving the experience. 

May I draw your attention to one of my listings below. Currently listed at £4.25 with £1.55 Large Letter Royal Mail postage. If I try to list anything similar or relist this one it converts to SD at a minimum £2.70 postage. You can see from the listing photo, the item is 1 1/2" long and 1/4" wide and weights less than 20 grams. It won't sell with an extra £1.15 on postage.

Private sellers are a vital part of eBay’s identity. We bring character, variety, and uniqueness to the marketplace. I hope you’ll take time to hear our concerns.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[goodibags]

You just know already that all food will be tracked and the 'Unlimited Cake' option will require some costly upgrade. Besides, the food may well arrive 5 days late, so you'll only have to arrange where it can be left on your doorstep or behind bins outside.

[suelel1968]

@goodibags I was going to get my costume on eBay too, but although it says 5 days from Luton it will probably be 3 weeks from China and then be lost in the post.

[sunflowers4me59]

I emailed Eve also, got same response as pegr-834437, had an email from "one of her team", useless.

[suelel1968]

Hi Sunflowers @sunflowers4me59  That's good to know. They should at least respond.

Todays thread got me thinking about all the times I have emailed CEOs and success is achievable, but it is usually about a one off issue that affects just you. I will take as a win it if she wants to add my drills to the exempt list, (which would be the sensible course of action, Eve!)

I contacted the CEO of my water supplier after the the combined sewer got blocked and found an outlet via my dishwasher and garden. The CS blamed my dishwasher brand for not having a non return valve and that i should replace it. The outcome was 8 years worth of water bills paid for by them. 

But no she never contacted me herself either.

Usually they don't like to risk a fuss being made when they have been informed of something. Perhaps Eve is past caring.....

[goodibags]

Either beyond caring OR it genuinely is Ebay policy to be messing up postage and certain categories. After all, they do have all the stats. They know which buyers are likely to be happy to pay and in which categories. Even which businesses have been lobbying hardest to stop being undercut by private sellers with cheaper prices. Not sure if DIY bits fit the bill there?

That's not to say Eve won't make a personalised concession IF you complain nicely. I had 2 months of free electric AND a £200 bribe because my new energy supplier fiddled with the smart meter, as they inevitably do these days. That was via the Energy Ombudsman though so not quite the same.

Rather than 8 years of free water how about a £10 Ebay voucher? To put towards that costume, maybe? The one that'll arrive 2 days after that event in Birmingham? Ebay will suggest it goes in a large letter, prompting the seller to cancel. 😉

[theelench]

"Usually they don't like to risk a fuss being made when they have been informed of something.  Perhaps Eve is past caring....."

I think you'll find that "caring" only applies to those relatively senior execs. still fighting their way up the greasy pole.

Once they get to Eve's level they've 'Made It', and reached the top of the career ladder.  They've got the Golden Hello and generous re-location expenses.  The 6 figure salary, the super-delux medical plan, the share options and the regular bonuses.  Probably been signed-up by a manager for Speaking engagements at a few thousand a pop.

Edited to add.  I forgot to mention the generous contributions to her pension-pot. 

If / when it all goes wrong and she has to "spend more time with her family", she will have negotiated a Golden Handshake and another dollop of relocation expenses.  If she has any sense she will already be looking for the next greasy pole to climb and all that interests her about ebay now is how long she can cling on to this one, rather than how much good she can do while she has the position.

[suelel1968]

@theelench hi Lench, you make her sound like a prime candidate to become Dame Eve Williams.... 

[suelel1968]

"Not sure if DIY bits fit the bill there"

Surprisingly DIY bits do qualify, the category the drill type takes you to, does not. Does category matter, well only for SD purposes it seems. 

[kyanyama]

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@lord_and_lady_m wrote:

You could also head over to Birmingham in September for the ebay open. She's usually there.

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I wonder if she will show her face this year?  I very much doubt it!