I too received an email early this morning from the ebay User Experience research team, asking for my feedback about the delivery choices I make for the items I sell on eBay – in a survey format. I have just completed it and was glad to have this opportunity.
On each page, I ticked the ‘Other’ box, to then allow me to input a reason/ opinion (other than simply choosing the check-box choices).
The survey did not give me the opportunity to go ‘Back’ on each page, so my first few responses were ‘off the cuff’ and I can’t remember what I put, but here is the gist of my final bits of feedback for them:
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I DO NOT want to purchase delivery via ebay.
I have worked out the best way for my own despatch methods, which suit me, my lifestyle, my location and my circumstances; many other experienced private sellers have done so too.
For ebay to now want to control this aspect of our selling too, and impose this 'Simple' Delivery system is a disaster - and in my opinion one step to far! Private sellers are delisting and looking at other platforms. Maybe this is what ebay intend - a CULL and exodus of private sellers? Less of us on ebay mean less buyers; this will then have an impact on business sellers too.
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I am deeply unhappy with the situation with regard to Simple Delivery and finding it difficult to see any way forward for myself to continue using ebay.
From the community boards and other forums and social media elsewhere, it appears that many many ebay users feel the same. Sadly, many are leaving.
Ebay was once THE leading online marketplace for buyers and sellers, but no more!
Ebay used to be my ‘GoTo’ place for purchases (and selling), but recent changes are eliminating all the loyalty I felt.
The general direction ebay is going does not hold any promise for me or my fellow-private sellers, who wish to retain this ONE little piece of autonomy! (... choosing where, what and how we arrange delivery ...) – now, even that is being removed from us!
This is one step too far. It feels like we are being well and truly ‘shafted’.
Recent 'developments', with less and less regard for the individual ebay user (more aimed toward big business, advertising, AI, pushing promotions, swapping fees from seller to buyer, retaining funds, etc etc) are of no benefit to us ‘grass-roots’ users. Maybe ebay want rid of us? - Well, they are going about it the right way then!
Losing private sellers will mean less options for private buyers; less buyers will then affect business sellers.
I am conflicted about what I wish for the future of ebay. Recent changes deserve a downturn. You already hold(/held) the ideal base of customer reach, brand loyalty, most well-known selling / buying platform – and you seem to be losing it.
I myself have taken down my listings and am currently not purchasing anything on ebay. If my own actions are a reflection of the general trend, then ebay have a problem. (They will have the statistics and will know the numbers).
Please, please, LISTEN to your users. This Simple Delivery should be OPTIONAL – NOT enforced on us.
