EventHorizon1984 Blog Log

2010 The Year Everything Changed

2010 The Year Everything Changed
28 December 2009
EventHorizon1984

Toward the end of the year 1984 there was a memorable scene in a movie that ended shortly after HAL 9000 forwarded the message to Dr. Heywood Floyd, "It is important that you believe me.  Look behind you.".  The changing facial expression and slow steady movement of Roy Scheider (Dr. Floyd) was as memorable and priceless as another scene which ended with "You're going to need a bigger boat."

An interesting portrayal of alarm, apprehension, surprise, and wonder.  All happening while moving forward in time, but looking back.

Here near the end of the year 2009, humans do a similar performance.  In the race toward the New Year we see the hopeful possibilities and the horrific ones, and at the same time look back over the year soon to be gone.

While this little parable is aimed at the 'small' sellers on Amazon, eBay, eCRATER, and other notable venues, this is applicable to anyone.

There was a dramatic pause in the 2010 and Jaws scenes, and a certain amount of fear involved with Roy Scheider's characters.  But he didn't freeze.  When the momentous occurred, he moved.  Perhaps slowly and methodically, and with much uncertainty, but he moved.

Too often we look over the recent past and possible futures, and freeze into inaction.  Past and future dread taking hold, and bringing forward progress to a stand still.

Don't let that happen. 

Easy to say and hard to do.  Of course.  But do you really want to be remembered as 2009 road kill?

Our take on this yearly event?  If you have any sense of grammar, you'll note the tense of the title.  It's written as though 2010 was a past event.

The year 2010 will be known as memorable.

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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)

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There was a bit of Peace and Quiet Online

There was a bit of Peace and Quiet Online
14 December 2009
EventHorizon1984

Unlike Christmas seasons past, this year we were expecting some major down time.  A bit of relaxation before the rush of post-Christmas and Tax return season selling.  Among other things.

< unabashed plugs follow >

Save for the Craigslist v. eBay trial, eBay INC has been unnaturally quiet.  To the point that our previous blog post was November 21st.  Where one of our favorite stops TheBrewsNews, has been equally dormant since November 23rd.

There was time enough at last to enjoy the Christmas posts at Grannygoodpaints Place and Red Ink Diary.

Up until last week.

< cue music >  "Write about us."

Let's say it got unnaturally busy online at Amazon, the web sites, and elsewhere.  And while it was expectedly dead on eBay (see first paragraph for why), John Donahoe's policies did do some unexpected good.  There were some people coming from eBay, looking for us and our niche associates.

But here it is a new week, and we're back to expecting a little peace and quiet. 

Like that will last.

If you're a small online business, hope this portends you're much busier than we are.

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"Wouldn't it be nice if, once in a while, everyone would just shut up and stop pestering you?  Wouldn't it be great to have the time to finish a thought or spin a day dream?  To think out loud without being required to explain exactly what you meant?  If you had the power, would you dare to use it, even knowing that silence may have voices of its own ......

in the Twilight Zone?"
A Little Peace and Quiet (1955)

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Is eBay Search Burning?

Is eBay Search Burning?
21 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

By now you're probably seen, or perhaps we should say you haven't seen, eBay's search in action.  Perhaps not coincidentally this comes on the heels of a 11/19-11/20 "Scheduled Maintenance."

Readers can find the various takes on this incident at Google News.

According to an eBay System Announcement made at 02:59 PM PST, this is a minor problem.

"Due to errors in some of our backend systems, members may be seeing different errors in Search.  This could be that "We were unable to run the search results you entered.  Please try again in a few minutes", or simply the browser being unable to display the page."

And, "This is also affecting the ability to access eBay Stores through search directly, and sometimes from the store URL."

Unfortunately this highlights the historical response time of eBay's technical departments.

As you can see a warning went out at 05:02 AM PST, almost 10 hours before eBay decided to notify it's users.

Looking at the technical side you might ask, what gives?  eBay does say what is wrong, abet in an innocuous manner.  They mention errors in the "backend systems".

Picking a random easy to understand explanation at random, this is what Linktionary has to say.

Users interact with applications in front-end systems to make requests on back-end systems. The back-end systems then process the requests, searching and sorting data, serving up files, and providing other services. 

"Back-end systems" loosely refers to servers, superservers, clustered systems, midrange systems, and mainframes that provide data services to users. The location of these services is often called the server farm or data center.

In less complex lingo, i.e. normal human terms, eBay said there is a problem with the Search software and/or hardware.

Most of the bets from the professionals here cover eBay doing a barely tested software update snafu. eBay does has a history of implementing major changes over the weekend, with spectacular results.

The fix options here are patch buggy software or back out the changes.

The hardware aspect is best put by Pete Cashmore of Mashable:

If you’ve been on the web long enough, you’ll know that Twitter isn’t the first startup to have suffered scaling issues: the auction site had significant problems keeping the servers humming in its early days

Basically if you view eBay Search (software, hardware) as a car, Search redlined.  eBay managed to exceed the limits of the software and/or hardware.  For example, more items loaded into the database, than the system can handle.

The fix here is removal of items from the database and/or get more robust software and hardware.

eBay's last system announcement of 03:28 PM PST is almost four hours old, and the problem is coming up on lasting fifteen hours.  So we wonder if this is something as minor as eBay portrays, or something more worrisome?

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"When will you make an end?!"
Pope Julius II
"When I am finished."
Michelangelo, The Agony and the Ecstacy (1965)

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A Tale of Two Cross Promotions, Google and eBay

A Tale of Two Cross Promotions, Google and eBay
19 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

Apologies for the advertisements that were appearing on this blog.  They have been changed.

Don't know how other bloggers view their sites, but here it's rare taking a look at our own site.  Typically the self viewing in the mirror occurs when format changes are being made, or we're checking the links of specific articles.  Otherwise writers here work from the editing pages.

Yesterday viewing the blog, it came as a shock that we had been transformed into a mature audiences site.  The artificial intelligence of Google AdSense decided our 'racy' writing needed suitable 'racy' ads.

Fortunately this is easy to fix.

https://www.google.com/adsense/site-targeted-ad-review

Click categories not wanted and save.

While the Google AdSense promotions are relatively easy to change, the same can't be said of eBay's cross promotions.

When you go to the eBay page "Promote your items on other pages" the choices are simple.

Select "Yes" and "Your items will be shown on pages and emails that are seen by thousands of interested buyers" and "Similar items from other sellers will also be displayed with your other items on your pages".

Select "No" and "Items from other sellers will not be displayed on your listings and emails related to your items."

That should keep the items of other sellers off your own pages right?

Not really.

As noted in our previous article, eBay "Promises, Promises", that changed over the last few days to having no ability to keep out the listings of other sellers.

16 November 2009, 1:28 PM PST

"Starting tomorrow, November 17, you may begin to see merchandise on the bottom of item pages for active listings as well. While we usually refrain from making changes close to the holiday season, the test results showed a considerable increase in sold items, and  we wanted to offer this functionality to our selling community ASAP."

Contrary to what eBay corporate might think about the stealth of these changes, sellers noticed.

18 November 2009, 14:00:55

eBay Seller Unable to Opt-out of Cross Merchandising

"In spite of the fact that I have ALWAYS opted out of cross-promotions on my ebay listings, deceptive ebay still cross-promotes to my buyers (but hides from me) my competitor's similar items on the bottom of MY listings that I am paying for!"

One might think having no choice is all an eBay seller can expect.  Well, there is one other facet of having other seller items on a listing.  Remember our first tale of an awry cross promotion?  When we found out what was happening, we were able to chose what to show our viewers.

There is no similar option on eBay.

Whether an eBay seller opted-in or opted-out of cross promotions, eBay chooses what cross promotions appear on the seller's page.

On the eBay Store discussion forum thread "More proof ebay is INSANE!" Top-rated seller honeville1 presented the case of seller wgeclectics and listing 260499558152. 

The listing is for a "paperback" suitable for "Ages 4-8".  This product would be found by adults searching for children's items.

(Listing captured 18 November 2009 at 11:40 HST)

Anyone finding this listing would get a bonus supplied by eBay. 

(Listing captured 18 November 2009 at 11:40 HST)

For a limited time one could buy a children's paperback and "Complete '64 Collection Playboy".

eBay makes it clear who's responsible for the eBay inserted cross promoted items by including, "Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing."

With eBay making a "small" number of cross promotion insertions in a random fashion, as an eBay seller will you be the next winner of eBay roulette?

And is this what you want?

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"I'm going to give the audience what 'I' think they want."
Ben Richards, The Running Man (1987)

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American Express Tells PayPal, Revolution Money Don't Leave Home Without It

American Express Tells PayPal, Revolution Money Don't Leave Home Without It
18 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

According to eBay's Accepted Payments Policy, Revolution Money is not accepted on eBay.  eBay may be strong armed into altering that policy.

Do you know that American Express will buy Revolution Money for $300,000,000?

American Express To Acquire Revolution Money To Develop Next Generation Payment Products
18 November 2009

The Cliffs Notes or MBA bullet point version.

• "The company's online person-to-person payment accounts are FDIC insured and ideally suited for social and instant messaging networks."
• "“New payments products and platforms are evolving rapidly and it's important for us to keep identifying cutting edge technologies that can extend our leadership beyond the traditional payments arena,” said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express"
• "“Revolution Money has a lot of room to grow as it competes head-to-head with other online and person-to-person payment providers. We are committed to using our global brand recognition, marketing reach and network expertise to help reach a critical mass of customers,” said Mr. Chenault."
• ""We have built a next-generation payments platform that will enable American Express to compete even more effectively, especially against online competitors,"" Ted Leonsis
• "The transaction, which is subject to regulatory review, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010. The purchase price is expected to be approximately $300 million. Upon closing, Revolution Money would operate as a subsidiary of American Express"
• "expanding Revolution Money payment solutions internationally, extending product offerings to banks that issue cards on the American Express network"
• "Revolution Money is part of the family of companies within Revolution LLC, which was founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case"

More change coming to eBay in 2010?

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"Negative outcome.  Not good."
Control, Hard Time on Planet Earth (1989)

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eBay "Promises, Promises"

eBay "Promises, Promises"
17 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

It was 1968 and the broadway show Promises, Promises opened.  The feature song, a composition by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was a piece that was initially considered unsingable by the cast.  Enter Dionne Warwick.

You may wonder, why bring this up?  Sometimes 'the play's the thing'.  Or the music.

"Promises, promises"

Fast forward to 14 April 2009 and read the words of Stephanie Tilenius.

"On behalf of eBay, let me open with two words: Thank you. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to strengthen our partnership with you. Together we can do what’s necessary to bring buyers to eBay and keep them coming back.

We also recognize the impact that major changes to eBay can have on your business. For that reason, we are grouping those changes into two or three major releases per year, with at least 60 days advance notice.

In 2009, there will be 2 significant releases. This post announces the first release, coming the week of June 15.  The second release will be announced this summer and will go live in the early fall.

Here’s an overview of the changes launching the week of June 15. This release focuses on driving more sales and improving seller efficiency. Note there are no fee changes in this release."

Stephanie Tilenius

Spring forward to 27 July 2009 and read more from Stephanie Tilenius.

"As announced in April, in the spirit of partnership, eBay is now consolidating changes that impact your business into two or three major releases a year, with two months advance notice. This post introduces the second and final major release of 2009. Most of these updates will launch between September 22 and October 1, 2009."

On 21 September 2009 Stephanie Tilenius was essentially fired.

"Stephanie Tilenius, head of global product and North America for eBay, has decided to transition out of her current role. She’ll become an advisor to John for the next few months and plans to leave the company in early 2010"

In real life the promises of a person are only good as the person, and last as long as they do.

However Stephanie Tilenius was speaking for eBay INC.  Wasn't she?

"I'm all through with promises, promises now"

Being a bit lazy, we'll skip forward to November 2009.

3 November 2009, 4:58 PM PST

"In late September, as part of the Fall Seller Update, we launched a number of changes to email communications between buyers and sellers on eBay."

"Oh promises, promises
This is where those promises, promises end"

5 November 2009, 4:50 PM PST

"starting November 9 we’re removing two graphic elements from the search results page"

Gene Cook

"I don't pretend that what was wrong can be right"

6-9 November 2009

eBay Discussion Boards - eBay Stores - See Today's Announcement

AuctionBytes.com - eBay News for Sellers - Removing Graphics for Faster Search

TameBay.com - eBay.com remove shop modules from search results

"Every night I sleep now, no more lies
Things that I promised myself fell apart"

16 November 2009, 1:28 PM PST

"Starting tomorrow, November 17, you may begin to see merchandise on the bottom of item pages for active listings as well. While we usually refrain from making changes close to the holiday season, the test results showed a considerable increase in sold items, and  we wanted to offer this functionality to our selling community ASAP."

16-17 November

AuctionBytes.com - eBay Displays Competitor's Ads on Live Listings

TheBrewsNews.com - EBay's New Approach To Marketing: Throw The Kitchen Sink At the Buyers

According to Merriam-Webster the word "promise" means, "a declaration that one will do or refrain doing something specified".

There appears to be on the part of eBay a lack of refraining from doing what they declared.

eBay's pubic relations folks are bandying about the weasel terms "minor changes" and "major changes."  That these are "minor changes" not "major changes."   That's PR feldercarb you're slinging.  Playing this type of word game destroys trust.

Which brings us to the word, "trust."  According to Merriam-Webster the word "trust" means "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone of something." 

If there can be no reliance on what eBay promises, why should any eBay customer believe what eBay says.

"Oh, promises, their kind of promises can just destroy a life
Oh, promises, those kind of promises take all the joy from life"

Incidentally should eBay stay at this pace of "minor changes", the next eBay defined "minor change" that would have a major effect on sellers would be announced the afternoon of November 25th or 26th.  The 26th is Thanksgiving. 

The day before Black Friday.

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"Trust me.  I know what I'm doing."
Sledge Hammer, Sledge Hammer! (1986-1988)

"Trust me."
Apple Ad, Broken Promises

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"Come to think of it", eBay Lifted the Heineken Advertising Slogan

"Come to think of it", eBay Lifted the Heineken Advertising Slogan
2 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

It's been a long time since we've heard the phrase "Come to think of it".  Not the "new" eBay ads flooding the market with "Come to think of it, eBay."  But the Heineken slogan noted by Lucious Van Der Kreig on Auctionbytes."

"Come to think of it,
I'll have a Heineken."

Founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken, Heineken is "Europe's largest brewery."

Perhaps ironically you can find this 1986 color advertisement, "COME TO THINK OF IT ~ I'LL HAVE A HEINEKEN! 1986 AD" for sale by seller Woods_Elf on eBay.

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"If there is something to steal, I steal it."
Pablo Picasso

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Addendum
4 November 2009

A little extra digging turned up this gem.

ADVERTISING; SSC&B Campaign For Heineken to Begin
The New York Times
Philip H. Dougherty
May 26, 1981

"The first ad campaign for Heineken beer from SSC&B will begin to run in magazines next month. The ads will be big pictures of frosty, beaded bottles and glasses of the No. 1-selling import with the simple quote in smallish type, ''Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken,''.

The rest of the very very short article states the initial advertising budget was $12 million.  Adjusted for inflation that would be about $28 million now.

One wonders how much eBay spent to copy an existing successful advertisement.

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Addendum
6 November 2009

Yes, at this point we're merely having fun.  After all eBay and it's compensated representatives are now spinning "Come to think of it" is a common idiom and essentially free for the taking.

Anyone know the name Mal MacDougall?

Mal MacDougall On the Spot
Adweek
Deanna Zammit
October 6 2003

"Along the way he introduced Diet Coke with the tag, "Just for the taste of it," and coined Heineken's "Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken."

Here's to you Mr. Mal "Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken" MacDougall.

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"I'm never surprised when the gods of advertising remind me once again that there is nothing permanent in the business but change."
Mal MacDougall

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Backstabbing 101 - Buy.com and Amazon Halloween Slicing of eBay?

Backstabbing 101 - Buy.com and Amazon Halloween Slicing of eBay?
30 October 2009
EventHorizon1984

With Buy.com an eBay partner, one might believe there is absolute loyalty extruding from Buy.com toward eBay.  Total absolute support of eBay owned PayPal by Buy.com on it's site, being one show of a tight partnership.

On the other hand tomorrow is Halloween.  Cue slasher background music.

Buy.com teams with Amazon in taking online payments

Buy.com on Thursday began offering “Checkout by Amazon” and “Amazon PayPhrase” that allows its customers use their Amazon accounts to pay bills.

Looks like a case of hurting the one you love.

Or is that Money Conquers All?

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"You traitorous, disloyal, you stab me in the back the first chance you get?"
James T. Kirk, Star Trek

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Whatever Happened To ... 661henryglen and General Motors (yourgmdealer) eBay?

Whatever Happened To ... 661henryglen and General Motors (yourgmdealer) eBay?
3 September 2009
EventHorizon1984

By now you're seen the joint General Motors (GM) and eBay joint communique, "eBay Motors and General Motors Extend California 'Click and Buy' Promotion Through September', trumpeting their success.

As they put it:

• "Since the beginning of the program through August 30, shoppers visited dealers’ virtual showroom sites more than 1 million times and logged more than 1.4 million searches of GM inventory. In addition, nearly 4,000 new car buyers entered into negotiations online, over the phone and in person"

However if you're the type that examines the hype and have a few questions, you may have spotted these articles:

• EBay Issues A Press Release Update About Their Innovative Relationship With GM
• TheBrewsNews.com - "So, let me get this straight… eBay put out a press release saying that a 57.1% feedback seller who has less than a handful of items that sold on the platform in a month, out of tens of thousands of listings, is part of a “successful” eBay experiment because the seller was able to generate almost 4,000 leads to conduct business outside of eBay.   I guess the term “innovative relationship” is probably an accurate description for the eBay-GM partnership.  The innovative relationship with GM does seem to fit in quite nicely with eBay’s whole disruptive innovation theme they currently have going on.  And, as Rob Chesney says, it is what eBay does best."

• GM + eBay = Crash & Burn
• DiamondHaus.com - "Doing a search of GM’s completed listings currently yields over 39000 listings for the past two weeks.  Going over the first five pages of 200 listings each yields no sales.  In fact I’ve watched this seller for a few weeks and have yet to find a single sale after going through approximately 10 – 20 pages.  However, yourgmdealer has received 9 feedbacks (more on that later) so there have been some sales.  Based on eBay’s stated average of a 70% feedback participation rate that would mean yourgmdealer has made roughly 13 sales.  This would yield a 0.03 % sell-through rate.  That’s about 100 times worse than BUY’s sell-through rate."

• GM Extends Its eBay Partnership - But Why?
• SeekingAlpha.com Richard Read - "GM's vice president of U.S. sales, Mark LaNeve, says that "The numbers on eBay itself aren't significant, but we didn't think it would be." Unfortunately, that's the classic "Yeah, we meant to do that" explanation for poor performance that never convinces anyone."

• eBay Motors Extends Special Deal for GM
• AuctionBytes.com Ina Steiner -
• "AuctionBytes has received email letters from sellers pointing to the low feedback ratings consumers are leaving for the seller."
• "Another complaint is that eBay is condoning off-eBay sales through the agreement."

• General Motors brings its legacy of bad service to eBay
• WalletPop.com - "Exhibit A in the "Nothing has changed" file is this: the feedback rating for GM's eBay account."

• eBay Seller YOURGMDEALER Racking Up The Negs!
• eBayMotorsSucks.com - "Meanwhile 11,410 GM Vehicles are left to sell on eBay - At the rate they are selling, the 2011’s will be out!"

• General Motors' deal with eBay leads to few sales
• BloggingStocks.com - "In the program's first week, there were 2,400 offers that led to negotiations, but the companies declined to say how many of those actually culminated in sales -- which is never a good sign."

Yes, the above is blatant link gathering, abet we do make it easier for you to find these articles.

We do recommend reading the TheBrewsNews.com article, and subscribing to their site.

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"We know GM has the vehicles, if not they can build them. ~ LOL"
ebay_paid

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Below is the obligatory screen shot (click to enlarge) of the eBay feedback for General Motors (GM).

And a text copy of GM's feedback.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=yourgmdealer

10 Feedback received

Revised Feedback: 0

	Feedback	From / Price	Date / Time
	Pleasant and easy to deal with	Buyer: strategicnetworksinc ( 0 )	Sep-02-09 10:08
	Chevrolet : Colorado (#390079847689)	US $28,427.00	View Item
	no car to buy	Buyer: 1spongekitty ( 1 )	Sep-01-09 08:08
	Chevrolet : HHR (#350241521084)	US $25,214.00	View Item
	BAIT AND SWITCH. POST BIN RAISED PRICE BY 950 FOR "TRUE COAT" ALA FARGO.	Buyer: shark1998 ( 961)	Aug-23-09 19:30
	Pontiac : Solstice (#320410583374)	US $30,002.00	View Item
	Dealer was very nic, item was as advertised and transaction was straightforward.	Buyer: rickrita535 ( 36)	Aug-21-09 11:05
	GMC : Canyon (#320410579385)	US $13,436.00	View Item
	IT HAS BEEN A VERY EASY PROCESS	Buyer: 661henryglen ( 0 )	Aug-21-09 10:48
	Chevrolet : Equinox (#320413548483)	US $21,710.00	View Item
	Great Deal for My Cobalt at Rotolo Chevrolet Superb Service by Shane Brown & All	Buyer: anoble ( 872)	Aug-21-09 09:41
	Chevrolet : Cobalt (#390079847630)	US $16,131.00	View Item
	Used "Buy It Now". Listed @ "wrong" price. Dealer refused to sell. GM no help !!	Buyer: setrigger ( 207)	Aug-20-09 17:47
	Chevrolet (#390080182961)	US $42,085.00	View Item
	THIS A VERY SIMPLE PROCESS	Buyer: 661henryglen ( 0 )	Aug-20-09 16:51
	Chevrolet : Cobalt (#350241502303)	US $14,580.00	View Item
	it was very easy	Buyer: 661henryglen ( 0 )	Aug-20-09 15:37
	Chevrolet : Equinox (#320412117336)	US $21,451.00	View Item
	The dealer was excellent, and we are happy with the purchase.	Buyer: pyates1_2007 ( 0 )	Aug-15-09 23:04
	Pontiac : Vibe (#350238284907)	US $16,630.00	View Item

In keeping with the article title, let's look into zero feedback buyers 661henryglen and pyates1_2007.  At the time of this article, neither has received any positive feedback from the sellers they made purchases from.

If you're wondering why zero feedback buyer strategicnetworksinc is not on our poke into list, we suspect they are Strategic Networks INC , a legitimate buyer.

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"Richard Kimble has been tried and convicted for the murder of his wife. But laws are made by men, carried out by men. And men are imperfect. Richard Kimble is innocent."
The Fugitive (1963)

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In the current rush to figure out what is going on with the GM and eBay deal, it's been posited that 661henryglen and pyates1_2007 are shill bidders. That they were sent in to boost feedback for GM.

This is wrong.

Consider for a moment that yourgmdealer (General Motors) was not the only seller that 661henryglen and pyates1_2007 and made purchases from.  You do know that these two made purchases from other sellers?  Ergo if you believe the shill bidder assumption, then 661henryglen and pyates1_2007 must be doing the same for the other sellers they made purchases from?

Really???

No.

This is not to say that there is no shill bidding or feedback manipulation occurring on eBay.  But considering the other sellers involved here, we don't see it.

Let's try the simpler explanation.  That perhaps we're dealing with what's commonly known as a "joy bidder".

• "These particular group of people would just bid and win your item and then refuse to respond to your emails or calls for payment."  paladin_star( 79)

Anyone take the time to ask these other sellers about these other closed transactions?  Take a guess as to what we did.

We believe it is wrong and unfair to tarnish the reputations of the other sellers involved.  If you feel the 'innocent unless proven guilty' is overly broad, honest sellers should consider that could have been you.

And with an abundance of joy bidders it can still be you.

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"The dealer was excellent, and we are happy with the purchase."
pyates1_2007 ( 0 )

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Buyer number one is pyates1_2007 and they've been an eBay member since November 27 2004.  According to eBay they reside in California (United States).

These are their last three purchases, and they've received no feedback.

Buyer pyates1_2007 bought a set of four tires.  For a very nice price. 

Nine days later pyates1_2007 purchased a 2010 Pontiac Vibe w/1SA "4 cylinder 1.8L Anti-Lock Brakes Bucket Seats" from GM San Diego, and the next day another 2010 Pontiac Vibe w/1SA (Hatchback 4 cylinder 1.8L Anti-Lock Brakes Power Brakes) from GM Paso Robles.  The only feedback they've given is for one of those cars.

• #350238284907 -- Paso Robles GM Dealer
• 2010 Pontiac Vibe w/1SA (Hatchback 4 cylinder 1.8L Anti-Lock Brakes Power Brakes)
• Purchased at:  Aug-13-2009 11:15:24 PST
• Feedback left at:  Aug-15-2009 23:04 PST

This looks like someone doing comparison shopping, then over the next two days taking what they consider the better deal.  The making multiple purchases but paying for only one, is a type of buyer/transaction common on eBay.

Our verdict:  Another satisfied GM customer.

Our condolences to the San Diego GM dealership.

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"it was very easy"
661henryglen ( 0 )

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We're sure it was easy.

Buyer number two is 661henryglen and they've been an eBay member since June 03 2009.  According to eBay they reside in California (United States).

They made multiple purchases over a two day (24 hour) period, and they've received no feedback.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=661henryglen&ftab=FeedbackLeftForOthers

9 Feedback left

	Feedback	Left for	Date / Time
	THANK YOU	Seller: gigadirect ( 1280)	Aug-21-09 14:31
	-- (#390083797397)	--	View Item
	thank you	lmendezjr2003 ( 39)	Aug-21-09 14:26
	-- (#220466055499)	--	View Item
	thank you	miker397 ( 101)	Aug-21-09 14:22
	-- (#270444908199)	--	View Item
	THANK YOU	appliancedirect321 ( 230)	Aug-21-09 12:35
	-- (#180399022173)	--	View Item
	THANK YOU	buy ( 824671)	Aug-21-09 12:26
	-- (#400068379238)	--	View Item
	THIS WAS VERY SIMPLE	gmouse123 ( 2087)	Aug-21-09 12:24
	-- (#320414700852)	--	View Item
	IT HAS BEEN A VERY EASY PROCESS	yourgmdealer ( 2 )	Aug-21-09 10:48
	-- (#320413548483)	--	View Item
	THIS A VERY SIMPLE PROCESS	yourgmdealer ( 2 )	Aug-20-09 16:51
	-- (#350241502303)	--	View Item
	it was very easy	yourgmdealer ( 2 )	Aug-20-09 15:37
	-- (#320412117336)	--	View Item

Here's where it gets interesting.

The list below shows on line one the item number and seller.  Line two has the time the item was purchased and the time feedback was left and the time between the two events (Hours:Minutes:Seconds).  Line three shows the purchase price and the name of the item.

Pay careful attention to the times in each line two.

1. 390083797397 -- gigadirect ( 1280)
2. Aug-21-2009 14:31:00 -- Aug-21-2009 14:31 PST -- 00:00:00
3. $1,499.00    6 WWE - SummerSlam Tickets 8/23/09 (Los Angeles) VIP

1. 220466055499 -- lmendezjr2003 ( 39)
2. Aug-21-09 14:25:53 -- Aug-21-2009 14:26 PST -- 00:00.07
3. $160.00    WWE - SummerSlam Tickets 8/23/09 (Los Angeles)

1. 270444908199 -- miker397 ( 101)
2. Aug-21-09 14:20:24 -- Aug-21-2009 14:22 PST -- 00:01:36
3. $515.00    Walmart Gift Card $500.00 Balance - Free shipping

1. 180399022173 -- appliancedirect321 ( 230)
2. Aug-21-09 12:13:39 -- Aug-21-2009 12:35 PST -- 00:21:21
3. $1,615.00    Maytag Epic Series 27" Front Load Washer and Dryer New

1. 400068379238 -- buy ( 824671)
2. Aug-21-09 12:11:36 -- Aug-21-2009 12:26 PST -- 00:24:24
3. $90.71    NEW Haier 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Mini Refrigerator (Top...

1. 320414700852 -- gmouse123 ( 2087)
2. Aug-21-09 11:12:35 -- Aug-21-2009 12:24 PST -- 01:11:25
3. $539.97    NEW NINTENDO WII+WII FIT+WII SPORTS RESORT+MARIO KART

1. 320413548483 -- yourgmdealer ( 2 )
2. Aug-21-2009  07:23:47 -- Aug-21-2009 10:48 PST -- 03:24:13
3. $21,710.00    2009 Chevrolet Equinox LS

1. 350241502303 -- yourgmdealer ( 2 )
2. Aug-20-2009  16:48:01 -- Aug-20-2009 16:51 PST -- 00:02:59
3. $14,580.00    2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS

1. 320412117336 -- yourgmdealer ( 2 )
2. Aug-20-2009  15:33:11 -- Aug-20-2009 15:37 PST -- 00:03:49
3. $21,451.00    2009 Chevrolet Equinox LS

A rather short time between purchase, delivery, and feedback wouldn't you say?  Not that there appears to be at the moment any money changing hands.  According to sellers 661henryglen never pays for their purchases, and unpaid item cases have been opened.

Our verdict:  Possible "Joy Bidder".  Consider putting this one in your Bidder Block List (BBL).

Because 661henryglen hit sellers that eBay has a vested interest in, buy (Buy.com) and yourgmdealer, we believe their buying spree days may be over.

But that does bring up an interesting conundrum.  Big IF 661henryglen committed unwelcome and malicious buying against eBay vested interest sellers, why is their account not a registered user (NARU)?

Two answers:

1. They're a legitimate buyer.
2. If their account is NARU'd, this leaves open the possibility that ALL feedback left would be removed.

If we're dealing with case number two, this would have virtually no affect on buy (Buy.com).  Buy (Buy.com) has 679,689 positive feedback over a 12 month period.  Removing one positive feedback would result in an insignificant change in their Feedback Profile.

The GM yourgmdealer account is a another matter though.  Over a 12 month period (or 1 month period),  yourgmdealer has seven positive feedback and three negative feedback, resulting in a 62.5% Feedback Percentage.

What kind of visual image does the casual view see with three less positives?  Does a Feedback Rating of four positives and three negatives look good?  Which is the near coin toss chance of getting a good deal from GM/eBay.

Are we having fun yet?

.

"It's my gift. It's my curse."
Frank Black, Millennium (1996-1999)

"It's a blessing, and a curse."
Adrian Monk, Monk (2002-2009)

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Silencing the Lambs - eBay Cuts Voices Roster

Silencing the Lambs - eBay Cuts Voices Roster
26 August 2009
EventHorizon1984

It's that time of year when rosters get cut in professional Football. In that same vein eBay has taken to slashing it's eBay Voices lineup from 130 to 100.

According to an AuctionBytes article "Is eBay Phasing out 'Voices' Focus-Group Program?", the person "responsible for Voices, eBay Senior Manager of Seller Development "responsible for Voices" Garnor Morantes said:

• "This change is something we've been thinking about for a while and is meant to give others the chance to participate in the program. We're looking to bring in some new perspectives, some new buyers and sellers - all levels of selling."

Incidentally, detouring a bit.  If you're thinking "focus group??", here's something we pulled (sort of) at random:

Using Focus Groups For Evaluation
Mary Marczak & Meg Sewell

• "The technique was developed after World War II"
• "A focus group could be defined as a group of interacting individuals having some common interest or characteristics, brought together by a moderator, who uses the group and its interaction as a way to gain information about a specific or focused issue."
• "A focus group is typically 7-10 people who are unfamiliar with each other. These participants are selected because they have certain characteristics in common that relate to the topic of the focus group. The moderator or interviewer creates a permissive and nurturing environment that encourages different perceptions and points of view, without pressuring participants to vote, plan or reach consensus"

Unfortunately eBay doesn't quite get how not to use focus groups:

• "because focus groups are usually made up of a very small number of people who voluntarily participate, you cannot assume that their views and perceptions represent those of other groups that might have slightly different characteristics. They are not "random samples".

And someone is ignoring the disadvantages:

• "Small numbers and convenience sampling severely limit ability to generalize to larger populations"
• "Moderator may knowingly or unknowingly bias results by providing cues about what types of responses are desirable"
• "Results may be biased by presence of a very dominant or opinionated member"

"I do not think it means what you think it means."
Indigo Montoya, The Princess Bride (1987)

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This roster cut has produced some consternation from eBay Voices members.

For example eBay perennial favorite PowerSeller Marty (clact (5147)) made his usual flurry of correct and incorrect statements. Or as he described other people doing the same thing, "all the BULL$&*@ in these comments".  Such as:

• "No other major company has a program like Voices in place to keep them on track and there is no doubt in my mind that at some point this company will be moving in the right direction."

This individual should consider that they're wrong on two counts.  According to eBay CEO John Donahoe eBay is moving in the right direction.  And about that focus groups myth?  Check out this old interesting article.

Business Week
Shoot The Focus Group
14 November 2005

• "Exasperation with focus groups, while not universal, is growing as companies look for better ways to get inside consumers' heads"
• "Perhaps the most common complaint about focus groups is that consumers are not honest in front of other people."
• ""Consumers aren't dishonest, it's that most people don't listen the right way." On the other hand, maybe consumers can be heard more clearly when nobody is watching."

As you might expect, the reaction of eBay Voices members posting comments to the AuctionBytes article "eBay Silences Founding 'Voices' Members" varied. Some of the posts read:

• by: Randy
• Thu Aug 20 02:29:54 2009

Looks I was smart to leave when I did last year ....  Randy (Former) Voices 3 Member.

• by: What Me Worry
• Thu Aug 20 13:44:57 2009

Heck this was coming...I saw it when I was in the program.
When Voices was founded, it's members were actually helpful to the employees in forming programs.

The past several years, many members felt that they were nothing more than "lab rats" as ebay measured reactions to already made decisions.

When the administrator of the program, Garnor Morantes, has to remind members to be positive about their comments and admit that he's hesitant about opening up the comments for all employees to view...they do not want to hear what they need to know...they want to hear what they want to hear...

Signed...former Voices member

• by: Nancy Leckron
• Thu Aug 20 14:30:18 2009

I am one of the effected Voices member's that was retired.  I value the time I spent giving my opinion on a varity of topics.  Remember people, we are real live human beings.  I gave my time for the greater good of the entire eBay Community.  Yes, I am a Proud Former Voices Member!

• by: Still a Voice
• Thu Aug 20 15:38:06 2009

I am saddened by this decision, but feel the need to reply to a couple comments made here.  I remain in the program, but have always been a small buyer/seller, and in fact, am currently at my lowest level ever, having only listed less than 10 items in the last six months.  Also, I am definitely not an eBay cheerleader.  I am disappointed in the direction eBay seems to be going.  As long as I am Still a Voice, I will remain an advocate for the small seller!  I don't think the program has the influence it once did, but I DO think it continues to have merit.

Those who are being removed this week will be sorely missed.  Those who were involuntarily removed in the past (or resigned under obvious pressure to do so), not so much.

• by: former_Voice
• Thu Aug 20 15:45:59 2009

I enjoyed my time in Voices.  There was true give-and-take, and eBay really was interested in what we had to say. That doesn't mean that everyone got what they wanted, and any Voices member who thought the group had any real power is just kidding themselves.  However, I can say that there were several instances of ''done deals'' not happening or being altered, due, in part, to the responses of Voices members.

eBay is a business.  It is not evil. I don't believe that JD is evil. Somehow someone got the idea that eBay would care more about the community than its own financial health.  That will never happen.

Grow up.  If it works for you, fine; if not, then shut up and move on.  Be responsible for your own situation and stop blaming someone else.  

• by: brecklundin
• Fri Aug 21 03:18:41 2009

For those who feel voices members were sycophants and yes men sorts you are the exact reason some of us left eBay.  I was an active member of the user boards helping 1000s of members at the drop of a hat in order to make smaller sellers find their way through eBay.  I was a member of what might have been the most influential and effective Voices group.  I know that is saying a lot but we were note even close to "yes men/women" and at that time eBay truly listened to us.  

We each gave up years of our time and advice I personally would have charged clients tens of thousands of dollars for...all to HELP my fellow sellers.  But we were met with petty jealously from the more unbalanced eBay'ers who always knew better yet accomplished nothing.  

I finally left when there was too much of a difference of opinion between myself and one individual who was running the program.  

I will tell you I gave them the Health Insurance thing for Power Sellers and argued that they were asking sellers to commit themselves full time to selling and eBay had the resources to help organize a group insurance program.  eBay LOVED the idea...unfortunately the INSURANCE INDUSTRY refused to come up with a real health insurance program.  Still the options which came the ashes of a well intentioned program, which eBay genuinely put a LOT of man hours into trying to develop, but what rose was at least a very decent Rx discount program that saves me over $400/mo on medications and even more if I was willing to take some of the more dangerous meds to help slow down the progression of my primary health issue...Meg overstated the scope of the program at eBay Live 1 but at the time she was unaware of the final denial from the insurance carriers...still there is value in the program.  I take pride in knowing I was a motivating voice behind something to potentially help millions of people save even more millions on many aspects of their health care needs.

Another personal feature of the site that was exclusively mine and I gave it to the lead programmer free because I was never going to be able to develop feature on a site as my serious programming days were behind me and I had a parent who needed me as her caregiver.  And that feature is the Best Offer, I designed it, talked to Mark about it and eBay made a few changes but developed one of the most used features on the site...and no I never was paid or asked for compensation.  But eBay added it after my disagreement with the then coordinator of Voices...and it was over something very stupid on my part but I am a stubborn bastard when I am in the mood...and boy was I in the mood...hehehe...

We came up with the idea of annual convention type events moved around the country...this because eBay Live.  It would have worked had eBay held the community together with real mods rather than farming it all out...big error on their part...

You also have no idea who many ideas we stopped cold in their tracks during conference calls.  You should have been a fly one the wall when we gave a top to bottom dressing-down to UPS VP's when they were trying to gain exclusive access to eBay sellers of all other carriers.  Sellers in antiques and collectibles can tell you that UPS might be the single worst carrier in terms of delivery, obtaining signatures as paid for (drives can just drop boxes even if a sig is required when the area is designated as a drop and go area...this would destroy the needed signature for PP Seller Protection.)  We pointed out that there was no such thing as a one size fits all.

We were strongly influential in getting sellers to be required in revealing all fees in their listings.  Shipping, handling and insurance.  Our compromise was in lieu of limits which are impractical because a seller in NY has higher staff overhead than one on small town USA.  So, our suggestion was a compromise (eBay was against revealing or limiting...) but we pushed and argued very cogently for simple declaration of any fees.  before us there was no rule and sellers often raised fees if items sold under value.

We fought with PayPal when they tried to take away the 1.5% cash back for using the PP Debit card...they wanted to eliminate ALL cashback programs...I for one told PayPal directly that should they remove that program I would not use their service...I am no large seller, but I had an ace in the hole as did every member of our group, we had the ear of the community on the eBay Boards, each of us in a different board.  While we alone might not have saved the program, we planted the seed of doubt that cutting the program would potentially wreck eBay's recently acquired PayPal.  Again earning millions of funds for millions of sellers...but we were "yes men/women".

I am sure there will be those who know exactly who I am from my comments...and those people will also know I honest to a fault...and I take crap from nobody, and every member of our group was the same way, each in their own way.  Two of us were more vocal but the others were just as resolute unwilling to compromise beyond a certain point where sellers and/or buyers would be harmed.

I have the utmost respect for my fellow members in our Voices group...we worked hard for everyone of us, we did nothing in a self serving fashion...but there were those out there who felt because we were legally bound to not disclose these things we were 'assimilated'.  I personally put my eBay account at risk in standing up for what I though was right...yet I say cowards with posting ID's bitching like 8yr old school girls about us, eBay and the lack of decent tinfoil for their hats.

I guess you can say I stopped caring.  I stopped caring about eBay as a company as well as my fellow eBay'ers...now a decade later, I care only for my buyers and give them the best of the best in service and respect.  Something the whiners have not clue about...

I have a personal list of eBay execs who I have the utmost respect for...the believed in the small community the level playing field and all the things which eBay was...but unfortunately, they lost the battle.  

I will point out two....Maynard Webb and Bill Cobb.  Yeah, many of the whiners thing those two were just horrible people...having actually looked them in the eye, spent hours in person with them and one the phones, they are honest and decent people.  There are easily 50-100 people at eBay I still remember that had the best intentions.  Sadly, the decisions from the very top, did some serious damage.  I also know the people who believed in the community, they either gave up hope to feed their families or left eBay.

After our eBay group basically the program was changed and significantly watered down.  Still that does not mean the members were in it just for themselves and to say they were part of eBay...those sorts were actually weeded out pretty early.

No matter what the antagonists say, I know what I did personally and what my group did as a whole...and we did GOOD.

The single regret I had was we were unable to convince eBay to move eBay Live Listings out of the core or at least into their own sub area in each category.  but eventually we were proven right because many remained vocal and kept pointing out the ethically questionable aspects of Live Auction format and their mixing in with regular listings.

I know this was not well written but I needed to express that in our early groups there were a couple special teams (we really became a team and ours was as cohesive a team as I have ever worked with, and we never knew each other before Voices, well I knew one member of my group and she was one of the stellar members who was in it for us ALL not herself...

I also have bent, but likely not broken my NDA but after a decade since I signed it, I feel things have changed enough to live with someone "peeing in the cheerios" a bit in order to set a few things straight.

I know the anger will come back..it always does, but if you examine the eBay ID's of those people you will find proof of their lack of stability revealed in how they deal with customers.

Ina knows me and knows who I am...and I know w/o her watching eBay for us, we would be caught even more off guard...

Mostly anonymous posts are not truly satisfying, and at this juncture all three of you* may be wondering who are these eBay Voices.  While it's possible to piece together a list (as we choose to understand it), that's never happening here. Other than the basic privacy issues involved, that would be just plain rude.

* We jest. It's really four.

For brevity we will stick to speaking of a few members made openly public by eBay.  In April 2003.

eBay's "Voices" program...
by Daphne, eBay Staff Member
April 2003

According to The Chatter article since 1999, "Several times a year, eight to ten members are flown to eBay's corporate office in San Jose, California. They are chosen from all levels of eBay's buying and selling community -- from Shooting Stars and PowerSellers, to mom-and-pop sellers, and all levels of buyers."  Followed by, " regular conference calls and email discussions".

The writer goes on to say, "Participants sign non-disclosure agreements" and "This confidentiality makes Voices groups a powerful tool".  Then Daphne discloses three names.

It's definitely interesting about what became of these three eBay Voices members.

• eBay's "Voices" program...
• "drexelantiques, who attended Voices said this about his experience: "eBay had set up a wonderful program. Very informative. I hadn't expected eBay to really listen to the Voices participants, but they did. eBay staff was very concerned with users' opinions. Participants' questions were answered fully. The eBay staff were very frank in discussing issues. The staff at eBay that we had a chance to talk to were among the nicest group of folks I have met in a long time. We were treated very well. ….eBay staff also alleviated some of my concerns over the direction eBay was taking.""

Today seller DrexelAntiques (2175) (member since Nov-12-98) remains an active buyer on eBay, but their last eBay sale feedback was August 29 2003. They have a brick and mortar store.

• eBay's "Voices" program...
• "gatorpack wrote: "The most important thing I took away from the experience was the realization that everyone I met at eBay was genuinely sincere in their efforts to carry on as much of Pierre's founding philosophies as possible, yet pragmatically deal with all the twists, turns and complexities the beast was spinning off. In 1995, '96, '97 or '98, who could have possibly imagined what was to come. If anything, it reinforced, rather than changed, our perceptions and opinions of eBay. I know exactly what it's like to work in an environment where you are constantly making up things as you go along.""

Today seller Gatorpack (32761) (member since Jan-22-99) neither buys nor sells on this account. The account remains active with an impressive positive feedback of 32,761. Their last eBay sale feedback is dated October 12 2007.  They're currently selling online at Gatorpack.com.

• eBay's "Voices" program...
• "giraffer had this to say: "Really I expected to hear a sales pitch, or as we often give our customers where I work...the mission statement pitch. And never expected anyone would listen to us and really show that they cared about the community and our problems. I was impressed to have vice presidents sitting down and talking with us in such an informal manner. I was impressed with how friendly everyone was and how they made me feel important and glad to have me there. What did I take away? That everyone at eBay cares and will continue to do their best to make the site work for the community. That they are real people, not just this unknown entity. I'm so proud of this program and eBay for having it that I proudly display the Voices logo on my ME page and my business card.""

Today Giraffer (3020) (member since Jan-19-99) is a "Retired Member eBay's Voice of the Community 10".  By eBay Corporate standards they are a small seller. The account remains active in sales and purchases.  Giraffer is an active poster on the eBay Discussion Boards.  Giraffer is as exuberant about eBay now as she was in 2003.

"any Voices member who thought the group had any real power is just kidding themselves"
former_voice

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With this small sample showing two out of three eBay Voices sellers gone from eBay, we have to wonder how relevant is eBay Voices to the participants?  And do 100 eBay Voices have any relevance to the millions of eBay buyers and the 50+ million active sellers on eBay?

Or is eBay Voices all 'baaaaa' humbug.

.

"You will let me know when those lambs stop screaming, won't you?"
Hannibal Lecter MD, Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Senator Edward Kennedy v. eBay PowerSeller Oldspartantrader

Senator Edward Kennedy v. eBay PowerSeller Oldspartantrader
26 August 2009

EventHorizon1984

We're not a political blog, and rarely post the hot button politics of the moment.  But sometimes you 'gotta do what you gotta do'.

"Everybody's entitled to an opinion"
Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott, Star Trek

 

In the case of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy (D), there are two basic opinions.

1) Boston Globe - McCain: Kennedy 'always kept his word'

• "Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential nominee"
• "Well, there's one thing that I think that has epitomized the Kennedy family, and that is service the country, and a country above one's own self-interest. Ted Kennedy, I think, epitomized that service to the country. He had a very heavy burden of an incredible tradition to carry on. He shouldered it, he became an institution within an institution. And all of us will not only miss him, but perhaps maybe try to carry on his legacy of reaching across the aisle and getting things done for the American people. We need this now more than ever before."

2) oldspartantrader eBay PowerSeller

• eBay Stores Discussion Board - A criminal passed last night
• Excerpts:
• "on the whole a despicable example of a citizen"
• "That sympathy does not extend to being mute in face of people calling him great"

At this point we would say that 'these are not our comments', and to 'post your comments on the appropriate thread'.  Only sometime after 2:14 PM PST eBay deleted the thread, and most likely issued a Pink Slap.  Typically eBay will cause a thread to vanish, because the post shows eBay in a bad light or is considered by eBay to be offensive.

Since like fellow PowerSellers Marty (clact) and itspostingtime, oldspartantrader is considered a leader on the eBay Stores Discussion Board, you might wonder what gives?

View (mouse click) the screen shots for the full uncensored posts and come to your own opinion.

 

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"If you wanna do anything about it, I'll be outside. I'm a lot drunker than you are - so it'll be a fair fight."
Lt. Barney Greenwald, The Caine Mutiny (1954)

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eBay Developer Important Security Update - Oh Please!

eBay Developer Important Security Update - Oh Please!
10 August 2009
EventHorizon1984

 

In the article "Passwords compromised for eBay developers," Chris Dawson of TameBay wrote:

• "eBay have identified a possible security flaw and are requiring all developers update their passwords."
• "The developer blog reports that eBay have recently identified a means by which someone could have" "gained access to eBay Developers Program account information."

We're not surprised this happened.  The surprise is eBay in public admitting a "security flaw".

The equivalent of code monkey felgercarb can be found in this security announcement from the eBay Developers Program blog, regarding the "possible security flaw":

Important Security Update: developer.ebay.com
Posted by Laurel Kline in Critical Notes from Tech Support, Business News & Developer Website
Monday, Aug.10.2009, 3:06 PM PT

This is Kumar Kandaswamy, and I manage the eBay Developers Program. I'd like you to read this important message about account safety.

The safety and security of the eBay Developers Program is a top priority. While we believe that people are basically good, we also must live with the reality that there are fraudsters out there who have made it their illicit "profession" to find ways to exploit others on the Internet.

Occasionally, fraudsters attempt to gain unauthorized access to the eBay Developers Program. eBay has recently identified a means by which someone could gain access to eBay Developers Program account information. This type of access DOES NOT allow the capture of financial or other sensitive information, such as credit card or bank account information or Social Security numbers.  Fortunately, we have not detected any unusual activity with any Developer account.

Out of an abundance of caution and to help ensure the security of the eBay Developers Program, we are requiring that all developers take the following steps:

• Take advantage of our new, stricter password standards and change your eBay Developers Program (developer.ebay.com) passwords. It is not necessary to change eBay (www.ebay.com) passwords.

If you believe you or your customers have been the victim of fraudulent activity, contact us immediately at developer-relations@ebay.com.

Sincerely,
Kumar Kandaswamy

There's much unintentional eBay humor with the statement from Kumar Kandaswamy that "safety and security of the eBay Developers Program is a top priority."  Because historically that has not been the case.

Follow us.

Once upon a time Sergiu Daniel Popa was brought to the attention of the public by Dan Browning of the Star Tribune.  As reported in his article "Suspect in 'phishing' scheme indicted":

• "A Romanian immigrant was indicted Tuesday in federal court in Minneapolis on charges that he operated a computerized "phishing" scheme for several years that raked in financial records and personal identification from thousands of individuals"
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, 20, of Shelby Township, Mich., was indicted on three counts"

Days later there would be a post about the article on the eBay Stores Forum. This was followed quickly by eBay user ID spopa2006 stating, "Listen guys. I am Sergiu D. Popa. I am that horrible guy!" and "I will make your life a hell."  And much much more.

When this activity and background was reported to eBay, their reponse was to delete the spopa2006 posts.  He was able to keep his eBay account active.  If you look quickly, you can view his Feedback Profile as of 11 August 2009 01:07 GMT.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

This all would be rather uninteresting save for the fact that spopa2006 was a poster on the eBay Developer forums:

• "Hey there. I wrote a similar project in C++ by using pointers. However, the implemented network interface i used in C++ is no longer supported and I am not a C# guru as I am in c++. Tell me whether or not you got your solution. You can email me at gam30v3r2007@yahoo.com"

The activities of a registered eBay Developer.  You know the ones who work on the software that eBay buyers and sellers use.

Feeling that "safety and security" yet?

Oh, and did we forget to mention that this took place in 2007?  For those interested we kept the details in a June 2007 article, Sergiu D. Popa Response To Dan Browning Star Tribune Article.

Well there is innocent unless proven guilty.

BAMM!!  But wait, there's more.

In October 2008 Dan Goodin followed up with "Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip":

• "Who's your underworld Popa?"
• "22-year-old Romanian national has admitted he participated in a US-based phishing operation that raked in some $700,000 over a three-year period."
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, who for the past seven years has lived in New York and Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to two felonies related to the scheme. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $500,000."
• "FBI agents began their investigation of Popa in early 2005."

Kumar Kandaswamy is crowing about protection from "fraudsters attempt to gain unauthorized access to the eBay Developers Program", but described here is a convicted hacker who eBay gave Developer Program access?

With spopa2006's regular eBay account active, you have to wonder if his Developer Program access remains active.  And if he gave others access to his account, during his extended absence.

Kumar Kandaswamy said, "we have not detected any unusual activity with any Developer account".

Oh, Please!

How many times does a warning have to be given to eBay before someone listens?

And given the lax vetting process, one really has to wonder if there are other "Popa's" signed up to the Developer Program?

.

"So, people hire you to break into their places... to make sure no one can break into their places?"
"It's a living."  Martin Bishop, Sneakers (1992)

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The eBay ideeli Diamond PowerSeller Feedback Affair

The eBay ideeli Diamond PowerSeller Feedback Affair
5 August 2009
EventHorizon1984

Being the curious* type we wondered what were the facts behind the comments on purported new eBay Diamond seller ideeli. 

Here's some of what we found.

On 7 May 2009 the ideeli eBay user ID quietly sprang into existence.

Here's how eBay seller ideeli describes themselves:

Ideeli offers privileged access to the most sought-after fashion, home and beauty products. Ideeli is a shopping community offering luxury brand-name products at 20%-80% off regular prices. All of our items are brand new, and authenticity is 100% guaranteed.

A month later came listings for fashion products, and ideeli's first positive feedback.

     

	Thrilled with my new bag! Extremely quick shipping! Thanks!	Buyer: emerald624523 ( 107)	Jun-25-09 17:19
	NEW Alexis Hudson Twinkle II (Ink) (#170346717957)	US $15.50	View Item

     

A new eBay seller had made their entrance.

Within a span of another month things got interesting.  This short article will cover the feedback portion of 'interesting'.

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"When you argue, I have this compulsive need to argue back."
Jack McCoy, Law & Order

...

The answer to the frequently asked question, 'was ideeli feedback removed?', is yes.  We did not find everything, but what was found does support the "yes" answer.

Why the feedback was removed is a question we'll leave to the readers.

This record covers the time period June 24 2009 20:08:30 through August 5 2009.

Except where attributed, screen shots were obtained from the Google cache.  The link to the cache is provided as reference material, but keep in mind a Google cache does not exist forever.  We anticipate that many of the links will be aged out by publication.

...

"I worry. I mean, little things bother me. I’m a worrier. I mean, little insignificant details – I lose my appetite. I can’t eat. My wife, she says to me, “you know, you can really be a pain.”‘"
LT Columbo, Columbo

...

The ideeli Feedback Chronology

June 24 2009  20:08:30 GMT

Feedback:  ideeli (0)

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:okuM6wdJnIMJ:feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback%26userid%3Dideeli%26ftab%3DFeedbackAsSeller%26ssPageName%3DVIP:feedback:3:us+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=13&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 5 2009  16:04:54 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (9)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  10  10  10
• Neutral  0  0  0
• Negative  0  0  0

Revised Feedback:  0

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:gDeJ3FwuqmgJ:feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback%26userid%3Dideeli%26iid%3D170343935522%26ftab%3DFeedbackAsSeller%26ssPageName%3DVIP:feedback:2:us+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 7 2009  18:25:32 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (15)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  20  20  20
• Neutral  0  0  0
• Negative  0  0  0

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:BtuoieVIGsUJ:feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback2%26userid%3Dideeli%26ftab%3DFeedbackAsBuyer+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 7 2009  18:25:32 GMT - July 15 2009  22:02:45 GMT

A smaller version of original screenshot from instantvideogames:

Regarding the Negative Feedback.

Reported by coolbeans717:

eBay buyer chatychik4887 bought "NEW Alexis Hudson Twinkle I (Mocha)" #170351642263 on 3 July 2009 15:36:46 PDT (22:36:46 GMT) from ideeli, and left ideeli a Negative feedback.

The indication was the Negative feedback had "DO NOT BUY FROM THEM".

A similar report was made by craftscraftsandcrafts and nostalgicthreads.  The Negative feedback was something to the effect that the 'seller refused to ship to a different address and refunded her payment'.

 
Sometime between July 7 2009 18:25:32 GMT and July 15 2009 22:02:45 GMT, Negative feedback was received by ideeli and removed by eBay.

.

July 15 2009  22:02:45 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (30)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  42  42  42
• Neutral  0  0  0
• Negative  0  0  0

Revised Feedback: 0

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:Aw_i5jqWYy4J:feedback.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback%26userid%3Dideeli+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 16 2009  16:57:00 GMT

Neutral feedback received by ideeli.

	Why did it take 6 days to ship the order ?	Buyer: ggsecost98 ( 15)	Jul-16-09 09:57
	Cole Haan Air Dempsey Men's Penny (Black Calf 8.5M) (#170355611818)	US $94.00	View Item

.
July 18 2009  03:01:12 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (58)

• 100% Positive

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:29sK_Ii33gcJ:cgi.ebay.ph/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D170355539015+feedback.ebay.com+ideeli&cd=47&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 18 2009  22:56:46 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (72)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  86  86  86
• Neutral  1  1  1
• Negative  0  0  0

Revised Feedback:  0

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:cFQBvAFSWhIJ:feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback%26userid%3Dideeli%26ftab%3DFeedbackAsSeller+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=14&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 22 2009  20:15:17 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (192)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  223  223  223
• Neutral  1  1  1
• Negative  0  0  0

Revised Feedback:  0

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:Yv-FPFh_OYQJ:feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewFeedback%26userid%3Dideeli%26ssPageName%3DVIP:feedback+feedback.ebay.com+userid%3Dideeli&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 23 2009  18:58:00 GMT

Negative feedback received by ideeli.

	COUNTERFEIT SHOES!!! SHOES MADE IN INDIA. THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW!!	Buyer: topqualitycoins ( 789)	Jul-23-09 14:36
	Reply by ideeli (Jul-23-09 15:13): Buyer has not replied to e/v-mail to confirm authenticity we are happy to help.
	Cole Haan Air Sharon Women's Slide (Black 10B) (#170355539755)	US $79.00	View Item
	BEWARE, THESE ARE NOT ORIGINAL COLE HAAN, BUT MADE IN CHINA!! DO NOT BUY	Buyer: topqualitycoins ( 789)	Jul-23-09 11:58
	Reply by ideeli (Jul-23-09 15:12): ideeli is an authorized seller of this brand Buyers welcome to confirm with CH
	Cole Haan Air Geneva Men's Slip-On (T.Moro 9M) (#170355539097)	US $109.00	View Item

.

July 23 2009  22:34:55 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (255)

• 99.6% Positive

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:CbY3D34DQcQJ:myworld.ebay.com/ideeli/+feedback.ebay.com+ideeli&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 24 2009  12:37:16 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (269)

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  313  313  313
• Neutral  1  1  1
• Negative  2  2  2

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:HQCTKvQfaisJ:ebay.chodientu.vn/feedback/ideeli/+feedback.ebay.com+ideeli&cd=85&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 24 2009  12:37:16 GMT - July 25 2009  06:09:26 GMT

Sometime between July 24 2009 12:37:16 GMT and July 25 2009 06:09:26 GMT, two (2) Negative feedbacks were removed by eBay.

.

July 24 2009  12:37:16 GMT - July 31 2009  01:43:11 GMT

Sometime between July 24 2009 12:37:16 GMT and July 31 2009 01:43:11 GMT, the July 16 2009  16:57:00 GMT Neutral feedback was removed by eBay.

.

July 25 2009  06:09:26 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (295)

• 100% Positive

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:Y-Qw8yGbID0J:cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D170355539718+feedback.ebay.com+ideeli&cd=18&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

.

July 25 2009  13:46:00 GMT

	seller took a long to ship item	Buyer: tmays1906 ( 15)	Jul-25-09 06:46
	Cole Haan Adrien Bit Men's Slip-on Shoe (Tan 13M) (#170355538904)	US $79.00	View Item

.

July 31 2009  01:43:11 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (451)

• 99.8% Positive

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  506  511  511
• Neutral  1  1  1
• Negative  1  1  1

Revised Feedback:  1

	Ordered shoes, They didn't fit and seller only gives an in store credit.	sherwood2sm7 ( 13)	Jul-30-09 11:36
	Cole Haan Air Barrett Men's Penny (Burgundy 9.5M) (#170355538980)	US $99.00	View Item

.

August 5 2009  04:41 GMT

Feedback: ideeli (543)

• 99.8% Positive

• Rating  1 month  6 months  12 months
• Positive  590  609  609
• Neutral  3  3  3
• Negative  1  1  1

Revised Feedback:  1

	slow shipment	Buyer: chimbambastuff ( 405)	Aug-04-09 22:41
	Cole Haan Air Ibiza Women's Strap (White/Orange 8B) (#170355539060)	US $49.00	View Item
	slow shipment	Buyer: chimbambastuff ( 405)	Aug-04-09 22:41
	Cole Haan Carma Air WS Women's Wedge (Ivory 8B) (#170355539864)	US $139.00	View Item

...

"I am the Energizer bunny of forensic science: I never sleep and I never give up."
Abby Sciuto, NCIS

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* Old professional habits die hard.

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The 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Why Bother With Columbus Day??

The 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Why Bother With Columbus Day??
20 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

Today the United States and the world remembers the historic 20 July 1969 landing of the lunar module Eagle (Apollo 11) on the moon, and human's first step upon the moon. 

Why forty years later is this uniquely American endeavor not a U.S. national holiday? 

Because the United States continues to have the inane 'America Discovered' holiday of Columbus Day.  A national holiday celebrating the 'accomplishment' of an Italian national, sailing for the Spanish government to find a route to China, but landing in what is now the British Bahamas instead.  Not quite the site of the future U.S.

Columbus Day is also celebrated in Spain.  And as we understand it no where else.  Of course.

Incidentally Leif Ericson was the first historically recorded European to land on North America. He did so and started a settlement about 5 centuries earlier (1003 AD).  Of course his party was greeted by the local indigenous population.

So much for Columbus being "first."

.

"That's one small step for (a) man.  One giant leap for mankind."
Neil Armstrong, United States, 20 July 1969

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The eBay Weed of the Day

The eBay Weed of the Day
16 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

In the article 'TripAdvisor Warns Of Hotels Posting Fake Reviews' author Melissa Trujillo reported one company "has been quietly posting disclaimers to warn customers of hotels writing fake reviews to improve their popularity rankings or hurt competitors".

This is a common problem. As referenced in the article:

• "Apple required that consumers purchase or download an application before they can review it online in the App Store"
• "A plastic surgery company, Lifestyle Lift Inc., agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve an investigation into positive online reviews written by employees, the New York attorney general announced Tuesday"
• "travel industry insiders — but often not casual travelers — understand the financial incentives hotels have to artificially inflate their rankings on the site. Some offer discounts or freebies to patrons who write positive reviews or hire public relations companies who say they can improve the reviews"

Common and widespread to the extent that the U.S. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) wrote the FTC GUIDES CONCERNING USE OF ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS IN ADVERTISING in 1975 and 1980.

Very briefly that Guide requires companies to identify themselves when commenting on their products. And people making comments about a product, that a company shows to the public, must be independent of the company. Or the person or company must provide to the public their relationship.

This Federal Guide apparently is so abused that the "Federal Trade Commission is revising guidelines on testimonials and endorsements to reflect the growth of online marketing".

Which brings us to what is a "Weed"?

We use the term "Weed" to describe people paid to post. The term derives from how these individuals are viewed. For example the featured article notes, "company has policies to weed out suspicious reviews".

A Wall Street Journal poster provided a partial description of the tactics an eBay Weed employs. This edited version is similar to PowerPoint discussion points given by public relations companies to writers.

1. Blame the messenger.
2. Attack the messenger or message.
3. Downplay the message.
4. Twist what the messenger is trying to say.
5. Spin everything positive for Ebay

6. Never blame Ebay for anything
7. Tell users to go elsewhere if they don’t like it

For the Weeds that will use some of those tactics on this article, tell your supervisor to study a little history. Or actually read the various Public Relations text books. Some of us did.

Philip Morris Public Relations 1992:

• Change the focus of the issue
• Explore and exploit the opposition's weaknesses
• Investigate legal challenges to opposition efforts
• Develop alliances with other groups being attacked by the opposition
• Begin large-scale program of journalism education (focusing on accuracy, accountability, objectivity, etc.)
• Become a source of information and expertise

The above combined checklists sounds familiar doesn't it?

One persona missing from the public relations tactics is the 'friend'. A theatrical example is Security Officer Price from the film Stalag 17 (1953). This personae and it's subtypes are the hardest to detect, and we'll leave that for a future article.

Which brings us to the eBay Weed of the Day.

Disclaimer: We are commenting on individual(s) associated with the following posts, who may have attempted to influence public opinion through methods unsanctioned by the FTC. This opinion should not be taken as fact, and the reader should form their own unbiased opinion.

This part of a recent post was made on a recent article involving eBay.

• #1  "Some people just can't handle change or changing markets. A handful of people have been complaining for more than a year now (mostly the same ones on every blog they can find in a day); they need to learn to move on."

Interestingly months earlier the following comment was made on a different article by another independent voice.

• #2  "if you take out the 10 or 15 most vocal anti-eBay people blogging all over the place (sometimes with different names as well), you realize that the noise is pretty low if noticeable at all. Life goes on, adapt or die.

To be obvious:

1. "Some people just can't handle change or changing markets"
2. "adapt or die"

1. "they need to learn to move on"
2. "Life goes on"

1. "A handful of people have been complaining for more than a year now"
2. "if you take out the 10 or 15 most vocal anti-eBay people"

1. "(mostly the same ones on every blog they can find in a day)"
2. " blogging all over the place (sometimes with different names as well)"

The dissimilar writing styles 'sound' like two separate writers. Which begs the questions. Two different people stating near identical talking points months apart?  Down to the parenthesis; "(", ")"?

We leave you with this thought. Those are not the only examples.

"Sure. Fine. Whatever."
Dana Scully, X-Files (Syzygy)

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From the eBay Stores Forum - Store Owner Died

From the eBay Stores Forum - Store Owner Died
14 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

eBay seller/buyer maverickcom made their first, and so far only post on the public eBay Stores Discussion Board.  A very memorable put on a list type post.

It's sentiments like that post which confirm that the eBay Community is essentially dead or on life support.

"God would probably want you to take the stick out of your butt and get over this."
Dr. Erick Foreman, House

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Ebay-Stores/Store-Owner-Died/520135159

maverickcom

(591)

View Listings

Posts: 1

Ignore

Store Owner Died Jul 10, 2009 5:41 PM

I inquired about a purchased item. The seller's child replied, said they lost their mother to a tragic car crash and she will be monitoring her Mother's Store. BTW, she's mailing my item. Should that be permitted? How do I notify eBay.

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Back In Time - eBay Would Like Your Input

Back In Time - eBay Would Like Your Input
7 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

eBay sends out surveys to gather data to justify their future plans. And we get a lot of them.

We received yesterday (7/6/2009) the survey email below (personal information edited out). And it told us a great deal about how organized eBay is today.

The email is dated "From eBay Research Wed Jun 17 21:24:51 2009"

"Tell me Doctor, where are we going this time? Is this the 50's or 1999?"
Huey Lewis and The News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4hwY061yQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgyvMp5YWcI

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Dear *****,

We would like to invite you to participate in a survey about your experiences on eBay. Your input will help eBay to improve its communications and ability to meet customer needs. Your feedback is highly valued!

eBay has partnered with Decipher, an independent marketing research firm, to conduct this survey. This survey is for research purposes only. All the information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be used only for bona fide market research purposes. Survey results are viewed in aggregate. Individual responses are not identified.

We hope that you will take the time to complete this 12-minute survey, as it is an effective and easy way to share your feedback with eBay.

To take the survey: Please click here

Thanks for being a part of the eBay community, and we hope to see you on eBay again soon.

Kind Regards,

eBay Research Department

---

This email was sent to you (*****) because your Notification Preferences indicate that you want to receive eBay product surveys. These surveys will ask you for your opinion on various topics; you will never be asked for personal information such as your password or credit card/bank numbers. If you do not wish to receive further communications, please sign into "My eBay" by clicking on the "My eBay" link found at the top of the eBay home page, and change your Notification Preferences. Please note that this change may take up to 10 days to process.

Decipher, Inc., an independent market research firm, is conducting this online survey for eBay. For questions about its validity, you may email us at research@ebay.com. To stop receiving e-mails from Decipher, Inc., please click here.

Have safety concerns? Learn how to protect yourself from spoof (fake) emails at:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/account/reporting-spoof.html

For questions about eBay's communication policies, please visit our privacy policy at
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/privacy-policy.html and our User Agreement at
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/user-agreement.html

Copyright © 2009 eBay, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
eBay and the eBay logo are registered trademarks of eBay Inc.
Other trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
eBay is located at 2145 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.

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Comments

mylegacy-treasures ( 815) View seller's items | View Blog Recently, it appears that Mr D. and staff aren't asking Qs just to get the answers that they want to hear. Perhaps we can return to 2005, 2003, 2001 or even 1999! And have a happier, healthier and more successful buying and selling environment. Jul-07-09 14:17:48 PDT

madcat1010 ( 1536) View seller's items | View Blog I got one that asked for my age!! I assumed it was a scam and sent it in to ebay.....they said it was legit. Jul-07-09 14:22:49 PDT

cdlucel ( 481) View seller's items | View Blog check your ebay email first, before responding to your normal email provider..always go through Ebay..for all your needs..lol ;) woof woof Jul-07-09 14:26:50 PDT

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Richard Ambrose Is Leaving eBay. Does It Matter?

Richard Ambrose Is Leaving eBay.  Does It Matter?
1 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

During the irregular perusal of Tamebay we came across the article Richard Ambrose leaves eBay for new challenges.

Not being in the eBay European theatre of operations we (including me) went, "Who??"

For those unfamiliar with Tamebay, it an excellent blog covering eBay from the European point of view. Or for some posters over there, the British interpretation of how best to use eBay.

Getting back to "Who??", in the article, Chris Dawson of Tamebay wrote:

"With over 1000 feedback (and no negs!) Richard knows eBay inside out. He was a valued and valuable member of the community, spending his own time on boards and forums talking to buyers and sellers and taking their concerns back to eBay’s internal teams."

The impressive description was followed by multiple posts, including one that stated:

Since he took the reins – incidences of serious fraud
affecting multiple users have become the exception rather than rule

"We" being the curious type decided to ask:

Citation with actual numbers please?

And promptly received multiple responses, none with numbers.

Still leaving the issue of "Who??".  Not to mention the new issue of a rise in hits from eBay related IP addresses, after we made the tiny post.

This interest in Richard Ambrose got our collective interest up.  And like the keepers of The Prisoner, "we want information."

"Trust me. I know what I'm doing."
Sledge Hammer!

Richard Ambrose's eBay.co.uk ID is medievalist (918).

Richard Ambrose

From article dated, 14 November 2007.

Feedback Profile

	medievalist ( 918)
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 100%
	Member since: 12-Jan-99 in United Kingdom

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 39 115 205 Neutral 0 0 0 Negative 0 0 0

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 57 Communication 57 Dispatch time 57 Postage and packaging charges 56

Feedback is excellent, but as wryly noted by many he is an eBay employee.

Speaking of which if you check his complete listings you will find something missing. 

eBay Employee Trading and Community Content Policy

The following are the rules that all eBay Inc. company employees must follow to use an eBay company Web site:

• When eBay company employees list an item for sale on eBay, the eBay company employees must identify themselves as eBay employees and include the link to this Web page in their listing.

The above required disclosure remains oddly missing from Richard Ambrose's listings.

Not to worry though as Richard Ambrose, before leaving eBay, was "UK's Head of Customer Support and Trust & Safety."

"So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish"
Douglas Adams (1984)

Here's his goodbye post on an eBay forum.  European style date of "01-07-09" is equivalent to U.S. format "07-01-09".

Mr Ambrose, if you're lurking

medievalist  (915 ) View Listings | Report Afternoon everyone, Thanks for the (mostly!) good wishes. It's been a great privilege to spend six years at eBay supporting the buyers and sellers on the site. I've particularly enjoyed posting on the boards during that time (though I haven't done it much this year) - it's the best place there is to take the pulse of the community and understand how the changes we make are really affecting people. I'm pleased to say that James is doing a great job of making sure that all the staff who don't come here so much see the posts that are made and read the opinions that are aired here. They are more widely read, and have more impact on the decisions that eBay makes, than you might imagine. It's also been a pleasure getting to know some of you personally. Sorry for those of you who have ever found me direct in the past - I prefer not to mince my words, and I apologise for any times when that may have caused offence. I'll still lurk from time to time, and wish you all many happy and profitable years to come on eBay. Cheers Richard PS trufflington, many thanks for your post. James now owes me a fiver		01-07-09 16:31 BST	39 of 303

Since this was an informal goodbye, we'll overlook the violations involved.

• When eBay company employees submit Community content as members, not as employees, they must identify themselves as eBay employees and state that the content reflects their personal views and is not written on behalf of eBay Inc.
• Content posted by eBay employees acting in an official eBay capacity will normally be identified by a different treatment from content published by members; for example, a pink bar highlighting the User name.

"I hired you because you look good. It's like having a nice piece of art in the lobby."
Dr. Gregory House, House

According to Linkedin, like the mythical 'Elephant Graveyard' a company where ex-eBay employees end up:

Linkedin Profile:

Richard Ambrose
Director, Trust & Safety at eBay Europe
London, United Kingdom

• Director, Trust & Safety

• eBay Europe
• (Internet industry)

• November 2008 — Present (9 months) 


• Head of Trust & Safety

• 
eBay
• (Public Company; ebay; Internet industry)

• October 2007 — October 2008 (1 year 1 month) 


• Head of Finding

• 
eBay
• 
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; ebay; Internet industry)
• 
September 2004 — September 2007 (3 years 1 month)

• Senior Manager, Collectables & Entertainment 


• eBay

• (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; ebay; Internet industry)
• 
September 2003 — September 2004 (1 year 1 month)

• Head of Business Development 


• Music Choice Europe
• 
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Media Production industry)
• 
January 2002 — June 2003 (1 year 6 months)

• Commercial Manager 


• Talkcast

• (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)

• January 2000 — September 2000 (9 months)

• Consultant 


• Decipher
• 
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Management Consulting industry)

• June 1999 — January 2000 (8 months)

• Analyst 
Mercer Management Consulting

• 
(Public Company; Internet industry)

• 1996 — 1999 (3 years)

"The trouble with being infallible is that you have to deal with everyone else making mistakes."
Emperor Cartagia, Babylon 5

Anyone who's gone through stacks of resumes might be thinking 'what's behind the titles?'.

Glad you asked that.  Here's a small sampler of Richard Ambrose projects.

eBay to make free P&P compulsory for DVDs
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

• "Richard Ambrose from eBay stated that some of the maximum rates will be below actual cost and for DVDs they will insist sellers offer free post, although upgrade to priority services and overseas postage can still be charged."

Ebay Spokesman Richard Ambrose on Feedback Strike Boycott
February 22 2008

eBay Hopes to Boost Membership by Removing Seller Feedback
3:22 PM Feb 7, 2008

• Starting Feb. 20, the online auction site will block sellers from leaving negative feedback about buyers.
• "The feedback system has been around for more than ten years, and it remains right at the heart of what makes eBay work," said Richard Ambrose, of eBay UK.
• "But it needs to evolve a little bit."
• But eBay says sellers shouldn't worry.
• "As buyers are more honest about their feedback, good sellers are going to stand out more and more," stated Ambrose.
• "We're also going to increase the help we give to sellers when they occasionally encounter a buyer who doesn't pay. And we're going to make it much easier for them to report that and get their money back."

eBay 'sorry' over policy change
Friday, 20 April 2007, 17:01 GMT 18:01 UK

• "eBay's Richard Ambrose says the changes make the site 'fairer'"
• "Until recently, items put up for sale by eBay customers on the UK site automatically appeared in the search results on the bigger American ebay.com site.
• But since February, the most common 'simple search' on ebay.com only brings up items for sale by US sellers."

eBay's 10-year rise to world fame
Friday, 2 September 2005, 17:11 GMT 18:11 UK

• EBay spokesman Richard Ambrose confirms that the company intends to make the site more user-friendly for businesses trading in bulk.
• "If you want to sell, say, 50,000 Jiffy bags or 25,000 bricks, you can do it, but it's not a great experience," he told the BBC News website. "In the next few years, we will be making it easier to wholesale items on the site."
• Mr Ambrose says that despite eBay's dominant market position in many countries, the company is not complacent about the future.
• "We're in a strong, but not impregnable position," he says. "We're under severe pressure from Yahoo! in Asia - we're in a fierce battle with them in China."
• EBay stirred up controversy among users by increasing some of its fees earlier this year. Mr Ambrose says this was to ensure that certain popular ways of making sellers' listings stand out were not devalued through overuse.
• "From the outside, it's easy for it to seem that we're trying to flex our muscles. But in the long term, we want people to grow on eBay and maximise their profits. When they grow, so do we."

The inspector calls on eBay
12:01AM BST 26 Sep 2004

• However, the Government is increasingly concerned that the sheer size of eBay means the Revenue is losing millions of pounds in tax.
• "What has really made the growth explode is the shift which we have seen from being a site that is associated with collectable, quirky, hard-to-find, used, vintage items to one where people buy what we call practicles," says Richard Ambrose, eBay's UK category manager.
• "By practicles we're talking clothes, cars, golf clubs, watches. We're seeing more professional traders and we're also seeing more private individuals who are just thinking of eBay as a place to sell things that they wouldn't have in the past."
• But just how easy is it for tax authorities to investigate traders? After all, this is cyberspace. How can investigators be sure tax dodgers can be tracked back to the real world?
• "When people register with us we do check that their personal details are accurate and that their phone number is accurate," Ambrose says. "Any seller is obliged to register a credit card with us."
• And what about the taxman? "Anybody buying or selling on eBay needs to be aware of what their tax responsibilities are," Ambrose maintains. "But we are not in a position to enforce it . . . although we can and do co-operate with outside bodies."

"Even though your wording was within the letter of the policy, it could easily have been interpreted as violating the spirit of it."
Richard Ambrose, eBay

Coming back to the original question, 'does it matter that Richard Ambrose is leaving eBay?'.

Based on what we've learned over the intervening hours:

Even though Richard Ambrose was working within the letter of the law, his actions could easily have been interpreted as violating the eBay Community spirit.

We find Richard Ambrose leaving eBay to be a non-event.

END RUN

"Gentlemen, I'm simply an honest businessman."
Harcourt Fenton Mudd, Star Trek

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How To Guide - FTC Guides Concerning Use Of Endorsements And Testimonials In Advertising

How To Guide - FTC Guides Concerning Use Of Endorsements And Testimonials In Advertising
18 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

This comment isn't really about the material violations made by certain corporations and their paid shills.  Although we're including the link and text, because eBay spams the Internet with these eBay blogs and associated keywords. And we like to help them along.

Today's lesson, so to speak, is what we've noticed in the actual online FTC complaint process. 

If you don't feel like writing an actual letter and mailing it (http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/cmplanding.shtm), here's the link to the online complaint form.

FTC Complaint Assistant
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

What do we see first?

Step 1: Let's Get Started
Is your complaint concerning identity theft?
( ) Yes
( ) No

For this example, select "No".

Is your complaint most closely related to:
( ) Debt collectors or debt collection practices
( ) Credit Reports
( ) Dissatisfaction with other business practices

You get to the interesting part when you select "Dissatisfaction".

What kind of company are you complaining about?

Automobile
Business Opportunities
Home Furnishings/Repair
Internet
Lending Financial / Services
Lottery of Sweepstakes
Telephone/Cable
Work-related
Other

Want to hazard a guess as to what choices you get when "Internet" is selected?

Auctions
Internet Service Provider
Spyware/Computer Viruses
Web Design Services
Other Internet Practices

Auctions
Internet Service Provider
Spyware/Computer Viruses
Web Design Services
Other Internet Practices

It is truly amazing at the amount of Federal attention the "Internet" "Auctions" business has garnered recently.  Think the FTC is referring to eBay here?  Or perhaps eBay's paid and undisclosed speakers?

Unless some "Internet" "Auctions" business plans to spin this as 'Auctions means Amazon too'.

In case you're wondering.  Yes, there's more to the form.  Yes, we are doing some spring cleaning bulk filings.  Don't need this type of distraction and "noise" during the summer.

And you may be asking too, does this go anywhere?  Based on past history, see our end quote.

"Oooh That's Gotta Hurt!"
Ash (Bruce Campbell), Army of Darkness (1992)
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http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/endorse.htm

FTC GUIDES CONCERNING USE OF
ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS IN ADVERTISING

---

Sec.255.0 255.1 255.2 255.3 255.4 255.5

Definitions. General considerations. Consumer endorsements Expert endorsements. Endorsements by organizations. Disclosure of material connections.

Authority: 38 Stat. 717, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 41 - 58.

§255.0 Definitions.

(a) The Commission intends to treat endorsements and testimonials identically in the context of its enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission Act and for purposes of this part. The term endorsements is therefore generally used hereinafter to cover both terms and situations.

(b) For purposes of this part, an endorsement means any advertising message (including verbal statements, demonstrations, or depictions of the name, signature, likeness or other identifying personal characteristics of an individual or the name or seal of an organization) which message consumers are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, findings, or experience of a party other than the sponsoring advertiser. The party whose opinions, beliefs, findings, or experience the message appears to reflect will be called the endorser and may be an individual, group or institution.

(c) For purposes of this part, the term product includes any product, service, company or industry.

(d) For purposes of this part, an expert is an individual, group or institution possessing, as a result of experience, study or training, knowledge of a particular subject, which knowledge is superior to that generally acquired by ordinary individuals.

Example 1: A film critic's review of a movie is excerpted in an advertisement. When so used, the review meets the definition of an endorsement since it is viewed by readers as a statement of the critic's own opinions and not those of the film producer, distributor or exhibitor. Therefore, any alteration in or quotation from the text of the review which does not fairly reflect its substance would be a violation of the standards set by this part.

 

Example 2: A TV commercial depicts two women in a supermarket buying a laundry detergent. The women are not identified outside the context of the advertisement. One comments to the other how clean her brand makes her family's clothes, and the other then comments that she will try it because she has not been fully satisfied with her own brand. This obvious fictional dramatization of a real life situation would not be an endorsement.

 

Example 3: In an advertisement for a pain remedy, an announcer who is not familiar to consumers except as a spokesman for the advertising drug company praises the drug's ability to deliver fast and lasting pain relief. He purports to speak, not on the basis of his own opinions, but rather in the place of and on behalf of the drug company. Such an advertisement would not be an endorsement.

 

Example 4: A manufacturer of automobile tires hires a well known professional automobile racing driver to deliver its advertising message in television commercials. In these commercials, the driver speaks of the smooth ride, strength, and long life of the tires. Even though the message is not expressly declared to be the personal opinion of the driver, it may nevertheless constitute an endorsement of the tires. Many consumers will recognize this individual as being primarily a racing driver and not merely a spokesman or announcer for the advertiser. Accordingly, they may well believe the driver would not speak for an automotive product unless he/she actually believed in what he/she was saying and had personal knowledge sufficient to form that belief. Hence they would think that the advertising message reflects the driver's personal views as well as those of the sponsoring advertiser. This attribution of the underlying views to the driver brings the advertisement within the definition of an endorsement for purposes of this part.

 

Example 5: A television advertisement for golf balls shows a prominent and well-recognized professional golfer hitting the golf balls. This would be an endorsement by the golfer even though he makes no verbal statement in the advertisement.

[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975, as amended at 45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.1 General considerations.

(a) Endorsements must always reflect the honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of the endorser. Furthermore, they may not contain any representations which would be deceptive, or could not be substantiated if made directly by the advertiser. [See Example 2 to Guide 3 (§255.3) illustrating that a valid endorsement may constitute all or part of an advertiser's substantiation.]

(b) The endorsement message need not be phrased in the exact words of the endorser, unless the advertisement affirmatively so represents. However, the endorsement may neither be presented out of context nor reworded so as to distort in any way the endorser's opinion or experience with the product. An advertiser may use an endorsement of an expert or celebrity only as long as it has good reason to believe that the endorser continues to subscribe to the views presented. An advertiser may satisfy this obligation by securing the endorser's views at reasonable intervals where reasonableness will be determined by such factors as new information on the performance or effectiveness of the product, a material alteration in the product, changes in the performance of competitors' products, and the advertiser's contract commitments.

(c) In particular, where the advertisement represents that the endorser uses the endorsed product, then the endorser must have been a bona fide user of it at the time the endorsement was given, Additionally, the advertiser may continue to run the advertisement only so long as he has good reason to believe that the endorser remains a bona fide user of the product. [See §255.1(b) regarding the ``good reason to believe'' requirement.]

Guide 1, Example 1: A building contractor states in an advertisement that he specifies the advertiser's exterior house paint because of its remarkable quick drying properties and its durability. This endorsement must comply with the pertinent requirements of Guide 3. Subsequently, the advertiser reformulates its paint to enable it to cover exterior surfaces with only one coat. Prior to continued use of the contractor's endorsement, the advertiser must contact the contractor in order to determine whether the contractor would continue to specify the paint and to subscribe to the views presented previously.

 

Example 2: A television advertisement portrays a woman seated at a desk on which rest five unmarked electric typewriters. An announcer says ``We asked Mrs. X, an executive secretary for over ten years, to try these five unmarked typewriters and tell us which one she liked best.''

 

The advertisement portrays the secretary typing on each machine, and then picking the advertiser's brand. The announcer asks her why, and Mrs. X gives her reasons. Assuming that consumers would perceive this presentation as a ``blind'' test, this endorsement would probably not represent that Mrs. X actually uses the advertiser's machines in her work. In addition, the endorsement may also be required to meet the standards of Guide 3 on Expert Endorsements.

[Guide 1]
[45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.2 Consumer endorsements.

(a) An advertisement employing an endorsement reflecting the experience of an individual or a group of consumers on a central or key attribute of the product or service will be interpreted as representing that the endorser's experience is representative of what consumers will generally achieve with the advertised product in actual, albeit variable, conditions of use. Therefore, unless the advertiser possesses and relies upon adequate substantiation for this representation, the advertisement should either clearly and conspicuously disclose what the generally expected performance would be in the depicted circumstances or clearly and conspicuously disclose the limited applicability of the endorser's experience to what consumers may generally expect to achieve. The Commission's position regarding the acceptance of disclaimers or disclosures is described in the preamble to these Guides published in the Federal Register on January 18, 1980.

(b) Advertisements presenting endorsements by what are represented, directly or by implication, to be ``actual consumers'' should utilize actual consumers, in both the audio and video or clearly and conspicuously disclose that the persons in such advertisements are not actual consumers of the advertised product.

(c) Claims concerning the efficacy of any drug or device as defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 55, shall not be made in lay endorsements unless (1) the advertiser has adequate scientific substantiation for such claims and (2) the claims are not inconsistent with any determination that has been made by the Food and Drug Administration with respect to the drug or device that is the subject of the claim.

Guide 2, Example 1: An advertisement presents the endorsement of an owner of one of the advertiser's television sets. The consumer states that she has needed to take the set to the shop for repairs only one time during her 2-year period of ownership and the costs of servicing the set to date have been under $10.00. Unless the advertiser possesses and relied upon adequate substantiation for the implied claim that such performance reflects that which a significant proportion of consumers would be likely to experience, the advertiser should include a disclosure that either states clearly and conspicuously what the generally expectable performance would be or clearly and conspicuously informs consumers that the performance experienced by the endorser is not what they should expect to experience. The mere disclosure that ``not all consumers will get this result'' is insufficient because it can imply that while all consumers cannot expect the advertised results, a substantial number can expect them. [See the cross reference in Guide 2(a) regarding the acceptability of disclaimers or disclosures.]

Example 2: An advertiser presents the results of a poll of consumers who have used the advertiser's cake mixes as well as their own recipes. The results purport to show that the majority believed that their families could not tell the difference between the advertised mix and their own cakes baked from scratch. Many of the consumers are actually pictured in the advertisement along with relevant, quoted portions of their statements endorsing the product. This use of the results of a poll or survey of consumers probably represents a promise to consumers that this is the typical result that ordinary consumers can expect from the advertiser's cake mix.

Example 3: An advertisement purports to portray a ``hidden camera'' situation in a crowded cafeteria at breakfast time. A spokesperson for the advertiser asks a series of actual patrons of the cafeteria for their spontaneous, honest opinions of the advertiser's recently introduced breakfast cereal. Even though the words ``hidden camera'' are not displayed on the screen, and even though none of the actual patrons is specifically identified during the advertisement, the net impression conveyed to consumers may well be that these are actual customers, and not actors. If actors have been employed, this fact should be disclosed.

[Guide 2]
[45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.3 Expert endorsements.

(a) Whenever an advertisement represents, directly or by implication, that the endorser is an expert with respect to the endorsement message, then the endorser's qualifications must in fact give him the expertise that he is represented as possessing with respect to the endorsement.

(b) While the expert may, in endorsing a product, take into account factors not within his expertise (e.g., matters of taste or price), his endorsement must be supported by an actual exercise of his expertise in evaluating product features or characteristics with respect to which he is expert and which are both relevant to an ordinary consumer's use of or experience with the product and also are available to the ordinary consumer. This evaluation must have included an examination or testing of the product at least as extensive as someone with the same degree of expertise would normally need to conduct in order to support the conclusions presented in the endorsement. Where, and to the extent that, the advertisement implies that the endorsement was based upon a comparison such comparison must have been included in his evaluation; and as a result of such comparison, he must have concluded that, with respect to those features on which he is expert and which are relevant and available to an ordinary consumer, the endorsed product is at least equal overall to the competitors' products. Moreover, where the net impression created by the endorsement is that the advertised product is superior to other products with respect to any such feature or features, then the expert must in fact have found such superiority.

Example 1: An endorsement of a particular automobile by one described as an ``engineer'' implies that the endorser's professional training and experience are such that he is well acquainted with the design and performance of automobiles. If the endorser's field is, for example, chemical engineering, the endorsement would be deceptive.

Example 2: A manufacturer of automobile parts advertises that its products are approved by the ``American Institute of Science.'' From its very name, consumers would infer that the ``American Institute of Science'' is a bona fide independent testing organization with expertise in judging automobile parts and that, as such, it would not approve any automobile part without first testing its efficacy by means of valid scientific methods. Even if the American Institute of Science is such a bona fide expert testing organization, as consumers would expect, the endorsement may nevertheless be deceptive unless the Institute has conducted valid scientific tests of the advertised products and the test results support the endorsement message.

Example 3: A manufacturer of a non-prescription drug product represents that its product has been selected in preference to competing products by a large metropolitan hospital. The hospital has selected the product because the manufacturer, unlike its competitors, has packaged each dose of the product separately. This package form is not generally available to the public. Under the circumstances, the endorsement would be deceptive because the basis for the choice of the manufacturer's product, convenience of packaging, is neither relevant nor available to consumers.

Example 4: The president of a commercial ``home cleaning service'' states in a television advertisement that the service uses a particular brand of cleanser in its business. Since the cleaning service's professional success depends largely upon the performance of the cleansers it uses, consumers would expect the service to be expert with respect to judging cleansing ability, and not be satisfied using an inferior cleanser in its business when it knows of a better one available to it. Accordingly, the cleaning service's endorsement must at least conform to those consumer expectations. The service must, of course, actually use the endorsed cleanser. Additionally, on the basis of its expertise, it must have determined that the cleansing ability of the endorsed cleanser is at least equal (or superior, if such is the net impression conveyed by the advertisement) to that of competing products with which the service has had experience and which remain reasonably available to it. Since in this example, the cleaning service's president makes no mention that the endorsed cleanser was ``chosen,'' ``selected,'' or otherwise evaluated in side-by-side comparisons against its competitors, it is sufficient if the service has relied solely upon its accumulated experience in evaluating cleansers without having to have performed side-by-side or scientific comparisons.

Example 5: An association of professional athletes states in an advertisement that it has ``selected'' a particular brand of beverages as its ``official breakfast drink''. As in Example 4, the association would be regarded as expert in the field of nutrition for purposes of this section, because consumers would expect it to rely upon the selection of nutritious foods as part of its business needs. Consequently, the association's endorsement must be based upon an expert evaluation of the nutritional value of the endorsed beverage. Furthermore, unlike Example 4, the use of the words ``selected'' and ``official'' in this endorsement imply that it was given only after direct comparisons had been performed among competing brands. Hence, the advertisement would be deceptive unless the association has in fact performed such comparisons between the endorsed brand and its leading competitors in terms of nutritional criteria, and the results of such comparisons conform to the net impression created by the advertisement.

[Guide 3]
[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975]

§255.4 Endorsements by organizations.

Endorsements by organizations, especially expert ones, are viewed as representing the judgment of a group whose collective experience exceeds that of any individual member, and whose judgments are generally free of the sort of subjective factors which vary from individual to individual. Therefore an organization's endorsement must be reached by a process sufficient to ensure that the endorsement fairly reflects the collective judgment of the organization. Moreover, if an organization is represented as being expert, then, in conjunction with a proper exercise of its expertise in evaluating the product under §255.3 of this part (Expert endorsements), it must utilize an expert or experts recognized as such by the organization or standards previously adopted by the organization and suitable for judging the relevant merits of such products.

Example: A mattress seller advertises that its product is endorsed by a chiropractic association. Since the association would be regarded as expert with respect to judging mattresses, its endorsement must be supported by an expert evaluation by an expert or experts recognized as such by the organization, or by compliance with standards previously adopted by the organization and aimed at measuring the performance of mattresses in general and not designed with the particular attributes of the advertised mattress in mind. (See also §255.3, Example 5.)

[Guide 4]
[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975]

§255.5 Disclosure of material connections.

When there exists a connection between the endorser and the seller of the advertised product which might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement (i.e., the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience) such connection must be fully disclosed. An example of a connection that is ordinarily expected by viewers and need not be disclosed is the payment or promise of payment to an endorser who is an expert or well known personality, as long as the advertiser does not represent that the endorsement was given without compensation. However, when the endorser is neither represented in the advertisement as an expert nor is known to a significant portion of the viewing public, then the advertiser should clearly and conspicuously disclose either the payment or promise of compensation prior to and in exchange for the endorsement or the fact that the endorser knew or had reasons to know or to believe that if the endorsement favors the advertised product some benefit, such as an appearance on TV, would be extended to the endorser.

Example 1: A drug company commissions research on its product by a well-known research organization. The drug company pays a substantial share of the expenses of the research project, but the test design is under the control of the research organization. A subsequent advertisement by the drug company mentions the research results as the ``findings'' of the well-known research organization. The advertiser's payment of expenses to the research organization need not be disclosed in this advertisement. Application of the standards set by Guides 3 and 4 provides sufficient assurance that the advertiser's payment will not affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement.

Example 2: A film star endorses a particular food product. The endorsement regards only points of taste and individual preference. This endorsement must of course comply with §255.1; but even though the compensation paid the endorser is substantial, neither the fact nor the amount of compensation need be revealed.

Example 3: An actual patron of a restaurant, who is neither known to the public nor presented as an expert, is shown seated at the counter. He is asked for his ``spontaneous'' opinion of a new food product served in the restaurant. Assume, first, that the advertiser had posted a sign on the door of the restaurant informing all who entered that day that patrons would be interviewed by the advertiser as part of its TV promotion of its new soy protein ``steak''. This notification would materially affect the weight or credibility of the patron's endorsement, and, therefore, viewers of the advertisement should be clearly and conspicuously informed of the circumstances under which the endorsement was obtained.

Assume, in the alternative, that the advertiser had not posted a sign on the door of the restaurant, but had informed all interviewed customers of the ``hidden camera'' only after interviews were completed and the customers had no reason to know or believe that their response was being recorded for use in an advertisement. Even if patrons were also told that they would be paid for allowing the use of their opinions in advertising, these facts need not be disclosed.

[Guide 5]
[45 FR 3873, Jan. 18, 1980]

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DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS! - eBay's New June 2009 User Agreement

DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS! - eBay's New June 2009 User Agreement
14 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

We made a condensed comment on the AuctionByte blog "eBay Revises Fakes Policy: Return, not Destroy".  What follows is a full article.

The material in this article is provided to you free of charge, "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Basically talk to a attorney figuratively face-to-face when seeking legal advice.  Not that we're dispensing any.

The May 13th AuctionBytes articles "eBay's New Policy Instructs Buyers to Destroy Fakes" and "Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy" brought to light a section in eBay's User Agreement, that would be implemented 14 June 2009.

• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, buyers are required to destroy an item if they claim it is not authentic. Once a buyer confirms destruction of the item, eBay will reimburse the buyer.
• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, sellers agree to not hold buyers or eBay responsible for the destruction of an item if it is not believed to be authentic

Looking at the California statutes, eBay INC being located in the State of California, this type of action is covered under "California Criminal Law", "Crimes Against Property", "Larceny", "Grand Theft", etal. 

All 50 U.S. States and U.S. Territories have similar laws.  Then there's the matter of Interstate Commerce, and it's coverage by the U.S. Attorney General and the F.B.I.

And yes, there's more.

A day later someone at eBay with a legal background must have read the MBA produced User Agreement.

***Updated: Changes to the eBay User Agreement***
May 14, 2009 | 04:46PM PST/PT

Scott Shipman

On May 15, eBay will be releasing a revised user agreement. This revision will address the obligations of buyers and sellers in transactions where a buyer has alleged receipt of a counterfeit item.

Under the revised agreement:

• Buyers and sellers shall work in good faith during the resolution process to determine that the item is not counterfeit.
• If buyer and seller cannot determine that the item is not counterfeit, buyers are required to send the item back to the seller. Cost of return shipping will be paid by the buyer or eBay, unless both buyer and seller have agreed otherwise.
• Covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy.
• If eBay determines the buyer is not acting in good faith, eBay may restrict or eliminate their ability to return items or make future claims.
• Sellers shall not list, advertise, or cause that item to appear for sale, barter or trade, on any eBay Inc. web site or service.

These revisions to the user agreement are being made to:

• Provide sellers protections against inaccurate counterfeit claims.
• Provide buyers assurances about the authenticity of the item received.
• Maintain integrity of the eBay marketplace.

The new User Agreement is effective immediately for new members registering on or after today, and on June 14, 2009, for current members. You don't need to do anything to accept the new User Agreement. If you don't wish to accept it, you can follow these instructions to close your account.

Sincerely,
Scott Shipman
Senior Counsel
eBay Inc.

For the casual reader, these are eBay User Agreement sections being referenced:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/user-agreement.html

Buyer Obligations:

• Buyers agree to file claims in accordance with the conditions, exclusions and coverage limitations as further explained in the eBay Purchase Protection policy.

• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, eBay will reimburse eligible buyers by PayPal or by coupon redeemable on eBay, in eBay’s discretion, based upon a number of factors, such as whether the buyer has a PayPal account, the type of payment made to the seller and the payment amount.

• Buyers who eBay believes are not acting in good faith, abusing the program or a seller, attempting to commit or committing fraud, or trying to unjustly benefit from the program may become ineligible for eBay Purchase Protection. Buyers who become ineligible will be notified by eBay prior to ineligibility.  eBay reserves the right to temporarily, indefinitely or permanently suspend the eBay Purchase Protection program immediately if we suspect abuse, excessive claims, tampering, or interference with the proper working of the program.

• eBay Purchase Protection doesn’t cover certain types and categories of goods or services, false, abusive or illegitimate claims, or transactions where you have been or may be compensated from another third party. Please read the eBay Purchase Protection policy for more details.

 Seller Obligations:

• Sellers agree to follow the program requirements as explained in the eBay Purchase Protection policy.

• All sellers with an open claim must work in good faith to resolve the claim, refund money and/or provide a replacement item, and accept a return of the item as explained by the eBay Purchase Protection Policy.

• If a seller doesn't resolve a claim, the seller agrees to pay eBay the amount paid by eBay to the buyer in accordance with the eBay Purchase Protection policy. eBay will invoice the seller for these amounts and seller agrees to pay eBay in accordance with the invoice terms.

Obligations when a buyer opens a claim alleging an item is counterfeit:

• Sellers shall work with the buyer in good faith during the resolution process to provide buyer with appropriate documentation or other assurances to satisfy the buyer that the item is not counterfeit, if such information is available.

• If buyer and seller cannot agree that the item is not counterfeit, for covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, buyers are required to send the item back to the seller. Cost of return shipping will be paid by the buyer or eBay in our sole discretion, unless otherwise agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

• Covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy.

• Sellers shall not list, advertise, or cause that item to appear for sale, barter or trade, on any eBay Inc. (including our subsidiaries, joint ventures, and other members of the group) web site or service located around the world.

• While buyers are not obligated to provide third party confirmation that an item is counterfeit in order to open a claim, in cases where there is written confirmation from the manufacturer that the item is counterfeit, or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense.

Let us briefly go through the new legalize.  Keep in mind that legal documents are written to minimize, or eliminate, vague, and subject to multiple interpretation, language.  At least that is the goal.

Condensing the above counterfeit section down to a more understandable form:

• "If buyer and seller cannot agree that the item is not counterfeit" this "will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy", and "buyers are not obligated to provide third party confirmation that an item is counterfeit".

Same as Scott Shipman's announcement, got it?

This part is solid:

• "in cases where there is written confirmation from the manufacturer that the item is counterfeit"

However there remains more language that eBay's legal team must clean up.  Which is not necessarily Scott Shipman's pervue. See http://news.ebay.com/team.cfm Michael Jacobson, eBay Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Take a look at this:

• "or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense."

Read it very carefully.  eBay can destroy seller property when "eBay elects to exercise its discretion".  This part does not clearly explain "discretion".  In less legalize, "discretion" could be very very very very loosely replaced with 'whim'.

This has a bit more clarity:

•  "eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party".

But lacks the explanation of what happens should eBay NOT request destruction.  Because of the word "may", the statement can be interpreted as:

• "or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may or may not request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense."

Consider what happens in the event that eBay does NOT request destruction of the item?  Do you know what happens to the seller's item?  There are multiple possibilities, indicating that this part is vague, and NOT clearly written.

Eventually eBay's legal team needs to put in a list of authorized third parties that will be used for destruction.  That is fairly minor though.

This part is not minor:

• "at eBay’s expense."

This CAN be interpreted as, 'eBay will pay for the cost of destruction'.  Fine, but incomplete.  Remember IN CONTEXT "at eBay’s expense" refers to the cost of destruction PERIOD.

Lets revisit the original issue in the original User Agreement.  eBay makes the buyer whole and pays for destruction of a seller's item, but THEN who ultimately pays for the money given back to the buyer?  The rewritten user agreement remains ambiguous or missing in this matter.

Consider what happens when a seller resolves the claim in good faith, informs the buyer to return the item for a refund, the buyer maintains the item is counterfeit, and eBay chooses to "exercise its discretion"?

• "If a seller doesn't resolve a claim, the seller agrees to pay eBay the amount paid by eBay to the buyer"

Is it likely that this provision, under Seller Obligations, would be applied whereby eBay unilaterally chooses to "exercise its discretion", declares the claim is not resolved, and eBay has the now seller's item destroyed?

• "eBay will invoice the seller for these amounts and seller agrees to pay eBay in accordance with the invoice terms."

Anyone notice there is more 'whim' in the new rewritten user agreement?  Is this deliberate or an oversight?

And as William Cobb would put it, soooo Is there more?  Yes. 

Think it's time to hit to personally hit the word processor Michael Jacobson ESQ, and clean up this mess?

"It's sort of an obsession with me to do the best I can for a client. My clients aren't blameless. Many of them are crooks. Probably a lot of them are guilty. That's not for me to determine. That's for a jury to determine."
Perry Mason

"The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done."
Oliver Wendell Holmes JR, U.S. Supreme Court

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The "DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS!" is homage to the Toho Company movie "Kaiju soshingeki" or "Destroy All Monsters!" (1968).

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eBay Media Center - Senior Management
http://news.ebay.com/team.cfm

Michael Jacobson
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, eBay Inc.

Download image

As senior vice president and general counsel at eBay, Mike Jacobson's responsibilities include overseeing eBay's legal department, its risk management program, and its policy group. He is responsible for interactions with content regulators, law enforcement, contracts, SEC compliance, and other legal matters. Prior to eBay, Mike was a partner with Cooley Godward LLP where he was recognized as an expert in securities law. His responsibilities included corporate and securities transactions, including mergers and acquisition transactions, public offerings, and venture capital financing. Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, in 1975 from Harvard College, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He subsequently received his law degree from Stanford University in 1981, where he was a Nathan Abbot Scholar and a member of Order of the Coif. He also received the Hilmer Oehlmann Jr. award as well as first and second year honors.

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Notable Comments

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches

Wed May 13 14:28:53 2009
Just calm down, you silly people
When the smoke that you yourselves are generating clears, you'll see that a third party verification is needed. This system is already in place and has been used for a long time.

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4343martino ( 1851) View seller's items | View Blog Well fer sure...every buyer is a honest upstanding citizen of what ever third world country they happen to be in..You should know that by now world-secure....there never has been or ever will be a dishonest e-bay buyer...they dont exist..not in this world or the next..just ask e-bay they will tell ya...LOL>>>What a crock of sh*t e-bay has created with this one..chalk up another one for the lawyers...LOL>>> Mark May-13-09 15:27:25 PDT

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 13:45:31 2009

So much hype here.
Where does this false info about mailing counterfeits come from? It is illegal to sell them, yes. Illegal to use USPS to sell them, yes. NOT illegal to use USPS to send them to be authenticated/destroyed.
The eBay UA only states that a buyer must "confirm" that a counterfeit has been destroyed. It says nothing about the manner of that confirmation. The current process for a destroying a counterfeit is not spelled out either. Do you assume this means the buyer just has to say they did? No, they ship it to Texas, where it is supposedly destroyed if counterfeit, or resold if authentic. Is there any reason to believe that this won't be pretty much the same thing?

Any idiot knows that if all eBay will require is a buyer saying they destroyed it, then this cannot possibly be legal. Why then, do you all believe this is what eBay is going to do?

It seems much more likely that the user agreement is being left deliberately vague, for any number of reasons.

I swear, Ina could tell you that eBay Singapore was adding a category for human trafficking and you would all eat it up and repeat it everywhere.
Clowns, all of you.

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 14:18:52 2009

Why doesn't somebody here just go ahead and buy a fake purse? Do it. You'll be making the world a better place removing a counterfeit. Much better than reporting it, getting the listing removed so the seller can peddle it somewhere else. Actually buy it and the fake seller is out the money and the counterfeit.
Now, tell eBay it's a fake and see what they ask you to do.

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 15:04:12 2009

"If ebay doesn't want incorrect information floating around about ANY of its policies, then the policy should be completely transparent and 100% of it posted."

Seriously? This is a defense?
I would like a little more clarity over this policy as well, but that DOES NOT JUSTIFY MAKING THINGS UP!

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 15:11:55 2009

Some secret policies are good.
The list of words in a title that restrict how many of a certain thing you can sell, for example. Make that known and people selling counterfeits know exactly what to avoid.
Exactly how best match works also. Remember when some unscrupulous sellers figured out to put NEW NEW NEW in the title to push their items to the top?

While I do not see the logic behind their vagueness in this case, I wont deign to say that it does not exist. I can't say with any certainty that 100% transparency wouldn't create an opening for the counterfeit sellers to abuse.

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A "Pay with PayPal" Requirement On eBay End Of Auction Message

A "Pay with PayPal" Requirement on eBay End of Auction Message
13 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

Nothing like watching eBay push for an investigation of PayPal due to Sherman Antitrust violations.

For a good part of the this year and up until the second weekend in May, after a buyer made a purchase on eBay.com, that buyer received a standard End Of Auction email.  And that email started like this:

Dear **customer**,

Congratulations! You committed to buy the following item:Check out and send your payment now to get your item within 4-5 days.

But beginning the second weekend in May 2009, eBay altered the message text.  The brand new payment message looks like this:

Hi **customer**,

We hope you enjoy your latest purchase. The next step is pay the seller.
Don't wait. Pay now to get your item within 4-5 days.

Pay with PayPal, the safe and easy way to pay for your eBay purchases.

It does not matter whether a sellers uses direct credit card processing through a merchant account, or one of eBay's straw dog alternatives like ProPay, Moneybookers, Paymate, the buyer will see "Pay with PayPal".

This is what eBay defines as "convenient payment options".  That is "convenient" to eBay equals "Pay with PayPal".  Or maybe 'Any eBay seller can have a any payment method they want so long as it is PayPal.'

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he want so long as it is black."
Attributed to Henry Ford 1909

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Comments

tryork5ifp ( 262) View seller's items | View Blog first there was paypal.......then toothbrushpal.....Now there's vegetablepal and genetaliapal!!!! when will eBAy STOP!!! May-14-09 12:22:52 PDT

mylegacy-treasures ( 800) View seller's items | View Blog eBay will stop when they have become the 'we-own-the-world-pal' and Mr. "D" can go to his country club without being embarrassed to admit that he manages a multibillion dollar corporation named eBay. (psssst - don't look at the share price) May-14-09 12:39:46 PDT

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Play IT Again Usher "eBay" Lieberman

Play IT Again Usher "eBay" Lieberman*
30 April 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary


Usher Lieberman did IT again.  Let's summarize shall we?

1. "as of June 15, will no longer be providing third party checkout service on eBay.", Dinesh Lathi Vice President Seller Experience, 13 April 2009
2. eBay Eliminates Third-Party Checkout, Impacts ProStores, Vendors, Ina Steiner, 15 April 2009
3. "No sooner do I give her props for solid sourcing that she publishes something wholly misinformed and just plain wrong", Usher Lieberman, 15 April 2009
4. "Some blogs have incorrectly reported that eBay is doing away with third party checkout.", Dinesh Lathi Vice President Seller Experience, 15 April 2009
5. "No one else here will work with you, Ina.", Usher Lieberman, 15-28 April 2009
6. “At a time when eBay’s business and image are suffering, shutting down communication with their sellers hardly seems to be a constructive move for the company. EBay’s current PR team appear to have chosen stonewalling instead of taking advantage of a valuable conduit to their community.”, David Steiner, 28 April 2009

eBay VP Dinesh Lathi did his usual, make a statement with technical holes in it and correct the big gaffe the next day.  Evidence that Dinesh Lathi needs to listen to his fact checking team, or that he needs a better fact checking team.

Now the previous seasoned and battle tested PR hack Hani Durzy might have said, 'VP Dinesh Lathi filled in perceived gaps in the third party checkout announcement. eBay's third party checkout is not going away.' and let the matter drop and be forgotten.

But eBay PR flack Usher Lieberman went above and beyond, stating "publishes something wholly misinformed and just plain wrong" and "No one else here will work with you".  Language not from a professional corporate Public Relations person like Hani Durzy, but language one might hear from a hormonal teenage boy with anger management problems.

As can be seen by the chronology above and below, Dinesh Lathi made the error, not AuctionBytes.  And in a very professional manner Vice President Dinesh Lathi corrected himself.

From a corporate stand point, something this minor should not have The Wall Street Journal taking an interest.

Maybe it's time for eBay Inc to announce that Mr. Lieberman will take extended time off for family matters.

"Smooth move Ex-Lax."
Donna Baumer

* As tempting as it was to use "Spin It Again", the term is overused and we love Casablanca.  And yes we're aware Rick Blaine never said Play it again Sam.

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//  13 April 2009, 1:50 PM HST
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The April 13th email from eBay regarding 3rd party checkout.  Other than the removal of personal data, no changes were made to the original email.

Update your checkout service by June 15

Dear *:

Our records indicate that you?ve recently completed selling transactions through . We?re writing to let you know that as of June 15, will no longer be providing third party checkout service on eBay.

A big step toward reducing unpaid items for sellers is ensuring a secure and consistent checkout experience for buyers. That?s why, in the months ahead, we?ll be working to integrate key functions offered by current third party providers into eBay checkout.

The ultimate goal is to have all checkout and payments take place right on eBay--and to help you make a seamless transition to on-eBay checkout that fully supports your business as usual.

In the interim, as of June 15, sellers will only be allowed to use eBay checkout or third party checkout services offered by one of a select group of approved Certified Providers.

This would be a great time to take a close look at your business needs, and if you haven?t already done so, switch to eBay checkout before June 15.

If you need specific functionality that is not yet integrated into eBay checkout, you can choose a solution offered by a Certified Provider approved for off-eBay checkout.

We?ll keep you updated as new functionality becomes available in eBay checkout. We?ll also make sure you have the time and support you need to make a smooth transition down the road.

Thanks for helping us keep eBay a great place to buy and sell.

Sincerely,



Dinesh Lathi
Vice President, Seller Experience

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//  15 April 2009
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Excerpts from "eBay Eliminates Third-Party Checkout, Impacts ProStores, Vendors" article.

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m04/i15/s01

Auctionbytes-NewsFlash, Number 2020 - April 15, 2009 - ISSN 1539-5065

eBay Eliminates Third-Party Checkout, Impacts ProStores, Vendors
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
April 15, 2009

• "eBay will eliminate its Third Party Checkout Redirect on eBay as of June 15, 2009. Sellers who use third-party checkout solutions will no longer have the opportunity to display branding, cross-sell, up-sell and other merchandising opportunities at point-of-sale. This means a loss of sales for sellers and lost revenue for vendors who collect commissions on merchant sales. eBay will do away with third-party checkout completely next year."
• "The elimination of off-eBay checkout is clearly part of the company's move to try and become a marketplace that can guarantee all transactions by collecting information about when buyers pay and when sellers ship. On Tuesday, eBay Director of Seller Development Todd Lutwak told AuctionBytes that, over time, eBay would roll out additional tools and incentives for sellers to provide eBay with shipping information. eBay is also moving toward capturing data from payment services, including the ability to accept merchant credit cards in eBay Checkout. "

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//  15 April 2009, 9:25 AM PST
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http://twitter.com/usherml/status/1526364771

No sooner do I give her props for solid sourcing that she publishes something wholly misinformed and just plain wrong: http://bit.ly/2iD3Pg

9:25 AM Apr 15th from web

usherml

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//  15 April 2009
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http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m04/i15/s01

Update 4/15/09: I received an email from eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman today stating: eBay is narrowing access to third-party checkout to approved providers and has asked these third-party checkout partners to update their user interface or UI to conform with a set of guidelines provided by eBay. This DOES NOT involve any changes to the third-party checkout functionality consistent with eBay listing policies and existing legal agreements, just to the user interface. Some of the approved third-party checkout partners may opt out of these user interface changes, in which case they will need to begin using eBay Checkout.

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http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200904151259582.html

***Third Party Checkout: Clarification***
April 15, 2009 | 01:00PM PST/PT

Dinesh Lathi

Some blogs have incorrectly reported that eBay is doing away with third party checkout. We want to clarify that this is not the case.

The facts: Beginning June 15, eBay will only allow third-party checkout services from approved providers who have updated their user interface according to a set of eBay guidelines. Our goal is to give buyers a more consistent checkout experience. These guidelines do not involve any changes to functionality that is consistent with eBay listing policies and existing legal agreements.

Some of the current third-party checkout providers may decide to begin using eBay Checkout instead of making user interface changes to their own checkout system. In this case, sellers can continue to use their services.

If you are a seller using a third-party checkout provider, we strongly encourage you to contact your provider about their plans. Most of our approved partners are planning to make the necessary changes to their solution, including: 

• 4Sellers
• Afterbuy
• Auctiva Corporation
• ChannelAdvisor
• Cultuzz Digital Media
• Digital River
• Kyozou
• Sandbourne Systems
• Vendio

To reiterate, we are not eliminating third party checkout on June 15, we are only asking third-party checkout providers to update the user interface.

Please keep in mind that the definitive source of information about eBay is eBay. You can find accurate information about any planned changes through this Announcement Board and through emails, calls and other official communications from eBay.

Sincerely,
Dinesh Lathi
VP Seller Experience

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//  28 April 2009
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Excerpts from "Spin City: eBay Struggles to Control the Message" article.

http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2009/4/1240930825.html

Spin City: eBay Struggles to Control the Message
By: David Steiner
Tue Apr 28 2009 11:00:25

• "There was a palpable shift when John Donahoe transitioned into the role of CEO and Jose Mallabo took over as Director of Corporate Communications early last year. In one of his first responses to an inquiry from Ina, Mallabo responded via email, "I will use this as an opportunity to set some expectations moving forward. While we appreciate that these glitches are of great importance to your readers - and we certainly appreciate you drawing our attention to them, we just can't guarantee you a response on absolutely everything. If they are of a size that impacts a critical mass of the community, then we'll put it on the systems board. If not, we will do our very best to track down the answers for you in a reasonable time frame but often times these glitches are so obscure and impossible to replicate that getting answers can take a considerable amount of our team's time." "
• "Interestingly, Mallabo posted a comment from a non-eBay IP address in March of 2008. Shortly thereafter, another post appeared from the same DSL IP address as Mallabo's, but using the name John Rathert (the name of someone listed as a cofounder of his previous business), criticizing another commenter and stating, "You and David are about as big a joke as there is.  Go write about the fuzz in your navels." "
• "In an incident at last year's eBay Live, Ina was pulled aside by Usher Lieberman, a member of eBay's PR team, and was told not to ask about specific user's issues or else she would no longer be granted access to eBay executives. "
• "Ina told Lieberman that if he had a problem working with her, she would happily work with someone else in the PR Department. His response was, "No one else here will work with you, Ina." "

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//  29 April 2009
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Excerpts from "AuctionByte Bites Back at eBay" Wall Street Journal article.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/04/29/auctionbytes-bites-back-at-ebay

April 29, 2009, 2:26 PM ET

AuctionBytes Bites Back at eBay
By Geoffrey A. Fowler

• "eBay is facing a spat with AuctionBytes, a trade publication about eBay and e-commerce that attracts about half a million visitors to its Web site each month. "
• "In a post titled “Spin City: eBay Struggles to Control the Message” on Tuesday, AuctionBytes president David Steiner wrote that after 10 years covering the company, he has felt a “palpable shift” in eBay’s approach to communications since John Donahoe took office as eBay chief executive last year. "
• "The spat appears to have been most recently instigated by a report that AuctionBytes posted last week about changes to eBay’s third-party checkout system. Ina Steiner felt eBay’s public relations department was unresponsive to her requests for clarification, resulting in a post in which she reported that eBay had “nothing more to say.” "
• "EBay spokesman Alan Marks said his company could have done a better job communicating with its sellers, especially in the first half of last year. But he insisted “nothing has changed” about eBay’s commitment to communicating with sellers since Donahoe became CEO. “If anything, we have become more transparent,” Marks said "

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//  30 April 2009
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Excerpt from "TameBay Morsels 30/04/09" article.

http://www.tamebay.com/2009/04/tamebay-morsels-300409.html#comments

TameBay Morsels 30/04/09
by Chris Dawson

• "Finally those lovely people at eBay seem to have a few differences with the time served Ina Steiner of Auctionbytes. If eBay UK PR are reading this we promise to be nice (even when we disagree with you) in exchange for free listing fees for life (ok I’m joking, fees are so low these days it wouldn’t make much difference anyway, we’ll just carry on saying what we think ) "

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eBay PayFlow Checkout, Hacker Approved??

eBay PayFlow Checkout, Hacker Approved??
26 March 2009
EventHorizon1984


eBay plans to deactivate 3rd party checkout around June 2009.  Meaning eBay Sellers with Merchant Accounts (using 3rd party checkout), allowing non-PayPal credit card payments, are required to sign up for a mandatory PayFlow account beginning March 1st 2009. 

Well an event that appears interestingly timed with eBay's new PayFlow checkout occurred.  It appears that someone may have conducted the first large scale test of the vulnerability of eBay's new eBay/PayFlow checkout.

Cyber Attack: Unsolicited, Unstoppable PayPal Payments
By: Ina Steiner
Wed Mar 18 2009 22:42:14

• "There were several disturbing characteristics of this attack. It appears that scammers could use bogus information (including email address, physical address, and phone number) to send payments with credit cards that were, one would conclude, compromised or stolen. In some of those cases, it seems PayPal failed to identify them as suspicious to the merchant in a timely fashion."
• "But we know that when one incident surfaces, they are bound to be followed by more, so keep an eye out for strange activity in your PayPal account, and keep a close eye on your credit cards!"

Not that we find this surprising.

Look up active registered eBay Developer spopa2006 ( 3 ) sometime, as we blog back in time.

• "According to the affidavit, Popa was sentenced to 71 days in jail in Michigan in 2006 after being charged for using a hijacked eBay account to defraud someone into paying $1,448 for an item that didn't exist."

Remember, eBay code monkeys and Developers are working on and implementing software to allow buyers to input their credit card information directly on the eBay site and through eBay owned PayPal/PayFlow.

So your credit card can be safe.

"What's in Your wallet?"*

* What can we say, we like the Capital One commercials.

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spopa2006
Re: Mail address of an ebay User ?
Posted: Jun 7, 2007 12:41 AM   

Hey there. I wrote a similar project in C++ by using pointers. However, the implemented network interface i used in C++ is no longer supported and I am not a C# guru as I am in c++. Tell me whether or not you got your solution. You can email me at gam30v3r2007@yahoo.com

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Suspect in 'phishing' scheme indicted
A Romanian immigrant is accused of using e-mails to dupe thousands of people into sharing financial records.

By Dan Browning, Star Tribune

Last update: June 20, 2007 –  9:55 PM

• "A Romanian immigrant was indicted Tuesday in federal court in Minneapolis on charges that he operated a computerized "phishing" scheme for several years that raked in financial records and personal identification from thousands of individuals, including many from Minnesota."
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, 20, of Shelby Township, Mich., was indicted on three counts of possessing 15 or more devices designed to collect data on the Internet without authorization, and three counts of aggravated identity theft."
• "According to {FBI Special Agent Theodore} Theisen's affidavit and the indictment:"

• "Popa had more than 7,000 identities of victims of various phishing schemes, together with bank account, credit card and Social Security numbers, and passwords for some eBay, online banking and e-mail accounts. He offered to sell the stolen information to others."

• "Popa was convicted of larceny by conversion on June 12, 2006, stemming from a case in Saline, Mich. He was accused of using a hijacked eBay account to trick an individual into sending him $1,448 to buy a product that didn't exist. He served 71 days, Theisen said."

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From eBay Stores Forum
Phisher Indicted - check out this article

spopa2006 (2 ) View Listings | Report                 Jun-26-07 13:34 PDT       3 of 3
Listen guys. I am Sergiu D. Popa. I am that horrible guy!

Now let me make things a bit clear for you. First and foremost, I think that the Feds are a bit mentally challenged to put me behind bars because I have access to a lot of databases and I can predict every single move one tries to make against me.

And by the way, employing the described techniques by the newspaper article I successfully obtained about 1.1 Million dollars. I never run a Western Union Scheme as the newspaper says. I run an insurance scheme and therefore there shouldn't be any complaints. Insurances have plenty of money.

They also fail to mention in the newspapers reports who I really am in terms of my education and my real story. If you would really know my background and my level of education, you would probably realize that I can listen to your phone conversation, or maybe take a refinance loan on your house without you knowing. I am really appalled by the fact that you guys are making such comments on my behalf. Who are you to judge me? You guys make me laugh.

They also failed to say that I used to work as a mortgage broker and I regret the mistakes I made by scamming insurance companies but I was only 16 at the time I was doing it. I also offered to pay restitution to the Government. However, they always have to win, and they will never accept restitution because they want to prosecute me.

I have also seen a newspaper article where I was described as speaking a broken English. Let's analyze that for a second. At 14 I was teaching Differential Equations and Mechanics at a 4 yr college in New Hampshire, and by the time I was 15 I graduated high school. I am not a wannabe. As a matter of fact, I think I read more books in my life than the whole FBI Minnesota office. If the newspapers are going to write an article about me, I ask them to tell the whole truth. Call my college professors and ask them who I really am.

I know FBI, NASA, BOP and all those other government bonehead agencies are not happy when a kid who immigrated from another country penetrates their systems, but such is life. Get used to it. If in this life, we would all have an equal level of intelligence the world would come to an end. But how would you guys know that? I bet you guys never actually read a sociology, philosophy or psychology book and actually made something out of it.

But here is a warning to everybody who will post bogus information about me:

I will make your life a hell. Do not test me. Do not post information that is not accurate. I already have enough bad publicity and I do not want more. I want to be left alone.

This also applies to the Feds. I have been a nice guy with you, but once again, you are not smart enough to catch me for one, and I would really hate to see you guys back to stone age. How much would the Feds loose if one of their databases were to be completely deleted?

I am not an evil person, but I could be if I wanted to. Let's all live in peace and harmony. Mind your own business and I will mind my own.

Very Truly Yours,
Sergiu D. Popa

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spopa2006 (2 ) View Listings | Report        Jun-26-07 23:56 PDT       5 of 5
Why would you think it is a joke? Better yet, what are the reasons for which you think this is a joke?

//

Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip

Who's your underworld Popa?

By Dan Goodin in San Francisco 

Posted in Crime, 9th October 2008 18:47 GMT

• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, who for the past seven years has lived in New York and Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to two felonies related to the scheme. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $500,000. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled."
• "According to Popa's plea agreement, the scheme snagged the identities of 7,000 individuals who suffered a net loss of about $700,000. When his house was searched earlier this year, authorities found a machine for imprinting graphics on blank plastic cards, foil ribbons for making holographic images that appear on finished cards, blank cards, and partially created fraudulent drivers' licenses."
• Popa also possessed pre-built websites spoofing the online destinations of multiple financial institutions, such as PayPal, SunTrust Bank, and CitiBank, according to an affidavit filed in the case. He offered to sell phishing kits with step-by-step instructions for $1,500 and software and hardware capable of counterfeiting credit cards.
• According to the affidavit, Popa was sentenced to 71 days in jail in Michigan in 2006 after being charged for using a hijacked eBay account to defraud someone into paying $1,448 for an item that didn't exist.

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John Donahoe eBay CEO Analyst Day Quotes and Comments

John Donahoe eBay CEO Analyst Day Quotes and Comments
EventHorizon1984
12 March 2009

John Donahoe eBay CEO quotes and comments:

EBay Outlines Three-Year Revival Plan

"The eBay you knew is not the eBay of today or the eBay of the future."

• Translation: eBay of yesterday is dead.

"We were the biggest and the best. And when you're the biggest and the best, there's a strong tendency to try to preserve that," "EBay has a storied past. But frankly, it's a past we've held onto too much."

• Translation: eBay was successful, and we're changing that.

Donahoe pointed out that e-commerce is just 6% of real-world retail.

• Translation: eBay may think it's the 800 pound gorilla, but it's not.

Ecommerce Giant To Target 'Secondary Market'

"We are not a retailer"

• Translation: We don't know what we are.

Donahoe also declared that online payments unit PayPal was a second core business for the company with "an enormous potential."

• Translation: PayPal fees will increase this year.

It's open-mike day at eBay!

“Far be it for me to tell them how to value the company” said Swan, demurely.  “Give them hints,” suggested Donahoe.

• Translation: Please overvalue us.

Ebay: 'We Were Wrong'

EBay's pitch: Skype would help eBay users buy and sell goods.  "We were wrong," eBay Chief Executive John Donahoe told analysts and investors Wednesday at its San Jose, Calif., campus. "We thought it would reduce friction in commerce and payments.”

• Translation: Take my Skype. Please!*

* With apologies to Henny Youngman.

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Comments

mylegacy-treasures ( 791) View seller's items | View Blog Gosh, you went ahead and translated the Donahoe double-speak into English. Mar-12-09 14:30:05 PDT

observations-of-life ( 3536) View seller's items | View Blog Congratulations.I always enjoy reading your posts but this one is great.They all are.Thanks.LOL Mar-12-09 16:59:35 PDT

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Jeetil Patel of Deutsche Bank Says SELL eBay

Jeetil Patel of Deutsche Bank Says SELL eBay
EventHorizon1984
12 March 2009

Jeetil Patel of Deutsche Bank has for several years provided excellent guidance to clients about eBay.

Here's the official stance of Deutsche Bank after eBay's Analyst Day public relations fest.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/125672-what-are-analysts-saying-about-ebay-s-analyst-day
What Analysts Are Saying About eBay's Analyst Day?

Jeetil Patel - SELL - $11 PT

• While filled with long- term optimism, we thought the analyst event lacked near-term reality with respect to the current deteriorating fundamentals. In light of no near-term (2009) guidance, anticipate acceleration in growth, competitive pressures and economic backdrop, we think it's difficult to put much credibility into the 3-year plan. We think investors should gauge eBay against near-term performance.
• Near–term, the marketplace business is expected to underperform industry growth trends before flattening out next year and reaccelerating in 2011 – representing an optimistic view from eBay, we think . Clearly, this business represents the cash cow, and risk remains on declining demand, high seller commissions and lack of interface changes. We think the Skype unit is actually performing well, and management should hold on to this business model.
  
• The problem in the core lies with lack of demand, seller fees running too high and an e-commerce interface that is inconsistent with the industry norm (think product orientation, not listings metaphor). It is quite difficult for sellers to generate cash flows if they have to discount pricing (relative to other sites and direct) and maintain in-line to above-market commissions on selling on the platform, especially with weakening demand.

As a point of comparision, here are excerpts from 2007.

http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSN1835465420071018
EBay Shares Fall On Growth Concerns

• Deutsche Bank cut its eBay rating to "sell" from "hold," saying eBay's better-than-expected numbers were mainly thanks to foreign exchange and tax-related items and its operating profit missed Deutsche Bank's estimate.
• "We think eBay is facing a worst-case scenario in its business," Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel said in a note to clients. "We think that eBay's core business is deteriorating to the point of pressuring volumes due to higher ad costs, less user loyalty, which in turn could affect revenue and profit growth beginning in the next several quarters."
• Patel said eBay's transaction volumes, which rose 2 percent from a year ago, have the potential to decline in the next one to two quarters.
• Patel said he was keeping his $33 price target for eBay shares even as at least six other brokerages raised their price targets for the stock.

When listening to the cheery "Rainbows and Unicorns" blather of the other analysts, consider their track record on eBay.

Do consider that those analysts make their money on commissions selling eBay stock.  And giving advice.

"Stop going for the easy buck and start producing something with your life. Create, instead of living off the buying and selling of others."
Carl Fox, Wall Street (1987)

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Reuters - eBay zeroes in on PayPal in much-needed overhaul

Really?
EventHorizon1984
11 March 2009

Believe it or not.  According to eBay:

• "PayPal now commands a 79 percent market share in North America, but just 41 percent internationally, the company said."

"Sure. Fine. Whatever."
Dana Scully, X-Files

• http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc2009038_874618.htm
• "in the U.S., where PayPal is strongest, its share of online payments is just 12%. That proportion is in the single digits in Europe"

Denial is not a river in Egypt.

•  "Collins Stewart analyst Sandeep Aggarwal said Wall Street wanted "more tangible evidence of sustained recovery.""There is nothing new they gave us to make us feel more positive,""

"The eBay you knew is not the eBay we are, or the eBay we will become"
John Donahoe
“The old Ebay was sitting in people’s attics. The new Ebay is sitting in warehouses”
Lorrie Norrington

"Son, you're teasin' the gorilla in the monkey house."
Hank Hill, King of the Hill

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Excerpts.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/29637808/for/cnbc/

eBay zeroes in on PayPal in much-needed overhaul

By: Reuters | 11 Mar 2009 | 08:44 PM ET
SAN JOSE, California - By Alexandria Sage

"EBay Inc, fending off worries that its best days are over, hopes to transform itself by galvanizing growth at its PayPal payments system and jump-starting its lagging core business, top executives said on Wednesday."

"Chief Executive John Donahoe vowed to pursue "ruthless" change in its marketplaces business that began with auctions but now encompasses fixed-price sales and even classified ads."

"Within two years, marketplaces should see $5 billion to $7 billion in revenue, eBay said, spurred by search, catalog and platform improvements. That compares with 2008's $5.6 billion.

Still, Collins Stewart analyst Sandeep Aggarwal said Wall Street wanted "more tangible evidence of sustained recovery."

"There is nothing new they gave us to make us feel more positive," Aggarwal said."

""The eBay you knew is not the eBay we are, or the eBay we will become," Donahoe told analysts"

"PayPal margins will likely decline through 2010 due to the integration of online payments unit Bill Me Later, they will exceed 18 percent to 20 percent long-term"

"Analysts say eBay -- first known as the online marketplace for collectibles from Barbie dolls to quilts -- needs to boost its performance in the deepening recession, as well as fend off a resilient Amazon, which has stolen its market share."

""We were too slow in our approach to change. We were letting everyone into the marketplace, regardless of the experience they gave to buyers, " Marketplaces chief Lorrie Norrington said. "We have to do more and we have to do it faster.""

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eBay Garage - Do you really want eBay IN your computer?

Do you really want eBay IN your computer?
24 February 2009
EventHorizon1984

Following in the wake of the hack of eBay 3rd party service provider Auctiva, eBay has announce a protection service.

1. eBay: Let us look inside your PC, Nick Heath, 23 February 2009 17:30 GMT
2. eBay to Introduce Malware Scanning Service Called Garage, Ina Steiner, 24 February 2009

According to the reports, "eBay Garage, will run an embedded application that will scan users' PCs for any viruses or spyware" and "the user will be directed to the site of a security vendor."  And "eBay is partnering with two, as yet unnamed, security companies."

One of the companies will probably be Symantec.  And based on past history, the other company is likely to be owned by eBay, or eBay will have a financial stake in it, or eBay has plans to buy or invest in it.

The eBay Garage program will be run under the auspices of Dave Cullinane, eBay Marketplaces CISO (Chief Information Security Officer).  It appears one of his last assignments was CISO of Washington Mutual.

To any serious user of eBay we ask, 'do you really want eBay code monkey written applications loaded onto your hard drive, and running around in your computer?'

"Life was simple before World War II. After that, we had systems."
Admiral Grace Hopper

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The eBay PayPal 20% Hold Solution

The eBay PayPal 20% Hold Solution
17 February 2009
EventHorizon1984

• See also The eBay PayPal 5% Hold Solution.
• Related article, TameBay: PayPal reserves: here's what's really happening

eBay tests "improvements" on it's International sites, before applying them to the U.S. site.  An interesting "improvement" coming soon to U.S. eBay sellers is PayPal holding up to 20% of a sellers gross.

You can see Paypal's draconian application of it's "Reserves for Premier and Business Accounts" policy in the Great Britain thread (PayPal Reserve and Rolling Reserve) below.

With PayPal required to report U.S. seller sales to the IRS in 2011, this is a golden opportunity for PayPal to withhold 10% of a U.S. seller's funds for tax purposes.

Plus up to 20% for U.S. seller reserves.

"Ah arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you!"
Ambassador Londo Mollari, Babylon 5

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http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100224092
Paypal Reserve and Rolling Reserve

always-authentic-auctions (3925 )  10-02-09 07:43 GMT
We received an email out of the blue from Paypal on Saturday to let us know that our account that we have held for six years will now be subject to a rolling reserve of 6%. This means that from now on Paypal will deduct 6% of all of payments and hold them on a rolling 6 month basis to protect itself against chargeback's. It also on the same day took the minimum reserve amount from our account of £500.

Over the next six months Paypal will hold somewhere in the region of £6000 - £7000 of our money. As this is a rolling amount as long as we are trading we will not see this amount back. If we stopped trading in six months it would take a further six months to get then money fully back.

According to the person I spoke to at Paypal yesterday this is something that is rolling out to ALL Paypal accounts and that we are 'lucky' as some people are being charged up to 20% with 10% being the norm.

Over the last six years we have sold the same items and have had a tiny amount of chargeback's and buyer complaints, I would estimate that is easily less than 0.5% of our total sales, and that would be a high estimate.

How then Paypal can justify this I have no idea, in the past when there was a buyer complaint or chargeback they simply reversed a pending withdrawal, this has worked fine for the last years.

As the reserve is a rolling amount this effectively means our Paypal fees have increased by 3 time's overnight withy no notice.

Has anyone else experienced this ?

*dimebar* (74 )  10-02-09 09:12 GMT 1 of 23
There have been a small number of reports - from high volume sellers.

It isn't the norm, PayPal are telling you porkies.

Sadly, what they are doing is in their UA:

https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_payments-outside#biz-policy

10.4 Reserves for Premier and Business Accounts. When managing risk for Premier and Business Accounts, we may take various steps, such as establishing a Reserve, changing the speed or method of payment for withdrawals, set off amounts from your Balance and/or requiring you to deposit funds with us as security for your obligations to us or third parties. The following types of events may cause us to establish a Reserve:

1. You cease a substantial portion of or all of your business or adversely alter your business/operations;

2. There is a material adverse change in your business;

3. You or your business becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to pay debts as they fall due;

4. We receive a disproportionate number of customer complaints, Reversals, Chargebacks, Claims, fees, fines, penalties or other liability related to your Account; or

5. We reasonably believe that you will not be able to perform your obligations under this Agreement, the Card Processing Agreement, or any other agreement you have entered into with PayPal.

We may immediately establish a Reserve if we reasonably believe that it is warranted under this section. If we establish a Reserve, we will provide you with notice specifying the terms of the Reserve. You may close your Account if you object to the Reserve. We may increase or decrease the amount of the Reserve, provided that in our reasonable judgment the amount of the Reserve is related to the risk for which it was created. If your Premier or Business Account is closed for any reason, we have the right to hold the Reserve for up to 180 Days. You agree to provide us, upon our reasonable request and at your own expense, information about your finance and operations, including your most recent financial statements (certified or otherwise) and merchant processing statements (if applicable). You also agree to undertake, at your own expense, any further action (including, without limitation, executing any necessary documents and registering any form of document reasonably required by us to allow us to perfect any form of security interest or otherwise) required to establish a Reserve in a manner reasonably determined by us.

---

Has your account had any payment reversals, charge-backs or claims within the last 6 months?

Do you sell scammable or expensive items?

---

Personally, I think it's another excuse to create another revenue stream.

One man can make a difference.
Need help? Click here for the Popular Links and Useful Me Pages thread

always-authentic-auctions (3925 )  10-02-09 09:18 GMT 2 of 23
Hi, yes I read the terms and conditions and none of the reasons they quote apply to us. I have just got off the phone to them, they cannot help me with the specifics of our reserve, I am awaiting a call back from the team that applied the reserve. The shocking thing about this is that because the reserve is rolling this effectively means an increase in our fees of 6% which is a huge amount over a year, it's basically our profit that they have just wiped out.

always-authentic-auctions (3925 )  10-02-09 09:21 GMT 3 of 23
Just another point to add. We were given no notice of this happening other than the email from the US, although when I checked our account straight after reading the email the reserve had already been applied.

When I asked why we had not had any notice and when this was announced I was told by the Paypal agent that this was an ongoing process that started at the beginning of the year and that they had 60 million accounts to go through.

So other sellers should be prepared for the same thing.

global_megastore (21239 )  10-02-09 10:54 GMT 4 of 23
Paypal did this to us last November. They put a 3% rolling reserve on our account and then later that day sent us an email telling us they were doing it. We ended up having a conference call with Paypal in Ireland and the States and were told that this was because we sell high risk items and have a high rate of non-deliveries!? We sell children's duvet covers (hardly 'high risk'), Paypal refused to explain how they decided we have a high rate of non-deliveries, and wouldn't give us any specifics.

Currently they are holding over £6,000 of our eBay payments.

This reserve made us decide to stop accepting Paypal as a payment option for our non-eBay business. This means Paypal now lose out on approx £500,000 worth of business from us.

Would be interested to hear from anyone else affected by these rolling reserves.

*dimebar* (74 )  10-02-09 11:38 GMT 5 of 23
"This means Paypal now lose out on approx £500,000 worth of business from us."



I hope you told them that to boot


One man can make a difference.
Need help? Click here for the Popular Links and Useful Me Pages thread

global_megastore (21239 )  10-02-09 14:23 GMT 6 of 23
We did explain this to the representative we spoke to in the States. He said he was only concerned with 'risk' and it was our decision how we accept payments. He made it very easy for us to decide that Paypal wasn't the answer.

global_megastore (21239 )  10-02-09 14:29 GMT 7 of 23
To make things clear, let me state that I am not posting here simply to knock Paypal. But holding a % of our money for long periods of time could badly affect our business, especially in these financial times. All it does is drive us away from Paypal, and in doing so, away from eBay. Amazon, VISA, Mastercard etc don't give us these kind of problems.

*dimebar* (74 )  10-02-09 20:40 GMT 8 of 23
Some corporations can't see the woods for the trees.


One man can make a difference.
Need help? Click here for the Popular Links and Useful Me Pages thread

global_megastore (21239 )  11-02-09 09:52 GMT 10 of 23
I think that one of the reasons Paypal aren't keen to discuss this is because they do not fully understand how and why the reversals are placed. We got lots of conflicting information from different Paypal representatives (in the UK and Ireland), none of whom seemed to have been fully informed/educated.

After approx 3 weeks we got a call from 'Risk' in the States who explained that the reserve had been placed and offered very vague reasons for it.

He also made it clear to us that Paypal could increase the % of the reserve if they wanted to.

*dimebar* (74 )  11-02-09 10:38 GMT 11 of 23
Same old story from the PayPal chimps.


One man can make a difference.
Need help? Click here for the Popular Links and Useful Me Pages thread

junkerking (0 )  11-02-09 10:42 GMT 12 of 23
We got lots of conflicting information from different Paypal representatives (in the UK and Ireland), none of whom seemed to have been fully informed/educated.

as dime said paypal chimps

cheryl30uk78 (Private )  11-02-09 17:07 GMT 13 of 23
and in the meantime they hold ppls money while they get the intrest another pp profit makeing enterprize

secure4life (40 )  12-02-09 01:07 GMT 14 of 23
We just received our reserve info today...out of the blue. We just started our store in September, therefore I don't know where this is all coming from. Anyway, does anyone know how to maybe avoid this? Or get rid of the reserve on our PayPal account? 5% is a lot - makes me re-think this whole PayPal method...

global_megastore (21239 )  12-02-09 11:06 GMT 15 of 23
I'd like to ask the same question as secure4life; "Does anyone know how to maybe avoid this? Or get rid of the reserve on our PayPal account?".

I have a feeling that once Paypal have put a reserve in place (i.e. once they get used to holding a sellers money), there is very little chance of the reserve being removed. It looks like we might just have to accept this as an additional cost for selling on eBay.

It's still early days, but it will be interesting to see the reaction should Paypal start rolling this out to more and more sellers. After reading about eBay's poor sales figures for the last year, I'm surprised they're putting more and more obstacles infront of sellers.

banannasarego (26 )  12-02-09 16:10 GMT 16 of 23
I think it is a simple situation :

PayPal want to be a bank ( and have registered as one in Luxemburg ).

A bank requires a stable supply of capital to lend against - and preferably free of any interest charge.

They can then make discreet loans to other businesses at relatively high interest but knowing what their rolling 6 month capitalisation is.

In effect they are taking a rolling six month loan from you - against your wishes at 0% interest.

secure4life (40 )  12-02-09 16:32 GMT 17 of 23
Yes...this whole Rollback Reserve idea is very unfortunate. For my situation we have a 5% reserve - even for money which we bring into the account from our own bank account. We ended up putting our store on hold (Vacation Mode)- in order to change all our prices to make up for this 5%. I have been told by PayPal that after 90 days they will review my case and see if the reserve will be taken off. In my opinion this will not be a very good thing for eBay and PayPal. Not only will they lose their customers - they will also lose a lot of money and business. I literally got laughed at when I said that this might cause us to shut down the whole eBay operation...I do not think that is funny. Anyway, I guess we will have to deal with it as sellers and the more people find out and get put on a reserve the more eBay and PayPal will get hurt in the long-run.

global_megastore (21239 )  12-02-09 16:56 GMT 18 of 23
Thankfully we didn't have to up all our prices, but it has given us a very negative impression of Paypal. We hope to continue using eBay in future, but it makes sense for us from a finacial point of view to concentrate more on avenues that aren't actively hampering our business. It's certainly made us more pro-active to non-eBay sales.

Ebay's not the only place to sell online, but it is the only place that wants to hold a % of our profits for 3 months.

banannasarego (26 )  12-02-09 17:04 GMT 19 of 23
secure4life:

1) You have not been charged any extra fees - they are just ho;ding a minimum of £500 or x% ( whichever is the greater ) for at least 6 months or until 6 months after: your last trade, and / or closure of your account. Unless there are chargebacks in which case the amount will be reduced accordingly.

2) Having reviewed rhe status of ebays attitude to their members I believe ebay and paypal are very happy to get as many accounts as possible closed: They do not want sellers any more neither do they want buyers - the idea that ebay want to become a mall or like amazon may be incorrect --> THEY WANT TO BE A SEARCH ENGINE to compete with google! so all they want are listings to publish and collect a fee per click!

ndc-uk (8747 )  15-02-09 12:42 GMT 20 of 23
They hold 5% of every transaction you receive weather or not you refund it. So if you refund a payment you have to subsidise the 5% they hold out of your own pocket.

Our solution?
Up to now we have kept eBay prices in line with our website/amazon/other venues. Now however we will increase our prices by 10% and then offer a 10% discount to people who pay us directly with a credit/debit card or via bank transfer/cheque. Although this may initially slow the sales down once people get used to our policy I beleive the slump in sales will be negligible. Furthermore it will probably push more people to just buy off owr own website which charges us NO commision!

I suggest others join this revolt!

ndc-uk (8747 )  15-02-09 12:44 GMT 21 of 23
and if someone does decide to pay by paypal they can hold 5% if they wish as the customer would have paid 10% over our desired selling price anyway!

global_megastore (21239 )  16-02-09 08:47 GMT 22 of 23
Will putting your prices up by 10% not badly affect your standings in Best Match, and drive customers away?

I like the idea of offering a discount for non-Paypal payments, hope this works for you.

ndc-uk (8747 )  16-02-09 13:51 GMT 23 of 23
it depends on how unique your product is and what your sales strategy is. For us currently the important thing is getting brand recognition for our website and trying to attract as many people as possible to that. We know that our prices are keen and we have a product which has a high demand, and beleive that once customers see tehy will get a lower price than listed if they pay by credit card etc then ultimately they will buy. We anticipate 1-2 slow weeks but we're prepared to buffer that.

Also we are now advertising quite clearly the 10% discount. Have a look at one of our ads.

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Greg Fant - ***Free Picture Price change***

Not So Free, eBay Free Picture Price Change
12 February 2009
By EventHorizon1984

• "I’d like to share some news regarding fee changes for eBay-hosted pictures that we’re making in the Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass categories. The first eBay-hosted picture in an item is already free. Effective February 18, 2009, we are making all additional pictures, Picture Pack and Gallery Plus FREE for listings in all four categories on the US site", Greg Fant, eBay VP of Marketing & Buyer Experience
• eBay Gives Photo-Freebie to Collectibles Dealers, Ina Steiner, 13 February 2009

We wonder if sellers realize that according to eBay's User Agreement, eBay will own the rights to the photos you host on eBay?

When you give us content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) right to exercise the copyright, trademark, publicity, and database rights (but no other rights) you have in the content, in any media known now or in the future.

If you want to know what eBay will do with your photos, here's what follows the User Agreement parargraph above.

For the convenience of sellers, we may offer catalogs of stock images, descriptions and product specifications, which are provided by third-parties.

The catalogs may include copyrighted, trademarked or other proprietary materials.

The reader may wonder why eBay needs "Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass" photos, when eBay has a ready supply of stock photos available to sellers.  The answer is eBay does not have a large supply of stock photos for collectibles.

Yet.

Unless sellers continue to host their own high quality photos, after February 18th eBay will own the rights to a growing supply of royalty-free "Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass" photos.

Which eBay will gladly loan out to all sellers.  Translation for eBay sellers: Give to your competitors.

Really think about it, before taking eBay up on it's "free" offer.

"I teach you to lie, cheat, and steal, and as soon as my back's turned you wait in line?"
Gregory House, M.D., House

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http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200902121347522.html

***Free Picture Price change***
February 12, 2009 | 01:48PM PST/PT

Greg Fant

Hello everyone...I’d like to share some news regarding fee changes for eBay-hosted pictures that we’re making in the Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass categories. The first eBay-hosted picture in an item is already free.

Effective February 18, 2009, we are making all additional pictures, Picture Pack and Gallery Plus FREE for listings in all four categories on the US site (www.ebay.com). This includes all formats and all durations.

eBay is committed to providing a great experience to its users. Buyers in these categories have asked for more photos to help them decide which items to compare and which item to purchase. We believe that more free photos will allow sellers to provide buyers the visual details they need to make these decisions, lower buyer questions, and increase seller sales.

By the way, we're also working on improving the visual shopping experience for buyers with new ways to browse and view multiple, large pictures, which should further increase the benefits of free pictures for both sellers and buyers. Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming visual enhancements.

We’re excited to make these changes, and believe they will enhance the marketplace on eBay for everyone. I encourage you to click here for full pricing details.

Sincerely,
Greg Fant
VP of Marketing & Buyer Experience

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Dinah Balk - Special Alert – New Paypal Amendment Lowers eBay Sellers’ Credit Scores!

Once more, with Feeling.
30 January 2009
EventHorizon1984


Below is an excerpt from the latest article from Seeking Alpha writer Dinah Balk.

http://dinahbalk.com/

Dinah Balk
Friday, January 30, 2009 10:33 AM

Special Alert - New PayPal Amendment Lowers eBay Sellers' Credit Scores!

Over the next few weeks eBay sellers who have a Paypal Premier or Business account to processes buyers’ credit card payments will have a big decision to make.  They will have to decide whether to 1) close their eBay & Paypal accounts and then move to another venue like Bonanzle, Go Daddy, or Etsy or 2) cross their fingers and hope for the best.

Why?  The following Paypal amendment goes into effect on February 11, 2009. 

2.4  Credit Report Authorization for Premier and Business Accounts. If you open a Premier or Business Account, you are providing PayPal with your written instructions to obtain your personal and/or business credit report from a credit bureau.  PayPal may obtain your credit report: (a) when you open (or upgrade to) a Premier or Business Account, or (b) any time thereafter if PayPal reasonably believes there may be an increased level of risk associated with your Account.  An increased level of risk includes, but is not limited to, a high number of chargeback’s or reversals, or suspicious activity associated with your Account."

Unfortunately for Dinah Balk's audience, you may never see this article on Seeking Alpha.

There is the appearance that self-important individuals from eBay and PayPal have been pressing Seeking Alpha to censor articles and authors considered "insensitive" to their needs.  And Seeking Alpha appears to be dutifully performing this task.

While Seeking Alpha does state:

Seeking Alpha does not allow its editors to accept or reject an article due to the stock covered or the editor's agreement or disagreement with the contributor's viewpoint on the stock. (other than the $1.00 rule above)

They did publish and then willfully censored Dinah Balk's 2008 article "PayPal Ruins Christmas for eBay Customers".

Whether this is the mere appearance of censorship or the work of outside corporate influences attempting to manipulate stockholder perception, remains to be seen.

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According to eBay Customer Service, Alaska Is NOT In The United States

According to eBay Customer Service, Alaska Is NOT In The United States
EventHorizon1984
20 January 2009

If you've dealt with any form of eBay Customer Service, you'll find between the Eliza canned responses that they have little or no understanding of United States geography.

For example take this piece of pure ignorance from eBay Customer Service.

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your question.
I have reviewed the listing and show that they ship to the united states
only at the price of $49. In the listing they do not state that they
offer shipping to Alaska.
Therefore they do not have to honor that shipping price.
If you have further questions I suggest you contact the seller.
Thank you for your time

Sincerely,
******
eBay Customer Support

Over the years eBay Customer Service, and for that matter some eBay California based moderators, have made similar gaffs relating to three States of the United States; Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico.  That is eBay representatives believe that NONE of the States mentioned are part of the United States.

As a service to a multi-billion dollar corporation That Should Know Better, here are the facts about these three States.  Read IT and learn.

Alaska
49th State of the United States

• Territory of the United States, 24 August 1912
• State of the United States, 3 January 1959

Hawaii
50th State of the United States

• Territory of the United States, 7 July 1898
• State of the United States, 21 August 1959

New Mexico
47th State of the United States

• Territory of the United States, 9 September 1850
• State of the United States, 6 January 1912

And a final reminder to eBay Customer Service and IT's representatives, a Territory of the United States IS part of the United States.  Like an equally misplaced in the United States locations, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Disclaimer:  Some of us resided in the Territory of Hawaii.

...

"The person you are trying to reach is out of the area or has turned off their phone."
Dr. Eric Foreman, House

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The eBay PayPal 5% Hold Solution

The eBay PayPal 5% Hold Solution
EventHorizon1984
17 January 2009

• "In a very small percentage of cases, eBay asks PayPal to hold a payment in a seller’s PayPal account for up to 21 days."  Monroe Labouisse, "Director of PayPal’s business on eBay in the US and Canada"

eBay Public Relations published another puff piece, eBay Item Holds Explained (eBay Ink, Richard Breyer-Hay), regarding PayPal's holding of seller funds for "21 days".  As in prior years, eBay-PayPal described the account holds as affecting a small percentage of sellers.

And then they quantified IT.

This is what eBay-PayPal said in the January 16th article:

"We’re talking about single-digit percentages. Usually less than 5% of transactions."
Monroe Labouisse

To understand the magnitude of what "5%" represents, here's what was said earlier in the article:

"PayPal’s history with hundreds of millions of eBay transactions"
Monroe Labouisse

Based on "PayPal's history", "5%" would represent 5 million transactions put on hold for every 100 million transactions.

Here are the numbers from eBay's SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) filing, 23 October 2008 10-Q Quarterly Report  Form 10-Q. 

Quarter 3, 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2008

Active users:  83,000,000
Number of new listings:  555,600,000
Gross merchandise volume:  $14,395,000,000

Active registered accounts:  54,800,000
Net total payment volume:  $11,569,000,000

Given that neither transactions nor sellers are homogeneous, here's what a "5%" hold policy could represent in a completely off-the-cuff fashion:

Active eBay users affected:  4,150,000
Number of new listings affected:  27,780,000
Gross merchandise volume, HELD:  $719,750,000

Active registered PayPal accounts affected:  2,740,000
Net total payment volume, HELD:  $578,450,000

eBay-PayPal considers numbers like these "small."  We wonder what they would consider to be 'big'?

...

"What's life without the ability to make stupid decisions?"
Dr. Gregory House, House

...

See also our follow up article The eBay PayPal 20% Hold Solution.

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Google - Important Information about Your Account Display Name

Okay.  Who's Running The Store At Google Base?
EventHorizon1984
10 January 2009  (updated 12 January 2009)

If you are one of the hundred of thousands who use Google Base to advertise products, you probably got the email below.

Dear Merchant:

Thank you for your participation in Google Product Search. We noticed that your display name (Edited Out) appears to either contain errors or not conform with our Editorial Guidelines. Please go to http://www.google.com/base/settings to review your display name. Here are some tips to ensure that your display name is correctly formatted:

• Enter the name of your store without any additional text. You do not need to include \Inc.,\ \Co.,\ \GmbH,\ etc.
• Enter your website address only if you're the only store on that website. If you do this, make sure it matches your actual website domain and don't include \http://\. If you're a marketplace seller that shares a website address with other sellers, simply use your unique store name instead.
• Ensure that you've correctly spelled your store's name.
• Avoid unnecessary use of the following:
  • promotional text (e.g., phone numbers, marketing messages, sale announcements);
  • repeated and unnecessary use of punctuation, capitalization, or symbols (e.g., spelling your store name in ALL CAPS);
  • copyright and trademark symbols; and
  • offensive or inappropriate language.

Finally, note that Product Search truncates display names longer than 20 characters.

Please note that if you do not update your display name, we may update it to comply with the above guidelines. For more information on how to format your display name for Google Product Search, or if you believe you've received this message in error, please visit http://base.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=106840

Sincerely,

The Google Product Search Team

It appears a significant number of Google Base users, received this email perhaps in error.

We would be VERY interested in knowing why this happened, and what new measures Google is trying to enforce. 

If you have received the above email, consider sending a response to Google via the link below.

http://base.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=displayname

//

P.S.  Event Horizon (Hawaii), aka "Event Horizon 1984" aka "EventHorizon1984" aka "Event Horizon Hawaii" celebrates it's 25th business anniversary this month.  As our company name and service marks pre-date Google's existence, where did we go wrong Google? 

P.P.S.  Yes, we also pre-date the film.

P.P.P.S.  Yes, most of us enjoyed the movie.

"I created the Event Horizon to reach the stars, but she's gone much, much farther than that. She tore a hole in our universe, a gateway to another dimension. A dimension of pure chaos. Pure... evil. When she crossed over, she was just a ship. But when she came back... she was alive! Look at her, Miller. Isn't she beautiful?"
Dr. William Weir, Event Horizon (1997)

//
//  Google Responds 12 January 2009
//
   
Jena
Google Employee
9:07 AM
 Jena (Google Employee) says this answers the question:

Hello Google Base Users,

As you've all been made aware, we've incorrectly sent an email regarding Google Base account display names to a number of content providers. At this time, you may feel free to ignore this notification. We're currently investigating the cause of this error. Once the issue has been resolved, we will resend any notifications only to those accounts that do need to make changes to their display names.

To ensure your display name adheres to our guidelines, please review http://base.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?&answer=106840

We apologize for any confusion.

//
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http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/base/thread?tid=3e3d8e4fe99bbd6c&hl=en

Google Help > Google Base > Discussions > Submitting Your Content > not conform with our Editorial Guidelines

Question: not conform with our Editorial Guidelines

gcr
Level 1
3:20 PM
What is with the e-mail I got from Google Base? it says that my company name "Geisha Coffee Roaster" doesn't conform with their Editorial Guidelines. That is the name of the company. The name came from the most expensive coffee in the world "Geisha Coffee" produced in Panama, and yes we sell it and roast it!

What is up with Google? Then there is no-reply in the e-mail, so go figure...

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

-pat

All answers

ktb6915
Level 1
3:26 PM
I got a similar email (subject: "Important Information about Your Account Display Name")

"....We noticed that your display name (____________________) appears to either contain errors or not conform with our Editorial Guidelines...."

The company name used in this case is also legitimate. It seems to be a mistake. I followed the link on one of their support pages to apply for something like a display name exemption??.   

mygarter
Level 1
3:47 PM
I got the same notice this evening.  I submitted the form from the guidelines page telling them I belive it was in error.  Meanwhile, when I logged into my settings, I tried to make a change to my Description and upon hitting "Save" I was shown an error that states the URL I entered is already in use with another Google Base account.   How do we go about getting further support from Google?

ChippiesAvalanche
Level 1
3:52 PM
i too got one of those guideline emails.

my display name is

ChippiesAvalanche

my companies name is ChippiesAvalanche.

i dont have any llcs, any gmbhs etc, i dont have any punctuation or any thing else in the display name, just ChippiesAvalanche.

im confused...

help!

michael   

Celebird
Top Contributor
3:52 PM
1 person says this answers the question:

the url already in use error is most probably a separate issue --
please use the separate contact-us form link found on this page:
http://base.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=25191   

Celebird
Top Contributor
4:01 PM
1 person says this answers the question:
the display-name used can be legitimate and still violate google-base guidelines --
e.g. names sounding like advertisements or approaching trademark infringement.

if you believe your display-name meets all google-base guidelines
and haven't received direct email from google-base you can use the
'contact-us' link at the bottom of this page to contact google directly:
http://base.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=106840

   

Oman
Level 1
4:02 PM
We got the same notification regarding our base account information.  At first I thought it was some kind of phish email. 

The business name that we registered with our secretary of state is Myfootshop.com.  Myfootshop.com is the name used on business cards, stationary and customer receipts.  We use the .com to denote that we have no brick and mortar side to our store. 

Is the use of .com in a business name confusing to Google?  We replied as requested on the contact form, but after review of our account information, that little ditty is the only bit of information that may seem unique in our account.
References:
[1]   
Myfootshop.com(Web)
www.myfootshop.com

   

mygarter
Level 1
4:11 PM
I too have "dot com" in my name for the same reason.  Our name is trademarked with the US Trademark office in this manner.  I have submitted the form suggested.  Has anyone else run into the "URL already registered" problem too?  I only notice it when trying to save my account information.  My URL has been in use with my Google account for some time now. I've submitted that form as well.

M

   

brightpenguin
Level 1
4:32 PM
It's disgusting that they choose to send these notices out to my sites on the weekend when I am trying to enjoy some time off.  In return, they waste my additional weekend time searching around for contact information.  They cast stones and then hide behind the wall, very disappointing.

   

Celebird
Top Contributor
5:13 PM
i received the notification also; so it might do well
to wait and see if someone at google replies here.

that's not to suggest i'm not in violation.

   

rrras420
Level 1
5:16 PM
Does google have anything better to do with their time. I have had my same name Reneesatticcollectibles for many years on Ebay and over 1 year on ioffer. What is their problem? I do not see anything wrong with it. They need to get a life.

   

ChippiesAvalanche
Level 1
5:19 PM
Greetings!

i wondered about the trademark stuff myself, but i have been using ChippiesAvalanche since 1998, and every time i google my company name, the ONLY thing that comes up is MY stuff,

today, i googled and got...

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,010 for ChippiesAvalanche. (0.25 seconds)

all of these links lead to me.  there is no other ChippiesAvalanche.

so i am still confused.

also, i didnt get any notice about "url already in use error" or have any errors come up when i save my info. and the url i have is my data feed for ebay, (just like 30,000+ other ebay members)

http://esssl.ebay.com/GetListings/chippiesavalanche?fmt=g

in fact, the url was set up specifically by ebay FOR google to use for the store connector and the active feeds.

:)

so still confused about my display name.

michael

   

ChippiesAvalanche
Level 1
5:21 PM
Greetings!

celebird - "i received the notification also; so it might do well
to wait and see if someone at google replies here.

that's not to suggest i'm not in violation"

you got one too?

whoops...ehehehe

im guessing someone at google changed something in their algorithms and didnt check to see what the results would be...

:)

michael

   

mombulldog
Level 1
5:23 PM
I got a notice this evening saying there might be a problem with my name, Funkarelics. I've been connected to the Googlebase store connecter for almost two years with this name and not had any issues. I can't understand why the name would set off any alarms now. As far as I can tell, it's within the guidelines. I sent an email to the Google contact provided, and hope to recieve an answer soon.

   

Sharon B
Level 1
5:24 PM
I got the same notice, and it looks like I have 23 characters in my display name instead of 20 as the guidelines want to see.  (And I noticed the originator of this thread has the same problem.)   It says they will truncate the name (which they already appear to be doing) when it is displayed.  But I have submitted my feed and used this name for 3 years now ...

So I'm wondering if this will cause a problem in SEO or if I can just leave it.

   

mygarter
Level 1
6:26 PM
I'm thinking that they made some updates, changes, etc. and somehow a bunch of notices could have been sent in error.  We'll just have to see what they say when they repond to the help requests posted.  Searching the Forum, I don't see any other topics on this issue posted in the past and it's a bit odd that there are so many questioning it just tonight.  I'm going to hang tight. It could be just a glitch.

M

   

Thoughts
Level 1
6:47 PM
I also received the notice, read the rules, counted my characters-- Thoughts of Home, checked everything, however, I have a trademark/servicemark on my name Thoughts of Home. Perhaps that is the reason, but I am the owner of the mark so it should be fine to use it. My URL for the website is different than the display name   Tohomeshop.com so I wonder if that is the problem.

They say that they will truncate names longer than 20 characters so I imagine it will affect your SEO.

   

bluepennylady
Level 1
6:52 PM
Hi, all,

I received the same email.  IN fact over half the sellers using google base on the Bonanzle discussion board received the notification.  I have had a google base account since almost day one using my display name as it is right now, never an issue.  I am at a loss as to why my display name would be incorrect now.

I am beginning to think google may have had a glitch in their email system perhaps sending out hundreds of emails in error....

Judy
bluepennylady

   

Zane's Closet
Level 1
8:10 PM
Yup, got one too, under the name you see here.  I figured it was the apostrope, but, hey, that's the name of the store.  It would be a pretty sad fact to learn that Google couldn't handle apostrope or punctuation in their system....

   

Jen Hintz Yarn Arts
Level 1
8:23 PM
I got the message too.  I use the same name for that as I am using here, and it's 19 characters so that can't be the problem; It's also my own business name, so I can't see that being a problem.

I tried to use the "if you believe you've received this message in error" link at the end of the email, but it does not work, which made my stomach turn because I was afraid I'd fallen for a phishing scam.  Is there really no other way to contact Google about this?

   
rebekahsbowtique
Level 1
1/11/09
I got the same email. Mine stated that my display name Rebekahs Bowtique appears to either contain errors or does not conform with our Editorial Guidelines. I clicked the links in the email to find they were wrong links...nothing came up. I then went into a different page to sign into google and checked everything on the list and nothing seems out of place or wrong. I will just wait. Not sure what it is talking about ~

   
SimplySmitten
Level 1
1/11/09
We too received the same email from Google. Display name is SimplySmitten.com and have been using since day one with no changes or updates being made to it. Will be happy to change if do not comply, but unable to determine what it is we need to change. Our store name is SimplySmitten.com and in reviewing the guidelines, it appears to meet all listed. Can only imagine this email was sent in error or at least we hope so. I wouldn't worry too much about it at the moment, something seems to be off.

   
MaxMuhlin
Level 1
1/11/09
I received 10 of the email notifications after uploading my monthly feed for my 10 CafePress shops yesterday!  Following the email link, I did respond with my "justification".  Now we wait.  Upon learning that so many of you have received the same notification, I am somewhat relieved.  My sales show a definite dearth when I foolishly allow my Google Base feed to lapse without a new upload, so I am hopeful that this situation will be resolved.

   
cjbeez
Level 1
1/11/09
same email here... waiting for answers....

   
adele57
Level 1
1/11/09
I also received the email, but when I checked on my items which are on automatic upload, they are no longer there.  They were due for another upload on the 14th but are not on my base at all.  I googled my number one item and it never showed in the listing, my name still does though.  I have used Del's Delights since I started on Froogle before they even became Google base and never had a problem before.  I am hoping they get this straightened out and things work right again.  I keep wondering how many sales I lost because this just cam e to light and I have no idea how long my items have not been listed.  Base said they were uploaded 12/14/08 so they should have still been good, we will see.

   
adele57
Level 1
1/11/09
Well the manual upload failed.   Just checked and it said failed, bit I noticed the expiration date was last year so I changed it and tried again.  Will keep you updated

   
adele57
Level 1
1/11/09
Ok, changing the date worked for me, my items are listed again.  Still not sure about the email, but others might have the same problem with the expiration date that I did.

   
mjlarkin
Level 1
1:41 AM
1 person says this answers the question:

We run a Google Base Syncing site (http://synctobase.com) and received an email for each of our clients (over 300).  Clearly something is wrong on Google's end, because some of our clients have been with us for over a year with no problems.

I'm guessing some unlucky coder made a mistake!

   
al14
Level 1
1:50 AM
The comment about getting the "URL I entered is already in use" when saving the profile got me thinking. I had a lot of trouble uploading a few years ago when Google started integrating all its logins and more or less tried to drive everyone to gmail. As a result of fooling around trying to fix the problem I end up with two google base accounts, one under my gmail name and one under my business domain email account. Luckily I still know both passwords. I just logged into the inactive account, changed the display name to something irrelevant and erased the URL. After doing that, I could save the active profile without getting the "URL I entered is already in use" message -- and without changing my display name. Anybody else have duplicate inactive accounts out there?

   
rivertonstudios
Level 1
4:00 AM
I just wanted to throw in that this happened to me this morning too.  My display name is Riverton Studios.  Google must have changed something, because we all are experiencing the same problem.

   
andrea313
Level 1
7:05 AM
I got the same email. I had an apostrophe in my name, so removed it & got the error about the url already in use. So I removed the URL & tried editing my name again, and it worked. My name is still too long (>20 chars), but it shows up in the searches, so I'll leave it & let them truncate it...

   
RobL
Level 1
8:10 AM
I also received an email noting that my "display name (The StreamStone Shop) appears to either contain errors or not conform with our Editorial Guidelines," but "The StreamStone Shop" has 20 characters and nothing that seems out of conformance with guidelines. Mysterious. I've used the Help page's form to request clarification. Reassuring, in a way, to see so many of us were hit by this today....

Do you think this answers the question? Sign in to vote. Report abuse
   
taogem
Level 1
1/11/09
I also received the same. Previously my display name was TaoGem Gemstones. After reading through the editorial guidelines the only things I could think of was to get rid of the capital G in TaoGem and loose the word "Gemstones" as perhaps they looked at it as a promotional type text/word.

So I changed the display name to a simple Taogem.  Then today I received the exact same email suggesting still in violation somehow.

I did use the contact link, so hopefully will hear back with some more specific reason as to why the word Taogem is a problem.
   
sddevelope
Level 1
1/11/09
I have received this mystery email also. Why are so many suddenly getting this? My company name is osha4less.com. When I first began using google base a couple of months ago, I naturally entered osha4less.com as the display name. Google had no problem with this until now.
Admittedly the display name conflicts with Editorial Guidelines (it contains '.com'). I removed the '.com'. I then received a further email from Google within hours claiming that the store name still does not conform with guidelines.
I see no reason why I should be having this issue. I also contacted Google regarding this, and urge everyone else to do the same.
   
Radwinters
Level 1
3:12 AM
I have received the same bloody email. I changed the name of my store and received the same email AGAIN. This is starting to seem pretty freaking ridiculous.
   
lahunter
Level 1
5:51 AM
Me too, got the email. I had the business name Hunter's Romantic Secrets, then I changed it to the web site address www.Romantic-Secrets.com and still got the email. Not sure what to do.
   
maggied45
Level 1
6:47 AM
I also changed the name to comply with the 20 character requirement and got another email saying the same thing.  This has got to be some kind of error, right???
   
jnall3
Level 1
8:18 AM
I have two accounts at googlebase one is Fancy Frames Boutique and the other is Better Than New Designer Boutique.  Both accounts received this same message.  I went in where they said to dispute this email and I did.  Haven't heard anything back.  Does anyone from google every get on here to answer or do we just all sit and moan and they ignore us.
   
Jena
Google Employee
9:07 AM
 Jena (Google Employee) says this answers the question:

Hello Google Base Users,

As you've all been made aware, we've incorrectly sent an email regarding Google Base account display names to a number of content providers. At this time, you may feel free to ignore this notification. We're currently investigating the cause of this error. Once the issue has been resolved, we will resend any notifications only to those accounts that do need to make changes to their display names.

To ensure your display name adheres to our guidelines, please review http://base.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?&answer=106840

We apologize for any confusion.
   
bmesc
Level 1
9:33 AM
Jena:

I was not "made aware" of this situation. I wasted time on this e-mail trying to figure it out or find an answer, but I did not get an e-mail from your company informing me there was an error.

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Science Wit and Wisdom From PowerSellers Unite

Sometimes You Have To Look Back To See Forward
EventHorizon1984
11 January 2009

"according to poster (itspostingtime), I don't know what I'm talking about"
Randy Smythe, My Blog Utopia, 6 December 2008

It could be said that the anonymous eBay poster itspostingtime and his alter egos make liberal use of this argument. That's he's right (yes Mr. Smythe it's "he") because everyone else doesn't know what they're talking about.

Like this alleged alter ego.

http://www.powersellersunite.com/about24334-0-asc-0.html
cohibastore.com
Total posts: 2336
USA US Pennsylvania
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:07 pm  
Post subject:  2008 was the year man-made global warming was disproved
 
The first, on May 21, headed "Climate change threat to Alpine ski resorts" , reported that the entire Alpine "winter sports industry" could soon "grind to a halt for lack of snow". The second, on December 19, headed "The Alps have best snow conditions in a generation" , reported that this winter's Alpine snowfalls "look set to beat all records by New Year's Day".

Easily one of the most important stories of 2008 has been all the evidence suggesting that this may be looked back on as the year when there was a turning point in the great worldwide panic over man-made global warming. Just when politicians in Europe and America have been adopting the most costly and damaging measures politicians have ever proposed, to combat this supposed menace, the tide has turned in three significant respects.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/3982101/2008-was-the-year-man-made-global-warming-was-disproved.html

Ultimately, in 10 to 20 years, we'll see whether cohibastore (cleggandco, maybe itspostingtime) is right or totally off the mark.  Or maybe we can accomplish the look ahead sooner.  By looking back.

Sometimes You Have To Look Back

In the day, or at least in our day, computer modeling was a hit or miss affair.  There were limits to what a researcher could do with computing power equivalent to what the average person has in their cell phone.

That changed in the later part of the 20th Century.  Computer modeling became less of a quija board and more of a precise analytical tool.  Good examples are nuclear weapons research and high energy particle physics.  Which is not to say that everything could be computer modeled accurately.  Notable exceptions being horse racing and predicting the weather.

Predicting Triple Crown Winners

Tell a gambler you have a system for horse racing, and they may have visions of easy money.  Tell a Professional Gambler you have a computer model for horse racing, and one thing they'll want to see (after laughing) is your track record.

Did you predict the winner for one race?  A day's worth of races?  A year's worth?  Multiple years?

You know a computer model or simulation of an event is fairly good, when the model is correct over time.  A good track record does have weight.  It's not proof, but such a model should be given some consideration in it's ability to predict.

"Unpredicted by all those computer models", Christopher Booker

Given the tens of thousands of models from all view points on the topic Global Warming, we applaud cohibastore's spokesman Mr. Booker for his Craw computer-like facility to sift through all of them. 

We do not plan on performing that miracle here.  This is after all a quick chat.

Using the old school unscientific method of randomly going through old newspaper clippings like cohibastore, we'll do a quick check of what was being said.

cohibastore.com
Total posts: 2336
USA US Pennsylvania
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:18 pm

As we've noted, 2008 has been a year of records for cold and snowfall and may indeed be the coldest year of the 21st century thus far. In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration registered 63 local snowfall records and 115 lowest-ever temperatures for the month of October.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=315533893763712

  Not from 2008 or this year, because any hack can do that, but from years earlier.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031106052121.htm
6 November 2003

"Such increases (in temperature) widen the gap between water temperature and air temperature – the ideal condition for snowfall.”

http://investor.com.com
14 October 2005

"Heavier rain or snow, however, will also fall in northwestern and northeastern North America, northern Europe, northern and eastern Asia, southwestern Australia, and parts of South America during the current century."

Obviously these are not heavy science pieces.  Then too neither were the articles in the PowerSellers Unite thread.  Equally obvious is there are thousands of papers that can show any view you want.

But for the purpose of the original PSU position, it's not an honest debate to state that Snow proves the models are false.  In fact it's down right silly to base an argument on something that proves the opposition correct and you wrong.

One makes valid arguments pointing out flaws in a model, not by showing how well the model predicts.

Epilogue

"While scientists generally agree that the world's climate is changing, there is more disagreement over how much of the change is due to human behavior."

This piece really has nothing to do with the climate debate, so what is the point of this piece?  Other than keyword generation.

It's Coherent Arguments For Dummies.

If one is going to make an argument that 'A' proves 'B' false, better be sure that is the case.

.

“To get anywhere, or even live a long time, a man has to guess, and guess right, over and over again, without enough data for a logical answer.”
Robert Heinlein

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Seeking Alpha - Paypal Ruins Christmas for eBay Customers

Parade! ...... strip
29 December 2008
EventHorizon1984

It appears  PayPal/eBay managed to censor the original article "Paypal Ruins Christmas for eBay Customers."

Because we're wondering what some one objected to, we are providing a Google copy of the article as it appeared on 25 December 2008.

• http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:MFTF-kDI7vcJ:seekingalpha.com/article/112265-paypal-ruins-christmas-for-ebay-customers+Paypal+Ruins+Christmas+for+eBay+Customers
• http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:MFTF-kDI7vcJ:seekingalpha.com/article/112265-paypal-ruins-christmas-for-ebay-customers+dinah+balk+december+25+seeking+alpha

Was this high level censorship?  Was the initial post inaccurate?  Did Seeking Alpha accidentally erase the article?  Whatever the reason for the article vanishing, we're viewing this as some one threw the article into the bit bucket.

Of course while the article is gone from Seeking Alpha, it is not completely missing.

DinahBalk.com
PayPal Ruins Xmas For eBay Customers
Sunday, December 28, 2008 7:48 PM
Dinah Balk

Meanwhile we'll recap the what the eBay seller seasonalstuff had to say on her own eBay blog, and the public viewable eBay/PayPal Discussion Board. 

Before eBay "archives" them.

As we understand it when independent parties asked for comment from PayPal, this was PayPal's official response:

<cue crickets>

And as a Post-Christmas bonus we've included the comments to the original PayPal Ruins Christmas For eBay Customers article that were thrown away.

Stay tuned for a follow up ...

"If only one gets out, it's a victory."
Major Eric Fincham, Von Ryan's Express (1965)

//
//   Seller email address has been edited.
//

http://blogs.ebay.com/seasonalstuff

INFORMATION ON CANCELLED ORDERS

Posted Dec-16-08 17:15:28 PST

Due to circumstances beyond my control Iam going to have to cancel some orders and give full refunds and end all listings tonight.

Paypal has decided that after over 300 COMPLETED transactions and NO problems, they need to freeze my account for a minimum of 21 days. Over the last few months I've sold here on Ebay to save money for Christmas, times are tough as many of you know and this is a great way to earn some extra money.  It was explained to me that my account was picked to be reviewed for the simple reason that I have sold alot of items in the past 30 days. (It is Christmas time and I do sell holiday decorations!) Anyway, this is the only reason, not because of disputes or complaints or anything else. I was told that although my account is verified by my bank account and credit card they want more personal info, my supplier's name and address and tracking numbers for items that WERE SHIPPED THROUGH PAYPAL!!!  I was also told that since they are "reviewing" my account it will remain frozen for 21 days, if I do not agree to their terms then my account will be closed and they'll release my balance in 180 days.

Here is my problem, I'm already verified. They want a copy of my SS# and drivers lisence too???? Thats just asking for identity theft!! Supplier info? I already gave it to them 3 times over the phone (all of my supplier purchases were through Paypal). Tracking numbers??? I ship through Paypal!!! They have them! Even if I give them my personal info they are still holding my funds for 21 days!! 90 percent of my current balance is for transactions that have already been delivered, days, weeks and months ago!

I feel horrible having to cancel these transactions and refund some of you. The problem is they have frozen my shipping funds and all of my Christmas money. I dont have much cash. I cant pay for the remaining shipping out of pocket without completley ruining Christmas for my kids. I hope you can find it in your hearts to understand.

I will be leaving Ebay. After I get through this mess I'm moving my inventory over to Amazon. Those of you who are sellers too...you may want to consider it too some day. I pray that it doesnt take something like this.

 I wish everyone the best and I hope your Holidays are wonderful. My apologies again.

Ps. Its going to take awhile for me to email everyone who I need to, If I dont refund you tonight, then your item was already shipped and Paypal should have emailed you with tracking info. If anyone needs to contact me, you can post here (at least until they pull it) or email me directly at seasonalstuff1@Christmas 

ONCE AGAIN, I AM SO SORRY I HAVE TO DO THIS.

//

Comments

roper-girl ( 391) View seller's items | View Blog WOW! This sounds ridiculous! Dec-16-08 17:20:29 PST

victorian_rose_inc ( 860) View seller's items | View Blog Sorry you are having issues. I already closed my eBay store and shut down all of my listings on eBay. I am selling on my own now. It is much less stressful. I wish the very best for you, and I hope you can get this all worked out without making any of your customers angry. Dec-16-08 17:21:22 PST

richard1rst ( 8309) View seller's items | View Blog Are you sure that came from Paypal? I routinely get emails "your account is restricted" and when I check the senders email address it is anything BUT Paypal (or ebay). Dec-16-08 17:24:10 PST

seasonalstuff ( 156) View seller's items | View Blog Thank you for your comments and support! I know its Paypal..I've spoken with them on the phone about 8 times in the last 24 hours. I really do want to sell on my own, for now I just need to get through Christmas and figure out how to get out of the financial hole its putting me in! I also need to get the word out to bidders on the last of tonights auctions. Ebay wont let me end the listings with less than 12 hours left. I'm going to try and message people. Thanks again for the comments! Dec-16-08 17:33:27 PST

samatbayer ( 48) View seller's items | View Blog I heard that paypal has pulled stunts like this before. I just hope things will work out. I am still interested in the Noel sign and maybe in the future we can do business. Dec-17-08 06:20:02 PST

kathleen5837 ( 212) View seller's items | View Blog Sorry about all this trouble you are having with paypal. I read all the posts on SC and all I can say is ebay and paypal are completely out of control. Paypal is nothing more than a thug and a bully. They are stealing other people's money and getting away with this crap. I can only hope that the US Goverment goes after paypal and they put these crooks in jail where they belong. You may want to file a complaint with the US Attorney General's office. Paypal makes their service pretty much the only way you can sell on ebay. The seller collects money in their account from their sales. Never suspecting that paypal was not going to give you your money. You used paypal with the understanding that you can take YOUR money whenever you wanted it. It's nothing less than fraud. Did you ever hear of a bank not letting you take your money out of your own account?? I never did. Dec-17-08 22:53:00 PST

kathleen5837 ( 212) View seller's items | View Blog Correct my comment; all the posts on SC to all the posts on PayPal Dec-17-08 23:01:26 PST

technoguru168 ( 3 ) View seller's items | View Blog Wow...it's really pathetic how you (and your kids) became the victims of PayPal's notoriety... Dec-28-08 00:55:12 PST

//
//
// 

eBay Discussion Boards > PayPal
Paypal has bullied me into submission-theres no hope
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=520064277&tstart=0&mod=1229672168264

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 20:46 PST
I have been completly forced out. I dont know what to do. Here is a copy of the blog post I had to leave tonight on my "My World" page. It broke my heart to have to do this. I feel horrible. Due to circumstances beyond my control Iam going to have to cancel some orders and give full refunds and end all listings tonight. Paypal has decided that after over 300 COMPLETED transactions and NO problems, they need to freeze my account for a minimum of 21 days. Over the last few months I've sold here on Ebay to save money for Christmas, times are tough as many of you know and this is a great way to earn some extra money. It was explained to me that my account was picked to be reviewed for the simple reason that I have sold alot of items in the past 30 days. (It is Christmas time and I do sell holiday decorations!) Anyway, this is the only reason, not because of disputes or complaints or anything else. I was told that although my account is verified by my bank account and credit card they want more personal info, my supplier's name and address and tracking numbers for items that WERE SHIPPED THROUGH PAYPAL!!! I was also told that since they are "reviewing" my account it will remain frozen for 21 days, if I do not agree to their terms then my account will be closed and they'll release my balance in 180 days. Here is my problem, I'm already verified. They want a copy of my SS# and drivers lisence too???? Thats just asking for identity theft!! Supplier info? I already gave it to them 3 times over the phone (all of my supplier purchases were through Paypal). Tracking numbers??? I ship through Paypal!!! They have them! Even if I give them my personal info they are still holding my funds for 21 days!! 90 percent of my current balance is for transactions that have already been delivered, days, weeks and months ago! I feel horrible having to cancel these transactions and refund some of you. The problem is they have frozen my shipping funds and all of my Christmas money. I dont have much cash. I cant pay for the remaining shipping out of pocket without completley ruining Christmas for my kids. I hope you can find it in your hearts to understand. I will be leaving Ebay. After I get through this mess I'm moving my inventory over to Amazon. Those of you who are sellers too...you may want to consider it too some day. I pray that it doesnt take something like this. I wish everyone the best and I hope your Holidays are wonderful. My apologies again. Ps. Its going to take awhile for me to email everyone who I need to, If I dont refund you tonight, then your item was already shipped and Paypal should have emailed you with tracking info. If anyone needs to contact me, you can post here (at least until they pull it) or email me directly at seasonalstuff1@gmail.com ONCE AGAIN, I AM SO SORRY I HAVE TO DO THIS.

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 21:25 PST	2 of 472
Its gone for at least six months now because I told them I wont fax a copy of my ss card. How can they do this? How can they hold money on items that are completed and past the time allowed for claims? Plus most of the customers left positive feedback? I thought that if I pulled money out everyday they would tell me THAT was suspicious. I dont understand.

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 22:12 PST	7 of 472
Its so hard to not let it drag down Christmas. I tried everything I talked to 4 or 5 different people. One poor woman had to listen to me sob to the point that I couldnt even speak for about 3 full minutes. Bottom line is either give us more info or I cant use paypal. Plus I have to wait 180 days for a release. Or I can fork over more personal info, be a nervous wreck about that much info out there, and STILL have to wait 21 days. I wish I would have thought about withdrawing the money. I trusted them. I did everything I was supposed to, followed all the rules. I didnt think I had anything to worry about. They told me its all because I had a high number of sales in a 30 day period. Isnt that the point? Everything was shipped and current up to two days prior because it was a Sunday!

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 22:14 PST	9 of 472
Thats exactly it! If I didnt sell so many Holiday decorations at CHRISTMAS I wouldnt be having any problem. I dont get it!

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 22:43 PST	15 of 472
Thank you so much for your support. I'll try to keep you posted, but my ebay fees are due in a couple days. They wont let the transaction go through paypal because of the freeze. I'll probaly get suspended from ebay for that. This day just keeps getting better!! At this point I just have to laugh. I hope all of your Holidays are great. God bless.
seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 22:43 PST	16 of 472
It was about 1600.00 before I refunded some of my customers.

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 22:57 PST	18 of 472
When I call they pass me around from person to person. When I did ask if there was a supervisor or someone else who could help me the woman pretty much laughed in my face and told me "SHE" was in charge of "account reviews".

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-16-08 23:02 PST	20 of 472
I've learned my lesson. Maybe try Amazon once this is straightened out. I dont know. I really enjoy selling this stuff. I will never use Paypal again or Ebay or anything affiliated with them.

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-17-08 08:00 PST	41 of 472
Thanks for all of the replies and support. Thankfully my mother in law (God bless her) is going to help us out until this gets resolved. I have NO problem at all with a hold on payments for items that have not been shipped yet. They did that when I first started and I thought it was a good idea. It made sense to weed out people who were opening an account just to sell nothing and disapear with the money. Most of this money was for items already confirmed delivered. Most had already left feedback. I was told that without my ss# the money would be held for 180 days, with my ssn 21 days while they "review" my account. Thats fine to review, but hold money for completed transactions? I have had problems with someone trying to use my info in the past. Iam not willing to give any more personal info out. They verified my identity through their own process with my bank account AND credit card. If the rule is they want my ssn or I cant have an account then so be it. I'll close my account. But to make me wait 180 days for "completed, delivered, feedback left, even already past the time period for a dispute" transactions? What is the point in that?

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-17-08 12:10 PST	58 of 472
Verified 0? I have 36 completed transactions (payments from buyers) between september and Nov 16th. Within the 30 day rule. Why arent they showing. I just signed in and checked. So, they cant keep there info up to date and I'm supposed to trust what they do with my info.

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-18-08 05:11 PST	95 of 472
Hi, about the verified number. I shipped to all verified members. Heres the update...Nothing. The last person I spoke to told me that the info I gave about my supplier was not enerted into the computer. So, I gave it to her for a THIRD time. I asked her twice if she was actually going to submit it..her answer was "Oh yes, of course". Guess what??? Still not in there! I refunded everything outstanding..the ones that had a request for tracking I types "refunded buyer do to your threats" and sent them in. Its funny how the third person I spoke to told me not to worry about sending in the tracking info because I have a good record, but yet its still being requested. Again, with this kind of horrible organization why am I going to trust them with more personal info. When I told them I did not want to give out my ssn (because of problems in the past, plus the fear of identity problems) the woman told me its required and got nasty with me, until I interupted her and said "the lawyer I spoke to told me Iam not required to give it to you!" Her reply was "you dont have to, but we are not required to give you an account without it, if you dont you'll have to wait 180 days to get your money." NOT REQUIRED TO GIVE ME AN ACCOUNT WITHOUT IT??? I ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT?? Anyway, I'm not wasting anymore of my time calling. The bottom line is that even if I do what they want, they are still going to hold for 21 days while they review. What happens after that? For all I know they'll review and say you cant have an account anymore so were going to close it in 180 days!!! Like I said, I refunded everything outstanding, I check in to answer questions from customers and to make sure everything is ok. The frozen money is also supposed to pay ebay fees, let ebay fight with paypal for it. I'm going to wait the 21 days. If my money isnt released, I'm going to have to get a lawyer. In any case, I will never use paypal again. They sucked 380.00 in fees out of me last month anyway. Between those fees and Ebays. I'm better off on my own. I wish everyone here the best, I hope your holidays are wonderful! Mine will be. I'm not going to let this ruin my holidays. If anything new develops I'll be sure to update everyone. I dont know if I'll be able to post. I doubt that paypal will allow ebay to take their fees from the frozen money. I'll probaly be cast off of Ebay soon too. Thanks for everything!

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-18-08 15:05 PST	124 of 472
Its really good to see how much support is out there. I appreciate it so much! Tomorrow I'm having a consultation with a lawyer (weather permitting-we are expecting 12 inches of snow!). Please, please dont worry about me. Your all so nice! My family has been great through this and is helping us out. One way or another this will get resolved. You live and learn, ebay and paypal are not a place for me. I have not gotten a single phone call or email from paypal since my last phone call, so I'll assume it stands at the original demands. They still havent updated the info I provided so I guess this isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Still asking for supplier info and tracking numbers for refunded or delivered items! Merry Christmas!

...

seasonalstuff  (143 ) View Listings		Dec-19-08 13:00 PST	250 of 472
Hi, I talked to the lawyer. He told me that based on the initial request of info, if I do not want to supply my social security info that I can send in a copy of my drivers lisence and a utility bill. He said that they should be satisfied with that and after the 21 day review my money should be released. We'll have to wait and see what happens from there. That going to have to be good enough. So, next week I'll send in that info and hopefully this will be over. The lawyer is checking my record with Paypal because the woman on the phone said they are asking for the info because I had over 10,000 dollars in transactions in 30 days but according to paypals own records I didnt. So, we'll see what happens. Thanks again everyone!

...

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http://seekingalpha.com/article/112265-paypal-ruins-christmas-for-ebay-customers

PayPal Ruins Christmas for eBay Customers

by: Dinah Balk
December 25, 2008

This article has 26 comments:

•  
  • eBay +++
  • 31 Comments

  Dec 25 04:56 AM
  This is a real beauty -- "I don't blame her. I wouldn't give Paypal my SSN or license number either because all members' personal information is shared with eBay's entire corporate structure, subcontractors, and God knows who else, which is really scary when you think about it ."
  
  Dinah Balk you have got to be kidding? To say something like this without knowing a anything about how eBay handles it's information is deformation of character with no basis. Watch out you Donahoe may freeze everything you have. LOL
  
  There is no better way to pay on the internet than Paypal. I had an Account since they were bought by eBay use it frequently and have never once had an issue. I use it off eBay whenever it's offered. Can't how many times I've found something that I wanted to purchase and saw that they didn't offer Paypal and didn't feel like getting up to search for my Credit Card and just thought I'd come back to it latter and never purchased it. With Paypal I just log in and I'm done, no long CC # to punch in, just too easy. If I were a Seller that conversion acceleration alone is worth the fee.
  
  That 21 days is nothing, it's keeping everybody safe including her. If her business can't weather that than it's time to find a new business...

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 -5
• 
  
•  
  • Watching the Wheels
  • 65 Comments

  Dec 25 05:45 AM
  Ebay+++, Don't you think that it might be a bit wiser to withhold commentary UNTIL You sell on Ebay ?
  
  You stated that you have a Paypal account, so it would be a fairly easy thing to click a few buttons and list an item or 2 on Ebay. It would be interesting to study how willing you would really be to ship an item to an unknown person without having the money in your hand.
  
  You might want to read through the actual Paypal contractual segments before you attempt this so you can fully appreciate these wondrous protections.
  
  I had planned to sell on Ebay because venues offer an incredibly low cost opportunity to start a business.After watching the sweeping policy shifts that began in January of 2008, I decided that there were NO PROTECTIONS in place for the seller.
  
  I sell on a different venue and I do utilize Paypal because of the brand recognition and increase in sales that I will receive due to their service. Fortunately I have only encountered one minor problem. I did not appreciate attempting to resolve this problem via an outsourced call center because the phone rep didn't understand a single thing that I was attempting to convey. I did not appreciate the amoount of time it took to track down the TOLL NUMBER to be able ot speak with a rep whose primary language was the same as mine. I don't appreciate the cost of this phone call, but on the plus side, by being willing to incur said cost, I have also provide myself with better documentation.
  
  During the time frame that I was dealing with a glitch I attempting all the online possible solutions and got nowhere. The supposed online help's transcripts are comical.If you repost and leave your address, I'll send you copies.
  
  Have you reached your spending limit yet? Are you really comfortable giving Paypal access to a bank account?
  
  I fail to see the sence of the 21 day hold. In order to sell, there has to be some sort of bank account attached to the Paypal in order to actually get your money. If there is the necessity of refunding money, Paypal can freeze said account making the 21 day hold completely unnecessary. I f Paypal or Ebay choose to extend credit to an individual, that's fine. I choose not to.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 -1
• 
  
•  
  • Hirorir
  • 1 Comment

  Dec 25 06:20 AM
  Sorry to hear about this, Paypal can be a real annoyance sometimes; it's also real cruddy that you had to be hit down on Christmas season too.
  I'd advise you to go hardcore on this and file complaints on them for holding your funds for these 21 days (with intention to use on Holiday Season) with improper reasoning (if possible lead to sue). Your SSN should NOT be asked by Paypal, regardless of the reviewer. I believe Paypal should have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy? After all, they have all the information they'll ever need right in their storage.
  
  On Dec 25 04:56 AM eBay +++ wrote:
  
  > This is a real beauty -- "I don't blame her. I wouldn't give Paypal
  > my SSN or license number either because all members' personal information
  > is shared with eBay's entire corporate structure, subcontractors,
  > and God knows who else, which is really scary when you think about
  > it ."
  >
  > Dinah Balk you have got to be kidding? To say something like this
  > without knowing a anything about how eBay handles it's information
  > is deformation of character with no basis. Watch out you Donahoe
  > may freeze everything you have. LOL
  >
  > There is no better way to pay on the internet than Paypal. I had
  > an Account since they were bought by eBay use it frequently and have
  > never once had an issue. I use it off eBay whenever it's offered.
  > Can't how many times I've found something that I wanted to purchase
  > and saw that they didn't offer Paypal and didn't feel like getting
  > up to search for my Credit Card and just thought I'd come back to
  > it latter and never purchased it. With Paypal I just log in and
  > I'm done, no long CC # to punch in, just too easy. If I were a
  > Seller that conversion acceleration alone is worth the fee.
  >
  > That 21 days is nothing, it's keeping everybody safe including her.
  > If her business can't weather that than it's time to find a new business...

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • lucky lenny
  • 33 Comments

  Dec 25 06:29 AM
  To combat fraud, to hold funds for a a month or so to make sure the seller isn't a fraud, makes sense to me. I'm in agreement with Paypal on this one.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • fairytrixy
  • 5 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 06:43 AM
  HoHoHo ebay+++
  
  Next time you post it might be wise to do so prior to having a cocktail:)
  
  Cheers!

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 -1
• 
  
•  
  • eBuyer Feedback
  • 3 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 06:48 AM
  I had basically the same thing happen to me last year. I had a lot of listings going on (featured plus) with immediate PayPal payment required. eBay wouldn't close the listings and refund my fees even though it was their fault my listings couldn't sell. They told me it was my problem and I needed to contact PayPal. They even had the nerve to hang up on me in the middle of the conversation.
  
  I had a customer from Russia that had paid the day before. I normally use Stamps.com and Endicia to do my postage but those wouldn't work for their address. USPS Click-n-ship wouldn't work either. That only left PayPal shipping. But since my account was limited I was expressly forbidden from printing postage through them.
  
  PayPal took several days to clear up the block but by then my listings were all ruined and I lost several customers. I guess I trusted them with my personal information (that's the only thing I trust eBay/PayPal with) and that is what led to the different outcome for me.
  
  I was very lucky that I avoided a wave of negative feedback and chargebacks in the middle of that ordeal. I know how eBay users are and if they strongly suspect a scam they'll rush their trading partner right out of business and then eBay uses those negs and chargebacks to justify kicking you off and holding your money indefinitely (which also leads to even more chargebacks).
  
  Funny thing is one week they were congratulating me on becoming a gold powerseller. The next week they told me I was selling too much and almost trashed my 5 year old business.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -1
• 
  
•  
  • Paul Price
  • 176 Comments

  Dec 25 06:52 AM
  The vendor states she "had to give refunds" as her payments were being held up.
  
  Why her account had been credited when the buyers paid. She could ship normally and her funds (if they were actually held up by PayPal) would have been released after 21 days.
  
  We have no evidence that her story is even accurate. Anybody can say anything. Perhaps this whole episode was planted by someone short EBAY stock?
  
  Regardless of that, I don't see how cancelling transactions was necessary or what it accomplished. The buyers get the merchandise- the seller got paid.
  
  If she didn't like PayPal she could arrange for other forms of payment that she thinks are more acceptable to her.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +2 -2
• 
  
•  
  • Paul Price
  • 176 Comments

  Dec 25 06:58 AM
  Every single article from this author's name is a critical piece on EBAY.
  
  She does not appear to have any intent here on Seeking Alpha other than to create ill-will towards EBAY and/or to hurt the stock.
  
  Dinah Balk is not a stock analyst- she is working for the shorts on EBAY.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +2 -2
• 
  
•  
  • redbaron
  • 169 Comments

  Dec 25 07:20 AM
  Paul, you need to try to sell on eBay first, before commenting on this situation. If you really have an interest here, why not go ahead and give it a try? You likely have some merchandise laying around, and the software is easy to use. Selling would for sure give you a different perspective on the situation, and would certainly add some credibility to your comments.
  
  Without some personal experience, your thoughts have no substance or credibility. Ebay and PayPal are changing the rules to their advantage, during the holiday seasonal selling climax, and putting their customers (sellers are the only ones paying fees here) at risk of financial ruin. You are making assumptions here on a situation about which you know nothing.
  
  You are correct about one thing, however, Dinah Balk is not a stock analyst, and that to me makes her very much more credible.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -2
• 
  
•  
  • Dinah Balk
  • 157 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 08:37 AM
  Good morning everyone -
  
  Got lots of Xmas stuff to do. Will be stopping by later when I have more time.
  
  Merry Xmas!
  

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -1
• 
  
•  
  • arlin
  • 18 Comments

  Dec 25 09:42 AM
  Dear Dinah 
  Manty thanks for your informative reports throughout the year.
  Merry Christmas.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -2
• 
  
•  
  • Paul Price
  • 176 Comments

  Dec 25 11:03 AM
  redbaron,
  
  I do sell through Ebay and use PayPal regularly with zero problems.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +2 -2
• 
  
•  
  • fatseal
  • 5 Comments

  Dec 25 11:33 AM
  Do you not know that there is no other form of payment on ebay? It's paypal or a merchant account.
  
  
  On Dec 25 06:52 AM Paul Price wrote:
  
  > The vendor states she "had to give refunds" as her payments were
  > being held up.
  >
  > Why her account had been credited when the buyers paid. She could
  > ship normally and her funds (if they were actually held up by PayPal)
  > would have been released after 21 days.
  >
  > We have no evidence that her story is even accurate. Anybody can
  > say anything. Perhaps this whole episode was planted by someone short
  > EBAY stock?
  >
  > Regardless of that, I don't see how cancelling transactions was necessary
  > or what it accomplished. The buyers get the merchandise- the seller
  > got paid.
  >
  > If she didn't like PayPal she could arrange for other forms of payment
  > that she thinks are more acceptable to her.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 -1
• 
  
•  
  • Dinah Balk
  • 157 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 11:34 AM
  Here is Paypal's Privacy Policy just in case anyone is interested.
  
  You must log into your Paypal account. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on Legal Agreements. On the next page, underneath Agreements For All Users, click on Privacy Policy.
  
  Please note that eBay’s corporate family is substantially larger than what was stated. My website has a complete listing of the entire corporate family.
  
  
  How we share personal information with other parties
  
  We may share your personal information with:
  
  Members of the eBay Inc. corporate family -- like eBay, Shopping.com or Skype -- to provide joint content and services (like registration, transactions and customer support), to help detect and prevent potentially illegal acts and violations of our policies, and to guide decisions about their products, services and communications. Members of our corporate family will use this information to send you marketing communications only if you have requested their services.
  
  Service providers under contract who help with parts of our business operations; (fraud prevention, bill collection, marketing, technology services). Our contracts dictate that these service providers only use your information in connection with the services they perform for us and not for their own benefit.
  
  Financial institutions that we partner with to jointly create and offer a product such as the PayPal Plus credit card where we share information with GE Money Bank to determine whether you should receive pre-approved offers for the PayPal Plus credit card. These financial institutions may only use this information to market PayPal-related products, unless you have given consent for other uses.
  
  Credit bureaus to report outstanding negative balance accounts, as allowed by law.
  Companies that we plan to merge with or be acquired by. (Should such a combination occur, we will require that the new combined entity follow this privacy policy with respect to your personal information. If your personal information could be used contrary to this policy, you will receive prior notice.)
  
  Law enforcement, government officials, or other third parties when
  we are compelled to do so by a subpoena, court order or similar legal procedure
  we need to do so to comply with law
  we believe in good faith that the disclosure of personal information is necessary to prevent physical harm or financial loss, to report suspected illegal activity, or to investigate violations of our User Agreement.
  Other third parties with your consent or direction to do so.
  
  
  

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • fatseal
  • 5 Comments

  Dec 25 11:36 AM
  The seller got paid, but she left all her money in paypal( there is a very long thread on the boards about it) and all her paypal money ($1600) was frozen. She has no money to even pay for shipping. Glad you can take having $1600.00 frozen in your account. Most people can't.
  
  
  On Dec 25 06:52 AM Paul Price wrote:
  
  > The vendor states she "had to give refunds" as her payments were
  > being held up.
  >
  > Why her account had been credited when the buyers paid. She could
  > ship normally and her funds (if they were actually held up by PayPal)
  > would have been released after 21 days.
  >
  > We have no evidence that her story is even accurate. Anybody can
  > say anything. Perhaps this whole episode was planted by someone short
  > EBAY stock?
  >
  > Regardless of that, I don't see how cancelling transactions was necessary
  > or what it accomplished. The buyers get the merchandise- the seller
  > got paid.
  >
  > If she didn't like PayPal she could arrange for other forms of payment
  > that she thinks are more acceptable to her.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • ezduzit
  • 30 Comments

  Dec 25 12:05 PM
  any person who comments about a "short" attacking e-bay, on this site, is off the deep end in his (her) thinking. the stock price has its own mind.
  as far as the other posted comments, when you can't get in touch with customer service, without jumping through hoops, that's a serious problem. it shows a lack of respect and consideration towards people who work for a living.
  
  bigger companies than e-bay have bitten the bullet because of flawed company management and poor customer relations.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • RicRoe
  • 4 Comments

  Dec 25 12:22 PM
  eBay's problems are self inflicted. The more eBay has done in the name of bringing business back to their site, the more they have alienated current users that were once infatuated with the market place as both buyers and sellers.
  
  eBay started to seriously slide when John Donahoe as CEO came out in front of changes which gutted the core of the marketplace and referred to any member that spoke out against the changes as 'noise'. His arrogant 'noise' label insulted the very customers he was trying to keep.
  
  Led by an executive team that has barely used the marketplace, eBay is now headed for obscurity because they do not 'get' it anymore.
  
  eBay, unlike Amazon, does not own inventory, and relies on sellers to provide merchandise to the site. This said, it is hard to understand why eBay executives have instituted so many anti seller policies over the past year.
  
  Further proof of how out of sync eBay leadership is, they fail to understand that sellers are buyers as well. Alienating sellers diminishes their interest in purchasing from the site or doing business in any way with a company that is viewed as seller unfriendly.
  
  eBay's increased fees across the board and forcing sellers to accept PayPal to entitle them to an even larger slice of sellers profits, has not improved the company's fortunes, but has motivated sellers to take their business elsewhere.
  
  eBay has become a ship without a rudder, adrift in a marketplace they have lost control of.
  
  eBay execs fail to understand that word of mouth is essential to the success of their marketplace. With sellers having nothing positive to say, buyers are going elsewhere.
  
  Until eBay is led by a team of executives with vision and experience in what makes eBay tick, eBay is destined to become the next Internet bubble to burst.
  
  Buyers and sellers alike have lost trust and confidence in current leadership over the series of poorly implemented policies, feedback changes, imposition of the failed DSR system, constant technical glitches, search that is horrible, forced PayPal etc...
  
  eBay is now beyond reversing failed policy and system changes. eBay now has to replace the entire core of enthusiastic members which they have managed to chase in addition to changing the failed policies and defective systems.
  
  The simplest solution would be for eBay to simply get out of being in the marketplace business since it is obvious they have no clue as to what it takes to make and keep a marketplace relevant and successful.
  
  John Donahoe, Lorrie Norrington and company will go down in history as the executives that managed to screw up a free lunch.
  
  They are not the team that will lead eBay out of the disaster they created, they are the team that turned a marketplace with millions of happy members into a poor imitation of its competition with customers who have nothing good to say about the new experience.
  
  This is unlikely to change until the book smart MBA's are removed, and replaced by a team of executives that know and understand what the eBay marketplace is.
  
  The fix would be for Mr Omidyer to get back to work, and restore the core principles upon which eBay was founded. He had the right ideas and the company became a worldwide multi billion dollar success under those principles.
  
  eBay's only chance to restore itself to that level of success will be when the existing leadership is tossed and replaced with a team that 'gets' eBay.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +2 -1
• 
  
•  
  • steve577
  • 9 Comments

  Dec 25 12:51 PM
  This article is SO typical of sellers with bad attitudes that enjoy criticizing
  ebay for the wonderful changes that made it a better, safer place for
  buyers. As to the specifics of this article, anybody that doesn't trust
  paypal doesn't deserve PayPal's trust.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -1
• 
  
•  
  • o.c.d.collectibles
  • 34 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 01:12 PM
  I was banned from posting on the discussion boards after 10 years here, never has this EVER happened to me. I have the best documentation, because legally, I understand (from being a Nurse!!), which policies and procedures are, that place me at risk. To have me suppressed when I state my opinion in non-confrontative ways, is a form of suppressing freedom of speech on a public forum. I've been given a "7 day sanction" so that I can "spend more time" reading and digesting ebay's board posting policies.
  
  After 10 good 100% 4.9 rated years, I just disconnected my reports subscription and deactivated the credit card associated with my account.
  
  Not only will I not allow ebay to treat me this way as a customer, but I will make it my business to let every stock and financial site that I can register on, know what is going on amongst ebay's most loyal and longest law abiding citizens and their unscrupulous tactics in censorship.
  
  Censoring the ability to mention the names of other sites to sell on is not advertising. If it WAS advertising, I would be making an income doing that. At this point in time, I have NOTHING posted to sell on any site AT ALL. I sell "live" in antique booths. I do not need online sales to make my life complete. I used to enjoy them, and the socialzation I had from ebay selling. Now that THAT is gone, I have nothing to lose letting the world know of ebay's censorship rules amongst their discussion boards.
  
  I will not let up until I see the desired effect, you guys can all count on it!
  So far, I have already described the ridiculous changes and the re-design of the site, with all of it's glitches, malfunctions, and breakages. Now I will be focusing on something else....abuse of it's oldest and most loyal, "high grade" sellers, who simply voice their opinions.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • riversniper
  • 2 Comments

  Dec 25 01:23 PM
  Never get verified, If you do then open a separate bank account that is not connected to your personal banking or checking account. Trust me on this riversniper

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 -1
• 
  
•  
  • o.c.d.collectibles
  • 34 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 01:43 PM
  I have no need to sell on a site that treats me with so much indignity. After all the income provided for them,over the many years I was there, and so many happy customers, they will not get another dime from me now.
  My rating is excellent. I left the site SIMPLY because of the WAY they treat their honest sellers.
  
  They are selectively "deaf, dumb and blind" to their registered racketeers who really ARE swindling the new buyers on their site with poor service. They manipulate the bad ratings of these large retailers who get a free ride, listing on their site, just to make the seller still look good. There have been detections of this practice going on, and it is highly fraught with favoritism not based on ebay's own policies. Ebay is scamming every OTHER fee paying member/seller due to this issue, and it won't be long before someone exposes this publicly.
  Paypal only practices the exploitive practices on ebay. They would not be doing that on anyone else's site
  
  There is something really wrong on this site, they deserve a SEC investigation.
  
  Dinah, thank you for posting invaluable information to the public. They deserve to read the truth about this company before they decide to invest.
  I wouldn't invest unless I knew the CEO team was being fired.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  
•  
  • eBay +++
  • 31 Comments

  Dec 25 02:06 PM
  I have sold on eBay whenever it's time to clean out the garage and I have only offered Paypal. They are linked to my Acccount, no problems, not once. Would not think of Selling any other way.
  
  
  On Dec 25 05:45 AM Watching the Wheels wrote:
  
  > Ebay+++, Don't you think that it might be a bit wiser to withhold
  > commentary UNTIL You sell on Ebay ?
  >
  > You stated that you have a Paypal account, so it would be a fairly
  > easy thing to click a few buttons and list an item or 2 on Ebay.
  > It would be interesting to study how willing you would really be
  > to ship an item to an unknown person without having the money in
  > your hand.
  >
  > You might want to read through the actual Paypal contractual segments
  > before you attempt this so you can fully appreciate these wondrous
  > protections.
  >
  > I had planned to sell on Ebay because venues offer an incredibly
  > low cost opportunity to start a business.After watching the sweeping
  > policy shifts that began in January of 2008, I decided that there
  > were NO PROTECTIONS in place for the seller.
  >
  > I sell on a different venue and I do utilize Paypal because of the
  > brand recognition and increase in sales that I will receive due to
  > their service. Fortunately I have only encountered one minor problem.
  > I did not appreciate attempting to resolve this problem via an outsourced
  > call center because the phone rep didn't understand a single thing
  > that I was attempting to convey. I did not appreciate the amoount
  > of time it took to track down the TOLL NUMBER to be able ot speak
  > with a rep whose primary language was the same as mine. I don't appreciate
  > the cost of this phone call, but on the plus side, by being willing
  > to incur said cost, I have also provide myself with better documentation.
  
  >
  >
  > During the time frame that I was dealing with a glitch I attempting
  > all the online possible solutions and got nowhere. The supposed online
  > help's transcripts are comical.If you repost and leave your address,
  > I'll send you copies.
  >
  > Have you reached your spending limit yet? Are you really comfortable
  > giving Paypal access to a bank account?
  >
  > I fail to see the sence of the 21 day hold. In order to sell, there
  > has to be some sort of bank account attached to the Paypal in order
  > to actually get your money. If there is the necessity of refunding
  > money, Paypal can freeze said account making the 21 day hold completely
  > unnecessary. I f Paypal or Ebay choose to extend credit to an individual,
  > that's fine. I choose not to.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +2 0
• 
  
•  
  • o.c.d.collectibles
  • 34 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 02:20 PM
  The cheerleaders are no more than investors in ebay stock who have lost their shirts after investing when the stock was in the 20's and 30's. Sorry guys, you made a big mistake buying stock in this company so late in the game, OR maybe too early! If the imbeciles who run this company, finally leave, THEN you should buy some more stock! Wait till it hits $5 a share. It will. Maybe by then, the Board of Directors will wake up and hire some qualified leaders.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 0
• 
  
•  
  • Patricia013
  • 62 Comments
  • My Website

  Dec 25 02:21 PM
  How very strange.....I've had a Paypal shopping cart on my own website for years now. Never had a chargeback, never had funds held and don't forget there is no feedback or DSR's to consider. I would like to know why Paypal turns into a different animal when an Ebay transaction is concerned? Then they hold funds and act like thiefs in plain english. I think we all know Ebay is making money off the float of all those held funds. They have found yet one more way to skin a seller! Ebay, you go far beyong "its only business" and into a realm of sleaziness the depths of which I have never seen before!!! If, as a seller, they held my funds then they would have one angry buyer on their hands. Nothing ever leaves here that isn't paid for with the funds in my account where they belong! If that means gathering a neg...so be it. If that means having my account closed...so be it! That would be the final straw for me.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 0
• 
  
•  
  • Philip Cohen
  • 11 Comments

  Dec 25 02:45 PM
  eBay is knowingly facilitating fraud on buyers
  
  Can anyone explain to me why users in Australia, the UK, Ireland and the Philippines, have the absolutely anonymous alias ("Bidder N") while New Zealand (and the rest of the world) has the effectively bidder-specific alias ("a***b (N)")?
  
  The material difference between these two forms of anonymous alias is, in the case of the "a***b (N)" alias, at a given point in time when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying feedback count, it is effectively bidder-specific: experienced buyers can still check a seller’s other auctions to watch out for at least any instances of blatant shill bidding; and with the absolutely anonymous alias ("Bidder N"), buyers have got absolutely no chance of detecting even the most blatant of shill bidding by an unscrupulous seller.
  
  And, please, don’t try to tell me that the new “Bidder History” page enables buyers to spot a shill bidder: that is simply one more blatantly nonsensical and disingenuous eBay claim. Nor does eBay have any “sophisticated software” for the detection of shill bidding: they still rely primarily on user reports: trouble is, users can no longer report, because users can no longer detect! And, eBay’s excuse for introducing such anonymous aliases, to stop fraudulent second chance offers, is pathetic and undoubtedly disingenuous.
  
  Further, in the US, eBay initially introduced the absolutely anonymous alias ("Bidder N") and then retreated therefrom to the effectively bidder-specific alias ("a***b (N)"). Strangely, the opposite has been the case in the UK where eBay went from "a***b (N)" to "Bidder N"! (Does anyone in this organisation actually know what is going on?)
  
  The application of the absolutely anonymous alias, "Bidder N", would appear to serve only one purpose and that is to obscure any blatant shill bidding, that would otherwise be obvious, so that buyers can’t detect it, can’t then report it, and eBay does not have to waste any of their valuable resources pretending to do anything about it.
  
  Whether intentional or not, eBay’s application of the absolutely anonymous alias ("Bidder N") is effectively an “aiding and abetting” of fraud on buyers. What is our governmental consumer affairs regulators doing about this reprehensible behaviour by eBay?
  
  Lengthy, detailed comments on this matter commence at
  www.auctionbytes.com/f...
  

  Reply | Link to Comment

  0 0
• 
  
•  
  • User 325862
  • 1 Comment

  Dec 25 03:09 PM
  I have been using eBay and PayPal. Once someone tried to cheat me on ebay and paypal helped me their buyer protection. this is true and it happened earlier this year. i am an occassional seller on eBay too.
  
  there is so much anti-ebay and paypal being posted. maybe your stories are true, only god knows. I dont want to just antogonize someone, atleast on christmas day (for god's sake). I see the same set of people posting junk about companies time and again in various forums.
  
  I dont have any issues on ebay or paypal. if someone's account is locked, either they have been alerted on fraud for anti-money laundering or some other genuine reason.
  
  why would anyone just freeze anyone's account, especially your customers? use commonsense.

  Reply | Link to Comment

  +1 0
• 
  

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PayPal / eBay - Important: PayPal is eliminating some automatic emails

17 December 2008
by Event Horizon 1984

The following email is a PayPal email, regarding the cessation of specific PayPal notification emails.

The reason for the change is fairly obvious.  By not immediately notifying a business that their payment funds are available, this allows PayPal/eBay to earn more float interest on those business earnings.

This short additional delay on a small amount for a single transaction, adds up as PayPal/eBay deals with millions of transactions.

This is not a large amount, for multi-billion dollar corporations. Like additional banking fees, this does show greed, in this squeezing out of every extra "penny" from PayPal/eBay customers.  And desperation, in the need to perform this action.

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From: "PayPal" <paypal@email.paypal.com> 

To: {edited out}

Hello {edited out},

Tired of email clutter? So are we. To make your life easier, we're eliminating some of the automatic emails we send after transactions. These changes will take effect on February 11, 2009. Though you will no longer receive certain emails, all transaction details will still show up in your PayPal account for your record keeping.

What you need to do:

• If you don't use PayPal emails to trigger any automated processes, do nothing.
• If you've been using any of the emails listed below to trigger actions such as updating accounting and inventory or sending customer communications, you will be able to access this information on the "History" page in your PayPal account. If you want to automate your processing, you may implement Instant Payment Notification (IPN). IPN provides a free, reliable solution for automatically notifying businesses of transaction status. For more details send your developer to www.paypal.com/ipninfo

The emails we're discontinuing are:

• The email you receive when you cancel an order (Merchant cancel email: ID# PP594)
• The email your customer receives when you cancel an order (Buyer void email: ID# PP592)
• The email you receive when funds move out of your customer's PayPal account (Merchant capture email: ID# PP593)
• The email your customer receives when funds move out of their PayPal account (Buyer capture email: ID# PP591)
• The email you receive after you initiate a refund to a customer (Merchant refund email: ID# PP286)

To see examples of these emails, visit www.paypal.com/discontinuedemails.

Thanks,
PayPal

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eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com Part Deux

Updated 06 December 2008 09:32 HST

05 December 2008 09:13 HST

See the previous article, eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com, for more.

And the votes are in.

We thought this drama was concluded, but we were wrong.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=smartbargains&

Feedback Profile

	smartbargains ( 9 )
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 80%
	Member since: Sep-09-08 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 12 12 12 Neutral 0 0 0 Negative 3 3 3

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 13 Communication 13 Shipping time 11 Shipping and handling charges 11

The Detailed Seller Ratings have been tallied, and they're usually indicative of a company's customer service.

4.2  Item as described
3.9  Communication
4.6  Shipping time
4.5  Shipping and handling charges

smartbargains appears to be somewhat lacking in communications skills.

And what is the official eBay position about a DSR rating like this?

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200808200704212.html
August 20, 2008 | 07:04AM PST/PT

“As of November 1, 2008, sellers will need at least a 4.3 across all four DSR categories, over the prior 30 day or 12 month period depending on volume, in order to list on the site.”
Lorrie Norrington, eBay President of Marketplace Operations

smartbargains first official sale took place on 17 November 2008 at 14:19:31 PST, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280286604318

Now we wait and see what eBay's response will be on December 18th, day 31.

Or perhaps sooner.

For commentary from Power Seller Unite, view this public thread.

http://www.powersellersunite.com/post-222257.html#222257
eBay Diamonds Not Quite Sparkling

.

"What we got here is... failure to communicate."
Captain (Struther Martin), Cool Hand Luke (1967)

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06 December 2008 09:32 HST

You say 'Tomato', I say 'Tomato' ...

The writer DiamondHaus brings up a good point.

"Actually the rule for selling standards was lowered to 4.1 some time back in October just before the original rule was to go into effect. But that doesn't seem to matter since they were still listing for at least 20 minutes after falling to a 4.0 communication DSR."

We pulled 4.3 DSR from eBay's public General Announcements page. This is the location where most people and reporters will get their information about eBay policies. This is also one of the few places where one can see an actual name attached to a Policy, versus an anonymous drone.

Appropriately eBay tags this page as "Marketing", www2.ebay.com/aw/marketing.shtml.  Or better known to everyone else as Public Relations (PR).

To find the actual eBay Policies, versus PR felgercarb, you have to dig around.  DiamondHaus refers to eBay's actual Policy, as stated in the Seller Non-performance Policy.

To ensure a minimum performance standard from all sellers, eBay requires sellers to maintain at least a 4.3 average for each DSR (Item as described, Communication, Shipping time, and Shipping and handling charges).

• Sellers with one or more DSR below 4.3 may be subject to lowered standing in search results.

• Sellers with one or more DSRs below 4.1 will be restricted from listing until their DSRs improve.

This average is based on ratings from the past 30 days unless a seller has less than 10 DSRs for that period. In this case, eBay will evaluate DSRs over the past 12 months instead.

As we noted earlier, any restrictions will not be applied until there is a "past 30 days" to make a determination. That would be December 18th.

With this deadline in mind, here is a seller qualification that Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains currently fails at.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=smartbargains&
Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 86.4%

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200805221603452.html
***Feedback Changes – Common Questions Answered***
Brian Burke, eBay Director Global Feedback Policy
May 22, 2008 | 04:03PM PST/PT

"ending on July 20), any PowerSeller who no longer meets the 98% threshold will no longer be eligible for PowerSeller status and benefits."

And here's the 90 day deadline qualification, which after less than 30 days Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains currently fails at.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200708131050072.html
Philipp Justus, eBay Senior Vice President, Auctions
August 13, 2007 | 10:51AM PST/PT

"Sellers who have demonstrated buyer dissatisfaction rates greater than 5% within a 90-day window are now subject to temporary 14-day restrictions in the form of selling sanctions or reduced listing volume. Sellers with dissatisfaction rates that are 10% or greater are now subject to indefinite restrictions until they improve their buyer dissatisfaction rates to less than 5%."

http://www.ebaychatter.com/the_chatter/2007/08/lynda-talgo-of-.html
Lynda Talgo, Senior Director of Global Policy Management in Trust and Safety
August 29, 2007 at 05:06 PM

Greater than 5% buyer dissatisfaction rate:  A seller must have more than 5% negative and neutral feedback, as a seller, over the last 90 days to qualify, and must also receive a minimum of two negatives from unique buyers in the past 90 days. 

Greater than 10% buyer dissatisfaction rate:  A seller must have more than 10% negative and neutral feedback, as a seller, over the last 90 days to qualify, and must also receive a minimum of three negatives from unique buyers in the past 90 days. 

According to Terapeak, as of December 1st, Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains has made their monthly sales quota.

Total Sales  $5,243
Sell-Through  3.07%

We are of the opinion that eBay will do everything IT can to make Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains meet seller qualifications. Independent of whether smartbargains actually makes the qualifications.

.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200803141139352.html
"In addition, for a small number of transactions that have a higher risk of buyer dissatisfaction, we may delay the release of funds paid through PayPal. This hold will be placed on only a small percentage of transactions for up to 21 days."
John McDonald, eBay Trust & Safety, 14 March 2008

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eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com

Updated 03 December 2008 00:02 HST

See our follow up article, eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com, for more.

01 December 2008

From AuctionBytes:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y08/m12/i01/s01
Mercent to Launch More Large Retailers onto eBay
1 December 2008

"Mercent helped launch SmartBargains.com onto the eBay marketplace, the first service provider to launch a client under eBay's new "Large Merchant Services API" technology announced last week. Mercent CEO Eric Best told AuctionBytes it was in the process of integrating a number of other merchants onto eBay, but could not disclose their identities. "It's still a small percentage of our overall portfolio of clients," he said.

Best also said that the SmartBargains rollout on eBay was being done incrementally. "I would expect you'd see more products very soon," he said on Thursday."

Curious about how well eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com is doing?

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/smartbargains_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

3,117 results found

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=smartbargains&ftab=AllFeedback&myworld=true

Feedback Profile

	smartbargains ( -1 )
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 0%
	Member since: Sep-09-08 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)

1 month

6 months

12 months

	Positive	0	0	0
	Neutral	0	0	0
	Negative	1	1	1

1 Feedback received

	Feedback	From / Price	Date / Time
	The seller canceled the transaction without notification. Paid and did not have.	Buyer: oboeman820 ( 7 )	Nov-29-08 14:54
	Puma Mens Future Cat Low Black Sneaker (#280289674016)	US $41.98	View Item

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eBay Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains is off to a rousing start EH?

Note that the NEG would be sufficient for eBay to induce seller restrictions on the average small business seller.  But expect eBay to remove this Diamond PowerSeller's NEG, to improve the buyer experience.

And you may well ask, "Diamond PowerSeller"?  This seller class is the creation of eBay CEO John Donahoe.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/ebay-allure-going-going-gone/
EBay's Allure Is Going, Going, Gone
17 November 2008

"Diamond PowerSellers (merchants who sell $500,000 worth of merchandise a month and have a detailed seller feedback rating of at least 4.8 stars -- out of 5 -- across all categories)"

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01 December 2008 09:13 HST

eBay Customer Service to the rescue.

A Positive feedback was added, to change the -1 rating to 0.

Feedback	From / Price	Date / Time
	Very accurate and fast. I would definitely buy from this seller again.	Buyer: jlmackey2 ( 15)	Dec-01-08 09:35
	300TC Colorful Down Alternative Comforter Full/Queen (#280289968764)	US $39.98	View Item

But let's look at this closely, shall we?

Positive feedback was left by eBay "buyer" jlmackey2 ( 15) from Texas.

http://shop.ebay.com/member/?_frompage=itemsbyseller&_userid=jlmackey2&_fcm=1&_tokentext=449488&_tokenstring=975FHQMAAAA%253D&_sop=12&_ipg=50

jlmackey2 ( 15)

5 years 2 months

TX,United States

And they bought a Comforter on Dec-01-08 at 09:11:32 PST.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280289968764

300TC Colorful Down Alternative Comforter Full/Queen	Item number: 280289968764

	You are signed in   Watch this item in My eBay
This item has been added to My eBay for Guests. As a guest, you can:   Track up to 10 items on this computer in My eBay   Receive an email reminder for this item a few hours before it ends

View larger picture price: US $39.98  Buy It Now > Immediate payment required End time: Dec-28-08 21:04:44 PST (27 days 9 hours) Shipping: FREE shipping UPS Ground Service to United States (more services) Ships to: United States Item location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

This is the feedback left by eBay "buyer" jlmackey2 ( 15) from Texas on Dec-01-08 at 09:35 PST for Diamond PowerSeller smartbargains from Boston, Massachusetts.

	Very accurate and fast. I would definitely buy from this seller again.

For a Comforter purchased on Dec-01-08 at 09:11:32 PST.

WOW. UPS Ground Service from Boston, Massachusetts to Texas in just under 24 minutes!

That is fast.

Okay, not the impossible 24 minute shipment, but the speed of the wool being pulled.

For commentary on this feedback from eBay posters, view this public thread.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=520056478&tstart=0&mod=1228158161190
Lets Play "Who listed 3000+ items had a -1 feedback now 0

.

"Do I look like I have stupid written all over my face?"
Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney)

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02 December 2008 13:02 HST

The Customer Strikes Back.

Thank you Diamond Haus ( www.diamondhaus.com/blog ) for mentioning our article. And the news on feedback number 3.

A Negative feedback was added, changing the 0 rating to -1.

smartbargains ( -1 )

Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 33.3%

Member since: Sep-09-08 in United States

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=smartbargains&ftab=AllFeedback&_trksid=p3911.c0.m198

	Feedback	From / Price	Date / Time
	Scammer!Charged additional $ then cancelled transaction whenIcomplained!!AVOID!	Buyer: laboutiqueunique ( 1111)	Dec-01-08 19:45
	Cole Haan Genevieve Small Box Tote (#280289968398)	US $149.98	View Item

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280289968398

Cole Haan Genevieve Small Box Tote	Item number: 280289968398

	You are signed in   Watch this item in My eBay
This item has been added to My eBay for Guests. As a guest, you can:   Track up to 10 items on this computer in My eBay   Receive an email reminder for this item a few hours before it ends

price: US $199.99  Buy It Now > Immediate payment required End time: Dec-28-08 21:02:53 PST (26 days 5 hours) Shipping: FREE shipping UPS Ground Service to United States (more services) Ships to: United States Item location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

To be fair, here's the time line for this latest feedback.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=280289968398
Purchased - Nov-29-08 19:15:50 PST
Feedback Left - Dec-01-08 19:45 PST

Total Transaction Time, 2 days 29 minutes.

For a weekend purchase that's fast. From order to ship ... oh right smartbargains didn't complete this order.

At this point you're probably asking, why is this an issue?

Two reasons. First there's the perception that Diamond PowerSellers can have bad feedback (and DSRs) completely removed at will. We decided to watch this Diamond PowerSeller out of curiosity, and see if the perception is reality.

Second, eBay states that Diamond PowerSellers to the smallest seller are held to the same standards. We want to see if that is really the case, or just lip service.

For more commentary on this feedback from eBay posters, view this public thread.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=520056954&tstart=0&mod=1228258019095
Welcome to Our Newest DIAMOND Power Seller Feedback: 33.3 Positive

.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
George Orwell, Animal Farm (1945)

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03 December 2008 00:02 HST

As Time Goes By.

I'd expect more feedback as the weeks go on....
itspostingtime (2)

The anonymous poster itspostingtime (alleged to be cohibastore or a close associate) does make a good point.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=520056954&start=40

itspostingtime  (2 )        Dec-02-08 20:59 PST       43 of 49
Just a couple of things:

1. It looks like the seller provides buyers with feedback upon being paid....so some of the buyers probably haven't even received their items at this point. I'd expect more feedback as the weeks go on....

There are two questions that would (or should) come up.

One is when was smartbargains first sale?

I don't have that documented. What I do have is the date and time of the first on the record feedback that smartbargains left. Which is 17 November 2008 at 14:31 PST.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&ftab=FeedbackLeftForOthers&userid=smartbargains&iid=-1&de=off&items=25&page=7

	Thank you for an easy, pleasant transaction. Excellent buyer. A++++++.	Buyer: veekee22 ( 35)	Nov-17-08 14:31
	Ed Hardy Life.Love.Luck French Terry Pant (#280286604318)	--	View Item

.

Including that first feedback and up to 1 December 2008 at 12:24 PST, smartbargains has left 159 Positive feedback for buyers. And of course has received only 3 feedback during that 14 day span. That would be bad except the caveat is there is a string of 155 buyers (excluding the 1st and the 3 who left feedback) with purchases beginning on November 26th.

With a commercial UPS account, "we" (as opposed to "I") can get a package sent via UPS Ground from Hawaii to the U.S. East Coast in 5 business days.  As smartbargains advertises shipping via UPS Ground and as they are located in Massachusetts, delivery time to locations in the contiguous 48 States should be less than 5 days.

Realistically people should start looking for the flood of Positive feedback (or Negatives) to start next week.

As a practical matter, unless "something wonderful" happens, "I" (as opposed to "we") will have moved on to other things. But with eBay you never know.

For the uniquely British take and commentary on smartbargains,

"Goofbay also gives us Smartbargains’ sales figures for the last 90 days:

Total Value Sold: £7,501.24
Total Value Not Sold: £5,785,877.94"

(1 British Pound = 1.49 U.S. Dollars) view this public article and thread.

http://www.tamebay.com/2008/12/ebay-diamonds-not-quite-sparkling.html
eBay Diamonds not quite sparkling
by Sue Bailey

Oh, I did say there were two questions. Have fun with this one.

Are the three feedback left for smartbargains their very first feedback, or was there earlier feedback that was posted and removed?

Toodles.

.
"What is going to happen?"
"Something wonderful."  David 'Dave' Bowman
"I'm afraid."  HAL 9000
2010 (1984)

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See our follow up article, eBay Diamond PowerSeller SmartBargains.com, for more.

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"Say it ain't so, Joe." - Isn't that the odd American sport of Baseball?

"Say it ain't so, Joe." - Isn't that the odd American sport of Baseball?
4 October 2008
Event Horizon 1984

"This is like deja vu all over again."
Yogi Berra

We're loathe to putting day to day politics on this blog.  There's enough aggravation in daily reading.  But with Major League Baseball into the playoff season, the injection of politics has us crossing the line.

"If you build it ... HE will come."
Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams (1989)

If you're a fan of Baseball, or happen to be be the average American glued to the television or radio, you do know this piece of baseball history and mythology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoeless_Joe_Jackson

In testimony before the grand jury, Jackson admitted under oath that he agreed to participate in the fix. He also admitted to complaining to other conspirators that he had not received his full $20,000 share. Legend has it that as Jackson was leaving the courthouse during the trial, a young boy begged of him, "Say it ain't so, Joe," and that Joe did not respond. In his 1949 interview in Sport Magazine, Jackson debunked this story as a myth.

In 1921, a Chicago jury acquitted him and his seven White Sox teammates of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the newly appointed Commissioner of Baseball, banned all eight accused players, claiming baseball's need to clean up its image took precedence over legal judgments. As a result, Jackson never played major league baseball after the 1920 season.

If you didn't know baseball, you probably wouldn't know this has been floating around the last 80 or so years.

"Say it ain't so, Joe"
Governor Palin, October 2008

"If you can't imitate him, don't copy him."
Yogi Berra

Or not?

"I grew up watching the summer baseball on these fields."
"In fact started out as a sports reporter. Sports have been a passion of mine of mine all my life, so I feel not at home here but I feel very ah comfortable in like this is a fun booth to be in."
Governor Sarah Palin, 29 August 2008
Donny Baarns interview during the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks and Mat-Su Miners game.
http://ballhype.com/video/alaska_governor_sarah_palin_interview/

Every four years American President's and Presidential contenders attend or watch the playoffs.  Mostly leaving the politics out of Baseball.  But this Presidential cycle just had to mix politics with American's most beloved pastime.

Politicians do us a favor. Leave Baseball out of it.

You should know better.

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"And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again."
Terence Mann, Field of Dreams (1989)

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eBay San Dimas Desktop Application Unwanted And On Life Support?

eBay San Dimas Desktop Application Unwanted And On Life Support?
29 September 2008
Event Horizon 1984

eBay's great experiment, the San Dimas Desktop application announced on 16 April 2007, gives the appearance of being unwanted, brain dead, and on life support.

Perhaps eBay's San Dimas Desktop Customer Service attitude from the start had much to do with that.  And yes while the question had nothing to do with San Dimas, read the response.

The poster "half-pink@ebay.com" is an eBay employee in charge of the eBay San Dimas Desktop, Alan Lewis, eBay Desktop Product Manager.

//

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/forum.jspa?forumID=1000000044
eBay (San Dimas) Desktop Forum

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000455218&tstart=0&mod=1222651398921
New page layout sucks

jbem58  (140 )      Oct-21-07 16:24 PDT
Hello,
I'm absolutely sick of Ebay changing the page setup. My bookmarks do not take me to where I want to go within ebay. Overall this new setup TOTALLY SUCKS!!!

half-pink@ebay.com      Oct-22-07 19:37 PDT     2 of 82
jbem58 - Are you talking about the layout of eBay Desktop? I assume that because you posted in this forum that you are. If so, you can go back to using the website if you don't like it.

-Alan

//

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?messageID=1011965763&forumID=1000000044&x#1011965763

half-pink@ebay.com        Feb-16-08 12:23 PST       6 of 12
> So do you really think that I would trust you with something as sacred as my desktop??????

Hi redroad31 - One of the reasons that we are working on a desktop eBay application is so that those with slower internet connections can still have a fast eBay experience. The basic idea is that if you download a client application once, there is less back and forth between the client and the server (more efficient data transfer) and so the eBay experience should work better. We will continue to optimize performance past the 1.0 release, paying attention to both the dial-up and lower-powered PC scenarios.

Alan Lewis
eBay Desktop Product Manager

//

You would think that eBay San Dimas Desktop personnel would have had this question answered BEFORE development.

This also appears to be Alan Lewis's final post on the eBay Desktop Forum.

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?messageID=1012567237&forumID=1000000044&x#1012567237

half-pink@ebay.com       Apr-03-08 11:44 PDT       2 of 2
What sort of features would you want in eBay Desktop for sellers? Have you tried the existing desktop-based selling tools that eBay and 3rd parties offer?

-Alan

//

Must be difficult to tell Live World, the company eBay hired to run the eBay's Forums, to delete the off topic posts?

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?messageID=2009898204&forumID=1000000044&x#2009898204

half-pink@ebay.com        Apr-02-08 17:07 PDT
Unfortunately this forum has become overwhelmed with off-topic discussions. Not to diminish the concerns or issues that are being brought up, but they have drowned out any discussion of the intended topic: eBay Desktop.

So I haven't been participating much in this forum... instead I've been discussing issues with users on the eBay Desktop blog: http://desktop.ebay.com/blog

I encourage you to ask questions, suggest blog topics, challenge me, berate me, whatever you want... but it WILL be moderated in order to keep the discussion on topic. I also have been using the blog to identify issues that are being reported since we aren't staffed with a full customer service group for eBay Desktop yet (still just me doing it).

Thanks for your understanding,

//

About Alan Lewis's San Dimas blog.

For a self-described dynamic software application, the latest post on San Dimas is dated 16 July 2008.

http://desktop.ebay.com/blog/
1 Million eBay Desktop Downloads and Counting!
July 16th, 2008

eBay Desktop surpassed a significant milestone earlier this week with the 1,000,000th download since the launch in late February. eBay Desktop has surpassed even the most optimist projections (mine), more than doubling the number of projected downloads at this point post-launch. Just think… there are now more downloads of eBay Desktop than there are residents of San Jose!

I wish I could send thanks to whoever number 1,000,000 was, but I will instead extend my virtual thanks to that anonymous downloader (as well as extending my thanks to the other 999,999 as well). We have lots of great enhancements to eBay Desktop in the works, so stay tuned…

//

One million eBay San Dimas Desktop Beta downloads would be impressive, except in the context of what eBay reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on 24 July 2008.

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/080724/ebay10-q.html
30 June 2008
Registered eBay users - 338.2 Million
Active eBay users - 84.5 million

If this were a must have application the adoption rate would be much higher.

So stay tuned...

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Gilligan's Island - An eBay Tune - The Ballad of MiniMeg's Island

Gilligan's Island first aired
26 September 1964. 

Happy Birthday!

And now with apologies to Gilligan's Island, and ode to eBay.

The Ballad of MiniMeg's* Island

Just sit right back and we'll blog a tale,
A tale of a fateful COM
That started from this sunny bay
This side of San Jose

The mate was a ole Meg protege
The skipper Bain Exec.
Five eBayer's set sail that day
For a three year tour, a three year tour.

The stock market was getting rough,
The tiny COM was tossed,
If not for the courage of the peerless crew
The eBay would be lost, the eBay would be lost.

The COM set ground on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange
With MiniMeg,
The Don.A.Hoe,
The Buy dot COM, and their shills,
The Uncle Griff,
The cheerleaders and eBay Pinks,
Here on MiniMegs Isle.


* Lorrie Norrington

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Smell that MBA from Lehman Brothers

The Urbanite blog made a quick mention of one eBay auction.

http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/2008/09/on_ebay_its_going_going_gone_f.html
On eBay, it's going, going gone for Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch collectibles

"Ebay seller ny_dealmaker is selling a “Lehman Brothers Color Changing Travel Thermos.” The former employee writes: “Make my lose your gain.” "

We have the link to that auction, below. The auction description does make one wonder if this potential Lehman Brothers MBA is typical of the the late broker's staff.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lehman-Brothers-Color-Changing-Travel-Thermos_W0QQitemZ250295576079QQihZ015QQcategoryZ73502QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"Own a piece of Lehman Brothers memorabilia. This is a thermos that changes color when you add liquid. It says Lehman Brothers behind the plastic. This is brand new and never been used. Make my lose your gain."

ny_dealmaker

Get your red pencils out.

"This is brand new and never been used. Make my lose your gain."

How about?

"This is brand new and has never been used. Make my loss your gain."

Doesn't this make you worry just a little about the eBay expertise of Lehman Brothers?  Given the fact that Lehman Brothers collapsed due to the expertise of Lehman Brothers.

http://onlyebay.blogspot.com/2007/12/citigroup-and-lehman-raise-ebay.html
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Citigroup and Lehman Raise EBAY Estimates

In a report released this morning, Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney has raised his EBAY earnings estimates and reiterated his Buy rating, citing his tracking of proprietary listings. Mahaney states that fundamentals are shaping up stronger than consensus expectations. Mahaney claims that "re-entry into Japan and the growth of eBay's PayPal online payment service are also positives for the company's portfolio of brands." Mahaney has a $49 price target. Mahaney joins Lehman Brothers analyst Doug Anmuth, who earlier this week also raised his earnings estimates on EBAY despite maintaining his Hold rating and $33 price target.

eBay hit another 52 week record low of $21.70 per share.

Lehman Brothers is currently trading at $0.21 per share.

Pick up a buck's worth and make their "lose your gain."

Disclosure: Our English Grammar is terrible. So is our sense of humor.

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From eBay PR and Uncle_Griff - Some Needed Clarification

In regards to the AuctionBytes.com article “eBay’s Operation Catalog Flies under the Radar”, eBay personality Uncle Griff has posted two responses on eBay's PR blog.

Uncle Griff signed off with:

"I sell (and have bought and sold) on eBay since November 1996 under my civilian user id uncle_griff. I always have merchandise up for sale"

...

"Rest assured I have earned honestly my PS status, my ratings, my feedback and the loyalty of my regular customers."

Being curious we decided to check out Griff's bonafides.

According to TeraPeak these are Griff's selling statistics from 7 June 2008 to 4 September 2008:

.

Item Title	Sold	Format	Start Price	End Price	Bids	End Date
	Antique Heriz Serapi Goravan Oriental Rug Carpet 13 x 9	Yes	Bid	$49.99	$4,550.00	36	2008-06-15
	Jacques Fath Yang Gift Set EDT AS Shampoo Body Wash	Yes		$40.00	$40.00	1	2008-06-16
	NEW Synrgy Oyster White Blazer Sport Coat 52L Long Tall	No		$75.00	$0.00		2008-06-15

.
General Stats

Total Sales	$4,590
Total Listings	3
Successful Listings	2
Total Bids	37
Items Offered	3
Items Sold	2
Bids per Listing	12.33
Sell-Through	66.67%

Keep in mind that a Bronze Powerseller needs to have an average sale or $1,000 per month.  Therefore the 2 items sold are sufficient for Uncle Griff to maintain his Powerseller status.

We do notice sizable gaps in the Terapeak selling record.  Well, Terapeak is supplied data from eBay, and eBay does recommend Terapeak to sellers.

Okay, let's try getting a better picture through eBay itself.

Feedback for uncle_griff.
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=uncle_griff

eBay user uncle_griff has 1984 positive feedback. An oddly familiar sounding number. And since 26 May 1996, eBay user uncle_griff has received 2,223 feedback. As a buyer and seller. 

As a seller uncle_griff has received ... 119 feedback, beginning 11 November 2001.

hmmm?

In the last two weeks uncle_griff has sold one item.
.

Mens Hathaway Cotton Indigo Dyed LS Shirt NWT XXL Free Shipping to North America View similar active items | Sell one like this

$18.89

Sep-08 14:41

.

Seller uncle_griff currently has 16 items up for sale

Price

Time Left

Featured Items

Vintage French Beaded Flower Flowers Bouquet Basket Free Shipping within the USA

1 Bid

$9.99

4d 20h 52m

Caucasian Fachralo Style Kazak Oriental Rug Carpet Free Shipping within the USA

3 Bids

$54.26

4d 14h 0m

Antique Wrought Iron Hanging Lantern Early 20th Century Free Shipping within the USA

5 Bids

$31.00

4d 21h 19m

Caucasian Dragon Style Soumak Carpet Free Shipping within the USA

0 Bids

$24.99 $225.00

4d 15h 10m

Optimize your selling success! Find out how to promote your items

Vintage French Beaded Flower Flowers Bouquet Basket Free Shipping within the USA

1 Bid

$9.99

4d 20h 52m

Ungaro II Pour L'Homme Eau De Toilette 75 ml 2.5 oz FREE SHIPPING

$85.00

3d 14h 48m

NEW Synrgy Oyster White Blazer Sport Coat 52L Long Tall Free Shipping within the USA

$75.00

4d 10h 52m

Caucasian Fachralo Style Kazak Oriental Rug Carpet Free Shipping within the USA

3 Bids

$54.26

4d 14h 0m

4 Vintage Painted Iron Tole Tulip Shaped Cup Holders Free Shipping within the USA

0 Bids

$1.99

4d 21h 42m

Antique Wrought Iron Hanging Lantern Early 20th Century Free Shipping within the USA

5 Bids

$31.00

4d 21h 19m

Mens Hathaway Cotton Indigo Dyed LS Shirt NWT XXL Free Shipping to USA | Other Sizes in My eBay Store

$14.99

5d 14h 14m

Caucasian Dragon Style Soumak Carpet Free Shipping within the USA

0 Bids

$24.99 $225.00

4d 15h 10m

Japanese Style Cast Iron Hanging Lantern Mid 20th Cent Free Shipping within the USA

2 Bids

$15.50

4d 21h 56m

Japanese Style Cast Iron Hanging Lantern Mid 20th Cent Free Shipping within the USA

1 Bid

$9.99

4d 22h 19m

Aramis Portos After Shave / Cologne 4 OZ Unused FREE SHIPPING

$104.50

14d 10h 5m

AD Alain Delon Eau de Toilette EDT 4.4 oz Spray Bottle FREE SHIPPING

$95.00

27d 10h 29m

Lorenzo Villoresi Erba Room Spray 100ml 3.3 oz NIB FREE SHIPPING

$23.00

27d 15h 45m

Mens Hathaway Cotton Indigo Dyed LS Shirt NWT XXL Free Shipping to North America

$18.89

27d 20h 56m

Mens Hathaway Cotton Indigo Dyed LS Shirt NWT XXL Free Shipping to North America

$18.89

27d 21h 0m

Mens Hathaway Cotton Indigo Dyed LS Shirt NWT XXL Free Shipping to North America

$18.89

27d 21h 2m

.

So is uncle_griff the epitome of eBay Sellers, with a selling record to back it up?

You tell us.

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Monday, September 8th, 2008

http://ebayinkblog.com/2008/09/08/some-needed-clarification/comment-page-4/#comments

Some Needed Clarification

Over the weekend, AuctionBytes.com ran a story under the headline: “eBay’s Operation Catalog Flies under the Radar”. It generated a number of responses (at last count 89 comments) and I received a few emails from folks asking about the validity of the post.

Even though I knew the meat of the post was primarily speculative and, as a result, inaccurate in some places, I thought it best to go internally to better address the post directly. Having met with a couple of folks today about it, I came to the conclusion that it was best coming straight from someone who knew more about the topic at hand than I (otherwise, you just get regurgitation from me). So, without further ado, I welcome Jim “Griff” Griffith to eBay Ink.

Cheers,
RBH

Thanks, Richard. I would be more than happy to offer some responses. I think its best if I just break down Ina’s post point-by-point to make sure we don’t lose anything in translation.

“eBay announced a Diamond-level PowerSeller tier in June, and as I blogged in mid-August, more companies will be joining Buy.com and be allowed to list on the site for free.”

The new Diamond-level of the PowerSeller program is no secret. Any business who qualifies for this level – whether currently on or off eBay - is welcome to list on eBay . However, this is pure speculation with regard to the listing fees. I think it has been covered on Ink before (that fees charged to Diamond-tier PowerSellers are negotiated on a case-by-case basis).

“Now I’m hearing that eBay is introducing a pilot program next month in which a number of manufacturer and big-box retailer catalogs will be launched to eBay.”

Cataloged data is nothing new on eBay and has in fact, been available for certain categories for several years. These include all media and most electronic consumer goods. Potentially expanding the breadth and depth of catalog data on eBay would in fact, be a benefit to all sellers and to buyers as well. For one, as is true today, all catalogs currently used on eBay are available to all sellers. In addition, having access to more cataloged item information would speed the listing process since all sellers will be able to use this new catalog data to describe their items, much as they can now do in the media category. For buyers, it would mean a more consistent experience.

“Third-party vendors will work with these sellers to get them onto the eBay platform - no small feat given the quantity of product SKUs in their catalogs… These Diamond PowerSellers will be given special privileges. Commission (FVF) fees will be negotiated individually, and it’s my understanding that participants in this pilot will not be charged listing fees, nor will they have to meet eBay’s seller standards during the 90-day pilot program, which I’ve dubbed Operation Catalog.”

Again, the statements regarding fees are uninformed speculation. It is no secret that since earlier this year, we have opened up the concept of fee discounts to all qualifying sellers, something that, in my opinion, we should have done a lot sooner. However, the statement about seller standards not applying to Diamond Level PowerSellers is absolutely false. In fact, the standards are actually higher for all Diamond Level PowerSellers who must maintain 4.8 across all DSRs or risk voiding any arrangement they have made with eBay.

There are no shortcuts. There are no special dispensations for existing policy compliance given to any eBay seller. All eBay sellers, no matter the size of their business on or off eBay, are held to the same seller standards and for Diamond PowerSeller, the privilege of selling on eBay is tied to even higher standards then the rest of the eBay seller community.

“The potential Gross Merchandise Volume of these sellers is enormous, and it fills out eBay’s product line and helps it move toward providing a more uniform buying experience on the site, or so it hopes… The flood of inventory onto the site in October could have a major impact on certain sellers in categories affected. As I write in tomorrow’s editorial in AuctionBytes-Update, not only will some sellers find themselves competing with the manufacturer of the product they sell, but that competitor is getting free listings and better exposure.”

The statements regarding free listings are, again, pure speculation on the part of the author. The statement regarding “better exposure” for certain sellers is absolutely incorrect. A seller with a large inventory is not necessarily going to get better exposure than a seller with less inventory. As any eBay-interested party knows from reading Jeff King’s July 31st Announcement Board post, the changes to Finding that limit duplicate listings and the number of listings for one seller that appear on a page of results cover all sellers, including Diamond PowerSellers. Again, it is about the quality of the seller – specifically, the quality of their merchandise and of their customer service – not the size of the seller’s inventory.

“If Operation Catalog does roll out in October as expected, sellers will find themselves going up against competition they never knew existed, with no time to adjust their selling strategy during the all-important holiday shopping season.”

The idea of bringing on Diamond PowerSeller level business (which include bigger sellers or retail stores) as competition is, with all due respect, absurd. eBay sellers are already competing with these businesses both online and in search engines. By bringing Diamond PowerSeller qualified businesses into the eBay marketplace, these businesses will bring along their sizeable buyer traffic. This is a huge benefit for the enterprising smaller eBay seller of similar merchandise since they get to compete right alongside of the retailer and offer the retailer’s customers a better deal.

The view among some that eBay is somehow a protected marketplace (”don’t let in my competition!”) or that said competition will be detrimental to the business of seller’s with less inventory is unfortunately, misinformed and has no basis in reality. In fact, big sellers have been a part of eBay since nearly the beginning; Sears, Disney, IBM, Dell, HP, etc to name a few. Some remain. But some found they couldn’t compete with existing sellers on eBay who by dint of their smaller size of operations, tend to operate much more efficiently than a bigger business. So, despite the uniformed predictions of some, selling on eBay is not and has never been, an “Either/ Or” proposition with regards to big and small businesses. Any attempt to portray online commerce, and commerce on eBay in particular, as Big vs Small, is lacking in any real understanding of business .

On eBay, all sellers, regardless of the size of their operations or inventory, succeed or fail on eBay working under the same rules, standards and listing policies.

- Griff

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Griff On 09.09.2008 at 10:39 pm Said:

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate your passion for eBay.

The sole purpose of my post was to correct some alarmingly incorrect statements made on another site. Allow me clear up a few points made here since I posted.

1. The post is mine. My words written by me. No one asked me or told me to write it. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not know me or my history with eBay. I approached Richard yesterday and asked him if he wouldn’t mind my posting to the Ink blog. He agreed. I posted.

2. The statements I pointed out (regarding standards, treatment, and exposure for certain sellers) were wrong. Period. I corrected them and I stand by the corrections.

3. Although I cannot fault anyone for engaging in speculation, let’s be clear: speculation is speculation. Nothing more. Comments made by anyone about the undisclosed details of any relationship between eBay and any eBay member are pure speculation.

4. About those details: We cannot and will not publicly discuss the details of any member’s eBay account, regardless of who the buyer or seller might be (and that includes every seller of any size, who has ever sold on eBay).

5. I sell (and have bought and sold) on eBay since November 1996 under my civilian user id uncle_griff. I always have merchandise up for sale.

Employees get no special dispensation, deals or treatment when selling on eBay. We have to meet the same PowerSeller eligibility requirements that other sellers must. We have to follow the same rules and we have to maintain the same performance standards.

Rest assured I have earned honestly my PS status, my ratings, my feedback and the loyalty of my regular customers.

Feel free to email me at any time: griff@ebay.com My IN Box is always open (and I answer my own email).

regards,

Griff

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4 February 2007 - Used 22 Year Old Alaska Jet For Sale

If you want your blog to really rack up the hits, or you're into trivia try this:

http://twitter.com/fruithelmetcat/statuses/912397391
"see the original ebay luxury Jet listing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin auctioned off"

http://tinyurl.com/637pmv

Amaze your friends with this trivia:

• Bet you didn't know this puppy was 20 years old when Alaska bought it. 

Do you know that eBay's new description for items like this is "acceptable" condition?

And in case you're representing a State that wants to sell off surplus or unwanted Government equipment, you can see how Alaska is doing. Or if you want your blog to rack up hits:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=stateofalaskasurplus

0% !!!

Actually that was a demonstration of the glitchy nature of eBay.  Based on eBay's new policies that should read "100%."

If I were Alaska, I'm be ticked off.

Disclosure: Our eBay feedback is more than 0%. Registered Political Party: none.

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From eBay Seller Forum - The Kind of CRAP Buy is Loading the Site up With

You won't find this post (below).

eBay Forums: The Kind of CRAP Buy is Loading the ...
The Kind of CRAP Buy is Loading the Site up With. manoftwine. (126. ) View Listings | Report, Aug-22-08 18:56 PDT. Check out 150286317814. See that price? ...
forums.ebay.com/db2/ thread.jspa?threadID=520002258&tstart=0&mod=1219463548415

eBay deleted it.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=52000225
This discussion thread has been removed

We decided to check why this particular thread about eBay's favored seller Buy (Buy.com) was deleted.

Well, here's the item, #150286317814, referenced in the thread. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150286317814

			NEW HP 16GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory Module 413015-B21	Item number: 150286317814

	You are signed in   Watch this item in My eBay
This item has been added to My eBay for Guests. As a guest, you can:   Track up to 10 items on this computer in My eBay   Receive an email reminder for this item a few hours before it ends

View larger picture price: US $20,604.99  Buy It Now > Up to $25 back - new eBay MasterCard Apply End time: Aug-25-08 03:51:09 PDT (1 day 15 hours) Shipping costs: Free Other (see description) Service to United States (more services) Ships to: United States Item location: United States, United States Quantity: 4 available History: Purchases You can also: Bid with Bid Assistant Get SMS or IM alerts | Email to a friend Listing and payment details:  HideShow Starting time: Aug-22-08 03:51:09 PDT Duration: 3-day listing Payment methods: PayPal (preferred) See details Meet the seller Seller: buy( 179319) Feedback: 99.6 % Positive Member: since Feb-12-02 in United States    See detailed feedback    Ask seller a question    Add to Favorite Sellers    View seller's other items: Store | List    Visit seller's Store: Buy's Internet Superstore Contact the seller instantly Buy safely 1.   Check the seller's reputation Score: 179319 Positive See detailed feedback

A flagrant means to artificially boost eBay's GMV (Gross Merchandise Value), which eBay provides in it's quarterly reports to the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov) and stock holders.  Since stock brokers use GMV as one means to determine the value of a company, GMV does affect stock price.

What eBay would report as GMV for this item is $84,419.96 ($20,604.99 x 4 items).

And you may wonder if $20.604.99 is a good price to pay for 16GB memory?  No, it is not.

http://www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=16gb+ddr2&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Try $3,327.77.

eBay seller Buy statistics according to Terapeak (www.terapeak.com), 21 May 2008 to 18 August 2008.

• Sell-Through: 2.13%
• Listings: 8,438,289
• Items Offered: 744,035,957
• Average Price: $42.50
• Total Sales: $10,021,445

And we leave you with this old but interesting pattern of Buy's customers.

Here's the typical Buy customer for very high priced computer items.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170244439567

NEW Cisco 11501 Content Switch CSS11501-2PK
$14,498.99    
Ended:    Jul-30-08 12:24:53 PDT

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=170244439567

User ID                     Price                  Qty      Date of Purchase    
nathaniel.213( 0 )    US $14,498.99    1    Jul-27-08 20:11:52 PDT

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=nathaniel.213&ftab=AllFeedback

Member since: Jul-27-08 in United States

http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/MemberSearchResult

User ID                       Member for                  Location
nathaniel.213( 0 )       Less than 1 month       CA, United States       

And here's another one:

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=170237899215

This type of smoke and mirrors is a topic for another day.

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eBay Live! 2008 - Sound of Silence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hUy9ePyo6Q
The Sounds of Silence
Simon & Garfunkel

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
       http://www.tamebay.com/2008/06/live-day-one-almost-alive.html
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
       http://www.matthewbredel.com/207/ebay-live-chicago-day-1-peeved-powersellers.html
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_iW-krg-wI
Within the sound of silence

       http://blog.skipmcgrath.com/public/item/207156
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn32LcGPNA
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turn my collar to the cold and damp
       http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/comments/2008/6/1213892402.html
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J75WaLKb2pk
And touched the sound of silence

       http://www.tamebay.com/2008/06/keynote-speech-pictures.html
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people maybe more
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kIUyb0CeEo
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
       http://www.tamebay.com/2008/06/live-from-the-live-keynote.html
People writing songs that voices never shared
No one dared
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PieMBe1ZbrI
Disturb the sound of silence

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHY0r3Sn9rc
"Fools," said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBX4vRjPHXM
Hear my words that I might teach you
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cro1Gp5dTVA
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
       http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/comments/2008/6/1214065457.html
And echoed in the wells of silence

        http://pages.ebay.com/ebaylive/
And the people bowed and prayed     
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6BeMeF5yvs
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
       http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/2008/06/21/ebay-live-somebody-get-me-a-helmet/
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s4jMHe4zo0
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence
       http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/comments/2008/6/1214089217.html

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Footnote

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000722889&tstart=0&mod=1214242018164
eBay Stores Forum
EBAY EMPLOYEES: What Do You Do For A Living?

star138  (5084 )		Jun-23-08 10:26 PDT	18 of 18
The following was posted on the powersellers board. Just when you think it can't...it gets scarier. fyatrading (5389 ) View Listings | Report Jun-22-08 14:40 PDT I just returned from ebay live - lets see if they got the message - but based on my 1 on 1 with Lorrie Norrington. _ they do not understand why some of their best power sellers were telling them they have not had a sale in 30 days - their respone - let us takke a look at your listiing - not a clue BUT at the opening reception with FREE Pizza there were no more than 10 people standing in each line where there should have been thousands- At the closing Gala featuring Chris Issaks - I was able to sit at a front row table for 10 by MYSELF - all the tables around me were occuped by only 1 or 2 people - They had seating for over 10,000 maybe even 15,000-20,000 and when Chris Isaak was playing there were only maybe 200 people in the house standing on the dance floor in a hall that abou 30 big screens so the people way in the back could see - but there were thousands and thosands of empty chairs they had so many tote bags left that every chair at the gala had a tote bag - you got one at check in and were only supposed to get one - BUT they had SOOOO many left they also just opened over 30 cases for people to take what they wanted at the exits - in addition to the 10,000 Plus that were on each chair - which most were empty It was like having Chris Isaaks come to your house for a private show - great for me = BUt did ebay get the message When you walked into the gala all 800 ebay employees there lined a red carpet and cheered you in and wanted to high five evryone - sellers just walked past them and scowled refusing to high five It was a sight to see - and Lorrie was asking why cant we have fun here - GEE you wonder why they have to ask But just Imagine a HUGE hall with tables of 10 for 10,000-20,000 people with only 200 people in the room when the headliner was performing and enough empty seats that every person or couple who wanted to could have a table for them selves EVEN on the FRONT ROW.

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Epilogue

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

//

"It means... I don't take shit from no one"
Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield), Back to School (1986)

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Celebration of eBay Dead! 2009 - We Don't Need Another Venue

In case you did not know, in 2006 eBay cancelled plans to hold eBay Live! 2009. The next eBay Live! is scheduled for 2010. But of course this could change.

An Ode to eBay Live! 2009, with apologies to Tina Turner and "We Don't Need Another Hero", "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome".

No apologies to eBay Live! 2008.

We Don't Need Another Venue
(an eBay Dead! 2009 Apocalyptic theme)

Out of the ruins
Out from the wreckage
Can't make the same mistake this time
We are the sellers
the last generation
We are the ones they left behind
And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains

We don't need another venue
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond THE eBay

Looking for something we can rely on
There's got to be something better out there
Love and compassion, their day is coming
All else are castles built in the air

And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains
All the sellers say

We don't need another venue
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond THE eBay

What do we do with our stores
We leave only a mark
Will our store shine like a light
Or end in the dark
Give it all or nothing

We don't need another venue
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond THE eBay

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The eBay Shopping.com Affair Part Deux

The eBay Shoping.com Affair Part Deux

By Event Horizon
1 May 2008 Edition
Revision: 2 May 2008 12:21 HST

This is a short follow up to our previous articles about the faux sdc_prod listings.

• The eBay Shopping.com Affair
  15 March 2008
  http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2008/03/internet-transa.html

• From eBay Seller Central - Ebay is padding their listings
  1 March 2008
  http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2008/02/from-ebay-sel-1.html

Our research indicates between 161 thousand and half-a-million faux listings were posted on eBay, by eBay, that Leap day weekend.

eBay's official statement regarding the faux listings of 29 February 2008:
"Some Shopping.com listings appeared accidentally on eBay.com over the past two days. This system issue has been resolved. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused."
eBay, 2 March 2008

Apology accepted, BUT sorry eBay. Those listings appear to be making a comeback.

Or never left, since we've been receiving regular "eBay Item Ending" emails for all sdc_prod* listings we put on a watch list. 

Since March 2008.

1 May 2008

There are 10,001 fake listings for seller sdc_prod_9074_35
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=sdc_prod_9074_35&sort=3&page=40&rows=50&since=30&rdir=0

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There are 754 fake listings for seller sdc_prod_9391_43
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&include=0&since=-1&rdir=0&rows=25&userid=sdc_prod_9391_43

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There are 10,001 fake listings for seller sdc_prod_442675_57
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&include=0&since=-1&rdir=0&rows=25&userid=sdc_prod_442675_57

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There are 10,001 fake listings for seller sdc_prod_90076
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=sdc_prod_90076&sort=3&page=1&rows=25&since=-1&rdir=0

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Apparently if one uses a non-eBay expected method to obtain a product list, you'll see the faux listings.

And do keep in mind that this method used to print out products has a limit of, you guessed it, 10001. It is highly probably that the sellers showing "10001" have more than ten-thousand-one items.

For perspective, here are the fake listing counts taken during the Leap Day 'test, accident, glitch'.

• 21,481 - sdc_prod_9074_35
• 11,102 - sdc_prod_9391_43
• 4,702 - sdc_prod_442675_57
• unknown - sdc_prod_90076

There are three interesting points about all this.

1. These products are hidden in a standard search. But show up as valid listings using different methods.
2. The number of listings or count is obtainable, and presumably ends up in various auction count tallies. By inference, listing counts eBay included in their report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
3. Has anyone given any thought to how much each faux listing adds to eBay's GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) total? Ten's of millions of dollars? Hundred's of millions of dollars? Enough to show a significant quarter to quarter increase?

Final questions. Are there more of these? And how long before eBay hides them even better?

Here's a list of the sellers reported to have faux February 29th listings.

1. sdc_prod_301013_74  The Twister Group
2. sdc_prod_305839_99  BargainBasementBatteries
3. sdc_prod_310426  ANTOnline
4. sdc_prod_409455_97  Sababa Shopping
5. sdc_prod_434012  SpectrumSuperStore
6. sdc_prod_442675_57  Boyne & Kelly L.L.C.
7. sdc_prod_9021_2  Buy.com
8. sdc_prod_9055  Focus Camera
9. sdc_prod_9074_35  pcRUSH.com
10. sdc_prod_9074_47  pcRUSH.com
11. sdc_prod_9090  CompSource Inc.
12. sdc_prod_9124_14  TheNerds, Inc.
13. sdc_prod_9352_67  Digital Foto Club
14. sdc_prod_9391_43  Adorama
15. sdc_prod_9452  eTronics, Inc.
16. sdc_prod_90076  OnlineSports, Inc.

Have fun looking.

But be quick, because eBay or that nasty eBay Glitch will hide them again.

Copyright © 2008 Event Horizon, Established 1984

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The eBay Shopping.com Affair

The eBay Shopping.com Affair
aka "The eBay Leap Day Auction Count Affair"
aka "The eBay SDC_PROD Affair"

By Event Horizon
Ides of March Edition, 15 March 2008
Revision: 2 April 2008 00:01 HST

"It's always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth. I don't really know what the truth is. I don't suppose anybody will ever really know."
Juror #8, Twelve Angry Men (1957)  

The Leap Day weekend brought with it an extra day of buy and selling on eBay. It also ushered in an interesting event. A number of listings from Shopping.com, an eBay company, ended up on eBay.com. Counted in the hundreds of thousands these product listings were viewable on eBay.com, but not buyable.

In short an event that AuctionBytes would characterize as eBay Mystery Listings.

This was an event that had ample room for opinions. Aside from the fact that the average eBay buyer could not buy these products, there was the question of did these listings affect the auction counts? An important question as eBay provides those listing counts in their many reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Opinions ranged from an eBay Forum poster describing the event as "Ebay is padding their listings", to Randy Smythe of My Blog Utopia! stating "this padding of listings is a non-starter."

All this would definitely pique the curiosity of anyone interested in eBay. For about 5 seconds. Because all the relevant data is spread across Google, or deleted, archived, horded, and just plain not in one place for quick perusal. End 5 seconds.

We're going to attempt to put a smidgen of all that happened in this article. And over time expand the article slightly to accommodate new found pieces.

Before we begin, changing the subject slightly, you're wondering why the style of the title sounds oddly familiar? We were inspired by eBay, with their one mini-smidgen contribution.

• "Agent Sent Message", ebay Customer Service, 1 March 2008

Cue theme. Run introduction. Roll article.

Prologue. Internet transations are perishable and human memories short.

"people simply remember a version of events which makes as much sense as they require it to make"
Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987)

This article should not be considered a complete rendering of the Leap Day (2/29/2008) weekend events or a tome with all the available data. It is meant to give a relatively quick overview of the situation, and provide leads for those who wish to pursue more in depth study.

I. How many listings were involved?

"It was an accident" Captain James Kirk
"You seem to have a lot of them." Captain John Christopher
Star Trek, Tomorrow Is Yesterday (26 January 1967)

Do Listing Counts Matter?

Let's start with the simple matter of, does it matter at all? The answer is, Yes.

Listing counts are important to eBay, as the figures are reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reference the "23-Jan-2008" "Form 8-K for EBAY INC" "Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Financial Statements and Exhibits" report.

• In the "Unaudited eBay Marketplaces Supplemental Operating Data" section is "Number of New Listings (2)" with the definition "(2) Listings on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarter, regardless of whether the listing subsequently closed successfully."

Listing counts are important to eBay, as they are mentioned in the report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reference the "29-Feb-2008" "Form 10-K for EBAY INC" "Annual Report".

• In the "Key Operating Metrics and Financial Information" section (emphasis ours) eBay states , "Members of our senior management team regularly review key operating metrics such as active users, listings".
• Further, "These financial measures allow us to monitor the profitability of our business and to evaluate the effectiveness of investments that we have made (and continue to make) in the areas of marketing, product development, international expansion, customer support and site operations. We believe that an understanding of these key operating and financial measures and how they change over time is important to investors, analysts and other parties analyzing our business results and future market opportunities."
  
• In the "Financial Summary" section (emphasis ours) eBay states, "we face challenges in the U.S., U.K. and Germany, which are our three largest markets, as growth of listings, active users and GMV on the eBay.com platform in those countries has slowed."
• In the "Results of Operations" section eBay has the metric "Number of listings (3)" with the definition of the metric being "(3) Listings on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the period, regardless of whether the listing subsequently closed successfully."

The fact that eBay has the subject of "listings" in their official reports, belies pundits claims that the listing counts are of no concern.

Those who proffer the specious argument that the amounts involved are small and therefore inconsequential, must not deal often in large real world real time computer systems. Let's propose the scenario that someone or some group accidentally dumps a quarter million to a half million database TEST records into a PRODUCTION system. This same person or group then tells people in authority nonsense such as 'it's 35 thousand Usher'.

This is what those people would hear in the real world:

• "You're Fired!", Donald Trump

eBay's official position on the number of listings.

• eBay - Listings erroneously placed on eBay.com: 35,000

"An eBay spokesman told PC Magazine at the time that 5,000 shopping.com listings were erroneously placed on ebay.com. After sellers expressed doubt about that number in the comments section, eBay was asked to again confirm that it was indeed 5,000. The same spokesman responded Friday that he had originally told PC Magazine that eBay pulled 35,000 listings, but a review of the interview confirmed that he said 5,000."
PC Magazine, 10 March 2008

• 4 March 2008 - "5,000 shopping.com listings were erroneously placed on ebay.com"
• 7 March 2008 - "eBay pulled 35,000 listings"
• 10 March 200 - "a review of the interview confirmed that he said 5,000"

{eBay, Usher} "Lieberman said fewer than 35,000 listings were affected by the glitch".
AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

Usher Lieberman is eBay's Spokesman, and is not an integral part of eBay's programming departments. He reports to the press what he's told.  In the matter of contradictory statements or "false and misleading statements to the press" [SEC], the original source of the "5,000" and "35,000" counts should be investigated.

 

Our research regarding the listing counts during the February 29th Leap Day weekend. 

• Total Listings, Hard Count: 
  • 161,358 to 192,966 (161,358 + 31,608) to 241,368 (161,358  + 80,000)
• Total Listings, Soft Count:
  • 271,280 to 302,888 (271,280 + 31,608) to 351,280 (271,280 + 80,000) 
• Estimated Listings Count: 500,000 (rounded)

Total Listings Hard Count Methodology.

The "Hard Count" represents the total number of auction listings confirmed by screen shots, archives, and reported by AuctionBytes. In theory the Hard Count should equal or be close to the Soft Count. But in practice it is not an easy task to collect hard evidence, from multiple witnesses, after the fact.

The  31,608 figure derives from the AuctionBytes observation that "indicated the seller had over 80,000 listings on eBay.com."

AuctionBytes does not reveal the identity of that seller. Making it possible that the seller with "80,000" items is part of the list of observed sellers. The 31,608 figure is derived from taking "80,000" and subtracting the largest listing count reported, which is 48,392. In this way listing counts are not added in twice.

In other words, if the seller with item count of "48,392" (part of the observed list of sellers) actually has "80,000" items, the total should be 161,358 + 31,608. The  31,608 being the uncounted part of the "80,000" (80,000 - 48,392). The 31,608 can increase to a maximum of 80,000, depending on who the seller is or is not.

For instance in the case of this seller not being on the reported list of 14 sellers, the soft count would be 161,358 plus  80,000 or 241,368.

There is also the case of the count from AuctionBytes being completely wrong; 0 items.

The Hard Count ranges from a minimum of 161,358 items, to a maximum of 241,368 items.

Total Listings Soft Count Methodology.

The "Soft Count" represents the total number of auction listings reported, but not necessarily verified by screen captures, etc.. The figure of 271,280 is the lower limit of those reported observations. As in the Hard Count, the 31,608 figure derives from the AuctionBytes observation that "indicated the seller had over 80,000 listings on eBay.com."

The observed Soft Count ranges from a minimum of 271,280 items, to a maximum of 351,280 items.

Estimated Listing Count Methodology.

Using the Medved "EBay Auction Counts: February 24, 2008 to March 1, 2008" chart, an estimate can be made as to the number of listings removed.

eBay stipulated two things:

• That the problem started "Friday night".
  
• That by March 2nd the "system issue has been resolved", i.e. the "accidental" listings were completely removed.

Logically we're looking for an increase and subsequent rapid decrease of at least 161,358 (Hard Count) listings and up to 351,280 (Soft Count), during the weekend time frame.

As it turns out there is just such an occurrence. There is an auction count spike in the auction count beginning at about the "2/29" (09:00 PM PST, Midnight EST) line and ending at about the "3/2" (09:00 PM PST, Midnight EST) line. From a graphing standpoint this increase conveniently begins after a relatively flat period of auction listings.

That would be approximately 13,900,000 (peak) - 13,400,000 (base) = 500,000 listings

• 13,393,000 28-FEB-2008 04:30 AM PST, 07:30 AM EST. Initial low point;   base.
• 13,910,000 29-FEB-2008 10:00 AM PST, 01:00 PM EST. Peak
• 13,454,000 01-MAR-2008 07:00 PM PST, 10:00 PM EST. Lowest point of the   day.
• 13,410,000 02-MAR-2008 02:32 PM PST, 05:32 PM EST. eBay announces "system issue has been resolved".
• 13,333,000 02-MAR-2008 08:00 PM PST, 11:00 PM EST. Lowest point of the day and weekend.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Using Randy Smythe's 13.5 million average daily auction listings as a measure, the half-a-million auction listings represents 3.7% of the daily total. A significant amount as far as the report by eBay's Accountants to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is concerned.

Is There More?

The question arises, were there more "test" listings. Our answer is, you are free to ponder this question.

But think about this. eBay held a listing special beginning on March 1st. Historically auction counts rise during a listing special. Typically a million or more. How many listings would have to be removed to not only negate the expected listing count increase, but cause the count to fall?

And ponder this too. As a matter of good business, eBay does put back listings removed in error. Such an increase due to putting back deleted listings would show up much later on Medved ("EBay Auction Counts: March 2, 2008 to March 8, 2008"). Abet buried in subsequent listing specials and promotions.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

eBay's 2008 Q1 (1st Quarter, January 01 to March 31) report to the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission should be interesting.

II. SDC_PROD Seller List and Counts

"The world isn't run by weapons anymore, or energy, or money. It's run by little ones and zeroes, little bits of data. It's all just electrons." Cosmo, Sneakers (1992)

We believe that none of the Shopping.com sellers were aware their items were being transferred to eBay.com. As stipulated by eBay,  "Shopping.com listings appeared accidentally on eBay.com". It would be an interesting exercise to find out if the involved Shopping.com sellers were billed eBay.com listing fees at the time, and then credited afterwards.

SDC_PROD Seller List

This is a list of the fourteen (14) "sdc_prod" (shopping dot com) seller accounts that were located and reported, 29 February to 1 March 2008. Plus additional sdc_prod sellers that were located post event.

This list contains:

• A brief description of the seller.
  
• A link to the seller's eBay.com Feedback page.
  
• A link to the current number of items by the sdc_prod seller.
• A link to search Google for the specific sellers.
  • That link can help you perform a search of the Google archives for sdc_prod related material. Use the "repeat the search with the omitted results included" option to maximize the available data.
  • On Google links to eBay.com or ebay.auction.co.kr use the "Cached" link to obtain the archived data.
  • Because this issue involves eBay.com, ignore eBay Express references.
  • And be quick because the Google archive cache data  is dynamic; changing from day to day. 
• The "reported listing count" of items by sdc_prod name seller on eBay.com. As reported 29 February to 1 March 2008. And where available.
• Links to screen captures of these auction counts. Where available.

The total count from the screen captures, 161,358, is evidence that eBay Spokesman Usher Lieberman  made a number of "false and misleading statements to the press" when he said on multiple occasions   that "5,000 listings" or "35,000 listings" were involved.

Time permitting, this section will be updated.

* sdc_prod_301013_74 
Shopping.com seller The Twister Group
Member since Oct-18-06 in Illinois, United States 

• Feedback sdc_prod_301013_74
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_301013_74
• Search Google for sdc_prod_301013_74

  eBay.com reported listing count, 27,291

"27076 items found" ( LINK Google archive screen capture )
"27076 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.suspendedfromebay.com )
"27076 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.companyexposed.com )
"27076 items found" ( LINK screen capture from pages.suddenlink.net/docswife )

* sdc_prod_305839_99
Shopping.com seller BargainBasementBatteries
Member since Oct-30-07 in California, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_305839_99
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_305839_99
• Search Google for sdc_prod_305839_99

  eBay.com reported listing count, 56

"56 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.giovanni666.info )

* sdc_prod_310426
Shopping.com seller ANTOnline
Member since Feb-15-08 in Georgia, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_310426
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_310426
• Search Google for sdc_prod_310426

  eBay.com reported listing count, 21,798

"21798 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.youtube.com/watch?v=mePI-UWDGOE )
"21798 items found" ( LINK screen capture from forums.ebay.com, www.suspendedfromebay.com, Google archive )

* sdc_prod_409455_97
Shopping.com seller Sababa Shopping
Member since Jul-16-07 in New York, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_409455_97
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_409455_97
• Search Google for sdc_prod_409455_97 

  eBay.com listing reported count unavailable

* sdc_prod_434012
Shopping.com  seller SpectrumSuperStore
Member since Apr-11-07 in California, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_434012
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_434012 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_434012

  eBay.com reported listing count, 35,002

"35011 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.giovanni666.info )
"34998 items found" ( LINK screen capture from thevirginmarypretzel )
"Up to 10,000 listings can be displayed in this view" ( LINK screen capture from www.companyexposed.com )

* sdc_prod_442675_57
Shopping.com seller Boyne & Kelly L.L.C.
Member since Oct-25-07 in New Jersey, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_442675_57 
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_442675_57 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_442675_57

  eBay.com reported listing count, 4,702

* sdc_prod_9021_2
Shopping.com seller Buy.com
Member since Feb-22-08 in California, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9021_2
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9021_2 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9021_2

  eBay.com reported listing count, 12,233

"12233 items found" ( LINK screen capture from www.youtube.com/watch?v=mePI-UWDGOE )
"12233 items found" ( LINK screen capture from img255.imageshack.us )

* sdc_prod_9055
Shopping.com seller Focus Camera
Member since Oct-30-07 in New York, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9055 
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9055
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9055

  eBay.com reported listing count, 1,925

* sdc_prod_9074_35
Shopping.com seller pcRUSH.com
Member since Feb-28-08 in California, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9074_35 
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9074_35 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9074_35

  eBay.com reported listing count, 21,401

"21481 items found" ( LINK Google archive screen capture )
860 pages, 25 items per page. 859 x 25 = 21,475 items ( LINK Google archive screen capture )
"Up to 10,000 listings can be displayed in this view" ( LINK screen capture from www.suspendedfromebay.com )

* sdc_prod_9090
Shopping.com seller CompSource Inc.
Member since Mar-26-07 in Ohio, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9090 
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9090 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9090 

  eBay.com reported listing count, 32,601

"32601 items found" ( LINK Google archive screen capture )
1301 pages, 25 items per page. 1300 x 25 = 32,500 items ( LINK Google archive screen capture  )

* sdc_prod_9124_14
Shopping.com seller TheNerds, Inc.
Member since Dec-12-07 in Florida, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9124_14
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9124_14
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9124_14

  eBay.com reported listing count, 48,392

* sdc_prod_9352_67
Shopping.com seller Digital Foto Club
Member since May-28-07 in New York, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9352_67
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9352_67
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9352_67

  eBay.com reported listing count, 30,278

* sdc_prod_9391_43
Shopping.com seller Adorama
Member since Feb-22-08 in New York, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9391_43
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9391_43
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9391_43

  eBay.com reported listing count, 11,102

"11102 items found" ( LINK Google archive screen capture )

* sdc_prod_9452
Shopping.com seller eTronics, Inc.
Member since Jul-25-07 in New York, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_9452 
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_9452 
• Search Google for sdc_prod_9452 

  eBay.com reported listing count, 24,499

* sdc_prod_90076
Shopping.com seller OnlineSports, Inc.
Member since Nov-13-06 in California, United States

• Feedback sdc_prod_90076
  
• Products on eBay.com from sdc_prod_90076
  
• Search Google for sdc_prod_90076
  

  eBay.com reported listing count, UNKNOWN

III. What Happened?

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity."
Robert Heinlein, Time Enough For Love (1973)

There are two basic explanations.

1. eBay deliberately elevated auction counts, in effect producing "materially false and misleading statements" to improve their stock price. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission violation. A simple plan based on the simple but stupid premise that 'no one will find this.' Orange jumpsuits all around.
2. Human (Computer) Error. A cadre of programmers are allowed to run large scale tests on a live system. And goofed.
 

We had planned to explore and write about each possibility, but we'll leave that for another time.

IV. "THIS IS NOT AN EBAY LISTING"

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana, The Life of Reason (1905)

Event Timeframe

Like many incidents, there are events that lead up to it, follow it, are associated with it, or simply happen in the same time frame.

Here is a short chronology of those occurrences.

== 2007 ==

.

February 2007

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time.

.

9 March 2007

Are Ebay's Listing Numbers Inflated by Fraud?
03/09/2007 08:31 PM                  ID: 60834

Ebay Inc's (NASDAQ:EBAY) listing numbers have demonstrated dramatic volatility during the 'Vladuz' security scare. Some Ebay users have suggested that the millions of fraudulent listings are significantly inflating Ebay's listing numbers.

In response, an Ebay spokesperson claims: "there just isn't enough information there to tie the swings in listings that they show to any one cause". They declined to comment as to the number of accounts that may have been compromised.

It is also suggested that Medved's calculations for Ebay's total of listing numbers are overestimated too. As the Ebay spokesperson confirms, the Medved statistics used to quantify Ebay's listing numbers "far exceed our real activity in this area".

Source: www.theregister.co.uk

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time.

== 2008 ==

.

13 February 2008

"February 13th, insertion fees for all auction-style and fixed price listings will be only 20 cents!"
Stephanie Tilenius, General Manager for eBay North America

"20¢ Auction-style and Fixed Price listing fees" (eBay)

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time.

.

20 February 2008

Start of eBay Policy changes and media fee cut.

*** A Message from Bill Cobb - New Pricing and Other News ***
General Announcements
January 29, 2008 | 05:59 AM PST/PT

***A Message from Lorrie Norrington – New Media Category Pricing Effective February 20***
"I am pleased to announce we are accelerating our plan to phase-in category-specific pricing for media. This fee cut will coincide with the site-wide pricing changes previously announced to take effect on February 20." 
Lorrie Norrington, President of eBay Global Marketplace Operations, February 11, 2008 | 10:01AM PST/PT

.

20 February 2008

Regarding the events of February 20th.

"The bug was related to the gallery feature that allows users to place a small photo of their item on the initial search returns page, a spokesman said. EBay traditionally charged 35 cents to include a gallery photo, but as part of the policy changes that went into effect February 20, they are now free of charge.
However, "the code actually rolled out three hours late, so there were a certain number of listings ... that didn't get gallery free"
Usher Lieberman eBay Spokesman to PC Magazine, 4 March 2008

• It is unclear from the PC Magazine article, if the "bug" was implemented on February 20th, the day of the "policy changes", or on February 29th.

.

20 February 2008

"the bug first emerged on Friday"
"But it wasn't a test. It ended up being a bug," Usher Lieberman 
Usher Lieberman eBay Spokesman to PC Magazine, 4 March 2008

Despite Usher Lieberman's assertion that the "bug" happened on February 29th, there is evidence showing sdc_prod products appearing before the 29th.

While there are reports of sdc_prod listings appearing as early as December 2007, the earliest evidence of a "bug" is 20 February 2008.

Samples of a Shopping.com listings inserted onto eBay.com.

"Items for sale by sdc_prod_310426"
"Time listed" "Feb-20 15:49"

.

22 February 2008

Samples of a Shopping.com listings inserted onto eBay.com.

"Items for sale by sdc_prod_409455_97"
"Time listed" "Feb-22 10:22"

Google archive - February 29, 2008 16:37:41 GMT
Seller sdc_prod_434012, item number 320199419130, 30 day auction listing. Seller has no 30 day store. Start date February 22nd
"eBay (item 320199419130 end time March-22-08 06:45:06 PDT)" screen shot.

.

23 February 2008

Sample of a Shopping.com listing inserted onto eBay.com.

Listings on eBay.com are accessible on eBay International sites, such as eBay South Korea (ebay.auction.co.kr).

Google archive - Feb 29, 2008 22:42:51 GMT
Seller sdc_prod_310426, item number 120225811907. Start date February 23rd.
Time remaining on 30 day listing, 23 days 3 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds, screen shot

.

23 February 2008
05:49 AM PST

redsbe  (Private ) Feb-23-08 05:49 PST 1 of 33

When I search ebay or via google for test listings I only find a few hundred yet total ebay listings are now running at or above Feb 12th numbers of 12.4 m (before 20 cent listings and boycott) so I fail to see the importance of test listings in inflating numbers.

.

27 February 2008
06:04:36 PM PST

PayPal and eBay Pay Shoppers to Shop
AuctionBytes
By: Ina Steiner
Wed Feb 27 2008 18:04:36

.

28 February 2008
04:30 PM PST, 7:30 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time)

eBay Auction count at lowest point of the day; 13,393,000 items.

Coincidentally, or not, at about the time many of eBay's employees head for home, the auction count begins to rise. Did some programmer turn something on, and leave for the day, intending to check on the code's progress the following morning?

Auction count rises to 13,405,000 by 07:30 PST, 10:30 EST.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time.

.

28 February 2008
09:00:01 PM PST, 12:00:01 AM 29 February EST (Eastern Standard Time).

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" approximately 13,425,000 items. First count on the February 29th chart.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.

28 February 2008
11:59:59 PM PST

 "eBay is running a marketing campaign to encourage buyers to shop on its site by offering them coupons. One buyer sent AuctionBytes a coupon he had received (pictured) that offered $5 toward shipping on any one item. Part of the terms and conditions follows:

This Offer is valid only when you pay with, and seller accepts, PayPal. This Offer is intended for the recipient whose eBay User ID is printed on the Offer and purchase must be made on eBay.com with that eBay User ID. This Offer is not transferable.

This Offer is for one-time use. It may only be redeemed on the total shipping cost of an item or items on one purchase from a single seller, using a single method of shipping and single currency, in a single transaction. This Offer expires February 28, 2008 at 11:59:59 PM (PST)."
AuctionBytes, Wed Feb 27 2008 18:04:36

.
29 February 2008
04:23 AM PST

eBay Developer's Program
eBay Developer Forums > Technical Questions: eBay Shopping Web Services
Exclude Sellers Issue

Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: Feb 29, 2008 4:23 AM
"Because of the wide variety of searches that we do, we could easily use 200 to 400 ID's. 500 would be a good number for us."
stsi.com

The above statement is in response to the earlier part of the thread:

ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: Jan 10, 2008 11:40 AM
Is there a limit on the number of Excluded Sellers that can be specified in a GetSearchResults call? I have several excluded sellers that keep returning search results. I have checked the XML for the call, and it looks correct.

Also, is it a problem if entries are duplicated? (I will be correcting this in any event.)

Thanks.
stsi.com

Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: Jan 10, 2008 12:12 PM
After further research, it looks like there is a limit of 100 excluded sellers. Can this limit be raised?
stsi.com

Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: Jan 14, 2008 3:42 PM
"Yes the limit is 100, which most users have found sufficient for their use case. How many IDs do you have?"
Rekha Patel, rekha.developersupport@ebay.com, eBay Developer Support, 11 January 2008

Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Feb 29, 2008 4:27 AM
"Also, is it possible to use wildcards for excluded sellers? For example, I'd like to exclude the various iterations of sdc_prod_*, instead of having to type in all the numbers that this seller uses...."
stsi.com

.
29 February 2008
10:00 AM PST, 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" reaches maximum for the day of approximately 13,900,000 items. The
previous low count was 13,393,000 items on February 28th at 04:30 PM PST, 7:30 EST. An increase of about half-a-million listings in 16.5 hours.

Coincidentally, or not, during the time many of eBay's employees show up at work, the auction count abruptly stops rising.

One scenario:

• 07:00AM (10:00AM EST) - Programmers apply brakes to sdc_prod application.
• 08:30AM (11:30AM EST) - Or so they thought, sdc_prod application continues to add listings.
• 10:00AM (13:00AM EST) - Management puts  brakes to sdc_prod. Programmer grunts delete sdc_prod listings.

A case could be made that by 10AM eBay applied working corrective action on the sdc_prod listing problem. Because at this point the auction count drops.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.
29 February 2008
01:00 PM PST, 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" drops slightly approximately 13,875,000 items, from 13,900,000 items. Last count of the February 29th chart.

.

29 February 2008

Regarding the events of "Friday night" 29 February 2008.

eBay's statements:

1) "a "bug" in its system had accidentally placed listings from eBay-owned shopping.com onto eBay.com late Friday night."
However, "the code actually rolled out three hours late, so there were a certain number of listings ... that didn't get gallery free, so we were going back and fixing that" on Friday, the spokesman said. "What happened was, when we wrote the code to implement that fix in the database table, there was a string that was left on there that populated and sent shopping.com listings onto ebay.com that it shouldn't have."
Approximately 5,000 listings were pulled from shopping.com, but they have since been removed, according to eBay."
PC Magazine, 4 March 2008

2) "eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman initially told AuctionBytes they appeared due to a test, but on Monday, said he was incorrect and that the listings were the result of a glitch.
On Tuesday, Lieberman explained the nature of the glitch. Programmers rolled out code on Friday evening that was meant to credit certain listings that were eligible for free Gallery. The credit was due to them because eBay had promised sellers Gallery would be free for listings started at a certain time of day, and the code had been rolled out 3 hours past the deadline.
Lieberman said the programmers inadvertently caused the Shopping.com listings to appear on eBay.com when it created and launched the script to credit the sellers' accounts for Gallery fees.
Lieberman said fewer than 35,000 listings were affected by the glitch."
AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

3) "An eBay spokesman told PC Magazine at the time that 5,000 shopping.com listings were erroneously p