EventHorizon1984 Log

Ebay, PayPal, Hewlett-Packard - Breaking Up Is Hard.

Ebay, PayPal, Hewlett-Packard - Breaking Up Is Hard.
EventHorizon1984
8 October 2014


“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield, 1962

Convention wisdom about the 2015 split of eBay INC, says the separate parts will be quickly sold off.  Might not happen quickly.

In The Wall Street Journal article, “Dealpolitik: EBay, PayPal Takeover Talk May Be Premature”, Ronald Barusch makes this interesting point.

“eBay probably has massive gains on its PayPal shares that would trigger huge taxes if the deal didn’t qualify as a tax-free spin-off.

For up to two years after the spin-off, an acquisition of either PayPal or eBay (regardless of which company is spun off) could destroy the tax-free status of the deal and trigger an enormous corporate tax. In spin-offs, the agreements usually make the company that’s taken over bear the risk of that tax.

Such an agreement operates as a kind of poison pill of its own: Anyone trying to take over one of the companies would indirectly be responsible for that big tax bill”

The short version being:

“The bottom line is that those expecting a quick deal following the spin-off may be jumping the gun.”

Of course with eBay INC CEO John Donahoe leading the separation plans, there is no guarantee that a monetarily smart long-term plan will be made.  I.E. shareholders could be stuck with a huge tax bill, while John Donahoe skates.


“A monkey could drive this train.”
Margaret “Meg” Whitman, during her tenure as eBay INC CEO.

“Monkey sees, monkey does.”
Alexander Boot and Shoe Company, 1892

On the heals of John Donahoe splitting eBay INC, Margaret “Meg” Whitman is leading the charge to split Hewlett-Packard.  However not into “Hewlett” and “Packard.”

Hewlett-Packard to split into two public companies, lay off 5,000
October 6, 2014
Supantha Mukherjee and Edward Chan

“Hewlett-Packard Co said it would split into two listed companies, separating its computer and printer businesses from its faster-growing corporate hardware and services” … “HP said its shareholders would own a stake in both businesses through a tax-free transaction next year.” … “Whitman, who will be CEO of HP Enterprise, the business that will sell computer servers and networking gear and data storage to businesses.”

Perhaps the ‘monkey see, monkey do’ reference is not entirely fair. 

Meg Whitman is planning “a tax-free transaction” and will be CEO of one of the split companies.  John Donahoe has not mentioned “tax-free” and will not be CEO of either the new eBay or PayPal.

Plus:

• 2 January 2014 to 8 October 2014, Hewlett-Packard stock has surged, $27.98 to $35.92.
• 2 January 2014 to 8 October 2014, eBay INC remains stagnant, $53.94 to $54.51.

Meanwhile, at the close of market. 8 October 2014:

• Alibaba - $88.30
• Amazon - $322.70
• American Express - $87.41
• MasterCard - $74.06
• Visa - $212.36

“I didn’t think eBay was right for me.”
John Donahoe, 17 June 2013

Indeed.

/*

Addendum 9 October 2014

No one here has received anything directly from eBay INC, about their separation into "eBay" and "PayPal".

Whereas days after the public announcement, Hewlett-Packard sent this Today:

We're no fan of Meg Whitman, but Hewlett-Packard does keep it's customers informed.

eBay INC, 'not so much.'

/*

“No sequel for you.”
Jack Slater, Last Action Hero (1993)

//

Musing Bytes 5 - Laniakea, Kokaku Kidotai, and PayPal

Musing Bytes 5 - Laniakea, Kokaku Kidotai, and PayPal
EventHorizon1984
30 September 2014


“Deep in the fundamental heart of mind and Universe there is a reason."
Life, the Universe and Everything, 1982, Douglas Adams


Elizabeth Gibney's Nature.com article "Earth's new address: 'Solar System, Milky Way, Laniakea'" started small.

"The supercluster of galaxies that includes the Milky Way is 100 times bigger in volume and mass than previously thought, a team of astronomers says. They have mapped the enormous region and given it the name Laniakea — Hawaiian for 'immeasurable heaven'."

Based on "Tully, R. B., Courtois, H., Hoffman, Y & Pomarède, D. Nature 513, 71–73 (2014)."

The topic added dimensions to the question, 'Is it bigger than a breadbox?'.  Yes, very much bigger.

"The super-cluster spans some 520 million light-years in diameter."

Photo from Nature.com
View Nature.com video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/rENyyRwxpHo

However The Universe is, Large.  Depending on your concept of "observable universe", The Universe is approximately "92 billion light-years" in diameter, but Earth based observations have only viewed up to 13.8 billion light-years "in every direction".

Still Laniakea is big.  Bigger than anything a human would encounter in the day to day world.  There are no hardware stores stocking 500 million to 1 billion light-year tape measures.

And yet Laniakea looks familiar.

 

“Well, it's just that the way the Major's been looking at us lately is kinda scary.”
Tachikoma, Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell, Masamune Shirow
(c) Production I.G., Bandai Entertainment, Madman Entertainment, Manga Entertainment

The conceptual view of Laniakea is reminiscent of Major Motoko Kusanagi's face, during one of her classic falling scenes.

Ghost in the Shell, Masamune Shirow
(c) Production I.G., Bandai Entertainment, Madman Entertainment, Manga Entertainment

Ghost in the Shell, or Kokaku Kidotai, was first written and illustrated in May 1989 by Masamune Shirow.  Making 2014 it's 25th Anniversary year.

Getting back to to the topic of known space.  The Universe is expanding, not contracting.  An appropriate time sequence would be the Major rising, not falling.  The galaxies have the flow and appearance of water on a woman's head, as she breaks the surface of a pool of water.

Taking all this to a philosophical conclusion.  Suppose the Laniakea formation was our three dimensional view of "Laniakea", a mathematically higher dimensional being, entering our Universe and peeking. 

The Goddess could use a hair cut.  Guess where?

 

“We and our board believe the best way to drive long-term shareholder value is to keep eBay and PayPal together, to capitalize on the opportunities”
John Donaohe, eBay INC CEO, January 2014

The news of eBay INC separating into two entities, PayPal and eBay, circulated quickly today.

"EBay Inc. (EBAY) is spinning off its PayPal division, throwing the business into direct competition with Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Google Inc. as consumers step up the use of smartphones and computers to pay for goods and services.

Activist shareholder Carl Icahn had pushed for a split earlier this year"

"eBay and PayPal are going their separate ways. Today eBay announced that its fast-growing PayPal division would be spun off as a new company in 2015."

While many had anticipated this for years, it took the actions of Carl Icahn to spark the separation.

John Donahoe, eBay INC CEO, will handle the separation, and then step down as CEO.

It is likely the announcement of the split was timed to give eBay INC a last minute boost, before the 3rd Quarter expired.

Our guess is John Donahoe and company are angling to sell the de-clawed and devalued version of eBay INC., soon after the separation.

 

"Donahoe was the wrong man for the job"
David Steiner, EcommerceBytes, 30 September 2014

In a rare show of public disdain, David Steiner of Ecommercebytes.com, started his article "How Will John Donahoe's Tenure at eBay Be Remembered?" with:

"In baseball, there's a saying after a team has a bad season: You can't fire the team, you fire the manager. 

John Donahoe's team at eBay has had a bad season, with growth that didn't keep pace with its competitors, a public confrontation with investor Carl Icahn, security breaches, site outages,.. you could say that eBay has had a very bad season."

And ended with:

"The Donahoe Era was a disaster for small sellers."

Our take on John Donahoe stepping down as eBay INC CEO, and hiding in one or both of the new PayPal and eBay Boards?

"There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing, or maybe we've stopped trying

And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide

And I just can't fake it"
It’s Too Late, 1971, Carol King & Toni Stern

Grab your own business domain and setup shop online.

Before it is too late.

/*

“The thing that's always worried me about being one of the few is the way we keep on getting fewer.”
Flight Officer David Campbell (Sir Richard Burton), The Longest Day (1962)

//

eBay Hacked - Would you believe John Donahoe offered credit protection?

eBay Hacked - Would you believe John Donahoe offered credit protection?
EventHorizon1984
22 May 2014


“You eat danger for breakfast” 
“Would you believe lunch?”  Zach Smart
“Don't do that.”  Chief Maxwell Smart
Get Smart (1995)


eBay INC made an interesting press release on 21 May 2014.  eBay INC stated:

"SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) said beginning later today it will be asking eBay users to change their passwords because of a cyberattack that compromised a database containing encrypted passwords and other non-financial data. After conducting extensive tests on its networks, the company said it has no evidence of the compromise resulting in unauthorized activity for eBay users, and no evidence of any unauthorized access to financial or credit card information, which is stored separately in encrypted formats. However, changing passwords is a best practice and will help enhance security for eBay users.

Information security and customer data protection are of paramount importance to eBay Inc., and eBay regrets any inconvenience or concern that this password reset may cause our customers. We know our customers trust us with their information, and we take seriously our commitment to maintaining a safe, secure and trusted global marketplace.

Cyberattackers compromised a small number of employee log-in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay's corporate network, the company said. Working with law enforcement and leading security experts, the company is aggressively investigating the matter and applying the best forensics tools and practices to protect customers.

The database, which was compromised between late February and early March, included eBay customers' name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth. However, the database did not contain financial information or other confidential personal information. The company said that the compromised employee log-in credentials were first detected about two weeks ago. Extensive forensics subsequently identified the compromised eBay database, resulting in the company's announcement today.

The company said it has seen no indication of increased fraudulent account activity on eBay. The company also said it has no evidence of unauthorized access or compromises to personal or financial information for PayPal users. PayPal data is stored separately on a secure network, and all PayPal financial information is encrypted.

Beginning later today, eBay users will be notified via email, site communications and other marketing channels to change their password. In addition to asking users to change their eBaypassword, the company said it also is encouraging any eBay user who utilized the same password on other sites to change those passwords, too. The same password should never be used across multiple sites or accounts."

A matter of fact, 'don't panic', 'nothing to see here' statement.  Then came the scrutiny.

 

“No more secrets, Marty.”
Cosmo, Sneakers (1992)

The press release did not mention the extent of the "compromised" database.  Although on 21 May 2014 eBay INC clarified:

""For the time being, we cannot comment on the specific number of accounts impacted. However, we believe there may be a large number of accounts involved and we are asking all eBay users to change their passwords," eBay spokeswoman Kari Ramirez said."

And on 22 May 2014 eBay INC provided more clarification:

EBay hack, 2nd largest in U.S. history, leaves questions unanswered
Chicago Tribune, Reuters, 22 May 2014

“EBay Inc's description of how hackers got access to its entire database of 145 million user records leaves many questions unanswered as to how cyber criminals orchestrated what appears to be the second-biggest data breach in U.S. history.”

"“They've been pretty tightlipped. They've barely provided any information. They should be more forthcoming about what happened,” said David Kennedy, chief executive of TrustedSEC LLC, an expert in investigating data breaches.

In particular, Kennedy wants to know why it took eBay three months to detect the intrusion."

 

"Missed it by that much"
Maxwell Smart (Don Adams), Get Smart

"Computer security experts say the biggest breach was uncovered at software maker Adobe Systems Inc in October 2013, when hackers accessed about 152 million user accounts."

 

“The day ain’t over yet…”
Curly, City Slickers (1991)

In eBay INC's press release they promised, "Beginning later today, eBay users will be notified via email."  Has any reader received any email warning of the database breach? Apparently that email has yet to be sent.

"Some customers complained on eBay Community forums that they had not received much information about the breach from eBay and have yet to get notifications by email, which the company has promised to do."

And what did the "145 million user"s affected by the database incursion immediately see?

U.S. states probe eBay cyber attack as customers complain
Reuters, 22 May 2014

"As of Thursday afternoon, eBay did not have information on the attack visible on its market home page, www.ebay.com.

"That's really poor incident response," said David Kennedy, a cyber forensics expert who is CEO of TrustedSEC LLC. "EBay should be held to a higher standard.""

 

The eBay Hack: They Haven't Only Hacked Your Security, They've Hacked Your Brand
Patrick Hanion, Forbes, 22 May 2014

"The eBay Hack" brings to mind the recent Target INC hack.

Missed Alarms and 40 Million Stolen Credit Card Numbers: How Target Blew It
Michael Riley, Ben Elgin, Dune Lawrence, Carol Matlack, Businessweek, 13 March 2014

"The biggest retail hack in U.S. history wasn’t particularly inventive, nor did it appear destined for success. In the days prior to Thanksgiving 2013, someone installed malware in Target’s (TGT) security and payments system designed to steal every credit card used at the company’s 1,797 U.S. stores."

"On Saturday, Nov. 30, the hackers had set their traps"

"Target stood by as 40 million credit card numbers—and 70 million addresses, phone numbers, and other pieces of personal information—gushed out of its mainframes."

"More than 90 lawsuits have been filed against Target by customers and banks for negligence and compensatory damages. That's on top of other costs, which analysts estimate could run into the billions."

The time between hack and notification?

"Federal investigators warned Target of a massive data breach on Dec. 12."

Note this is not Target INC notifying it's customers. It's the U.S. Government notifying Target INC.

Notification to consumers was much much later.

14 January 2014

Dear Target Guest, As you may have heard or read, Target learned in mid-December that criminals forced their way into our systems and took guest information, including debit and credit card data. Late last week, as part of our ongoing investigation, we learned that additional information, including name, mailing address, phone number or email address, was also taken. I am writing to make you aware that your name, mailing address, phone number or email address may have been taken during the intrusion.

I am truly sorry this incident occurred and sincerely regret any inconvenience it may cause you. Because we value you as a guest and your trust is important to us, Target is offering one year of free credit monitoring to all Target guests who shopped in U.S. stores, through Experian’s® ProtectMyID® product which includes identity theft insurance where available. To receive your unique activation code for this service, please go to creditmonitoring.target.com and register before April 23, 2014. Activation codes must be redeemed by April 30, 2014.

In addition, to guard against possible scams, always be cautious about sharing personal information, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, user IDs and financial account information. Here are some tips that will help protect you: Never share information with anyone over the phone, email or text, even if they claim to be someone you know or do business with. Instead, ask for a call-back number. Delete texts immediately from numbers or names you don’t recognize. Be wary of emails that ask for money or send you to suspicious websites. Don’t click links within emails you don’t recognize.

Target’s email communication regarding this incident will never ask you to provide personal or sensitive information.

Thank you for your patience and loyalty to Target. You can find additional information and FAQs about this incident at our Target.com/databreach website. If you have further questions, you may call us at 866-852-8680.

Gregg Steinhafel

Chairman, President and CEO

Compare and contrast the actions and timeline of Target INC and CEO Gregg Steinhafel to eBay INC and CEO John Donahoe.

Time from breach to customer notification.

• Target Inc, customer emails, 1 month +
• eBay Inc, Press Release, 2-3 months

Message from CEO to customers.

• Target Inc, 1 month +
• eBay Inc, none

Credit protection.

• Target Inc, "Target is offering one year of free credit monitoring"
• eBay Inc, none

While eBay INC has stated,"no evidence of unauthorized access or compromises to personal or financial information", one may or may not want to take that with a grain of salt.

"Someone posted a batch of emails, scrambled passwords, phone numbers and addresses of more than 12,000 people on the Internet, saying it was a sample of data stolen from eBay and offering to sell the full batch for 1.453 bitcoin, or a little more than $750.

EBay's Miller said the information was not authentic.

Reuters spoke to six people whose phone numbers were included in that batch. While only four said they had eBay accounts, all of them said the data was correct"

If eBay INC can't identify it's own users, what assurance is there that eBay INC can identify the condition of it's own data.

The fate of Target INC CEO Gregg Steinhafe?

Target's CEO Steps Down Following The Massive Data Breach And Canadian Debacle
Forbes, 8 May 2014

“Target CEO, President and Chairman Gregg Steinhafel resigned from all his positions after extensive discussions with the board.”

 

“I’ve never seen worse corporate governance than eBay”
Carl Icahn, 5 March 2014

The fate of eBay INC CEO John Donahoe remains to be seen.

/*

“And because of current synergies, a lot of data is traded between eBay and PayPal.” JP Mangalindan, Fortune

“Why would you divide up the data?! Everyone is paying millions to get to the data. Why would you divide up the data?”
John Donahoe, 10 March 2014

/*

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Stories PayPal Told Me; Would You Believe??

Stories PayPal Told Me; Would You Believe??
EventHorizon1984
26 November 2013

“I have you surrounded by the entire mounted 17th Bengal Lancers.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Would you believe the First Bengal Lancers?”
“No.” Khan (Bill Dana)
“How about Gunga Din on a donkey?” Faversham (Don Adams)


Recently in a 72 hour time frame, various associates had their online sites hit by multiple "PayPal shoppers". 

The typical modus operandi was:

• Direct email contact.
• Made a 25% or so offer on a product, with free shipping.
• And/Or the buyer tells the shop, if they had PayPal the buyer would have bought the item.
• Buyer gives one or more reasons why the shop should carry PayPal.

The commonality was the sites did not offer PayPal.

Years back one enterprising individual, unrelated to this site, moved off eBay and setup two online shops with no name connection to their eBay store.  Both sites had mostly the same products.  Both were setup with merchant accounts to accept major credit cards.  One had Google Checkout as an additional payment option, the other had PayPal as an additional checkout option.

The site without PayPal was hit by "PayPal shoppers", the other site was not.  Nothing unusual there, but a few days later a purchase was made from the shop hosting PayPal.  The owner figuratively scratched her head; something was familiar with the item purchased. 

Hmmm.

• It was one of the items fingered by a "PayPal shopper".
• Direct checkout.  Paid full price.  Paid full shipping.
• Same IP address.
• Payment was not through PayPal.  Something about Karl Malden.

Moving along, and just what were the pithy PayPal pitches spread by the "PayPal shoppers"?

Read on.

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."
Man in Black/Wesley, Princess Bride (1987)

'Most shops accept PayPal.' ("PayPal shopper" paraphrased)

In the United States (U.S.), False.

The actual answer to what most United States shops do not accept is surprising:

According to the Forbes 16 August 2013 article, "Why Don't More Small Businesses Accept Credit Cards":

• “55 percent of the nation’s 27 million small businesses do not accept credit cards.”

To restate, ‘most U.S. shops do not accept PayPal, or any form of credit.’

In the United Kingdom (U.K.), False.

According to the Tamebay 13 November 2013 article "PayPal: SMEs that don't take cards are missing out on £800m", this is what PayPal says about credit acceptance in the U.K.:

• “A PayPal survey”
• “The research says that just over a third (36%) of the businesses surveyed currently accept card payments”

To restate, According To PayPal ‘most U.K. shops do not accept PayPal, or any form of credit.’

On the other hand if you happen to be a seller who only accepts PayPal, be aware of this tip from Community Merchants USA:

“69% of consumers aged 18-34
58% of consumers aged 35-44
say they will only shop at businesses that take multiple forms of payment"

PayPal exclusivity has a price.

What about the rest of Planet Earth?

As whether PayPal is most used by the rest of the planet, read the next section.

“Don’t leave home without it.”
Roger Daltrey, American Express (1985)

'PayPal is the most used form of credit.' ("PayPal shopper" paraphrased)
'PayPal is the most popular form of credit.' ("PayPal shopper" paraphrased)

World wide, False.

PayPal public relations provides these statistics:

• Q1 2012 - "net Total Payment Volume" "$34 billion", "555 million transactions"
• Q2 2012 - "net Total Payment Volume" "$34 billion", "565 million transactions"
• Q3 2012 - "net Total Payment Volume" "$35 billion", "589 million transactions"
• Q4 2012 - "net Total Payment Volume" "$41.5 billion", "692 million transactions"

The 2012 total net Total Payment Volume is $144.5 billion", or as PayPal put it "PayPal’s net Total Payment Volume for 2012, the total value of transactions, was $145 billion”.

The 2012 total transaction count was 2,401 million.

And PayPal, at the end of 2012, had "110 million active accounts".

Impressive, but let's put this in global context.

Visa ("more people go with Visa.") filed their 10-K annual report to the United States Security and Exchange Commission on 22 November 2013.

This is their 2012 view of the competition:

PayPal is not missing from the Visa annual report.  Visa does have one statement about PayPal:

• “We may face increasing competition from emerging players in the payment space, many of which are non-financial institution networks that have departed from the more traditional business model. The emergence of these potentially competitive networks has primarily been via the online channel with a focus on eCommerce and/or mobile technologies. PayPal, Google and Isis are examples.”

To understand this corporate equivalent of a yawn, let’s insert the appropriate PayPal amounts in the Visa competition chart:

                     Payment        Total        Cards/Accounts
                      Volume     Transactions
                    (billions)    (billions)          
Visa                 $4,018          81.6         2,128 million
MasterCard           $2,693          46.3         1,158 million
American Express       $884           5.9           102 million
PayPal                 $145           2.4           110 million
Discover               $122           2.1            62 million
JCB                    $179           1.6            79 million
Diners Club             $27           0.2             6 million


For the moment, it appears PayPal is a footnote to Number 1 Visa.  Or PayPal is considered part of the MasterCard network.  After all, take a look at the logo on your PayPal credit/debit card.  It’s not PayPal or eBay.  It is MasterCard.

Or for some of you, Wells Fargo.

As PayPal put it about credit card networks:

• “PayPal does not directly access payment card networks, such as Visa and MasterCard”
• “While the regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board in June 2011 do not treat PayPal as a “payment card network,” future changes to those regulations or to PayPal’s business could potentially cause PayPal to be treated as a payment card network”
• “PayPal is dependent on the processing companies and banks that link PayPal to the payment card and bank clearing networks to process transactions.”

"I was gathering information….."
Neal Caffrey, White Collar (2009- )

'PayPal is the safest …' ("PayPal shopper" paraphrased)

False.


As of 23 November 2013 PayPal said:

“PayPal's industry-leading loss rate is less than 0.5%.”

As of 26 November 2013 PayPal said:

“PayPal maintained a very low loss rate of 0.30% or approximately one third of 1%.”


In 2000 the fraud rates for Visa and MasterCard were:

• “From eMarketer of November 2000 we learn that Visa and MasterCard report overall rates of credit card fraudulent transactions of 0.08% and 0.09% respectively.”

The paragraph continues with:

• “As far as e-commerce credit card transactions are concerned, eMarketer from January 2001 reports tht of 60,320,000 online B2C transactions in 1999, only 18,600 (i.e. 0.03%) were fraudulent.”

Better numbers than 2013 PayPal, but definitely old statistics.

Moving to 2013, The Wall Street Journal 11 March 2013 article "Visa Says Big Data Identifies Billions of Dollars in Fraud" states:

• “Visa’s fraud detection efforts moved into the digital world 20 years ago”
• “6 cents out of every $100 in transactions are believed to be fraudulent.”

That’s a 0.06% fraud rate for Visa, versus PayPal’s "0.5%" err "0.30%".


“What’s Love Got To Do With It”
Tina Turner

“PayPal. The world’s most-loved way to pay and get paid.”  PayPal

Well ….

When PayPal shows the cold statistics proving the claim, we’ll mark it true.

 

"What is love" was the most searched phrase on Google in 2012"
Google

Then again, “love” is unquantifiable.  Let’s do something TONGUE-IN-CHEEK IRREVERANT.

Here’s a Google search using “love”.  These are the numbers:

“love paypal” - About 447,000,000 results

“love visa credit card”* - About 532,000,000 results

* Excludes the nomenclature visa as in passport related.

“love mastercard” - About 147,000,000 results

“love american express” - About 280,000,000 results

Winner 'most loved', Visa.

Okay.  Let’s try this:

'PayPal. The world’s least-despised way to pay and get paid.'

Doing a Google search using “hate”, these are the numbers:

“hate paypal” - About 14,100,000 results

“hate visa credit card”* - About 109,000,000 results

“hate mastercard” - About 6,650,000 results

“hate american express” - About 43,500,000 results


Winner 'least hated', MasterCard.

Sorry PayPal.

/*

“I’ll tell you the truth and its up to you to live with it.”
William Goldman, The Princess Bride:  S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (1973)

/*

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eBay Stock Is On Fire Meme

eBay Stock Is On Fire Meme
EventHorizon1984
10 October 2013


"well-biased samples can be employed to produce almost any result anyone may wish."
Darrell Huff, How To Lie With Statistics

A recent variation of the meme "eBay INC is a long term stock" was made by eBay INC seller FurryFriend702 on EcommerceBytes.

To quote:

• "Ebay stock has been on fire"

This FurryFriend702 continues cherry picking data with:

• 
• "The fact is, Ebay stock has done extremely well over the last several years.  This is a five year chart: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=EBAY+Basic+Chart&t=5y> All of you should wish you owned this stock during this period."

Here's the chart FurryFriend702 wants you to see:

Chart from Yahoo! Finance

Since John Donahoe became CEO of eBay INC on 31 March 2008, don't you wonder about what's missing?

"And you're in good, or at least respectable, company.  A news magazine has used this method to show the stock market hitting a new high, the graph being so truncated as to make the climb look far more dizzying than it was."
Darrell Huff, How To Lie With Statistics

Years ago disingenuous stock analysts hyping a favorite stock, would point to the massive increase in stock price over the years.  They would use as a base the price of a stock in 2009.

Well ... Wall Street "crashed" in September 2008, sending stock prices diving.

Chart from Money.CNN.com

Spoiler Alert, stock prices rose after the "crash."

Chart from Money.CNN.com

Any similarity between the above five year rise in the DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) and the five year rise in eBay INC stock price is not coincidental.

Of course it would be equally disingenuous to show a stock price diving, with the end point being after September 29 2008.

To be fair, here's eBay INC's stock price over it's lifetime:

Chart from Yahoo! Finance

Included is the missing left side of the FurryFriend702's trough.

We find it amazing that people still attempt to fool others by using "crash" stock prices to make a point.

"Place little faith in an average or a graph or a trend when those important figures are missing."
Darrell Huff, How To Lie With Statistics

Our focus is on eBay INC stock price performance during CEO John Donahoe's entire tenure.  A stewardship that began on 31 March 2008.

Here's how our usual four stock group, plus Google, starting with share price on 31 March 2008.

	3/31/08	10/10/13	$ Increase	% Increase	Dividends
eBay	$29.87	$53.42	$23.55	78.84%	No
Amazon	$70.25	$305.17	$234.92	334.41%	No
Apple	$143.27	$489.64	$346.37	241.76%	Yes
Google	$435.64	$868.24	$432.60	99.30%	No
Starbucks	$17.06	$77.12	$60.06	352.05%	Yes

How do you think John Donahoe is performing stock wise?

If you sell high and buy low, there is money to be made keeping track of a stock's highs and lows.  If you held on to a particular stock as a 'long term investment', hope it was the right stock.

/*

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done."
Kenny Rogers, The Gambler

/*

Related articles:

eBay INC Stock Price During CEO John Donahoe's Tenure

eBay INC Stock Has Turned Around Under CEO John Donahoe; Really?

The eBay INC Is A Long Term Stock Meme

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Musing Bytes

Musing Bytes
EventHorizon1984
24 July 2013

 

"Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly."
Thomas Jefferson

Awhile back we were politely asked to remove an article.  It was not a pernicious type of request.  Although it made no sense at the time, we agreed with the reasons and pulled the article.

Recently there was a bit of clarity on the matter.

Cyclist pleads guilty to first U.S. felony vehicular manslaughter by bike
Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2013
Laila Kearney

In U.S. First, Cyclist Pleads Guilty to Felony Vehicular Manslaughter
Slatest, 24 July 2013
Josh Voorhees

Chris Bucchere, Bicyclist Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter Death Of Hutchi Sui In California
Huffington Post Crime, 23 July 2013
Terry Collins

"Under the unusual plea deal last week, Chris Bucchere, 37, would not serve any jail time and instead would be sentenced to three years of probation and sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service in the death of Sutchi Hui"

Chris Bucchere getting a slap on the wrist was surprising, but what happens next is not a surprise.

"Hui's family has filed a civil suit against Bucchere regarding the fatality."

There was a California car driver hits bicyclist trial, and in 2012 Robert Schiro was sentenced to three years.  The bicyclist, Ashley Nelson, barely survived the 2009 collision and "was awarded $3 million in a legal settlement".

What's a broken helmet and a human life worth Chris Bucchere?

"The Endorsement Guides also state that if there is a connection between the endorser and the marketer of a product that would affect how people evaluate the endorsement, it should be disclosed."
The FTC's Endorsement Guides: Being Up-Front With Consumers

Anyone who's been around eBay INC long enough has seen the kind of post typified by one "birdieman".

"As both an avid buyer and seller on eBay, the whining that goes on because"
birdieman, 24 July 2013

The same droll cookie cutter comment about eBay INC sellers.  Apparently given once too often.

"@birdieman
Does eBay know that you are using their IP to post on our blog? I suspect they wouldn't be too happy with an employee posting incognito on EcommerceBytes. Just looking out for you and all...
David Steiner
EcommerceBytes"

United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) violations can be reported at:

www.ftc.com/ftc/contact.shtm

State of California Unemployment Insurance can be filed at:

www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment

"Oh Boy"
Samuel Beckett, Quantum Leap

Years ago we had an "oh boy" moment when 'racy' ads appeared on the site.  Apparently we are not the only place receiving the gift of ads unrelated to a site.  PowerSellersUnite recently received an interesting batch of Google ads. 

We find this annoying.  Their racy ads are much better looking than our racy ads.

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"Would you believe ..."
Maxwell Smart

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Internet Hacking, Legal, and CrazeeNYDriver 4, YouTube Haters 0.

Internet Hacking, Legal, and CrazeeNYDriver 4, YouTube Haters 0.
6 June 2012
EventHorizon1984

 

It was a busy two months, and unintentionally we left this online tome fallow.  Now that we're back, the plan was to post backlogged articles.  But a few important items of note came up.

Readers not affected by these three types of situations should consider themselves lucky.

3.  More than 6 million Linkedln passwords stolen, 6 June 2012

Do you have an account on Linkedln?  Change your password.

• "Russian hackers released a giant list of passwords this week, and on Wednesday security researchers identified their likely source: business social networking site LinkedIn. LinkedIn confirmed in a blog post late Wednesday afternoon that some of the stolen passwords correspond to LinkedIn accounts."

Years ago some voiced the opinion that Linkedln was the eBay elephant graveyard.  The joke being that over the years eBay employees gravitated, or "GRAVetated"*, to being Linkedln employees.

* Yes, don't quit our night job.

This incident brings back un-fond memories of Vlad Duiculesco.  Best known as Vlad, during the 2005 to 2007 hackfest of eBay.

2.  Reality TV Star's Lawsuit Flouts Laws Protecting Internet Speech, 29 May 2012

Here lies the theme, 'suing you because I don't like what you say', brought to life.

The above article states:

• "Corri McFadden, star of the VH1 show "House of Consignment," filed suit against Purseblog.com in a California federal court after a commenter accused McFadden's company, eDrop-Off, of "shill bidding"

It is one thing to sue an individual for defamation.  It is another thing to sue a "provider or user of an interactive computer service" for content created by another party.  Specifically comments.

In our opinion, and similar to U.S. Court opinion, the provider has Federal legal protections.

As put by the Electronic Frontier Foundation:

• "Additionally, the federal Communications Decency Act (CDA), as interpreted by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, contains uniquely strong protections for free speech online, shielding hosts of online forums from liability for the speech of their users."

The California case, EDROP-OFF CHICAGO LLC, et al., v. NANCY R. BURKE, et al. (2:120cv-04095-GW-FMOx) bears watching.  Because if you post anything online, the outcome might cost you dearly.

1. The CrazeeNYDriver Show, 5 June 2012

Speaking of individual defamation.

A YouTube show we enjoy watching is (Joe of) the CrazeeNYDriver show.

CrazeeNYDriver has been making YouTube videos since 30 May 2007.  Some cover New York.  But he is best known for his eBay and PayPal videos.

Joe/CrazeeNYDriver is an eBay seller.  He is informative, to the point (East Cost blunt), and civil.  We highly recommend his show to anyone with an interest in eBay and/or PayPal.

Sadly, due in small part to his YouTube (eBay) videos, Joe because an Internet target.

"Well, this is one time when they just got a little out of hand."
"I went to the New York City Police Department"
"As it happens I went to school with one of the people who is now an Assistant Procecutor in Manhattan."
Joe of the CrazeeNYDriver show

Youtube Haters Unmasked, 5 June 2012

Watch the video.  Thumbs up CrazeeNYDriver.

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"Everybody's entitled to an opinion." Montgomery Scott
"That's right, and if I think that Kirk is a Denebian slime devil, well that's my opinion too."  Korax

"You hit the Klingons because they insulted the Enterprise, not because they ..." James Kirk
"Well, sir, this was a matter of pride." Montgomery Scott
Star Trek, The Trouble With Tribbles

"That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more."
Popeye

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eBay INC 2011 Third Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2011 3rd Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
20 October 2011
EventHorizon1984

 

eBay INC CEO John J. Donahoe lead eBay's Third Quarter Earnings Call with the bold statement, "Q3 was another strong quarter for our company.", while the mood on Wall Street, "EBAY left investors unimpressed," was less energetic.  Which leads to the routine question asked by small businesses on eBay, 'How did the Marketplaces section eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  

Numbers from eBay's 10/19/2011 SEC 8-K filing show net total Marketplaces quarter to quarter revenue growth essentially dead.  Down from the previous quarter growth of "5%". 

Keep in mind that part of the second quarter growth of 5% can be attributed to eBay's 6 July 2011 additional fee on shipping costs.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

Marketplace revenues are principally generated through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  The payees being the business who use eBay.com to sell products.

What of the number of products that eBay's less than 1% revenue growth came from?.

According to Medved.net eBay started the third quarter with over 138 million listings per day. 

The third quarter ended with approximately 152 million products.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

The number of PayPal payments made was a health "6%", compared to the previous quarter's increase of "2%."  The PayPal payment volume however was down to "2%", compared to second quarter's "5%" increase.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

According the eBay.com numbers, the "Take rate" has remained stable for the past year.  The third quarter "Take rate", that is the percentage of a PayPal transaction that Ebay INC keeps, stands at "3.78%."

What about eBay INC's Bill Me Later payment method? 

eBay INC reports Bill Me Later losses decreased and increased.  The Net charge-off rate has improved slightly to "4.3" from the second quarter's "4.4%."  But the 90-day delinquency rate has risen to "2.6%", compared to the previous quarter's "2.2%."

With payment transaction losses remaining more or less stable, it remains to be seen why eBay INC continues to increase the amount of funds held from eBay's customers.  Going from 2010 fourth quarter's $2,550,731,000 to this quarter's $3,295,115,000.  Yes, that's 3.29 Billion dollars.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

What about the continuing buyer and seller claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  How deep is eBay.com's product selection?  Let's look at the value of merchandise sold.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

According to eBay INC in their 8-K statement, Gross Merchandising Volume (GMV) represents the "Total value of all successfully closed items between users on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarrter, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction."

GMV quarter to quarter growth is essentially dead.  Third quarter shows less than one percent movement, compared to second quarters "1%."   And what of John Donahoe touting a GMV increase of 16%?  It's the year to year increase.  And this year's GMV, $14,666 million, is coasting downward off of eBay's record 2010 year end GMV of $15,039 million.

The GMV for vehicles decreased "-4%" quarter to quarter.  A significant fall from the "9%" increase of the second quarter.  Year to year Vehicle GMV growth is also essentially dead.

"EBay is still best known as a discount flea market retailer."

John Donahoe became eBay INC CEO in March 2008, and concluded his third year of CEO stewardship in March 2011.  Has there been progress for eBay.com under CEO John Donaohe?

It appears from the above metrics that eBay sellers in aggregate have had their say in the matter. 

Here's the non-seller stock market view. 

At the start of John Donahoe's tenure, eBay INC's stock price was 29.84 (31 March 2008).  Between then and now, the stock reached a top price of 35.35.  It is currently trading at 32.14. 

Trading was mildly frantic today with current volume at 25,643,763 versus the average daily transaction volume of 14,794,700 shares.

According to eBay INC's official investor page, in the matter of eBay INC stock dividends:

Which means for the average individual investor to materially benefit from eBay INC stock, they must sell and/or buy the stock.  In other words, 'buy low, sell high', short, long, et al.

Over the three plus years the eBay INC Pop & Mom investor made $5.51 per share, or posted a 19% return on investment.  Assuming they sold their shares when the stock peaked.

Then there's the competition.

Amazon closed at $71.30 on 31 March 2008.  Amazon stock is currently at $233.61.  Meaning the Amazon Mom & Pop investor would make $162.31 selling their stock now.  If we have our sums right, that's a 227% return on investment.

$5.51 versus $162.31.  Hmmm.  The difference between buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks or an iPod from Apple.  As a side note:

• Starbucks
• 31 March 2008  $17.50
• 20 October 2011  $40.99

• Apple
• 31 March 2008  $143.50
• 20 October 2011  $395.31

With the tepid response to eBay INC's stock price over the past three plus years, there is possible good news for CEO John Donahoe, regarding Amazon's Third Quarter 2011 Earnings Call scheduled for 25 October 2011.  It may never happen. 

Harold Camping is proclaiming, again, that the World will end tomorrow.

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Related articles:

Amazon eBay 2011 Earnings Call Pre-Game Tale of the Tape

eBay INC Stock Price During CEO John Donahoe's Tenure

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Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

“We do no market research. We don’t hire consultants. The only consultants I’ve ever hired in my 10 years is one firm to analyze Gateway’s retail strategy so I would not make some of the same mistakes they made [when launching Apple's retail stores]. But we never hire consultants, per se. We just want to make great products."

"You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new."

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eBay Discussion Topic - "When did "gooder" become a word?"

eBay Discussion Topic - "When did "gooder" become a word?"
2 February 2011
EventHorizon1984

Trawling through eBay, one can find serious topics of discussion on eBay's Liveworld controlled forums.

But for the purposes of this article, sometimes not.

A major eBay shirt seller, honeville1, asked "When did "gooder" become a word?".

This brought out a few collective chuckles, and remembering the quote by Edmund Burke (1729-1797) "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." (1)

1. Winston Churchill (1874-1965), "Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." (2)
2. George Santayana (1863-1952), "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Or as we included in a previous article on forgetting the past: 

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

But to partially answer Honeville's question.

The year was 1984, and a scene from a television mini-series left a memorable impression on millions of viewers.  The conversation from V: The Final Battle (1984) basically started with:

"How you doin' gooder?"  Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside)
"That's short for do-gooder.  It's a little nickname he's got for me." Mike Donavon (Marc Singer)

The word "gooder" has been around the science fiction community for almost 27 years.

Speaking of 1984, it was a fairly good year for science fiction, fantasy, and horror feature films.

(Not an all inclusive list.)

• 2010
• A Nightmare On Elm Street
• Children of the Corn
• Cloak & Dagger
• Conan The Destroyer
• Dreamscape
• Dune
• Electric Dreams
• Firestarter
• Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
• Ghostbusters
• Gremlins
• Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
• Iceman
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Night of the Comet
• Nineteen Eighty-Four
• Oh, God! You Devil
• Repo Man  - watch the ending, ED.
• Romancing the Stone
• Runaway
• Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
• Splash
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Starman
• Supergirl
• The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension
• The Brother from Another Planet
• The Ice Pirates
• The Last Starfighter
• The Muppets Take Manhattan
• The Neverending Story
• The Philadelphia Experiment
• The Terminator
• The Toxic Avenger

And for starting a company.

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"Return the money!?  Are you delirious?"
Centauri (Robert Preston), The Last Starfighter (1984)

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eBay Communications Nicole Birdsall Comments on Anonymous eMail Addresses

eBay Communications Nicole Birdsall Comments on Anonymous eMail Addresses
28 April 2010
EventHorizon1984

 With another upcoming change to eBay's email system, we thought it would be prudent to post the official public writings of eBay Principle Product Manager Communications, Nicole Birdsall ( [email protected] ), regarding this matter.  As well as her past official public posts.

A short Nicole Birdsall biography follows these posts.

One might wonder how important is email to ebay?  How about important enough to "generate $250 million of direct revenue"?

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/41409-Announcements-Discussion/Faqs-Item-Specifics/510089633&#msg522319068

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(2 of 13) Re: FAQs, Item Specifics and tracking information Apr 14, 2009 10:27 AM

Hello Powerwheelchris, I can assist with your Smart FAQ questions. Smart FAQ is the next generation of the existing eBay FAQ. We have identified the top 20 questions that buyers ask sellers and with the information already available in sellers’ listings eBay is able to pull that "live" information to answer those frequently asked questions. A seller only has to opt-in to the Smart FAQ feature while eBay will handle the rest. Of course if a seller would like to add additional questions and answers to their FAQ page, they can do this as well. Should a seller already have questions and answers posted to the existing FAQ…not to worry we will be merging those over to the new Smart FAQ page, so a seller will not lose any current information. As per the announcement, the new Smart FAQs will be available as part of the June 15th Seller Release. -Nbirdsall

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/41409-Announcements-Discussion/Faqs-Item-Specifics/510089633&#msg512043726

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(10 of 13) Re: FAQs, Item Specifics and tracking information Apr 15, 2009 9:37 AM

Larry, Just wanted to clarify, eBay has identified the 15 top buyer questions (payment method is one of those questions) and built an FAQ page that will populate the answers for these questions by pulling information from your listings in order to answer the buyer's question. So all you have to do is opted in to the Smart FAQ feature. -Nbirdsall

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(12 of 13) Re: FAQs, Item Specifics and tracking information Apr 15, 2009 10:20 AM

Buriedbybooks, The Smart FAQ is a feature to help sellers manage their high volume of questions from buyers and is completely optional to sellers. As a seller you will have 3 options: Option 1) Ask Seller A Question Email Only This is how the "ask seller a question" link works today. From the View Item Page, the buyer will be taken straight to the Ask Seller A Question form in order to communicate with the seller directly. Option 2) FAQ and Ask Seller A Question From the View Item Page, the buyer will be taken to an FAQ page in order to get their answers to their questions immediately. Should they not find an answer to their question, they can click "email the seller" from the FAQ page and go to the Ask Seller A Question form. Option 3) FAQ Only for Users Before They Buy Users browsing your item pages who have not purchased from you yet will be taken to the FAQ page without the option to email the seller directly. If the user browsing is a customer, they will have the ability to email the seller from the FAQ page. Should you opt-in to either Option #2 or Option #3, you will also have the ability to add your own FAQ questions and answers, so if you have additional information that may not be available in the listing you can add that additional information. -Nbirdsall

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(13 of 13) Re: FAQs, Item Specifics and tracking information Apr 15, 2009 10:54 AM

Powerwheelerchris, Regarding your Smart FAQ question, this feature will be available in the June Seller Release. Should you already have questions and answers in the existing FAQ feature, those questions and answers will be available in the new Smart FAQ feature. -Nbirdsall

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/41409-Announcements-Discussion/Several-Questions-For/510089905&#msg512044644

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(2 of 2) Re: Several Questions for Titanium Power Seller - brace yourself, it's lenghty Apr 15, 2009 1:01 PM

Monstercellular, Regarding your point #5, we understand that high volume of ask seller a question emails is a significant issue for sellers and will be addressing this issue with a few features this year designed to help sellers manage these emails. The first feature is the Smart FAQ which will be launched in the June Seller Release. This is a seller optional feature that is designed to automatically answer buyers' questions without sending an email to the seller or requiring a response from the seller. Here's how it works: We have identified the top 20 questions that buyers ask sellers (which under many circumstances accounts for a significant volume of questions) and with the information already available in sellers’ listings eBay is able to pull that "live" information to answer those frequently asked questions. A seller only has to opt-in to the Smart FAQ feature while eBay will handle the rest. Of course if a seller would like to add additional questions and answers to their FAQ page, they can do this as well. Should a seller already have questions and answers posted to the existing FAQ…not to worry we will be merging those over to the new Smart FAQ page, so a seller will not lose any current information. For more details about this feature, please review the information about the Smart FAQ on the 4/14/09 Announcement pages. Also, please stay tuned for additional features to assist sellers with these buyer questions in the near future. -Nbirdsall

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/72709-Announcements-Discussion/Clarification-Needed-Regarding/510119994&#msg512586917

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(6 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 10:14 AM

Reliques, Good morning! Actually, email addresses will be kept anonymous until a transaction takes place. However, the buyer id will be present in the Ask Seller a Question (ASQ) and Reply To a Question (RTQ) emails, so you know who you are communicating with. This provides two benefits for users: 1) Safely respond to ASQs by clicking the "reply" button in your email client: By using an anonymous email address, users can communicate back and forth through their regular email clients instead of clicking on the yellow button to log back into eBay while still posting their emails to their My Messages account. 2) Keep your personal email address safe: In order to protect user email addresses from being harvested for unsecure commerce off the eBay platform, personal email addresses will be kept private until you transact with another user.

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(17 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 11:32 AM

Kingst, Hello and good morning! Yes, you will be able to send attachments (.gif, .jpeg, .tif, and .bmp formats are all accepted). Regarding the ability to send more than one response...just as if you were to click on the yellow button, you can respond to an ASQ more than once. Thanks for your post. -Nicole

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(18 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 11:34 AM

Bidventure, Hello. Yes, you will be able to send attachments (.gif, .jpeg, .tif, and .bmp formats are all accepted). Thanks for your posting. -Nicole

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(27 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 11:53 AM

Aviation, Hello. We understand that some users (like yourself) prefer to response to ASQs through eBay by clicking the yellow button while others prefer to manage their emails in their personal Inboxes. Therefore, users will be able to respond to member to member emails by either: • Clicking “reply” directly from their personal Inbox • Clicking the “respond” yellow button in the email from their personal Inbox • Clicking the “reply” button in their eBay My Messages Inbox Regarding the My Messages system, we understand that the My Messages system has been slow in the past and we have just recently launched performance enhancements to increase the speed of the feature. In addition, we are looking into other enhancements to assist sellers with response speed for the near future. And last but not least, photos. This is definitely a question that buyers could ask and this release will provide a couple of options to help you respond: 1) If the item is fixed price, you will be able to edit your live listing with additional photos. 2) If you respond to the ASQ by clicking the "reply" button in your personal inbox, you will be able to include an attachment (.gif, .jpeg, .tif, and .bmp formats are all accepted) We are also looking into other features to assist with this question in the future. Thanks for your feedback and posting. We greatly appreciate it!

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(29 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 12:13 PM

cchakurda, Countries are already included in the ASQ from buyers. However, zip codes are not currently in the email...this is a great suggestion and we will look into adding this in the future. Thank you so very much. -nbirdsall

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[email protected]

Posts: 26

(31 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 1:24 PM

Regarding only being able to respond once to a buyer's questions...yes, you are correct the current limit is 1 response per ASQ. However, you will not be restricted by this limit of 1 in the next seller release.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/72709-Announcements-Discussion/Bidders-On-Auctions/520139285&#msg512588613

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(9 of 9) Re: Bidders on auctions post September Jul 27, 2009 3:20 PM

Just to clarify, from the thread of postings, I believe you are asking if Buyer Ids will be removed from Ask Seller a Question emails. If so, the answer is no. The buyer id will be present in the Ask Seller a Question (ASQ) and Reply To a Question (RTQ) emails, so you know who you are communicating with. However, the email addresses will be kept anonymous until a transaction takes place. This provides two benefits for users: 1) Safely respond to ASQs by clicking the "reply" button in your email client: By using an anonymous email address, users can communicate back and forth through their regular email clients instead of clicking on the yellow button to log back into eBay while still posting their emails to their My Messages account. 2) Keep your personal email address safe: In order to protect user email addresses from being harvested for unsecure commerce off the eBay platform, personal email addresses will be kept private until you transact with another user.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/72709-Announcements-Discussion/Clarification-Needed-Regarding/510119994?start=30&#msg512588814

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(36 of 36) Re: Clarification Needed regarding anonymous buyer identify Jul 27, 2009 3:59 PM

SanDiegoJoe, Good afternoon! As you most likely know, all member to member emails are posted in My Messages today. In order to provide this functionality, messages are stored in My Messages so they can be displayed. The new functionality does not change this behavior, but does provide the added benefit to allow users to quickly and easily respond to a question without logging back in to eBay through the ‘reply’ button in their personal email inbox. Regarding the usage of this information, we do and will continue to adhere to the eBay privacy policy rules. Regarding your question on if we violate FCC rules, the answer is no, FCC rules do not extend to email. Thanks for your posting.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/72709-Announcements-Discussion/Unclear-On-The/520139655&#msg522769348

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(4 of 6) Re: Unclear on the new: Ask Seller Question messaging system Jul 28, 2009 2:40 PM

indiebiz, Thank you so much for your post. Hopefully I can clarify your questions: 1) Yes, your email will be routed through eBay to be posted to recipient's My Messages and then sent on to the recipient's personal inbox. 2) Yes, the email you sent will anonymize your email address and therefore be hidden from the recipient. 3) Email body content will not be stripped out and will be sent as you typed it. Please note though that you will not be allowed to send any javascript or code that may contain a virus. 4) Just like any other email in your personal inbox, you will simply click "reply" in your inbox, type in your response, and click "send". You do not go back to eBay and therefore no login is required. Hope this clears things up. [email protected]

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Limit-On-Number/520198992&#msg523689490

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 2) Re: Limit on number of responses to emails? Apr 27, 2010 9:39 AM

lindaspostcardsandmore, Thank you for your post! We made this modification a while ago and you should be able to respond a maximum of 5 times to the same email. I have forwarded the details of your situation to our product team just to verify that there is not an issue.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Will-Ebay-Be/510218965&#msg523689698

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 2) Re: Will eBay be policing anonymous email for off eBay offers? Apr 27, 2010 10:24 AM

Off-eBay communications is a violation of eBay policy as stated in the Member to Member Contact Policy (Link). The Anonymous Email Alias feature was built to ease the ability of responding to messages from other users by providing the ability to leverage the "reply" button in your own personal email client. This eliminates the need to click on the yellow button, login to eBay, and then fill out a response. All of these messages will be sent to the recipient's real email address and to their My Messages Inbox to avoid potential spoof concerns. In addition, sellers who have difficulties with getting emails into various email client inboxes due to ISP filters, whitelists, or blacklists can benefit from eBay's high inbox delivery rate. This feature does not "anonymize" the buyer from the seller...sellers can still get buyer contact information (including email address) post transaction in the body of the email, through various locations on the eBay site and PayPal, and through several post-transaction APIs.

xx

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Anonymous-Buyer-Email/510218989&#msg523689806

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 3) Re: Anonymous buyer email Apr 27, 2010 10:46 AM

dtmedin, Thank you for your post! The Anonymous Email Alias feature is not eliminating the ability for sellers to retrieve buyer contact information post transaction...sellers can still get buyer contact information (including email address) post transaction in the body of the email, through various locations on the eBay site and PayPal, and through several post-transaction APIs. This feature is providing the benefit to all users to respond to messages from other users through their own personal email clients without being required to click on the yellow button, login to eBay, and then fill out a response. All of these messages will be sent to the recipient's real email address and to their My Messages Inbox to avoid potential spoof concerns. In addition, sellers who have difficulties with getting emails into various email client inboxes due to ISP filters, whitelists, or blacklists can benefit from eBay's high inbox delivery rate.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Anonymous-Email-Address/510219004&#msg523690037

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(2 of 2) Re: Anonymous Email Address Is Wrong Headed Apr 27, 2010 11:37 AM

ricnok, Thank you for your post! The Email Intermediation feature is not removing the buyer's email address from the site and you will still be able to retrieve the buyer email address should you need it post transaction. This feature is only modifying the "reply to" field in member to member emails. The "reply to" field will be populated with an alias email address in order to provide the ability for users to easily respond to member to member emails by clicking "reply" in their email client. By replying through this new feature, your email responses will not only go to the recipient's real email address, but will also be posted to their My Messages Inbox. This eliminates the need to click on the yellow button to respond while maintaining compliance with the eBay Member to Member Contact Policy.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Ebay-Messaging-Attachments/510219061&#msg523690275

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 1) Re: eBay messaging - attachments Apr 27, 2010 12:29 PM

jimstrns, Thank you for your posting! The feature allows image attachments such as .gif, .jpeg, or .bmp, but due to the significant virus risk and popularity of using .pdf files as a means to spread viruses a .pdf file attachment is not currently allowed.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/What-Form-Of/510219068&#msg523690375

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 1) Re: WHAT FORM of Buyer Contact WILL BE accepted? Apr 27, 2010 12:50 PM

dorymoments4me, I'm not entirely sure what you mean in your first sentence. My understanding is that you would like clarity around how you can contact another eBay member, how you can respond to another eBay member, where will that response go, and will this help when issues arise between buyers and sellers. Starting with how you can contact another eBay member...nothing is changing from the way you initiate conversations with other eBay members. Today, you have the ability to go to a listing, My eBay, My World, or other areas of the site to click on the "contact seller" or "contact buyer" link to send the user a message. Once the message is sent, how can you respond to another eBay member? You have a couple of ways to respond. The first, which is available today, is through the yellow button in the email. You can click on the yellow button, login to eBay, write your response and reply. With Email Intermediation, you will have the second option to click "reply" in your email client, write your response (just as you would when responding to any other email), and click send in your email client. So, where will that response go? Regardless of if you choose to respond through your email client or the yellow button, your response will go to the recipient's email address and their My Messages Inbox. And will this help when issues arise between buyers and sellers? Absolutely. Even though it is against eBay Member to Member Contact Policy (Link), some users take their email conversations off eBay and when there is an issue (such as inappropriate content) the complaining user has to provide proof of this behavior. With email communications in My Messages, eBay will be able to assist without the need for the complaining user to provide proof.

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http://forums.ebay.com/click.jspa?searchID=-1&messageID=523690489

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bZ3ECSIXwH0J:forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Email-Addresses-Surveillance

[email protected]

Posts: 18

(3 of 5) Re: email addresses surveillance federal wire tap laws Apr 27, 2010 10:11 AM

Thank you for your post! The Anonymous Email Alias feature provides the benefit to all users to respond to messages from other users through their own personal email clients without being required to click on the yellow button, login to eBay, and then fill out a response. All of these messages will be sent to the recipient's real email address and to their My Messages Inbox to avoid potential spoof concerns. In addition, sellers who have difficulties with getting emails into various email client inboxes due to ISP filters, whitelists, or blacklists can benefit from eBay's high inbox delivery rate. This feature does not "anonymize" the buyer from the seller...sellers can still get buyer contact information (including email address) post transaction in the body of the email, through various locations on the eBay site and PayPal, and through several post-transaction APIs.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Can-Members-Still/510219112&#msg523690617

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 2) Re: Can members still UNCHECK "Hide my email address" when sending a msg? Apr 27, 2010 1:46 PM

buyalot!, There is no need to have this feature after Email Intermediation is wired-on. The Hide Your Email Address feature replaced your real email address in the "reply to" field of the email to the seller with "[email protected]". When Email Intermediation is turned on the "reply to" field will always have your alias email address and will never have your real email address.

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/42710-Announcements-Discussion/Is-The-Messaging/510219125&#msg523690784

[email protected]

Posts: 26

(1 of 1) Re: Is the Messaging system going to be revised? Apr 27, 2010 2:31 PM

kingst, The Email Intermediation System will allow for image attachments. When this feature is available, you will be able to click "reply" from your email client, attach an image file (.jpeg, .gif, etc.), and click send.

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Nicole Bartholomew Birdsall

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&[email protected]

Member since: Mar-31-09 in United States

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200904141007452.html

Nicole Birdsall, Group Product Manager of Communications with End to End Experience

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Ebay-Radio/Ebay-Radio-384/520198969

Nicole Birdsall, Principal Product Manager, Communications at eBay discusses anonymous email.

http://www.spoke.com/info/pYGC4LN/NicoleBirdsall

Nicole Birdsall

Principle Product Manager, Communications at eBay Inc

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nicole-birdsall/1/863/537

 

http://alumni.ggu.edu/Document.Doc?id=23

"MBA 03"

"She started with eBay in San Jose in 2006, where she now has the massive undertaking of managing the 18 billion e-mails sent to consumers every year, which generate $250 million of direct revenue. This is all no small feat, considering eBay is the world's largest e-mail sender."

http://www.dmnews.com/ebay-wins-e-mail-bid/article/156273/

eBay wins e-mail bid
by Dianna Dilworth
October 27, 2009

"“We're very focused on e-mail deliverability primarily because, why send a message if it doesn't get into the inbox,” says Nicole Birdsall, group product manager, communications at eBay. “We want to make sure that we are a good citizen and sending relevant e-mails and getting important messages through to our customers who are expecting them.”"

"eBay sends about 25 billion e-mails per year and has a 98 to 99% deliverability rate. “We make sure that all of the expected information is put into the header and our SPF records are good,” says Birdsall. “We also make sure that our IP addresses are certified with white lists.”"

" Today, eBay works directly with the ISPs, as well as with e-mail deliverability firm Return Path, to monitor its sending. One of eBay's approaches is to separate transactional e-mails and marketing e-mails and then send them from different IP pools. “ISPs hold marketing e-mails under different rules and regulations than transactional e-mails, so we separate them,” says Birdsall."

"“Part of our strategy is to look at it before we actually put it into a production mode, by sending it to several different inboxes before sending it to the user,” says Birdsall. “We look at making sure that it got into the inbox versus the spam folder, how it renders and what it looks like to the user.”"

“We realize that users might not know how to unsubscribe because maybe they are not opening the e-mails. And we'd like to make it easier for them,” says Birdsall. Since the program launched Birdsall says complaint rates have dropped."

"“We realize that users might not know how to unsubscribe because maybe they are not opening the e-mails. And we'd like to make it easier for them,” says Birdsall. Since the program launched Birdsall says complaint rates have dropped."

//*

"Another way to make things here less human. I will give my email address to my customers as soon as they win.

Why would you remove the address but still give the access to their phone number? I see a big increase in contact info requests in the future."
oldklutz, Apr 27, 2010 3:22 PM

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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 [email protected].

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 [email protected]"

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 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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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

. 

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.

 

.

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

 .

 

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.

.

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.

.

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!

.

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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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 ==

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February 2007

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time.

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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.

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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

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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, [email protected], 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 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) "Editor's Note: The eBay spokesman confirmed Monday that the number of postings pulled from shopping.com was indeed 35,000."
PC Magazine, 10 March 2008

.
29 February 2008
06:41 PM PST

First responders to Shopping.com listing anomaly.

By this time, the Medved "EBay Auction Counts" are somewhere between 13,875,000 listings (29 February 2008 01:00 PM PST) and 13,502,000 listings (1 March 2008 08:30 AM PST). "Between" as the Medved chart is blank between those times.

A possible scenario would be that eBay has been deleting listings since 10:00 AM; at least 8 hours. Or we should say an eBay application has been deleting sdc_prod listings.

eBay's March 1st Listing Special begins in 5 hours 19 minutes.

eBay user comments, edited.

mm*mc (154)  Feb-29-08 18:41 PST

Look at this 35000 listings never sold anything these look funny to me. Let me know what you think check this out. 320199384960

neverstopsworking (127) Feb-29-08 18:49 PST

WOW!!

Did you Notice You CAN'T Bid on Any Of Them, You can Only Watch Them and They're listed for at least 21 more days??

.

29 February 2008
07:25 PM PST

Referenced by PC Magazine article.

mydiscountstation  (921 )        Feb-29-08 19:25 PST

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_434012

is e-bay padding their "listings" numbers?

This guy has over 35000 items. And there is no button for a buy it now and no button for making a bid.

interesting

.

29 February 2008
08:56 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

cmiprch  (1732 )        Feb-29-08 20:56 PST       44 of 418

That sounds more like a hack, to me.

Sounds more like a conspiracy to me. 30 of these kinds of ID's with 35K listings is 1M items. Imagine the kind of volume drop you can hide with 30, 60 or 90 or whatever number of these IDs.

cmiprch  (1732 )       Feb-29-08 21:19 PST       48 of 418

So "sdc" = shopping dot com?

Nice listings boost if eBay injected everything on shopping.com

.

29 February 2008
09:29 PM PST

Referenced by PC Magazine article.

monkey_business304  (0 )  Feb-29-08 21:29 PST

I have been collecting all ebay's padded listings and forwarding them to the FTC so they will investigate them.
Everything you can do will help.They should not get away with the crap they are doing.Im going to do my best to make sure they dont.

windorphin  (31 )  Feb-29-08 21:40 PST  4 of 273

Don't waste your time. They aren't fake listings. They are your replacements. They're bringing in the big guns now. Huge retailers to compete with.

.

29 February 2008
10:25 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

moopy_inc  (5562 )  Feb-29-08 22:25 PST 240 of 516

you would think they would at least use different user names. SDC_prod....I guess that is easier to keep up with. SDC = shopping dot com.....brilliant. haaaaa

orange_cape_hides_me  (Private ) Feb-29-08 22:30 PST 25 of 51

I think the API developer angle is probably where the answer lies. Someone is clearly testing auction formats and listings, and these are not meant to be bid on.

.

29 February 2008
10:31:50 PM PST, 12:31:50 CST &1:31:50 AM 1 March EST

12:31:50 AM CST
"I see. Actually, this is not an eBay listing, the problem is it's a Shopping.com listing that is showing on our site by mistake."
Evan M. A., eBay Live Help Customer Service

12:32:25 AM CST
It is a current issue, yes, we have a bug on it. These are meant to be on shopping.com only but due to some reason are showing on eBay as well and can't be bought through the site."
Evan M. A., eBay Live Help Customer Service

.

29 February 2008
10:35 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

badmomster (Private) Feb-29-08 20:35 PST 68 of 521

It seems to me that if Ebay is boosting their numbers with bogus auctions, that's an issue for the SEC.

niruss (1979) Feb-29-08 20:36 PSST 70 of 521

Also for the stockholders and the FTC.

bosshossman1  (1 )  Feb-29-08 22:33 PST 255 of 516

We are now up to 7 Ids, Keep up the good work.
I will keep the totals coming.

sdc_prod_434012 # of listings 35002
sdc_prod_9124_14 # of listings 48395
sdc_prod_9074_35 # of listings 21401
sdc_prod_9452 # of listings 24501
sdc_prod_301013_74 # of listings 27291
sdc_prod_9352_67 # of listings 30278
sdc_ prod_ 9055 # of listings 1925

justinal  (391 )        Feb-29-08 22:45 PST       31 of 273

Just curious, exactly what FTC code violation are you reporting them for?

And the SEC? It's an auction listing, not stock manipulation.

Going crazy will not help your cause.

aenthal  (2243 )       Feb-29-08 23:04 PST       34 of 273

These bogus auctions are not a violation of anything.
EBay has a right to put anything they wish on their web servers, and they apparently wish to use space up with displays of auctions that don't exist.

krs6670  (107 )  Feb-29-08 23:12 PST 35 of 273

a trust and safety poster kind of figured it out...
sdc= shopping dot com   

Feb-29-08 23:36 PST 385 of 700

O.K. looks like ebay is pulling all the listings. All the Ids we posted have had all the auctions pulled.

vsbeauty53  (15 )  Feb-29-08 23:59 PST  17 of 421

if they had nothing to hide, they didn't need to remove those (fake) listings. they are all gone now!

.
1 March 2008

Regarding the events of Saturday 1 March 2008.

"This was a limited test that has run its course" Usher Lieberman, eBay Spokesperson
AuctionBytes, 1 March 2008 01:56:54 AM PST

"He said he had made a mistake when he called the Shopping.com listings a test on Saturday morning. He was trying to track it down and after talking to a few people, felt comfortable saying it was a test, and subsequently found out the listings had appeared accidentally. Usher said it was his fault for initially getting it wrong."
Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes, 4 March 2008 04:02:46 AM PST

"AuctionBytes looked at one Shopping.com selling account on Saturday morning, it indicated the seller had over 80,000 listings on eBay.com"
Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

• AuctionBytes does not report this fact, "80,000 listings," for 4 days.

.

1 March 2008
12:00:01 AM PST, 3:00:01 AM Easter Standard Time

eBay listing upgrade special, "2 days only March 1-2", begins. eBay sellers can list products at reduced prices. Historically the auction counts rise significantly during these eBay specials.

***Get Gallery Plus, Value Pack, Featured Plus!, and Picture Pack at a Discount This Weekend*** 
"The promotion will start on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 00:00:01 Pacific time (12:00 a.m. plus one second) and end on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 23:59:59 Pacific time (11:59 p.m. plus 59 seconds)."

There is no 12:00:01 AM count per sec, as there is a gap in the record from 01:00 PM PST (04:00 PM EST) February 29th to 08:30 AM PST (11:30 AM EST) March 1st.

13,875,000 listings, 29 February 2008 01:00 PM PST (04:00 PM EST)

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.
1 March 2008
00:02 AM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

vsbeauty53  (15 ) Mar-01-08 00:02 PST 20 of 426

look, I found this:

Here is a copy of the list again for those that missed it.
sdc_prod_434012 # of listings 35002
sdc_prod_9124_14 # of listings 48395
sdc_prod_9074_35 # of listings 21401
sdc_prod_9452 # of listings 24501
sdc_prod_301013_74 # of listings 27291
sdc_prod_9352_67 # of listings 30278
sdc_ prod_ 9055 # of listings 1925
sdc_prod_9021_2 # of listings 12233
sdc_prod_9391_43 #oflistings 11100

moopy_inc  (5562 )  Mar-01-08 00:17 PST  459 of 786

well, we all saw it, others on powersellersunite.com has seen it. I just wish these were found during the day. So many more people could have seen them.

atticcleanin  (35 ) Mar-01-08 00:25 PST  477 of 786

well should anyone need pics of id, then fb page then lisitng i think i grabbed like 4 or 5 of the 9

I got screenshots of a dozen different feedback names associated with SDC.

sdc_prod_434012 = SpectrumSuperStore
sdc_prod_9021_2 = Buy.com (who is NARU!)
sdc_prod_9124_14 = TheNerds, Inc.
sdc_prod_9452 = eTronics, Inc.
sdc_prod_409455_97 = Sababa Shopping
sdc_prod_9090 = CompSource Inc.
sdc_prod_310426 = ANTOnline (who is NARU!)
sdc_prod_9074_35 = pcRUSH.com (who is NARU!)
sdc_prod_9352_67 = Digital Foto Club
sdc_prod_301013_74 = The Twister Group
sdc_prod_305839_99 = BargainBasementBatteries
sdc_prod_9391_43 = Adorama (who is NARU!)

Since those are all unique (HA!) user IDs, we have at least 12 bogus sellers running around.

buyingcarsforfun  (80 ) Mar-01-08 01:36 PST 574 of 669

O.K. they are right back at it. I was double checking the Ids and these 4 have auctions listed again. Take a look.
sdc_prod_301013_74
sdc_prod_310426
sdc_prod_9352_67
sdc_prod_9452

.
1 March 2008
01:56:54 AM PST

Mystery Shopping.com Listings on eBay? 
By: Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes
Sat Mar 1 2008 01:56:54

Excerpt:

 
• "Mystery listings are appearing on eBay that don't allow shoppers to bid or buy. The listings appear to be feeds from Shopping.com sellers. A look at the User ID sdc_prod_301013_74, for example, shows the seller has 27,076 listings - but the ones we clicked on did not have bid or buy buttons."

.
1 March 2008
05:20 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

molerfamily  (1 )        Mar-01-08 05:20 PST       69 of 273

Considering eBay does not report figures, it seems kinda like the conspiracies are rampant again. Because 3rd parties out there attempt to circumvent and create programs to provide folks this, it is just not logical for eBay to gain anything from this.

I agree with thizzwear completely on this. And Thizz, does not matter what date they were doing this testing, all the chicken littles will make that date fit into the agenda which they have. There is no winning for eBay for anything they do, the Chicken Littles of the world will use their twisted logic to make it appear they did this for some adverse reasoning.

The more these chicken littles talk, the less eductated they look. It has really become a joke to read all these things that are being said now.

.
1 March 2008
time unknown

eBay Numbers Inflated By Shopping.com Product Listings?
Pheebay.com
Date: 03/01/2008

Excerpts:

• "I'm betting Murphys Law is driving this event rather than any evil empire."
• "For me this isn't a significant issue in isolation but there is a potentially more worrying aspect to this story. Many readers will share the belief of many that eBay has never been good at introducing new or changed code leading many users to feel like Beta testers all too often. With the amount of changes planned for the coming months I have a hunch today is just one of a string of "cock ups" we will be reading and reporting in the near future."

.
1 March 2008
06:18 AM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

flaura22  (333 )        Mar-01-08 06:18 PST       79 of 418

I don't believe ebay has done anything with the intent to manipulate or deceive. The point is that IF whatever sort of glitch this is has mistakenly over inflated the numbers, then eBay is responsible for making the shareholders aware of the accounting errors IF the mistake has an impact on the stock values and/or IF the errors impact the financial reports to the shareholders.
I don't know about the whole casino scenario you've got going, I was thinking more along the lines of Enron and such.

eBay cannot be held accountable for any errors if they can say that they didn't know, which is why someone must have proof that an officer of eBay or PREFERABLY THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR EBAY has been made aware of the possibility of a considerable accounting error in the financial reports to the shareholders.

shwp1  (1919 ) Mar-01-08 07:03 PST 681 of 878

I asked this earlier and it's still nagging at me.

Someone...[forgive me but I have forgotten who],
posted a link to another forum where one of the
sdc###### was inquiring how many id's they could have...
The were told 100....how many did they need?
sdc###### responded 400 or 500

soooooooooo

If sdc= shoppingdotcom
and shoppingdotcom is owned by Ebay

Isn't that like asking yourself a question...and doing it where everyone can hear [read] you ask?

the*katy*workshop  (1468 )  Mar-01-08 07:11 PST 683 of 878

27076 items found (Save this search)
Show only: Items from seller sdc_prod_301013_74

type2mtg  (51 )        Mar-01-08 07:10 PST       43 of 426

The absolute ONLY way for these items to show "by accident" is if the eBay techs included them in the database. If this was done "on accident" then those tech should absolutely be fired, because they are mixing two different databases and that is potentially a MAJOR screwup.

It seems that they probably have done this on purpose, because it's highly unlikely that the two different databases share the same table titles and attributes. Meaning that the SDC listings would have had to have been converted to fit the eBay database before they would show up, otherwise they would just error out and potentially bring down the whole eBay database.

Something is not right with this...you cannot just have stuff appear "on accident"...not when you're dealing with databases.

the*katy*workshop  (1468 )  Mar-01-08 07:13 PST 685 of 786

19808 items found (Save this search)
Show only: Items from seller sdc_prod_9452

.

1 March 2008
08:10 AM PST, 16:10 GMT

200k Shopping.com items appear on eBay 
TameBay
Author: Chris Dawson
Posted at: Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 4:10 pm   
Tags for this post: eBay.com, shopping.com, Snafu

Excerpt:

• "User names such as sdc_prod_9124_14 with some 48,000 eBay listings appeared, although currently all the listings appear to have been removed. SDC is the acronym for shopping.com, the shopping comparison site owned by eBay.
   
  sdc_prod_9124_14 The listings had no bid/bin links, simply a link to add to watched items leading so speculation that eBay are using them to increase listing numbers. A more rational explanation is that some one made an error in launching Shopping.com listings onto eBay and the error was swiftly reversed."

.
1 March 2008
08:21 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

emovieposter.com  (20539 )        Mar-01-08 08:21 PST       84 of 418

Just like they were nailed cold with the "shipping stars" snafu, they are nailed cold with this one. Of course they will announce it was a simple mistake, and get rid of the fake listings.

.

1 March 2008
08:30 AM PST, 11:30 AM EST

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" approximately 13,502,000 items. The auction count was previously
13,875,000 listings (29 February 2008 01:00 PM PST)

Eight and a half hours into eBay's listing upgrade special, "2 days only March 1-2", and the auction count is falling.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.
1 March 2008
09:27 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

sandrarn83  (2919 )       Mar-01-08 09:27 PST       52 of 426

I read an article recently that Ebay (who owns Shopping) was going to start having some of the Shopping feeds shown on Ebay. That was one of the reasons I signed up for Shopping but then found that all my Amazon listings were already on Shopping. So no point in competing with my self and using my own money to be seen on Shopping when Amazon pays and does it for me.

Comment, edited.

Randy Smythe Says:  
March 1st, 2008 at 5:30 pm (17:30 GMT), 09:30 AM PST

Chris, it’s likely that it was a slip-up. There have been discussions about integrating SDC listings into to eBay for awhile. These listings would not have shown up on eBay.com in the form that they did if eBay hadn’t set them up this way. So I would say it was a slip-up before a test. Eventually we will see SDC listing on the main platform.

I agee with you that it wasn’t eBay trying to inflate listing numbers.

eBay user comments, edited.

djcarlos1  (3838 )        Mar-01-08 09:46 PST       93 of 418

I don't know if it's a glitch, hack or purposeful deception. However, what makes it curious is all the auctions I looked at started last Thursday the day after the listing sale ended.

Say it isn't so, Joel?
Posted: Mar-01-08 11:23 PST
boycott*victoriously  (17 )  Posts: 2,108

I must have missed that one. These are the ones I found, with last night's and this morning's results shown. That list you have only shows 10,000 counts ... could have been much more than that:

ID found:...............first shot..... Now
sdc_prod_9452...........19808....still there
sdc_prod_30103_74....27076....still there
sdc_prod_9055............1925.....zero now
sdc_prod_442675_57...4702.....zero now
sdc_prod_9124_14.......42578...zero now
sdc_prod_9090............ 24501...zero now
sdc_prod_434012..........35000...zero now

.
1 March 2008
01:02 PM PST, 03:02 PM CST

eBay Customer Service Agent (Lanie R.) and an eBay customer:
15:02 Agent Sent Message: I'm sorry for the inconvenience.This is actually an issue on the site right now I'm afraid. This is actually a Shopping.com listing that's appearing incorrectly on eBay.
15:03 Agent Sent Message: Our Technical team is working on getting resolved though, and I had this reported for you so we can add your account to the list.
15:03 Customer: Do these incorrect listings show up in ebays total listings/ Wouldn't they scew the listings totals?
15:04 Agent Sent Message: Oh, no it shouldn't though.
15:05 Agent Sent Message: The team is checking on the accounts of the sellers you reported as well for further investigation.
15:05 Customer: Shoudn't or absolutely doesn't?
15:05 Agent Sent Message: Absolutely doesn't.This is only a glitch on the search pages.
15:06 Agent Sent Message: You can check it from time to time to see it not on the eBay pages, only on Shopping.com
15:06 Customer: can you explain that a little further?
15:08 Customer: I'm not familiar with shopping.com. Why would their listings show up on ebay. Anf the one I mentionaed has ebay seller feedback.
15:08 Agent Sent Message: Sure! In the eBay account of the seller for items sold at eBay, it shouldn't get reflected, but if you were referring to the "items from seller" link for all items he is selling, I'm afraid the Shopping.com items will also appear and is confirmed as a tec
15:08 Agent Sent Message: hnical glitch.
15:09 Customer: can you respond to my last question also?
15:09 Agent Sent Message: Sorry for the confusion, Shopping.com is a specialty site owned by eBay but we handle separate accounts. It's similar to Express or Half.com
3/1/2008 15:10 Agent Sent Message: Ah, okay, Here's what happens, this particular seller has an account with SHopping.com to sell items, which is a different one as an eBay seller.

.
1 March 2008
01:12 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited.

suzisstuff  (3233 )  Mar-01-08 13:12 PST 8 of 33

Cyoung 67-
Another poster and I caught that auction in the act last night. OP did a “snapshot” when it was at 35,000 listings and sent it to ABC NEWS. I was watching it around the same time and the listings went from 37,000 at the first point. I checked in on it 4 more times, 2nd time I think it was 17,000 auctions, then 7,000 and then 5,000 and finally in went to 536. Now it is at zero. OP and I both posted our findings but cannot find it this morning. Surprise, Surprise!

EBAY CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

molerfamily  (1 )       Mar-01-08 14:08 PST       195 of 273

Would it not stand to reason, that if some deal was worked out, with say Shopping.com and premier members that pay to Shopping.com get free exposure listings with eBay, that in fact it is not costing them anything to have these listed in an eBay store account? That would make sense.
.
I do not profess to know what arrangement that Shopping.com merchants have, but it seems I read something to that effect somewhere.

rjrkea  (3275 ) View Listings | Report       Mar-01-08 13:56 PST       112 of 418

Well on Monday the Expanded Seller Protection enrollment link showed up for a period of time before getting removed.

Maybe this was some sort of a test like that where it went "live" and then was taken down.

On one hand I would think if it were a test, they would have used a much smaller amount of listings so it wasn't so visible and on the other hand maybe they wanted to see how large a volume they could handle for sellers as a means of luring users back from amazon or not lose them to amazon.

And then also maybe they wanted to see what current, knowledgeable users would say about the listings to quickly find out what "goofs" there were.

.

1 March 2008
2:55 PM, time zone unknown

eBay padding listing numbers on Auction site?
www.companyexposed.com
March 1, 2008
Published by admin @ 2:55 pm

Excerpt:

• "Today the Blogs and eBay Finance forums and eBay Seller forums are buzzing with examples of mysterious listings of items on which you cannot bid or which you cannot buy. These number in tens of thousands on seller accounts that were located today."

.
1 March 2008
2:56 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

The Number of Auctions
Posted: Mar-01-08 14:56 PST
lacemaker3  (300 ) Posts: 3,874

sdc_prod_301013_74 has been a member since Oct-18-06.

If you view the Text-format only page for their listings, it's very interesting. I am viewing it with 200 items per page.
- there are 27076 items found (but only 10000 can be viewed in the Text-format list)
- The first page of listings were started Jun-04-07 and ended on Nov-01-07 (why are they still listed in Text-format only? The item #s are invalid.)
- On the 15th page of listings, approx. half were started Apr-19-07 and ended Nov-15-07 16:19:44 PST. That's approx. 2900 listings that ended before Nov-15-07, and should no longer be on the site.
- All the rest of the listings (approx 7100) were started on Feb-25-08 and will end Mar-26-08, between 14:22:26 PDT and 14:32:16 PDT. They are 30 day listings.

.

1 March 2008
time unknown

Ebay Padding Counts w Fake Listings in Wake of Strike?
From: cappnonymous
Added: March 01, 2008

.

1 March 2008
05:24 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited

cloudberry121  (18 ) Mar-01-08 17:24 PST 18 of 20

There's been a lot of this going on this past month. Thousands of listings within weeks or even days and about 20% FB, if any. Odd times.

username: sdc_prod_301013_74 has 27291 listings.
username: sdc_prod_9090 has 32601 listings.
username: sdc_prod_9352_67 has 30278 listings.
username: sdc_prod_9074_35 has 21481 listings

.

1 March 2008
time unknown

Bogus Listings!!!
By dhoosierswife

Is eBay POSSIBLY padding their listings numbers???
By dhoosierswife

.

1 March 2008
06:06 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited

just_not_thinking  (0 )        Mar-01-08 18:06 PST       68 of 426

Looks like the possee slept late today!

Sandra and possee why do you care about this?

How does it effect you in any way at all?

Why can't ebay run tests on their own site?!!

vsbeauty53  (15 )        Mar-01-08 18:14 PST       71 of 333

Gosh! ebay Number of Listings dropped! close to 500,000 items just gone!

eBay view charts 14,109,304 -472525 -3.35% March 1, 2008 9:06 pm

What an overnight change!

pepins4b8e  (21 )        Mar-01-08 18:16 PST       73 of 333

You want them to let you know every time they do tests?
You think other sites let you know when they do test? You're dreaming!

sojo2004  (2698 )      Mar-01-08 18:23 PST     78 of 333

OK, this is what ebay says about test auctions:

Guidelines for Test Listings

Listings in the Test Auction category must be clearly labeled as a ’test’, both in the listing title and description.
No more than 10 test listings should run at once by a single account.
Accounts that leave or receive feedback in the Test Auction category must be used for test purposes only. This means that members must use a different account to leave or receive feedback for test purposes than is used for buy or sell on the site. Accounts found to be in violation of this guideline will be subject to immediate suspension.

Any Feedback left on test listings should be clearly labeled ‘test’.

All ’test’ feedback is subject to removal at any time, at eBay's discretion.

Normal listing fees will be charged when listing in the test category.

But I guess that just applies to members, not the management.

But in answer to pepin -- yes, if we have to clearly state a test listing is a test listing, then I DO think ebay should have to do the same.

sojo

Things are going swimmingly, thank you for asking.

.
1 March 2008
07:00 PM PST, 10:00 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time)

Medved "EBay Auction Counts"  approximately 13,455,000 items. Auction count at the lowest point of the day.

.
1 March 2008

08:09 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

time2buy1949  (Private )  Feb-29-08 20:09 PST

Search 19140 THATCH RAKE 15" 19T EA 12912226

Comments please? Just saw this at the very tail end of a thread in the Feedback Forum. Thought it was appropriate to mention here. (They had a different item number from this seller posted, but I'm not sure I can do that.)

No price, no way to bid on it (I tried $30 just to see what would happen - it said transaction blocked, cannot bid on this kind of item) and if you click on see sellers other listings he has 35K+ others. And it's a zero account. Location - CA. Website in auction too.

How the heck would you even list something up with no way to bid on it? This is either just leading to their website and bigtime circumvention or it's eBay themselves inflating the numbers. Interesting either way.

What do the experts think?

.
1 March 2008
08:30 PM PST, 11:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Medved "EBay Auction Counts"  approximately 13,460,000 items. Last count of the March 1st chart.

Note auction count  spike beginning at the "2/29" (09:00 PM PST, Midnight EST) line and ending at the "3/2" (09:00 PM PST, Midnight EST) line.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.

1 March 2008
08:34 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

erimess  (10 )        Mar-01-08 20:34 PST       238 of 273

Wow. I came over here to try to catch up on the latest and I've found a conglomeration of paranoid, fact-creating, lynching mob!

.

1 March 2008
10:00 PM PST, 01:00 AM 2 March EST (Eastern Standard Time)

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" approximately 13,425,000 items. First count on the March 2nd chart.

.

2 March 2008
00:34 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

oldspartantrader  (3913 )          Mar-02-08 00:34 PST     100 of 425

This is much more disconcerting to me as a stockholder than as a seller --

I have asked by stock guy for input and he believes that if this is in fact listing count manipulation it is an SEC matter for investigation

.
2 March 2008
07:00 AM PST, 10:00 AM EST

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" approximately 13,470,000 items. Second listing count peak of the weekend.

Previous peak count was approximately 13,900,000 items, on February 29th at 10 AM PST

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.

2 March 2008
07:04 AM PST

eBay user comments, edited

Shopping.com, Half.com and Ebay Express
Posted: Mar-02-08 07:04 PST
dakota_exchange  (2844 )   Posts: 5,856

I wonder... but then why, after all of this became obvious to many, did many of these same listings get pulled?

Shopping.com, Half.com and Ebay Express
Posted: Mar-02-08 08:01 PST
pakardbelle  (272 )   Posts: 1,019

Yesterday, I tried to bid on one of the SDC listings. And, this was not an eBay Express listing. It was one of the active auction format listings. And, the page would not accept my bid.

I put the item in my watched items, and it's still there. But now, when I click the item, the auction has been pulled. And when I search those listings for that seller, they are showing no auctions- so all 27K of the auction format listings have been pulled.

.

2 March 2008
08:26:53 AM PST

Comment, edited.

Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 08:26:53 -0800 (PST)

The evidence is consistent with that conclusion, but is not yet proof of that. This could yet be hacking, or API/server malfunction. It could also be an unannounced "test" that accidentally had the "unintended" side effect of inflating traffic, right, sure.

In any event, there clearly are "fake Ebay listings", and in large numbers. Large enough to materially affect traffic count? I suspect we'll know in a few days.

The interesting thing to watch here is whether or not this phenomenon continues, and if it stops, what happens to the traffic reports.
--
Regards, Bob Niland

.

2 March 2008
11:13 AM PST

eBay user comments, edited

audlee-e-nuff-treasures  (860 )         Mar-02-08 11:13 PST       32 of 432

Let's revamp this weekends events.
1. at 18:41 pst Friday evening a thread was started about listings that could not be bid on or bought.
2. between 12 am pst and 3 am Saturday these listings were being pulled.
3. These so called TEST listings if they were only TEST listings would have no reason to be pulled and some of the sdc_prod_### id's narued.
4. Then the thread of these findings is removed along with any that mention it.
5. why please tell me why, if this was only a TEST has it become an issue to remove them and the threads discussing them.

markd13  (84 )        Mar-02-08 11:19 PST       38 of 432

I see the Conspiracy Nut Jobs are out in full force.

And then we have the Free Speech nut jobs who have never read the Constitution or Bill of Rights and yammer on about something they have no knowledge. They don't seem to understand it doesn't cover entities like eBay.

But then again when have facts every stopped a nut job from their ranting.

.

2 March 2008
02:31 PM PST, 05:31 PM Easter Standard Time

Is eBay Fluffing The Numbers With Test Auctions??
Doc's Suspended From eBay Blog
March 2, 2008
Published by admin at 5:31 pm

Excerpt:

• "if they were using these thousands of test listings to skewer 3rd party listing stats generators like, Medved Charts and PowerSellersUnite.com it is outright fraud!"

.

2 March 2008
02:32 PM PST

eBay System Status Announcement Board
***Resolved: Shopping.com listings on eBay*** 
"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."

.

2 March 2008
03:53 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited

thehairball  (973 )        Mar-02-08 15:53 PST       143 of 432

That was ebays pathetic excuse for 400,000 listings that all appeared out of nowhere and then disappeared almost as quick and looked nothing like any other ebay listings and if thats the case...then ebay is a very unsafe place to shop! How in the hell do 400,000 listings "accidentally" appear? That means that your private information on this site is no longer safe if stuff from any other site can just somehow magically appear on this one!

magisterrex  (6944 )         Mar-02-08 15:54 PST       170 of 418

I don't know why so many people are quick to ASSume that eBay is an evil corporate entity that wants to steal their souls and use them as currency whilst dealing with the Devil.

When I last checked, you were supposed to be INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty. From the bizarre, over-the-top posts on this thread, I have no idea why some of you even sell here.

I know that if I felt that strongly about eBay, I would do what Bruce is doing, and exit, stage left.

.

2 March 2008
04:01 PM PST, 00:01 GMT March 3

Comment, edited.

Chris Dawson Says:
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 am

Such a prosaic explanation! Why couldn’t I have been proven wrong and it be a conspiracy? 

.

2 March 2008
04:01 PM, time zone unknown

eBay censoring info about padded listings on it's forums
www.companyexposed.com
March 2, 2008
By admin @ 4:01 pm 

Excerpt:

• "If the hundreds of thousands listings you cannot Buy Now or Bid on on eBay site are just an innocent mistake / glitch or have a legitimate reason to be there, why would eBay moderators be so diligent in removing posts from their forums discussing these? Although the eBay forum thread has been removed by eBay Moderators, Google cache still has some of the posts"

.

2 March 2008
03:53 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited

aviation  (3802 )        Mar-02-08 16:29 PST       187 of 418

By the way, at the moment, I don't believe eBay did this on purpose to inflate listings. While it's a possibility, I would hope eBay's not that stupid. I really can't see it happening as there are just too many people who would have to have been involved to do that.

in-weave  (7349 )         Mar-02-08 16:56 PST       197 of 418

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.

I don't think we've seen the end of this....and, in some ways, I don't want to know what carp is coming. There's a reason they "accidentally" appeared. eBay may not have wanted anyone to notice them so that may be the accident but I'll be very surpised if we don't see something relating to shopping.com listings/eBay by the middle of the summer.

.
2 March 2008
8:30 PM PST, 11:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Medved "EBay Auction Counts" approximately 13,330,000 items. Last count of the March 2nd chart.

.

2 March 2008
10:06 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

just_not_thinking  (0 )  Mar-02-08 22:06 PST    145 of 425

POSSEE!!!

Why don't you start your own auction site posseauctions.com and make it perfect ...

I.E. the first website ever that has no glitches, and we'll all use it! Be sure to make a possee discussion board too!!

Remember it has to be perfect just like you, and never have any issues/glitches at all, even if millions of people are all using it at once.

Especially be sure to make a perfect message board! So we won't run the risk of not getting your daily/hourly/minutely/secondly words of possee wisdom!

Let us know when its ready possee!

.

2 March 2008
11:59 PM PST, 2:59 AM 3 March Eastern Standard Time

eBay listing upgrade special, "2 days only March 1-2" ends.

According to the Medved "EBay Auction Counts", at the time the listing special ended the count was approximately 13,355,000 items. The count at the start of the listing special was about 13,502,000 listings. An overall decrease.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart shows auction counts by days of the month, Eastern Standard Time.

http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?EIND  Chart times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

.

3 March 2008

Regarding the events and comments of Monday March 3rd.

"I spoke to eBay's Usher Lieberman during the IMA conference on Monday. He said he had made a mistake when he called the Shopping.com listings a test on Saturday morning. He was trying to track it down and after talking to a few people, felt comfortable saying it was a test, and subsequently found out the listings had appeared accidentally. Usher said it was his fault for initially getting it wrong."
Ina Steiner, AutionBytes, 4 March 2008 04:02:46

"but on Monday, said he was incorrect and that the listings were the result of a glitch."
Ina Steiner on Usher Lieberman, AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

.

3 March 2008
06:21 AM PST

eBay Running A Test with Shopping.com Listings-Sorry It Was An Accident?
ebay & Beyond: Basics to Business
Posted by David White at 3/3/2008 6:21 AM

Excerpt:

• "they apparently choose to take this action in an effort to reduce the   visibiltiy of the test or accident, whichever it was.........eBay   needs to get their stories STRAIGHT!
   
  My Opinion
  If it really was a test, eBay should have announced it before they ran it, on the system announcement board. This was no accident. eBay rarely does anything by accident, but if they do, it is corrected very quickly, not 2 or more days later."

.

3 March 2008
06:53 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

dorothysew  (978 )  Mar-03-08 06:53 PST 157 of 425

lol we wanted ebay to acknowledge the glitches so we would know about them and wouldn't run around trying to find out if there was something we were doing wrong. Now people are using the notifications to complain that there are glitches?

Ebay really can't win with some of you.  

.

3 March 2008
07:34 AM PST

Sponsored Ads a Huge Win for eBay!  
My Blog Utopia!
Posted by Randy Smythe at 3/03/2008 07:34:00 AM

Excerpt: 

• "In fact we recently saw Shopping.com listings on the eBay.com site, which gives you an idea of their plans. eBay's response to the SDC listings was; "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." Notice it wasn't an error, it was accidental. Believe me, the accidental part was, that they showed up now, before they were supposed to. I have a hunch we will see SDC listings on the eBay platform sooner rather than later; first as a test and if that goes over well, they will roll them out site wide."

.

3 March 2008
10:21 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited.

oldspartantrader  (3884 )        Mar-03-08 10:21 PST       184 of 333

As I suspected -- These were not just run of the mill feeds I saw -- They were quite eBAY specific listings --

They were in fact eBAY listings like every other eBAY listing -- except they did not have any purpose in the normal realm of buying and selling

Comment, edited.

PAID BASHERS Definition of PADDING the Listing on eBay! 
(2008-03-03 14:38:00)  by elikeebayto...

It now has been about a week that the PAID BASHERS community has been busy polluting our beloved board with sorry comments about how eBay has floated or artifically increased its listing. Maybe one day these PAID BASHERS who are PAID money to spread lies and misinformation can discuss the matter with their boss and get an answer for us all. Question: How can you accuse eBay ...

.

4 March 2008
04:02:46 AM PST

Update to Shopping.com Mystery Listings on eBay
By: Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes
Tue Mar 4 2008 04:02:46

I spoke to eBay's Usher Lieberman during the IMA conference on Monday. He said he had made a mistake when he called the Shopping.com listings a test on Saturday morning. He was trying to track it down and after talking to a few people, felt comfortable saying it was a test, and subsequently found out the listings had appeared accidentally. Usher said it was his fault for initially getting it wrong.

I asked Usher if he could tell me more, and he could not. I asked him if we might expect to see Shopping.com listings on eBay in the future, or eBay.com listings on Shopping. He said eBay is looking at a lot of different things and can't speculate on anything.

"Lots of things are on the table," he said.

.
4 March 2008
04:02 AM PST

Regarding events and comments taking place on Tuesday March 4th.

"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."
AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

.

4 March 2008
Late afternoon, early evening

Ebay Accused of Padding Listing Numbers
PC Magazine
03.04.08
by Brian Heater and Chloe Albanesius

Excerpts:

• "When the bug first emerged on Friday, the spokesman told a reporter that it was actually a planned test.   "But it wasn't a test. It ended up being a bug," he said. "So I ate a little bit of crow on that.""
• "EBay denied that any forum deletions were intentional. If any posts were taken down "it was accidental," the spokesman said. "We're not afraid of hearing from our community and allowing them to post and discuss things and be angry on our boards.""

.

4 March 2008
06:52 PM PST

ebay user comments, edited

oldspartantrader  (3884 )         Mar-04-08 18:52 PST       199 of 333

It is quite possible that the messy matter is approaching a large fan

Approximately 5,000 listings were pulled from shopping.com, but they have since been removed, according to eBay. (from the PCMAG article)

That is so far from reality that it is ludicrous -- Not only ludicrous but so easily shot through of holes that it borders on management malpractice -- and when it is shown to be GROSSLY understated will invite ever more scrutiny --

We may be seeing a company beginning to circle the wagons and the result will be downright ugly --

If only companies that make major goofs would read the Johnson and Johnson Tylenol Story -- It is a roadmap to not just successful damage control but also to public trust --

Although public trust is at risk -- eBAY is taking an even larger risk with shareholder trust -- A trust that if lost will lead to the dissolution of the company -- an extreme that is unlikely to be sure -- but a needless exposure non the less

Continued pressure here would be far more effective than any boycott in bending managements will -- This misstep is an opportunity that the dissenters will be foolish to waste

I would start by looking for deleted in threads on the net and follow with screen shots of them and the 5000 listings -- followed by 5000 more a day later -- and on and on --

There are now at least two main stream media giants with interest -- an opportunity that is priceless

bhearsch  (302 )        Mar-04-08 21:08 PST       207 of 333

The eBay owned Korean website often mirrors ebay.com auctions. Many of these sdc_prod_ listings are still live on their website. If you want to find them, go to Goog and enter the specific sdc_prod_ number, leave a space, and then enter site:ebay.auction.co.kr

When the results are shown, click on "repeat the search with the omitted results included."

You can find the sdc numbers on various websites/blogs. The eBay Korean website only shows the listings that are currently active and not the ones that have scrolled off but there are still quite a few.

.

5 March 2008

Regarding the events and comments of Wednesday March 5th.

"Lieberman said fewer than 35,000 listings were affected by the glitch."
AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

AuctionBytes releases the "80,000" figure to eBay and the public. They first observed this figure on March 1st. Four days earlier.

• "However, he had no explanation for the fact that when AuctionBytes looked at one Shopping.com selling account on Saturday morning, it indicated the seller had over 80,000 listings on eBay.com." AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

AuctionBytes becomes the first large news organization to report a count from direct observation of the situation. However AuctionBytes has not substantiated their claim with screen shots.

"Of the accusations of listing count manipulation, Lieberman said, "To think that we'd do that now is outrageous.""
AuctionBytes, 5 March 2008

.

5 March 2008

eBay Calls Claims of Manipulation 'Outrageous' 
By: Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes
March 05, 2008

Excerpts:

• "When Shopping.com listings appeared on eBay.com last week, sellers pointed to it as an example of eBay attempting to boost listing numbers."
• "AuctionBytes previously reported that several discussion threads had been removed, including one linked to in the original blog post published on Saturday.
• Most sellers are likely taking little notice of the dust-up. Those who are suspicious may be unlikely to be satisfied with eBay's response."

.

5 March 2008
06:44AM PST

eBay user comment, edited

oldspartantrader  (3884 )  Mar-05-08 06:44 PST       210 of 333

The worm may be beginning to turn --

From the PCMAG article

Approximately 5,000 listings were pulled from shopping.com, but they have since been removed, according to eBay.

From the AB article

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.

I am going to start a lottery methinks --

Whoever gets closest to the next eBAY estimated number of misplaced SDC listings will receive --

An all expense day trip to Leavenworth with full visitors passes and change for the vending machines -- While there they can visit the eBAY Exec of their choice

.

5 March 2008

Ziff Davis Media Files for Bankruptcy 
By  VINNEE TONG

.

5 March 2008
08:04 AM PST

eBay user comments, edited

oldspartantrader  (3884 )  Mar-05-08 08:04 PST                 212 of 333

If both "buy" the explainations will likely go no where.

Should the SEC investigate there will be no buying of stories -- IMO

They are probably one of the scariest Regulatory bodies that Wall Street deals with -- They have teeth and are not at all shy about biting -- They are also pretty straight forward and fair without leaning in any particulat direction to meet an agenda

My attorney and accountant are also preparing letters to be sent to the State Attorney General requesting a watch on the situation with some of the "facts" that have surfaced attached as an addendum -- In that the Street is located here many a firm has been put in the hot seat through that AG Office even though technically domocilled elsewhere.

I am still jumping to no conclusions -- BUT -- The more the story changes the antsier I become --

jake-deals-4u  (700 )      Mar-05-08 08:16 PST     213 of 333

preparing letters to be sent to the State Attorney General requesting a watch on the situation with some of the "facts

Too bad im sure the facts are' Everybody uses eBay at their OWN RISK via a user agreemant that is NOT compulsory, its voluntary.

And im sure theres probably an 12th grade HS kid that could explain that its eBays business & they can do as they dang well please with their OWN SITE + if someone doesnt like it, they are FREE to leave!

OTOH i havent quite figured out why someone who is a stockholder ( at their own FREE WILL & PROFIT ) would bad-mouth & spread bad-will at a company that they have a personal financial stake in , far & above the average site user.

If i was so upset at a company that i held stock in, i would sell that stock ASAP reguardless of P/L

pepins4b8e  (21 )       Mar-05-08 08:41 PST       217 of 426

Carl, I own stock myself (although I'm sure not to your big wig level ). I fail to get a wedgie about this because while I see the listing numbers as an indicator, it is of small importance to me compared to the quarter-end results.

I guess we'll see if shareholders tend to think like me, or like you on this. I'm not criticizing your position. I just think that the press much prefers to follow Scarlett Johansson selling an evening with her on eBay versus some nebulous conspiracy about the number of listings on eBay.

.

5 March 2008
09:04 AM PST

Comment, edited

El Radical
Escrito el: 05-Marzo-2008 a las 17:04

La huelga de eBay ha sido más que un éxito. No fue sólo una caída del 13% de los artículos listados. Como sospechábamos eBay ha estado inflando artificialmente el número de artículos listados por 2 razones:

1) Para que los huelguistas nos desanimáramos haciéndonos creer que nuestra huelga era una huelga que llevábamos a cabo sólo unos cuantos vendedores.

2) PAra engañar a la bolsa.

La noticia acaba de salir en la propia CNN de EE.UU. Si se confirma la estafa en bolsa por parte de eBay estaría violando una Ley Federal muy seria y la multa que les caerá será de espanto, con el añadido de la mala reputación internacional que se producirá en el mercado financiero mundial de esta empresa y efectivo negativo en sus acciones.

Como véis, compañeros, cuando planatamos cojones y ovarios unidos, incluso podemos enfrentarnos contra las multinacionales y pisarles el cuello como ellos nos lo pisan a nosotros. Mis felicitaciones a todos los currantes vendedores de eBay y la solidaridad y apoyo de muchísimos compradores. Lo estamos consiguiendo. Van a venir más huelgas. Y vamos a seguir dándoles caña hasta que nos quiten el pie del cuello. Si tratan de hundirnos se hundirán ellos con nosotros.

.

5 March 2008
03:18 PM PST

What's going on over at eBay? 
BloggingStocks
Posted Mar 5th 2008 3:18PM by Michael Fowlkes

Excerpt: 

• "But could there be something a little more sinister taking place on the site? Rumors are definitely swirling that the site has actually been padding its numbers with fake item listings. eBay wouldn't dare do such a thing, would it? It has already admitted that a "bug" in the system did in fact insert some fake listings into the site's database. The question is, was this really a bug, or did the site knowingly inflate its listings?"

.

5 March 2008
06:18 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited

jake-deals-4u  (701 )       Mar-05-08 18:18 PST       242 of 426

Im suprised that the listing #s were of a daily concern to you as an investor.

So a higher count would indicate what?

A lower count would indicate what?

I didnt know that short term listing count anomolies here would affect a long term investors strategy.

I cant find any angle to a blip in listing counts in an investment angle, unless it provides a draw-down for emotional expousements .

But then again if i was emotionally upset over a company i was financially Invested in, ide seek Divesting of that investment.

Do you check the day-day infrastructre of other investment vehicles?

badday911  (71 )        Mar-05-08 22:23 PST       46 of 70

Why don't they do it on there stupid playgroud thing they set up?

ALL companies I know of have a test bed server to try out new things. They don't want to risk problems on the servers that make them money or are mission critical.

I spent 23 1/2 years with HP working with high end servers before retiring so I'm absolutely certain that a company would not risk problems running tests on a live system.

In my opinion, eBay is padding their listings.

vik*nan  (33 )        Mar-05-08 23:25 PST       48 of 70

ALL companies I know of have a test bed server to try out new things.

a "sandbox" --- system or network to try out new software and equipment before deploying them to the production network.

Tests are never made on a production network even in smaller companies

aenthal  (2241 )        Mar-05-08 23:59 PST       54 of 70

I don't care if eBay pads their listings.
What will it get them? A larger count on their server?
And what will that get them?
More space used up on their server.
And what will that get them? Nothing. Fake auctions don't bring in money, even if you put up a million of them.

I tend to agree that this is technical phenomenon, not a Pinocchio problem.
But yes, they also have a Pinocchio problem, and an ostrich problem, and a robot problem (se habla Fortran because there are no humans behind that curtain, working the strings).

Let them tell all the Pinocchio versions of reality that they want.
You can't turn a delusion into reality, no matter how many times you repeat it, no matter how much fake evidence you create to support it.
Sometimes karma is sleeping.
But in eBay's case it is hungry, and it will bite them in the butt eventually.

But don't worry about how they expose that butt before karma gets them.
Just be glad that it eventually will.

windorphin  (31 )        Mar-06-08 06:15 PST       61 of 70

They use the numbers to show their stockholders that listings are not decreasing. Therefore they are lying and manipulating stock prices.

The analogy drawn about a restaurant filling their seats with mannequins with stockholders driving past is a good one. It is just as meaningless, and nobody will get in trouble for it.

It would only be a violation if they somehow cooked the books to show that those mannequins had eaten and paid.

.

6 March 2008

PC Magazine owner files Chapter 11
From the Associated Press

.

6 March 2008
05:22 PM PST

eBay user comments, edited

vik*nan  (33 ) Mar-06-08 17:22 PST 2 of 31

It would be like amazon listings accidentally showing up on yahoo. Just because ebay owns shopping.com does not mean they are magically connected.

ebay's backbone probvider is level3.net

SJC-DNS1.EBAYDNS.COM
SJC-DNS2.EBAYDNS.COM
SMF-DNS1.EBAYDNS.COM
SMF-DNS2.EBAYDNS.COM

Current Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
IP Address: 66.135.194.100 (ARIN & RIPE IP search)

shopping.com's provider is pnap.net

NS2ANY.SHOPPING.COM
NS1ANY.SHOPPING.COM

Current Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
IP Address: 64.94.186.80 (ARIN & RIPE IP search)

uplatewhattodo  (18 ) Mar-06-08 21:18 PST 11 of 31

AS a techie myself, I do have to disagree with this analysis a bit. Everything about DNS and IP's etc has to do with how eBay and shopping.com provide the informaton out to the world. It says nothing as to how that information is stored in the database or databases. If they are sharing databases distributed across their internal networks, or even storage arrays are being shared by the two systems then it's possible.

They did say they were running a script that caused it which means they were running data directly into the database system(s) and bypassing all the interfaces.

A very bad idea to mess with a database that way if you don't know what you are doing, but it does make it possible. And it would violate Sarbanes Oxley if they didn't cross their t's and dot their i's, which they apparently did not do.

.

6 March 2008

Despite eBay's announcement of March 2nd, that "system issue has been resolved", 'accidental' auction listings can still be found.

Seller sdc_prod_305839_99
  "67 items found" ( LINK screen shot 3/6/2008 )

Seller sdc_prod_9352_67
  "417 items found" ( LINK screen shot 3/6/2008 )

.

6 March 2008
10:23 PM PST

eBay user comment, edited

postericon  (0 )   Mar-06-08 03:29 PST  263 of 426

think the whole thing was filed under rumors speculations

these links that ur bringin here they are written by a bunch of nobodies ur credibility is in the drink, u believe everything u read, u realy expect us to believe this junk
i think what's goin on here is worse than what is goin on at ebay. too bad too a shame this forum is wrecked

.

6 March 2008

eBay Listings on the Rise! Must be the Fee Changes
My Blog Utopia!
Posted by Randy Smythe
Thursday, March 06, 2008

Excerpt:

• "I complain about eBay as much as the next guy and they certainly need to revamp their whole PR department and communicate better with sellers but this padding of listings is a non-starter." 
 

.

7 March 2008

Regarding the events of Friday 7 March 2008.

PC Magazine, 10 March 2008:

1. "An eBay spokesman told PC Magazine at the time that 5,000 shopping.com listings were erroneously placed on ebay.com."
2. "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"
3. "a review of the interview confirmed that he said 5,000."
4. "Editor's Note: The eBay spokesman confirmed Monday that the number of postings pulled from shopping.com was indeed 35,000."

.

7 March 2008
03:37 AM PST

eBay user comment, edited

schmoopie77  (109 )   Mar-07-08 03:37 PST  22 of 31

The eBay computer engineers do give us software which has glitches and bugs, so I can see someone making a colossal error. But technically, can this error even be caused?

"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."

It sounds as though they would be working with accounting software, not launching listings. Very bizarre.

.

7 March 2008

eBay Hires Blogger to Improve Communications
By Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes.com
March 07, 2008

.

7 March 2008

Klicken sie hier, um diesen Artikel nicht zu kaufen
Eingestellt am 07. März 2008 um 18:57 Uhr

Excerpt:

• "Die Stellungnahmen der amerikanischen eBay-Sprecher trugen auch nicht unbedingt zur Erhellung bei. In sich widersprechenden Statements war von Tests, Versehen oder Irrtümern die Rede. Ähnlich verwirrende Auskünfte gab es auch für Kunden, die sich bei „Live-Help“ direkt informieren wollten."

.

8 March 2008

FIASCO AFTER FIASCO DOGS EBAY 2008 POLICY CHANGES
By Editor, March 8th, 2008 at 7:00 PM

Excerpt:

• "Last weekend, first rumours, then facts, emerged regarding the mass insertion of listings with no bid or buy-now button, which many speculated were deliberately added to mask the effects of the seller boycott.  Throughout the bloggosphere, bloggers dependant on eBay for their content, and ad-click revenues, gave San Jose the benefit of the doubt.  Ina Steiner of AuctionBytes even interviewed a senior eBay bod, and both Randy Smythe and eBay UK’s tame bay gave reasons why it had to be a glitch or site test, rather than something from the dirty tricks department.  First eBay spokesman Usher Leiberman said it was a test, then said it wasn’t, and then declined to comment further.  Posts appeared on eBay announcement boards, and have been all over forums on both sides of the Atlantic."

.

10 March 2008

Despite eBay's announcement of March 2nd that "system issue has been resolved", 'accidental' auction listings can still be found.

Seller sdc_prod_310426
  70 items found ( screen shot 3/10/2008 )

Seller sdc_prod_434012
  51 items found ( screen shot 3/10/2008 )

.

10 March 2008

Honest Eddy’s Used Cars oder: eBay - das ehrliche, offene Umfeld
Auktionsblog
Posted in Allgemein on Mrz 10, 2008

Excerpt:

• Trotz der Ankündigungen seitens vieler US-Verkäufer, während des Streiks vom 18. bis 25. Februar keine Angebote zu listen sind die Angebotszahlen bei ebay.com im fraglichen Zeitraum fast nicht gesunken.

  Eine genauere Erklärung dafür findet sich natürlich nicht im ebay-Forum sondern extern.

.

10 March 2008

May Day Boycott Looming, EBay Revises Impact of 'Bug'
PC Magazine
03.10.08
by  Chloe Albanesius

Excerpt:

• "eBay admitted that shopping.com listings were accidentally placed on eBay"

.

10 March 2008

Later in the day PC Magazine changes the title of their article from "May Day Boycott Looming, EBay Revises Impact of 'Bug'" to, "Another eBay Boycott Planned for May Day", and disables the AppScout link containing the lower part of the article.

And later a new  AppScout  link is created with the article reverting to the original title, "May Day Boycott Looming, EBay Revises Impact of 'Bug'".

And the interesting times continues.

 

Epilogue

"INCONCEIVABLE." Vizzini
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride (1987)

Two weeks after the events of Leap Day Friday, we can draw one conclusion.

• "eBay's 2008 Q1 (1st Quarter, January 01 to March 31) report to the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission should be interesting."
   

Thank you for reading.

...... returning to our March vacation ......
"Quashing and Creating Computer Bugs Since 1973"

//
//
//

Notes

Related article:

From eBay Seller Central - Ebay is padding their listings
http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2008/02/from-ebay-sel-1.html

Article title:

Q: Why does the title of article keep changing?

A: We've altered the title to avoid being labeled as SPAM. Apparently Google considers variations of "sdc_prod" and "Shopping.com" to be SPAM, and removes direct links to such articles and items. Apparently late last year eBay began flooding Google with Shopping.com and sdc_prod* "advertising". Google's standard reaction to advertising SPAM is death by link removal.

//
//
//

The right to publish this news article - U.S. Supreme Court - 1988

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=485&page=47

1988, CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST:

At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. "[T]he [485 U.S. 46, 51] freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty - and thus a good unto itself - but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole." Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc., 466 U.S. 485, 503 -504 (1984). We have therefore been particularly vigilant to ensure that individual expressions of ideas remain free from governmentally imposed sanctions. The First Amendment recognizes no such thing as a "false" idea. Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 339 (1974). As Justice Holmes wrote, "when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas - that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market . . . ." Abrams v. United States, 250 U.S. 616, 630 (1919) (dissenting opinion).

The sort of robust political debate encouraged by the First Amendment is bound to produce speech that is critical of those who hold public office or those public figures who are "intimately involved in the resolution of important public questions or, by reason of their fame, shape events in areas of concern to society at large." Associated Press v. Walker, decided with Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts, 388 U.S. 130, 164 (1967) (Warren, C. J., concurring in result). Justice Frankfurter put it succinctly in Baumgartner v. United States, 322 U.S. 665, 673 -674 (1944), when he said that "[o]ne of the prerogatives of American citizenship is the right to criticize public men and measures." Such criticism, inevitably, will not always be reasoned or moderate; public figures as well as public officials will be subject to "vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks," New York Times, supra, at 270. "[T]he candidate who vaunts his spotless record and sterling integrity cannot convincingly cry `Foul!' when an opponent or an industrious reporter attempts [485 U.S. 46, 52] to demonstrate the contrary." Monitor Patriot Co. v. Roy, 401 U.S. 265, 274 (1971).

/*

Technorati Profile

EventHorizon1984 Log

//

From eBay Seller Central - Ebay is padding their listings

15 March 2008 -
Please read our followup article "The eBay Shopping.com Affair".  And do share it with others.
http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2008/03/internet-transa.html

//

Updated 05 March 2008 19:10 HST

By the time you read this, eBay will have removed 100's of thousands of auction listings from eBay.com.  This took place between 29 February and 1 March 2008. Many of these listings eBay apparently inserted during the February 18-25 boycott.

Also by the time you read this, as 3 March 2008, eBay removed the larger eBay forum threads documenting these questionable activities. Use Google to obtained archived copies of the original threads.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000527568  [specified topic removed]
http://www.google.com/search?q=Is+Ebay+Creating+Listings+To+Boost+totals+Look

sdc_prod_301013_74  DBA  The Twister Group (27,291 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_305839_99  DBA  BargainBasementBatteries 
sdc_prod_310426  DBA  ANTOnline (21,798 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_409455_97  DBA  Sababa Shopping 
sdc_prod_434012  DBA  SpectrumSuperStore (35,002 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_442675_57  DBA  Boyne & Kelly L.L.C. (4,702 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9021_2  DBA  Buy.com (12,233 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9055  DBA  Focus Camera (1,925 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9074_35  DBA  pcRUSH.com (21,401 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9090  DBA  CompSource Inc. (32,601 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9124_14  DBA  TheNerds, Inc. (48,392 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9352_67  DBA  Digital Foto Club (30,278 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9391_43  DBA  Adorama (11,102 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 
sdc_prod_9452  DBA  eTronics, Inc. (24,499 eBay.com listings 2/29/2008) 

More details regarding the above sellers are available farther down in this article.

Prior to Midnight 29 February 2008, the above list of "sellers" (the sdc_prod names) had over 200,000 lets say interesting (bogus) auction listings on eBay.com.

But don't fret. The above list may represent only "a small percentage" of the sdc (Shopping Dot Com) sellers who eBay posted auction listings on their behalf.

//
//  eBay Customer Service Transcript - 29 February 2008
//

As a matter of privacy, we've edited out the email address. Otherwise the transcript that follows, a conversation between eBay Customer Service and joelycra, is unedited.

And joelycra please forward your eBay Customer Service transcript to the news service(s) of your choice.

 

From eBay Seller Central Forum
Ebay is padding their listings
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000527614&start=40
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=78886&p=3&topicID=15720025

joelycra  (735 )     Feb-29-08 22:44 PST     69 of 94

OK... Just got out of live chat also. They told me these are Shopping - com listings that are somehow appearing on eaby by mistake... here's the transcript:




12:17:09 AM CST
System
Initial Question/Comment: Other
12:17:14 AM CST
System
Thank you for contacting eBay Live Help!
12:17:14 AM CST
System
You are successfully connected to eBay Live Help. Please hold for the next available Live Help Agent.
12:17:35 AM CST
System
Evan M. A. has joined this session!
12:17:35 AM CST
System
Connected with Evan M. A.
12:17:40 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Hello, thank you for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Evan. If you're a registered member, may I please start by having you confirm your User ID and first name?
12:17:41 AM CST
zz***@bellsouth.net
hello
12:17:57 AM CST

12:18:09 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Hi, Joe. Thanks! How may I help you?
12:18:32 AM CST
zz***@bellsouth.net
I have a question about an auction listing
12:18:58 AM CST
zz***@bellsouth.net
item 310025758222
12:19:10 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Thanks again. And I'm willing to help as much as I can.
12:19:19 AM CST
Evan M. A.
And may I have your concern about this listing?
12:19:51 AM CST
zz***@bellsouth.net
look at it.... it's not a real item, you can't bid on it
12:20:15 AM CST
zz***@bellsouth.net
these listings are in every category.... on the last page of listings
12:21:40 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Oh, okay. I understand what you mean. And let me try to look up on this listing.
12:24:19 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
some of these SDC sellers have 30-40 thousand listings, and who knows how many SDC sellers there are
12:24:20 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Please give me another couple of minutes to look in to this for you.
12:26:10 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Oh, I see. I'm still looking this up for you, okay?
12:26:16 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
ok
12:27:40 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Thank you.
12:30:15 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Thanks for patiently waiting. I see that the listing is listed under the eBay Express. What I can do is to redirect you now to our eBay Express chat, for more assistance about this listing.
12:30:29 AM CST
Evan M. A.
What IÈUlike to do is connect you with our eBay Express chat, for help with this. There may be a wait time to speak to someone after I? transferred you, but it shouldn?be too long. In case this chat disconnects please feel free to come back into eBay Live Help by clicking on our link on the eBay homepage. May I go ahead and do that now?
12:30:51 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
these are not ebay express listings
12:31:03 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
these are auctions
12:31:50 AM CST
Evan M. A.
I see. Actually, this is not an eBay listing, the problem is it's a Shopping.com listing that is showing on our site by mistake.
12:32:25 AM CST
Evan M. A.
It is a current issue, yes, we have a bug on it. These are meant to be on shopping.com only but due to some reason are showing on eBay as well and can't be bought through the site.
12:33:32 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
ok... that's what I needed... Thanks
12:34:25 AM CST
Evan M. A.
You're most welcome. Do you have any other concerns, Joe?
12:35:29 AM CST
zz****@bellsouth.net
no, thanks
12:35:35 AM CST
Evan M. A.
Thanks for using eBay Live Help! Once youˆÂ ready to close this chat window, please feel free to click on the º–it?utton.
12:35:40 AM CST
Evan M. A.
It's a pleasure chatting with you. Have a good night!


There could be millions of these listings.... just go to the last page of items in any category sorted by "ending soonest" and you'll find them.

//
//  eBay Customer Service Transcript - 1 March 2008
//

From the eBay Feedback Forum
Is Ebay Creating Listings To Boost totals Look
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000527568&start=1080
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=78886&p=3&topicID=15720025
http://www.google.com/search?q=Is+Ebay+Creating+Listings+To+Boost+totals+Look 

idee99555  (0 ) View Listings | Report     Mar-01-08 19:03 PST     1082 of 1119

All right you guys. I went to live chat today to try and see what their story was on the inflated listings. I'm going to post the transcript. I don't see how it infracts the guidlines, but in case it gets pulled and anyone else wants it, email me. This is long and kind of disjointed, but this is the way it came to me. I had to request a transcript because the copy feature wouldn't work.

Dear eBay member,



Transcript of Session Number: 9852546
3/1/2008 14:35 Agent Sent Message: Hello, thank you for waiting and
welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Lanie. If you're a registered
member, may I please start by having you confirm your User ID and first

name?
3/1/2008 14:35 Customer Sent Message: idee99555
3/1/2008 14:36 Agent Sent Message: Hi there!
3/1/2008 14:36 Agent Sent Message: Thanks! How can I help you?
3/1/2008 14:37 Customer Sent Message: there are some wierd listings
that have no opening bids and you can't bid on them. Thousands of
items.
What's going on?
3/1/2008 14:37 Customer Sent Message: for instance
3/1/2008 14:38 Customer Sent Message: Item number: 150217971814
3/1/2008 14:38 Agent Sent Message: I would gladly look into this for
you.
3/1/2008 14:38 Agent Sent Message: Kindly give me a moment to check .


3/1/2008 14:41 Agent Sent Message: Hi. Kindly check again the item
number. I can't seem to pull up a record on file. Thanks.
3/1/2008 14:41 Customer Sent Message: Item number: 150217971814 i'll
get you the name also
3/1/2008 14:42 Customer Sent Message: Meet the seller Seller:
sdc_prod_9452( 76)
3/1/2008 14:42 Customer Sent Message: eTronics, Inc( 76
3/1/2008 14:44 Customer Sent Message: 19808 items found
3/1/2008 14:45 Agent Sent Message: I appreciate your patience. Kindly
give me a moment more.
3/1/2008 14:48 Agent Sent Message: I saw the item and this is indeed
strange. I'm having this reported for you for investigation.Please stay

with me.
3/1/2008 14:51 Customer Sent Message: There are many others. does the
sdc_prod_#### seller designation have a particular meaning?
3/1/2008 14:54 Agent Sent Message: Hmm, for the seller's ID though, it

reads : sdc_prod_9452
3/1/2008 14:54 Agent Sent Message: I'm still coordinating with the
team
as we speak. Please give me a few minutes more.
3/1/2008 14:55 Customer Sent Message: I meant as an example. There are

others with thousands of similar listings and they have the same
sdc_prod_ and a number for seller name.
3/1/2008 14:58 Agent Sent Message: Ah okay. Thanks. The team would
reply momentarily, please continue to hold.
3/1/2008 14:58 Agent Sent Message: I appreciate your effort to let us
know about this problem.
3/1/2008 15:02 Agent Sent Message: Thanks for patiently waiting!
3/1/2008 15:02 Agent Sent Message: I'm sorry for the
inconvenience.This
is actually an issue on the site right now I'm afraid. This is actually

a Shopping.com listing that's appearing incorrectly on eBay.
3/1/2008 15:03 Agent Sent Message: Our Technical team is working on
getting resolved though, and I had this reported for you so we can add
your account to the list.
3/1/2008 15:03 Customer Sent Message: Do these incorrect listings show

up in ebays total listings/ Wouldn't they scew the listings totals?
3/1/2008 15:04 Agent Sent Message: Oh, no it shouldn't though.
3/1/2008 15:05 Agent Sent Message: The team is checking on the
accounts
of the sellers you reported as well for further investigation.
3/1/2008 15:05 Customer Sent Message: Shoudn't or absolutely doesn't?
3/1/2008 15:05 Agent Sent Message: Absolutely doesn't.This is only a
glitch on the search pages.
3/1/2008 15:06 Agent Sent Message: You can check it from time to time
to see it not on the eBay pages, only on Shopping.com
3/1/2008 15:06 Customer Sent Message: can you explain that a little
further?
3/1/2008 15:08 Customer Sent Message: I'm not familiar with
shopping.com. Why would their listings show up on ebay. Anf the one I
mentionaed has ebay seller feedback.
3/1/2008 15:08 Agent Sent Message: Sure! In the eBay account of the
seller for items sold at eBay, it shouldn't get reflected, but if you
were referring to the "items from seller" link for all items he is
selling, I'm afraid the Shopping.com items will also appear and is
confirmed as a tec
3/1/2008 15:08 Agent Sent Message: hnical glitch.
3/1/2008 15:09 Customer Sent Message: can you respond to my last
question also?
3/1/2008 15:09 Agent Sent Message: Sorry for the confusion,
Shopping.com is a specialty site owned by eBay but we handle separate
accounts. It's similar to Express or Half.com
3/1/2008 15:10 Agent Sent Message: Ah, okay, Here's what happens, this

particular seller has an account with SHopping.com to sell items, which

is a different one as an eBay seller.
3/1/2008 15:10 Customer Sent Message: Ok. Well there are numerous
"glitches" out there and they are causing major confusion and
conjecture. YOu guys need to clean 'em up.
3/1/2008 15:11 Agent Sent Message: The items listed under Shopping.com

site should only be seen in that site and not on eBay.
3/1/2008 15:12 Agent Sent Message: Yes, we truly appreciate your help
on this one and the team is on it as we speak . We do hope we can have
this resolved asap.
3/1/2008 15:12 Customer Sent Message: Should . . . there they are.
3/1/2008 15:12 Customer Sent Message: you've been a wealth of
information Lanie
3/1/2008 15:12 Customer Sent Message: Thanks
3/1/2008 15:13 Agent Sent Message: So nice to hear that from you.
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding as well.
3/1/2008 15:13 Agent Sent Message: Is there anything else I can help
you with?
3/1/2008 15:13 Customer Sent Message: bye
3/1/2008 15:13 Agent Sent Message: All right! Once you’re ready to
close this chat window, please click on the “Exit” button. Take
care! =)

3/1/2008 15:16 Customer Sent Message: I don't seem to be able to use
the copy function
3/1/2008 15:16 Agent Sent Message: You can copy or print this chat for

your reference or I would gladly send you a chat transcript,I'll just
need your email address.
3/1/2008 15:17 Customer Sent Message: I've tried copying and I get
nothing. [email protected]
3/1/2008 15:17 Agent Sent Message: No worries. Processing it
now,you'll
have it in a few minutes.
3/1/2008 15:18 Customer Sent Message: thanks again


Sincerely,
Lanie R.

eBay Customer Support

//
//  AuctionBytes - Response from Usher Lieberman, ebay - 1 March 2008
//

AuctionBytes
http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/comments/2008/3/1204379814.html

March 01, 2008

Mystery Shopping.com Listings on eBay?

By: Ina Steiner

Sat Mar 1 2008 01:56:54

Mystery listings are appearing on eBay that don't allow shoppers to bid or buy. The listings appear to be feeds from Shopping.com sellers. A look at the User ID sdc_prod_301013_74

 

A discussion about the listings began Friday night on eBay's Feedback board. Some posters believe it is a sign that eBay is trying to inflate its listing numbers to mask any effects of the seller boycott. Because of the dearth of data from eBay, Wall Street analysts put a lot of credence on listing numbers to gauge the company's marketplace performance. This month, everyone studied listing numbers to try and measure the impact of the seller boycott. And sellers have been prowling the site looking for any evidence of manipulation.

Others believe the "sdc" mystery is a test eBay is running or may be a glitch.

Update 3/1/08: eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman responded by email on Saturday, "This was a limited test that has run its course." I appreciate the update on a weekend and, if I learn more next week, will update this post.

 

Update: 3/2/08: eBay posted on its Systems Announcement board around 5:30 pm Eastern, "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."

Update 3/4/08: On Monday, eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman said he had made a mistake when he called the Shopping.com listings a test on Saturday morning.

 

 

//
//  Response from eBay Customer Service - 2 March 2008
//

This is an interesting announcement (below). Ignores the fact many of the "accidentally" appearing items were showing 25 days remaining out of 30 days.

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:nGCP4ib50X4J:search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_301013_74+sdc_prod_301013_74
"This page was last updated: Mar-01 19:00"

Let's see, 30 day listing - 25 days remaining = 5 days run, as of 3/1/2008
5 days before 3/1/2008 is 2/25/2008, give or take a day.

Guess 5 days in the real world is "two days" in eBay days.

From eBay System Status Announcement Board
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200803021430071.html

***Resolved: Shopping.com listings on eBay***    
       
March 02, 2008 | 02:32PM PST/PT

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.

//
//  AuctionBytes - Response from Usher Lieberman, eBay - 4 March 2008
//

http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2008/3/1204635766.html

Update to Shopping.com Mystery Listings on eBay
By: Ina Steiner
Tue Mar 4 2008 04:02:46

I spoke to eBay's Usher Lieberman during the IMA conference on Monday. He said he had made a mistake when he called the Shopping.com listings a test on Saturday morning. He was trying to track it down and after talking to a few people, felt comfortable saying it was a test, and subsequently found out the listings had appeared accidentally. Usher said it was his fault for initially getting it wrong.

I asked Usher if he could tell me more, and he could not. I asked him if we might expect to see Shopping.com listings on eBay in the future, or eBay.com listings on Shopping. He said eBay is looking at a lot of different things and can't speculate on anything.

"Lots of things are on the table," he said.

//
//  AuctionBytes - Response from Usher Lieberman, eBay - 4 March 2008
//

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2273210,00.asp

Excerpt

EBay Accused of Padding Listing Numbers
03.04.08
by Brian Heater and Chloe Albanesius

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.

Sellers pointed to the listings snafu as evidence that eBay was inflating its numbers to make up for losses sustained during the boycott. When the bug first emerged on Friday, the spokesman told a reporter that it was actually a planned test.

"But it wasn't a test. It ended up being a bug," he said. "So I ate a little bit of crow on that."

//
//  AuctionBytes - Response from Usher Lieberman, eBay - 5 March 2008
//

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y08/m03/i05/s03

Excerpt

eBay Calls Claims of Manipulation 'Outrageous'
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
March 05, 2008

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.

//
//  From the eBay Developer Forums regarding the "sdc_prod" name - 29 February 2008
//

eBay Developer Forums
Technical Questions: eBay Shopping Web Services
http://dev-forums.ebay.com/thread.jspa?q=sdc&forumID=1007&threadID=500004459&messageID=600012983#600012983

Replies: 4 - Pages: 1     Last Post: Feb 29, 2008 4:27 AM by: stsi.com »   

stsi.com
Member Since: 1/10/08
   
Read     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
Member Since: 1/10/08
   
Read     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?

[email protected]
Posts: 2,035
Member Since: 6/30/05
   
Read     Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: Jan 14, 2008 3:42 PM    

Hello stsi.com,

Yes the limit is 100, which most users have found sufficient for their use case. How many IDs do you have?

Best Regards
Rekha Patel
eBay Developer Support

stsi.com
Member Since: 1/10/08

Read     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
Member Since: 1/10/08
   
Read     Re: ExcludeSellers Issue
Posted: 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....

//
//  Reaction snapshot excerpts from eBay PowerSellers - 1 March 2008
//

Is Ebay Creating Listings To Boost totals?  Strange listings...
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000527597&start=40&anticache=1204400261806

fla***  (327 )      Mar-01-08 04:46 PST     73 of 109
(sp)Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

also known as the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 and commonly called SOx or Sarbox; is a United States federal law enacted on July 30, 2002 in response to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals including those affecting Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom. These scandals, which cost investors billions of dollars when the share prices of the affected companies collapsed, shook public confidence in the nation's securities markets.
The legislation establishes new or enhanced standards for all U.S. public company boards, management, and public accounting firms. The Act contains 11 titles, or sections, ranging from additional Corporate Board responsibilities to criminal penalties, and requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement rulings on requirements to comply with the new law.
The Act establishes a new quasi-public agency, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, which is charged with overseeing, regulating, inspecting, and disciplining accounting firms in their roles as auditors of public companies. The Act also covers issues such as auditor independence, corporate governance, internal control assessment, and enhanced financial disclosure.

djc***  (3827 )        Mar-01-08 09:04 PST       88 of 110
Doing a little cleaning up, maybe?

djc***  (3827 )      Mar-01-08 09:46 PST     93 of 110
I don't know if it's a glitch, hack or purposeful deception. However, what makes it curious is all the auctions I looked at started last Thursday the day after the listing sale ended.

cmi***  (1712 )        Mar-01-08 09:52 PST       94 of 110
I don't know if it's a glitch, hack or purposeful deception. However, what makes it curious is all the auctions I looked at started last Thursday the day after the listing sale ended.

I noticed that too, 9 days ago they started. Awfully peculiar timing considering the "boycott" and all.

nan***  (9616 )         Mar-02-08 07:38 PST       133 of 280
Also Most if not all keep you from purchasing the items.

From this post (many are developers)
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000527568
there are several people who asked Live Help and sent emails and one got Oh there is an error and another got it is just a test.

They are c&P all the auctions they can before they disappear.

Many are notifying all the media sources they can.

vq5***  (1072 )       Mar-02-08 09:04 PST       138 of 280
Update 3/1/08: eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman responded by email on Saturday, "This was a limited test that has run its course." I appreciate the update on a weekend and, if I learn more next week, will update this post.

dar***  (369 )      Mar-02-08 09:06 PST     139 of 280
Why did they have to "Test" THAT MANY AUCTIONS during a boycott week?

avi***  (3794 )         Mar-02-08 09:10 PST       140 of 280
Why did they have to "Test" THAT MANY AUCTIONS during a boycott week?

Exactly.

And if it were a legitimate test, there would be no reason to pull the listings.

vail***  (9944 )      Mar-02-08 09:22 PST     141 of 280
"This was a limited test that has run its course."

Such HOGWASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gui***  (2168 )         Mar-02-08 09:38 PST       143 of 280
"This was a limited test that has run its course."

Now that sounds like hogwash. There is a category just for test auctions, designed just for that purpose Everything Else> Test Auctions If eBay wanted to do test auctions they would have put them in there with a disclaimer not to bid. IMO that takes credibility away from this being a real test. I may buy a glitch, a hack, or a seller that has no idea what they are doing, but a test that is listed in the wrong category. And they yank it as soon as it is reported, come on, that one isn't believable.

avi***  (3794 )        Mar-02-08 10:47 PST       152 of 280
And eBay is sweeping the threads about this, the big one on the Feedie board is gone. SSDD.

Yep, the big one's gone and so is a much smaller one started after the first one disappeared. The big one at Seller Central is gone, but another with a vague title remains. A short thread at Trust and Safety is still there.

emo***  (20315 )        Mar-02-08 11:23 PST       156 of 280
"I think it might have been a test of dumping SDC items into Ebay."

Gee, what an AMAZING coincidence they picked the exact time the boycott was started, when the ENTIRE world was looking at the listing totals to see if the boycott was actually working!

Hmmmm.....

sno***  (12648 )        Mar-02-08 15:03 PST       166 of 285
Post #138 wrote that Ebay responded with: "This was a limited test that has run its course."

So, did Ebay actually ADMIT to involvement in those listings? They obviously are not test listings, we all know that.....But if they were performing some "other" form of test - perhaps - let's see...could it be inflating the number of listings test? What limited test are they talking about?

mag***  (6913 )         Mar-02-08 15:54 PST       170 of 285
I don't know why so many people are quick to ASSume that eBay is an evil corporate entity that wants to steal their souls and use them as currency whilst dealing with the Devil.

When I last checked, you were supposed to be INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty. From the bizarre, over-the-top posts on this thread, I have no idea why some of you even sell here.

I know that if I felt that strongly about eBay, I would do what Bruce is doing, and exit, stage left.

djc***  (3828 ) View Listings | Report     Mar-02-08 17:24 PST     205 of 286
It's inconsistent statements like these that leads to speculation.

 

Update 3/1/08: eBay spokesperson Usher Lieberman responded by email on Saturday, "This was a limited test that has run its course." I appreciate the update on a weekend and, if I learn more next week, will update this post.

Update: 3/2/08: eBay posted on its Systems Announcement board around 5:30 pm Eastern, "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."

http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2008/3/1204379814.html

gir***  (305 )        Mar-02-08 18:09 PST       217 of 286
ok the difference would be this if it was a test then ebay has comtrol over its website..the only question would be what type of test and why...this is feel ok with..............now if not a test but rather an accident then this is more of a problem...an accident is an event in which you have no control over..that would mean some one some where and some how was able to get control of the ebay computers and put all those listings on..using the same technology someone could put what ever they wanted on a millon pieces of porn or a millon pages of mad magazine etc....and also if they can control they ebay computers to do that copuld they also not use them to harvest your personal finnancial info?

oke**  (1560 )      Mar-02-08 18:11 PST     218 of 286
I don't think it was an accident, do you?

abr***  (5774 )         Mar-02-08 19:37 PST       272 of 287
If they choose to give 30 day auction style core listings numbering in the MILLIONS FOLKS, then that is perfectly legal for them to do. eBay has rules by which its members must operate, but these may be members of a DIFFERENT eBay club, and their rules may be much different than ours...

fre***  (6704 )         Mar-03-08 00:12 PST       323 of 367
I found something unusual. A new wrinkle. If you go to some of the big categories and show listings, select ending soonest and at the bottom you see, say, 7575 pages total for listings, if you type in assorted numbers HIGHER, say for example, 7578, 7586, etc you can find more of these 20-day listings which are still up but if you click them they say they are ended. However, they are still there! Also, the page numbers higher than the ones indicated are do not all appear. For example, say there is a 7592, 7593, but no 7594, no 7595, then there is a 7596, and so forth. It is very wierd. It looks like there are still thousands of such listings hidden or disguised. The "ended" listings still appear in search if you find them.

mis***  (1530 )        Mar-03-08 08:31 PST       341 of 367
You have to stop and think allot of people don't want to believe ebay is capable of wrong doing because they are afraid if they are that ebay will cease to exist soon.
I don't blame them, allot of them have there life dedicated to ebay and the sales.
I would be terrified as well if my bread and butter could soon evaporate and I really don't have a back up plan.

djc***  (3828 )        Mar-03-08 10:33 PST       363 of 368
Somebody made a comment on that auctionbyte blog about pages of no listings yesterday.

I didn't think much about it figuring it didn't mean anything. Today I started thinking about the actual item numbers and went to look around.

This is the sub categories in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories 2463944 items found in: Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Costumes & Reenactment Attire (15661)
Cultural & Ethnic Clothing (1797)
Dancewear & Dance Shoes (7108)
Infants & Toddlers (230627)
Boys (58019)
Girls (143875)
Men's Accessories (110147)
Men's Clothing (362834)
Men's Shoes (97112)
Uniforms (13170)
Unisex Clothing, Shoes & Accs (15095)
Wedding Apparel (42330)
Women's Accessories, Handbags (241563)
Women's Clothing (812862)
Women's Shoes (242672)
Vintage (66834)
Wholesale, Large & Small Lots (6970)

If you add the numbers in each sub category, you get that 2.4 million total.

When you look inside Womens's Clothing (812862) you find 16,250 pages of items.
16,250 pages x 50 items per page is 812,500. So that sounds correct.

However, the pages above 14,446 are empty. So there are really only 722,300 items in that category.

That 16,250 pages is down from over 48,000 pages less than 24 hours ago.

Medved gets there numbers from the categories.

//
//  Video screen captures - 1 March 2008
//

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mePI-UWDGOE
Ebay Padding Counts w Fake Listings in Wake of Strike?

From:   cappnonymous

About This Video

This is a live screen recording of actual events on the ebay website, with altered vocals. The video portion is uncut with watermarks added, and otherwise unretouched. The vocal audio portion of this video is my opinion, based upon & validated by the facts. This curious situation has come about on ebay. here is some background and commentary. This is still very fresh. One thing clear, ebay seems to be acting to cover this up right now. This  description will be updated with more info soon. It appears as though ebay has been caught padding the listing counts with lots and lots of fake listings from questionable accounts. Many of the se accounts are showing as "Not a registered user" or NARU. Many of the listings show as not having any detals, and the format of the listings is different Some are showing as disney listings. All sorts of strange things are going on. And of course, the censorship. Captured live here on video. Related threads on ebay forums: from the Feedback board: "Is Ebay Creating Listings To Boost totals Look" from Seller Central: "Im reporting ebay's padded listings to FTC for investigation" From Seller Central: "Ebay is padding their listings" from the Auction Listings bd: "E-bay is padding their listings" From the so called "Trust & Safety" board: "Zero FB seller has 35000 Listings with no way to bid on them - VERY ODD" Here are a few of the alleged fake names as  reported and observed so far: sdc_prod_434012 = SpectrumSuperStore sdc_prod_9021_2 = Buy.com (who is NARU!) sdc_prod_9124_14 = TheNerds, Inc. sdc_prod_9452 = eTronics, Inc. sdc_prod_409455_97 = Sababa Shopping sdc_prod_9090 = CompSource Inc. sdc_prod_310426 = ANTOnline (who is NARU!) sdc_prod_9074_35 = pcRUSH.com (who is NARU!) sdc_prod_9352_67 = Digital Foto Club sdc_prod_301013_74 = The Twister Group sdc_prod_305839_99 = BargainBasementBatteries sdc_prod_9391_43 = Adorama (who is NARU!) Since I started it there, look for follow-up at the CAPP Forum: http://tinyurl.com/2wzjpc Please visit these sites before you consider using or continuing to use ebay: suspendedfromebay.com nekkidtruth.blogspot.com www.firemeg.com www.companyexposed.com www.theauctionguild.com www.pheebay.com www.ebaymotorssucks.com or you can follow the links from the cappnonymous channel page. --------------------- Note: This audio visual digital document was created using the new & improved ZDSoft Screen Recorder 2.6.2.0 and "SUPER © v2007 build .25" wmm2 & audacity on 02-29-2008 approximately 11:32:33 Pacific Time. I am using firefox 2.0012 browser with Adblock Plus NoScript Super DragandGo 0.2.6 Image Zoom 0.3 and SlimSearch 0.1.8 extensions and my "bumped" SpoofStick 1.06 among others. My skin is miniFox 0.8.2. The small magnified window is a function of microsoft wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0 model  (less) Added: March 01, 2008

 

// 
//  eBay filings to the United States Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC)
//

In regards to auction and store listing counts.

http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/fetchFilingFrameset.aspx?dcn=0000950134-08-003741&Type=HTML
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/sec?s=ebay

Form 10-K for EBAY INC
29-Feb-2008
Annual Report

http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/fetchFilingFrameset.aspx?dcn=0000891618-08-000046&Type=HTML
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/sec?s=ebay

Form 8-K for EBAY INC
23-Jan-2008
Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Financial Statements and Exhibits

// 
//  eBay stock price - 29 February 2008
//

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=eBay

EBAY INC (NasdaqGS:EBAY)

After Hours: 26.18 0.18 (0.68%) on 02/29/08
Last Trade: 26.36 Trade Time: Feb 29 Change: 0.91 (3.34%) Prev Close: 27.27 Open: 27.01 Bid: N/A Ask: 27.27 x 3000 1y Target Est: 35.22		Day's Range: 26.17 - 27.08 52wk Range: 25.64 - 40.73 Volume: 17,475,127 Avg Vol (3m): 15,744,000 Market Cap: 35.66B P/E (ttm): 104.19 EPS (ttm): 0.25 Div & Yield: N/A (N/A)

// 
//  Detail data on "sdc" sellers.
//

This data is not meant to be all inclusive. It does provide a means to verify facts, and generate leads to more information.

• Listing counts are from the eBay.com site. I.E. these are not counts from eBayExpress.com nor Shopping.com nor Half.com nor any site but eBay.com.
• For some Google archive data, see the date the item was archived.
• Use the Google "cached" option.
• To see more Google archive use the "repeat the search with the omitted results included" option.

 

News publication AuctionBytes stipulating on the record verification of at least 80,000 listings for one eBay.com seller.

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y08/m03/i05/s03
"the fact that when AuctionBytes looked at one Shopping.com selling account on Saturday morning, it indicated the seller had over 80,000 listings on eBay.com" Ina Steiner, 05 March 2008

sdc_prod_301013_74
aka The Twister Group  (27,291 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_301013_74&ftab=AllFeedback
505 positive feedback,  0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Oct-18-06 in Illinois, United States    
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_301013_74  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:nGCP4ib50X4J:search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_301013_74+sdc_prod_301013_74
"27076 items found"
http://pages.suddenlink.net/docswife/Fake_eBay_Listings2.htm
http://www.companyexposed.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/ebay-seller-sdc-prod-301013-74-a-v-accessories-cables-desktop-laptop-accessories-items-on-ebaycom.png
http://www.companyexposed.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/olympus-260302-evolt-e-10-starter-kit-ebay-item-200203133477-end-time-mar-26-08-14-35-44-pdt.png
http://www.companyexposed.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/place-a-bid.png

sdc_prod_305839_99
aka BargainBasementBatteries 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_305839_99&ftab=AllFeedback
7 positive feedback, 148 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Oct-30-07 in California, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_305839_99  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:QpM59pR2JdMJ:cgi.ebay.com/RBC7-for-APC-Smart-UPS-1000XL_W0QQitemZ220205254001QQihZ012QQcategoryZ44963QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_305839_99
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:DS3GG6zXiPoJ:cgi.ebay.com/GP388-Two-Way-Radio-Battery-7-2-volts-Li-Ion-1400-mAh_W0QQitemZ220206831899QQihZ012QQcategoryZ35165QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_305839_99
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:noDieNpXPuoJ:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D220206820744%26ih%3D012%26category%3D46706%26ssPageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1+sdc_prod_305839_99
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:13lDN7y4IHAJ:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D220206840342%26ih%3D012%26category%3D31513%26ssPageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1+sdc_prod_305839_99
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:MVdOb-vVDPoJ:cgi.ebay.com/Aspire-1301XV-Laptop-Battery-9-6V-Ni-MH-4000mAh_W0QQitemZ220206826809QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50390QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_305839_99
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:9hMQHjW-HvgJ:cgi.ebay.com/Aspire-1307LC-Laptop-Battery-9-6V-Ni-MH-4000mAh_W0QQitemZ220206826435QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50390QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_305839_99

sdc_prod_310426
aka ANTOnline  (21,798 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_310426&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008, Not a registered user
Member since Feb-15-08 in Georgia, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_310426  [Google archive, use cache link]
395 pages, with 25 items per page. 394 x 25 = 9,850 items
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:79FfxT1PdwsJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/List.html%3FUserId%3Dsdc_prod_310426+sdc_prod_310426&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:nPDK_hOHHnYJ:cgi.ebay.com/Revlon-MoistureStay-Fast-Heat-Paraffin-Bath-RSV1212_W0QQitemZ120227712889QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33163QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_310426
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:h1d5zecY9ugJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120225811907%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_310426
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120225811907%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=6&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_310426%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:VjhJfZtF7sAJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120225360950%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_310426
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120224895939%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=9&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_310426%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:-gm9kAaw7xoJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120224930838%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_310426
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120224930838%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_310426%26start%3D70%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

sdc_prod_409455_97
aka Sababa Shopping
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_409455_97&ftab=AllFeedback
104 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Jul-16-07 in New York, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_409455_97  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:wdbbmSkSv5YJ:cgi.ebay.com/Joe-Frazier-Signed-Everlast-Boxing-Shoe_W0QQitemZ310025760330QQihZ021QQcategoryZ27272QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_409455_97
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:RS6-QlnYA2sJ:cgi.ebay.com/Streamlight-Jr-Luxeon-LED-Light_W0QQitemZ310025774047QQihZ021QQcategoryZ106987QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_409455_97
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:oJ62cj__odoJ:cgi.ebay.com/Doh-Doh-Doh-Doh-Bushings-Red-95_W0QQitemZ310025775386QQihZ021QQcategoryZ11740QQcmdZViewItem+Sababa+Shopping

sdc_prod_434012
aka SpectrumSuperStore  (35,002 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_434012&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Apr-11-07 in California, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_434012  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj179/thevirginmarypretzel/paddedlistings.jpg
http://www.companyexposed.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/ebaycom-seller-list-sdc_prod_434012.png
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:xMl5SZU-ESsJ:cgi.ebay.com/Hybrid-Series-76-Key-Keyboard-Case-EA-BGHB-76_W0QQitemZ320222873077QQihZ011QQcategoryZ85858QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_434012
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:XcX-QQRk69EJ:cgi.ebay.com/WB700-ALUMINUM-WORK-BENCH-1_W0QQitemZ320222203965QQihZ011QQcategoryZ67719QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_434012
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ie1RFfPfftoJ:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D320199419130%26ih%3D011%26category%3D41424%26ssPageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1+sdc_prod_434012
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:kFB33ls7-SwJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D320220845477%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_434012
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D320220845477%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_434012%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

sdc_prod_442675_57
aka Boyne & Kelly L.L.C.  (4,702 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_442675_57&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Oct-25-07 in New Jersey, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_442675_57  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:eJS01HGdc2MJ:cgi.ebay.com/7-Wonders-of-Ancient-World-PSP_W0QQitemZ120214123226QQihZ002QQcategoryZ378QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_442675_57
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:W2o81DDL3EEJ:cgi.ebay.com/Luxury-Paraffin-Bath_W0QQitemZ120227861327QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33163QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_442675_57
http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html?itemNo=120227877849&FeedBackPercent=0
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120227877849%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_442675_57%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:RdTfjWou1rQJ:cgi.ebay.com/Widepath-Tempo-Upright_W0QQitemZ120213667347QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Ditem120213667347+sdc_prod_442675_57
Widepath Tempo Upright - eBay (item 120213667347 end time Mar-21 ...
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:RdTfjWou1rQJ:cgi.ebay.com/Widepath-Tempo-Upright_W0QQitemZ120213667347QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Ditem120213667347+sdc_prod_442675_57
1GB 1066MHZ DIMM DDR3 - eBay (item 120224872850 end time Mar-21-08 ...
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:3hWj_pz6kVQJ:cgi.ebay.com/1GB-1066MHZ-DIMM-DDR3_W0QQitemZ120224872850QQihZ002QQcategoryZ111425QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_442675_57
2GB KIT 1333MHZ DDR3 - eBay (item 120226065068 end time Mar-24-08 ...
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:k-5_eMw0X4kJ:cgi.ebay.com/2GB-KIT-1333MHZ-DDR3_W0QQitemZ120226065068QQihZ002QQcategoryZ111425QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_442675_57

sdc_prod_9021_2
aka Buy.com  (12,233 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9021_2&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008, Not a registered user
Member since Feb-22-08 in California, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9021_2  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:QAXuEnq4G4wJ:cgi.ebay.com/Spalding-79465-NBA-54-Inch-Basketball-Backboard-and-R_W0QQitemZ110228789630QQihZ001QQcategoryZ21196QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9021_2
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Yd2XfmHiLA8J:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D110228791004%26ih%3D001%26category%3D306%26ssPageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1+sdc_prod_9021_2
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:5MkhNRgk0uYJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D110228785954%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_9021_2
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D110228785954%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=10&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9021_2%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html?itemNo=110228785954&FeedBackPercent=0
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:8N4t76pH5uIJ:cgi.ebay.com/Fraudulent-and-Exaggerated-Claims-in-Pi_W0QQitemZ110228803086QQihZ001QQcategoryZ378QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9021_2

sdc_prod_9055
aka Focus Camera  (1,925 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9055&ftab=AllFeedback
235 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Oct-30-07 in New York, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9055  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:vL_bdzKpE-wJ:cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Printer-Ink-Canon-PGI-9-Yellow-Ink-Tank_W0QQitemZ220206475064QQihZ012QQcategoryZ51292QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9055
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:OK3sbJCL5p0J:cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Printer-Ink-Canon-PGI-9-10-Color-Pack_W0QQitemZ220206475061QQihZ012QQcategoryZ51292QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9055
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Xkp36kduKuAJ:cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-Alpine-in-Dah-CD-MP3-WAV-CD-IPOD-USB_W0QQitemZ220206476932QQihZ012QQcategoryZ307QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9055
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:IbN3pjB5bN0J:cgi.ebay.com/SDI-Ihome-IH9B6R-Alarm-Clock-Radio-for-Ipod-Black_W0QQitemZ220204798292QQihZ012QQcategoryZ84082QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9055

sdc_prod_9074_35
aka pcRUSH.com   (21,401 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9074_35&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008, Not a registered user
Member since Feb-28-08 in California, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9074_35  [Google archive, use cache link]
"21481 items found"
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:egtfB3spkuwJ:search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_9074_35+sdc_prod_9074_35
860 pages, 25 items per page. 859 x 25 = 21,475 items
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:8kcIgg6TBCwJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/List.html%3FUserId%3Dsdc_prod_9074_35+sdc_prod_9074_35
http://www.suspendedfromebay.com/postings-archive/sdc_prod_9074_35-1.jpg
http://www.suspendedfromebay.com/postings-archive/sdc_prod_9074_35-5.jpg
Canon 3708A005AA - eBay (item 120227783548 end time Mar-29-08 :39:34 PDT)
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:t83ZZsaKUBoJ:cgi.ebay.com/Canon-3708A005AA_W0QQitemZ120227783548QQihZ002QQcategoryZ61673QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9074_35
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:4VE7CCkI4fMJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120227765257%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_9074_35
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120227765257%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=10&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9074_35%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html?itemNo=120227765257&FeedBackPercent=0

sdc_prod_9090
aka CompSource Inc.  (32,601 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9090&ftab=AllFeedback
206 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Mar-26-07 in Ohio, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9090  [Google archive, use cache link]
"32601 items found"
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:fVmNW6F5irIJ:search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_9090+sdc_prod_9090+-product.express.ebay.com+-ebay.auction.co.kr
1301 pages, 25 items per page. 1300 x 25 = 32,500 items
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:FxeShIuGsq4J:ebay.auction.co.kr/List.html%3FUserId%3Dsdc_prod_9090+sdc_prod_9090
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:p2cKr5hg4-cJ:cgi.ebay.com/Lenovo-3000-N200-Notebook-Intel-Core-2-Duo-T5250-1_W0QQitemZ370018138633QQihZ024QQcategoryZ140083QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9090+-product.express.ebay.com
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:SLywt4rdRRYJ:cgi.ebay.com/Luxury-Paraffin-Bath-Revlon-MoistureStay-Fast-Heat-U_W0QQitemZ370027698377QQihZ024QQcategoryZ33163QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9090+-product.express.ebay.com
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:6UblAGIUYPwJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D370027703589%26FeedBackPercent%3D93.2+sdc_prod_9090
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D370027703589%26FeedBackPercent%3D93.2&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=9&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9090%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
HON Mentor Series Single Pedestal Desk - Rectangle - - eBay (item 370016020192
  end time Mar-21-08 23:28:22 PDT)
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:eENzLiVfg80J:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D370016020192%26ih%3D024%26category%3D11832%26ssPageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1+sdc_prod_9090

sdc_prod_9124_14
akaTheNerds, Inc.  (48,392 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9124_14&ftab=AllFeedback
259 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Dec-12-07 in Florida, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9124_14  [Google archive, use cache link]
INDEX,LTR,#376-400,25,WE - eBay (item 120213499957 end time Mar-21-08 09:18:05 PDT
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:7uI-xsGbWrcJ:cgi.ebay.com/INDEX-LTR-376-400-25-WE_W0QQitemZ120213499957QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4203QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9124_14
NOTEBOOK,5SUBCLG,11X9,AST - eBay (item 120213501400 end time Mar-21-08 09:19:12 PDT)
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:L-FmypDv-oAJ:cgi.ebay.com/NOTEBOOK-5SUBCLG-11X9-AST_W0QQitemZ120213501400QQihZ002QQcategoryZ60271QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9124_14
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ZzyC1hqSDe0J:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120213540500%26FeedBackPercent%3D97.7+sdc_prod_9124_14
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D120213540500%26FeedBackPercent%3D97.7&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9124_14%26start%3D60%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html?itemNo=120213540500&FeedBackPercent=97.7

sdc_prod_9352_67
aka Digital Foto Club  (30,278 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9352_67&ftab=AllFeedback
922 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since May-28-07 in New York, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9352_67  [Google archive, use cache link]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:9TJtexR6ptsJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D270214141173%26FeedBackPercent%3D98.7+sdc_prod_9352_67
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D270214141173%26FeedBackPercent%3D98.7&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9352_67%2Bitems%2Bfor%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:xtXD8nksrckJ:cgi.ebay.com/Crosley-ST73-CH-Richmond-Entertainment-Center-Stereo_W0QQitemZ270214141288QQihZ017QQcategoryZ20488QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9352_67
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:rs5hKtPhMu8J:cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Printer-Ink-Canon-PGI-9-Red-Ink-Tank_W0QQitemZ270214133563QQihZ017QQcategoryZ51292QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9352_67
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:9x61N_X0Qf0J:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D270214140109%26FeedBackPercent%3D98.7+sdc_prod_9352_67
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D270214140109%26FeedBackPercent%3D98.7&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9352_67%2B%26start%3D490%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

sdc_prod_9391_43
aka Adorama  (11,102 listings 2/29/2008) 
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9391_43&ftab=AllFeedback
0 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008, Not a registered user
Member since Feb-22-08 in New York, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9391_43  [Google archive, use cache links]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:4OzbhDP_92QJ:search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsdc_prod_9391_43+sdc_prod_9391_43+%22items+for+sale
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:VU7vSCdRVFQJ:cgi.ebay.com/CTA-Digital-Grand-Scale-iPod-Home-Theater-Speaker-Sy_W0QQitemZ110227893470QQihZ001QQcategoryZ1499QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9391_43
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:WghAkj7ZI3cJ:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D110227905896%26ih%3D001%26category%3D111650%26rd%3D1%26ssPageName%3Dmem_guide:5+sdc_prod_9391_43
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:BgHMQo9x8vAJ:ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D110227897474%26FeedBackPercent%3D0+sdc_prod_9391_43
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://ebay.auction.co.kr/detail.html%3FitemNo%3D110227897474%26FeedBackPercent%3D0&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsdc_prod_9391_43%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

sdc_prod_9452
aka eTronics, Inc.  (24,499 listings 2/29/2008)
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=sdc_prod_9452&ftab=AllFeedback
78 positive feedback, 0 listings 3/2/2008
Member since Jul-25-07 in New York, United States
www.google.com/search?q=sdc_prod_9452  [Google archive, use cache links]
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:PLDjjwBGjLoJ:cgi.ebay.com/Vicks-V965-Comfort-Flex-Digital-Thermometer_W0QQitemZ150220736330QQihZ005QQcategoryZ117026QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:jOwntMKvykgJ:cgi.ebay.com/WaterPik-WP-65-Dental-System-Blue-Reservoir_W0QQitemZ150220273422QQihZ005QQcategoryZ108691QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:pekb_zdKSwsJ:cgi.ebay.com/WaterPik-WP-65-Dental-System-Blue-Reservoir_W0QQitemZ150220447075QQihZ005QQcategoryZ108691QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:RBjV6gcI01EJ:cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D150220157214%26ih%3D005%26category%3D47092%26rd%3D1%26ssPageName%3DWD3+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:HhCV1-Eh8yAJ:cgi.ebay.com/Bogen-3156-Folding-Autodolly_W0QQitemZ150219029808QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30080QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:0ibMKyEJt9QJ:cgi.ebay.com/Kicker-06ZX7501-750-Watt-Mono-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ150220613724QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Ditem150220613724+sdc_prod_9452
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:cuW0f2sePQAJ:cgi.ebay.com/Back-to-Basics-SE2000B-Smoothie-Elite-Smoothie-Maker_W0QQitemZ150219799501QQihZ005QQcategoryZ20668QQcmdZViewItem+sdc_prod_9452

// 
//  Complaint about the accuracy of the data in this article - 1 March 2008
//

http://forums.ebay.com/search.jspa?q=&objID=f21&dateRange=all&userID=sellitallonline

From eBay Seller Central Forum
SIGN THE PLEDGE _ NO SALES FEB 18-25!
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000636290&start=10040

sellitallonline (2278) View Listings | Report  Mar-01-08 10:23 PST     23114 of 23164
I don't know what is going on....maybe eBay is innocent.

http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2008/02/from-ebay-sel-1.html

 

sellitallonline (2278) View Listings | Report  Mar-01-08 11:53 PST     23126 of 23164
broadview1313

I don't need permission to print a link. In regard to the information on that link. Well, it is not me and if the information is correct or incorrect that would be up to eBay to decide and for them to take action against or toward the person posting on that website. If it is incorrect then I hope eBay does go after that person. I was giving a link hopefully shed some light on eBays innocents. Merry Christmas

//
//  The right to publish this type of report - U.S. Supreme Court - 1988
//

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=485&page=47

1988, CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST:

At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. "[T]he [485 U.S. 46, 51] freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty - and thus a good unto itself - but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole." Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc., 466 U.S. 485, 503 -504 (1984). We have therefore been particularly vigilant to ensure that individual expressions of ideas remain free from governmentally imposed sanctions. The First Amendment recognizes no such thing as a "false" idea. Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 339 (1974). As Justice Holmes wrote, "when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas - that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market . . . ." Abrams v. United States, 250 U.S. 616, 630 (1919) (dissenting opinion).

The sort of robust political debate encouraged by the First Amendment is bound to produce speech that is critical of those who hold public office or those public figures who are "intimately involved in the resolution of important public questions or, by reason of their fame, shape events in areas of concern to society at large." Associated Press v. Walker, decided with Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts, 388 U.S. 130, 164 (1967) (Warren, C. J., concurring in result). Justice Frankfurter put it succinctly in Baumgartner v. United States, 322 U.S. 665, 673 -674 (1944), when he said that "[o]ne of the prerogatives of American citizenship is the right to criticize public men and measures." Such criticism, inevitably, will not always be reasoned or moderate; public figures as well as public officials will be subject to "vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks," New York Times, supra, at 270. "[T]he candidate who vaunts his spotless record and sterling integrity cannot convincingly cry `Foul!' when an opponent or an industrious reporter attempts [485 U.S. 46, 52] to demonstrate the contrary." Monitor Patriot Co. v. Roy, 401 U.S. 265, 274 (1971).

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Technorati Profile

EventHorizon1984 Log

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Spotlight on eBay Employee Evan Liang [email protected]

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200610.shtml

***Update: Providing More Information in the Bidding/Buying Process***   
October 31, 2006 | 02:27PM PST/PT

 

Evan Liang

Hi everyone, I'm Evan Liang. Since March, my team has been testing a few improvements to the bidding/buying process to make them easier for buyers to use (read our initial announcement). We've seen very positive results from our tests, so we're now going to make these changes permanent.
In the next few days, you should start seeing the following when you place a bid or use Buy It Now:

The seller's Gallery photo. If the seller used Gallery, the picture will be displayed when the buyer places and confirms their bid.

Average Selling Price for Items with Pre-Filled Item Information. We'll display the average selling price for that item when the buyer’s bid is significantly below the average. This will only be included on items where the seller’s listing was created using Pre-Filled Item Information. (Items listed with the same Pre-Filled Item Information are close or identical products and can be compared to determine a reasonably accurate average price.)

More education about bidding for new buyers. We're putting more education on the "Place Bid" page for new buyers, including a graphic demonstrating how the bidding system works.

Warnings to prevent accidental Buy It Nows. Buyers sometimes purchase multiple items accidentally by hitting Buy It Now more than once. This warning will prompt them after they've bought the first item to make sure they really want to buy another.

Sincerely,
Evan Liang
Buyer Product Team

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http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200708.shtml

***Bid History Update - More Details***   
August 24, 2007 | 03:44PM PST/PT

 

Evan Liang

Hello...I'm Evan Liang with eBay's Buyer Experience team. My team and I focus on improving the experience members have when they place a bid or make a purchase. As Philipp mentioned, we're making a few important changes to the bid history page that we think will improve the overall bidding experience. You will begin to see these changes next week.
Making winning easier – bid right from the bid history page
We know from talking to Community members that many people spend a lot of time monitoring competitive auctions from the bid history page. Knowing how important this page is to bidders, my team has enhanced the user interface so you can now place a bid directly on the bid history page.

For our competitive bidders who use the bid history often, we think this change will simplify your experience and help you win that "must have" item.

Enhancing SMI -- adding transparency for items over $200
Last January, Rob Chesnut introduced an important Trust & Safety initiative called Safeguarding Member IDs (SMI). This project protects eBay's bidders on high-end items from fake Second Chance Offers and other malicious email. (Read Rob's announcement from January 8, 2007 for more details.)

While SMI has been very effective in protecting our marketplace from fraud, we also realize that it reduced transparency on the site, and, for some bidders, took away some of the magic of that makes eBay so unique.

As promised, my Buyer Experience group has teamed up with Trust & Safety and the Community over the past few months to look at ways to make the bid history more transparent without jeopardizing the safety that SMI has added. I'm pleased to let you know that this week, we'll be making the following adjustments to the User IDs displayed on bid history for items over $200:

Actual Feedback Score is back – We will be bringing back the bidder’s actual feedback score next to each member's respective User ID.

New User ID Masking - We are replacing the current aliases (Bidder 1, Bidder 2 and Bidder 3) with a masked ID that consists of two random characters from the member's User ID – for example a***b. For any given member, this masked ID will be consistent across all auctions over $200 for which they place bids. At the end of a listing, the winning bidder's User ID will be displayed on both the item and bid history page. Please note: Sellers will still be able to view the actual User IDs for bidders on their listings through the Bid History page.
Also, please understand that to protect our Community, eBay reserves the right to change this masking algorithm in the future, but will only do so if absolutely necessary and with advance notice. We expect to add more enhancements in the future, although our intent is to move cautiously so we can ensure we’re preserving safety.

My team will be holding a workshop on September 5 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time (stay tuned for more info), and I hope you can join us. You can also check out my video on The Chatter blog for more information. As always, we appreciate your support and feedback, and look forward to further improvements to your buyer experience.

Sincerely,

Evan Liang
Buyer Experience

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000298866&start=4440
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:Ap9tgw9Z-pkJ:forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa%3FthreadID%3D2000298866%26start%3D4440+eliang%40ebay.com+%22post+here+if+you
Bidding

[email protected]
Aug-30-07 11:03 PDT
4473 of 4516

Hi, it's Evan Liang.
I wanted to jump in to make two quick comments before I get my Kevlar body suit.

1) First, I wanted to say that we hear you and we take all your comments to heart. The push to restore transparency was driven by you, the community, and we have worked directly with community members at every step to make this happen.
2) I’ll be the first to admit this is not a perfect solution, but as other posters have expressed, this is the first of many small steps in the right direction. We continue to work with TnS on numerous initiatives to improve overall site security and we look forward to returning more transparency to the site.

As I’m sure many of you have a lot of questions, I’m holding a workshop on September 5th at 11 am PT, more info to come. I encourage you to join me for an interactive discussion about the bid history page. Thanks for your feedback, it definitely makes a difference.

Evan

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000430122&tstart=0&mod=1189093593453
Trust & Safety (Safe Harbor)

Bid History Changes including a***b userIDs

[email protected]
Sep-06-07 08:44 PDT

Hello...I'm Evan Liang with eBay's Buyer Experience team. My team and I focus on improving the experience members have when they place a bid or make a purchase. As Philipp mentioned, we're making a few important changes to the bid history page that we think will improve the overall bidding experience. You will begin to see these changes next week.

Making winning easier – bid right from the bid history page
We know from talking to Community members that many people spend a lot of time monitoring competitive auctions from the bid history page. Knowing how important this page is to bidders, my team has enhanced the user interface so you can now place a bid directly on the bid history page.

For our competitive bidders who use the bid history often, we think this change will simplify your experience and help you win that "must have" item.

Enhancing SMI -- adding transparency for items over $200
Last January, Rob Chesnut introduced an important Trust & Safety initiative called Safeguarding Member IDs (SMI). This project protects eBay's bidders on high-end items from fake Second Chance Offers and other malicious email. (Read Rob's announcement from January 8, 2007 for more details.)

While SMI has been very effective in protecting our marketplace from fraud, we also realize that it reduced transparency on the site, and, for some bidders, took away some of the magic of that makes eBay so unique.

As promised, my Buyer Experience group has teamed up with Trust & Safety and the Community over the past few months to look at ways to make the bid history more transparent without jeopardizing the safety that SMI has added. I'm pleased to let you know that this week, we'll be making the following adjustments to the User IDs displayed on bid history for items over $200:

Actual Feedback Score is back – We will be bringing back the bidder’s actual feedback score next to each member's respective User ID.
New User ID Masking - We are replacing the current aliases (Bidder 1, Bidder 2 and Bidder 3) with a masked ID that consists of two random characters from the member's User ID – for example a***b. For any given member, this masked ID will be consistent across all auctions over $200 for which they place bids. At the end of a listing, the winning bidder's User ID will be displayed on both the item and bid history page. Please note: Sellers will still be able to view the actual User IDs for bidders on their listings through the Bid History page.
Also, please understand that to protect our Community, eBay reserves the right to change this masking algorithm in the future, but will only do so if absolutely necessary and with advance notice. We expect to add more enhancements in the future, although our intent is to move cautiously so we can ensure we’re preserving safety.

For workshop information click here:
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000552191

As always, we appreciate your support and feedback, and look forward to further improvements to your buyer experience.

Sincerely,

Evan Liang
Buyer Experience

[email protected]
Sep-06-07 08:46 PDT
1 of 1

To consolidate all the comments, we will lock this post. Please add your comments to the following thread on the bidding board.

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000430110&tstart=0&mod=1189093328277

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000430110&tstart=0&mod=1189093328277
Bidding

Bid History Changes including a***b userIDs

[email protected]        Sep-06-07 08:34 PDT      1 of 239
Starting a thread to capture all comments related to the bid history page changes. In addition, pinning this thread so that new users will have a quick source to find answers to questions related to the new userIDs. Thanks.

Evan

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http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?messageID=2008132847&forumID=110&x#2008132847
Bidding

[email protected] View        Nov-01-07 09:12 PDT       7 of 23
Hi,
This is a bug and will be fixed right away. Thanks.

Evan

[email protected] View        Nov-01-07 12:14 PDT       12 of 23
Re: post 10

Tiptie is right, there are new features rolling which may create temporary glitches.

1) This should be fixed and will take effect soon
2) Thanks for pointing this out. It seems to work for re-bids but not initial. We are looking into this.

Thanks.

Evan

[email protected] View        Nov-05-07 09:06 PST       14 of 23
Both of these issues are now fixed. Thanks.

[email protected] View        Nov-05-07 09:26 PST       17 of 23
I try to read as much as I can and respond when appropriate but anyone on bidding board should feel free to send issues on the boards to me at [email protected]. Thanks.

[email protected] View        Nov-05-07 10:12 PST       20 of 23
re: 19 about SMI example

Great point and that should be changed fairly soon. Thanks.

Evan

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http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200711.shtml#2007-11-05145608

***Introducing: Guest Buying***
November 05, 2007 | 02:56PM PST/PT

 

Evan Liang

Hello...I'm Evan Liang with eBay's Buyer Experience team. With the busy holiday season rapidly approaching, I'm excited to announce that we're launching Guest Buying, a new feature that we believe will help increase the number of new buyers who purchase sellers' Fixed Price and Store Inventory listings.

Why Guest Buying?
We've done a lot of research about buying habits as the Internet has evolved, and have been told repeatedly that requiring new buyers to register before they have a chance to really interact with eBay is a barrier to them taking the plunge (this is the same reason we introduced My eBay for Guests awhile back).

Today many online buyers expect to be able to visit a site and simply purchase and pay for an item with minimum hassle. Introducing Guest Buying will help encourage more first purchases by new buyers.

Here's how it works:

• Guest buyers will be able to use Buy It Now to purchase eligible Fixed Price and Store Inventory items.
• Guest buyers need to complete their payment through PayPal before the item is theirs, similar to Immediate Payment.
• Your current PayPal settings will apply – if you require buyers to pay with a confirmed address, your Guest Buyers will need to do so as well.

Which listings are eligible for Guest Buying?
Your listings will be eligible to be purchased by Guest Buyers if you meet the following criteria:

 

1. You must have a premier/business PayPal account in order to accept credit card payments.
2. Shipping costs must be specified on your listing.
3. You must qualify for the top tier of buyer protection of $2,000.
4. The item price must be less than $2,000.
5. You must use eBay's checkout system.  Third-party checkout will not be supported at this time.

Can Guest Buyers leave feedback?
No – at least not until they register. eBay will encourage Guest Buyers to register once they make a purchase. Once they do, they'll be able to use all the same features and programs our current buyers do, such as Feedback, Buyer Protection, access to Customer Support, etc.

The Launch Plan
We're going to introduce Guest Buying slowly over the next few weeks. We're going to start by making it available in our Music, Books, DVDs & Movies, and Consumer Electronics categories in the next few days, and will add more categories shortly thereafter. Within a few weeks, Guest Buying should be available sitewide.

Sincerely,

Evan Liang
Buyer Experience

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http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?messageID=1010811884&forumID=21&x#1010811884
eBay Stores

Introducing GUEST BUYING - Today's announcement ---->

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Nov-06-07 10:24 PST       60 of 96
Hi guys,
To help address all the questions across multiple threads, I've created one on seller central. By the way, I love the enthusiasm for this feature on this thread

Feel free to post any questions there as well:

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000592798&start=0

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From eBay Seller Central Forum
Guest Buying Program - Q&A with eBay
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000592798&start=0

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:16 PST
Hi,
I thought I'd jump in and try to answer as many questions as I can about our new guest buying program. I'll start by posting the original AB post and add from there. There a lot of questions so please be patient, we'll get there. If I miss one from another thread please feel free to add them here. Thanks everyone.

***Introducing: Guest Buying***
November 05, 2007 | 02:20PM PST/PT

Hello...I'm Evan Liang with eBay's Buyer Experience team. With the busy holiday season rapidly approaching, I'm excited to announce that we're launching Guest Buying, a new feature that we believe will help increase the number of new buyers who purchase sellers' Fixed Price and Store Inventory listings.

Why Guest Buying?
We've done a lot of research about buying habits as the internet has evolved, and have been told repeatedly that requiring new buyers to register before they have a chance to really interact with eBay is a barrier to them taking the plunge (this is the same reason we introduced My eBay for Guests awhile back).

Today many online buyers expect to be able to visit a site and simply purchase and pay for an item with minimum hassle. Introducing Guest Buying will help encourage more first purchases by new buyers.

Here's how it works:

Guest buyers will be able to use Buy It Now to purchase eligible Fixed Price and Store Inventory items.
Guest buyers need to complete their payment through PayPal before the item is theirs, similar to Immediate Payment.
Your current PayPal settings will apply – if you require buyers to pay with a confirmed address, your Guest Buyers will need to do so as well.
Which listings are eligible for Guest Buying?
Your listings will be eligible to be purchased by Guest Buyers if you meet the following criteria:

You must have a premier/business PayPal account in order to accept credit card payments.
Shipping costs must be specified on your listing.
You must qualify for the top tier of buyer protection of $2,000.
The item price must be less than $2,000.
You must use eBay's checkout system. Third-party checkout will not be supported at this time.
Can Guest Buyers leave feedback?
No – at least not until they register. eBay will encourage Guest Buyers to register once they make a purchase. Once they do, they'll be able to use all the same features and programs our current buyers do, such as Feedback, Buyer Protection, access to Customer Support, etc.

The Launch Plan
We're going to introduce Guest Buying slowly over the next few weeks. We're going to start by making it available in our Music, Books, DVDs & Movies, and Consumer Electronics categories in the next few days, and will add more categories shortly thereafter. Within a few weeks, Guest Buying should be available sitewide.

Sincerely,

Evan Liang
Buyer Experience

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:21 PST     4
Q: So all those suspended members can now buy as guest buyers?

No, existing users including suspended users will not be able to use the guest flow. They will be blocked and asked to sign in.

java_juliet  (Private )     Nov-06-07 09:24 PST     5
With the cornerstone of eBay safety and trust being mutual feedback, how is removing that option for buyers a good thing for them in the event a seller wrongs them? Why would a buyer want to forego that protection buying on eBay?

eBay is not a retailer but is composed of many sellers from all walks who may or may not know how to pack items, describe items,run a business, etc. Does eBay think that buyers will be running in to buy without that level of protection? If does not attract buyers that are logical, is this going to open the door for those who are suspended off eBay or who perpetually do chargebacks to have an "in"?

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:24 PST     6
Q: Do you need to have a PayPal account to use guest buying?

A: Most guest buyers will be purchasing their items via credit cards processed by PayPal. They do not need to create a PayPal account. If they have a Paypal account they can sign in and use that as well.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:26 PST     7
Q: How do gift cards work?

A: eBay gift cards are great and we certainly want to encourage new users to use them. You can use gift cards on the guest buying flow but you will be required to create a PayPal account in order to redeem the gift card. So in that case you will be an eBay guest with a PayPal account.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:32 PST     9
Q: Will Guest buyers have the same Paypal protection that eBay member buyers have? And how will chargebacks be handled?

A: Think of guest buying like progressive registration, we only collect the information we need for your transaction such as shipping info, telephone number, email address etc. And then your payment info such as credit card. We run all our validations on both eBay and PayPal side and only take the item out of inventory if the payment is completed. On the back end we are basically creating your eBay account, at the very end, all that we need to upgrade an account is your userId, password, and confirm your email address. Guest users should be treated like a new user, which they are, and they are eligible for all the same protections once they upgrade and can sign in to the site.

Chargebacks will be handled the same way as today, no different than a new user. I should also mention that there is a guest limit of 2 transactions in the US before you have to upgrade to a full user.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:41 PST     11
Q: Also, is there a mechanism for sellers to opt-out of this program?

A: Similar to how we don't allow sellers to block new users with 0 feedback, we are not adding a buyer requirement for guests. Given the requirement of immediate payment we actually think these users are less risky than a newbie thru the regular registration flow. We will certainly monitor going to monitor the guest flow very carefully for any issues. We also have experience with the similar flow thru Express which gave us the confidence to make this available on core.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:42 PST     12
Q: Whose to say, though, that these blocked buyers couldnt just sign into the guest page through a different computer (therfore different IP )

A: We actually match the information they provide so it would be like creating a new eBay account.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:43 PST     13
Q: Will Guest buyers have an eBay 'shopping cart'? If so, what happens when the Guest purchases items from several sellers with different buyer requirements where some requirements are not met (such as unconfirmed address - or where the seller has this set as 'ask')?

A: This is not a shopping cart. It's only single seller single item, you can have multiple qty of a single item. Most new users are not buying from multiple sellers right away.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:47 PST     14
Q: Guest users from int'l sites

A: We do not allow shipping addresses outside of the US or CA. You simply can't enter one, similar to Express. For CA users we check your buyer preference and also make sure the item is shippable to that location.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:49 PST     15
Q: With the cornerstone of eBay safety and trust being mutual feedback, how is removing that option for buyers a good thing for them in the event a seller wrongs them? Why would a buyer want to forego that protection buying on eBay?

A: Feedback is a great thing and we are not removing that option. It is a matter of timing, let's get them to buy the item first then educate them of the other benefits of eBay such as feedback. Guest can leave feedback once they register retroactively provided the window has not expired. We certainly hope the majority of our guests become actively engaged eBay members with good feedback scores.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:52 PST     19
Q: I am just wondering why eBay thinks these 'lazy' people will buy on eBay and then go 'sign up' with Paypal to pay? If they are too lazy or hurried to sign up with eBay, why would they be willing to do it with Paypal? I don't get it...

A: It's been awhile for many of us, but signing for eBay and PayPal the first time is actually hard. It take about 11 steps and many people don't finish it. We saw a major need here to address a new user pain and as such we decided that this was an important feature to have right before the x-mas holiday season when we have a lot of new buyers trying out the site. We've been working on this for over a year to make sure we provide a great new user experience but do it safely.


[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:55 PST     21
Q: How will the seller protection policy coverage work with guest check out?

A: Just like today. From the seller side a guest is like any new user who pays with PayPal. I would also add that if a guest user chooses to pay with a non-immediate payment method such as check, he will be required to fully register before completing the transaction.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:55 PST     22
Q: If a guest buyers purchases, pays, receives item and THEN registers on ebay, will that buyer be able to go back and leave feedback for the item that was transacted before the registration?

A: Yes, he will be provided it's before the feedback window expires.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:56 PST     23
Q: Will there be an EASY way to report an unwelcome guest bidder -- i.e., if we notice that the person is a previous scammer, stalker or other blocked bidder that ebay missed (honestly, ebay isn't always so great at prohibiting suspended ebayers from opening new accounts as it is, nonetheless having to screen for bogus "guests").

A: Yes, they actually have a default userID that shows up that you can use to report to CS. CS will know that they are guests and can handle appropriately.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 09:58 PST     24
Ok, I need to leave for a little while, please post any questions here and I'll be back to answer them. Thanks everyone!



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:26 PST     27
Q: So they will be able to buy an item without immediate payment required...they simply need a paypal account but can choose not to pay for however long they want? Will sellers have to wait weeks to to relist and get the fees returned as the case with "registered users"?

A: Immediate payment is required, we don't pull inventory until payment has been received.




[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:33 PST     29
Q: How is this information verified?

A: My answer was directed to if an existing user can just switch computers and come through. As for verifying their information we do the standard address validity checks but we also require either credit card or PayPal which in some ways is the equivalent of our high risk registration flow today.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:39 PST     33
Q: Sorry to be dense, but I sell towels-and it's not unusual for people to buy 2 of one and 2 of another and 1 of another, etc. Will they have to pay for each 2 of same, 2 of another same or single individually or pay for all 5 (this example) at once? I'm thinking of paypal fees.

A: From your question, I take it each "one" is a different listing. If so, they would pay for 2, then 2, and then 1. Building out the functionality for multi-items for a single seller is something worth considering for the future but not in the current release. If they get in touch with you and want combine shipping, I would encourage them to register so they can do via BIN.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:41 PST     34
Q: Would eBay be considering any perks for sellers, like if your sales to a guest buyer results in a new eBay registration?

A: Hmm, I've heard this suggestion before and it's a very interesting idea. Not currently but definitely something we may look into in the future. It would be a pretty big change.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:45 PST     35
Q: I don't think I understand what the difference is if they need to fill in about the same amount of information. What's the point?

A: It's a lot shorter - 5 pages vs. 11 pages and from a buyer perspective it is about the "context." If I am buying an item I expect to give the seller my shipping info, email, telephone but I probably don't need to give pick an userID or a password right now. Also the BIN flow itself is confusing to a brand new user - I've committed to and item but I haven't paid. I'll try to post some mock ups soon so folks can see what it looks like.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 10:49 PST       38
Q: Thank you, and will there be a way to 'opt in' for other categories? I'd like this on all my listings.

A: We are testing in those categories to make sure everything is working as it should. We will try to expand to all categories, with a few exceptions (no mature), as soon as we can do so.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 11:09 PST     46
Q: So what is the difference on pages?
5 vs 11? What is left out other then picking an ID and email address?

A: I will try to upload mock ups of the entire flow later today on this thread as that may answer a lot of questions. Basically we combine a few pages such as entering shipping info on the Review your Purchase page. Similar to express we don't require to break the flow and go to check your email. We also don't require you to review and commit to BIN an item and then checkout - it's all together. Basically we allow you to do everything in the checkout flow. This is also integrated with PayPal so they don't go to a separate PayPal page to pay. Mock ups coming soon.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 11:53 PST     60
Q: I'm selling books, is it possible I've already got one? Is there a way we can tell as sellers?

A: We don't specifically call out guest users with a special icon or anything. We were afraid that it was painting a bulls eye on them and although most of our sellers are good, it could tempt Seller non-performance. Sellers may notice guests but we hope you treat them like a regular new user who has already paid.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 11:54 PST     61
Q: But if it's not accepted on the sellers side and blocked through payment until accepted or denied, will that still count on ebay's side as a completed sale?

A: No, payment must be completed before we take the item out of inventory.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 11:56 PST     62
Q: How do I get in touch with a guest? Or how do they get in touch with me?

A: Both you and the guest get each other's email addresses thru PayPal, similar to regular users so you can touch base that way. Remember, guests need to upgrade to login into My Messages although they will still receive message notifications.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 12:02 PST     64
Q: why are we forced to use ebays flawed and dysfunctional checkout system? I cannot specify rates by individual countries, amonst numerous other problems like not calculating combined shipping discounts properly

A: Similar to immediate payment, we need confirmation that payment was made to release the item. As for shipping discounts, other than multi-qty we don't have a shopping cart so it is a simplified checkout.




[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 12:45 PST     72
Q2 follow up: makes no sense my 3P checkout reports back to paypal and ebay through API, shows in buyers my ebay items is paid so your answer makes no sense?

A: Immediate payment does not currently support 3P checkout and as such we can't enable it for the guest flow.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 12:48 PST     73
Q: okay now I figured out the real reason for this whole guest thing, it so ebay can now spin the numbers to wall street as to why active users are dis-engaging at a faster rate the additions.

A: Wow, such skepticism. We've been working on this for a long time, especially around how to design a secure system to address the issues you guys have brought up. We also learned a lot from Express.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 12:51 PST     75
Q: Is that flat rate only, or is the calculator also included? If the calculator is acceptable for guest buyer purchase, how/when will the buyer input their zip code for shipping charge to be computed?

A: Yes calculated as well. When you input your zip code on the Review Your Purchase page we will auto-calculate the shipping cost right there.




[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 13:44 PST     84
To get this up faster, I've decided to use Photobucket. Here are is what the flow looks like from a guest perspective. Should help answers lots of questions.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 13:47 PST     85
This is what happens after you click BIN on VI item as a guest. There is no guest eligibility messaging before so this is the first place a new user sees an item as guest eligible.






[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 13:49 PST     88
On the Review Your Purchase page of checkout you enter your shipping info, email address, telephone number, and you agree to the user agreement at the bottom here. We also auto-calculate shipping based on the zip code.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:02 PST     89


[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:03 PST     90
Last page was the credit on paypal page. Note the UI is integrated between eBay and PayPal. New UI design we are testing and want to bring to all users. For existing users you default to the PayPal login. If you press other accepted payment methods you are prompted to fully register.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:04 PST     91
You confirm your order here one last time. 



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:06 PST     92
And here is the final checkout success page saying you bought the item AND encouraging you to register to become a full eBay member. since we have all their info they only need to pick a userId, password, security question, and confirm their email address.





[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:07 PST     94




[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:13 PST     96
Q: I don't know if you have addressed this issue, but this system seems a perfect setup for stolen cc information.

A: Stolen cards is an issue we deal with thru eBay.com and Express today so this is nothing new. PayPal has been fighting this issue for awhile now and our fraud models are set up to fight this. We will be monitoring this very closely just in case. As a seller, you can always get seller protection by requiring confirmed addresses in your paypal preferences.

[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:15 PST     97
Re: post 93

Please read the thread as there are a few answers above already.

Q: Are guest buyers forced to use Paypal as the only method of buying an item? If so, what happens to the older sellers who have opted out of taking paypal payments?

A: Yes, that is one of several seller eligibility requirements. The main reason is we are forcing guest to pay via immediate payment.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:48 PST     105
You lost me plugging Photobucket.

A: Sorry about that, our internal server is once a day so this was much faster.



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:51 PST     107
Q. What part of don't scre w with things in the 4th qtr does ebay not understand?

A: We wanted to try and get this out in time for Q4 because this is when we have the most new users on the site so they and the sellers can benefit from the feature



[email protected] View Listings | Report                 Nov-06-07 14:53 PST     109
Q: Your fraud models are set up to fight this how?

A: Can't get into all the details, b/c I don't know it myself but we do block credit cards we know to be fraudulent.


[email protected]
Nov-06-07 16:13 PST
130

Q: If the Guest Buyer thing works like you hope it will, do you forsee a this possibly replacing EE?

A: We saw this as taking one of the best things from Express and decided to move it over to core. No plans to replace Express but we are always transferring good ideas back and forth between platforms.

[email protected]
Nov-06-07 16:14 PST
131

Q: And as for the "confirmed address" thing, although we don't have choice to "opt out" of Guest Buying, can we choose to set our "preferences" to only accept payments from buyers with Confirmed Addresses? If we do that, won't the GUEST BUYER be forced to register with a confirmed address in order to make a purchase from an eBay Seller?

A: Yes, you can always choose to only select confirmed address. For guest users confirmed address means shipping is equal to billing address.


[email protected]
Nov-06-07 16:16 PST
133

Q: I personally don't mind shipping to unconfirmed addresses. I do it all the time with no problem but I do understand the concerns of those with high priced/high risk items not wanting to do so.

A: There is an ASP limit that we have set at $2,000 which is something we can change if warranted.

[email protected]
Nov-06-07 16:29 PST
134 of 164

OK everyone this may be my last post for today. I saw on some other thread that they were now thinking something is wrong since I've been too responsive! Nope, I just like talking about this feature.

Thanks for all your great questions and feedback. This has been a great thread and I hope we have answered most of them. Feel free to post anything else you have here as we have pinned this thread and will monitor it.


clos***  (473 )        Nov-07-07 02:31 PST       165 of 166
Q. What part of don't scre w with things in the 4th qtr does ebay not understand?

A: We wanted to try and get this out in time for Q4 because this is when we have the most new users on the site so they and the sellers can benefit from the feature


Does the ebay R & D team have the movie ''Operation Petticoat'' running all the time on a big screen TV somewhere in their office?
Especially the scene, where the sub is docked in a port that is getting attacked, and the captain is asking ''Where is Mr. Holden? (the logistics officer)'' The response given by a crewman is ''Mr. Holden says, In confusion there is profit''


[email protected]        Nov-09-07 08:45 PST       217 of 235
Q: Billing address??? If the guest buyers don't have to sign up for PayPal or eBay, where does the billing address come from?

A: Please look at post 92 with a mock up. Similar to most e-commerce sites we ask for billing address when you enter your credit card info. We actually default it to the shipping address. This info is then submitted to PayPal where it runs thru our fraud models to make sure it is a valid credit card. For guest buyers if shipping does not equal to billing than it is not considered a confirmed address.

[email protected]        Nov-09-07 10:05 PST       221 of 235
Q: When a guest comes to eBay and wants to shop, are they presented with ALL listings?

A: Actually it's the other way around, when a new unregistered user comes to eBay we want to them first find an item they want to buy/bid, which is more important, and when they click the BIN button and see the sign in page we determine whether or not that item is guest eligible. If it is eligible he can checkout as a guest, if not, he must register before buying which is the same as today. As a brand new user he probably won't know the difference between the two flows. By the way, the user always has the option to register even when guest checkout is available - see the screenshot I posted of the sign in page. Thanks.

[email protected]        Nov-09-07 11:57 PST       223 of 235
Gingerdolls,

Q: I really wish folks could just find their item, poke the "buy" button, and whip out their credit card. LOL

A: Actually that is exactly what should happen provided the item is guest eligible

/*

Technorati Profile

EventHorizon1984 Log

//

Spotlight on eBay Employee Hani A. Durzy II

Hani Durzy quotes
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/hani_durzy/

//

http://www.alexander-pr.com/

//

http://web.archive.org/web/19961230221815/http://www.alexander-pr.com/

Alexander Communications, Inc. (ACI) is a technology PR specialist with a global reach. For almost 10 years, ACI has sustained a commitment to being a participant in the accelerated evolution of the information age. In doing so, Alexander Communications has earned a solid reputation for its broad and extensive understanding of the technology industry. ACI's philosophy is built on intelligence and action, giving its clients immediate access to the accumulated knowledge of its entire staff.

ACI specializes in serving clients in emerging technology markets including the Internet, online-related products and information appliances. Whether dealing with sophisticated networking hardware, consumer software titles, innovative business-to-business solutions or the latest online information services, ACI's staff of communications professionals is best positioned to deliver the right message, through the right media to the right audience.

//

Expansion
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.sport.hockey/msg/ef0d3d9d95d3251a?dmode=source

Path: nntp.gmd.de!Germany.EU.net!EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!swiss.ans.net!prodigy.com!usenet
From: [email protected] (HANI DURZY )
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Expansion
Date: 7 Nov 1994 23:35:11 GMT
Organization: Prodigy Services Company  1-800-PRODIGY
Lines: 8
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: inugap2.news.prodigy.com
X-Newsreader: Version 1.2

I think that two cities that are being overlooked are Phoenix and Atlanta.
 Atlanta has past the statute of limitations on letting the Flames get 
away (it was a different city and a different era then), and Phoenix is a 
new metropolitan hot spot that baseball is looking at closely. Personally,
 I'd like to see Minneapolis get a team again. There is just something 
not right about hockey in Dallas, while Minnesotans gaze longingly from 
afar.

//

Bruins' New Logo
January 12, 1995, 11:39 am
 http://groups.google.com/group/rec.sport.hockey/msg/e134be1def7bf4bf?dmode=source&hl=en

Path: nntp.gmd.de!Germany.EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!swiss.ans.net!prodigy.com!usenet
From: [email protected] (Hani Durzy)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Bruins' New Logo
Date: 12 Jan 1995 21:39:11 GMT
Organization: Prodigy Services Company  1-800-PRODIGY
Lines: 10
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: inugap2.news.prodigy.com
X-Newsreader: Version 1.2

I understand that the Bruins have confirmed with the NHL that they plan 
to change their uniforms for the 95-96 season. Have they submitted a 
final design for approval by the league yet? If so, does anyone know what 
it looks like? Finally, is anyone else upset about the possible 
retirement of the spoked "B"? Merchandising gone mad.....

Hani A. Durzy

//

http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/1996-04/sunflash.960430.2179.xml
Cupertino, CA - April 30, 1996

JAVA TO BE EMBEDDED IN INDUSTRY-LEADING OPERATING SYSTEMS

PR Contacts for Press and Analysts:
Novell Corp.

Hani Durzy
Alexander Communications
415-923-1660 or 408-577-7721

//

Java to be Embedded in Industry-Leading Operating Systems
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.www.hotjava/browse_thread/thread/7715c9e1665f0f45/ebc1a7ede899ba9f?lnk=st&q=&rnum=6&hl=en#ebc1a7ede899ba9f

The following Java press release was announced yesterday, Tuesday, April 30, 1996.

NOVELL CORPORATION
"As the first vendor to deliver a Java execution environment in a
major network operating system, Novell supports Sun's open licensing of
this important new technology," said Steve Markman, executive vice
president, Novell Products Group.  "Java and Novell's NetWare make a
powerful blend for developing, distributing and accessing applications
on intranets and the Internet.  We view NetWare as the next major
server platform for Java, offering a high performance environment for
executing Java applications, and Java as the next major development
environment for NetWare."

Contact:
Hani Durzy
Alexander Communications
415-923-1660 or
408-577-7721

//

NGW-MISC Novell Execs -Reply
http://groups.google.com/group/comp.groupware.groupwise/browse_thread/thread/85e8b4d1d5e82e7/ed800cb27d07cd22?lnk=st&q=&rnum=5&hl=en#ed800cb27d07cd22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 1996

Novell Integrates Corporate Marketing Functions
Within Sales Organization and Product Group

###

Press Contacts:                        

Hani Durzy or Ken Montgomery
Alexander Communications
(415) 923-1660
Internet: hdu...@alexander-pr.com

//

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Calico+Technology's+Concinity(TM)+Utilized+in+Tech+Data's+New...-a018863756

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1996

Note to Editors: Calico Technology will be demonstrating Concinity in private press meetings at COMDEX/Fall. To arrange a meeting on Monday, 11/18 or Tuesday, 11/19, please contact Hani Durzy at the Alexander Communications meeting room, Las Vegas Convention Center, Pavilion 3&4 (CTI and Mobile and Wireless Showcase), Room P309BR to schedule a meeting.

Tech Data will be demonstrating TDXpert(TM) at its booth, L4816, at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day.

CONTACT: Tech Data

   or

   Alexander Communications

   Hani A. Durzy II, 415/923-1660

   [email protected]

//

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-19220366.html
From: Business Wire
Date: 3/19/1997

About CitySearch 

CitySearch, headquartered in Pasadena, Calif., was featured in Fortune as one of "The Top 25 Coolest Companies", ranked fourth in NetGuide's listing of the top 100 Internet sites, and was recognized in PC Magazine's list of the Top 100 sites. CitySearch is a complete and current community guide, delivering up-to-date information on arts and entertainment events, community activities, and local businesses to consumers via the Internet. It provides rich communication tools to facilitate discussion and debate on important issues in the community, and to support interaction with merchants and community organizations. It may be personalized to assist people in planning entertainment and activities, and making purchases in their local communities. Unlike other city sites which aggregate links to pre-existing content, CitySearch is built from the ground up in the community, in partnership with local government, community and volunteer associations, business and professional groups, educational institutions, and visitors bureaus.   

CitySearch was founded by Bill Gross, who previously founded Knowledge Adventure, Charles Conn, a former partner with McKinsey and Company, and Jeffrey Brewer, the former online applications manager at Knowledge Adventure. Early investors include seasoned entrepreneurs and managers of multimedia, entertainment and financial companies, including Board Chairman Robert Kavner. Compaq Computer Corporation, Comcast Corporation, Goldman Sachs, AT&T Ventures, Far West Capital Management, Simmons New Media and EnCompass Group have also made substantial equity investments.

    For more information on CitySearch, visit Www.citysearch.com . 

    CONTACT:  Alexander Communications, Inc. 

              Hani Durzy or Usher Lieberman, 415/923-1660 

              [email protected]   

              [email protected] 

//

http://calbears.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NEW/is_1997_March_27/ai_19257197
Personnel Update - CitySearch

Newsbytes News Network, March 27, 1997

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1997 MAR 27 (NB) -- REPEAT/By Ian Stokell. CitySearch has announced the addition of two online editors to its management team. They will reportedly lead the development of CitySearch's original editorial content delivered through its local online services.

David Zweig, co-founder, and former publisher and president of Salon online magazine, will be the new vice president of content for CitySearch globally.

Deanna Vincent, former vice president of marketing development for iVillage, will serve as CitySearchNYC's editor-in-chief.

(19970326/Press Contact: Alexander Communications Inc., Hani Durzy, 415-923-1660. Reported By Newsbytes News Network: http://www.newsbytes.com)

//

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1998_June_8/ai_50062985

GRIC Communications Launches GRICphone, the First Platform-Independent Worldwide Internet Telephony Service To Deliver Settlement Between Carriers

Business Wire, June 8, 1998

Founded in 1994 and privately held, GRIC Communications, Inc. (formerly AimQuest) has offices in California, Asia and Europe. For additional information, please contact GRIC Communications at 1421 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA, 95035. Phone: 408/955-1920. Fax: 408/955-1968. Email: [email protected]. Web site: www.gric.com.

Note to Editors: GRIC and the GRIC logo are trademarks of GRIC Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

    CONTACT: GRIC Communications
              Jon Porter, 408/955-1920 x1162
              [email protected]
                 or
              Alexander Communications
              Hani Durzy, 415/923-1660 x113
              [email protected]

//

Episode 4 Summary?
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.sopranos/msg/8b4ae23f12e7e621?dmode=source&hl=en
troutmaster1968
June 30, 1999, 9:00 pm

From: [email protected]
Subject: Episode 4 Summary?
Date: 1999/07/01
Message-ID: <[email protected]>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 496018032
X-Http-Proxy: 1.1 x39.deja.com:80 (Squid/1.1.22) for client 165.247.33.125
Organization: Deja.com - Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
X-Article-Creation-Date: Thu Jul 01 14:35:57 1999 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.tv.sopranos
X-Http-User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows 98)

Unfortunately, i was on a plane last night, and
missed episode 4 (6/30/99 airing.)  Would someone
who saw it mind posting a summary of it?

And, on a related note, i would be interested in
finding a tape of the episode.

thanks.

Hani Durzy

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.sopranos/msg/a08a3447b31f25af?dmode=source&hl=en
troutmaster1968
June 30, 1999, 9:00 pm

From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Episode 4 Summary?
Date: 1999/07/02
Message-ID: <[email protected]>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 496481731
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
X-Http-Proxy: 1.1 x29.deja.com:80 (Squid/1.1.22) for client 165.247.35.162
Organization: Deja.com - Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
X-Article-Creation-Date: Fri Jul 02 18:02:08 1999 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.tv.sopranos
X-Http-User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows 98)

excellent.  i feel like i just watched the episode.  thanks.



In article <[email protected]>,
  [email protected] (TVFan87656) wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> >
> >Unfortunately, i was on a plane last night, and
> >missed episode 4 (6/30/99 airing.)  Would someone
> >who saw it mind posting a summary of it?

//

College
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.sopranos/msg/e875f24c849281f9?dmode=source
troutmaster1968
July 7, 1999, 9:00 pm

From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: College
Date: 1999/07/08
Message-ID: <[email protected]>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 498757964
References: <[email protected]>
X-Http-Proxy: 1.1 x30.deja.com:80 (Squid/1.1.22) for client 216.33.227.191
Organization: Deja.com - Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
X-Article-Creation-Date: Thu Jul 08 18:26:07 1999 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.tv.sopranos
X-Http-User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows 98)

I was wondering where that was.  I went to Bates, and knew that that
certainly wasn't Bates.  And those girls that Meadow got drunk with at
the bar CERTAINLY weren't the crunchy granola-type women that populate
COlby in reality.

//

http://donteattheshrimp.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html
Saturday, May 27, 2006        
A little more on Edelman/A&R Acquisition    

I wish Edelman and A&R the best with the acquisition. I just have to add that I am cautious in my optimism for its success. This is because I was involved in a similar acquisition in 1998.

I started my PR career as an intern with Alexander Communications, Inc. in 1996. At the time, the San Francisco office where I started had about 17 employees, and the Atlanta office had about 30. That was ACI at the time. The marquee client was Novell, and they had just landed two divisions of HP, the network server division and the new "Pavilion" consumer division. It was an amazing time to be involved with technology and the office was full of incredibly smart people including Pam Alexander, Holland Carney, Brian Johnson,  and Amy Messenger.

The 'middle management' at the time was also very strong with Kim Hughes, now with Blueshirt,   Hani Durzy, who now is with eBay and Mark Bingham as account supervisors.

By 1998, ACI had grown to almost 200 emloyees, revenues of $12 million, , a kick ass client roster, and several more offices, including Silicon Valley where I moved and our upstairs neighbor was Be, Denver and Boston.  We were easily in the top 3, and many say 'top 1', tech boutique PR firms (anyone see any parallels here?). Technology was booming and the major interational firms wanted to be part of it so there was a buying frenzy. In the course of a few weeks, both ACI and our primary competitor, were both purchased by major international firms (again any parallels?) .

I can only speak for my experience at ACI, but for all of the posturing and talk of synergy and respect for the brand.......Ogilvy killed it. I was there until 2000, as were many others who hung around for bonuses, and then began the real industry-wide benefit of the consolidation that was taking place. Smart people with great backgrounds, that learned at the feet of an industry legend went out on their own.

Right now, I know of at least five firms led/founded by Alexander alums (not including Mark's firm) including, The Usher Group (founded by Usher Lieberman), Fama-PR (co-founded by Anthony Citrano), Volume PR (founded by Elizabeth Robinson), Montgomery Pacific Group (founded by Ken Montgomery), and Morgan/Dorado (founded by me ;-).

And AlexanderOgilvy? Try and find a reference to it on the Ogilvy site these days. Amy Messenger is still there, but I'm not sure if any more of the original nearly 200 are.

I hope this works out for Edelman, I really do. But if it doesn't, look for a boom in new technology PR firms in 2008.

Richard Edelman, Pam Pollace, and Bob Angus, I recommend that you contact some of the people above and see why they left.

But more importantly, maybe try Amy Messenger at Ogilvy, and see why she stayed.

// 
//
//

http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2007/12/1197392188.html

December 11, 2007

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

By: Ina Steiner

Tue Dec 11 2007 11:56:28

Hani Durzy is leaving eBay after nearly five years. In an email blast, he wrote "eBay has been, and continues to be, a wonderful place to work and to learn. It has afforded me the opportunity to do what I love best - to tell stories and to work with the media. It has challenged me to do things I couldn't have imagined doing five years ago. And it has given me a front-row seat as the Internet and ecommerce entered the mainstream, along with all the fun and thorny issues that go with them." Hani followed Kevin Pursglove as main contact in North America. Kevin was at eBay from 1999 - 2003 and from what we hear, currently spends a lot of time on the golf course. Not so for Hani. He is joining strategic communications consulting firm 463 Communications as partner. He said in his email, "As much as I have enjoyed my time at eBay and will miss all the people and excitement here, I am really looking forward to this new opportunity. It lets me explore the world of tech policy more deeply, and it should provide me with many opportunities to help organizations communicate more effectively and credibly with the media and bloggers." I tried reaching Hani to ask him what he will miss the most and miss the least in his role as eBay spokesperson. He's currently tied up. (He's at the dentist - a good time to get him to talk, I thought, but perhaps wisely he put off our conversation until later.) Shannon Stubo remains eBay's VP of Corporate Communications. Hani's last day is January 11, 2008.

//

Readers Comments

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: Jeff S

Tue Dec 11 2007 12:50:44

It's been fun, Hani.

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: Randy Smythe

Tue Dec 11 2007 14:54:07

I know I've made fun of him a few times, with my rants about "eBay Speak" but I wish him well in his new endeavor. Funny, how I wasn't included in that email blast.

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: bonni

Tue Dec 11 2007 19:58:59

"to tell stories and to work with the media" More like "to tell fibs and manipulate the media". Maybe they can get someone in the job who actually knows how to communicate without a bunch of spin, weasel words, and management blah blah. Nah, this is eBay we're talking about. Clear communication? No way. Doesn't fit the corporate image...

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: Alex

Tue Dec 11 2007 20:16:39

I never saw his picture before. I can't believe his nose isn't bigger.... :O)

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: Alex

Tue Dec 11 2007 20:18:13

''I can't believe his nose isn't bigger....'' Think Pinocchio...

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: Anon E. Mouse

Wed Dec 12 2007 012:59:30

Before he leaves, maybe he could explain to the world how or why a neutral on eBay counts as a negative. Or why a 4 or even 4.5 star rating doesn't cut-it. Good f'n riddance topsy Durzy.

PR Spokesperson Hani Durzy Leaving eBay

by: jsicolts

Wed Dec 12 2007 22:59:09

good riddance. terrible, creepy, unprofessional, a liar & a jerk. you won't be missed.

/

/*

Technorati Profile

EventHorizon1984 Log

//

From eBay Stores Forum - [email protected] 2005 - Hi from Bill Cobb -- 17,000 Emails Later...

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

Bill Cobb's eBay My World site is http://myworld.ebay.com/[email protected]


From eBay Stores Forum
Hi from Bill Cobb -- 17,000 Emails Later...
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?messageID=1005971751&forumID=21&x#1005971751


[email protected]        Feb-08-05 17:42 PST
Hi, it's me, Bill. I wanted to stop by to say hello. I've learned a lot about myself in the last few days: 1.) I look like Dick Van Patten. 2.) I have lots of new nicknames, e.g. Mr. Bill. 3.) I've learned more about what's on your mind. We're working hard to address your general comments as well as some of your specific requests.

For those who are wondering -- I've gotten more than 17,000 emails. I want to thank you for your interest and your passion about eBay. While I can't respond personally to 17,000 emails, many of you will be getting a response from a member of my team, with direction from me. And as I promised, I'm seeing them all.

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Feb-08-05 17:51 PST       6 of 405
Well said, Gatorpack. I apologize if anyone used the term "slight" to describe the fee increases or if anyone comes off as adversarial. As I repeatedly say in my all-hands meetings, eBay exists -- and can only continue to exist -- if we enable our Community to be successful.

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Feb-08-05 18:03 PST       16 of 405
North -- thank you for your heartfelt words. I've received a few other emails like yours. While I probably can't satisfy your request here, I want you to know that I value your trust, and despite what you may think, we're working hard to keep it.

I am reviewing what eBay gives its sellers for their money -- Stores and non-Stores sellers alike. While I don't have anything to announce tonight, stay tuned.

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Feb-08-05 18:06 PST       21 of 405
Beavinsons -- my leg does have a few scars on it ... but I felt the fee decrease for the lowest tranche was important because this is the tranche that drives the highest bidding per listing and has the highest conversion rate of any tranche. I also saw how effective this was in Germany for the sellers there, and I really wanted to bring this to the U.S.

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Feb-08-05 18:12 PST       32 of 405
Katiyana -- thank you for recognizing the dedication of our Stores team. As you might imagine, they've been getting an earful lately and have remained committed to helping our sellers.

[email protected] View Listings | Report       Feb-08-05 18:17 PST       38 of 405
All -- thanks for sharing your thoughts with me and giving me the opportunity to spend some time with you. Unfortunately I'm out of time, but I'll try to do this periodically. The fact that you're here really shows that you care, and I want you to know that I recognize and respect that. I'm just getting started in my new role, and I look forward to spending more time with all of you.


itspostingtime  (2 )      Feb-08-05 19:48 PST     70 of 405
chunky:
I agree with your interpretation, and I thank you for trying to make it clear because I think many here don't realize that the reduction for the under 99 cent market wasn't aimed at people selling inexpensive goods for 99 cents. It's aimed at people selling more expensive goods that they start at 99 cents because they are confident the price will rise considerably.

That's long been a favorite tactic of some ebay sellers, because starting a really good item at a low price generates a lot of interest from buyers.

Of course, it doesn't work for every higher priced item. Sellers have to know their market to know whether the tactic will be effective with their merchandise.

I think what eBay is hoping is that more sellers will experiment with it to see if it will or will not increase their sell through rate and ending prices. I suspect
there are indeed quite a few sellers who would benefit from it who do not currently use it.

sim**       Feb-11-05 20:17 PST       128 of 405
Finally got my response:

Thank you for your email to Bill Cobb. He has requested that I respond
on his behalf.

I can definitely understand your frustration over the new fee increase and the other issues that you have experienced. Be assured that the new upcoming changes will allow us to provide our members with an even more
valuable marketplace and help them become more successful in the future.


At this time, I have also passed this information you brought up concerning fees and listing issues.

Thank you for being a valuable member of the eBay community.

Sincerely,

Crystal G. K.
On Behalf of Bill Cobb,
President of eBay North America

lav**       Feb-12-05 03:31 PST       131 of 405
Here's my response receive on 2/08....

Thank you for writing in Lavila. Due to the overwhelming response regarding Bill's announcement, he has requested that I respond on his behalf.

Lavila thank you for your feedback. At the moment the gallery picture fee is 25 cents. We have discussed this with many sellers such as yourself and they would rather pay this amount so we can afford to provide them with the best service possible. Due to the large volume of
pictures and auctions that go up on our site each day, it does require a lot of maintenance and storage. The gallery fee is currently at this amount because we believe that enables us to provide you with better
services and features on our site. I have taken your suggestion with the sincerest passion and it is something that we will definitely consider in the future.

I would also like to take this time to congratulate you on your excellent feedback score. It is sellers such as yourself that represent what eBay is all about.

With warmest regards,

Jayson B.
eBay Customer Support

mgc**       Feb-12-05 14:19 PST       136 of 405

I wanted to follow-up on my post ( Feb-08-05 18:20 PST 41 of 135) to Mr. Cobb earlier this week.

I had emailed Mr. Cobb on Feb. 7th -- basically the same thing I posted here.

This is the email I received from a member of his team today. And, IMO, an insult to not only me, but to all sellers. Just another "form" email that probably went out to all 17000 of those concerned sellers that emailed him.

Hello Jan,

Thank you for your e-mail to Bill Cobb. Bill has requested that I respond on his behalf and I'm happy to do so.

I can certainly understand your concern regarding fee increases on the site. I would like to assure you that we do take the needs of our community into consideration prior to making any change to our site or increasing fees.

Again, thank you for your e-mail, concerns and suggestions. We take all input from our members seriously. I can assure you that your concerns
and suggestions will be reviewed and taken into consideration. Your involvement and participation are invaluable to to our eBay community.

Regards,

Emily Wh.

eBay Customer Support Representative

on Behalf of Bill Cobb

President

eBay North America

 

a.cut.above  (0 )        Mar-07-05 17:46 PST       192 of 405
HEY BILLY BOY !!!!

They are saying that you just figger' ya'll ignore our discontent....

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/business/yourmoney/06ebay.html

"William C. Cobb, who oversees the company's North American operations, called the "constant drone" of complaints on the company's message boards"

Yeah, I would not care if I had already cashed out $16,000,000.00+ of stock. If you and Meg believe in the company, why don't you hold on to the shares?

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Adam Nash of eBay Express Leaves eBay - The Time Has Come…

Adam Nash announced in his blog, below, that he has left eBay.

eBay appears on the self-destructive path of dumbing-down. They are going from this level of expertise,

http://forum.stanford.edu/events/calendar/abstract.php?eventId=1504
Adam Nash holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. He also holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Computer Science from Stanford University, where he also taught Computer Science in the undergraduate teaching program.

to middle managers with NO computer expertise. And programming departments run by the programmers with little management.

The Time Has Come…
http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/2007/05/12/the-time-has-come/

The Time Has Come…

May 12th, 2007 — Adam Nash

Friday, May 11th was my last day at eBay. I’ll be posting a bit more about my new role soon, but for now, I thought I’d just share the email that I sent out late Friday afternoon.

E veryone,
B efore I get into
A ll of the nitty-gritty details on how
Y ou can reach me, I just wanted to say a couple of things.

E bay has always been about people, and I feel
X tremely fortunate to have had four years here to learn and work with some of the best
P eople in the world.  When I think back on everything I’ve done here, I
R ealize just how lucky I was to land that first product role on
E bay Verticals.  Since then, I’ve had the chance to work with hundreds of passionate and
S mart people across dozens of teams and projects, and I’ve learned
S o much from every one of you.  All I can say is thank you.

The time has come for me to take on a new role and a new adventure, but I have every confidence that you’re going to take eBay & eBay Express to incredible new levels in the coming months and years. You’ll find me actively cheering you on, as a shareholder and as an active community member, selling my way to that red star.

Please feel free to reach out to me and keep in touch. I truly believe that the most valuable things we create through our careers are relationships with people we respect & trust. In fact, that’s pretty much what I’m going to be focusing on.  I will always have guilt-free M&Ms waiting.

My personal contact information:
Email:               <…>
Skype:              <…>
Cell:                 <…>
Web:                http://www.adamnash.com
eBay:               http://myworld.ebay.com/adamnash

And of course, if we haven’t already, please set up a profile and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Take care.
Adam

eBay is a wonderful company, filled with wonderful people, working to make life better for millions of people. I started selling on eBay in 1998, and joined the company in early 2003. I will truly miss it. However, I am also extremely excited about my new company, and the opportunity that lies ahead.

However, for the next two weeks, I am unemployed. A good time to reflect and enjoy time with family & friends before digging in on a new adventure.

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From eBay Employee Mel L. L. on behalf of Bill Cobb - Any Help With this EBay Problem Would be GREATLY Appreciated !

From eBay Employee Mel L. L. on behalf of Bill Cobb - Any Help With this EBay Problem Would be GREATLY Appreciated !
Posted May-12-07 15:18:44 PDT Updated May-12-07 15:19:20 PDT

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

The following is the official eBay position presented by 'Mel L. L. on behalf of Bill Cobb.'

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From eBay Technical Issues Forum
Any Help With this EBay Problem Would be GREATLY Appreciated !
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000361561&tstart=0&mod=1178988352411

Thanks for writing back to Bill today.  My name is Mel, and Bill has
asked me to respond to you personally on his behalf about slowness on
the site.
I'm sorry to hear that you were unable to resolve this problem.  Would
you be able to try one more thing?  Many of our members are able to find
help through other members on the site, and one of our community members
has posted, on their About Me page, a tweak that they (and others) have
found to work extremely well.  You can find that post with instructions
here:
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=rockboss2000
If you'd like to continue using the Canada site, this is certainly a
possiblility.  In fact, using the Advanced Search feature you are able
to search for items that are available to the US.  Just follow these
steps:

1.  Go to www.ebay.ca
2.  Click on the "Advanced Search" link at the top right.
3.  Under, "Location", select the "Items available to" and choose
"United States"
4.  Include any other search parameters you wish to specify (including a
regular keyword search at the top of the page)
5.  Click, "Search".

Robin, while the majority of our members do not seem to experience this
problem, you do make some valid points. You should know that many of the
changes to our site come about as a result of such feedback and insight
from valued members such as yourself.

We do have a specific platform via which your feedback and suggestions
can be reviewed by our product development team. I have forwarded your
comments on, but would ask that you do the same using the link below:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/welcome/suggest.html

Thank you for taking the time and effort to write to us, it is greatly
appreciated.

Regards,

Mel L. L. on behalf of Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America

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eBay - Life, The Universe, and Indexing According To Bill Cobb

Life, The Universe, and Indexing According To Bill Cobb
Originally Posted Apr-13-07 13:21:01 PDT

 


One seller, below, managed to elicit a response from Bill Cobb, through Mel.

Another method to extract seller fees; Schedule.


http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000469785&tstart=0&mod=1176392565362
Yes, the search/indexing problem is connected to NEW SYI form!


ar* Apr-12-07 06:48 PDT                 19 of 21

OK.
I'm stopping pursuing this here re delays in your listings showing up on 'newly listed' for hours or days.
This is my 3rd letter from Bill Cobb's office.
The short story is ... they ain't going to change their policy on listings not showing up for hours/days as they are searching for frauds and run 'indexing'.
If you don't mind the 10 cent fee, then scheduling at least 24 hours in advance MIGHT help - still no guarantees. I personally had success doing this (I only did it one time, but it worked).
DO NOT REVISE YOUR ITEMS - this puts you into the 'indexing phase' and you probably will have to wait 6 hours before your item is visible to buyers again.

Hope this helps.
~Jillian

Dear Jillian,

Thanks for writing back to Bill today.  My name is Mel, and Bill has
asked me to respond to you personally on his behalf about indexing
delays on the site.

Jillian, as a seller myself, I can certainly understand your concern
over this issue.  At eBay, we do realize the importance of fast and
effective indexing of items to search.  However, as the internet evolves
and the methods of fraud evolve on the site, we too must change in order
to protect not only our buyers, but our sellers as well.  Please be
assured that every decision made by eBay is for the success and
stability of the eBay marketplace and benefit of its members in the
short and long term.

One of the workarounds that we have found to this issue is to have your
item scheduled well in advance of the anticipated time that you wish
your items to go live to the site.  While your items are waiting to go
live, the indexing and review process will go through the item you have
scheduled causing a shorter indexing time when your item does post to
the site.

We wish we could make search indexing any faster, but let me assure you
that if there was any technology out there to make this happen, we would
use our resources to acquire it and provide you with that service.  We
are also constantly reviewing these processes as well as the technology,
in order to improve service to the site at a constant rate.  We do
encourage you to continue to send in your suggestions and thoughts on
these processes, and working together we are very positive that our
community will only be stronger in the future.

Although we do feel that the delay in indexing is a necessity, we do
understand your frustration in this matter and would like to express our
appreciation in your cooperation in making the site and our community a
safer place to trade. 

Regards,

Mel L. L. on behalf of Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America

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So Trolling Is Okay? - "best response is no response to this kind of behavior" Avery The eBay Pink

So Trolling Is Okay? - "best response is no response to this kind of behavior" Avery The eBay Pink
Originally Posted Mar-02-07 19:05:28 PST

Definitely explains why there is no troll enforcement on the eBay Discussion Boards. I don't know. In some real world places*, and even non-eBay discussion groups, trolls are eradicated. * An individual that will constantly harass and verbally abuse people at work, unless they're tight with upper management, can expect severe consequences up to and including job loss and jail time. Ignoring a problem, sweeping it under the rug, etc. does not make it go away. Reading between the lines indicates eBay does not expend the resources necessary to properly manage the Discussion Boards. Poor Avery. This is one of the few eBay employees that seems to care about the 'community.'   http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=1000448338&start=280 Boards Policy and Moderation Q & A on 03/02/07 [email protected]  Mar-02-07 10:52 PST 294 of 421
First of all, I've only recently come to allow myself to even cautiously use the word "troll". Frankly, I don't like it. However, two things I have learned over time: 1) Such as thing as "trolling" exists. 2) Accusations of "troll" and "trolling" is far more prevalent than the behavior itself. And that leads me to something that I feel is important. While it is easy to label a person ("troll"), the real issue is a behavior ("trolling"). In reality, the same person might exhibit this type of behavior in the forums on one site, and be the nicest, most helpful person on another set of forums. Trolling is a behavior. And it is a behavior that is specific to getting people "riled up". Yes, it is going to sound overly simple and maybe even a bit unsympathetic for me to say that the best response is no response to this kind of behavior. But responding to someone who is deliberately trying to get you "riled up" is exactly the point of behavior. Walking away may not be the easiest thing in the world, but sometimes it is the best thing. Knowing when to respond and when not to respond is important.

[email protected]  Mar-02-07 10:57 PST 311 of 421

So I mentioned a moment ago that I thought the accusations about trolling were more common than the behavior. This opinion stems in part from understanding the behavior to not be synonymous with the fellow poster who may not be the absolute sweetest person in the world.

Ok, sadly, I'm now using this word I don't like more times in this thread that perhaps the my entire life put together.

Not being overly fond of a particular person does not make them a troll. And labeling a person as a troll is either:

1) "not very nice"; or
2) Providing the very response that helps to extend disruptive activity

[email protected]  Mar-02-07 11:08 PST 353 of 421

unfrozen*caveman*lawyer, for the time being, if there are really egregious situations that need to be looked into, please feel free to notify me by email. Please understand, though, that when I get "reports" by email, I really can't respond...which is why I generally don't post "please email me".

[email protected]  Mar-02-07 11:2 PST 400 of 421

kangabitt, I'm not sure what I said that sounded like I can't answer email. I apologize for any confusion. I think a comment I was making earlier is that I don't usually post "please email me".

To explain further, the reason isn't because I hate email. Unfortunately, I have found that when people have emailed me about concerns rather than using the report button, it has sometimes led to frustration when I can't provide a specific response about action taken or not taken.

Actually, that reminds me of some of the posts that I noticed about presumed favoritism. One of the reasons that I am a strong proponent of process is to help ensure consistency. Yes, I get emails regularly about various types of situations on the boards. And generally I only respond to complaints in a very generic way. I am not in the position to listen to one side of an argument or take action only because of specific complaint.

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