The psychology of ebay!

Boy - I sure wish I could figure it out. When someone does they will have a blockbuster book. There is really no figuring it out - although I'm sure someone can. It would have to be a real statistics person - is there a word for that? Statistician? Sounds right! You would have to compile everything - the time of the very most winners - starting very low and hoping to go high? Starting high and hoping to go higher? Offering a BUY IT NOW - going for a multiple day auction - giving buyers an option to MAKE AN OFFER! Putting all of that information together and coming up with the right time to list and the right way to offer it. That answer will be worth a lot! - well, it would be to me!

Terapeak offers a service that allows you to research an item - gives you all kinds of information - # of bids, starting prices, ending prices, times of listings, etc. etc. - yes, it helps - but of course it is another venue of support for ebay - well, I don't know if they own that too - but they probably do. So clever - they're the real winners here - they charge for EVERYTHING! So anyway - that does offer some help - I use it but I think that perhaps my own gut is the best - what do I think?

Of course watching other people's listings and how they do it - that helps too. I've learned a lot from others and hope that there are people out there who also learn from me.
I've been offering more things up at a BIN price with the bidder having the option to MAKE AN OFFER. Here ebay lets you put in an amount that is the LOWEST that you would accept and the HIGHEST to accept an immediate bid. I'm thinking now that this is the best way to offer things up, both for me and the bidder. I think that people want to win the item right away - that old "instant gratification" thing - we want it NOW!

On the other hand..............I have a Bottega bag up that I put up at $200 for a 7 day auction - last count it was up to $555 with 6 hours to go - so that is good!

You figure it out - I can't! What is the very best way to list something on ebay? When I figure that out I will make a real buck! That will be worth money. Ebay is an amazing market place - I think it's great.

Let's see what happens...........

Duh!

Packed up the 3 items to take to GUCCI in New York City. The tote, the telephone case and the shoes. My intention was to take them with me to the city the other day and drop them off at GUCCI for refurbishing. This way I would have a bill from GUCCI that would be proof that the items were authentic. GUCCI would not repair any item that would be fake!
My hope is that I can clear this nonsense with Ebay up once and for all. It so upsets me that they removed authentic items calling them FAKE and besmirching my reputation.

Driving to the train station with my husband it occurred to me that I left the things home! Damn! Put them in a bag, hung the bag from the front door knob so that I wouldn't forget it. What happened? My husband opened the door and I followed him through it and never saw the bag! Closed the door and went merrily on my way.

So upset when I realized that I forgot it as that was my main reason for going into the city for the day.

Called GUCCI's customer service and she told me to just send the three items to them and that they will let me know when the package is received and will give me an estimate for the repairs. Gee, that was very easy - easier than if I had brought them with me.

Now, I will wait and see what happens. I do hope that I can get this cleared up. They just remove things - just like that and you do not have any power - well, I'm trying to get the power. I hope that I can succeed!

My father was right...........

I went to Parsons School of Design in NYC - lived at home and took the subway back and forth to school each day. My dad, an attorney, worked in Manhattan and also took the train into and out of the city each day. He always said that I would come home with a litany of stories of things that occurred on the train - while he never had anything to report.
Yesterday I took the train from 59th Street to Grand Central. Took a seat next to a young man who immediately asked me how I was doing. "Fine" I said and then he kept going............although he was very hard to understand (I do believe he was a bit inebriated - I'm being kind) he managed to tell me that he was just at the shelter where they were serving Thanksgiving dinner. "Nice" I said - while everyone across from us were rolling their eyes! Then he rolled up his pants leg and showed me his "fake leg". On and on he went - asking me if I had a husband, asking me if I had anything to worry about, etc. etc. - We carried on our conversation for the short trip to Grand Central - at that point I said "Good-bye" and wished him a "Good Thanksgiving". And then he said "Thank you Pretty Lady"!
Ahhhh - how nice a present was that for me?
It just made me sad that everyone on the train were rolling their eyes and definitely uncomfortable with the goings on - but I knew that he was harmless and frankly it makes you realize how good you have it! Whatever my problems are - they are nothing compared to his! I do wish him a Happy Thanksgiving - and everyone else too.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The good news..........

Got a phone call yesterday from my ebay support person. Unfortunately I didn't get to speak to her personally - she must be one busy gal! but she did leave a message. My Power Seller status has been re-instated. I don't know how or what she did to get this accomplished but I do feel better about that. The whole thing is so crazy! But at least that's good news.
I wasn't even upset anymore - just discouraged - it seemed that I was really battling the unknown. I mean how good you can be at this and still lose your POWER SELLER status? Just seemed crazy to me. Hopefully I will get to speak with her but in the mean while I am feeling better.

Redemption-it means so much to me!

Received this email!
I apologize for overreaction. I never meant to criticize your integrity. You seem like a truly reputable dealer. I am going to keep the scarf. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

p.s. Please be so kind as to let me know you have received this email so that I can leave you positive feedback.

Ahhhhhh, I feel much better now!

My integrity is at stake!

I really do not mind taking things back - I mean, I don't like to have to take something back but I don't see any reason why people should have to buy and keep something that doesn't make them happy. I know I'm not Bloomingdales - but I think it is fair to give someone the opportunity to return something if they are not happy with it.
What I do mind is this:
Received blue cashmere scarf. Not what I expected. Definitely NOT TSE. Have 2 TSE scarves, not like either one. More like Macy's or Bloomingdales variety. Will you take it back?
My response which I would put here but now I can't find it......(duh) was that I am happy to take anything back if a buyer if unhappy with their purchase but that I don't like my integrity being questioned. There is no question that the scarf (which is beautiful, by the way and of excellent quality) is TSE. I had the matching 2 pieces (with label) - a sweater/tunic and a pair of leggings. All in the same color, yarn and quality. A set - 3 pieces - all TSE.
So please, go ahead and tell me that you want to return something - I have no problem with that but do not accuse me of selling something that is not as I described. Why would I offer something up as TSE (I mean - this is still not the crème de la crème of cashmere.......it's just cashmere - sometimes not even from Italy! and the point is that you probably would find TSE at Bloomingdales - I don't know about Macy's - but that is possible - I just don't know.
AND let's get down to the real nitty gritty here - I offered the scarf up at $30! I could have just given it away - it's not my fault that it got bid up to over $100!
Ahhh - ebay!

I'm a hostage!

When ebay removed the ability of sellers to leave Negative or Neutral feedback they left the sellers to all be hostages! It's like "lie down and I'll shoot you"! There is nothing that we can do when a buyer says that the item is NOT as described.

I received an email today from a buyer who is telling me that the "BRAND NEW TOD'S LOAFERS" that she received have a little chip, a little mark, a little this and a little that! And gee - she would have NEVER paid so much money - $75 - if I had mentioned these things. Well, I didn't mention those things because they don't exist! The shoes were BRAND NEW! and perfect! But what do I do? I can't win! They were sent out of the country. If I take them back (which I'm happy to do) I have to eat the postage both ways (this could be as much as $60). Believe me, she doesn't want to return them! They're beautiful and for $75! We all know how expensive these shoes are. So what has to happen - I have to give her money back! I'm over the barrel - no choice!

I understand ebay's situation with the feedback - it is such a great way of working - but not with our society of cheaters, thieves, liars, etc. Nothing as straightforward as the feedback system could work in our society. Instead sellers were blackmailing their buyers by telling them "we will mirror your feedback"! I understand why ebay has done what they did - they want buyers to be honest without the fear of receiving a negative in retaliation. I understand and appreciate that because that was the ONE negative I had received in over eight years! So yes, I understand. But it leaves the sellers in a very bad situation - buyers can do this to us - I have to bend over backwards out of fear of a negative from this person! I don't like it at all!

I guess I have quite a few complaints with ebay's dictatorship system. But this is really the only game in town. Where else could you sell things from your closet to people all over the world? It's such a great concept and overall it really works - it's great!

I did receive an email from my gal at ebay and she is working to help me get this POWER SELLER thing straightened out. I have to send these Gucci things to GUCCI for refurbishing and hopefully that might take care of the situation. BUT just the fact that she is on my side trying to help me - well, that makes me happy. POWER SELLER or not - I'm busy selling and listing all of these wonderful things - that's what is really important!

Just a note: I received this email from the person......If I had to return these they would cost me more than 20$. Even though I don't like asking for things, I think a credit would be a good way to show well being and on the other hand i would not give you bad feedback. This is also the reason I wanted to discuss this before going ahead with feedback. Thank-you

So - that's it - give a credit or I will leave you negative feedback! Luckily EVERYONE is not like this. I have spoken with other sellers and they are all having the same problem. It's unfortunate but it is the way it is.

This is what it is all about.............ebay, I mean!

Although I have my gripes - and you know that I do - I really do love ebay. I think it's great that we can move things around from one closet to another.
Here is a really beautiful genuine Black Alligator Handbag/Clutch from Italy that a friend gave me to sell. Unfortunately her mom can no longer enjoy any of her beautiful things - it's sad, I know, but how great is that we can move it on to someone who can love and enjoy it rather than to have it linger alone on a shelf unloved and not being used?
It is truly a beautiful vintage bag in very excellent condition - it was loved and well taken care of.

Listing it on ebay it has moved it on to a new home - and at a very excellent price (if I do say so myself) and look at it now. How wonderful is this? It seems to me that this lovely bag has found a wonderful and beautiful new home.

Thank you so much for sharing that photo - I really love it!

Tearing my hair out!

I love ebay - I really do! There is no place else like it! But they are driving me to drink......ah, that's OK - a nice glass of wine will help.

I must tell you that selling on ebay requires so much time and patience - you can't imagine all the rules, etc. that must be followed. That's OK - they are trying very hard to make it a safe haven - as a seller I like that - as a buyer, I like it even more.
BUT when they attack an honest seller like myself - well, all I can do is tear my hair out - there is nothing else that you can do.

It seems that whoever it is that owns the GUCCI LOGO - they watch all items (well, at least mine) that get listed on ebay and at their discretion - pull off anything that they deem is FAKE! So they pulled off 3 items from my listings. A Gucci Logo telephone case (REAL), a GUCCI tote (REAL) and a pair of GUCCI LOGO shoes (REAL). All of these items are without question AUTHENTIC having been purchased at GUCCI retail stores in New York City. How much more real is that?

The first time it happened I was totally bereft! I have no way to prove that it is real. OK - I guess it can happen and there is just no fighting it - not without a receipt. I didn't give it too much more thought (I should have!). Months later a lovely Blue Canvas GG tote was pulled! I couldn't believe it. It's totally REAL! Purchsed from GUCCI by my daughter's friend - who has a ton of GUCCI! all REAL! It's an old piece and again no way to prove that it is real. You would think that I would have learned my lesson - but you know - I know these things are authentic and went ahead and listed a pair of GUCCI shoes - logo with leather. Please! They did it AGAIN! and again I have no way to prove it.

So - with 100% feedback and selling for 8 years without any problems I have lost my POWER SELLER status! If I was bereft then I am totally beside myself now. I am so unhappy. I am such an honest seller AND I bend over backwards to please my ebayers - totally apparent in my feedback.

I called and spoke with a manager from Gucci in NYC - he couldn't have been nicer and was/is totally aware of the problems that people like myself are having. I won't go into the whole conversation - but he did make a suggestion that I will follow up on. I hope that it will work. He did tell me that they can absolutely NOT give any letters to anyone saying that an item is REAL. I gather from what he said that some problem occurred after they did that for someone and the item turned out to be FAKE! Oh my - he told me that the FAKES are so good that sometimes they can't even tell!

I hate it - I really do - it's such a shame that there are such thieves out there! I know, I know - that is the least of it - that should be the worst thing going on in the world today. Yes, I agree - but within my little ebay world - for me this is a bad thing!