Latest .ca promo - do we need more sellers or buyers?

[treasure-pot]

OK, just got another email on one of my buying IDs. eBay.ca wants me to start selling so bad they are going to give me five freebies.

Where are the freebies for sellers? Do we really need more sellers? How will more sellers on eBay improve the profitability of the sellers that are already here? Isn't that what JB keeps telling us he is concerned about? Or did I misunderstand?

My simple understanding of the marketplace is that more sellers drives down the profitability for all - fewer sellers increases the profitability.

Bill treasure-pot

[treasure-pot]

Just to clarify... the previous post are some of my musings only. I'm just curious to see what others think eBay's long-range plans may be.

Bill treasure-pot

[katiusciav]

..i agree..introducing buyer's fees, small or not would be a huge risk for ebay..especially after so long of buyers being able to buy for free (well..i suppose in buyers eyes, a shipping fee would be considered a 'fee' that they wouldn't have to pay at a shopping mall)
incurring a fee to buyers may prove to be detrimental..and one that may not be able to be remedied afterwards..it may tarnish ebay's image in that sense and disourage future buyers who are already weary of ebay..
on the other hand, there's also the argument that some buyers wouldn't budge from ebay...i think we've all seen those buyers that have purchased 2-3 items every day for the last year, and clearly have a buying 'fascination' with ebay...

i'm sure its crossed the great minds at ebay, but obviously, have decided against such a bold move..

[alero0]

Apples and oranges... When did Costco become a shopping mall?
Bill, the point I was trying to make was that people who choose to pay a membership to a place like Costco do so to be able to buy things at a cheaper price than a conventional store. Ebay offers the chance to buy things at a cheaper price than if a buyer would have to pay if buying something at a retail store. I don't think that ebay would ever start charging buyers a fee to use their site because they make enough money charging us (the sellers). When they feel that they have to make more money they just raise our rates because they know we'll just keep paying them.
As for Apples and Oranges; in a shopping mall you can buy anything from fruits and vegetables to auto parts. At Costco you can buy things from fruits and vegetables to auto parts so I don't see costco being that much different than a shopping mall aside from the fact there aren't seperate doors to each department.
Harvey

[treasure-pot]

I don't think that ebay would ever start charging buyers a fee to use their site because they make enough money charging us (the sellers).

Let's revisit this topic when eBay rolls out their next fee increase. Many would argue that eBay's greed has not reached it's limit yet.

Regardless, eBay will never impose a fee on buyers as it would signal the demise of the site. They invest millions of dollars for advertising (except in Canada) and Google to attract buyers. They know that imposing a fee on buyers would be equivalent to shooting themselves in the foot.

Bill treasure-pot

[alero0]

Many would argue that eBay's greed has not reached it's limit yet.
There are 3 things we can be sure of in life; Death, Taxes and ebay raising their fees.
I'm sure ebay knows that they'll lose a small percentage of sellers every rate increase. This is why they're always giving free promos to new sellers. They, I'm sure have it on paper that for every 10 seller they might lose each rate increase, they might gain 15 new sellers with giving free promos.
A long time seller sees each rate increase cuting their profit margin. They'll only leave ebay after 4 or 5 increases. A new seller sees the rates they start with as the norm. Ebay probably feels that if they can keep a seller for 4 or 5 years while constantly recruting new ones, they've done their job.
Harvey

[bestshowtime]

I agree that we need more buyers. Do you know how and why I visit first time E-bay. Every time I opened my internet(Telus home page) I sow add: E-bay. Next on shopping channel was huge sale of Royal Doulton figurines. So I diced to check E-bay. Now I'm here. What is really surprise me why E-bay almost stop advertising.
Big company which on market too long already spend millions $ on advertising( like Pepsi, Coca Cola). Why they spend this money every day you go in food store and you can see Pepsi and Coca. THEY SPEND IT BECAUSE OF COMPETITION and good management