Ebay raises its fees - sigh

Got an e-mail touting their nickel discount on insertion fees starting

2/20/08. Hurray! Panning further down is the real surprise that I must say they're rather muted on - they're increasing FV fees 3.5% (auction) and 2% (store) for their slice of the revenue pie. New fees tier up to 8.75-3.75-1.5% auction and 12-8-4% in store listings, respectively.

FLAME ON!!!

And all over Ebay, bewildered sellers sharpen their crayons and raise shipping and handling fees 15%. Very soon it will be cheaper to make with your bare hands whatever it is you can buy on Ebay.

To read their email one is reminded that even though this is a big election year, spin is not the private domain of politicians.

In addition to the fees and in the truly bizzare world of Ebay they dropped these gems:

*** Sellers will no longer be able to give customers anything but positive feedback.

This postive self-esteem thing at all costs is really getting out of hand

*** Feedback after 12 months drops off the board

You'll be out of business in 2 once the crackpots know they're immune.

*** Sellers being herded towards accepting Paypal or merchant CCs - mandatory.

Have less than 100 feedback ratings? More than 5% negative ratings? Not yet, you will when buyers understand they're RPGing on Ebay in "God mode" Selling items ebay deems "risky"? No I don't know what that means either.

Well stumble into any of the above categories and Ebay will require you to Paypal or Visa. So everybody looking to sell something on Ebay is going to have to become a merchant - yay...

*** Buyers will be held more accountable when sellers report a UPI or commit other violations.

Uh oh, someone's getting sent to bed and getting their MySpace privilges reduced from 10 hours to 9.

The rest was a few more carrots and meaningless drivel about what Ebay is going to do for sellers now that the overall cost of doing business on Ebay just went up another 10% for sellers and 18% for buyers.

• repeat customer feedback counts. Limit 1 per week, per customer.

No way that will get abused to get a Power Seller rating, huh.

• buyers must wait 3 days to leave negative feedback against "established sellers".

Can you feel them twisting your arm to pay up to be a Power Seller.

There has got to be a better way for the casual hobbyist whose number one goal in life is something other enriching these bastards.

FLAME OFF!

Beer on.

WmB