eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

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June 08, 2009

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

By: Ina Steiner

Mon June 8 2009 21:56:27

To the Editor: (Auctiva, eBay Pawns in the Game.)
I've always been a late bloomer and, true to form, only started using Auctiva listing services this year. That was a slightly ironic move as the number of listings on eBay has dropped to a bare minimum. Once a powerseller and store owner, I shifted my antiques/collectibles business sales into other venues. My business goal includes becoming eBay free!

Auctiva seemed like a nice way to spruce up the few listings remaining in eBay auction and fixed priced formats. But ... With the changes and favoritism of eBay towards basement bargain shopping for large commercial wholesalers, it is less and less attractive to list there. With Auctiva's push to a store selling venue and fee based service for eBay, it seems less attractive to use those services anymore also.

If I were a major billion dollar corporation trying to protect my retail interests, I would do everything in my power to dry up the secondary retail market. Chaos, instability and expense are 3 great tools. So it appears to this small business person, that the large corporates are winning the battle. Gobble, Gobble!
Barbara

Comments (8) | Permalink

Readers Comments

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: just me

Tue Jun 9 07:55:51 2009

I don't think you have seen anything yet. With the government supporting all the large corporations the guys running the dry cleaners are footing the bills. Taxes will continue to go up. The little guy gets the bill and the big guy laughs all the way to the bank.

I shop at WalMart. In this economy saving money is the bottom line for my family. (sorry to the walmart bashers).

But in hindsight how many small businesses have failed because WalMart came to town. Biggest small business problem is in order for them to make a living they have high prices. Sorry but feeding my family comes before those little guys.

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: Al G

Tue Jun 9 08:02:40 2009

You can't fight large corporations, period.

At least not on a product/service one-for-one basis. The have the resources and networks where you don't even appear on their radar screens.

That, however, is your advantage. You have to be quick and innovative - something a corporation upon reaching a certain size cannot do. Do you want to compete against Wal-Mart to sell tube socks or light bulbs? Laptops against Best?Buy? I don't think so. (Yes, Virginia, there are exceptions, but I'm trying to keep it simple).

So, I think the argument can be rephrased in eBay terms - do you want to sell for a fixed price or auction format. Fixed price reflects a steady cost of goods cost [and overhead], and known value of the product, so you can factor in your profit margin. Auction means you don't know the true value of your product because of its relative uniqueness so you let the market decide value.

Granted, this is a little simplistic since craftswomen/arteeets [sic] can get a pretty good cost analysis, including final value over time. Just ask Monet or Andy Warhol.

eBay is a dichotomy with Large Corporations and small sellers existing side by side, but they shouldn't be competing with each other. eBay, as a large corporation does compete with their large corporation sellers, e.g. special rates & other non-monetary perks which does come out of eBay's bottom line.

The small seller does not have this advantage and will never have unless eBay's management wakes up and values the smaller sellers as an integral part of eBay's structure. The big boys will come & go, Wal.Mart will eventually go the way of Kresge, Woolworths, Montgomery Ward - and so will the smaller sellers, but there will be more smaller sellers with innovation and drive whilst the corporate mindset is just that - you can change your thoughts & paradigms but to issue top-down edicts in the corporate world is suicide. Just watch Government Motors try to innovate.....

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: eieio

Tue Jun 9 08:21:58 2009

We will all have to hang on till ebay get's off the political bandwagon and disunites itself with the power elite. Best case scenario is they ruin themselves totally in the meantime. I have posted for a long time that ebay policies and attitudes align with the curret gov's nefarious dealings.

The upshot though is perhaps that people are waking up faster than was anticipated. Another upshot is everything the gov is trying to shove down our throats is un-con stitutional and, by default, null and void.

Need proof:

The Enumerated Powers of States
Posted on 12 April 2009

by Rob Natelson

Our Constitution created a federal government with only enumerated powers. All powers not listed were reserved to the states and people.

That is commonly known. What is not commonly known is that during the debate over adoption of the Constitution, the Constitution’s advocates also enumerated powers the federal government absolutely would not have.

When the Constitution was being debated, the opponents’ most important objection was that the new federal government might have too much power. The Bill of Rights - including the Tenth Amendment - was adopted to quiet such fears. Subjects would be within the states’ exclusive jurisdiction - and outside the federal government’s control. They did this in a variety of speeches, newspaper articles, letters, and pamphlets.

Who were these “enumerators?” Most were citizens of very high standing.

They included, among others: Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Here are some of the powers they solemnly promised would be outside the federal sphere:

◦governance of religion
◦training the militia and appointing militia officers
◦control over local government
◦most crimes
◦state justice systems
◦family affairs
◦real property titles and conveyances
◦wills and inheritance
◦the promotion of useful arts in ways other than granting patents and copyrights
◦control of personal property outside of commerce
◦governance of the law of torts and contracts, except in suits between citizens of different states
◦education
◦services for the poor and unfortunate
◦licensing of taverns
◦roads other than post roads
◦ferries and bridges
◦regulation of fisheries, farms, and other business enterprises.

For an article on the subject, see The Enumerated Powers of States, available at: http://www.umt.edu/law/faculty/natelson.htm

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: ebay=penny stock

Tue Jun 9 08:27:09 2009

Anyone that thinks that the government be it local or federal won't do what it wants when it wants at any cost is living in a dream world.

Big brother rules. Oh sure the radicals will pitch there crap but the government wins.

You can't fight it so you might as well adjust to it and move on. Life is to short.

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: Oldemon

Tue Jun 9 09:58:32 2009

And there in lays the problem folks. Nobody wants to stand together and let their voices be heard. The wealthy hierarchy has stayed together and convinced us that we have no say in anything. Unfortunately we seem to have fallen for it and just sit by quietly and grumble about it to each other.
No I'm not pro-government but I've seen the same thing happen in many other situations. The big boys use their clout to control the masses and we stand by and let it happen.
Remember ''Together we stand Divided we fall''. We don't have to be radicals or extremists to make change, the silent majority can have as much power as the big guys but we have to stick together to do it.

Have a good day - stay positive

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: Barbara

Wed Jun 10 11:43:15 2009

OP was about corporate business giants vs small business and not about government.

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: ebay=penny stock

Wed Jun 10 11:48:39 2009

@barbara

Just where do you think borpaorate business giants GET their clout to beat up on small businesses.

HOW DO YOU SPELL BIG GOVERNMENT, LOBBYIST AND CROOKS.

eBay Sellers versus Large Corporations

by: o.c.d.collectibles

Tue Jun 16 11:59:28 2009

there is one exception to the rule: the thrift store and consignment store industry. Yep, "secondhand" is a thriving sector in business! It's growing faster (percentage-wise/yr) than retail!Check it out on the web! Retail Corporate only wishes it were doing so well!LOL! Ebay USED to be based on second hand goods. But they LOSE. Buh-by ebay!

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