Someone needs to step up to the plate and battle ebay with a new auction site!

Tdec1000 · February 9, 2011 4:59PM

Ebay is getting ridicoulus with their fees and plain BS!!! I am so tired of paying both ebay and paypal who are one in the same!

If someone came up with a decent site that could actually compare to ebay I would be the first to jump ship!

Just letting out a little frustration!

PinkFloyd · February 9, 2011 5:19PM

Yup, some direct competition is needed. eBay's been feeling some pressure from the third party sellers on Amazon, but the business models aren't close enough to give eBay a real run for their money.

ArizonaJack · February 9, 2011 5:38PM

<< Yup, some direct competition is needed. eBay's been feeling some pressure from the third party sellers on Amazon, but the business models aren't close enough to give eBay a real run for their money. >>

Check out Rick Snows new site, GreatCoins.com.....I have been lurking

PinkFloyd · February 9, 2011 5:58PM

<< 

<< Yup, some direct competition is needed. eBay's been feeling some pressure from the third party sellers on Amazon, but the business models aren't close enough to give eBay a real run for their money. >>

Check out Rick Snows new site, GreatCoins.com.....I have been lurking >>

A little rough yet but I like where he's going with it. The subscription-based fee structure might keep the small sellers away though. But it's certainly a better deal than ebay if you're moving larger items.

SFBayArea · February 9, 2011 8:52PM

Yeah, I hate Feebay too. 9% commission & 3 % forced Paypal is too high. You can't even make much. That's why I didn't vote for Meg Whitman for governor here in California.

ricko · February 9, 2011 10:15PM

Given the financial condition of California, that may be a good reason to put a business person in charge of the state. I agree that the fees seem to be getting quite high, but business seems to be booming nonetheless. It may well eliminate small sellers, but that is not where the profit lies. Statistically though, a lot of the overhead goes into the 'small' market. Cheers, RickO

derryb · February 9, 2011 11:25PM

A competitor would have to accept paypal and since ebay owns paypal they could easily create nightmares for users of the competing site.

OPA · February 9, 2011 11:31PM

<< Ebay is getting ridicoulus with their fees and plain BS!!! I am so tired of paying both ebay and paypal who are one in the same!

If someone came up with a decent site that could actually compare to ebay I would be the first to jump ship!

Just letting out a little frustration!

>>

Many have tried over the years, but most have failed. Fees aren't really that high if you compare them to the major auction houses.

derryb · February 9, 2011 11:37PM

I consider all associated fees as an insurance premium that protects me from bad buyers and bad sellers. The protection has worked both ways for me, numerous times. Since I deal primarily in gold coins, the premiums (fees) have more than paid for themselves in successful claims.

EagleEye · February 10, 2011 1:48AM

We've been trying to get GreatCoins off the ground, but have found that to get the traffic we desire, we need many active listers. Add to that the problem of having many other things to do, like run my Eagle Eye business, and it becomes very hard to get things rolling.

I would really like to have some suggestions on how to make it work. Right now we are paying lots for unlimited image hosting, uber-security and programming. We allow sellers to set up their pay-pal, google checkout and/or merchant accounts, as well as take checks. The set-up take a little effort, so we are finding some difficulty in getting people to follow through with their set-up.

I can tell that I have had 500 people click-though to my existing site, so there is some traffic there.

ianrussell · February 10, 2011 2:15AM

GreatCollections is launching very soon and I think it's a step in the right direction as an alternative to eBay for certified coins. We will have a low fee structure and we do all the work. We take possession of all coins being sold, so we list and image consistently and professionally, while taking the risks out of dealing with unknown people online.

I was pleased with the positive response at Long Beach recently, after giving some demos of the software and website. So far, collectors and dealers have consigned over 1,500 certified coins, and this number is growing each day pre-launch.

We are doing final testing at the moment and expect to launch very soon.

- Ian

EagleEye · February 10, 2011 2:22AM

Yes, Ian's site is very attractive. We have talked a bit about the similarities in out name, but found that it is not too confusing. Also our sites are vastly different. We enable you to sell, where Ian's site works like a Real Estate broker (to use a housing analogy), where my site is like a "Help-U-Sell". I signed up on Ian's site. I wish him all the success he deserves.

johnny9434 · February 10, 2011 3:57AM

<< Yeah, I hate Feebay too. 9% commission & 3 % forced Paypal is too high. You can't even make much. That's why I didn't vote for Meg Whitman for governor here in California. >>

like yourself im sure those who know more or less as you do didnt vote for her knowing the same thing

dogwood · February 10, 2011 4:02AM

That settles it then. I'm starting a site called GreatCoinCollections.com.

BillJones · February 10, 2011 4:21AM

I agree that eBay needs competition, but the situation is similar to what it is in the coin grading industry. There are the top two grading companies, and then everybody else. Some firms like ICG made an honest effort at first, but they just could not break the ice. There have been nice coins in ICG holders, but many of them have ended up in the “big two” holders. The ICG mistakes and marginal calls stayed in ICG holders which left the company with that reputation.

The same is true with eBay. Sellers perceive that eBay get the best prices for them, and they are not willing to use or even try another service.

Edited to add:

It takes a lot guts, brains and capital to "step up to the plate" and challenge eBAy. Most investors don't want to try to climb Mt. Everest.

mrpotatoheadd · February 10, 2011 4:27AM

I've tried close to a dozen different sites since I started selling on eBay and the only place that came close was Yahoo. Too bad they gave up on auctions, as they could have provided eBay with some competition. The rest of the sites I tried? A waste of time.

AnkurJ · February 10, 2011 4:29AM

Buyer and seller protection makes eBay fees worth it. It would be very difficult to police and monitor an auction site without high fees.

Russ · February 10, 2011 4:32AM

<< 

<< Ebay is getting ridicoulus with their fees and plain BS!!! I am so tired of paying both ebay and paypal who are one in the same!

If someone came up with a decent site that could actually compare to ebay I would be the first to jump ship!

Just letting out a little frustration!

>>

Many have tried over the years, but most have failed. Fees aren't really that high if you compare them to the major auction houses. >>

Yep, there are zillions of alternative sites - and none have buyers. As for fees, not only are they better than the major auction houses, try comparing the cost of selling on eBay to the cost of operating a B&M store. There is a littany of stupid things eBay has done over the years, but fees doesn't even make the top 10.

Russ, NCNE

Russ · February 10, 2011 4:38AM

<< I've tried close to a dozen different sites since I started selling on eBay and the only place that came close was Yahoo. Too bad they gave up on auctions, as they could have provided eBay with some competition. The rest of the sites I tried? A waste of time. >>

In the beginning eBay had a very real competitor in auctions. In fact, they were kicking eBay's butt. I sold there instead of eBay back in the mid to late 90's. The site was haggle.com. Sadly, they went TU.

Russ, NCNE

JamesMurray · February 10, 2011 5:07AM

There has always been Ebid which i thought and still do could give Ebay a run for the money. It just doesn't get the traffic Ebay does and that's down to both familiarity and Ebays buyers protection policies. That is what sellers are payng for with the high fees i believe and a seller is nothing without a buyer. It's probably one of the most secure places on line to buy anymore , ironic isn't it.

SFBayArea · February 10, 2011 5:38AM

Not only are Feebay's fees high but my problem is that they are very unfriendly towards the seller. I liked them better back when they allowed people to pay by check and as a seller you could give a buyer a negative feedback. I don't think commissions were that high back then either. Now you can't do any of it. Seems like buyers have their way. You do whatever you can to make a transaction right like giving refunds, quick shipping, open communication, etc and the buyer can still give you negative feedback regardless and there's nothing you can do to take it off.

Feebay should be a neutral party. If the seller did everything right and did a refund, they should get rid of their negative feedback not be punished by it. It's like you have to pray that every buyer you get is a nice guy and is honest and fair on the transaction. For that reason, Feebay sucks more beyond the commissions.

Glad Meg Whitman lost in California. She said she would layoff many state workers anyhow. For its size, California has less state workers per population compared to other states anyhow. Plus I didn't like the way she treats people. Yeah she had an illegal work for her and I'm not for illegals but still she treated the illegal like crap after 10 years and her husband suspicious of the housekeeper being illegal regardless but failing to deal with it. Another previous employee for Meg also said Meg was not a good person to work for.

Feebay sucks period. I know that there's other sites like Ebid or there used to be Coinzip. They just don't get the volume of people. Feebay fulfilled the niche. I hope there would be a competition to force Feebay to become Ebay once again.

Unknown · February 10, 2011 6:56AM

This content has been removed.

EagleEye · February 10, 2011 7:48AM

I think it would take some futurist visionary, like Jim Halpern to take on eBay. If Heritage started a eBay-like site it would probably gain acceptance very quickly.

Remember that Heritage nearly created eBay, with its USRCE in 1990. I remember being on their kick-off party on a boat in Elliot Bay in Seattle. If they opened it up to everyone back then, Heritage (with Jim and Steve) would be an eBay-sized company by now.

Tdec1000 · February 10, 2011 8:03AM

My problem is that Ebay takes what the buyers say as gold. I have had a problem with USPS here early last year and I recieved a few 1s and 2s on DSRs for shipping. It wasn't my problem and as soon as a buyer opens up a complaint because they didn't recieve their item next day it screws the seller royally!!

ianrussell · February 10, 2011 10:06AM

eBay has definitely increased the risks for sellers, and there are also risks for buyers - particularly those who do not know what they are really buying.

Only one company could compete with eBay on a global/multi category scale in my opinion... Google. At some point, Google is going to get into shopping in a much bigger way, and perhaps they will turn to online auctions and C2C. It will take some time though.

- Ian

nickel · February 10, 2011 10:42AM

"" A competitor would have to accept paypal and since ebay owns paypal they could easily create nightmares for users of the competing site. ""

Just a thought . On a competing site , I figure paypal would be an option , and sellers may use paypal , checks , western union ,
bid pay etc. and not necessarily be forced to use paypal , although it is an extremely easy and quick way to settle .
As for "nightmares" paypal is used outside of the auction system . Anyone can send anybody money , as long as both
parties have accounts . How would ebay know if the money transfer is auction related? Also , they get their cut from
the receiving end anyway . Thanks for reading my mini rant .

ianrussell · February 10, 2011 10:44AM

<< 

<< 

<< Ebay is getting ridicoulus with their fees and plain BS!!! I am so tired of paying both ebay and paypal who are one in the same!

If someone came up with a decent site that could actually compare to ebay I would be the first to jump ship!

Just letting out a little frustration!

>>

Many have tried over the years, but most have failed. Fees aren't really that high if you compare them to the major auction houses. >>

Your kidding right, highest fees in the industry. >>

Not only the highest, eBay's fees are too complicated.

- Ian

ianrussell · February 10, 2011 10:46AM

<< "" A competitor would have to accept paypal and since ebay owns paypal they could easily create nightmares for users of the competing site. ""

Just a thought . On a competing site , I figure paypal would be an option , and sellers may use paypal , checks , western union ,
bid pay etc. and not necessarily be forced to use paypal , although it is an extremely easy and quick way to settle .
As for "nightmares" paypal is used outside of the auction system . Anyone can send anybody money , as long as both
parties have accounts . How would ebay know if the money transfer is auction related? Also , they get their cut from
the receiving end anyway . Thanks for reading my mini rant . >>

Paypal is perhaps a better and more valuable business than eBay (I vote for them to spin it off; they won't yet though). It's essential for online businesses to accept Paypal now. I see more and more large companies online accepting Paypal. Don't think Amazon does yet, wonder when they will start.

- Ian

mrpotatoheadd · February 10, 2011 10:49AM

<< Not only the highest, eBay's fees are too complicated. >>

Maybe if you try to calculate them yourself. But you don't have to- there are free online eBay fee calculators that will do it for you.

ianrussell · February 10, 2011 10:52AM

<< 

<< Not only the highest, eBay's fees are too complicated. >>

Maybe if you try to calculate them yourself. But you don't have to- there are free online eBay fee calculators that will do it for you. >>

lol. But seriously, if you need a specially-designed calculator online to work out the fees, that means it's too complicated!

How does the average person work it out?

- Ian

ModernCoinMart · February 10, 2011 11:03AM

OK... let's do it!!! Hey buddy, got an extra $500,000,000? That should barely get us started to blow John Donahoe & Co right out of the water. I had a beer with this guy a few years back and while he may have got off to a shakey start he ain't nobody's fool. They have 17,000 employees and while we may not like many things about the "system", it works for them. Oh yea, the stock was up 8% today.

John

Edited: Woops, I usually post over here as myself, didnt realize I was logged in as MCM, but no matter.

keets · February 10, 2011 11:10AM

Ebay is getting ridicoulus with their fees and plain BS!!! I am so tired of paying both ebay and paypal who are one in the same!

are you just as tired at other auction sites with paying 15-20%, or is it just eBay/PayPal fees that bug you?? i pay the fees and chalk it up to the "price of admission" but i'm not above doing what i can when i can to buy direct from eBay sellers. the best suggestion is to build a list of e-mail addresses of your favorite/frequent sellers so you can circumvent the eBay system, work your deals and pay by check. i simply got tired of having it done to me and when a seller screwed me recently i decided to not even feel guilty about "cheating" eBay. the way they police their auction seller violations, well, they deserve the revenue loss.

UtahCoin · February 10, 2011 11:20AM

<< I think it would take some futurist visionary, like Jim Halpern to take on eBay. If Heritage started a eBay-like site it would probably gain acceptance very quickly.

Remember that Heritage nearly created eBay, with its USRCE in 1990. I remember being on their kick-off party on a boat in Elliot Bay in Seattle. If they opened it up to everyone back then, Heritage (with Jim and Steve) would be an eBay-sized company by now. >>

And get Google involved. They have the clout to go against eBay

CarlWohlforth · February 10, 2011 11:26AM

I'm working on an idea. Unfortunately I don't have enough time. I do believe it addresses many of the issues raised here. Naturally I'll let you all know about it when I'm ready for testing. Realistically it will be like having a baby, 9 months of effort!

Russ · February 10, 2011 11:51AM

Google is constantly, (and breathlessly), mentioned as a hope for a competitor to eBay in the auction business. If they did, and it's highly unlikely they ever will, you can bet that they would be just as restrictive toward, and demanding of sellers as eBay. Perhaps even more so. Anybody who has dealt with them from the merchant side of things knows that.

PS: And their customer support is even WORSE than eBay's.

Russ, NCNE

mrpotatoheadd · February 10, 2011 12:07PM

<< lol. But seriously, if you need a specially-designed calculator online to work out the fees, that means it's too complicated! >>

You don't *need* a specially-designed calculator to figure out fees- it just makes it easier. After the auction is over, you can find out what the fees are on your "My eBay" page anyway.

<< How does the average person work it out? >>

With a calculator?

SFBayArea · February 10, 2011 1:29PM

Feebay's fees maybe lower than some higher end house auctions but they weren't lower than Ebid or Coinzip.

I don't think Google would want to get into this business. From what I know, Google treat people well. I don't see any benefit for them to get into this business. Feebay already has a bunch to deal with in terms of fraud schemes and counterfeit items. I just don't like how they treat legit sellers who work hard to keep their 100% positive feedback. For that, they are unreasonable. Just because some bad apples ruined it for some of us, not all of us should be treated as bad apples. They should allow sellers to give negative feedback since buyers can be scam artists too. I don't understand that at all. Nowadays, half the buyers don't even have to leave feedback at all. They get their item and don't care to give feedback or any common courtesy like letting the seller know they received the item. I always ask the buyer to let me know when they get their item. Half of them don't respond at all. Feebay sucks period but it's the only widely known venue for selling items out there. Some company surely has to come up and compete.

Coinosaurus · February 10, 2011 1:54PM

Ummm, Heritage already charges like only 10% if you negotiate it right

I guess you are talking about lower priced stuff. I'm not sure Heritage can add much value beside what ebay already does in this space. As long as buyers & sellers interact directly you have to deal with all the fallout from that. Ebay is already setup to deal with that & has the mindshare. Heritage won't get into the biz of physically taking the stuff from you and then listing it, the margins are too low, besides you can already use independent guys like APN for that who take better pictures than Heritage anyway.

Strongly suspect Jim Halperin has already given this idea a lot of thought and decided against it.

nutmeg · February 11, 2011 12:53AM

<< A competitor would have to accept paypal and since ebay owns paypal they could easily create nightmares for users of the competing site. >>

My opinion is that it could be done without Paypal.

mrpotatoheadd · February 11, 2011 1:48AM

I looked up some of my past sales to see what the actual fees were. Here are some examples:

$1495.00 sale, $69.48 in fees - 4.6%
$249.95 sale, $14.62 in fees - 5.8%
$99.95 sale, $7.62 in fees - 7.6%
$54.95 sale, $5.57 in fees - 10.1%
$9.95 sale, $1.22 in fees - 12.2%

Obviously, if all you sell is 10 buck stuff, the fees are higher than if you're selling more expensive items, but still...

Russ · February 11, 2011 2:10AM

<< Feebay's fees maybe lower than some higher end house auctions but they weren't lower than Ebid or Coinzip. >>

Lower fees are no benefit when there are no buyers.

<< Ummm, Heritage already charges like only 10% if you negotiate it right >>

And a 15% buyer's premium, which the seller is really paying for.

Russ, NCNE

leothelyon · February 11, 2011 3:37AM

<< 

<< A competitor would have to accept paypal and since ebay owns paypal they could easily create nightmares for users of the competing site. >>

My opinion is that it could be done without Paypal. >>

Why not an escrow service? Once a seller and buyer establish trust in their transactions, it wouldn't be needed, right!
I want to avoid ebay, credit cards and paypal all due to someone doing a chargeback or some other BS where they get their money back and keep the coin. How do you get around that?

Leo

wondercoin · February 11, 2011 3:39AM

I stopped by yesterday morning to take a tour of the "Greatcollections" physical operations (Ian Russell on this thread). He has a system under construction (set to be completed later this month) that looks similar to ebay in many ways. He told me he is working very hard at getting registered customers to the site (a key to getting good prices for consignor's coins obviously). It looks like he has taken in quite a bit of inventory already for the official launch later this month.

I wish Ian the very best with the new operation!! If you send any coins his way, tell him they are as a direct result of Wondercoin's referral ... he promised me some upper deck baseball tickets to an Angels game next year (and hot dogs, peanuts and soda for the entire family) if I sent some business his way!!

Wondercoin

SFBayArea · February 11, 2011 4:34AM

<< I looked up some of my past sales to see what the actual fees were. Here are some examples:

$1495.00 sale, $69.48 in fees - 4.6%
$249.95 sale, $14.62 in fees - 5.8%
$99.95 sale, $7.62 in fees - 7.6%
$54.95 sale, $5.57 in fees - 10.1%
$9.95 sale, $1.22 in fees - 12.2%

Obviously, if all you sell is 10 buck stuff, the fees are higher than if you're selling more expensive items, but still... >>

I don't know where you get your rates but when I helped my friend sell his car stereo for $500, they charged around $50 in fees. You must have some special seller business account with them. I don't sell very often so I always have to pay around 9% commission + 3% forced paypal no matter the price. I don't know where you get your rates from but I would like to know what type of account you have so I might consider it. The only problem is that I don't do much in volume.

mrpotatoheadd · February 11, 2011 4:46AM

<< I don't know where you get your rates... >>

I got them by taking the fees in the sales records in "My eBay" and dividing by the prices the items sold for.

ScarsdaleCoin · February 11, 2011 5:59AM

I agree.....

truecollector70 · February 11, 2011 6:15AM

Auctiva was hinting awhile ago to do this .. PayPal would never be an issue since anti trust laws would keep them in line..

Perhaps a new auction house could have controls over shills which are rampant on eBay among the large modern sellers..

Someone needs to step up to the plate and battle ebay with a new auction site!

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