I think I may have sold my last item on eBay. Their new policy prohibits payments by check or money order - or at least it will come October. I happen to use PayPal quite a bit, but don't feel particularly warm and fuzzy toward eBay when they put a halt to these other legitimate methods of payment. I guess they don't feel they make enough off the listing fees and the final bid fees. EBay owns PayPal, so they get a percentage of those payments as well. I dislike the controlling and greedy feel of this.
With the economy taking the turn it has, you'd think eBay would do whatever necessary to keep the customers they have. I'm not the only one disgusted with the new rules. I see many artists are turning to etsy, so I may look into that.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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7 comments:
Good for you, Deanna. If enough people did the same thing, then these companies might think twice about their greedy ways. On that subject - it seems that greed and bad practice has led to the crisis you are experiencing in the US at the moment - and it looks as though the perpetrators are going to be baled out by you poor taxpayers! How do you feel about that?
I have never sold on eBay - it has always looked too complicated and messy to me & I could never work it out. I have just opened an Etsy shop - it is pretty user-friendly and sales are starting to flow, even though I've been keeping it pretty quiet so far. I look forward to seeing your Etsy shop, Deanna!
Hi Deanna, I am amember of R2RD too and I came to your blog through the group blog...Anyhoo, I also was bothered by the new payment rule too! I started accepting checks and money orders awhile back after realizing just how much money was going to ebay-paypal...I am not going to stop using ebay (because I can't afford to) but it is troublesome...Ebay is BIG in the online marketplace...I recently started my own website because I wanted to sell outside of ebay and keep the spare change...then I realized the webhost I was using (paying monthly) is an ebay co! Whee-oo...
On another note, you dolls are fabulous and your craftsmanship is top notch! What talent....
Love, Jane
The only issue for me in Ebay vs Etsy is visibility outside of the arts/crafts community. Everyone has heard of ebay; I still have conversations with people - many of them potential customers - who are unfamiliar with Etsy.
It's up to us, Etsy sellers, to keep getting the word out I guess. Slowly the visibility of Etsy is rising. There was a piece in a recent Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine, and Martha Stewart seems to want to promote the site.
I love the simplicity of listing on Etsy and the low listing fee. I love that I can customize the visual of my store front banner.
The more high profile and well known doll artists move their online stores to Etsy, the better it will be for all of us in bringing in customers, so thanks for coming over Deanna. Be sure to join the EGADS team - Etsy Guild for Art Dolls and Such - when you do.
I can't recommend Etsy highly enough. I feel that not only is the site cheaper and easier to use than eBay, but the page designs are much cleaner and more beautiful. Also, while eBay has apparently decided that small sellers and self-representing artists aren't part of its business plan, Etsy actually listens to its users. Just this week they've created a new category for art dolls and miniatures, because Etsy users asked for it! I just think that's so great!
By the way, could you update my blog address on your blogroll? I've moved to my own domain at www.NeedleandClay.com. Thanks!
I'm so glad to hear all the positive comments about Etsy - and the new category! I've not had much of a chance lately to explore the site yet, but I sure will.
Deanna
I have an Etsy account but I've never tried selling there. Maybe I'll try with my next creation?
What are you working on, Miss Blue Heron Dolls?
Dixie
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