Posted By:
davidcyclebackI second (or third) that it appears the top eBay executives have no experience with actually selling on their own site, as some of the proposed decisions are dumb-- dumb for sellers, for buyers and ultimately for eBay. Allowing free listings is a bad idea all around, as filling up an auction site with cheap crap (that the seller wouldn't list if it weren't free listing) makes for a horrible auction experience. Neither buyer nor seller needs to see a 1991 Topps set listed on eBay as 880 singles-- which is something that would never happen with a 25 cent listing fee, might might if there is no charge.
I think the eBay executives are trying to switch from being one of the most financially profitable auction houses in history to becoming the next Buy.com. Why they would want to do this, I have no idea-- but my guess is the outcome will not be pleasant for eBay as a company. I agree with Dan that the essential problem with this attempted switch to a new model is the old model not only wasn't broken, it made immensely profitable. No good business plan includes killing off your goose that lays golden eggs.