Ebay Delisting Virtual Property Auctions

Posted by Zonk on Friday January 26, @03:39PM (Slashdot.org)


The growing popularity of Massively Multiplayer games has brought the issue of ownership rights in virtual worlds, and the appropriateness of what is called 'real money transfer' (RMT) into an increasingly public light. The success of the company IGE, as well as the launch of Sony Online Entertainment's 'Station Exchange' service would seem to indicate that RMT is now an acceptable part of Massive gaming.

The well-known auction site eBay has recently made a policy decision that may throw these assumptions into a different light. Following up on I spoke today with a media representative for the company, who confirmed that eBay is now delisting all auctions for 'virtual artifacts' from the site.

This includes currency, items, and accounts/characters; not even the 'neopoints' used in the popular Neopets service is exempt from this decision. Read on below for the company's rationale for this decision, and a few words on the impact this could have on future RMT sales.

Read complete story here

Ebay U.K. BIN Listing Special 1-25-07

For the entire day of Thursday 25th January 2007 (local UK time), sellers who list item(s) using the Buy It Now Only (Fixed Price) format in an eligible category, will pay a reduced 10 pence (£0.10) Insertion Fee per item they list. Please see below for more details.

You will need a feedback score of at least 10, or a feedback score of at least 5 if you have a PayPal account to list items using the Buy It Now Only (Fixed Price) format.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/sell/070125BIN10p/

Ebay to Make Changes in Feedback System

Ebay president Bill Cobb has announced changes that will be taking place with Ebays trademark feedback system.

Feedback 2.0 will be launching in pilot markets next month. The new system will add a new dimension to the current system, allowing buyers to rate transactions on item description, communication, shipping time, and shipping & handling charges. The average of each of the Detailed Seller Ratings is displayed on the seller’s Feedback Profile page. It's a simple system that rewards sellers by recognizing and spotlighting the things they do to ensure customer satisfaction.

Later this year, they will be archiving all but the last 24 months of feedback history. Your total score will remain, but your percent will be based on just the last 2 years of activity. All comments older than this will be archived.

In an unrelated subject they have also announced that new sellers will be required to accept Paypal or merchant credit cards.

The complete post from Bill Cobb is located Here.

Ebay Discount Listing Day 1-20-07

Ebay US is holding a 20 cent auction style and fixed price listing day on Thursday 18 January 2007. The listing fee for all auction style and fixed price listings is 20 cents on the U.S. site (www.ebay.com) . This includes listings created before 18 Jan 2007 but that are scheduled to start on 18 Jan 2007.

This promotion will not apply to the following types of listings: All eBay Motors listings (including Parts & Accessories, Passenger Vehicles, Motorcycles, Power Sports, Other Vehicles), International, Live Auction, Professional Services, Real Estate, Ad Format and Store Inventory listings as well as certain business and industrial categories.

http://pages.ebay.com/promo/20centpromotion07/

Ebay to Heighten Security Precautions

The Associated Press
By RACHEL KONRAD
January 17, 2007


Executives at eBay Inc. are touting security as their top priority in 2007 after an internal survey showed that online scammers may be denting the company's reputation.

The San Jose-based online auction company began a program last year to safeguard members' identities by concealing their user names on expensive listings. That measure could make it harder for con artists to contact losing bidders and goad them into 'second chance offers,' where customers wire cash to the scammers' accounts.

Engineers also want to reduce counterfeit items and clamp down on scams between buyers and sellers from different countries, said William C. Cobb, president of eBay North America.

Read complete story here

Top 10 Reasons I Won't Bid on Your Auction

This is an excerpt from an article found on the Internet Auction Directory site.

1. Your pictures are lousy…..sorry, but I really can't see tell what your widget looks like. Your photo is out of focus and looks like you took it with a cell phone camera. Buy or borrow a digital camera.


2. You won't tell me the shipping charge…..I really don't have time to email you and wait for a response. I've already passed you by and bid on another one just like yours. Use the ebay shipping calculator. Or go to usps.com and calculate the shipping. Maybe see what your competition charges. Just do something - I don't like surprises.


3. Your description is scary……Two lines describing your widget, and 16 lines telling me the terms, conditions, and nasty stuff you'll do if I don't comply. No thanks.


4. Your shipping/handling charge is absurd……Your item is bidding for 99 cents and your shipping charge is $24.95. Since your gizmo is worth about 30 bucks its still a good deal. Wrong answer. You don't refund shipping so if I have to return it all I get back is my 99 cents. See ya.


5. I can't read your description……One six inch paragraph in all capitals. I got past the first two lines, but that's about it. Turn off the caps lock key and hit the return button a few times. One minute of your listing time can make a world of difference.


6. You don't want my money…..All you accept are USPS money orders. I just want to buy your $3 postcard. It's simply not worth it to me to go to the post office and spend a buck on a money order and another 39 cents on postage. Consider Paypal.


7. Your feedback is questionable…..This one doesn't require much explanation. Your couple of negatives don't bother me nearly as much as the twenty people who gave you neutrals for the same reasons. People read this stuff.


8. Your ad is blinding me…..24 point multi-colored fonts, flashing lights, dashing graphics, scrolling marquees. Save it for the circus.


9. Your ad loads too slowly…..Your intentions are probably good, and the pictures probably are too. But I can't spend the rest of my lunch break waiting to find out. Consider changing to a different photo host or reducing your image size.


10. I really don't need to hear your life story….The pictures of your cat were really cute and I bet the farmhouse in Kansas was great. In fact, I've completely forgotten what it was you're selling. A little personalization is a good thing. Too much is not so good. Consider a blog.

Ebay Annual Fee Hike

Ebay has announced the following seller fee increases to Ebay auctions and Ebay Motors which go in to effect January 30, 2007:

• Insertion fee for auction and fixed price starting prices $1.00 to $9.99 will be increased to $0.40 (an increase of 5 cents above current $0.35
• Final value fees for selling price range $25.01 to $1,000 increases to 3.35% from current 3%
• Ebay Motors Motorcycles & Powersports Transaction Services fees increases to $40 from current $30
• Ebay Motors Cars & Trucks, Other Vehicles & Trailers Transaction Services fee increases to $50 from current $40
• Ebay Motors reserve fee goes to 0.1% of reserve price ($5 minimum, $10 maximum) from current $5.00 fee

Bill Cobb President, eBay North America has stated "we make pricing changes to correct unhealthy dynamics in the eBay marketplace" and "these adjustments are the result of careful analysis and we believe they're the right thing to do to keep the marketplace strong for our eBay.com and eBay Motors sellers"