Everybody's Screaming - Except for Me

I'm jumping for joy!

I'm talking about, of course, the shocking announcements this week from eBay! If you've heard about them, it's likely been accompanied by threats to leave the site and accusations of greed and disconnect.

The changes were too vast to summarize here, but some highlights include;

* Comprehensive fee-restructuring. Some are down (listing). Some are up (final value). At least one is gone (gallery). Why I'm not screaming about this - it's less of a risk to list something. If you are successful, you'll pay more. I like it.

* Feedback changes. There are many, but the one that has people up in arms is that sellers will no longer be allowed to leave negatives for buyers. I am absolutely delighted! This removes ammunition from those unbalanced people who abuse buyers, and don't understand one basic concept: you have the guy's money, and that's the only thing you are reasonably allowed to expect.

* Advantages for Powersellers with an excellent track record. Again, mass hysteria. The bar for getting a big discount is raised HIGH! Why? To urge people to strive for excellence. Ok, I admit - I have been working on reaching this service level and have already met the "bar" level for the major discount. To those who say it's impossible, "baloney"! It's completely attainable.

Many of the sellers who are complaining are afraid to get out of their comfort zones. I can understand this. I like comfort. However, if you want your business to succeed, you've got to try new things.

As an eternal optimist, I *hope* that those people who are ranting and raving and threatening to leave will be true to their words. Hate eBay? Ok, bye! Except I know they won't. They'll stick around and complain. I can just see the listings that are coming down the road:

* Sorry my shipping is so high, but eBay has raised their fees so much, it's the only way I can make money. If you don't like it, COMPLAIN TO EBAY!

* Feedback is important. Only buyers who do not leave negatives may bid on this item. I will check all feedback and if you have left a negative in the past 30 days, your bid will be cancelled. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad there's not some pre-screening available for emotional stability and some common sense before people are allowed to sell on eBay.