I wonder if Craigslist has taken away some business from ebay. I search craigslist on a daily basis even if I'm not looking for anything. I only search ebay if there's something specific that I can't find on craigslist.

I believe you're correct.

eBay rules have changed so there is less protection for a seller than there used to be. Scam artists have found many ways to keep a purchased item and have a refund issued at the same time.

You'll notice there are fewer auction type listings and more set price listings. I believe this has resulted in fewer buyers and as a result fewer sellers.

Sometimes, IMHO, change isn't always a good thing.

I think ebay's business practices are squeezing out the smaller/unique item sellers in favor of the huge dropship/made in China sellers. I used to buy a lot of stuff on ebay. I still buy the occasional item but not as much as I used to. If it's turning into a place that has all the same stuff that stores do, I may as well run to the store and save shipping.

I agree with all of the above. Craigslist is so easy and it's free. Ebay used to be simple. In the beginning, sellers would accept checks and even cash because the scam artists hadn't taken over yet. I used to buy additional sterling pieces to match my mom's Towle Contour flatware and I bought several dinner forks, butter knives and serving pieces for $2-$7 each. Now those same pieces are around $50+ each, sold by the pro's.

Now the scammers rule and like Whitdobe said, the dropship carp from China is everywhere. I used to sell things on Ebay but it became too time-intensive and I resented having to pay fees to Paypal, especially since Ebay made it clear nearly all transactions were to go through Paypal. Fees fees fees. Now the feedback system is such that only buyers can leave negative feedback, and sellers cannot.

We have a small store on EBay -- and agree with all of your thoughts! Been on EBay since 2001! Have great feedback too! NO -- I won't name our store because some folks will think that is advertising. We do have LOTS of vintage (and newer) items.

It is hard to keep selling when there are so many scammers out there BUT we have had some marvellous customers (worldwide) too!

And yes -- the fees are simply outrageous. And yes -- EBay has changed the rules to favor the buyer -- at all times.

There is Etsy -- and Craigs List. Both have been targeted to buy by EBay. So far -- no sale. But -- the future may tell a different tale!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Yep -- Not as good as it used to be.
But still worth checking out from time to time...

We're in a good Craigslist market, so that's where I do most of my buying and selling now.

Another thing I ran into around Christmas when I sold some things is that shipping is so outrageous and really adds to the cost of the item so people have to factor that in when making a purchase, whereas CL, there is no shipping.

I've never purchased anything from ebay. I've looked and sometimes even watched an item, but I hate the bidding. If I want something I want to know what it's going to cost me including shipping. If it's too high I can look elsewhere. I've not bought from etsy yet, but will probably do so at some point. Just haven't found something I "gotta have" yet. I buy many items I've found on Craigslist though. I like that I can go see it in person first and no shipping is involved.

yes, it's really sad what ebay has become. I have sold things there but what I hate is the double fees they figure out for themselves; first, they hit you with incredibly high final value fees, then take more again with their now-proprietary paypal. I feel violated every time I venture back there.

The only problem selling on c's list is exposure. I have been able to sell, with multiple bids, things that haven't gone on c's list when I have listed them for less. Go figure.

I'm sorry to hear my experience is typical and that it's a drag for sellers now.

I love auctions in real life, too, so the bidding doesn't bother me. I won't pay more than I want to, no matter what. I put in the highest price I'd be happy to pay, and then I walk away. I don't keep checking to see if I'm being outbid. If I win, I win and am happy. If I don't I figure whoever was willing to pay more for it deserves it--may she enjoy it in good health!

Most of the stuff I buy is pretty cheap to ship; I've probably only bought two or three things that weigh more than 2 lbs, and they were lamps.

My last home was in a great location for furniture on Craigslist, but here 99% of what's listed is the stuff you can buy at a discount furniture store, only with stains or cat scratches on it.

I read a terrific book on the history of eBay--even though I've never been a seller and have been a casual buyer at best, it was very interesting to me to read about the behind-the-scenes ideas and actions of the founders.

The book's timeline ended several years ago and I really wish the author would update it with what has been going on recently. Driving China's economy was not what the founders had in mind, and I think it's a shame that it's changed the way it has.

I had thought about starting a topic on this too, but I didn't know how to put my disappointment into words. It just isn't the same!

I miss NR, .99 starting auctions. I miss that it was like visiting a glorious antique store every time I searched. It was a whole new world of unusual items.

And I am so sick of having 60 of the same item, same picture come up when I search. If I didn't want the first 10 made-in-China trays, let's go out on a limb and assume that I don't want the next 20. My search terms now are so crazy, -Asian -China -oriental -new -aged -boxed that it is a hassle.

In a way, I guess CL is better for the world/shopping. Things are at least local on CL, no shipping costs, dealing with real people, able to see what you are purchasing.

But yeah, I do miss e-bay.

Oh, yeah, the search terms one has to use to avoid all the Chinese stuff--so annoying.

I sell/buy on ebay in spurts. I agree the fee structure has gotten out of hand. Slap PayPal fee on top of it and it you have to be sure to read all the fine print. Do the math carefully -- whether you are buying OR selling!

I wish there was some way to search for stuff and eliminate in the search function power sellers who exclusively sell the carp from China.

Oh the thought that it is so impossible to purchase anything that isn't made in china, and I used lower case on purpose, literally makes me sick to my stomach. Our precious black lab Maggie is in her grave because of that nations lack of care in manufacturing. I feel for the people of china, but not their government and manufacturing system. I don't trust any product that comes from that place.

eBay bought about 25% of Craig's List stock from a former shareholder in 2004. The last I heard that purchase had backfired as CL issued a massive amount of new stock, thus diluting eBay's share. eBay sued, CL counter-sued, not sure how it all ended up.

Interesting!

I can count on one hand how many ebay "buy" transactions I've made, my CL "buy" transactions far outweigh them. Makes sense really... I list to sell both places just for the exposure, but I'd much rather sell (and buy for that matter) on CL. NO fees, nothing... customers come to you and they're willing to deal, mostly. It's just easier $$ time/expense-wise.

Back in the day, I used eBay for buying videos I couldn't find locally after I got hooked on 2 actors--I wanted EVERYTHING they were in! I also used eBay for lovely crystal and cut-glass picture frames, and for artsy hand-blown paperweights. Now I've got so many of the frames in my tag-sale corner of the basement. But I enjoyed them, and the other stuff I got.

But that was when sellers accepted money orders and personal checks. I've always hated Paypal and was suspicious of it. So I haven't been back except for one purchase (I had to replace a lucite curtain rod in a specific size and thickness); I asked the seller if she'd take a money order and she agreed. But now there's nothing I really am looking for on eBay--I have too much stuff as it is and need to clear some out.

And obviously, the economy has made most of us think twice about buying anything. And for me, it's not the infrequent big-money purchases that worry me, it's these "collection" kinds of things I got into, which really add up after a while.

I've sold a few things on eBay, but it was just a time-hassle (photographig the item, listing it, then I'd have to package it up, go to the P.O. to find out what the max postage would be--for both first class, parcel post--oy. Too much work!

I agree with most of you. When I was building my house I got some GREAT buys on auction items and saved a lot of money. Now everything is the same. Nothing really unique that just stands out and no real bargains. I am an infrequent user of CL, but I am going to check it out. I just rather buy on Amazon.com or go directly to certain sites (many of which offer free shipping) than to buy from Ebay lately.

I just bought an item on ebay. Yes, the shipping was 20% of what I paid, but still a good deal. It was from a small seller. Otherwise I have only bought on ebay 3 times.

There are large companies now listing, they are selling their old inventories, etc. Most of which you can buy direct from other resources at a much lower price and many sites offering free shipping.

This last purchase ticked me off regarding paypal. For some reason I could not pay directly via credit card and it kept jumping to paypal telling me my credit card wasn't working. They have complicated our buying and I probably won't go there again.

As for Craigslist, I'm in an area that has little of value either. 75% are businesses, at least they require an icon showing whether it is private or business. Never bought anything through Craigs.

I've noticed a big decline in the kinds of things I am interested in on ebay over the past several years. I joined in 1998 or so and regularly bought and sold for years. I loved the whole "worldwide garage sale" concept - it was like heaven to me. I bought everything from furniture (my bed! a huge armoire!) to antiques to you-name-it. I also turned around and sold stuff that I bought at yard sales and flea markets that didn't work out like I had planned. I was also selling my kids outgrown clothing there for a while and making a ton of money off it.

But ever since they bought paypal and jacked up the fees maybe 3 years ago, I stopped selling on ebay - it's simply not worth it to me -- the time it takes to photograph and list the items, the hassle of shipping, the risk of bad feedback, and the huge cut that ebay takes -- for an item that sells for just a couple dollars, it doesn't make sense. And I'm guessing that a lot of small sellers feel the same way, which is why there's been such a decline in the number of "flea-markety" unique vintage items. I rarely bother to even look there anymore, as if I do find something I like the price and/or shipping charge is going to be jacked up to cover the fees. It's such a shame, because ebay was such a guilty pleasure for me for so many years, and I do miss it a lot.

Now that I've said that, I will admit that I've been on an ebay binge this week (after not buying anything there for probably a year!). My son wants a specific list of discontinued Thomas wooden trains for his 6th birthday next week and ebay is still my only resource to find stuff like that. So I guess it's still good for certain things.

Also, I have accumulated a few things that I think I may want to sell on ebay -- I don't think CL will be the best market for them -- they're esoteric collectibles (again, Thomas train related) that will probably go for more money if I find the right buyer, and the odds of that buyer being located here and reading my Craigslist are probably pretty slim. So can someone explain to me how the changes made to the feedback can hurt sellers? Is it true that sellers can't leave negative feedback for buyers anymore? How is that even possible? How do you keep people from scamming you????

Don't forget that Amazon now offers an EBay type scenario for sellers too. Some sellers have made the switch to a more seller friendly environmnent.

lukk, Amazon does? I'll have to check it out. Is it for vintage/art kind of items too? Do the listings show up in google searches?

I was about to start selling on etsy but they're having a world of trouble getting their items to show up on google searches. Not going to bother if they don't show up there.

rubylane's listings show up there, but I just haven't had the get-up-and-to to register there. Does anyone buy or sell there, and if so, how has your experience been?

Any thoughts on rubylane/ebay/amazon?

I used to buy and sell on Ebay all the time back from about 2001-2006. I bought great things at incredible prices. I would scour my closet and closeout sales for items to sell. For the most part, the people were nice and honest. My first sale was 10 yds of waverly fabric. After the auction, I met the buyer at the mall with my 2 infants in tow and she paid with a check! I never even thought to worry or question. I pretty much stopped selling completely in 2006 when I had a scam buyer have her payment of $350 refunded to her twice, first by her credit card company *and* then by Paypal/me, and got to keep a bed worth about $700! I've never been ripped off by a seller.
All I look for is home accessories, bedding, and furniture but it's nearly impossible to search. Too many overpirced "stores" and junk. I have an artist whose old prints I collect. I can only find them on Ebay, but it's been years since I've seen anything there. Now I do a quick search for 4 or 5 brands and I'm off. I've gone from spending literally hours a day on Ebay to maybe 20mins.
Our CL is pretty sad but I spend more time there than on Ebay. I've never bought anything on CL, but I've sold lots of furniture. it's a hassle dealing with flighty "buyers" and overseas nonsense, but it's easier than a yard sale!

Flyleft, I can't answer your question but here is the link for you. I just know that a couple of years ago when Ebay changed some pertinent rules and increased fees, people were very upset (including us) and started checking out other options. I wasn't into it much and decided to just stop all together. Here is the link to that part of Amazon so you can see what it's all about. Let me know what you think. I'd be interested in your opinion. :c)

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon - selling options

I only ever bought one piece of furniture on Ebay - the shipping costs always seemed prohibitively high. The piece I bought (for reasonable shipping) shipped to a Greyhound station an hour away in a semi-undesirable part of town.

I still like Ebay for gently used designer clothes for myself (you can get amazing bargains). Also for discontinued toys for my kids (certain Legos, and Barbie "Kelly" dolls). You can get great prices on these things, in contrast to Amazon where for some reason prices for some of these discontinued toys are ridiculously high - $279 for a Barbie castle, I don't think so!!

Well, now I have proof. I just searched "Vintage cookie jar" to see if they had any like the one I have. I used to get pages and pages of items when I ran that search, and I just got 20 items--less than one full page.

That is sad. I really liked browsing and I really liked being able to look up whatever I bought at local thrift/junque shops to see how much I "saved" compared to the going eBay rate.

Pooh!