POWER CORRUPTS! ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY!

Something happens to companies when they become big, especially when they become the biggest, and even more especially when they become a monopoly.

Ebay, after showing a tremendous year relative to other "dot-coms" recently sent out an email notification to sellers that they would be increasing their "take."

It was the online community that supported eBay and gave it it's recent success, which in turn brought the badly named United States Post Office, (which should technically remove the name "United States" from it's locations and materials) its own success last year.

Now, we the supporters and providers of their success find ourselves facing increases from these monopolies.

This is the same type of road followed by Microsoft and the recently ill fated Priceline.com, whose shares plummeted from $104 to approximately $1.50 per share. Interestingly, both fates followed a simmering user discontent where in Microsoft's case, the only people that seemed to love them were the share holders. The techie community was disgusted and moving into a closer relationship with Linux.

How do we now pass the word to Ebay that despite poor service and relations with much of their clientele, we do not appreciate the Napoleon syndrome?

1. Perhaps Yahoo will get off it's rear end to improve their auctioning system.
2. Perhaps Ebay vendors can collectively set up a day or a week to blockade eBay in protest.
3. Perhaps the U.S. Government slams eBay with an antitrust suit, especially as it solidifies it's bonding with the Dark Force of America On-line.

If none of the above occurs, it will again mean that the apathetic public will allow such activities as France did Napoleon and the stockholders did Microsoft.

Of course, this is an open invitation to the hackers itching at the bit to continue their attempts to foil eBay's system as they do Microsoft's and AOL's. That will happen regardless of the above two scenarios. It's funny how a few individuals singularly attempt to account for the frustrations of the apathetic masses, usually to their own demise, like the truck driver who made his statement by driving his rig into the side of the California State Capitol building this week at the expense of his own life. These are not recommended courses of action for anyone. Nor do I think the it's the U.S. Government's responsibility to intervene. It's up to us. Speak up and be heard if you want change. The power of the masses is incredible. We just don't flex our muscle often enough.

However, this might all be a moot issue. Like Microsoft, the monolithic eBay is coming up against the wall of progress. Soon, small businesses will have the ability to offer online sales and auctions in a similar manner to Ebay at a fraction of the cost that will "specialize" in certain areas. I think eBay management is aware of this new trend and seeks to take the money and run. However, if they truly want to stay in the game, take note and listen.

What are we Vendors looking for?

Listen carefully eBay.

1. We want real time accounting connectivity to track Ebay percentages downloadable to an accounting package that it can talk to. That would save us time and money, the number one reason why so many vendors see eBay as unprofitable. It's not just the low margins, its the time it takes to complete transactions.
2. We want a postal system that uses one form for all types of mail, perhaps with check boxes to note whether or not we want an item insured or to get a return receipt that is billed at actual value rather than a tiered system. We have computers now, or have postal systems forgotten that???
3. We want to know why eBay has to increase pricing. Otherwise we will not be sympathetic. This is why we must include per sale revenue costing. In other words is eBay making less per sale and are there less sales for some reason. I sincerely doubt it. The reasons eBay gives are merely corporate double speak and mask this very important information.
4. We want the system to work first and consistently BEFORE new "gee-whiz" enhancements are added.
5. Cut the ruthless crap. When your system is down producing low or non-existent auction turn out and decreased bidding, refund our money easily. Don't deny us or make us jump through one hour's worth of hoops for each fee recovery crumb you offer us.

The bottom line is greed. We are all somewhat motivated by it. It's just that when our companies are not monopolies our perspective on the customer is different. When a company realizes that they are the only game in town, the attitude becomes, as I think it has in eBay's case, "Let's jack the prices - Where the hell else are they going to go?"

"I don't know Ebay." Why don't you write Napoleon on Elba, Bill Gates or Priceline for the answer?"

-Mike Murphy, The Small Businessman

P.S.

As this article was written and just after the price increase notice went out, many vendors went online to check their percentages as they investigate the renewed viability of the distant competition. They were shocked to find that their account information was not available for an extended period of time. Coincidence??

This also begs the question. Does eBay's claim to 99% uptime relate only to it's homepage, and not the individual services required by it's users??