
I have seen some interesting conversations about the proposed eBay item page redesign that I mentioned on my blog yesterday. (
Click here to read the post.)
I agree that change can be good or bad, and I am certainly not anti-change or anti-eBay. But, in this case, I think sellers deserve a choice. When something like this happens, we have 3 options:
1) Do nothing.
2) Whine, complain, moan, gripe, and be a helpless victim.
3) Stand together and voice our opinions in a mature way in order to be heard, and try to make a difference.
I choose #3.
Some of you have mentioned that you would like to send a letter to
John Donahoe (President and CEO of eBay) and voice your concerns, but you aren't sure what to say or you don't have time to sit down and write a letter. I have crafted a "form" letter that you can copy, paste into WORD or notepad, print, sign, and mail. You can change it, add to it, whatever - it is just a starting point. It will take you less than 5 minutes to print this out and sign it, stick a stamp on it, and drop it in the mail. Maybe if eBay receives enough of these types of letters, they will reconsider. All we can do is try.
This commenter said it well, "I would encourage everyone to write a physical letter and send it snail mail. Ebay needs to get back to their grassroots. They are poisoning the golden goose - us." Without sellers, eBay would have no buyers, and make no money. We deserve a chance to be heard. We are important in determining eBay's bottom line.
Letter to John Donahoe, President and CEO of eBayJohn Donahoe, President and CEO
eBay Inc.
2145 Hamilton Avenue
San Jose, California 95125
Dear Mr. Donahoe,
As an eBay seller, it has come to my attention that eBay is considering another item page redesign. It is my understanding that this new design will give sellers very little control over the look and feel of the item page, and may restrict the sellers’ ability to use third party or custom designed templates. As it stands now, sellers can format the description area as we like and add any information about the item that we choose, along with photos of our choosing and video. I personally enjoy having this option.
If I understand the proposed changes correctly, the new version of the item description page will only allow limited content and each section could only contain a single photo or video, with fixed size and placement on the page.
While I understand eBay’s goal of standardizing the item description page, I feel that these changes will limit my ability to create my listings as I choose, and prevent my listings from being unique – a vital element of being a successful eBay seller. I do not want my listings to look like everyone else’s. I enjoy the freedom of using a third party template design service and choosing a template that compliments the item I am selling. One reason I sell on eBay (rather than Amazon or other sites) is because of the flexibility I am allowed to create my item listings, and the competitive edge I gain by having the freedom to be unique. Should this option be removed, I will be very disappointed and may have to move my online ecommerce business elsewhere.
I hope that eBay will reconsider restricting sellers’ ability to design our item pages as we like. This area of creativity is what makes eBay different. Amazon, Etsy, Bonanzle, and other sites dictate the look and feel of its sellers listings. eBay is the only site that allows its sellers any degree of creativity in our selling. Please don’t take that away from us.
Perhaps you can get input from sellers before implementing this change – maybe add a poll to the eBay site or give us the chance to vote. I would like the opportunity to have a choice or a vote in this decision.
Please consider the opinions and desires of eBay sellers before making this change.
Sincerely,
Name
eBay User ID
eBay Store Name
I encourage you to pass this along to other sellers via Twitter, Facebook, your groups and forums, or other sellers that you know. There is strength in numbers. Maybe we can make a difference. All we can do is try!
Happy Selling!