oh poor eBay, trying to capitalize on missing markets

[halik]

I just noticed these:

Marketplace Safety Tip
If this email is an offer to directly sell you an item without bidding on and winning the item on eBay, please report it to us immediately and do not respond. An offer to sell an item directly to another eBay member through email violates eBay rules. It is also extremely unsafe to purchase an item through this email system regardless of the seller's claims or feedback, as you lose the benefit of eBay's purchase protection programs and risk losing your money.

I wonder who at ebay comes up with this stuff. Simple economics theory will tell you that noone will ever report these, just because it's in the best interest of both of the involved parties to circumvent ebay (unless you're lowballing someone to to the point where it's offensive).

I would think that ebay employs somewhat smart people that would see that these attempts to capitalize on such transactions is pointless. If there is benefit to direct transaction (no need to bid & wait / no need to wait and pay final value fee), noone in their right mind would report it.

I've also had my listing cancelled before when i mentioned i have more of the identical items available.... i'm guessing they are trying to see how far they can push their monopoly

 

[tami]

this is nothing new. i've seen that message for quite awhile.

ebay does want to profit. either way, you're losing a minimum of $0.30. if it's a costly item, it's in the best interest of the buyer and the seller to complete the sale externally.

 

[Kelemvor]

Yeah, that's been on email for a very long time. I think any time you use the "Ask seller a question" type links it sticks that on there....

 

[austin316]

Sometimes I wonder who runs this place?

Umm, I'm pretty sure its Margaret Whitman. And I don't think you can say she is stupid. Just take a look at eBays growth during her tenure.


You are an idiot.

 

[kranky]

You're not considering how many scumbags are on ebay, and use the contact a member feature as a way to scam people.

It does offer protection to people who aren't smart enough to understand how things work.

if it's a costly item, it's in the best interest of the buyer and the seller to complete the sale externally.

I would have to be very, very sure about the seller before I would take that chance, especially if I couldn't pay via credit card.