Okay - it's a boycott, not a strike. I love this graphic that I found on someone else's blog, though. I've read a lot about the boycott and while I'm not sure that a single week of boycotting will make a huge difference to eBay monetarily- I think a series of "rolling boycotts" would actually do more damage to stockholder confidence - I do think that a large, worldwide show of solidarity would cause the management to consider further some of the changes they are proposing if only out of fear that more boycotts would be in the offing.
I received the notice below from Nancy Baughman, a leader in the Sellers Union movement. One thing not mentioned in the notice is the proposed changes to the feedback system. Many people feel these changes will be far more damaging than the rate increase - and I think they make a good case. Please follow some of the links I provided at the end of this post to educate yourself about these changes. They affect everyone who sells - and buys - on eBay.
I'm also disturbed by widespread reports of people getting banned from the community boards for voicing their opinions about the changes and discussing options. This reeks of fascism - which I find very scary.
Another thing I find scary is that PayPal, an eBay owned company, is also implementing changes that will support and enhance some of the more unfair changes eBay is making. eBay/PayPal is effectively a monopoly. The only way to break that monopoly (without the aid of a government anti-trust conviction) is to take our business elsewhere.
I've already closed my eBay store. I'm boycotting. Are you?
JOIN - THE EBAY WORLD WIDE BOYCOTT
THE BOYCOTT IS TAKING PLACE THE WEEK OF FEB. 18TH – 25TH
PLEASE – NO BUYING – NO SELLING – NO ACTIVITY
THE BOYCOTT IS TAKING PLACE THE WEEK OF FEB. 18TH – 25TH
PLEASE – NO BUYING – NO SELLING – NO ACTIVITY
When other companies are cutting their prices due to the bad economic conditions – eBay decides to raise its fees and add to the burden of its sellers. This fee increase along with other policy changes will negatively affect the tens of thousands of small sellers and business owners across the world. Many of these sellers depend upon eBay’s global marketplace as their sole income.
These changes will also hurt buyers on eBay. When the small entrepreneurs are driven off eBay, there will be less competition, less choice and higher prices.
The mega giant eBay corporation was created by the small business owners and as a reward, eBay seeks to drive them to other marketplaces or out of business. Ebay’s arrogance is obvious, new CEO John Donahoe, referred to the boycott as “nothing but noise”. We are asking both buyers and sellers to stand together and send a message that we are more than just noise; we are the heart and soul of the eBay community. All we ask is to have a voice in major decisions that affect our livelihood.
Please use this week to look at alternative online auctions sites such as “Ioffer”, “bidville” “Ecrater”, “OnlineAuction”, “ePier” and others. These sites offer amazing deals on new, used and antique items. You will find many of your favorite sellers have already moved to these sites. For more information go to http://www.ebizauctions.com/
Ebay, Inc. reported 2006 net revenues of 1.7 BILLION
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
These changes will also hurt buyers on eBay. When the small entrepreneurs are driven off eBay, there will be less competition, less choice and higher prices.
The mega giant eBay corporation was created by the small business owners and as a reward, eBay seeks to drive them to other marketplaces or out of business. Ebay’s arrogance is obvious, new CEO John Donahoe, referred to the boycott as “nothing but noise”. We are asking both buyers and sellers to stand together and send a message that we are more than just noise; we are the heart and soul of the eBay community. All we ask is to have a voice in major decisions that affect our livelihood.
Please use this week to look at alternative online auctions sites such as “Ioffer”, “bidville” “Ecrater”, “OnlineAuction”, “ePier” and others. These sites offer amazing deals on new, used and antique items. You will find many of your favorite sellers have already moved to these sites. For more information go to http://www.ebizauctions.com/
Ebay, Inc. reported 2006 net revenues of 1.7 BILLION
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
This email brought to you by the Online Seller Cyber Union
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.
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