If you've been doing this whole internet marketing deal for any length of time, you'll no doubt be aware of the "stick my info product (even if it's not actually mine) on Ebay and become a powerseller in 3 days" phenomenon.

You've either seen it, heard about it, or took part in it. And when I say took part in it I don't necessarily mean you were one of the evildoers ripping off other people's stuff. I had heaps of stuff on Ebay for a while there, and I either created it or had resale rights to it.

Whichever camp you sit in, the party's over. Don't just take my word for it, hear it from the horses mouth.

***New Policy Update: Digital Downloadable Goods in Classified Ads Format Only***
March 24, 2008 | 01:00PM PST/PT

Brian Burke

Using the Classified Ads format, sellers receive a 30-day ad at a fixed price. This solution enables sellers to continue to market their digital goods on eBay; however, because Classified Ad listings are a lead generation tool and do not result in transactions that go through eBay, Feedback cannot be exchanged between buyer and seller.

Sellers who wish to continue to offer digital goods can do so by selecting the Everything Else>Information Products category in the Sell Your Item form and choosing the Classified Ads format (not auction-style or fixed price). For more information about the Classified Ads format, please read Advertising with Classified Ads.

Sincerely,

There you go, pretty cut and dried there. The reasoning is that Ebay's feedback integrity is at risk. My view is that although they have a few points I'd agree with, their track record on policy changes this year just shows how out of touch they really are.

Forget Ebay as part of your marketing and sales strategy. In fact, forget Ebay altogether. Ebay's dying and in a few years we'll look back fondly at a once proud internet institution that died a horrible death by simply not keeping up with their users.

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Ebay Makes Me Want to Die Inside
written by Michelle MacPhearson, April 06, 2008

Yes... I sold some stuff late last year on Ebay - and it was the biggest hassle I've EVER had with on online site. It was slow, forgot things I input, has INSANE policies - like canceling my auction when some jerk bid with a phished account (like, removing my auction completely so I had to totally re-write it and re-list, couldn't just cancel the fraud bid?) and in all other imaginable way, shape or form just generally irritating the crap out of me. I hate Ebay with a passion that no other site can arouse in me.

-Michelle

P.S. - Was just browsing @ Twitter and jumped here randomly - thanks for the Social Media Daily plug - much appreciated!

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