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Irked EBay Sellers: Going, Going, Gone

Mom and pops are sold on niche sites

By Debra Goldberg,  Newser User

Posted Aug 12, 2008 5:24 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Still soured by February's jacked-up fees and changed feedback policy, some sellers have left eBay for greener—and in many cases, smaller—online pastures, reports the Wall Street Journal. Alternative e-commerce sites such as Wigix, Silkfair, Etsy, and Oodle have wooed disgruntled merchants with lower fees, free how-to's and, in some cases, a niche market.

"I don't need a million people to see my things, just the right people who have hopefully good taste," says a jewelry maker who switched to Silkfair. But buyer, beware: Small auction sites may leave you unprotected against shady merchants. "Unless there are guarantees or some seller ratings like the ones eBay has accumulated over time, there will always be some bad experiences," says one analyst.

Garbage from Naples, southern Italy, was on sale starting from 1 euro (1.3 dollars) on the Italian website of eBay, on Wednesday, May 23, 2007.
Garbage from Naples, southern Italy, was on sale starting from 1 euro (1.3 dollars) on the Italian website of eBay, on Wednesday, May 23, 2007.   (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
A visitor walks past the logo of internet auction house Ebay at the trade fair for digital marketing OMD, 25 September 2007 in Dusseldorf.
A visitor walks past the logo of internet auction house Ebay at the trade fair for digital marketing OMD, 25 September 2007 in Dusseldorf.   (Getty Images)
Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay.
Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
build a niche store
Apr 8, 2010 8:08 AM CDT
great post very good and interesting
thanks for sharing it with us, I was looking for information like this.
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Etsy specializes in handmade goods
Etsy

Silkfair, another place to shop
Silkfair

 
eBay • online retailers • Professional eBay Sellers Alliance • Amazon.com

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