EBay implemented a number of changes to its online policy and fees last week, causing a boycott, according to USA Today. The company is lowering the price to list items by as much as 50 percent and relinquishing the additional charge to have pictures appear with search results. Other changes, such as eBay taking a bigger commission for sales and sellers no longer being able to leave negative feedback for buyers, have caused controversy.
"I think that sellers should have the opportunity to leave negative feedback. I'd be really upset if a check bounced, so now how do you know if the buyer is trustworthy?" asked Tawfig Afif, a sophomore chemical engineering major who sells various items on eBay. "It's not fair - eBay has a monopoly on the online auction market so they're able to take advantage of that and implement changes like this."
Afif said that he will not be affected by the fee changes as an occasional seller, but he could see how it could affect people trying to make a living off of eBay. A few percentage points in final value fees could translate into a significant difference in income, he explained.
These policy changes do not affect buyers as much as sellers. But many buyers at UB understand the frustration and concerns of the boycotters.
Josh Adenekan, a junior pharmacy major who has made numerous purchases on eBay, does not believe the changes are good for customers.
"The idea of the buyer is always right is arguable, and the seller should be able to leave other comments so that others don't fall victim to bad buyers," Adenekan said.
Most students viewed the changes as negative for the future of eBay. EBay users like Dave Roberts, a senior geography major, however, think the changes will encourage buyers to be more honest about the quality of their transactions.
"Preventing sellers from leaving negative comments makes it easier for buyers to be more truthful and leave the appropriate type of feedback," Roberts said. "As a buyer, I'd be nervous leaving a negative comment out of fear that I would get a negative comment in return."
The ultimate goal of implementing these changes is to increase item listings and site growth, according to eBay's Web site. Currently, eBay accounts for over one percent of worldwide retail sales with roughly 15 million items being listed at any given moment, according to USA Today's Web site.
The boycott caused the number of auctions to drop 13 percent and top tier eBay sellers have stopped using the system since the new policy changes came into effect, according to CNN.com and USA Today.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
