eBay Offers Seller Clinics with Inhouse Advisors

by: etectra

Your chance to talk to a eBay propagandist!

by: Sierra

As long as the advice isn't to pay more for ads, I'd try it!

by: Snapped

Yeah, gettem while they’re young.

Thing is, these ‘advisors’, who are apparently interchangeable and will be assigned randomly, even for follow ups, are STILL assuming eBay’s basis business tenant that all businesses operate the exact same way - or should.

There isn’t’ never has been, any allowance for the vast diversity of eBay marketplaces based on whether one is selling off the shelf commodities, OOAK collectibles, used mechanical equipment, or ‘gently used’ items.  Watches are not trading cards, and sneakers are not vacuum cleaner parts hard to find.
They just don’t get it - or refuse to - and they never will.

Some items don’t lend themselves to be replaceable - as in return just ‘cuz.  And those buyers (should) know and are usually aware of that, for example.  Auctions can’t predict exact ship costs (or thus be economical for ‘free shipping) until a winner is determined.  Some items require a more complete and revealing description than others because of unique qualities or attributes.  

The concern then, is that do these ‘advisors’ have that specific marketplace experience, so they can ‘advise’ eBay machinations appropriately?  That goes to background.  Don’t imagine you can pick and choose.  Don’t imagine these advisors will be more than cloned drones anyway.  

In fact, it will be surprising if they are actually human.  Imagine that.

As for what kind of education eBay should be offering?  I would submit that it is eBay itself that needs an education in the vast nuances of such a diverse marketplace set of expectations as they have been trying to shoehorn into the same mold ever since they “let go” of their successful past to try and become Amazon lite.

One final thought - you think it was bad just having ONE ‘unca-griff’?  How about a box full of interchangeable propagandists to seek ‘advice’ from, who also know nothing about what YOU do specifically, but will be happy to claim they do so you can ‘conform’ to eBay’s standards of service quality they don’t even try to conform to themselves.  

by: LJW

Wonderful! I've never spoken to an Ebay rep who actually knows how their platform works. I end up teaching them more than they already know. Maybe Ebay should train their reps first about how the entire platform is designed to suck ad dollars out of seller's pockets and then not really give you any more sales. They want to be Amazon, but it's never gonna happen.  

by: pace306

Its just a bunch of eBay propagandists trying to convince you to GROW your business by buying ads or clicks.

UGH stay away, run as far as you can.

When a platform makes more money on advertising then they do on the core items/function of their business - you can then PLAINLY SEE that they dont know how to run that business or its failing. (btw eBay admits that they make more money of ads then FVF)

But instead of examining the failure(s): Pages are too cluttered, no REAL way to know whos a good seller OR a good buyer, absolutely ZERO seller protection, the welcoming of shipping increases since it increases YOUR bottom line (but hurts buyers and sellers aka your customers), and correcting them - its just BUY ADS.

Maybe, maybe I would if I felt that eBay was a fair and supportive partner, but they arent.

They use me and I use them - you wouldnt (steal a car? (no wait thats another forum/issue) put up with that in a marriage or other business arraignment so why here?

I pay "for a store" (bizarre concept in 2025 where theres zero segmentation denoting that store and no special privileges) and what eBay does - no person who rents a store in a mall would put up with.

Ive been to plenty of malls. NEVER does the mall manager tell you what your returns policy should be. They dont come into your place and tell you how big your advertisements should be - and that if you have any - he gets to keep them for free for use in other stores! They dont tel you that you MUST use THEIR cc processor only  .... but why repeat all this - no one except a handful of us here really care.

Ahhh to be a 20 something, sign up for ebay, make a grand or 2 in cash, get suspended then leave and never look back ........... different then those of us grownups who actually have real lives, bills and responsibilities.

by: terry55

Mentor me, a 18 yr selling veteran by someone who doesn't even follow their own policies.  

by: Ophelia1

One of the biggest issues I have with eBay is the fact that I am paying for a store, yet, when someone clicks on one of my items, they see a bunch of items from other stores before they even see my listing description or my other items. So, unless that changes, I am not interested in any of these "mentoring" or whatever you want to call it, programs. All eBay is going to end up doing with this offer is try to sell us more advertising and more garbage suggestions. So, thanks, but, no thanks.

by: NYSteve

@sierra @ ljw  couldnt have said it better myself!
(amongst other posts)
@pace306 good post. other than we must know people with stores in different malls, cause i know some of those malls can be ebay-esque and Amazon -esque in  bossing sellers around.

by: Marty2020

I'll need Ebay ICU

by: pace306

NYSTEVE

I've been in retail since 1984 and NEVER did ANY landlord come inside and tell any of the owners how to run their business.

Landlords tell you about loading (dock space or otherwise), where to put the trash, how you can or can not display banners etc - but NEVER

1) what bank to use
2) they dont hold your funds on your sales
3) they dont offer shipping services
4) your rent isnt based off shipping costs, taxes or anything else
5) they dont tell you your returns policies - the city and state you live in has guidelines that you must obey (esp in tourist places like NYC)
6) they dont have any input on in store advertising (unless you sell adult items)
7) they arent "your" customer service
8) they dont police your store for "fake items" and pull them out themselves when they think they found something
9) they dont block you from rating customers
10) you dont have to "appeal to them" for anything (except rent increases)
11) they dnt come up to your customer while they are shopping of checking out and tell them "hey cool item there - but you know - on the other side of the mall theres ANOTHER store thats cheaper - go there!"

I could of course go on - maybe the landlords you know actively interfered with your business - but no one I know ever did.

eBay says they cant even tell you (in 2025) when and where (since sometimes because of listings with ads or beloveds who come first) will run - does any landloard ever say they are going to hide you or TELL YOU when your items/store can and will be seen?

eBay is a con game - one that every seller must deal with. Shady underhanded sneaky, snarky people who abuse sellers for sport.

No landlord ever did that to anyone I know. Maybe it happens in other places but ...... (so if its ok - whats the point (as Ophelia1 said so well) of having "a store" ???

by: RKTOYS

Sounds worthless, frankly.  What they need are fewer hoops to jump through, more customization, less clutter, less manipulation, and fee rates that actually allow places that aren't fencing stolen merchandise to make money.  I don't need "advice" that's just "hur dur buy promoted listingz lol!"

by: airbrake

Ebay, instead of offering us this BS, fix your damn site and clean up your act. That would go a long way towards helping Sellers.