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POLL: How do you feel about Classified eBay ads?

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:16 pm
by K4ICL
Occasionally, the issue of whether or not people using the Classified ads should post item numbers and descriptions of their current eBay ads.

This poll is to assist in gathering information from users regarding the issue. You are encouraged to indicate, by choosing the option that best "fits" your feelings about the practice.

This is an active poll so please share your opinion.

Thanks...

K4ICL

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:05 am
by n9vao
All I can say is, does e-bay or anybody posting there tell people go look at what they have for sale here?

Posting e-bay ads on qth.com

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:12 pm
by WT4J
I considr QTH.COM a place to post ads to buy,sell and trade items related to amateur radio. If I am looking for a specific item, it would be useful to me to know that it was listed somewhere else if not on QTH. I see no problem with listing anything related to amateur radio on this site and refering to another location also, however, to use QTH to refer to another site without listing here would not be right in my opinion. Drive on........................ :roll:

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:51 pm
by N8PQB
IMHO, Ebay ads belong on Ebay, QTH ads belong on QTH, never should there be a reference between the two.

I know I am probably a bit nieve, but I still have faith that amateurs have a certain code of ethics, that makes us a step above the general population. That being said, I am referring to honesty. My experiences with Ebay have not been pleasant. I will continue to believe amateurs as a whole are true to each other.

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:16 am
by N6ATF
Auctions and third-party "buy it over here instead" links generally do not belong on any classifieds site, and some if not most typically have a clause in the Terms of Use banning these links.

So you can guess what my vote was.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:45 pm
by wa8mea
-

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:40 am
by KU4MY
Well, I don't mind saying I voted that it doesn't matter. Those of us whose curiosity is tweaked will go and take a look, those of us who hate eBay won't, so I don't see where it really makes much dif. :roll:

eBay or other third party ads on QTH

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:25 pm
by n4jjp
Since Ebay is a pay site for sellers and QTH is free with a donation option I vote no. It is not fair to Scot. 73 Jeff N4JJP

The poll question #2 may need modification (?)

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:38 am
by n7anl
AL,
I think if there are going to be 3 questions in the choices, the "bridge" question might be to offer "an ebay ad posting which ALSO ALLOWS the item to be bought here on QTH, without going to Ebay to get it, or even to read the details of the ad."

As I posted elsewhere tonite, I am opposed to "Ebay ONLY" ads posted on QTH. My definition of that is an ad which is posted here on QTH (or EHAM or QRZ), which does not make the item available right here on QTH.

(Most people would not believe how much time I have spent writing ad posters of "Ebay Only" ads to ask them to edit their ads so the item is also available right here on the ham swap page. I probably write one of these hams every day! I feel like a one man army sometimes.)

---
The ad posted here on QTH ought to include::
~ a fixed price, or a "best offer" price range, (ie: NO auction
bidding here on QTH)
~ a decent description of the item,
~ state its operational & appearance conditions,
~ and give the seller's contact information, a phone number or an
email address, callsign, etc.
~ state the item is available HERE on QTH without going through the
Ebay system.

Under the above conditions, if the ad also included an EBAY LINK, I wouldn't mind.

THESE are the basic needs of every QTH ad. Why should someone's QTH ad be allowed, if in reality it is simply an "Ebay only ad" -- that has
equipment ONLY available somewhere else?

I say, "if you post it here, it should be available here" -- without
having to go to Ebay to make the deal, OR even to look at the item.

THAT SAID, if they wanted to post an ad on QTH which gave an Ebay LINK URL, AND ALSO met the above qualifications, which includes a "BUY IT ON QTH" comment, then and ONLY then, I would not mind it posted here.

(Otherwise, and due to the question's design, I had to vote against any ebay ads.)

Thanks AL for putting together the poll question, I hope it starts a change for the better.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:29 pm
by kd4e
It is increasingly apparent that commercial interests are using QTH as
a forum to promote their products, posting in the non-commercial
area instead of buying ads. I thought that was not allowed?

With more and more ebay posts piling on top of the unenforced
repeat-posting-to-stay-on-top rule and the unenforced no commercial
posting rule - QTH is getting less and less user-friendly.

Those of us who have tried to honor the rules are learning that the
rules are not relevant and if we want our items read we are forced
to repost frequently or have them buried.

ebay posts are often from undeclared Ham businesses vs casual Ham
sales of personal items, some of the ebay posts show an ebay Store
once one visits their ebay post!

Perhaps QTH can create an "Ham ebay auction promotion" page
that allows personal and commercial Ham posts and not clutter the
main Sell/Swap/Want area with ebay stuff?

BTW: ebay works hard to prevent those who list there from allowing
people to buy the item anywhere but on ebay. They get a percentage
plus they own PayPal and get a percentage there as well. Big bucks!

Whatever QTH folks decide is their business -- it would just be good
to have consistent rules that are consistently enforced.

IMHO, YMMV, ... 73, doc KD4E

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:53 pm
by n7anl
kd4e wrote:It is increasingly apparent that commercial interests are using QTH as
a forum to promote their products, posting in the non-commercial
area instead of buying ads. I thought that was not allowed?

-- partial snipped --

ebay posts are often from undeclared Ham businesses vs casual Ham
sales of personal items, some of the ebay posts show an ebay Store
once one visits their ebay post!

-----

Perhaps QTH can create an "Ham ebay auction promotion" page
that allows personal and commercial Ham posts and not clutter the
main Sell/Swap/Want area with ebay stuff?

-----

BTW: ebay works hard to prevent those who list there from allowing
people to buy the item anywhere but on ebay. They get a percentage
plus they own PayPal and get a percentage there as well. Big bucks!

Whatever QTH folks decide is their business -- it would just be good
to have consistent rules that are consistently enforced.

IMHO, YMMV, ... 73, doc KD4E
===========================================

N7ANL reply:

Doc,
You make many good points.

(1) Some ebayers are in business, some aren't.

However we all acknowledge Ebay itself IS a business for sure, and THEY are a full-on commercial interest. I don't really care much if a ham has 'declared' himself a business, or is acting on occasion as one, but 'undeclared'.

I am simply opposed to "Ebay ONLY" type ads, and I am sure I have teed off more than a few people by Replying to their "Ebay-Only ad on QTH/Eham/QRZ ", usually quite "kindly and reasonably", to ask them to:

~ "Please make your equipment available HERE on QTH (Eham or QRZ) -- since these ham swap pages are built & maintained for FREE by hams, and the equipment you list here SHOULD be "also" be available to the hams RIGHT HERE & NOW, without them having to go through the 'ebay process'."

(And of course mentioning all the other points I have stated previously here...)

----
BTW, the last guy I wrote and kindly asked this, with a decent explanation of 'why': Here is my exact letter to him, posted for all to see:

~ "Garret,
~ Can you please post a price for the amp here on your QTH ad, so it can be bought here without the ebay auction process being needed?

~ This is why Scott and the others who run this free ham swap page provide this free service.

~ Some people can not or will not go to ebay, having been scammed or simply dont want to mess with the long drawn out process.

~ In a so far very small poll run on QTH in the Chat section, some 87% of QTH hams were outright opposed to ebay-only ads being placed on QTH. But basically, the benefit is for you if you will "expand your reach" to include QTH readers, many of whom will not even go to ebay to look, they feel so disposessed by them.

~ Easy enough to edit your ad here to allow QTH readers to "buy it here" (by providing a fixed price or "best offer" price range).

~ thanks much. [n7anl]

-----
~ To which his RESPONSE to me was:

"What is your association with Scott KA9FOX or QTH.com?
Garret"

-----
Like THAT matters !?!?

So there you have the often typical response. Sometimes they are VERY reasonable and they say, "sure I can do that". Other times, they aren't so positive...

====

(2) I thought at first, Doc -- your mention of a Ham Ebay Auction Promotion page you suggest might be a good idea, but then again -- maybe it will just encourage MANY more hams to go post their ads on ebay, even those who never have before, and get the free advertising through this additional QTH page.

====

(3) Yes, ebay does "try" to discourage sellers from selling their auction items somewhere else, or "before the auction ends". But there IS a provision for sellers to SELL EARLY - IF they want to use it. AND they can simply state it in their Ebay ads.

Ebay wants to be the ONLY selling site on the planet, like any other 'good monopoly' business.

All I ask, and sorry for sounding very repetitious:

If you post it here, MAKE it AVAILABLE HERE.
Nobody cares if you also list it on ebay.
.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:06 pm
by KA9FOX
Thanks for your feedback. A solution to the eBay situation is coming soon... I understand it's frustrating... but your patience would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding "commercial use of QTH.com"... first, let's define commercial. In my eyes, it is anyone that manufactures or purchases a product and offers that product for sale at a profit. This also includes anyone that offers a pay-for service.

Many ham radio classified ad sites strictly block commercial ads. I used to.

But then I realized that small ham radio businesses are so important to the hobby of ham radio, and many of these businesses offer real valuable products to the ham community. As a fellow small business owner, I know how difficult (and expensive) it can be to get the word out about such products.

So, I decided to try to come up with a win-win situation. I think I've succeeded, but maybe I have not, based on your negative feedback. Here are the general rules... let me know what you think:

1) Commercial ads are never allowed unless they receive prior approval. If you see a commercial-looking ad, it probably has been approved... if not, one of the site volunteers are likely to delete it pretty quickly.

2) Not everybody commercial advertiser receives permission. I have to personally believe that the advertiser is "worthy" of the priviledge.

3) Commercial advertisers are asked to support QTH.com in some fashion, in return for the priviledge.

4) Commercial advertisers are ONLY allowed to have ONE AD running at any given time. The content of the ad is also screened to make sure it is appropriate.

I hope this clarifies the situation. Most of the commercial advertisers are not free-loading, but are following the rules as well as supporting QTH.com. Again, your feedback is welcome!

Regarding the "unenforced repeat-posting-to-stay-on-top rule" -- how would you propose that we enforce this? Please... think about the problem... and tell me how to solve it. I don't have any ideas... do you? If so, please share!

Thanks again for the feedback, and for using the site!

73 - Scott KA9FOX

eBay listings

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:37 am
by W4FJF
In my opinion:
Any reference to eBay listings do not belong here. I do not see references to QTH.com on eBay, so why should we give them free advertisements on this list? AND, you can sell an item in minutes, as several members have already commented on, instead of waiting days for the "auction" to end on eBay. Also, the word used by one member, "scoundrels" is much too easy on some of the "wretched refuse" sellers that seem to abound there. All of my QTH purchases have been very easy and rewarding. The hams I have bought from are honest, and very accomodating. The few things I have "won" off of eBay needed repair, or were not in the condition as advertised. I firmly believe that any reference to an eBay auction should be banned from QTH.com.

Ebay on QTH

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:41 am
by kc0cf
Keep Ebay off of QTH.com Thats my opinion and I am sticking to it. :lol:

Never buy... only sell

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:37 am
by kc6vlg
I have made a few bucks through the years selling on EBay. It is a great place to hock your junk (and I mean JUNK) for top dollars. I can never have enough praise for EBay as a seller. That said..... I also have one golden rule that I never broke.... NEVER BUY ON EBAY. Yep, I never buy anything from EBay. The good deals are only on items that no one care to owned. The high demand and cool stuff are sold at outrageously inflated price that you are often better off byuing it new. Yes,there is one (I think there are a whole lot more) born every minute........ My thought on EBay. :P

Love that EBay. :wink:

I vote NO e-bay on QTH

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:50 am
by w2rdt
I don''t se why anyone needs to link e-bay or refer to e-bay on this site.
E-bay is a Profit for me deal and could care less what goes on.
The more you slander a person on fgeedback the more e-bay does
to keep the slander going.
It is ludicris to be told"you can also leave bad feedback"
People will remember a lie before they will look at the liar
for what he is. How many times have their feedback stink
of retalitory feedback. E-bay condones this.
I as a Ham, new, at 65, feel like This forum is too good to be
tainted by the e-bayers.
Russ==KC2RKO

Re: POLL: How do you feel about Classified eBay ads?

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:54 am
by kc4wms
K4ICL wrote:Occasionally, the issue of whether or not people using the Classified ads should post item numbers and descriptions of their current eBay ads.

This poll is to assist in gathering information from users regarding the issue. You are encouraged to indicate, by choosing the option that best "fits" your feelings about the practice.

This is an active poll so please share your opinion.

Thanks...

K4ICL
Personally, I have been an eBay registered user since 91, and have bought MANY pieces of gear there. One positive thing I will say, of ALL the sellers there less than 1% have not replied to my queries befor auction ends. Here is quite the other story! I have messaged at Least 5 users in the past month looking to buy an HF amp. and not 1 has replied!!!
At least on ebay you can get communication with the seller. and the auction ending lets you know if an item was sold. Win or loose it's nice to know and not pass on another deal waiting for someone to decide to honor a potential buyer with a reply.

I step from my soapbox ;o)

73 de kc4wms

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 10:27 am
by ki6mws
No ebay. Cross-posting links of your equipment for sale should be terms for removal of your account here. I've never seen a post of an item here that also has additional links to the "e.net" or the other "q.com" ham sites. Never! Why? Well because we know you've probably already posted there too; and look, Yep, you sure did. I closed my sleazebay account because they promote shilling. You can't track how something is bid. Sellers hide behind the anonymity, bidding on themselves, and sleazebay and it's monopoly paypal stand behind it and promotes it. They both make money from the seller; where's the incentive to make it fair? Ever try to dispute anything? Good luck if you are a buyer. I have at least a fighting chance by educating myself in the forums here. Are there "deals gone bad" here? Yes, but a WHOLE hellava lot LESS because of community, and I don't have to wait three days as the top bidder w/ 'no reserve' to get out-bid at the last .0234 of a second left. Here, I'm ALWAYS late. Most stuff sells between 20 minutes to 1.5 hours. That speed interests me much more and when I see it's sold, I shop at the advertisers to see if a new deals come around. Anytime I see a cross-post with sleazebay link, I figured Scott worked out a deal with that call sign for a payment each time that call sign drew a potential customer away from QTH.COM out to a third party site. Just figuring is all...

ebay junk on qth.com ?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:36 pm
by ddurgin
How greedy are you fellow hams getting, anyway ?? You want both ends and the middle. You expect to place your ad on this site, for free, yet pay all the ebay fees and paypal for the privlege of selling your item. If you priced your stuff at what it is REALLY worth, it would sell here. If you're looking for another sucker, then stick to Ebay. Also, if the item is a piece of junk, then you better just sell it on Ebay, because here on this site you will catch some must justified flack for selling that junk ! Don't you realize that most of the big buck ham stuff on ebay, is NOT for sale by a ham, but some other outfit, or drop-off business. And they don't give a squat about this site, or hams in general. Do they donate to this site ? I doubt it.
I like to think that when I surf this site, that the content is at least sincere, and the stuff for sale, half-decent condition, unless stated. I wonder how many illegal 10 meter linear amplifiers end up in illegal hands on Ebay. Every one of them, naturally, because a legit buyer realizes that the product is just garbage, and better stuff is out there. The next time you hear one of those illegal amplifiers, in use on ten meters, by someone unlicensed to be there, you can figure where they got it. Just an example.

Yes, I ebay

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:03 am
by km5gj
Yes, I ebay but no I don't advertise my ebay auctions anywhere. I buy off ebay and I use it to sell some items. Remember you can buy or sell ANYTHING on ebay, not so here. :wink: