eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

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AuctionBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on
ecommerce and the online auction industry
by Ina Steiner, Editor of AuctionBytes.com

November 30, 2008

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

By: Ina Steiner

Sun Nov 30 2008 14:48:04

eBay recently added a line on the top section of View Item pages called "Deal Alert." The short promotional text appears at the very top, directly below the item's price. There appear to be two types of Deal Alert messaging: "Deal alert: Less than $10 per item, including shipping." and "Deal alert: Less than $20 per item, including shipping." Another variation says, "Shopping hint: Make an offer and get it for less."

A search of the eBay discussion boards for the words "Deal Alert" reveals that some shoppers are confused over the messaging (here, here, and here). Thanks to an alert reader for spotting this last week.

Comments (20) | Leave Comment | Permalink

Readers Comments

eBay Adds

by: Ming the Merciless

Sun Nov 30 15:16:29 2008

I guess ebay marketing execs must think most buyers are as IQ challenged as they are.

Who needs ebay to tell them the total cost of something including shipping -- especially when it doesn't exceed $20.00 -- the number of fingers and toes most ebay employees have.

Sellers who don't accept offers who find this offer garbage in their product should file SNAD complaints with their credit card provider and complaints through ebay 'customer service.'

Sellers have legal rights. Use them!

Death to ebay corp.

eBay Adds

by: noneya

Sun Nov 30 15:26:41 2008

Had breakfast with friends this morning, they are not ebay regulars.
Friend says: "How are your ebay sales, I hear ebay is picking up the shipping charges, that must really help your sales"
We were cleaning up orange juice my husband shot out of his nose for the rest of breakfast!

Sadly, buyers think ebay is offering free shipping and is covering the cost of all these "deals".

Then she went on to tell us that she couldn't find anything anyways outside of stuff she could get "just anywhere".
I sent her to Bonanzle.

Love that Ebay keeps promoting all these "specials" that are hurting sellers bottom lines and driving sellers off of Ebay.

After we discussed different reasons why sellers like me have quit ebay our friend's husband innocently asked the million dollar question "But aren't the sellers the ones paying all the fees??"
Well DUH.
Now how come Ebay execs don't know their business half as well as someone who doesn't even shop Ebay?

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: ken

Sun Nov 30 16:39:01 2008

Sellers who don't accept offers who find this offer garbage in their product should file SNAD complaints with their credit card provider and complaints through ebay 'customer service.'
==================
The ONLY times I have seen that is when the seller had a Fixed Price with Best Offer feature, I haven't seen it on ANY listing that didn't have Best Offer. Perhaps you are seeing some in which case sellers would have a right to complain, but I have never seen that glitch.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Patricia

Sun Nov 30 16:45:35 2008

I can't wait for next quarter...after this disasterous quarter sinks in. Let's make a pool as to when the "groveling" will begin. Sooner or later they're going to have to grovel or go out of business LOL They are painfully learning there is an end to what they thought was a bottomless pit of expendable sellers. Its fun to sit back and watch.

I imagine that deal alert line will turn into a spot for an ad after the holidays. ;-)

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Ming the Merciless

Sun Nov 30 17:07:50 2008

@ Ken

I didn't say ebay had definitely inserted this garbage into non Best Offer listings. What I said was if there is an instance of such transaction interference, then the seller should file a SNAD with their credit card company.

Besides, who here would put it past the world's most despicable corporation to do this?

Obviously ebay has decided to be the nickel and dime internet venue.

The Birth of JunkBay!

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Rich

Sun Nov 30 19:57:34 2008

More poop to the growing pile.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: cathy oehler

Sun Nov 30 23:26:55 2008

Overseas buyers have emailed me asking if the word ''Alert'' means Warning...Or something wrong/defective with the items. Maybe ebay execs should consider other cultures are on ebay as buyers. What other issues can ebay create for sellers in the last month of this year?

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: mindelec

Mon Dec 1 00:39:15 2008

so the $10 roll of paper towels from shoplet will get a "deal alert" while the $10,000 ferrari will not. there is ebay logic for ya!

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: twheid

Mon Dec 1 01:34:08 2008

For eBay's next trick? Bringing back Monty Hall in "Let's Make A Deal Alert!"

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: eBay is scum

Mon Dec 1 04:56:43 2008

We don't want that nonsense deal alert on our listings - how is it removed? IT CAN'T BE.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: NAUSEATED

Mon Dec 1 06:51:08 2008

MY GOD, IS EBAY EVEN LISTENING TO THIS? DO THEY THINK PUBLIC OPINION IS A WASTE OF TIME OR SOMETHING? I GUESS IF YOU'RE RICH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO CARE.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: another satisfied ebay customer

Mon Dec 1 06:56:39 2008

They think I'm stupid and need deal alerts. I'm glad ebay thinks for me. As an ebay seller, I really don't mind not making money. As long as ebay is ok, I'm happy.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: beachgal707

Mon Dec 1 09:17:49 2008

Donahoe's "latest & greatest" scam

Just had a sale. Naturally the buyer thought shipping was free. Bet he'll never buy from eBay again because I told him the truth - eBay is pulling a scam by offering free shipping on inventory they don't own.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: mindelec

Mon Dec 1 18:39:21 2008

@beachgal707

you just made a lightbulb turn on in my head, are they really telling buyers that all shipping is free? my shipping cost DSR has dropped from 4.8-9 to 4.6-7 in the past month, ironic since ebay capped the book category at $4 and i'm actually charging a dollar less than i was. but if they are telling buyers that all shipping is free then of course the buyers are going to leave low a low DSR on sellers who aren't giving free shipping.

ebay will micromanage themselves right out of business.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Bob

Tue Dec 2 12:11:45 2008

I just bought a roll of paper towels from shoplet. I was unable to find that at my local store, thanks so much ebay, you saved my day with your excellent paper towel offering.

Seriously, who buys a roll of paper towels on ebay ? What on earth is wrong with them ?

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Bobby

Tue Dec 2 12:17:34 2008

I sold a 25.-$ item on ebay 2 weeks ago. Including free shipping (I got dragged into this free shipping thing...). Buyer left feedback, and my DSR for shipping cost is lower now. The buyer gave me less than 5 stars for free shipping. I don't believe this. How can a buyer not be completely satisfied with FREE SHIPPING ???? That's it for free shipping for me.

That might be the next ebay trick:
Sellers must offer their buyers cash back for the free shipping.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: anotherps

Tue Dec 2 19:02:15 2008

I offered free shipping during the month of October - never - ever - again.
My shipping cost stars went down - down - down..... plus buyers did NOT bid any higher than usual.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Ming the Merciless

Tue Dec 2 19:52:09 2008

A couple of years ago buried in on General Announcements page, ebay announced a new provision in their ever lengthening users agreement.

That provision stated that henceforth ebay OWNED the contents of YOUR product descriptions and photos once uploaded.

So unless this becomes an issue in a future legal action against ebay, sellers have no choice but to accept the insertion of these double entendre laden "Deal Alert - Steal this Deal" messages in THEIR product descriptions.

This ridiculous and probably illegal addition to the ebay users agreement went virtually unnoticed, and those who did strongly object were, in typical ebay fashion, retaliated against.

When ebay refuses to refund listings fees, they have often used the argument that the pages YOU pay for are like classified newspaper ads in that the newspaper doesn't refund your money if your item doesn't sell.

Let's expand on that comparison. Newspapers don't insert their own messages into classified ads nor do newspapers make a bogus ownership claim to the ad text or any photos you might put in your classified ad.

Ebay has misused and abused the entire concept of a users agreement in an ethically reprehensible attempt to make themselves bulletproof in lawsuits.

It won't work. Corporations can NOT indemnify themselves from accepting responsibility by misusing a users agreement to violate laws or federal regulations nor can they legally compel to ebay member to agree to users agreement that likely violates any law or regulation.

Ebafia is a lawless, rogue corporation with a long history of thumbing their noses at court decisions and court orders.

These arrogant spoiled brat executives who think they're they exempt from the law need to be brought to their collective knees with an aggressive, no holds barred government lawsuit or a broadly based class action suit that GOES TO TRIAL.

Death to ebay corp.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: GL

Tue Dec 2 20:38:57 2008

Ebay execs have turned into marketing (excuse the term) bastards bent on annoying long-time ebay users with the misconception of implementing endless novice UI crap to (try and) cater to ebay newbies which isn't working.

eBay Adds ''Deal Alert'' Feature to Listings

by: Francis Ponzo

Tue May 25 17:23:17 2010

ANOTHER GOOD EASON TO STOP SELLING ON EBAY! GET YOUR OWN WEBSITE! GET OUT FROM UNDER THEIR WEIGHT,GET FREE!THERE IS A WORLD MARKET OUT THERE, WE NO LONGER NEED EBAY! I REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS, WHEN EBAY HELPED BOTH SELLER AND BUYER..

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