eBay buyers and sellers continue to rip into the company after it announced another round of fee increases, this time charging a 9 percent fee on shipping charges. One reader writes: "I live near a small town in southern Colorado where the business is dominated by antique malls. Last week I went into one of the malls and asked the owner how business had been as it’s usually slow during the early Spring months. She brightened and said ‘It’s been great. Every time eBay changes the fees and rules and hurts more sellers my business picks up.’ She closed by saying "Go, ebay!"
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Letters to the editor
eBay buyers and sellers furious over new fee changes
eBay buyers and sellers rip into the company after it announces another round of fee increases, this time charging a 9 percent fee on shipping charges. The move has longtime and potential customers concerned about the future of the antiques and collectibles business on the online auction site, a market segment which they see as responsible for eBay’s early growth and popularity.
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Readers’ Letters: Profit margins lowered on ‘American Pickers’
Readers continue to share thoughts on HISTORY’s "American Pickers" program. One reader writes: "I have noticed that in recent episodes the "paid" versus "valued at" ratios have changed drastically compared to earlier episodes. They are also inaccurate ("dumbed down"), with the advantage going to the Pickers."
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Ruby Lane shop owner dishes on venue as eBay alternative
A former eBay seller suggests an established venue for those wanting to sell antiques online: At the tail end of Lynda Vidas’ Read More +
Readers’ Letters: ‘American Pickers’ reflects the real business; PLUS: Is progressive pricing right for everyone?
Readers react to HISTORY’s American Pickers, claiming the show really depicts the hard work and risk of running a business as an antiques dealer. PLUS: One dealer comments on the topic of progressive pricing and whether or not it would work for sellers of high-end antiques, especially jewelry.
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eBay bidder buys vintage microphone, seller sends … a brick
I have been reading with great interest about all the negatives about eBay (see Jan. 5 and Jan. 26 editions). I had more than my share of bad experience with eBay, here are just two incidents …
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Bravo to letter writer for defending eBay antiques sellers
Antique Trader readers respond: "Bravo to Joan Turco for her letter about the way eBay treats its sellers (Jan. 5 edition, page 8). I am also a long-term eBay seller since 1998, and have had to alter my selling practices and what I am willing to put up for sale because of their nickling and diming us to death. I am one of their Power Sellers and Top Rated Sellers." Read More +
Readers’ Letters: If eBay sellers go away … so will the buyers
Readers comment on the changing fee policies at eBay and how policy changes are affecting antiques dealers who sell antiques online. Another reader comments on the explosion of antiques-themed television shows as well as copious amount of commercials packed into every episode.
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Readers’ Letters: Lure collectors can be a slippery bunch
"Your issue, Dec. 1., arrived yesterday. It brought to mind my experiences with men – "so called sportsmen" – when purchasing lures at two local auctions. It made me laugh for a day, week, month and several years later each time I see lures for sale."
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Ask Antique Trader: Hand-forged lock and key worth $300
Q. Can you tell me what you can about this lock and key? I was given this lock and key in 1970 from a lady who said her parents brought this object to America when they immigrated to this country in the 1920s from Sweden. The parents indicated they had removed the lock from a destroyed Catholic church.
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