Wednesday 22 April 2009

Ebay showing again how little they understand selling

'Misleading' eBay prices ad banned


The advertising watchdog has banned eBay from boasting its prices are a quarter cheaper than those in high street shops.

The ASA has banned eBay from claiming it is a quarter cheaper than high street shops

A poster advertising the popular online marketplace read: "Guess what? 25% cheaper than the high street on brand new items."

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint that the ad was misleading because it did not make the basis of the comparison - carried out for eBay by a third party company - clear enough.

eBay said that for each of 288 new products, the average price from recent eBay sales - including postal charges - were compared with an average of prices in stores such as Debenhams and John Lewis.

However readers, the ASA said, would take the poster to be an absolute claim that eBay was cheaper than all main high street stores for all new items, although there was not enough evidence to support this.

The rest of the story can be found here


Ebay are constantly telling sellers that use ebay what they can and can't do, yet they are struggling with simple tasks like advertising.

But for those that are selling through ebay auctions, I would really consider what type of customer they are trying to bring onto ebay.

Those that are selling BIN and enjoying those discounts that ebay are giving them, I am sure you now see what you are supposed to be doing with them. But I hope you realise if ebay is not your only selling venue, and that if they do get you to reduce your prices then you may as well kiss your other sales venues goodbye, as you are working for ebay to close down your other venues, and we all know ebay can be a jealous mistress.

And if you follow the link to the ebay FAQ you will see the new logo that ebay are bringing out, all for those that sell their items with free shipping and for good value, as shown in the image. You think I would be wrong to think the good value, may be 25% off?

I don't know, it really is starting to look like an ebay seller has to be like one of those monks, that wack themselves with whips, as you have to see the pain coming your way, whatever way you sell.

No comments: