Re: New Question: E-bay / Marketing / Sales

paypal, frankly ;)<

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

Store:

The last time I tried that (clicked on the "US"), I got almost all US artisan lampwork. One Canadian lampworker. Three or four auction titles had nothing to do with lampwork, at all-- they specifically said things like "Czech pressed Glass", so I'm not sure why they ended up in that list. Over all, though, it was pretty "clean".

I no longer try the more general "handmade lampwork" catagory-- like you said, it's full of imported "production" beads. It's a redundant term, anyway. Just like "hand crocheted"... or , "dead corpse"....

Does eBay choose the catagory? or the seller? or is it chosen "automatically" by listing software based on data input? Kaytee "Simplexities" on

"automatically" by listing software based on data input?<

The seller chooses the category when posting the listing. Some are just lazy or not too bright (or get confused, like when I accidentally listed some Bali silver under US lampwork cuz I was tired LOL), but many do it deliberately just because they hope for more exposure in a "better neighborhood."

If it bugs you (it does me, when I see it) you can report it to Ebay. Sometimes the seller is forced to move the item to the proper category, sometimes nothing happens. I don't obsess over it but when I see a seller doing it with many listings, I go into "mission mode" and do report the incorrect listings. It just bugs me to see mass produced work crowding "our" category. (And yeah, I know, it's mostly handmade too, but piecework just isn't the same in my mind.)

Here, hopefully, is the link to report incorrect categories to Ebay.

All you have to do is sign in with your Ebay ID, enter the item number, and a brief message about why it's the wrong category.

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

Store:

"automatically"

The seller chooses the category, which is how you end up with stuff in inappropriate categories. Pretty much the same as the e-mail spammers, some sellers will throw stuff in the completely wrong category because there is more traffic. The only time sellers don't have a choice about the category is when eBay makes changes to the category lists. eBay then dumps everything from the deleted categories to wherever the programmers feel like putting the stuff.

I think that might be part of it. And some of its 'protectionist' policies that work against an artist expanding into other markets. Like forbidding mention of a website.

I understand the reasons for that, but I am partisan in favor of the artist, and don't like the restriction.

I also see how it opens up options, especially to people who don't have ready access to 'live' markets, and weigh that in the balance. I don't want to see eBay wiped off the map. But I like seeing people have -lots- of options, and being able to create a following in several markets. That strikes me as healthier ... and safer ... than depending on only one. Or being confined to only one.

Not saying this is already so, just that the trends of policy at eBay seem to be leaning in that direction.

Deirdre

Yes, as I mentioned in another message, this is my biggest gripe with them. This kind of 'ownership' they want to claim on parts of the artist's life that are not really theirs to control.

It is a boundary issue. They extend the boundaries of what they consider theirs to control too far to suit me.

Deirdre

It is annoying, no matter who does it.

Deirdre

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Deirdre S. :

]It is annoying, no matter who does it.

yes, but most you can ignore. M$ is about the only one who requires you to register so it will WORK, after you've already paid for it.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

Bill of Rights - Void where prohibited by Law.Regime Change in 2004 - The life you save may be your own.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "laura" :

]I'm expecting M$ to announce any day now that they've bought e-bay and ]paypal, frankly ;)

gods - what a thought. of course, Gates wanted to "buy the internet", too.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

Bill of Rights - Void where prohibited by Law.Regime Change in 2004 - The life you save may be your own.

YIPES! I want to move to Canada...

Deirdre

Does anyone remember the film "The President's Analyst"? Absolutely my favorite take on Unlimited Power and conspiracy theories.

Deirdre

favorite take on Unlimited Power and conspiracy theories.<

Oh yeah, what an incredible movie! And James Coburn always made me smile.

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

Store:

oh yes....I've got a real love of old textiles. And lace, and beads, and trims, and... I really miss not being able to FEEL them tho--my fingers know nearly as much as my eyes when it comes to fabric. But since its not a common thing, I make do with the flood that is ebay--and my eyes get a fix even if the fingers don't.

Another thing I like to do is look at the pics and sometimes save them, to use as inspirations in drawing. A figure from old textiles might become part of a polymer clay cane...a doll face from Japan in 1800's is out of my pocketbook's reach, but not my pencil's. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

view my auctions at:

Never heard of it!

I read that thing about the voting software in the Austin American-Statesman - not on a conspiracy site. A few weeks after that announcement, the Justice Dept. announced it was dropping the M$ antitrust suit.

• TL *

Electronic voting machine software is "proprietary" which means no one will be able to check the algorythms used to do the counting, except the company itself.

• TL *

If only it weren't so dang cold up there, I'd already be wearing a maple leaf.

• TL *

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Tante Lina" :

]Electronic voting machine software is "proprietary" which means no one will ]be able to check the algorythms used to do the counting, except the company ]itself.

so - is gates a dem or rep?

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

Bill of Rights - Void where prohibited by Law.Regime Change in 2004 - The life you save may be your own.

In Canada, silly!

Kathy N-V