What eBay could learn from Etsy. The art of the sell.

I’ve been a member of eBay since November of 1997.

Yeah, a long time. Done literally hundreds and hundreds of transactions both as a buyer and seller. For the most part most have gone well. I have flawless feedback somewhere in the 1000’s. And yeah, been scammed a few times. Had my share of of dealing with miserable sellers. As well as being a disgruntled buyer a few times. But overall can’t really complain.

Until now.

Collecting isn’t a hobby with me, it’s a lifestyle. Something I take very seriously and am beyond passionate about. Recently buying on eBay my main source for collecting, I’ve become tired and soured.

It’s become a faceless, cold, unemotional, frustrating endeavor. What was designed to be a community of collectors and dealers, sharing stories, rare items and their passion, has now become a “Here’s your item, now go away.” type of an experience.

I’m tired of getting banged up boxes with my item wrapped in so much bubble wrap you need a chainsaw to get through it. Packed in old stale newspapers, or enough peanuts to keep you sweeping up for 3 days after opening.

No note.

No thank you.

Your item, now go away and leave me positive feedback.

If we were to rate our buyer/seller experiences like we evaluate wait staff at a restaurant, there would be roughly half the number of people on eBay.

Are you supposed to give positive feedback simply because you received your item not damaged or broken in a somewhat reasonable time frame?

Are we supposed to tip 20% because we were served our food?

Apparently so.

Recently I’ve been finding myself spending a fair amount of time on Etsy. Which they describe as “The Marketplace Where People Connect to Sell & Buy Unique Goods.“

Simple enough right?

We all know the success of a business is in repeat business. That’s what the more intelligent sellers and dealers understand. Make my experience good, and maybe I’ll come back again. And maybe even again.

My longest and most treasured relationships are with dealers and collectors I’ve bought and sold to many, many times over the years. You build trust. You build friendships.

So, check out the photo above. Nice huh?

I have several other smaller collections besides my first love, rare RNR memorabilia. (Which there is little to none of on Etsy.)  No problem.

I collect items from the famed NY night club called The Stork Club. I also collect vintage toy drum sets, early advertising figures and displays, packaging with devils on it, skull items, and a host of other just plain weird shit.

I buy most of this on Etsy.

This little fabric with a early Stork Club design on it cost me $22 and change. And when I received it, I got a lot more. A handwritten note from the seller. My item wrapped in a bow. And a custom tag with their information and name on it.

All for a $22 item.

I’ve spent thousands on items on eBay and never as much received a lousy email saying thank you, let alone custom wrapping. Doesn’t make sense to me.

Moral of the story is, make your customers feel special and they will return.

And remember, those $22 items add up.

Peace and happy hunting.

Gary Rocks