There’s Something Smelly In Here
Awhile back (click HERE), I wrote about Ebay barring the sale of perfume and cologne due to a suit with the French Perfumers. It appeared that you could list something, but when you would click on a listing, you would get a form message that would pop up on the screen. You would not be allowed to proceed to look at the listings. Now, i noticed that cosmetics were the same way. Maybe it was that way before, but cosmetics is something I really don’t pay attention to on Ebay.
Now it is all coming to me. This is all a plot. Ebay now has “sponsored links” on the bottom that takes you to Sephora! When you purchase something off of Sephora, either Ebay is a part of their affiliate program or Sephora pays by impression. Would this be as a way to zig when you have been thrown a zag? Or is this a conscious attempt to thwart any business from regular folks. Of course there are health concerns if someone is selling used and tainted merchandise, but sure there are enough people who get a cologne that they are allergic to as a gift, same with makeup. It is still sealed, and because it was quite pricey and they don’t want to take it back, they sell it. More so, there are small businesses that sell cosmetics as their livelihood as well.
So, is this a temporary or permanent move by Ebay? Well, we will wait and see.
The shame will be if people are not allowed to sell vintage makeup, perfumes and colognes which people collect mainly for the classy perfume bottle or compact that it came in. Some folks use them as props too if they are not totally collectible. Often, people will buy a 50 year old perfume bottle with a little still at the bottom because the original owner was reluctant to clean and damage it.
What do you think. Am I the last one on the boat to know, or do you think that this smells a bit fishy?
auctions | Comments (3)
3 Responses to “There’s Something Smelly In Here”
Leave a Reply
I had a bad experience buying some sample size Polo cologne on eBay. I don’t however, see a problem with vendors selling new perfume and cosmetics as long as that they guarantee their products are authentic. I think eBay is not always putting the concerns of smaller sellers and buyers first. Their declining market share reflects their lack of focus.
I guess legitimate sellers in that niche will start their own niche site like so many others have done. The rallying cry of PowerSellers and smaller operations alike has been “Ebay built itself on the backs of the small time collectible and antique dealer and now is turning their back.” People leave, and new people come in. We’ll see what happens in time I guess. If you want to play in their playground, you gotta stick to their rules but it just seems they are trying to reinvent the wheel on a monthly or yearly basis.
Usually, I tell sellers that they have to decide whether they are a small business owner who happens to sell on ebay or an Ebay seller that happens to have a business. Decide which you are and make your plans accordingly.
That’s too bad you had a bad experience. I certainly hope that it was a misunderstanding and nothing along the lines of you mutating due to a tampered cologne formula.
nice piece, I’ll be back. Just subscribed to your feed.