By Keith Regan E-Commerce Times
02/07/01 10:18 AM PT
In recent weeks, eBay has rolled out a steady stream
of policy changes, many of which
have drawn ire from members.
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eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) said Tuesday
it will begin offering members the option of paying a monthly fee for a
set of software tools designed to make it easier and faster to set up
auctions, although many members have already purchased the software outright.
Word of the new fee-based service, to be called
eBay Auction Assistant, set off a
torrent of complaints, primarily from owners of the software program that
eBay plans to convert into a monthly service.
Many eBay users said they paid US$140 to purchase
the software, currently called Blackthorne Auction
Assistant, and reasonably believed that upgrades would be
provided free of charge.
Under eBay's new
plan, however, users will pay $4.99 a month for a basic program aimed at novice
auction users and $15.99 a month for a professional version of the software.
Changes in Attitude
In recent weeks, eBay has rolled out a steady stream
of policy changes, many of which
have drawn ire from members. eBay said it intended to limit user
access to e-mail addresses of other auction members
and announced a plan
to boost listing
fees.
"How much more can the smaller seller take?" one user asked on the
AuctionWatch.com message board. "First fees go up, then restrictive rules
regarding trade are made, and now [the software charges]."
A similar flood of angry messages was posted to the Blackthorne Web
site, which announced the change in policy at the same time as eBay.
"I am
disappointed in Blackthorne's decision to rip off previous loyal customers,"
read one posting.
Major Upgrade Cited
John Slocum, president of the Sayre, Pennsylvania-based company that makes
the Blackthorne software, responded by calling the change
a "major upgrade" to the auction assistant.
"It has always been our policy that minor and intermediate upgrades
would not incur a charge, but major upgrades may," Slocum said. "We have
been fortunate that we have not had to charge for an upgrade in the past,
but that does not imply it is a permanent situation."
Even so, Blackthorne is trying to soothe existing customers by offering a
one-time free upgrade and a year of free service under the new eBay plan,
which would be worth nearly $200 for the professional version. The company
also noted that the software will now be supported by eBay's customer
service.
The software helps sellers manage auctions, generate bulk listings
and invoices, print shipping labels and schedule future auctions. Since its
inception, Blackthorne software has been designed to work closely with eBay,
with upgrades mirroring changes to the site.
Rent-a-Professional
In separate news Wednesday, eBay announced it would begin offering
auctions for professional services on its site through a partnership with
eLance.com. The eLance site already provides a place where
freelance professionals compete for contracts being
offered by companies.
The service is aimed at what Forrester Research says will become a $220
billion market for Web-based professional services within the next three
years and seeks to take advantage of increased outsourcing of work by
businesses.
eToys Fires Staff, Sets April Shutdown February 06, 2001
eToys said that a committee representing creditors will be working
toward an out-of-court agreement designed to avoid a bankruptcy filing.
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