We’ve often heard of instances where a buyer suggests a seller completes a transaction off-eBay with the premise that the seller can save a few quid on fees and the buyer gets a deal, often at what would be below the closing price of an auction.
Just got asked to close a tx off of eBay to save $20. You my friend win the lottery (1/160mm) for worst choice of co-conspirator.
— Devin Wenig (@devinwenig) November 15, 2015
One eBay user hit the jackpot when they asked the question of no other than eBay CEO Devin Wenig. Out of all eBay’s 160 million users, I can’t think of a worst person to suggest completing a transaction off eBay with, although I guess asking Pierre Omidyar would just about qualify.
Many years ago when trading on eBay, employees of the company were required to disclose that they worked for eBay in listings and communications. That policy has been re-written and is a little more relaxed these days without any form text that employees are obliged to include, but still, what are the odds and wouldn’t you have loved to be a fly on the wall when they read whatever response Devin sent?
6 Responses
So devon is actually selling something on ebay? both surprising and interesting.
wonder what his tweet will be when the buyer opens an INR case.
pot, kettle,
every search page has dozens of links and adverts encouraging you to trade off ebay
He is probably the only seller who gets a fair hearing if a case is opened…
He should report it to trust and safety and take note of how no action is ever taken, no promised calls ever happen.
I thought this was funny. What are the chances?! LOL
And then I thought that Devin needs to take this as feedback that there’s something seriously wrong with the completion part of his service: this is a clear message for the seller he was buying from, the eBay marketplace doesn’t add value with its guarantee of the transaction.
So what’s wrong Devin? Providing a service that isn’t good enough or charging too much?