Can eBay Hear the Noise?
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Recently the new eBay CEO, John Donahoe, called the buyers’ and sellers’ backlash against the changes that will be implemented over the next few months “nothing more than noise” Here’s a bulleted review of eBay’s changes:
1.) A Major Rate Increase -Â raising the seller’s auction-end fees by 33-66%
2.) Revamping the Feedback System – Sellers can’t leave negative feedback for Buyers.
3.) 95% Positive Feedback Requirement – unless your positive feedback rate is 95%, then your auctions won’t be listed in Ebay’s search engine
4.) PayPal To Withhold Money – If you have fewer than 100 feedback responses, Paypal will withhold your money for 21 days. Â
 A survey found that out of all their respondentsm, 90% felt that, overall, the changes to feedback are bad. This frustration over these changes ultimately led to the e-bay strike, 2/18/08-2/25/08.
Offline strikes vs. Online strikes
I am going to consider the differences between the characteristics of a strike in the online world compared to the ones we are more accustomed to, in the offline world specifically the eBay strike as its progresses now. When strikes occur outside of the internet against corporations, workers are usually all from the same enviornment and therefore it is pretty easy to unite, organize, encourage/pressure others to join, and threaten the corporation as a united force.
 The eBay strikers however, are not in constant contact with eachother because, though they are striking against the same corporation, their relationship seems to be less that of coworkers and more as competitors because to be successful they must sell their items priced competitively against the other sellers. These completely individualistic goals, as well as a lack of communication, are dividers that make it difficult to unite. Another obstacle is that, because eBay does not disclose the seller’s contact information unless an business interaction is being made, any communication about the strike must first be sent through the eBay website. On several blogs some users actually complained of having their strike messages edited or deleted from eBay’s site. Once information is exchanged though, they can communicate in other internet spaces. The presence of ebay strike organizers and advocates is mostly on websites such as powersellersunite.com-a site completely dedicated to issues with ebay- and random blogs.
This fragmentation of workers also makes it more difficult to pressure other sellers/buyers to join in their protest. When strikers protest offline, many workers do not cross the picket line because of intimidation or the embarrassment of being considered a scab.  There is no sign of a protest when going on to ebay’s website right now and instead, eBay actually offered a one-day promotion involving deep discounts in fees only a couple of days before the strike. Sellers and buyers alike can take advantage of this deal without being threatened or insulted by the strikers.Â
Finally, offline strikes are extremely visual and provide great fodder for the media. Angry workers, picket lines, chanting, signs, the works. Online, there is nothing really to capture.  For that reason, the story becomes less captivating to the media, who either report on it lightly or do not report on it at all. This means less exposure, less awareness for ebay strikers/bidders, less public support.
SO WHAT IS THE EFFECT THUS FAR?
According to an article on mashable.com
“[The strike] has caused the online auction giant to see the number of its listings drop from 14.5 million to a (mere) 14 million… That amounts to a 3% decline, which, if eBay fails to account for the hit in the weeks and months ahead, may register as more of a scar than a shallow bruise… Because the number of listings is likely to continue dropping several points further by the end of Friday, the company may have to tend carefully to a PR image that shows noticeable damage.”Â
This was one of the only articles that I’ve found that seems to believe the strike is having somewhat of an impact. Most other articles find that business is going on as usual on ebay, although any changes will really be visible after the strike is over.Â
Seems like the noise is turning out to be a whimper after all. Two days left, but its not looking good…
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