Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on ecommerce.
by Ina Steiner, Editor of EcommerceBytes.com
Sat Dec 6 2014 18:47:59

eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

By: Ina Steiner

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Never mind the effect eBay's frequent changes have on sellers - the latest program eBay is cooking up is a total rebrand of key features that buyers will have to get used to.

eBay is working on a new project codenamed Program M; the program's brand will replace the familiar seals eBay currently displays on listings, including one that highlights Top Rated Sellers.

The company explained in a survey it's conducting:

This program aims to simplify the buying and selling experience by using a single presentation element to signify low ship cost, quick delivery purchase from a reliable seller, easy returns and guaranteed on-time item arrival. Accordingly, an item that offers free shipping, 3-day guaranteed delivery, Hassle-Free returns and comes from a trusted seller will be eligible for Program M.

eBay explained that "if" it proceeds with Program M, it would retire current logos for eBay Top Rated Sellers; eBay Fast N' Free; and eBay Hassle-Free Returns.

A reader forwarded some screenshots, writing, "Thought you might enjoy what's cookin' in eBay's kitchen."



He said he believed eBay was trying to apply a standard to sellers based on shipping carrier performance. "I am grateful, however, that they sent the survey, asking a veteran seller prior to implementation!"

A seller on a discussion board said eBay was considering giving buyer a coupon if Program M listings' promised 4-day delivery schedule was not met.

Another reader who received the survey wrote in an email to EcommerceBytes, "In a part I didn't understand they implied they were going to leave the TRS program alone except no logo. Don't know if search bump goes away too or not."

That's a reference to the fact that Top Rated Sellers get higher placement in search results pages.

"I completed my survey and expressed my bitterness at yet more change and compliance challenges," he continued. "The survey comes right on the heels of losing my TRS status for the first time in an unfortunate bit of timing, but that's another story."



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Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 6 19:03:00 2014

M for MORONIC

Just cause JDs out the door, it doesnt meant the STUPIDITY is over. (Maybe it should be SECRET PROJECT S for STUPIDITY).

Leave well enough alone. We arent children and dont need to be graded 24/7 on everything we do.

If SNADbay wants to vet sellers then go ahead - everyone else does.

SNADbay wont even vet BUYERS .... dummies!

The more things change, the more they ... change.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Sat Dec 6 19:16:15 2014

Nope.
This won't bring me back to Ebay.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: angryllama This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 6 19:36:04 2014

Guaranteed Date Specific Delivery?  Buy a Clue. The Holy Ghost couldn't GUARANTEE any specific delivery date.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Sat Dec 6 19:44:27 2014

MBA #1: "We've got to do something new to justify our existence."

MBA #2: "Let's change the seals."

When buyers can't find what they are looking for, how does this simply the buying experience?  Time would be better spent fixing the broken search. Cassini has to go.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Sat Dec 6 19:45:08 2014

Simplify the buying experience, not simply the buyer experience.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: brokentoys19 This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 6 19:54:15 2014

Program Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: iheartjacksparrow

Sat Dec 6 20:24:26 2014

I had to laugh at "Program M." This sounds like some CIA or Black Ops endeavor. Instead of Operation Red Dawn, we have Program M (spoken in the voice of James Earl Jones).

And how can anyone have "three-day guaranteed delivery"? I've had quite a few Priority Mail packages take a week to arrive at their destination. Heck, I've even had problems with "guaranteed" Express Mail taking a week to arrive (I did get the postage cost back to refund to the buyer). So basically, you need to offer "free" Priority Mail shipping, and the first time a package doesn't arrive on time, you're transferred to Program S (for suspended). I agree with Pace that it must be "M" for moronic, or maybe mindless.

So will this be the basis for the next great purge of small sellers? Because how many can realistically offer everything eBay is asking for?    

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Puck

Sat Dec 6 20:39:39 2014

M for MORONIC
LMAO!

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Sat Dec 6 20:48:07 2014

iheartjacksparrow says And how can anyone have "three-day guaranteed delivery"?

I agree.  Right now, on our listings, they have it reading "Delivery in 4 days".  How do they know?  Not estimated delivery, but delivery.

I take issue with this.  It's just wrong, and they are passively goading the buyers to open cases when they do not receive their items in this window of time.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Ming the Merciless

Sat Dec 6 20:48:41 2014

NO. MANAGED. RETURNS.

GUARANTEED DELVERY? GIVE DEFECTS FOR LATE DELIVERY AND DAMAGED ITEMS TO THE CARRIER NOT THE SELLER!

WENIG, HAVE LOST YOU LOST WHAT PASSES FOR A MIND ENTIRELY?

THIS IS NOT HOW HOW TO RE CONNECT WITH SELLERS.

WENIG, DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD IDEAS OR SIMPLY A BUCKETFUL OF MORE PUNISHMENT?

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: Russ This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 6 20:53:27 2014

WTW?!?!

Another game for clueless site visitors to decipher.  More confusion for buyers and another battleground for sellers to skirmish with eBay for perceived, preferred inclusion.

And to start with ''Program M'' might imply that Programs A through L and N through Z exist.  Oh, what fun they have at eBay.

Is it too late for me to get my MBA?  I so want to play in their playground.

What entity can ''guarantee'' 3-day delivery?  Yet more pitfalls placed to ''guarantee'' guaranteed failure to screw sellers.

eBay will be the death of ecommerce...back to B&M with more reliable online opportunites to purchase their products without constant suspicion and worry that things will go bad...and this from the perspective of a buyer...

Selling on the eBay site is futile...constant guesswork to determine your worthiness to sell on this wreck of a ''venue.''  Thankfully their are those on these blogs contstantly sharing their interpretations of questionable verbiage in an attempt to convince others to toe the line and continue to try to sell for pennies...

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Basset

Sat Dec 6 21:05:44 2014


Malicious Intent?  Malfunction?

M for MORE Fun and Games!


Like Clash of the Clans! - Wiki defines basic play:

''Clash of Clans is an online multiplayer game in which players build a community, train troops, and attack other players to earn gold and elixir, which can then be used to build defenses so as to protect the player against other players attacking them''

OK, is it just me or does that definition sound like the whole eBay experience?


Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Ming the Merciless

Sat Dec 6 22:16:36 2014

Wenig may well be on his way to becoming even despised and hated than The HO.

He engineers largely cosmetic changes while instituting still more draconian methods to exterminate the small sellers he and The Ho have missed.

What Chinese dialect is Wenig learning?

Why doesn't Devin Wenig hate American sellers?

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: Ming the Merciless

Sat Dec 6 22:17:26 2014

DUh-

That last sentence should have read,

Why does Devin Wenig hate American sellers?

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: eBankrupted

Sat Dec 6 23:08:06 2014

M = Migraine

What could create enough stress to give sellers permanent Migraines?

What's next? S = Stroke ?

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

This user has validated their user name. by: bitbybit

Sat Dec 6 23:29:06 2014

M = Marked for Extinction

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: aim04744 This user has validated their user name.

Sun Dec 7 00:02:45 2014

Ugh. Another try at being Amazon. Seriously, no MBA here but even I can figure out that you cant "be" Amazon. We already have one of those. To compete and take their customers away, you need to provide a different shopping experience that would make buyers want to come away from Amazon. this is not it.

I honestly hoped that Ebay would come up with some new and original ideas when they got new leadership. Once again, I am disappointed.  

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: NetWatch This user has validated their user name.

Sun Dec 7 00:08:53 2014

Organized protest marches against eBay are being organized and coordinated. Visit my website for details.

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: Massachusets Howler This user has validated their user name.

Sun Dec 7 00:41:01 2014

Project M "branding" is not available to sellers on double-secret probation.

My arse, that is what "Project M" stands for.

MH

Perminate Link for eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M   eBay Works on Secret Project Codenamed Program M

by: Massachusets Howler This user has validated their user name.

Sun Dec 7 00:44:06 2014

Can you hijack the microfilm Q, you know the secret microfilm for Project M?
I will meet you offshore of San Jose in my submarine, with the antidote.
MH

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