E P.

Yes, I have sold on both sites and will take eBID over "the bay" any day. EBid's selling fees are much lower than the bays' AND they don't take their % out of your sales price, S&H and taxes. What do you get for the low fees? Basically, the ability to run your own business without constant oversight, regulations, etc., as you see fit. Yes, they do have guidelines and prohibited item lists. There are NO "performance" goals to meet to "stay in the game" - way less stressful that way. Prompt customer service from a "live body" that supports the seller - not always ruling in favor of the buyer, no matter what.

What you don't get with the lower fees, is paid for national/worldwide advertising through the media. So? Back in the day, no sales company that you worked for, as an independent consultant or agent, promoted you. Sales people generated their own leads and promoted themselves. If you are too lazy to do that, then keep paying the high fees and stop complaining when the bay piles more regulations and requirements on you.

I get most of my sales through Google Shopping, and eBid gives you the guidelines on how to get picked up on GS. How much time do you spend on social media sites? Would it hurt or take up too much time to let your friends know where your items are listed for sale? Contacting friends used to be the number one way that word got around about what and where you were selling.

Some of the negative reviews I read about eBid are obviously from folks who want maximum money in their pocket for minimum effort. It is really sad that people have become lazy and forgotten how to really work at something that gives the feeling of pride that comes with being an independent, hard-working individual.

EBid will work well for you IF you are motivated to "run your OWN business". EBid gives you all the tools you need to do that. Their Help Section answers every question you might have and gives lots of good advice on how to create good listings that will get picked up by search engines. If you can't get an answer from "Help", there are interactive forums where you can ask the members. If a member does not know, you can e-mail support and will get an answer in less than 24 yours - often sooner - from a live body, not a robo answer.

One of the other complaints that I see is "eBid is hard to navigate". Well, when you have been stuck in the same routine for years, everything new that you try to do is a bit difficult until you get the hang of it.

I'll get off my soap box and get back to listing - I've got sales coming in like crazy these days and need to keep my store well stocked.

Best of luck to those of you that take a "leap of faith" in yourselves, your personal ability to be successful, and are willing to "look outside the box" for new opportunities.

One other thing - I took a leap of faith in myself and paid the Lifetime Fee. It has more than paid itself off in the long run. I probably would have paid that much to the bay several times over now, with their higher fees for every penny they collect from S&H and taxes.