Problem #1:  eBay has been so efficient in helping people fill their collections that the supply of most collectibles now exceeds the demand - and it's getting worse.  Supply is still coming in without enough new collectors to absorb it;  what was neat, interesting stuff 6-7 years ago is already owned by almost all who want it.

Problem #2:  Although eBay postures that they're about collectibles and small sellers, almost wishing for the site to return to Pez dispensers and the like, their financials have to tell them their money is coming from the big sellers who, as above, are really retailing instead of auctioning.  Their supply is outstripping their demand too.  

Problem #3:  Fees are up, especially listing fees (which, when combined with ever-higher unsold lots, seriously discourage potential sellers) and USPS postage rates are up, especially on packages (l lb priority from $2.40 to $4.60 in 8 low-inflation years).  

Problem #4:  As above, eBay really wants as little as possible to do with stopping fraud.  They seem as organized and profitable as the major company they are, but their attitude toward the site's business integrity is more akin to a flea market owner.  Their having bought PayPal hasn't helped and has probably hurt, as only one company is now involved.  

Possible Solutions:  Separate pure collectible and unusual-item auctions (put them in something called eBay Classic?) from the retailing.  (Buy It Now hasn't done that effectively enough.)  Streamline and possibly reduce fees.  Maybe most importantly, start a PR campaign to encourage collecting in general!    

WHAT A JOKE.. THAT ANYONE LISTS S/H FEES AS A PROBLEM..WHY

THIS IS AN AUCTION !!!!!!! JUST BID TO REFLECT WHAT YOU THINK

IS TOO MUCH.... AN AUCTION TAKES OUT ANY "HIGH" S/H OR DOES

NOT ANYONE KNOW WHAT A BID AND AUCTION IS ALL ABOUT...

STUPID STUPID COMMENTS.... BUT YOU CANNOT BID DOWN EBAY FEES!

AND PAYNOTYOURPAL ONLY HIDES AND DOESNOT HAVE TO ANSWER

ANY QUESTIONS AS THEY CLAIM "WE ARE NOT A BANK" HENCE NO REGULATION!

REALLY?????

I couldn't agree with you all more. I recently was duped on an item I purchased. Initially seller said they accepted paypal, so I purchased, only to find that they claim eBAy screwed up on the posting (whatever), and they would only accept money orders. I was stupid and sent a money order and never received my merchandise. eBay basically said I was on my own. They do not care about any of us, it is the $$$ that they care about.

The real problem is that Ebay has gotten so Greedy charging the average Seller fees for everything claiming that these fees correspond to the services they offer. Wrong, ever block a person & they still bid? You are stuck with the fees & a long menu option on how to get back your fraudulently taken fees & you lose!The only half of real light for compensation is Paypal. Ebay is Greedy & offers nothing to the people who make them the real money...The Sellers!!!

I to used to sell on Ebay, I did about $5000 a month in sales.  By the time I paid for Ebay and Paypal fees, I was only making about $400 month profit while they were making more than me.  Ebay Sucks now!!!

I have been on Ebay since 99, and for the most part have enjoyed the service, yes the fees are high, and the shipping costs can be a problem.  But my main suggestion would echo the fixed shipping cost idea to stop the gouging.  As to competeing with the power sellers-if you are selling items ala garage sale mentality then list your items lower than the big boys.  When buying, don't buy from powersellers, and be patient, i have found if i wait long enough i can get an item at my price.  Ebay works for me because i don't use it for my sole source of income or shopping, for those of you that do its time to grow up and deal with the competition or get a real job.

I have bought and sold on eBay since 2000. I am not certain the current eBay / Paypal fee policy is legal - it seems wrong. eBay markets Paypal to make people believe it is safest to pay through Paypal their eBay auctions. Then if the buyer pays with a credit card eBay/Paypal policy forces the individual seller to pay business account fees to accept the credit card payment.

When I question eBay on this policy they send me to Paypal. Then I question Paypal and I have differing answers on the email's I receive from them.

There are other selling methods on the Internet such as, Yahoo auctions, Craigs List and Amazon but they do not have the wide variety of item categories to sell where buyers would come to one place to do their shopping. Seems to me eBay/ Paypal resembles a monopoly. If there is a legal counsel knowledgeable of corporate monopoly laws it would be great to hear your opinion.

I used to bid on E-Bay all the time, but I've almost given up on it. I hate to see sellers with outrageous shipping prices, starting bids that are about as high as the product retails for, and all the fees you get slammed with. When I noticed PayPal started charging a fee, I haven't even used E-Bay. I'm tired of my profits going down the drain to fees! And don't even get me started about crappy customer service and users not leaving feedback.

As an Ebay'er since 2000 I am now a converted Craigslist user.  Look out Ebay Craigslist just opened up in 3 more area's in my market:)

I just got slapped by an ebay/paypal decision, in which a big seller listed in black and white something that wasn't true about the item...and they were found to have done nothing wrong!  Can they not read?  More likely, they're protecting their main interest, the big seller.  Corporate garbage.  I'm going to re-think my use of ebay, and start looking again at Craig's List.