There are some sa-a-a-a-d Powersellers out there this week.

According to Brian Burke, eBay’s Director of Global Feedback Policy, “To preserve the integrity of the Feedback system, effective March 31 all goods that can be digitally downloaded or transferred electronically must be listed using the Classified Ads format.”

They’re apparently doing this for two reasons:

  1. Ebooks can be easily reproduced.
  2. This can lead to feedback manipulation.

Okay so let’s not overlook the obvious… feedback manipulation does exist.

I’ve read ebooks where authors have suggested that you buy 100 cheap ebooks (under $1 each) as a tactic to raise your feedback score quickly. A new seller with 100+ feedbacks looks more reliable at first glance.

But it also works the other way around. Sellers also list a bunch of $.01 ebooks to boost their feedback rating as well.

However I’m having a hard time believing that feedback manipulation was rampant enough for them to halt digital product auctions altogether.

And then to only give 7 frickin’ days lead time is almost criminal to long-time sellers. (eBay JUST made the announcement on March 24.)

In any case, if you want to sell your ebooks on eBay you’ll have to pay $9.95 a month for a 30-day classified listing. It looks like you can still feature your ad, bold it, etc. Plus you can provide a direct link to your website.

But as Alan LeStourgeon over at Affiliate Confession pointed out, “Auctions excite people into making a buying decision, classified ads don’t.”

I agree. I’m an eBay shopper, and each time I’ve seen those classified ads I’ve scanned right past them. The whole countdown concept of an auction is what forces people into a faster buying decision.

So What Do I Suggest?

Your best option as this point is to paper-ize your ebook for the eBay market. And if your product isn’t suited for paper, then put it on a DVD or a CD.

If you’re selling cheap ebooks (under $1) , then obviously you’ll have to raise the price to $2-$5 to make it worth your while.

It’s a little more cumbersome. But it gives you the power to stay within the high paced auction game.

And if this announcement has just turned your financial world upside down, you have my deepest condolences…

A couple of years ago I created a report where I examined the completed auctions of a few Powersellers who were selling cheap ebooks.

One seller was making something like $3K a week – and all of the ebooks he sold were $1 or less. I was stunned.

I can only imagine how those sellers feel right now.

I virtually weep for you.

Filed under: Bullet Point

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