American Memorabilia - Solicitation Practices

[suave1477]

Nothing wrong with it at all its just business!!!

Its not like he asked you to close your auction now and consign to them he just merely stated if it doesnt sell through ebay to consider them. From what he wrote he was polite and not arrogant about it.

This is how business works you can't wait for it to come to you, you have to go out there and get it!!!! and thats just what TonyAMI did.

[sportscentury]

Nothing wrong with it at all its just business!!!

Its not like he asked you to close your auction now and consign to them he just merely stated if it doesnt sell through ebay to consider them. From what he wrote he was polite and not arrogant about it.

This is how business works you can't wait for it to come to you, you have to go out there and get it!!!! and thats just what TonyAMI did.

Jason,

I am not at all surprised by your perspective on this rule-violating business practice. In fact, it is entirely consistent with my other observations. Please notice how I did not list Jason Edelman (from GameUsedDirect.com) among the likes of Vari/Lelands, Marren/Mastro, and Lifson/REA. You see, Jason, there are two kinds of business ethics...

As a side note, please do let me know when I can catch your next guest lecture at Wharton.

Reid

[suave1477]

Reid I do take offense to your comments regarding me. I never said these particulary practices were my own I just said I didn't feel they were so bad. I hate to be the one who tells you this but solicitation is the key to success in sales. You are really turning a mole hill into a mountain.

Let me give you some examples:
Have you ever gotten a phone call about you buying a newspaper, phone service, travel plans?? These are solicitations
Have you ever received a flyer in the mail from your local supermarket about sales, electronic stores or other company?? These are solicitations
How about a CD in the mail from aol for a 1000 hours of internet?? Thats a solicitation also!!!

As far as violating ebays rules yes thats wrong, but as far as soliciting thats just business.

But your right I guess we should take a class from you about business over Fortune 500 companies, What do they know???

[jessicawinters]

Offers to buy and sell outside of Ebay is against Ebay's rules, but I believe AMI did not violate this policy. He asked you to consider him IF the jersey does NOT sell in the end, meaning that Ebay would be out of the picture. If he asked for the item to be sold right then outside of Ebay, then it is a violation.

[nate]

I actually have to defend Tony on this. We have communicated through ebay many times in the past which has never led me to end an item early and he did say "if your item doesn't sell". Reid does know my current frustration with AMI about calling and not getting an answer about a jersey I consigned. I've received a few offers on the jersey and it may sell as early as tomorrow. I also received emails from buyers asking "what is the lowest you will take?". I always want to email back "what is the highest you want to pay?"

Best Regards,

Nate

[sportscentury]

Interesting feedback from everyone (some of it a bit more than interesting). I appreciate everyone's responses.

Nate, I was not going to bring up the other issue of AMI blowing you off after you consigned your jersey to them. If you look at some older GUF threads, you'll see that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck with it and let me how it goes.

Jessica, welcome to the forum! I appreciate your response. However, I am confident that eBay would strongly disagree with your interpretation of their rules. Andrew's post hit the mark.

Cheers,
Reid

[suave1477]

Sportscentury heres what I dont understand you post here to get our opinions and yet you dont like some of our opinions, if you feel that what was done was wrong as you mentioned about "Andrew hitting the mark". You already have your mind made up then why are you positing here take your gripe up with ebay and AMI.

[sportscentury]

Jason,

I thanked everyone for their feedback - I truly appreciate it and I did learn from it. I have my mind made up about AMI, you are correct. I have my mind made up about some other businesses and individuals, as well. I think that many of us do. But I don't think that this precludes me from asking others what they think about an issue. This is a forum for discussion.

Take care,
Reid

[allstarsplus]

if you feel that what was done was wrong as you mentioned about "Andrew hitting the mark". You already have your mind made up then why are you positing here take your gripe up with ebay and AMI.

In terms of business ethics, the jury is out, but I am in agreement with Reid as there are other ways to solicit business. As far as eBay ethics, it is a clear violation.

eBay set their rules to protect their members and their own profitability. We sell a dozen items a month on eBay and every once in a while we get an email from one of our bidders that some scumb-g scammer has contacted them thru the eBay system that they can "sell them the same/similar item at a lower price".

Is that good business ethics too in your eyes?

Andrew