eBay boycott drives listings down 13 percent, accomplishing nothing
Sellers angry with new eBay CEO John Donahoe's policies have driven listings down 13 percent since February 18, according to measures taken by researchers. The boycotting sellers are angry about Donahoe's plans to charge them more after each item is sold and highlight listings for merchants with the highest customer-service ratings, while removing sellers' ability to rate buyers. eBay exec Jim Griffith told USA Today internal statistics show the boycott "has had no impact on our listings." Don't expect it to impact eBay policy, either. The new rules are meant to keep lucrative top merchants happy. And since eBay cut listing fees at the same time that it raised sales fees, any effect on the bottom line will be muted.