Don’t Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport!
Title from a song by Australian icon Rolf Harris, lyrics here. A little warm up before we get to the serious stuff!
After eBay Australia won the dubious distinction of a record breaking number of public submissions to the ACCC in opposition to their proposed PayPal Only in Australia policy, things have changed, on the surface.
Simon Smith got simplified or went walkabout and eBay Australia implemented a new ‘by invitation only program’ to communicate with their sellers called eSayers. Participants agree to answer a minimum of 2 surveys within a 6 month period.
“eBay wants to hear what you have to say about eBay.com.au – its features, policies, changes, fees and what you like or dislike about buying and selling on the website. That’s why we’ve created eSayers, the eBay.com.au member panel where you have the chance to give us, the eBay team, feedback on a number of topics that affect everyone who buys and sells on Australia’s leading online marketplace.”
If past experience in the USA is anything to go by, questions will be carefully and systematically framed to allow only the answers eBay wants to get. Then, to quote our friend Usher Lieberman they can say “We listened to our sellers, and this was an opportunity to show we can move quickly and be responsive”
Then of course there are the usual eBay glitches to contend with:
You may see the first survey here. You You may see You may see the first surveyYou may see the first survey here.
Comments on the Australian boards would indicate the surveys are Canadian in origin. 
This adds an extra layer of potential for cultural confusion because Australians, Canadians and Americans are not all the same. Eh?
Y’all come back!
