Have you ever purchased from a competitor?

jrandleww · #1 06-02-2015

Just to try to figure out he they do something? Like how they package their product or what shipping methods they use?

I did this once because I could not figure out how a competitor was packaging the product. Found out he had a very novel and efficient way that i did not think of.

bjammin · #2 06-02-2015

I have never done this, but there is definitely nothing wrong with doing so, especially when you are trying to be top dog.

isitworththestress · #3 06-02-2015

I hope you did not use your working account to do so, as lifting your head up this way can get it noticed in all the wrong ways. or they may suspect that you are up to no good.

jeffweico · #4 06-02-2015

Never using a selling account, but yes. Mostly to see their product. But also to fill orders if I oversold - although that is rare.

jrandleww · #5 06-02-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by isitworththestress

I hope you did not use your working account to do so, as lifting your head up this way can get it noticed in all the wrong ways. or they may suspect that you are up to no good.

no this was a couple years ago on my pre stealth banned account

solefoodbk · #6 06-02-2015

That's smart business practice. See what they do and top it. It would be best to not do it on the same account you sell the product on..

MM78 · #7 06-02-2015

I've bought from solefoodbk.....was not impressed!

**aspkin** · #8 06-02-2015

This is one of the best ways to overcome the learning curve for a new niche.. and as Jeff noted, it's good for resale as well.

solefoodbk · #9 06-02-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM78

I've bought from solefoodbk.....was not impressed!

I hope you liked the empty box!

MM78 · #10 06-02-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by solefoodbk

I hope you liked the empty box!

My Cats loved the empty box! but for $129.00 it was a bit over-priced.

Haidukken · #11 06-02-2015

I've bought from competitors quite a few times, normally using my other family member accounts just to keep it seperate.
I did it when I first started without knowing that he'd become my competitor!

I think if you are in a business of making money, then any advantage you can get- use it!
It's great to compare the product, see how they ship it and how well its packed etc.

Also, now I have almost surpassed most of them, maybe 2 or 3 biggest ones left, so I tend to keep an eye on new listing descriptions as well, just to see if they do something different and maybe I have room for improvement.
Usually I'm ahead of the curve, always trying to be one better then them, but every now and again I manage to add something, or tweak something.

Like I said, if you are in the business of competitive money making, you need to use everything to your advantage.

newjerseymax · #12 06-03-2015

I have and I am surprised at how crappy some people send items... Seems like mine is always overdone... Oh well....

GreenBean · #13 06-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by newjerseymax

I have and I am surprised at how crappy some people send items... Seems like mine is always overdone... Oh well....

Prefer overdone to broken in the box.

5 stars for shipping for you

And Hi!

oompaloompa · #14 06-03-2015

did you leave bad feedback, after you 'examined the novel packaging' hehe........

rsot · #15 06-03-2015

Buy from competition - destroy them on claims - get refunded - own the niche market /end

two3aight1 · #16 06-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

Buy from competition - destroy them on claims - get refunded - own the niche market /end

i second this....being absolutely cut throat is sometimes key when people start getting too competitive. Ive gone a step further and even trademarked a generic product just to vero people once apon a time. Im in it to make money. Screw ethics. Screw competition.

james13v · #17 06-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by two3aight1

i second this....being absolutely cut throat is sometimes key when people start getting too competitive. Ive gone a step further and even trademarked a generic product just to vero people once apon a time. Im in it to make money. Screw ethics. Screw competition.

THIS is why people hate business people, say we are out to get them, and abhor what we call the free market and capitalism. Because people like you, abuse it. . You can make money without being a complete dick about it. Blur the lines, sure, but whatever you do to others, just remember that feeling for when it happens to you. You'll be all

, ugh, how dare they! But back to my point, make profit, but don't be an asshole.

two3aight1 · #18 06-03-2015

Dont be mad. Its just business. If you dont want to compete then get out of the way. I didnt mean to put you in your feelings

james13v · #19 06-04-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by two3aight1

Dont be mad. Its just business. If you dont want to compete then get out of the way. I didnt mean to put you in your feelings

I'm competing just fine. I love capitalism, and I want to see it keep going, and thrive, and everyone around me is increasingly vehement against capitalism. And they bring up all these bad examples, and I try and tell them that it's not a true free market, and that not everyone is like that. Then people like you come along, and show those people the bad ugly side of it and ruin it for the rest of us.

The worse your relationships with competitors are, the worse business for you and everyone else is. You didn't hurt MY feelings with that condescending bs. But when I see people come on and tell everyone to just forget about ethics ( who needs that anyways?!), and put money first.. Well, no, that's called being an asshole.

If you can't beat me with better prices, lower over head, better communication, and a better selling experience, then you don't have a clue what you're doing in business. It's sellers like you, that report other sellers, for made up reasons. Then those sellers get pissed off and report other sellers. If you can't see how that ruins ebay for everyone, then get out the way and let real business people through.

two3aight1 · #20 06-04-2015

I respect your opinion. In fact i do agree with some of what you say. But its EBAY one of the most un ethical unfair platforms on the net. Forgive me for not playing nice. I tried that before and guess what happened...i ended up here on aspkin trying to figure out how to get back on ebay.
Im not about fighting im about earning my living. If i decide i want to sell in a particular niche then guess what, its mine. Im going to eat from it until im full. If your in the way, your getting OUT of the way until im done. If you fight back and you win, then you win...its all fair man.

If i rubbed anyone the wrong way i apologize. But If i invest thousands to have a house full of inventory what makes you think im not going to sell it any way i have to?

oompaloompa · #21 06-04-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by two3aight1

Dont be mad. Its just business. If you dont want to compete then get out of the way. I didnt mean to put you in your feelings

trademark a generic product? yes, but I ignore those threat emails and nothing happens, I know they are trying it on, get x1 every day, from same few people, most sellers can tell a real trademark that will stand-up on az...

james13v · #22 06-04-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by two3aight1

I respect your opinion. In fact i do agree with some of what you say. But its EBAY one of the most un ethical unfair platforms on the net. Forgive me for not playing nice. I tried that before and guess what happened...i ended up here on aspkin trying to figure out how to get back on ebay.
Im not about fighting im about earning my living. If i decide i want to sell in a particular niche then guess what, its mine. Im going to eat from it until im full. If your in the way, your getting OUT of the way until im done. If you fight back and you win, then you win...its all fair man.

If i rubbed anyone the wrong way i apologize. But If i invest thousands to have a house full of inventory what makes you think im not going to sell it any way i have to?

The aspkin community is here to prevent ebay from screwing us over. And to get around everything ebay does to us. They are unethical and unfair, so we figure out ways to get around that. It's not to screw over competitors. There ain't a single section on this entire website about competitors, because it's not here to teach you basic business concepts.

Eat from it until you're full, that's fine. Do you not have enough business skills to eat till your full, without screwing over competitors?

I've been screwed over myself, so hey, maybe I'm biased. When I see people talk about screwing over other sellers, all I see is the people who screwed me over in the past.