Overstock Auctions: Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others

[regic]

Discussion on "the  level playing field" at Overstock.  The verdict: the playing field is tilted.

Quote is from Overstock.

The rule has not recently changed. There was some confusion in the early days of the site as to whether it was a bug or whether we were bending the rules for some.

When we began, MIM was available to all. We decided early on to restrict MIM's to those with 10 or more ratings, in an attempt to divert fraudsters who were committing 'hit and run' auctions. However, we had several sellers who had long established relationships with Channel Advisor, who was the first PSP to integrate with us at that time. We decided to exempt them from the rule. The confusion was further fueled by O-Lister, which was not restricting new users from using MIM and was an open bug for awhile.

It was strictly a business decision without intent to be unfair, though that's undoubtedly how such a decision is perceived by some. I do understand that point of view, as there are plenty of sellers who have proven themselves worthy elsewhere but do not have the luxury of being "pre-screened" by a company such as Channel Advisor. But I also believe that the MIM restriction is not unreasonable to meet and is a necessary fraud deterrent.

http://forums.auctions.overstock.com/vie...hp?t=13926

[bargainbloodhound]

The verdict: the playing field is tilted.

The defendant pled guilty many moons ago.    Holly, who was the head of Overstock Auctions, basically stated last year that Overstock doesn't provide a level playing field, has never said it provides one, and has no plans to provide one.

I'm still waiting for eBay to admit the same thing... 

[amy]

The verdict: the playing field is tilted.

on the positive side: the tilt benefits the majority of active sellers on the site (Trusted Merchants)
on the negative side: a minority of active sellers are at a definite disadvantage in terms of exposure (smaller sellers)

Overstock should have been more upfront when it opened about the tilt to avoid alienating smaller sellers--many of whom left last year when the tilt became obvious.

Larger sites like eBay and Overstock are tilted towards the largest sellers, and smaller sites tend to be tilted towards the sellers that kiss the owner's ass the most on their forums. The only venue that provides an actual level playing field is Craigslist--every site should take lessons  on customer relations from Craigslist.