Blackthorne Software Discussion Forum: Seller's Assistant Release: A call to action, something we won't get here! A boycott of Ebay is needed

By Edward G. Martin on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 02:49 pm:

WANTED:

Information/Ideals/Suggestions from any and all users who would consider participating in an organized boycott (or any other action) of Ebay and those who would be willing to help organize it.

I’m sure that many of us would like to do something, anything rather than simply “take it up the butt” quietly like Ebay/Blackthorne intends for us to do.

Many thoughts came to mind last evening while pondering the possibilities. Several things are certain; some are unknown. This is simply an attempt by me to gather information and gauge the numbers of people affected by this “announcement”.

I believe that this forum could and may be closed or stifled at any moment due to the huge negative feedback. I think it is important to have another source or site to allow continued communication/collaboration. I’m not quite sure about how to achieve such a goal, as I do not have a web site myself. It is an ideal that I would like to gather support for however, and would very much like to hear ideals from others about. Maybe someone has a web server up?

I also believe that even though Ebay does a HUGE business, that there may be sufficient numbers of “Auction Assistant” users that could send a message worthy of gaining attention from Ebay if an organized effort was put forth (although I do not know how many have actually purchased… does anyone?) Especially if we could all involve someone else that we know who uses Ebay, but may not necessarily use “Auction Assistant”. Maybe petitions gathered from different areas and forwarded Ebay at one time?

I know that in my state, there is a television station that investigates cases such as this and reports them on air. It is not a nationally broadcast channel, but if other people have similar stations….. then the attention might garter support from other such entities?

I know that as for me, I will continue trying whatever I can, and talking to whom ever I can to investigate the possibilities before I simply roll over and play dead. As I have stated previously in this forum, I don’t believe that I (or anyone else for that matter) can do much about this as an individual.. But, there is power in numbers. I know there are those who are more intelligent than myself, and who know people in positions with the capacity to advise us as to the proper steps to take within the confines of the legal system. Most assuredly there are those who have excellent ideals that might affect the outcome of this situation if given a chance to implement them? There has been a great deal of anger expressed on the forums here. There must be a way to harness that anger in a positive manner and direct it through the proper channels to bring this to the attention of as many people as possible, and maybe send a strong enough message to Ebay & (what was once) Blackthorne software.

Anyway.. I’m ranting on once again, so I will bring this to a close.

I’m not sure what to do, or what can be done. I do know that we should not let this situation come to fruition without at least putting up as much opposition as possible. And I know that when I have a problem, I look for those around me for help and assistance. I’m not a great organizer, but I would like to hear from those who feel like I do about this, and would like to at least attempt to band together to do something about it.

I hesitate to ask for email to be sent to me via my ISP for fear that the system would overload and I would loose my service. But, if it comes to that… I may very well. In the interim, I would like to see any and all responses to this post, and to get an ideal of just how many of us there are. Maybe there could be a new forum for those interested in banding together in an effort to share ideals, offer suggestions, etc? As for me, I have never had a web site up. I could never see anything important enough to prod me into putting one together.. But, I think it is something I will investigate in the coming hours/days to gauge the feasibility of creating a single focal point for whatever may come to fruition regarding interest in moving forward with this. If there are those among us who are proficient at organizing and motivating people into action, and keeping information on such things… I would ask them to step forward and take charge from this spark to turn it into a raging inferno. Also, anyone with ideals for acquiring or setting up a site to serve as a focal point for those wanting to join the cause would be highly appreciated and desirable. Even those who feel that this is a waste of time and that there is no hope of ever making a difference would be valuable in assessing prudence of proceeding.

Well, anyway… I don’t know where this will lead, if anywhere. But for now, I would like to hear feedback from anyone who is interested and has any ideals on where to go from here. For now, in this forum, but with the ideal that it should move elsewhere to be more secure.

So please.. Voice your opinions on our chances, and your ideals here for now. I genuinely believe that we have a much better chance as a group, and that there a many talented individuals out there with great ideals just waiting to be implemented.

Thank you for reading,
Yet another victim

By Laurie Primavera (laurie) on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 03:38 pm:

PLEASE READ AND RESPOND:
Follow the link below to add contact info to a simple form. We need to have some numbers in order to figure out our next step. If any laws have been broken, and you want to participate in a quest for a refund, please add your contact info here. Enter only once so an accurate count can be achieved: http://www.blackroseleather.com/blackthorne.html