This latest down-tools by some eBay sellers has attracted considerably less media coverage than the last boycott in February this year but, nevertheless, it demonstrates that feelings are still running high among many of eBay's customers.

This latest stoppage by sellers has been timed to coincide with the removal of their ability to leave negative feedback on the eBay auction platform for buyers who deserve it. Many believe this move by eBay will encourage rogue buyers to become more negative in their rating of sellers - no matter how hard they try to deliver good service - and open the door to feedback extortion and even malicious downrating in order to disadvantage competitor sellers in the recently introduced "best match" default search on eBay.

I tend to agree that the removal of sellers ability to threaten retaliatory feedback will overall improve the service levels offered by eBay sellers but also agree that it could encourage more undesirable buyer behaviour. Provided eBay monitor and tweek things in light of any shift in user behaviour, the fears being expressed may prove overstated. But if, as some suspect, this move will lead to an increasing number of sellers becoming disadvantaged in search and failing to qualify for fee discounts due to falling seller ratings, it could prove a complete demotivator for eBayers.

Once again - while supportive of many of the strikers aims and concerns - I have to question the likely effectiveness of a boycott as the demonstration vehicle. The impact is unlikely to register significantly on eBay's listing counts and sales haven't stopped in any previous stoppage and wont stop this time either. So is this type of action effective or ultimately self-harming for sellers? I tend to err on the side of the latter.

But the continuing "noise" by disgruntled sellers seems to be helping the alternative auction venues boost their profiles, listing counts and sales. While still a long way from providing significant competition to eBay, sites like eBid.net have seen a dramatic rise in listing activity lately and there can be no doubt such sites have gained some excellent publicity from the strife among eBay sellers.

As with most confrontations the right way forward probably falls somewhere in the middle of the two positions. I agree eBay is overpriced for what it offers but I can also say the lower fees at some alternative sites are also too much for what they truly offer in terms of actual sales being achieved. I accept there are several free to list and even free to sell sites but - without a sustainable financial business model - I fear for the long term prospects of many such sites and would be wary of investimg my time.

But one positive thng has come from the recent eBay strikes. On the back of the February action a new organisation of sellers emerged called 'Fair Shake'.

While it is early days and there's obviously some organisational challenges ahead for them, the collective aim to improve the lot of the sellers is commendable. The group now have a forum based website in operation which you can visit here.

Fair Shake are trying to encourage participants at the various alternative auctions and independent auction related forums to unite in one location to create a louder, unified voice on areas of mutual interest.

Such aims may prove difficult to achieve since many forums and sites are likely to view Fair Shake as potential competition for members and traffic but, personally, I believe they are a well intentioned group that deserve a fair hearing. So I've recently joined Fair Shake to help keep myself aware of peoples opinions and I hope other members of Pheebay will too.

Got a comment about eBay, the current strike or Fair Shake? Let us know in our auction forums.

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