Participating in Community Forums with an Established User ID
by Maeve
eBay Staff Member

Among the most fascinating aspects of eBay are its vibrant Community forums. On any given day, eBay's Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards are buzzing with literally hundreds of discussions on a myriad of topics, whether they are eBay-related threads on buying and selling, or fun conversations about someone's pet or vacation plans. On other forums like the Answer Center or the Group Center, members come together to learn and share more about the enthralling world of eBay. These direct member-to-member relationships give each person the ability to get to know a little bit more about others as well as increase their knowledge about eBay.

Sometimes members use “anonymous” User IDs to participate in the Community forums, which are User IDs that are not used for any trading activity. These posting IDs do little to increase the transparency of the marketplace.

This month we asked long-term members about the advantages of posting with their regular, established User IDs, instead of using separate posting IDs. I hope you find their answers thought-provoking.

“I have always used my selling/buyer ID. It's the only one I have on eBay. I feel my posts may be taken more seriously because I am not “hiding” behind a posting ID. I have not had real problems using the same ID on chats, boards, or groups. The benefit to me as a seller is that anyone, whether participating in the discussions or lurking [reading the boards without posting], can always click on the ‘view author's auctions' link and see the items I have up. I have gotten a lot of sales that way. It's free advertising.”
giraffer

“I still post on the boards with my selling ID. I have had some problems over the years but I try not taking the troll bait. I have tried to use my feedback number to show a newbie that there are sellers who have had negatives that were unjust and have responded to them, so that one or two negatives are not something to run from but to see what the seller did to correct the problem. And ANY way you can get people to click through to your auctions is advertising.”
disdannie

“I use my main selling ID when I post. I don't have a posting ID. I would feel uncomfortable hiding my identity in any way. If I am making comments about something that has worked for me in my auctions, I feel the reader should be able to click on my auctions to see exactly what I am talking about. We are all always learning new tips and tricks from each other, and the ability to go to each other's auctions to check out a suggestion is very powerful. It is easier to see a best practice by viewing the auction than by reading a description of it. I also feel that having access to my auctions on the posting thread may bring potential new buyers.”
jimwarden

“Well for one thing, when you use a main selling, or buying, ID on a chat board, people needing help seem to take the advice given with it more seriously than they do when the same advice is from a posting ID. At least that has been my experience. That can cut both ways, though. I have seen good advice from a posting ID ignored, in favor of bad advice from someone with higher feedback who was wrong. But generally I do feel new users, at least the ones who know what feedback means, seem to trust the advice of people who post with their main eBay IDs more.

“I am sure there is some minor benefit to using a real selling ID. If someone posts enough using it I am sure they pick up a few bids, though I doubt this is most folks' intention of posting with a regular ID. I would rather folks not bid on my items that know me from the boards. Makes me uncomfortable when they do for several reasons.

“Another benefit is that you become known in the Community. This ID is known on multiple boards as a long time and regular eBay user. Bidders on my listings often recognize my ID from having seen it on posts, Chatter articles, eBay Workshops, or from the links on my About Me page. So you do get known. If you use a regular ID all the time, folks get to know you. They recognize you when you post on different boards, or on the same boards. Folks know you are real, upfront, and that builds a sense of Community over the long haul.
drexelantiques

“In my opinion the boards would be a much better place if everyone posted with their real buyer/seller IDs. They might give a little more thought to how they respond to comments made if they were using their real IDs. I also think it helps new users or people looking for help feel they are being helped by someone who knows what they are talking about. I see people all the time asking how someone with a zero or private feedback can know what they are talking about. I have only had one problem with my selling ID in five years and it didn't take me long to fix it. I know I have made sales to posters on the boards because my selling ID is out there for everyone to see.”
jtshadow2000

“I've always felt that 'newbies‘ were more confident with the answers provided by someone with feedback. Even long-time members have reported that someone posting with a posting ID may not know what they're talking about because they have no feedback and therefore no experience.”
glenda

“I also use my selling/buying ID exclusively when I post on the boards or in eBay Groups. To me it is important that members realize they are dealing with a real person – someone who has something to contribute and stands behind what is being posted.

“I always have doubts about a poster's integrity or sincerity when I read a comment from someone with a posting ID. In addition, I feel new members feel more comfortable getting advice from someone who feels secure enough to use his or her verifiable eBay identity instead of an anonymous ID.”
afternoon-daydreams

“I appreciate it when users post with an ID in which they have active eBay experience showing. They do stand out more and they are more likely to be calm and helpful and less likely to be 'snippy or cute‘ in their responses. I think that it does have a trickle down effect for sales. I think that my sales are directly affected (for the good) if I use my selling ID when I am posting on the boards. People may not buy instantly but if I am helpful, they remember me when they do need a product down the line.”
golfingaddict

“I also post only with my established eBay User ID, and have never cared for posting IDs. I think/hope that my feedback and ‘Member Since' date show that I might know what I'm talking about and give the member to whom I'm providing information a small sense of security about my response. I also know that the additional exposure has resulted in more sales.”
aunt*patti

“When posting on the boards, I use my selling ID. This ID represents my company so I try to be professional and helpful.”
pennantpalooza

“I only post with my selling ID, willow-wear. If I have to use a posting ID to say it, it's not worth saying to me, although I understand why others feel differently. I post when I have something to say and can help other users. Secondarily, it creates interest in my auctions.”
willow-wear

“I've always used my dottie ID whenever I post. The biggest benefit to this is while I'm posting on a public forum, lurkers (and other posters) have the opportunity to check out my current listings and store items. I'm sure I've created more sales this way, and I believe it's because I only use my real selling ID. I feel that there is an amount of responsibility that goes with posting in a public forum. After a while, when they ‘get to know me', potential buyers become more comfortable with the idea of trading with someone they know something about. Least, that's what I think.”
dottie

“One, it's a matter of credibility. Back in the days when you had one sign-in for eBay usage and the boards I found myself posting on a board with my none-of-your-d***-business ID that I'd just used to bid with, so I continued the conversation. The ID had very low feedback at the time, maybe 15 or so, and another poster felt that I was....well, talking through my hat, because I had so little experience and it was useless to say that 'my other ID had a Barney star.'

“Two, it's also a matter of suspicion. Experience has taught me not to trust anybody who's on the site for more than a month without getting feedback. If they're not buying or selling, they're just there to make trouble.”
kathryn