To expand or not to expand outside of eBay...that is the question

I used to be a HUGE Ebay fan. Huge. I've been selling on that site since 2002 with success and seemed like happy customers. Then a few years ago they did this restructuring since they were loosing out to other sites like Amazon.com, they were loosing market share and started implementing these "policies" to generate revenue. I get it, thats business. But you cant alienate the ones who pay the fees. The SELLERS.

All this "buyer Protection" has made it difficult for us who sell on eBay. We have no protection and eBay doesnt really back us up during a dispute, basically raising their hands and saying " we cant make the Buyer do anything". But they can make the Sellers jump through hoops, because we have more to loose. We have more at risk just by the fact we are Making money vs. Spending money. So automatically we have to be watched and scrutinized because how dare we want to make a buck! What I'm finding now is that since PayPal has been purchased by Ebay, the rotten policies are filtering over.

I had the "Feedback Extortion" happen to be and cause multiple negatives in a short time, or no feedback at all, and that PayPal look at my transactions and hold my money! So I had to be a good little seller, jump through the hoops, and spend the cash I had available to me, vs. the money for the item plus shipping to send out packages.Hoping of course for positive feedback to release the funds. They wanted to "VERIFY" that the buyer was happy, and that I had money to issue refunds if necessary.

The problem was, since the funds were in a "pending" status, you still had to use your own cash to issue the refund! Even if they're happy and they still don't leave feedback, you'd have to wait 21 days to get your money. Meanwhile, you've spend money shipping, you've spent time and energy, and you do't have the inventory anymore...you are working backwards, hoping that your buyer will take 2 seconds and leave feedback. Of the positive kind.

Ive NEVER held out on a return, ever, in 9 years on EBAY, Ive had 100% positive feedback and even a "Power Seller" status until these changes. And a couple of idiots who didn't read the listing, cause all this mess. I Loose my status, and my money isnt available and there NOTHING I can do about it.

"Yes, Ill bend over so you can do what ever you want. Thank you Sir my I have another"

So Im in the process of expanding to other sites as well as upgrading my personal site to a less "social" one and taking charge of this situation.A pre-built store format site? Or build your own adding a shopping cart? Hmmm? Im spending anywhere from $200-500 per month with eBay, what will that get me elsewhere?

I'm happy to say business is growing, but its still frustrating to know other people control your destiny.

So, I beg you. please READ the whole listing, ask questions and communicate with the seller. Be dilligent like you would if you were buying a car. Open your mouth, don't just bad-mouth.