As we wave goodbye to January, I wanted to update you on exciting changes coming in February, and how we’re continuing momentum to make our marketplace the best it can be for our community.
This month, you can look forward to a series of new features that have emerged from your feedback, or been improved based on what you've told us. Whether you're shopping or selling, these updates will make your transactions simpler and more secure, to elevate the buying and selling experience on eBay.
Introducing Buyer Protection
At the end of 2024, we changed our fee structure, making it free to sell for private sellers. We know that fees are one of the biggest barriers to selling and we've seen a great reaction to the change, with an increase in the number of new sellers coming to eBay to list and sell.
As well as being a positive change for our private sellers, it’s also great news for buyers, as it means more of the things they love - and it's always good news for business sellers when there are more buyers on the platform. As part of our continued commitment to improving your experience on eBay, this month we’re launching Buyer Protection to give buyers more confidence and security when shopping.
Starting from 4 February, Buyer Protection will be live to give buyers more peace of mind when shopping on ebay.co.uk. To minimise any potential disruption on our platform, the Buyer Protection fee will be gradually rolled out across items listed by private sellers, starting in Electronics and coming to all eligible categories in the following weeks.
As part of Buyer Protection, from 4 February, all buyers and sellers will get 24/7 customer support where you can connect with a real person by phone whenever you need, or start a chat to get quick answers.
What’s changing for private sellers?
By removing barriers for private sellers and making it free to sell and simpler to list, we’ve seen many more sellers join the platform to bring buyers the unique inventory that they love. Buyer Protection is the next step, to ensure they keep coming back.
As part of Buyer Protection, starting from 4 February, a fee will be included in the item price when purchasing from private sellers, paid for by the buyer to eBay. Buyers will only ever pay what they see, so there are no surprises at checkout.
Starting from 4 February, UK-based private sellers will also be paid after item delivery. Funds will typically be available in your eBay balance two calendar days after delivery confirmation. Pending funds can also be used to buy postage labels and refund buyers.
We know it's important for you to get paid fast, so we recommend private sellers use a tracked delivery service, either through Simple Delivery or arranging for local collection, to get your funds as soon as possible. Using tracked delivery services can also provide a better customer experience for your shoppers, and for you, with sellers seeing a 50% decrease, on average, in buyer complaints and queries when using tracked delivery*.
We’ve also heard your feedback and understand that shipping costs are particularly top of mind for low price items. When you’re selling a single item for £10 or less, and it’s sent untracked, funds will now be available 24 hours after you receive positive buyer feedback. This will be live by the end of February.
Since the launch of Simple Delivery, we’re excited to have added Royal Mail as an additional delivery partner. We will continue to evolve our Simple Delivery offering, with even more features set to launch in the coming months to further simplify the shipping process for private sellers.
What’s changing for business sellers?
Starting from 4 February, as a business seller, Buyer Protection is included for free for you and your buyers. They’ll get the same protection, without any additional costs.
When it comes to payouts, nothing will change for business sellers, who will still receive payouts as they do today.
We’ve also heard your feedback and know it’s important for business sellers to have a fair and equitable marketplace. So, we’ll continue to monitor trading activities on eBay, to help business sellers using a private account transition over to a business account, or restricting selling activity as necessary.
Learn more about Buyer Protection
Learn more about Simple Delivery
Catch ‘em all this Pokémon Day
On 27 February, buyers and sellers alike will be gearing up for Pokémon Day. We’ll be marking the occasion with exclusive shopping moments across ebay.co.uk, including a Marquee Auction from 99p highlighting high value Pokémon Cards. Shoppers can also look forward to 20% off a number of essential Pokémon items, with a coupon that will run throughout Pokémon Day.
Introducing downloadable VAT invoices for sellers
Following your feedback, we’re also thrilled to introduce an easier invoicing process. Sellers can automatically download VAT invoices, while providing buyers with accessible VAT receipts. By allowing buyers to self-serve, we hope this will help to reduce the number of requests received by sellers, while making it easier to maintain accounting records.
Please note that, as this trial is rolled out, it will only be available by request until further notice.
To opt-in to downloadable VAT invoices, simply complete this form.
In case you missed it…
In our latest Business Seller Update, we shared more updates on all the ways that we’re making eBay a simpler, safer and more successful platform for our sellers. Here are some of the highlights:
Pre-loved is the new norm
We’ve long been champions of the pre-loved movement and its positive impact on the planet. So, we’re thrilled to have resumed our role as the headline sponsor of Love Island All Stars! Since last summer's Love Island, searches for pre-loved fashion have surged 400%**, with 71% of Gen Z also embracing pre-loved items - showing that it’s more than just a trend***.
To help simplify the selling experience and remove any hesitation buyers may have when shopping for pre-loved clothing, we’re also excited to be expanding our item condition options for pre-loved clothing listings.
Even more protections against unpaid items
One of the biggest frustrations sellers have shared with us is around unpaid items. So, we’re pleased to announce even more updates to Best Offers, offers to buyers, and counteroffers to continue protecting our sellers from unpaid items, to ensure you get paid on time.
Building human connections
Community is at the heart of eBay, and there’s nothing we love more than bringing sellers together. We can’t wait to meet even more of you in 2025, with a jam-packed events calendar. We’re kicking off with a London Seller Meetup on 28 February, followed by the Ascot Roadshow on 27 March. Check out our eBay for Sellers UK Instagram for early notice of events and how to register.
Get free 1:1 support for your business with Seller Clinics
Sometimes, speaking directly with a human is the best way to get the support you need, exactly when you need it. Seller Clinics offer business sellers fast, flexible advice from our expert Marketplace Advisors. With their broad knowledge of everything eBay and ecommerce, they can help you take your business to the next level. Book a free appointment today.
Tools to help sellers list faster and smarter
We’ve also improved the listing experience for business sellers by introducing an AI-powered tool for bulk listings. Now, you can upload product photos and get ready-to-publish listings in a matter of seconds. With the enhanced background removal tool, all sellers can create studio-quality photos for your listings and get them out faster.
We look forward to bringing you more new features throughout 2025, to make our marketplace the best it can be for our vibrant community of buyers and sellers.
As always, thank you for shopping and selling on eBay.
*eBay internal data from 2023, percentage decrease between INR rate for tracked transactions compared to untracked transactions.
**Research conducted by Opinium, surveying 2000 UK adults in May 2024
***eBay internal data June to November 2024
