Business seller update - January 2025

[british-ceramics-and-paintings]

Extremely underwhelming, was hoping for some positive news for business sellers that would actually make a difference.

Business Seller Update January 2025 | UK Seller Centre

[moldosgifts]

The AI made me laugh because AI description are all fluff and no substance.

[vintage-emporium-jedburgh]

over 25 years now we have sold on ebay  , the only update we could offer to our selling experience

 is how much harder , more expensive and less profitable  ebay has become

[leadhills_scot]

Saw it, laughed then deleted it.  

[davrman]

I usually bookmark these seller updates so I can refer to them as the changes take place. This time? Nope.

[darth_baggins]

Tried AI description once. It described a used item as pristine, with the factory seal still intact and brand new.

Won't try it again, it's a joke.

[a45heaven]

I kept re reading it, but couldn't find anything material that was happening - unless it is infested with untruths of course, which is not totally unlikely.

For years as sellers we have been hit with returns - and now a Buyer / Seller protection is to be introduced. Wasn't there one already, defective or not?

As for grades for used clothing - to be competent on assessing condition takes years of experience. Even after that the buyers opinion and expectations may well differ from the sellers.

The sellers standing is obvious in the Feedback, the frequency of a buyer raising INAD is hidden by ebay. Do you trust cs to make the decisions and be consistent in arbitration's without seeing the items ? 

[rainbowtrax]

Same here. Not a single thing of any benefit. AI bulk listing from just a picture, that's a SNAD straight out of the box. They probably used AI to come up with the idea!

What would be useful is the removal of upfront listing fees or at least the same unlimited free renewals that private sellers get. The current setup just restricts growth by making one-off items cost prohibitive to list.

As usual, the light at the end of the tunnel is the light of an oncoming train.

[british-ceramics-and-paintings]

I presume A I writes this stuff as it has no relation to reality:

"We’re kicking off the year with updates that’ll help simplify your selling experience and ensure long-term growth for your business."

[nutrafituk]

Having read that I feel so much better now! Thank you ebay for whatever it is as it has made a massive difference here...

[sweetcharity.2013]

We’re kicking off the year with updates that’ll help simplify your selling experience and ensure long-term growth for your business.

I think AI missed some parts, as it does 😉

Translation:- We'll be kicking off the year with updates that'll help simplify your selling experience by hiding listings from potential buyers resulting in less sales and ensure long-term growth for your business on other selling sites. 

[theelench]

As a private seller reading Seller Central I read the update hoping to see answers to some of the questions being asked about Simple Delivery.

Not even a mention.

[game_raid]

It hasn't been made compulsory as yet so why do they need to make an announcement? There is page that explains the process of simple delivery and those that wish to use it can.

I would imagine they will inform everyone towards the end of the next month if the rumours are true that it will begin in Q2, they gave a months notice for the new fees that are coming in so I would expect the same.

Who knows, they may decide against it and keep it optional for a few more months or longer or just use it on set categories.

[blackcatbooksuk]

Got to say that is a very underwhelming update. Nothing of any real use to anyone.

They really need to start looking at shop fees which are just too high for what you get.

[the-nutwood-collection]

The Seller Update was redolent of government fanfare announcements that they're allocating a 100 million quid to the NHS, but not also mentioning that the sum includes the 99 million quid they allocated last time they made a fanfare announcement.

[british-ceramics-and-paintings]

For business sellers I think all the fees are now way too high for what you get.

Traffic is pathetic compared to what it was just 2 - 3 years ago, without worthwhile traffic there is no point listing on the platform, in years gone by that is why you stayed with ebay, the traffic was always so good, now it's very very poor.

Promoted listings are now way too expensive and ebay seems to expect business sellers to compete / outbid private sellers who pay no fees at all other than promoted listings.

Logically this cannot continue however logic doesn't seem to apply.

[returns_andexdisplay]

We’re kicking off the year with updates that’ll help simplify your selling experience and ensure long-term growth for your business.

If ebay want to start by simplifying selling experience then they should start by looking at the listings flow. One small update recently was. If wanting to remove all pictures, button to remove all was one click. Now have to click button to get to the remove all button. So not sure how that is making things easier. 

More like why make things easy when you can do it the ebay way and make things more complicated. 

Way to many item specifics may of which are duplicates of other item specifics. 

Things like shipping policies often difficult to implement, even ebay staff found it difficult to help. 

Most things ebay do, competitors do it quicker and better, yet ebay charge some of the highest fees for the experience. 

[jlovie]

I'm just relieved there's nothing that would cause me problems.

[the_book_seekers]

It remains to be seen what effect buyer protection has on sales.

[wyntersemporium]

I prefer my own postage. As cannot on most days get up to the evri / one stop shop due to chronic / stroke migraine / severe back pain and 4 broken ribs. 
postie comes to door and collects.