I am a NEW Business Seller, I'm starting to regret this change....

[69387108un]

I have been a user on eBay on and off for the past 20 years.... 

Buying a lot, and selling bits and pieces too, over that time.,

In the past couple of years, and since covid, the selling has grown and grown and it was a hobby at first, but now I'm selling at least a couple of items a day, still not a great deal, and usually it's clothing stuff, under £20 each, with some bits for more, I was enjoying it and bought and sold and listed different things, to see if I could make a few bucks, and some did work and some didn't.

eBay noticed this, and has since forced me to become a business seller, and reluctantly I obliged to this, as I had little choice, I didn't want this, but they removed all my listings. 

I have several hundred listings now, mostly low-value, and today I have noticed, eBay has hit me with another 'Listing Fee' for each and every item, that was previously listed last time, is this normal ? Do I get hit with a new listing fee every time an item doesn't sell ? Wow ! How does anybody actually make any money on this platform ? I will say the fun has gone out of the selling now, as the fees totalled up are just too high now, where is the motivation now? Any profits, simply appear to be going straight back in to pay the fees and costs to list the item.,  Advice on here would be appreciated

[edwardian-dreams]

How does eBay force one to become a business seller?

why were your listings removed?from when you were a private one

if as you say you bought stuff to sell then yes you should be a business seller anyway ?

it can be expensive but you get perks 

[rainbowtrax]

As a business seller, you don't get anything for free. Everything has to be paid for. Only private sellers get endless freebies and unlimited free relists. Have a read of this thread Transaction fees - UK eBay Community which should explain more (saves writing the same info out again) but in short, yes, you pay listing fees every time a listing renews.

[art2own]

You may find a small reduction in recurring monthly listing fees with a shop subscription. A bit off topic, but have you thought about changing your username to something memorable that reflects what your sell? Unfortunately, you may be facing the same reality that many registered business sellers now encounter: too many fees and insufficient sales revenue or turnover to make selling on eBay a viable option for their business. 

[jil_3862]

Yes, unfortunately every months relists cost again. You don't seem to have a shop though? Once you get over 90 or so listings the monthly costs of a shop are worthwhile for the number of free listings that come with it.

Fees do seem to have become a bit OTT. I used to be a full time seller, recently came back hoping to pick up again, but not sure I can justify the costs of listing on the low value items I used to sell. Having to look around for new lines to make it worthwhile.

If you want to make it work it is always worth asking for advice here, stick with it, promote your shop (yourself I mean, not ebays version!) and grow, grow... fingers crossed for you.

[eyewear247]

You have 574 listings that you are paying 30p per listing - £172.20

If you had a basic shop subscription you would pay £27 with 250 listings included and then pay 10p per additional listing over the inclusive 250. You cost would then be £59.40 per month based on 574 listings.

Above prices exclude VAT

[bojangled]

@eyewear247 got to add that 2p VAT, 12p per additional listing over the 250.

Jo

[eyewear247]

Above prices exclude VAT

I already did 😁

[bojangled]

@eyewear247 my bad 😏…..

Jo