How many buyers are aware of the new Ebay Fees starting on 4th February?

[goodibags]

I'm a private seller and earlier this year received a notification about the introduction of new 'Buyer Protection' fees. I'm also an Ebay buyer (most feedback is for purchases) but have not received ANY warning of the new charges as one. Presumably, due to having been contacted as a seller?

There is NOTHING about Buyer Protection Fees on the Ebay Announcements page, nor in Ebay News. This seems odd given that there are SEVEN times as many buyers than sellers and the initial impact of the new fees will be on them. If they're completely unaware they'll be shocked and upset at the new charges they'll suddenly be asked to pay from next week.

I've listed most of this year's items to sell in January and added a warning about the imminent price hikes but while sales have been more steady than spectacular. Even for low value items that will almost double in price next week.

Are there any buyers out there who DO know about the new fees? And how did you find out?

[a45heaven]

No - ebay don't deem it necessary to tell the Buyers -

My buying account has had zilch about this .

ebay are leaving it to the Sellers to tell them when the buyer sees the inflated invoices.

Ive asked many times but not even the Mentors answer.

Buyers will assume this Protection Charge, will be a magic key to making claims on both Private and Business Sellers.

[goodibags]

I don't know how individual sellers can communicate this, aside from updating each listing to warn buyers (not that buyers always scroll down that far).

It's lucky for me that I use the platform to sell, otherwise I probably wouldn't have a clue that the prices will be going up overnight next week. I have a hunch most buyers simply do not know.

Now trying to think of any dvds or cds I may need to buy in the next week as these are usually better quality when bought from private sellers...

[plpmr]

"will be a magic key to making claims on both Private and Business Sellers."

As far as I know the new charges won't apply to purchases from business sellers.

[jonat_broad]

Does ebay not treat an ebay account as capable of buying and selling when created?

[a45heaven]

will be a magic key to making claims on both Private and Business Sellers."

As far as I know the new charges won't apply to purchases from business sellers.

So a buyer gets hit by a  Purchase Protection Fee - (assuming they even go thru with the transaction or not ) they browse thru more listings - at a glance, can they tell who are Private and who are Business Sellers?

Will they remember that status of the Seller in the future for items they have bought?

I wouldn't be able to do on my Buying account, and would not be prepared to scroll thru to see - so then its a level playing field and all purchases are game to claims.

[a45heaven]

@jonat_broad 

All info on this change has been isolated to the Community Boards and Hub Notifications.

No messages nor emails, so why would a buyer know?

[jonat_broad]

I got an email 3rd January.

[insidethe93]

That'd account for why, although I don't sell on eBay and never have, I received the eBay message, dated 1st Oct., titled "Important changes: Free selling for private sellers."

I read it, noting the introduction of Simple Delivery etc, but many who buy-only won't have thought it necessary to read it.

[insidethe93]

goodibags said: "Are there any buyers out there who DO know about the new fees? And how did you find out?"

Like you, eBay didn't contact me as a buyer to tell me about the Buyer Protection Fees. I found out because I look at the discussion boards.

It's probably a minority who read the discussion boards, or follow them regularly or in detail.

[insidethe93]

a45heaven said: "at a glance, can they tell who are Private and who are Business Sellers?"

It's immediately to the right of the seller ID, just under the production name/title and so very near the top of a listing. But it's in small print, grey rather than black print, so it doesn't exactly shout at you. You probably won't notice it unless you're looking for it.

[papso22]

---

@jonat_broad wrote:

Does ebay not treat an ebay account as capable of buying and selling when created?

---

No they don't.  New accounts are just buying accounts, they become selling accounts when the member registers for managed payments.

I suspect they have only emailed all private selling accounts so far and will soon (very soon?) be emailing buyers, or otherwise announcing it on the site.

In Ebay's view buyers only need to know last minute as they just need to understand why things look different from the 4th, sellers, apparently, needed more notice.

[jonat_broad]

Thanks for clarifying that, much appreciated.

I imagine its probably a terms and conditions thing. I think at least 30 days notice needs to be given with regards to changes. Which given the email went out 3rd Jan - that adds up.

Buyers I imagine there isn't anything in the terms in relation to these fees and ebay can add whatever they want.

[goodibags]

I hope Ebay DO let the buyers know and fairly soon. The new fees are only EIGHT days away.

Possibly the early warning to private sellers was to ensure they made preparations like dropping prices or getting ready to cancel low-value items (I have some at 99p) that it may no longer be viable to sell.

I'm happy to wait and see how it goes. Can't help thinking I've had 'insider info' on some highly unwelcome news.

Btw, how many sellers are still listing with free postage? Will Ebay be adding an extra 4% on the TOTAL price in those cases?

[julies829]

I received new selling rules in December by email. Totally disgusted by they changes. I am not relisting and any active items I have will be ended on the first of feb. We already have buyer protection but now will be paid for. Also not receiving funds until items delivered is just Ebays way of gaining interest on our earnings. Will be taking a months break to see what happens like many private sellers. 

[a45heaven]

Nope sorry i was meaning when you are browsing thru what is thrown up after a search, not clicking to view a particular item - where it is shown as greyed out as you stated.

• ORGANIC COW DUNG (10 pieces). 10 paties, dung cakes. 750 grams Manure. Compost.

  Opens in a new window or tab

  Brand new

  £13.59

  or Best Offer

  Free delivery

  Sponsored

  xxxxxxx (5) 100%

[goodibags]

I just wanted to add a few sums:-

Basically, an item from a private seller that costs £12.50 now will increase 10% next week, up to £13.75.

An item that costs £6.25 will go up by a pound to £7.25.

And something costing £1.20 now will cost £2. That's 67% more.

Big changes.

[pinkblob88]

I am a buyer and have known about the fees for several weeks - because 1.) I keep an eye on the forum (where it's a VERY HOT topic) and 2.) I read about the charges in an email at the end of December.

(Although the 75p + 4% will not be affecting me as I no longer buy from business sellers masquerading as private sellers. I will occasionally from private sellers who are the real McCoy.)

[insidethe93]

goodibags said: "Possibly the early warning to private sellers was..."

Maybe also to try and avoid buyers going on a spree before the fees and then not buy less (or not at all) afterwards.

I've just been on a spree. With BPF each of my several Basketfuls would've had £15 to £20 added. It would've made me remove items from the Basket to reduce fees. eBay, so-called "buyer-facing" fees is very poor psychology as buyers in this country aren't used to paying fees. 75p AND a percentage is also greedy.

eBay is being patronising with its B.S. spin that BPF is mainly designed to benefit buyers; I can think of motives, but helping buyers isn't top of the list.

eBay insults my intelligence if it thinks I don't care about how they'll treat private sellers as regards holding onto seller's money for up to 14 days by

(1) ignoring buyer's feedback even if it says "received"

(2) exploiting the fact that tracking on many Royal Mail items never updates to delivery.

Who, being a private seller, will now want to carry on selling or embrace buying on eBay? Or, being a buyer, will now be eager to be a private seller?

BPF would be more palatable if eBay offered something like Amazon Prime which is a monthly or yearly charge for delivery (and as such quite discreet and infrequent). Amazon created two tiers for delivery of Amazon Prime and a really slow method (with a minimum order value too?) to effectively get customers on Prime. If eBay introduced something similar it'd ENCOURAGE eBay purchases, where buyers buy as much as they like for a fixed rate.

[goodibags]

If you buy from ANY private seller you will liable for the extra 4% plus 75p. Whether or not they're called McCoy.