Buyer protection and Simple Delivery - Can ebay pull it back?

[headfodder]

Many of us have seen the volume of for auction items offered in our areas of interest plummet this year. Many of us who sell have seen buyer numbers and auction results plummet. People seem almost universally to believe this is down to the the double whammy of eBay imposing Buyer Protection and Simple Delivery.  I got the email today about tinkering with Simple delivery. EBay don't usually comment here but I'm sure they watch so here's a suggestion. 

1. Make Simple delivery optional across the board.

2. Scrap Buyer Protection and go back to seller fees which are easy and transparent for sellers and which in turn don't confuse pricing and item values for buyers . (No one believes that Buyer Protection actually offers any better service or guarentees than before and it makes auction pricing confusing and unclear).

3. APOLOGISE and admit you got this all wrong eBay!

[tobiasd4]

If you read this months update, right side of page, 

For Items under £20, SD will be optional. 

[john1297576]

Shame ebay will not read what you say, but having now back tracked on the so called buyer protection and now on simple delivery, if buyers and sellers keep the complaints coming  they might see the error of their ways.

Either both of these “ideas” were intended to be money spinners, then it gives the impression that both have failed to deliver. 

What could  be simpler than the way it has always been done, making it complicated (but calling it simple) and confusing does not help anyone, and it has certainly put off a lot of buyers. 

While the exemption figure has been increased, it is not optional, it still has weight and category restrictions, and even that is confusing, for example  collectable badges are in theory exempt, but in practice Military badges are ok, but not sport badges. Just gives the impression that those who make the decisions do not understand what they are doing.

[headfodder]

Only some things, not others depending also on size and category.

[tobiasd4]

Yes I know.

Still not clear which items can be exempt.

[jckl1957]

I only had a few things that qualified for SD as jewellery is not eligible.

Looking at my own current listings, I have changed two crucifixes and a headsquare - all under £20, under 100g and LL size - to custom delivery this afternoon.

So, 'category' may not be a crucial factor as long as items are under £20, under 100g and letter or LL size.