Does eBay think we're stupid?

[r.bob]

What is the difference to a private seller between eBay charging a fee when an item sells (the old method before 'no fees for private sellers') and charging a fee when an item sells (the new method under the guise of 'buyer protection')?

It is the exact same thing! The buyer pays the advertised price under both methods!

They give with one hand and take with the other.  And they think we won't notice?

[jckl1957]

Personally, I think that Ebay is, at least in part, motivated by the idea that some sellers who currently have private accounts will upgrade to properly registered business accounts.

The new payment terms coming in on 4th February will only apply to private sellers.

Any seller who makes or buys items to sell is trading and should have a fee-paying business account in any case.

[r.bob]

If eBay have an issue with private sellers trading then they need to address that, not try to fool sellers by removing fees but then adding them back again under a different name.