eBay actively discourages the sale of extremely low-value, lightweight items (typically under 100 grams) because they often create more problems than they’re worth — for buyers, sellers, and the platform itself. While these items may seem harmless on the surface, they generate very little revenue for eBay due to the platform’s percentage-based fee structure. A $2 item, for example, yields only pennies in fees but still requires the same listing, hosting, support, and transaction infrastructure as a $200 item. At scale, this becomes inefficient and unsustainable.
More importantly, these items often result in a poor buyer experience. Because they are typically shipped using the cheapest, untracked methods, disputes about delivery are more common. This increases refund requests, damages trust in the platform, and drives up customer service costs for eBay. It's difficult to maintain a high standard of reliability and accountability when transactions rely on unverifiable shipping.
From a marketplace experience standpoint, low-value listings clutter search results. eBay’s search engine is designed to prioritize relevance and quality. Flooding categories with thousands of near-worthless items — such as stickers, cables, or promotional trinkets — makes it harder for buyers to find high-quality or premium listings. This not only frustrates shoppers but can also reduce conversions and sales for serious sellers.
Additionally, low-cost items are often tied to low-quality selling practices, including drop-shipping from unreliable overseas suppliers or bulk listings with little customer support. These sellers typically cut corners, which increases the risk of policy violations and further undermines the buyer’s trust in the platform. eBay is focused on maintaining a professional, trusted ecosystem, and these practices run counter to that mission.
Finally, eBay’s strategic direction is moving toward value-driven categories — such as refurbished electronics, fashion, and collectibles — where trust, quality, and service matter most. Encouraging the sale of low-value, hard-to-track items is inconsistent with that vision. For the platform to remain competitive and trusted, it must prioritize high-quality inventory and reliable transactions.
In short, while small, inexpensive items may seem harmless, they pose significant risks and offer little value to the long-term health of the marketplace. eBay's policies and algorithms increasingly reflect this reality, favouring listings that meet higher standards of quality, service, and value.
