Buyer Protection Fees UK 2025 + consumer rights

[tulipsorange12]

This appalling decision by eBay to charge buyers for sales from private sellers at a flat rate of 75p and 4% of the sale price means they are actually charging more than the fees that private sellers were paying -  a cynical greed driven motive.  They think people are stupid. Under UK consumer law is it legal to charge an insurance fee for buyer protection? And is it legal to charge that only for sales from private sellers. What do consumer watchdogs make of these plans. How do we complain to eBay? 

[crg_music]

I think they are somewhere in the EU but the address is somewhere in London so id be very surprised if they didnt have to follow uk laws especially post Brexit. They did definitely get some trouble though over not having the fee visible upfront.

[*devils.advocate*]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/paying-items/buyer-protection?id=5594&st=3&pos=7&query=Buyer%20Pr...

Under “Buyer FAQs”

What does Buyer Protection cost?

Under the fee calculation examples, the price that buyer sees for the listing will already include the fee.

It isn’t added afterwards.

[vintique*violet]

It may be worth you taking a look at channelxworld.com and their eBay News sections.

And the payments terms and conditions 

 

[phillsvinyl]

So long as it is shown as a fee and not buyer protection and it is shown in the cost of the purchase it would be ok - however buyer protection is free as it is already there for the buyer - so this is an extra charge for them - how is it treating a customer fairly?

[*devils.advocate*]

Where have I said that it's fair?

I've never said anything, ever, about eBay being fair.

Just have to work with "what is" rather than "what we would want it to be".

Or not, as the case might be.

[phillsvinyl]

Im going to throw something in here :

DA - apreciate you never said about fairness

This issue is selling for private members is now free - those that have business accounts its not.

I am a private seller - selling all my collections - i have stated this before in many posts.

Business owners on Ebay do get the short straw when it comes to fees - and i am only saying some are doing it privately.

Now the real question is the following with the TCF rules.

How can you charge a fee and not charge a fee?

FCA rules are the following - you have to charge the same fee for all customers not 1 or 2 but all customers or it is ileagal to do so and you can be fined heaverly by them for doing so. For example if you charge 20.00 say for a legal cover and the give it free to someone else you have to by the law offer free legal to everyone who purchaes from you.

How can Ebay charge the fee on buyers from private sellers and give it free to buyers from business sellers?

Thats the question = sorry to bog people down with leagl stuff on a Sunday - but it has to be fair for all customers.

[tulipsorange12]

What eBay are proposing is simply a buyer fee when buying from private sellers, they say this is a buyer 'protection' fee, but considering there already is eBay buyer protection for all purchases are they mis-selling this new feature.

Interesting to see what consumer rights are in this case.

[buffster1963]

There are already all sorts of consumer laws that business sellers have to comply with by law. These are different or do not apply to private sellers. 

[vintique*violet]

I can't find anything about Buyer protection fee in their Payment terms - can you? 

[phillsvinyl]

The laws aply to Ebay as its thier platform

[tulipsorange12]

Financial ombudsman and Which? need to look into this decision because it appears to be misleading the public. There is buyer protection on any purchase on eBay already. This is a buyer's fee  and needs to be clarified as such.

[*vyolla*]

I can't see how any of this is illegal or breaches any regs, but am puzzled as to why the Money Back Guarantee is still running in conjunction with Buyer Protection.  How are they not the same thing, or am I missing something here?

We’ve also got you covered with other great free services like eBay Money Back Guarantee and Authenticity Guarantee.

So, at eBay checkout I pay with my credit card I have linked to PayPal, does that then mean that I have Buyer Protection, eBay's Money Back Guarantee covering me, PayPal Buyer Protection plus the option to issue a chargeback via my card? Well covered then!

[sml192]

---

@tulipsorange12 wrote:

That is not really what I am asking. UK consumer laws give people 'free' protection anyway for online purchases.  So, is eBay decision to charge for buyer protection from only private sellers in accordance with UK consumer rights? Whether you think it is reasonable to charge for buyer protection (which many disagree with) is a different issue.

There is no protection under UK consumer laws when purchasing from private sellers, so yes eBay charging for buyer protection only when buying from a private seller is in accordance with UK consumer rights. 

[sml192]

---

@phillsvinyl wrote:

I have also just read the following:

The law makes it illegal to advertise a low price for a product, only for that product to be subject to additional or mandatory fees later.

---

The buyer protection fee will be built into the listing price, so buyers will just see one price, but they will be able to see the breakdown at checkout. 

[vintique*violet]

The Buyer Protection Fee Programme gives you more reassurance with your purchase, knowing private sellers are paid after delivery, and you can talk to a real person 24/7 if you have any issues or questions. 

1) Private sellers paid after delivery . When you purchase from a Private Seller payment will be sent after the order has been successfully delivered. 

2) 24/7 Customer support. Connect anytime with a person by phone or send a chat to get quick answers. 

3) Secure transactions. All payments are encrypted end to end and handles by our trusted parents partners. 

You'll also continue to benefit from free leading services like the Ebay Money Back Guarantee as well as Authenticity Guarantee ( for eligible items and categories) 

So, my understanding is that basically this is telling buyers that eBay are not trusting of their private sellers to post items and them being delivered safely by a postal service... That buyers can now speak to a human being with any concerns...or maybe just have a chat about the weather? Or would it be " I don't want this now and funds held longer ?" Transactions are secure as encrypted - erm I thought they were already anyhow, and if this is new and they were not before, this is very concerning. 

I have tried to post a thread on the seller central discussion board  about this three times now and it has been removed - so I have adapted and posted it on a couple of replies so that people can have more understanding of what BPF is...Yes its for the buyer, yes its a fee but what is it actually protecting?  It really doesn't offer anything other than to penalise good private sellers and eBay to profit!  

Were buyers asked if they wanted this? 

Do eBay think this will increase sales?

Are the "benefits" truly a real benefit to buyers? 

Are buyers aware that this does not cover the item purchased, but the " considered delivery of?" 

Have private sellers been discriminated against? 

Are buyers now reassured and encouraged to purchase more from private sellers? 

Are private sellers confident in this approach of having a "fee" to be paid by their  potential buyers and their buyers knowing that the sellers will not receive any funds direct for between 2-14 days? 

Do private sellers feel disappointed by being " singled out" and penalised by having their funds held for something which really does not exist? 

Are we all being misled?  

Edit to add... In my opinion!

[vintique*violet]

What's the BPF - Protecting? 

[vintique*violet]

The Buyer Protection Fee Programme gives you more reassurance with your purchase, knowing private sellers are paid after delivery, and you can talk to a real person 24/7 if you have any issues or questions. 

1) Private sellers paid after delivery . When you purchase from a Private Seller payment will be sent after the order has been successfully delivered. 

2) 24/7 Customer support. Connect anytime with a person by phone or send a chat to get quick answers. 

3) Secure transactions. All payments are encrypted end to end and handles by our trusted parents partners. 

You'll also continue to benefit from free leading services like the Ebay Money Back Guarantee as well as Authenticity Guarantee ( for eligible items and categories) 

So, my understanding is that basically this is telling buyers that eBay are not trusting of their private sellers to post items and them being delivered safely by a postal service... That buyers can now speak to a human being with any concerns...or maybe just have a chat about the weather? Or would it be " I don't want this now and funds held longer ?" Transactions are secure as encrypted - erm I thought they were already anyhow, and if this is new and they were not before, this is very concerning. 

I have tried to post a thread on the seller central discussion board  about this three times now and it has been removed - so I have adapted and posted it on a couple of replies so that people can have more understanding of what BPF is...Yes its for the buyer, yes its a fee but what is it actually protecting?  It really doesn't offer anything other than to penalise good private sellers and eBay to profit!  

Were buyers asked if they wanted this? 

Do eBay think this will increase sales?

Are the "benefits" truly a real benefit to buyers? 

Are buyers aware that this does not cover the item purchased, but the " considered delivery of?" 

Have private sellers been discriminated against? 

Are buyers now reassured and encouraged to purchase more from private sellers? 

Are private sellers confident in this approach of having a "fee" to be paid by their  potential buyers and their buyers knowing that the sellers will not receive any funds direct for between 2-14 days? 

Do private sellers feel disappointed by being " singled out" and penalised by having their funds held for something which really does not exist? 

Are we all being misled?  

Edit to add... In my opinion!

[vintique*violet]

@tulipsorange12 wrote:

That is not really what I am asking. UK consumer laws give people 'free' protection anyway for online purchases.  So, is eBay decision to charge for buyer protection from only private sellers in accordance with UK consumer rights? Whether you think it is reasonable to charge for buyer protection (which many disagree with) is a different issue.

There is no protection under UK consumer laws when purchasing from private sellers, so yes eBay charging for buyer protection only when buying from a private seller is in accordance with UK consumer rights. 

Incorrect - UK consumer Laws do apply, however private sellers do not have to draw your attention to defects BUT they cannot be misrepresented.... which is why accurate descriptions are encouraged for items listed  ( and A.I. Rubbish) ..it comes  under the consumers Rights Act.  

[tulipsorange12]

eBay has to adhere to UK online consumer regulations so you are protected when buying from private sellers via the eBay platform I would have thought. To say there is no legal protection when buying from private sellers on eBay is misleading?

[vintique*violet]

Yes -UK consumer Laws do apply, however private sellers do not have to draw your attention to defects BUT they cannot be misrepresented.... which is why accurate descriptions are encouraged for items listed  ( and A.I. Rubbish) ... it comes  under the consumers Rights Act.  

I cannot imagine any responsible genuine private seller who would not honour any issue with an item should one arise. Plus buyers have the option to hit the return button and make a claim, whether they state no returns or not,  if a seller disputes then eBay can step. eBay favour buyers because of laws and regulations ( consumer and otherwise ).... but with this BPF,  it is taking the biscuit.