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? 

[susapric-68]

Yep I'm a woman, Like you going to keep on at a man 😂

[crn303]

Totally agree with your comments in your posting.

[crn303]

Agree with your posting.

[svincec]

PS, forgot to add, and as to good and bad sellers, and of course caveat emp'r its always worth checking a sellers feedback for a view on if they're 'reasonable' or not. Someone with a 100% rating is (generally) more trustworthy and reliable than those with lower ratings notwithstanding some buyers can be somewhat pernicious/tiresome muddying the waters, just like some sellers (and the lousey policing by ebay of advert pracices) , but at leaset feedback allows an assesment with common (oops is there anymore) sense.

[niceprice777]

I've learnt the hard way to put very little weighting on 'feedback', and I have had some feedback that I have left, to warn others, deleted at the request of the crooked traders (protecting their scores)!  Also, I believe, as a seller I am not allowed to cancel a bid from a rogue buyer even if they have appalling feedback and I can be sure they are out to trick me (as has happened already under the new 'buyer protection' regime).

[desmie101]

Yes, feedback doesn't mean anything now because the seller can request it's removed (I think there is a limit on how many they can get removed, not sure though) Having been scammed by an increasing number of buyers, I no longer sell on ebay, rouges spoil it for the majority of decent purchasers. To me, the system seems to be geared against the seller and always in favour of the buyer. In fact, I used so buy a lot through ebay and I don't now, favouring other sites such as Etsy. I do not agree with the fee being paid for by the purchaser when buying from a private seller, it is wrong in my opinion. So that has killed the whole ebay experience for me. 

[randybullcow]

Thanks for that last comment (!). For the last 20 years or so, I've been schlepping my tuchus off, trying to do what's right by my customers, so they don't feel schtipped or schtupped by me.

I've worked incredibly hard for my 100% satisfaction rating, so your comment is both inaccurate and insulting, to all those hard working eBay sellers.

[brianmor101]

Agree as both a buyer and seller, the previous policy was fair enough that the seller pays a  percentage and no objection to that.
But putting it on the buyer is just wrong, especially for  UK based bidders who are now at a disadvantage in an auction as your bid worth less than an overseas buyer.

There is also the question is Ebay actually paying the UK Insurance Premium tax on the charge?  As this is effectively an insurance payment Its a protection fee. What's the betting they are not?

[brianmor101]

<  So, is eBay decision to charge for buyer protection from only private sellers in accordance with UK consumer rights?>
Consumer rights only really apply to commercial sales, the protection from private sellers is very low in terms of consumer rights you would need to look at other laws if miss sold something by a private seller.

A case of  "buyer beware"  for private sales. If the seller lies etc., then other laws could be used.

[brianmor101]

Or use truly free platforms such as Gumtree, although that does tend to be more local, so eBay still better if you want a larger audience for things that can be posted!

[papso22]

It is not 'insurance' and is most definitely not subject to IPT.

[brianmor101]

' Buyer Protection  fees' -
Oxford dictionary
'Insurance an arrangement by which a company or the state undertakes to provide a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a specified premium.'

So Buyer protection fees are just that -  Insurance!
So Insurance premium tax needs to be paid.

If the charge was on the seller as a selling fee then that would not be the case.

[jonatjonatjonat]

Insurance an arrangement by which a company or the state undertakes to provide a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a specified premium

That isn't what the buyer protection fee is for though - thats the money back guarantee.

You are confusing the name ebay have given the fee with what the actual fee covers. Which is fair enough - given it is poorly named.

[brianmor101]

Yes perhaps badly names, so instead of Insurance premium it will attract VAT at 20% as a service.

Just checked one of my last purchases on eBay, going to stop buying on eBay auctions because of this,
noticed there is a VAT element added on top of the Buyer protection fee. Buyer protection £0.90p  then an additional £0.18 VAT (20%) on top.

Looking at the actual invoice it refers to as a 'Buyers fee' - which makes more sense. So why not be honest and simply say like other auctions a buyers fee of x% amount will be applied - simple and easy to understand.,

Once  again eBay being very economical with the truth. Given the other platforms out there, they really do need to get their act together. Can't be the only one fed up with the way eBay is going for both buyers and sellers!