DROP IN SALES SINCE NEW BUYER PROTECTION 4TH FEB 2025

[lo.maggi]

Has anyone else noticed lack of sales since the buyer protection update 4th february 2025. I used to sell quite a lot and virtually sold nothing since 4th Feb. Can anyone else relate to this and what can we do?

[andha-21]

Did it lead to the completely different account when you clicked on active listings? If you tried that far.

When I did it it linked to an account which was something like "dvd8628" or similar. No listings.

[papso22]

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@rabwendy wrote:
EBay was started for people to sell items on an auction site the business seller part came later you can sell what you want if you want to be a business seller and get all the benefits that’s up to the individual. I have seen a lot of comments on here about people not being business sellers it’s completely up to the individual what they do if it’s allowed by eBay. The issue on this chat is the buyers fee 

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Business sellers who trade on a private account are breaking a number of laws by doing so, yes, it is up to them if they continue to do that, the same way as people can choose to steal or speed, it doesn't make it right.  

The link to the BPF is that it does not apply to business accounts, so a lot of the people complaining about it would not be bothered by it if they traded legally.  You cannot separate out issues with the fee from issues with accounts unless absolutely everyone who complains is a genuine private seller, which is manifestly not the case.

[rabwendy]

What laws are the breaking if they pay their taxes 


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[lucy_farmer]

'When I did it it linked to an account which was something like "dvd8628" or similar. No listings.'

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Yeh.... it went to '0 listings'  from 'dvd6435' (?)

(yes, I know we're going well off-topic here!  but it's intriguing to see something this peculiar..)

[andha-21]

@lucy_farmer 

So that looks like the link between account here and eBay could be broken?

Definitely for them, but possibly others?

Do you think it's worth flagging?

[clarkey1964]

Not at all, I am off once my money clears and let ebay sort there problems, I may return once they sort there *bleep*e out. 

[specialk1937]

You can pay your taxes and still break the law!

[lucy_farmer]

'Do you think it's worth flagging?'

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Dunno.   It's certainly an anomaly, but could just be a weird 'one-off'.

But if anybody spots it happening again to anybody else,  that may mean it's a burgeoning problem.  And in that case, yes, it'd be worth flagging!

[rabwendy]

Yes but you were specific when you said that some private sellers were breaking several laws I’m a private seller I would like to know what laws your talking about so I can keep myself on the right side of the law 


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[lucy_farmer]

'....when you said that some private sellers were breaking several laws.....'

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Some 'private' sellers, who are actually running businesses on a private account, are breaking UK Trading Standards and Consumer Laws....them's the laws referred to !

(The definition of a genuine private seller is somebody selling off their own possessions, for whatever reasons.

The definition of business selling,  is somebody who buys, makes or grows things specifically to sell on.

One of the reasons that's it is impossible to be a legal business on a private account , is that one of the rules of Online selling Consumer law is to have your name address and contact details on your listing. Ebay will  *not* let those details appear on private listings.  Therefore the two are not compatible.)

[4_bathrooms]

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@rabwendy wrote:
What laws are the breaking if they pay their taxes 

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Consumer laws. For example; the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations make it a specific criminal offence for a trader to masquerade as a private seller.

That isn't the only offence as such a trader is also committing offences under the Consumer Rights Act and the Consumer Contracts Regulations. However, it is the most serious offence being committed.

[specialk1937]

Learn more <>
A business seller is one who sells items as part of a business, while a
private seller typically sells items they no longer need or use, and is not
operating a business. Business sellers have specific obligations, including
providing business contact details and following consumer protection
regulations, while private sellers have fewer requirements

[4_bathrooms]

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@specialk1937 wrote:
Learn more <>
A business seller is one who sells items as part of a business, while a
private seller typically sells items they no longer need or use, and is not
operating a business. Business sellers have specific obligations, including
providing business contact details and following consumer protection
regulations, while private sellers have fewer requirements

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I never said anything different.

The poster I was replying to asked what laws a business (trader) was breaking by trading from a private eBay account. Rather than list every consumer law such a trader would be breaking I pointed out the most serious offence they would be committing. The reason I did this is because if Trading Standards chose to prosecute such a trader that is the offence they would be prosecuted for as a prosecution will typically focus on the most serious offence that can be proven.

[rabwendy]

What I’m seeing is eBay’s rules 


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[4_bathrooms]

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@rabwendy wrote:
What I’m seeing is eBay’s rules 

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Are you referring to eBay's business seller policy?

[buffster1963]

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@rabwendy wrote:
What I’m seeing is eBay’s rules 


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Then you already know that if you make, grow or buy items to sell on that you need to be registered on a business account. 

[bra-516896]

They make most money out of volume business sellers , as they see it they have evened the playing field so that private sellers have little or no advantage over business and really do they care about private ? I think not . 
   Had two sales this week , both samples where someone who previously paid 99p for a sample pays about £1.75 , nowt else .

[specialk1937]

Right! what you are seeing is ebays rules and I guess whilst we are on this
platform you either abide them or do the other - " ebay rules OK"

[buffster1963]

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@bra-516896 wrote:

They make most money out of volume business sellers , as they see it they have evened the playing field so that private sellers have little or no advantage over business and really do they care about private ? I think not . 
   Had two sales this week , both samples where someone who previously paid 99p for a sample pays about £1.75 , nowt else .

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Private sellers are just selling their unwanted possessions so theres not really any need to have advantage over business sellers who are selling to make a living and paying fees. 

[kath3735_wxmjn]

You have said it yourself in your comment 'if it's allowed by e bay' and e bay are clear who they consider as private or business sellers.   Unfortunately they do nothing about it.   It is totally irrelevant in 2025 what e bay was originally set up for, like all things it evolves (whether we like the changes or not).