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?

[thevinylrevolution]

My sales were very good last year at this time. I am now only selling about a fifth of what I was! It’s definitely this new seller protection.

[andha-21]

I definitely think it's a factor but my instincts say the majority difference is with the app users they lost in the update.

Just by the phones being mentioned I'd be very surprised if they lost less than 6 figures that day and honestly wouldn't be surprised is it was more.

[papso22]

No-one is ever going to know for sure what has hit private seller's sales.

Personally I think it's a basket of things all happening at the same time.

[cartermk]

NB average sale price for both business and private sales

[shopwithhonour]

Same here, the protection fee is too high. Needs to be lowered. And where it really hits hard is on low value items as the fee is a flat 75p plus 4%, I have some items up for £5 that are now £5.96 to buyers, I would have to reduce them to £4.08 if I want the buyer to only have to pay £5 ... that's pretty much a 20% hit for me, it's just not worth the effort.

[hayes1645]

Since my original post on this topic I've sold NOTHING. Virtually all my
items are low price and this has wiped me out! There is no doubt Ebay's
changes have had a bad and detrimental effect for sure. Time for change.

[elaine-860560]

I totally agree with you, nearly all my items are between £5 and £6 it just not worth the effort of putting them on now.

I was doing really well until the  Buyer Protection went on, now not selling hardly anything.

Then they Keep asking you to drop the price, and when you do still no is buying 😒 it's crazy.

Hopefully ebay will realise and do something about it, if we all stick together and complain about it. 

I am not holding my breath.

[hoezone]

I've been selling dvds and records for between £1.50 and £2. Been doing quite well since fees were dropped and cleared some clutter. Now not so well as buyers don't want to pay over £2 for a dvd when music magpie sells them for that with free postage. Just can't compete. But surely eBay can see a drop in sales too. I'd rather buy off a seller myself than say music magpie but I won't  pay the fee..

[ccccchhrriis]

I am experimenting with eblag at the moment and i can see a huge difference in watchers and sales(not sold a thing),i sell motorcycle spares that i have collected over 45+ years of messing with them.We will see as feb/march/april is normally good as people get their bikes on the road for summer(if we get one).

[1crazydiamond]

I'm a buyer for 18 years  BUT ebay gets worse year on year. It seems every decision they make makes it worse.

Due to buyer protection I am much less likely to buy from now on. My buying has already reduced significantly and i aim to keep it very low from now on

[kwebb-123]

Sadly my charity sales have dropped and this additional fee will put buyers off. As my sales are donations I can afford to lower prices but I am unhappy. 

How long will it take for the eBay management to realise it is a mistake and can they win people back? 

[colcoo-616]

Yes I’m thinking that now. WhatsApp just done a similar thing and older phones can’t access that. Not being a snob but think the buyers demographic could explain drop in sales. I’ve struggled with clothing sales since starting but mainly a size thing ( demographics again) and now with the changes to buyer fees etc, I’m wondering if its worth the potential hassle. 

[kolhannigan]

I think Ebay have done this as a way to move towards a future where they only have business sellers. March has always been my best month, it is so slow right now

[brownbookbear]

Sometimes you need to nudge your listings back into life.  

Periodically I end some listings and then "Sell Similar" to relist.  This often generates a few sales.  Don't forget to delete the original ended listings.  When something auto-relists it keeps the same start date - sell similar gets new date which might make people think you're listing something new.  It does use up one of the 300 free listings private sellers get every month, but if it gets the item sold...

Do the photos need improving?  I have a few which were taken on grey days so need replacing.

Can you add to/change round the title?  Are there any keywords you can add.

Nothing is guaranteed to make a sale, but sometimes a bit of effort can help.

[commemorative-coins]

The BPF is included in the final price. You bought the item for £10 but the seller put the item on sale for £8.85 appox. Then ebay add  4% and 75p on all sales. which works out at the £10 you paid.

[dmishka1]

Yes I am having the same problem!

[kolhannigan]

I do that everyday, I list 15 new items a day and end and sell similar 15
items a day. I have nearly 1100 items for sale and I'm selling 1 or 2 per
day, prior to this I was selling nearly 10 a day

[embicycle]

Hello I discussed this with an Agent and he reported very little adverse reaction from sellers ( WHATEVER!) give us our ebay back! 

[hayes1645]

I would suggest that private sellers know there is absolutely no point in
contacting Ebay about this hence their comments. However, from the massive
number of replies my original post has received on this topic there is no
doubt at all that a great many people have been affected and to a
considerable degree. Ebay sales will definitely have dropped hence all the
recent marketing but of course they will not admit it. No doubt their staff
were primed in advanced and told what to say.
Keep strong people.

[0132gunner]

Yeah, sales have dropped 50% and has crippled my selling for the Cancer Charity.