EBay plan to add fees for buyers - hurts businesses even further

[vintagefunk01]

From the sky news article here which is obviously a press release https://news.sky.com/story/ebay-selling-fees-are-scrapped-to-boost-to-reselling-13225638

It seems clear ebay is following in the footsteps of other selling marketplaces by adding fees for buyers in the early new year,  but since fees remain in place for business sellers adding another fee on top of this is another hit to our bottom line.

We will now be expected to absorb the buyers fee and our own business selling fee (and shop fees etc).

This seems crazy to me - although eBay say it'll be 'small' , if it's 8% like elsewhere that's a massive hit for us to take.  Yes it's for the buyers but we all know prices will drop because of it - for example a 350 item will now cost 379 to the buyer with an 8% fee that is currently used by another platform, so ofc sellers will drop the initial price so that the item actually sells and to offset this.

Fine for private sellers who have no fees to compensate, but insane for business sellers with hefty fvf and shop fees already 

[bidnbuy-uk]

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@amazonharvey wrote:
Because the fee is added to the private sellers items before it is uploaded
on to eBay .then there is no nasty shocks at check out .Read the letter
that was sent out to every seller informing this would happen . That’s
pulling the wool over buyers faces if they do not know about the 4% being
added .

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Exactly! There should be on the listing page the price at which a private seller has listed an item for and directly underneath there should be 'eBay buyer protection fee £x' - you can't get clearer than that! 

So based upon the mumbo jumbo of strange looking prices on private sellers listings, I would call the additional 'hidden' added fee - deceit.

The extra fee, in my personal experience, does not include a 24 hour help / live chat, which is the only difference for the extra money eBay are 'adding on' . I've tried all week, including today at 3.11am,  to have a live chat with an agent being told by the lovely BOT that opening times are: 8am - 10pm -  So what exactly is the extra 'protection fee' for which isn't already covered in the MBG? 🤔😲

As I've already said, online shoppers are very savvy, no matter how well eBay think they've hidden the extra fee. I'll give eBay a real example: A potential buyer asked if I would accept £x for an unwanted item I have listed on my private sellers eBay account. I said yes, and changed the price accordingly. However, they messaged and said I don't see £x I see £1.08 more, so I sent them a screen shot of what I had set the item price at and what eBay are charging them on top - silence. Did they go and buy from an eBay business seller? No, without any prompting, they went to another site and purchased my item for the price they asked for 😉.

That single potential customer has now been left with the impression that eBay are 'turning them over' on all listings, regardless of account type, and I certainly wasn't going to clarify the situation for them because it should already be clear to them on listings, which it isn't - OUCH! 😫 

News travels F-A-S-T, and in eBay's case, it isn't good..... Enjoy!

[mayorsincome]

There's been a flood of double scam 'protection' racket listings this weekend.

For the first time in over 20 years I've not bought anything for more than 3 days. Hopefully eBay figure that into their sums.

Also, the scam double 'protection' racket makes the BIN item very oddly priced so it's immediately obvious which item has been contaminated.

I did spend money on Amazon and I'm going to start looking elsewhere for used goods.

[dunstun365]

A £2.99 item has now gone up to £3.83 0.99 is now £1.75 that's higher fees than before so it will be no longer worth selling cheap items if buyers wont pay it

[dunstun365]

Sadly amazon fees are extortionate for selling secondhand plus many sellers need amazon's approval to sell many items 

[insidethe93]

You're right, news travel F-A-S-T. Instantly if using the internet.

Last night I was one of 72 people in a particular group that was bulk-emailed by someone in the group about "warning ebay buyer protection tax" ("tax", not fee). It's stirring up discussion. I already knew about BPF, must admit hadn't myself thought to email the group.

[amazonharvey]

The 4% is an insurance policy in case the buyer needs protection from a
seller. But it’s 4% of the total cost eg from £1 + it’s a set fee then
going up to final purchased item and lower at £300+
I had a letter from eBay stating that from the 4th feb all my items before
going live will have the fee once live. As a seller it’s disgusting that
as eBay said that way the buyers will have no shocks at checkout.
But as a buyer it is a dirty trick if I did not know about it. I rang eBay
but it was said if I did not like it except or do not buy. For gods sake I
have been on eBay many moons and as a seller 18 yrs
Then I asked about this stupid simple delivery again it’s the buyers choice
again what they choose
EBay has over stepped the mark this time hold are money till are buyers
receive there goods then two days you will get it .holding on to are
postage as well Which again you must pay up front in advance . Everything
must be a tracked service pack link will love that
2 couriers only the awful Evri and Royal Mail ..the sellers choice of
couriers 0 you only have a choice if it is post free but not all private
sellers can do this when they sell only a few pounds . Everything for eBay
never the ones who sold and bought on eBay .I have had a few now heated
arguments with eBay about us little private sellers and the awful way they
have treated us .the only thing good is us private sellers who sell are
bits and bobs will not pay any tax .only the private sellers who buy new
sell new there details will be sent to the tax office

[stay3691]

I'd say you are wrong on that 

[amazonharvey]

We will see if this happens odds on eBay will be rubbing there hands

[dch2112011]

As a buyer  you would pay the seller whatever fee they chose to charge - even inflated at the seller's whim  

or the seller would offer free delivery hiding the price in the item price - the buyer still pays whatever unknown figure the seller adds to the sale price even if it is inflated.

With simple delivery the buyer pays the delivery fee at a fixed price to ebay on behalf of the seller (so that the seller retains liability for delivering the goods)  

Why would a buyer not like this system ?  It delivers better service than sellers offer by standardising the delivery charge and stopping sellers charging and declaring a high end service but deliberately using a cheaper untracked service  and pocketing the difference - Oh yes this happens a lot and is a major complaint for buyers !

It stops sellers using untracked services which are basically untraceable which do not show when the item enters the delivery service - so sellers can be very slow at posting blaming the postal service or not post at all and stall the buyer with loads of blame excuses of the postal service and hope that they keep the payday loan paid by the buyer or at least hope that they keep it until an INR is resolved - Oh yes this also happens a lot and is another major complaint buyers make !

ebay have solved these problems and you believe buyers will not like it !

[amazonharvey]

I am a buyer and seller and as a seller I have never took advantage of my
buyers .I even send them a picture of the invoice insurance paid. .as a
buyer I have paid high postage costs and yes it’s been slow because of the
seller using the likes of Evri. and there is a awful lot of sellers who
deserve a boot up the bum. You report them but nothing is done. So I agree
being on eBay there are a lot of sharks swimming around. But at the end of
the day it’s eBay’s job to look after us all.
as a seller some times needing a long box wide box that can not be put in
the norm. There is only one that’s parcel-force .I should be allowed to
send my items from my chosen couriers not having to be worried about it.
Or being put in the same box as the rotten apples. There are sellers who
have so many negs and still trade but again that’s eBay’s problem. us
little sellers can not do that .there is no being fair to any of us little
private sellers
again do what I say. So there is good and bad in sellers who try to be fare
but let’s not forget the buyers who pull the wool over the seller eyes if
you do not do a tracker label.
All simple delivery will be a tracker delivery as long as the postage is
paid before sending .but at the moment if you do post it’s wait for your
money

[dch2112011]

Strangely I have seen many many buyers complain about sellers using a different postal service than the one the seller advertised  but never a seller admitting they have used the cheaper service for their own gain.

Strangely I have seen many many buyers complaining about non delivery, very late posting only for sellers to whine that they can only get to town on a friday or they wait a couple of weeks until they have sold more items 'to make it worthwhile' - ludicrous excuses - without tracking the sellers whine that it is up to the  carrier - they claim to have posted it - beg the buyer to wait longer (in the hope that they run out of time to claim an INR case )- some fall for it !  little wonder ebay are taking the lead with delivery !

Strangely I have seen many many posts from buyers when asking the seller where the purchased item is after several days without tracking to receive abuse and indignance,with the seller claiming it is the carrier or even the  buyers fault or ebays fault and they should  be grateful they sold it to them - little wonder ebay have decided to hold the sellers money until it is delivered - if they cannot be trusted to complete a sale in a timely and polite fashion.

Strangely I have seen many posts of sellers ignoring buyers communications  or claiming falsely that the item has been delivered with false tracking numbers, false promises of delivery or false claims of reissuing the order  - it is little wonder that ebay are holding funds as an incentive for sellers to actually deliver what is sold -  is it too much to ask a seller to deliver an order ?

As for buyers falsely claiming INR's - with ebay forcing tracking and holding sellers money - it incentivises sellers to dispatch quickly and label correctly tracked to get paid quickly and this will virtually eliminate false INR claims - Win Win Win !

[amazonharvey]

I have met many sellers from hell over the years pull off so many tricks
they must think we are all fools I have spoken what’s on my mind told them
to go to specs savers if they expect me to except rubbish items and glasses
for reading. then after asking them to block me
Over the years it’s got worse and now it’s disgusting how some sellers
treat us if we moan .so now days I just open a case and then they have to
answer once eBay comes in . But we must remember there are some absolutely
loads of lovely sellers like me that care .and will go the extra mile and
take what’s only needed .rather give then take .
We have earn’t are 100% feedback but every so often we get caught in the
firing line of the said sellers from hell.
Few years ago some sellers were putting there items as pence then high
postage paying no fee’s .eBay knew who these were rather then sort this
out eBay went across the board taking some of are postage for sales .taking
money that are buyers had given to us to get there items home …and us
little sellers putting in the short fall. And eBay has the power to stop
this but choose not to there are bad sellers and buyers

[lucy_farmer]

'With simple delivery the buyer pays the delivery fee at a fixed price to ebay on behalf of the seller (so that the seller retains liability for delivering the goods)  '

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With Simple Delivery, I was under the impression that ebay now have the responsibility/liability for delivery the goods? 

They have stated 'once the parcel is placed into the hands of the delivery company , non-delivery and damages in the post become ebay's responsibility' (or words to that effect).

[dch2112011]

Taken from the new user agreement - highlighted are the relevant words which spell out the purchase of labels by the buyer is on behalf of the seller 

Simple Delivery
We may add certain delivery options to your listings in order to help improve both seller and buyer experience for selecting a delivery label. For listings that are eligible, you may see a simplified listing flow where you are not required to select a delivery option. In such instances, your buyer may be able to choose whether to have a standard or express delivery service or whether to collect in store and will pay the delivery costs to the delivery service provider on your behalf. Once your item has sold and the buyer has paid, a delivery label will be provided to you.

[amazonharvey]

What if the buyer does not like the postage they have to pay. and tells
eBay they will not pay this price .then what thats all right for small
parcels of little cost. But when you are sending some thing of high value
that’s needs a special courier plus insurance .for one of my antique dolls
this is not simple delivery .they are sent on a next day plus insurance
.these on eBay are to much money and pack link rubbing there hands double
the cost of insurance
Am I to trust another cheap courier with my doll I do not think so. Simple
delivery is for eBay to take in the money simply just that
There is no insurance for broken antique dolls or anything breakable only
loss so to trust your chosen courier is paramount for safety and peace of
mine and my buyers having a smile on opening there box. Not tears

[amazonharvey]

What if your buyer chooses the cheapest post and I am told this or nothing.
What about my antique doll or breakables what then . Not all buyers know
about postage costs .so they say I am not paying that when the postage and
insurance is true to the value of my items

[dch2112011]

Under simple delivery the customer's doll has added seller and buyer protection - ebay cover the cost of the damage or loss  and the seller is not penalised ie they still get paid.   So really not an issue - ebay will soon sort out the carriers if it costs them too much - I guess as a carrot for the business the carriers have  agreed some sort of recompense or the buyers fee covers it ? They have plenty of data available to accurately predict losses

Protection
Your item is fully covered against loss or damage during transit from the moment it's scanned by the carrier until delivery confirmation.

From the simple delivery terms and conditions

12. Liability for Loss or Damage and Compensation.
You remain responsible for any loss or damage to your item until it has been scanned into the carrier’s network. Once your item has been scanned into the carrier’s network and providing you used the Simple Delivery label and are compliant with these Terms and eBay’s Policies, as well as the relevant Carrier Terms, your item will be covered for loss or damage during transit up to the sold item value on the eBay.co.uk site. This means you will retain your sales proceeds in relation to the item sent using the Simple Delivery label. The item will be in transit from the point it has been scanned into the carrier’s network until it has been marked as delivered by the carrier. 

Of course you lose the cover once the buyer has received it according to the wording - which needs clarifying for items received damaged ?

[nickboxall]

Isn’t this “protection insurance” just the same as PPI it’s an insurance e that you cannot opt out of!

this just pushes out private sellers selling goods for cheap ie a £1.00 item now costs £1.79!

the mandatory insurance protection should only be imposed on purchases over £20, anything else is covered under a normal Royal Mail signed for service.

lets face it who wants insurance for anything they have bought for less than £20

[bilboles]

It's a real mess this situation, ebay are just wrecking small sellers like
myself, how can I sell stamps at the prices they are imposing, it was tough
enough without their so-called protection, now it's just a bad joke. I know
where I will be doing my trading from here on in.

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[wintersdawn1]

Unfortunately it is just one of the problems for private sellers because of ebay's greed:

• Buyer Protection Fee - total lie, just pocketing the money
• Holding private sellers money - earning interest/investing
• Simple Delivery - once mandatory ebay will make money on every postage label for every item sold
• Hiding listings - ebay are hiding sellers listings so they have to pay to make them visible via promotion etc.
• Disabling the invoice facility - buyers are forced to pay postage on each item, no combining orders now.