Ebay's new Buyers' protection fee from the 4th Feb

[rsbrickshop]

I'm a private seller. Items I sell are between £2.90 - £10. Is It just me or will ebay's new Buyers' protection fee from the 4th Feb make it near impossible to sell competitively. A few months ago Ebay got rid of Sellers' fees for private sellers, which was a welcome move. But this new change and getting rid of multi-buy discount for private sellers will make it worse than it was with the original fees.

[ett1954]

I can see the total price when I scroll.  If I couldn't then it would probably fall foul of consumer legislation unless there was a clear way to opt out of the transaction at the checkout stage.

[doumind_7]

How on earth do you manage offers on an item when both see a different price? You'd need a calculator. As for auctions....God only knows.

[brianstrebor]

So I see the additional amount added to BIN items but I wonder what happens to auction start items at .99p

[myriad*seller]

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@ett1954 wrote:

I can see the total price when I scroll.  If I couldn't then it would probably fall foul of consumer legislation unless there was a clear way to opt out of the transaction at the checkout stage.

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Yes, likewise, I see the full price including BP fee when you search for items and scroll down the various listings on offer

It has to be this way so consumers can see the full price from the very start 

[myriad*seller]

You will see both prices when you get an offer

[myriad*seller]

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@brianstrebor wrote:

So I see the additional amount added to BIN items but I wonder what happens to auction start items at .99p

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Taken from eBay's guidance page:

When you enter a starting bid, we add the Buyer Protection fee so you can see what the buyer's minimum bid amount will be. As the Buyer Protection fee is variable, the fee amount that the buyer actually pays is calculated as part of the final auction selling price.

By including the fee in the buyer's bid price, we're making it simple and transparent so buyers always know what they'll pay and sellers know how much they'll receive.

[brianstrebor]

I now see. You list an item start as .99p but actual start is shown as £1.75

[goodibags]

" You list an item start as .99p but actual start is shown as £1.75"

Technically, that's a whole OTHER magic can of worms to go awry. Ebay's fixed buyer fee is presently 72p but should be 75p (and the auction start at £1.78).

IF and when it's fixed will a winning bidder subsequently be asked to pay another 3p on top of their bid price?

[doumind_7]

Eh? I'm baffled. Talk about "user friendly" .

[ett1954]

"IF and when it's fixed will a winning bidder subsequently be asked to pay another 3p on top of their bid price?" - They can't be; it would be illegal.  eBay would have to take any hit as a transaction completion is a contractual agreement.  It is the same as you asking for more money because you had miscalculated the postage; it is unenforceable.

[andha-21]

Yes, but surely they would get around by just announcing a new update that we had agreed to simply buy using their site ...

A modified seller/buyer rule to say that we agree to cover any mistakes they make.

[ett1954]

"Yes, but surely they would get around by just announcing a new update" - They can't; Consumer Law would override such a term within the user agreement.

[andha-21]

Well I wasn't being serious there, hence the ... 

I wouldn't put it past this lot to try though and I'll be laughing my ass off if they do.

[ett1954]

First, I would state that genuine private sellers have my sympathies with the introduction of the BPF, especially those of low priced items; and I am sure the majority of business sellers feel the same way.

eBay certainly leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to introduction, communication, and implementation of new features on the platform.  Even the continuous smooth running of the site seems to be a challenge for them.  That being said however, when it comes to the legalities on the platform they do seem to have everything well covered and obviously pay for the right people to ensure this in at least one area of their operations.  I am sure they realise the potential implications, especially financially, should they fail in this area.

[goodibags]

"They can't be; it would be illegal."

Hmm, or is it just possible that the extra 3p charge won't magically end up being debited to the seller?

i.e. List for 99p, receive 96p?

[papso22]

That would be equally illegal.

If it's indeed an ebay error,  they will suck it up.

This will be precisely why it's a phased roll out.

[toptap1]

Bookmark this:
Within a year, seller fees will be reintroduced, at 'only' 5%.
It will then ramp up over time, just as it did before.
Ebay must see themselves in the same way as a bricks and morter Auction house, with an entry fee for placing a lot into the auction, and a buyers fee for the winner.
The seller fees are the equivalent of an entry fee.

Sent from Outlook for Android<>

[bailey2agd]

I always thought ebay was only meant to be for individuals selling their stuff,  but over the. yeats it’s been gradually overrun by businesses. i suppose they saw Amazon Marketplace having success and decided to follow.  it’s a shame that it’s become so cumbersome for sellers.  

[toptap1]

As I've posted elsewhere, I've spent over £600 on ebay so far this year.

I'll never buy anything else on here.

I can't have any influence on what they do, but I don't need to buy on here.

So I won't.

[christiesmusicstore]

I am the same.  Never buying on there again.