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.

[the_book_seekers]

It always surprises me that sellers are still reporting customer service agents are advising sellers 

who should be registered as businesses to continue as private sellers and break the law. There is an offence of incitement in this country. While the CS agent may be in a foreign country and immune from prosecution because as things go it’s not high on anybody’s list to chase up, it is not a good look for eBay to have its staff carrying on in this fashion.

[papso22]

Me too, we report it, they go 'for training' and nothing changes. 

[gblcfc]

Well as I have only had one request for a return  I can't comment

If a customer wished to return an item (at their expense) I would accept the request

If an item was faulty I would refund in full before ebay even got involved

I guess that's why 64.3% of my sales go to customers that have purchased from me previously

[the_book_seekers]

Congratulations on the high repeat custom, but your listings say no returns which as a business seller is illegal. Despite what customer services have told you eBay’s help pages say something completely different. Legally you are required to register as a business.

[gblcfc]

Post the relevant pages please

[the_book_seekers]

I’m also not going to play your games. You’re quite capable of going to the help pages and looking it up, but you seem intent of dodging responsibilities. As sellers we all have the individual responsibility of making sure we comply with the rules and regulations which govern our selling. 

[gblcfc]

Which responsibilities am I 'dodging'?

[the_book_seekers]

I think that has been made perfectly clear in the exchange we’ve just had.

[ett1954]

You could start by reading the two pieces of legislation below which will allow you to understand the legal obligations of a business seller.  Amongst others, it will provide you with the legal requirements for information you are required to provide regarding contact details, having a compliant returns policy, and misrepresentation of a trader as a private individual; which is incidentally a criminal offence, the penalties for which are also outlined.

Consumer Rights Act 2015

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

If you prefer an easier read most is summarised on the HMRC website Online and distance selling : Distance selling - GOV.UK

[jonat_broad]

EU GPSR is about product safety as I understand it - please enlighten me as to how what I sell presents a product risk to European Consumers and how I am in breach

You haven't understood GPSR. While you are right that it is concerned with product safety - the EU only states in the legislation very select product ranges are exempt from the requirements. For example, public transit systems. While you may not believe your products present a risk - from a GPSR standpoint - that doesn't matter.

Honestly, you are such a card, I'm surprised you haven't tried to list yourself on ebay.

[johnwash1]

I hope I'm the only one who's getting bored with this thread.

[peters3865]

Does anyone on eBay sell tumbleweeds?

[sammylou40]

😂😂😂…………..

[sammylou40]

You just won’t be told

[kath3735_wxmjn]

but you have to take into account that all those 'sellers' reporting that are maybe either just saying it or only listen to what they want to!  You know what some people on here are like, they see one person make a comment and then they have to enlarge it as their own personal experience....

[kath3735_wxmjn]

come on, this is pure entertainment to see just how stupid some people can be!  Probably get a warning/blocked over that remark but i just felt the urgent need to say it.

[mrgees]

Hi

Yes as a private seller with cards at £2.75 this has rendered them unsalable. 
Nobody wants to pay £3.83 plus p&p for a card, the only way I can become competitive is to reduce my margin to virtually zero and hope volume sales increase! 
Personally I would rather have had a fee that was charged at POS. 
It is an incredibly poor decision which I believe was taken knowing the effect it would have on sellers of low priced items, who needs buyer protection on a £3 sale!! Bring it in but for significant sales, say £25 or over. 
Just disappointing 

[ds301199]

Like you I’m a private seller selling stamps between 99p- £10.00 .  I can’t compete with business sellers who don’t have the additional 75p minimum added. My sales have dropped off almost completely. I think I’ll be forced to switch to Ebid.net now and use their one off Platinum option to sell competitively. 

[jonat_broad]

Upgrade to a business account and you don't need to worry about it.

[andha-21]

@mrgees 

"who needs buyer protection on a £3 sale!! Bring it in but for significant sales, say £25 or over. "

Nobody needs it above £25 either. The MBG is still active on every listing and considering the purpose of both is to protect the buyers money the BPF is a redundant system.

The fact MBG is free is irrelevant. As eBay advertise it on every listing it creates a contract of service between the consumer and eBay.

We are all already covered.