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.

[papso22]

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@carrotdrusus2 wrote:

Its quite incredible how many people seem to think Ebay are some sort of legal entity isnt it?

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Of course ebay are a legal entity.  Do you mean a law enforcer?

[papso22]

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@efr9180 wrote:

illegal how?

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If you are going to respond to a post that is not the latest in a thread, it is helpful to use the " facility and quote the post you are responding to before responding. 

[kath3735_wxmjn]

Cannot see the point in actually delisting items for these changes.  Either the buyer will pay the price or they will not and unless you are desperate for money then waiting up to two weeks is not a killer reason for leaving and if you are that desperate then unless you have somewhere else to sell immediately then you are not gaining anything by delisting.  SD for me is the killer, i will not be told who i can post my item with and have to go through the e bay process.  I have my routine that has worked for me for 9 years and if i cannot stick to it then goodbye.

[sportex-uk]

Main problem with SD is that it's run by scammers, what is a wide and well-documented issue.

[papso22]

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@sportex-uk wrote:

Main problem with SD is that it's run by scammers, what is a wide and well-documented issue.

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Really?  Can you provide a link to that?

[sportex-uk]

Search for Packlink on this forum, plenty of conversations with the same story. Basically, they charge you at random time after transaction, without any notification, claiming that your parcel was overweight/oversized, with no proof. When you object, they ask you for a parcel photo showing measurements or weight. It happened to me once and I reversed charges on paypal, then delinked and blocked them.

It's a company registered in Spain, with limited contact info, etc. And these scammers are going to handle SD.

[ruby*ryan]

@sportex-uk 

I don't think Packlink are/will be involved in SD. It seems eBay are doing their own deals with the couriers. currently they are using Evri and RM for SD, and Packlink don't deal with RM.

[game_raid]

The buyer is buying the label from eBay not the seller and because eBay is using their own algorithm to determine a parcels weight and size then Packlink or whoever will not be sending the seller an underweight charge, it will be down to eBay to resolve.

What about RM how are they scamming people?

[sportex-uk]

We launched a limited Simple Delivery pilot with Packlink in summer 2024 for eligible fashion listings.

That's what they stated. If RM stays out of Packlink, that is fine then.

[parsley2003]

RM don't scam i buy postage from them online, it's cheaper than stamps and they collect from me, they have been brilliant 

[game_raid]

I haven't said they scam anyone? I have used them for 12 years with rarely any issues.

A poster said that simple delivery is a scam and this is well documented, I have searched everywhere and can't find anything that suggests simply delivery is a scam, they were on about Packlink but that isn't simply delivery as a whole it's just a service which does submit false claims of parcel underweight, I have had them myself.

But they said simply delivery is a scam so wondered how RM were scamming people as well as they are part of SD.

As I advised them.

"The buyer is buying the label from eBay not the seller and because eBay is using their own algorithm to determine a parcels weight and size then Packlink or whoever will not be sending the seller an underweight charge, it will be down to eBay to resolve"

[sportex-uk]

RM is great and it's the only service on ebay that doesn't go via Packlink.

Packlink is a third party middleman that is scamming people in the name of carriers, but even without their knowledge. If you complain to ebay, they'll refer you back to Packlink.

Simple Delivery pilot is operated by Packlink, as ebay states in their FAQ.

[game_raid]

Yes, they will always tell you to contact Packlink now and those not using SD.

The buyer is buying label from eBay, Packlink will have no right to contact the seller they will be no longer part of the transaction.

The agreement is with eBay and eBay will be using third party carriers as part of the agreement who are under contract with them, so any issue you contact eBay not RM, Packlink or anyone else.

This is why when an item gets lost or damaged eBay will resolve, there is no need for a seller to contact RM, EVRI or Packlink.

The program is operated by eBay.

3 Description of the Services.

The Services are provided by eBay (UK) Limited (“eBay”) through third party carrier networks. By agreeing to these Terms, you will be entering into an agreement with eBay for the provision of the Services. You acknowledge and agree that eBay may use third party carriers and/or other subcontractors under contract with eBay to assist it in performing the Services. More information about the Services may be found here.

https://pages.ebay.co.uk/shipping/delivery/seller-terms/

[*devils.advocate*]

As a buyer, what will worry me in the event I have to return an item (damaged or not as described), how will I receive my refund?

Will it be in two parts - the item cost from the seller and the postage cost from eBay?

Will I need to keep checking my account to make sure the full amount is returned?

And the greater worry is how long will it take for the money to hit my account - knowing how quickly eBay deal with anything which is a problem.

I’m not going to hold my breath hoping eBay explain things properly to ease any worries - umbrella at the ready for the pigs flying past

[game_raid]

Nothing will change in regards to a refund on a return.

As a buyer we will be paying a total price of the item to eBay, we won't be making 2 payments, one to the buyer one to eBay for the shipping.

So if the total paid was £20 that is what we will get refunded, eBay will always be processing and handling the payment, it would be a disaster waiting for 2 refunds to be processed.

[sammylou40]

I’ve sent everything via packlink for years and have never had an issue with anything 

must have been lucky

[dch2112011]

Just adding to your excellent observations - the postage is bought by the buyer on behalf of the seller  ie the buyer pays for the postage for the seller - therefore the postage is part of one transaction which will be refunded in the same way as it is now - 

This also makes the seller responsible for delivery however ebay have added extra seller protection for lost or damaged items using SD

The seller will also be responsible for ebay offering the correct label for the package weight and size and value

[gbqvluva]

Actually it's the Big Brother scenario here - it's called " we don't want private sellers any more" I've been a private seller since 2006 always selling second hand personal items that I have brought over the years. Goodbye and good riddance eBay! You can keep your fat business.sellers for ever!

[dch2112011]

Personally I feel ebay's strategy is to attract more private sellers and it appears to be working - the collateral damage will be the established private sellers who are adverse to change.

Even the posts here are starting to be dominated by 'new' sellers looking for help and guidance which is being given freely by the mentors and frequent members.

I can see that very quickly the new membership will get used to free selling, buyers fees, delayed payments and simple shipping  - it all adds up to easy selling and buyer confidence - time will tell but the first signs are positive 

[peters3865]

Do you work for eBay?