Is eBay actually dying? Or is it just private sellers that are suffering?

[simplybygone]

Ok I know I only sell a handful of things but I'm getting no views and few watchers. Things were much better a year or so ago. Are auctions falling out of favour?

[wyntersemporium]

Same here started eBay on an original account in 1999. Lost my account as had to prove who I was but didn’t have a DL or a passport then until I had to go to a festival and got a provisional for ID.

[wyntersemporium]

Used to do auctions years ago on another account at a community centre. Loved going there. Made sure I was in everyday. Was really meant to look for jobs etc. 

[wyntersemporium]

They make too much on business sellers , even for one of my items think it was a necklace  I sold.

by the time they took fees off a £5.00 necklace which then came down to £4.42 then postage at £2.70 all I earned was £1.72p.

yes I could send  the necklaces second class which would save me money but for this particular item. Some buyers said they hadn’t received. 

[wyntersemporium]

I use V as well but sell different on there to here. I sell collectibles instead mainly my own as just want rid of them. 

[wyntersemporium]

not only that they’re sacking many if their staff worldwide due to Global Restructuring 

 

[wyntersemporium]

EBay are cutting down their global  workforce 

[wyntersemporium]

EBay overseas are cutting down their workforce for restructuring 

[wyntersemporium]

Same here looked after my mum who had Alzheimer’s/ vascular dementia looked after her 10 years also did eBay as well.

but since she died I don’t claim anything used to when working tax credits.

live on the pittance eBay gives me instead 

[bojangled]

@crg_music @1956glyn 

On the other side of the coin, I am surprised by the demographic with recent sales on V, old gig posters and memorabilia to buyers who - shall we say - remember Live Aid 1985.
Had a couple of regular buyers follow me over there too. 
Jo

[johnwash1]

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@wyntersemporium wrote:

Same here this time last year was making a lot more. But cannot compete with the so called business sellers acting as private sellers. Saw one “private seller” has 4000 listings. 

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To be fair, they might be selling personal items and got that many listings by listing month after month, year after year and selling hardly anything.

But if 3,900 of their items are 'new', and look like they're tat that came in on the boat from China, fair comment.

The real question is why ebay see fit to gouge fees from businesses even more than from personal sellers.

Everything needs rolling back to the way it was a year ago and then massive discounts introduced for small businesses to level the playing field.

[wyntersemporium]

I am a business and yes I do sell on other places some days I earn more on there in a day than here

[wyntersemporium]

Prefer another place myself 

[smarts-gaming]

You do not have to register for an eBay business account to be legally compliant, completely false. As long as you are submitting your tax returns (assuming you are even operating a business) you are a fine. Whatever kind of eBay account you decide use HMRC do not give a toss, all they care about is that you declare and pay tax properly. 

[wyntersemporium]

All from china by the looks of it from that seller. 
it’s all for the private seller and not the business sellers 

[ruby*ryan]

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@smarts-gaming wrote:

You do not have to register for an eBay business account to be legally compliant, completely false. As long as you are submitting your tax returns (assuming you are even operating a business) you are a fine. Whatever kind of eBay account you decide use HMRC do not give a toss, all they care about is that you declare and pay tax properly. 

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I wasn't talking about HMRC/tax.

To be legally compliant, anyone buying/making/growing to sell needs to show their contact details - on eBay the only way to do this is with a business account.

They also need to give buyers the rights they are (by law) entitled to - change of mind returns, for example.

[johnwash1]

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@wyntersemporium wrote:

All from china by the looks of it from that seller. 
it’s all for the private seller and not the business sellers 

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Yes, I wasn't doubting you'd done your due diligence.  I just don't like to see unsupported statements which tend to encourage the trolls.

[jonatjonatjonat]

That’s nonsense but I doubt you’ll be convinced otherwise.

[hummingbird-curios]

Why should anyone worry about being legally compliant on ebay - Barclays have just been fined £47 million for fraud, Water companies break the law daily, Councils don't comply, the Government don't comply, rail operators don't comply, utility companies don't comply, Airlines don't comply and even the FCA say that ebay are operating outside of the regulatory framework. All of the above have been fined any millions for breaking the law.

How many break the law daily whilst driving? do you stick to 30 in a 30 mph zone or stick to 70 on the motorway? if you don't, you're breaking the law which we all know is ok till you're caught - we are an increasingly lawless society and it makes me very angry when someone comes to these forums for advice only to be told that they should register for a business account by the same protaganists across most of these threads.

I hear that shoplifting will not now be investigated unless the value of the goods exceeds £200 and if it

does, the statutory fine is £70 !!!!! Who's the winner there then.

Of course, if you make a profit, even as a private seller, you MUST declare it to HMRC and wo betide those who don't - you WILL be caught.

It's up to ebay to police their site.

[archemily2]

Sent from my iPhone

[archemily2]

I’m assuming that’s a general steam release. But 2 points, Yes, HMRC will find you whichever way & it’s up to the individual if they become a business seller. & eBay’s the one that bangs on about protecting buyers when they don’t in reality. They also ask the community to report dodgy items. (My favourite so far is the gourd that was photoshopped to suggest it grew breast shaped complete with nipples & was advertised as such. Just because someone is ignorant doesn’t mean they deserve to be ripped off.) I know I’m in a minority these days but hey. Whatever.

Sent from my iPhone