New Rule - eBay to hold sellers funds for 14 days

[charliethethird]

Effective February 2025, ebay will hold private sellers funds for 14 days if the order is posted with an un-tracked delivery service (such as Royal Mail 2nd Class).

I think it's a brilliant idea if they want private sellers to leave the platform in their masses.

More info here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold?id=4814

[asleepingdragon]

There's already about 40 threads about this on the buying and selling boards.  I think new sellers who know no different to the new rules will soon come along if - and it's a big if - all the current private sellers leave the biggest selling platform for pastures new and buyers won't notice the difference.

[wyattharrisx]

I'm not sure that will happpen

[*vyolla*]

Instead of starting a new thread, it would have been better to join in the discussion on one of the many that are up and running at the moment, it's a real hot topic.

[roachbreamcarp]

what happens if the item is stolen from the doorstep after delivery,  there are criminals following delivery drivers just to do this, will the sellers not get paid?

I think most sellers will give up on eBay, there are plenty more options to sell with far less risk.

[lucy_farmer]

'......will the sellers not get paid?......'

If the seller is posting under the Simple Delivery system, they will get and keep their money.

Sellers just have to wait 14 days to get hold of it.

Yes that's a long time, but ebay have put the hold in so that :

a, they can make interest on that money.

and b, they hope that the seller will spend that money on ebay in the intervening time (as , though you won't be able to withdraw  your money for 14 days, you will be able to use it within ebay...)

Ebay must have done their sums and worked out that paying for the occasional 'parcel-nicked-off-doorstep' etc, is worth the gains made in interest on 'held' money, and the circulation of money staying within the site...

(Simple delivery is only for private sellers at the moment, and for them is only optional at the moment.  But it will be compulsory for private sellers within the next couple/few months)

[kath3735_wxmjn]

although that is part of the problem, i am trying to keep up with all the threads and on some of them there are up to 27 pages so far!   Trouble is that some informative piece of information may actually be in one of them and i might miss it...

[kath3735_wxmjn]

will be interesting to see though how long that pay out continues when 'non deliveries' start increasing??

[lucy_farmer]

'will be interesting to see though how long that pay out continues when 'non deliveries' start increasing??'

Will also be interesting to see how long it takes before  seller + buyer 'partnerships' start a new scamming method.

(i.e seller sells to his mate who claims non-delivery. Seller keeps money, mate keeps item....)

Ebay will have to have a very strong contract with delivery companies to get things actually scanned and marked and delivered!

[kempseykate]

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@lucy_farmer wrote:

'......will the sellers not get paid?......'

If the seller is posting under the Simple Delivery system, they will get and keep their money.

Sellers just have to wait 14 days to get hold of it.

Yes that's a long time, but ebay have put the hold in so that :

a, they can make interest on that money.

and b, they hope that the seller will spend that money on ebay in the intervening time (as , though you won't be able to withdraw  your money for 14 days, you will be able to use it within ebay...)

Ebay must have done their sums and worked out that paying for the occasional 'parcel-nicked-off-doorstep' etc, is worth the gains made in interest on 'held' money, and the circulation of money staying within the site...

(Simple delivery is only for private sellers at the moment, and for them is only optional at the moment.  But it will be compulsory for private sellers within the next couple/few months)

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Sellers will only be able to buy postage (until Simple Delivery comes in) or make refunds with the held money - they won't be able to use it for buying.

[kath3735_wxmjn]

i never even thought about that combination, just shows how naive i must be!

[lucy_farmer]

Blimey!  I musta read that completely wrong in the new rules....   really need to get my head around 'ebay speak' .....!

[lucy_farmer]

'..i never even thought about that combination, just shows how naive i must be!'

...it is possible I'm just paranoid 😨   😂

[61stephenuk]

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@kempseykate wrote: 

snip>

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Sellers will only be able to buy postage (until Simple Delivery comes in) or make refunds with the held money - they won't be able to use it for buying.

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Sellers can already use eBay Balance for purchases and have been able to do so since mid October

Use your earnings to shop on eBay and more

From 16 October, you'll be able to enjoy greater flexibility with your sales earnings with the introduction of eBay balance. Use your earnings to easily and conveniently make a purchase, and pay for delivery labels, promoted listings, and more.

At checkout, just select 'eBay balance' as your payment method. You can use as much or as little of your balance as you like, or combine your balance with another payment method to cover the full amount. Plus, easily withdraw your funds when you need them.

With eBay balance, your earnings are ready to use once your sales and funds are processed (holds may apply).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/selling/balance

[spef1]

Why do eBay want all private sellers to move to using simple delivery and then asking them to wait before they can withdraw their money. Surely It can only be for eBay to gain interest on your money they will be holding and also to get the private seller to buy things from eBay in the interim period. 
The reason why I use and pay for postage at my local post  office is my bit to help keep post offices open as they are such an important part of the community.  

[elli-garbu]

This is total *bleep* 

[elli-garbu]

This is utter *bleep* and ridiculous 

[madkatshop]

As a private seller, I have removed all the items that I would normally posted Royal Mail 2nd Class, as if I’ve increased prices to cover the difference in postage price, half of my items wouldn’t sell. I think, apart from the interest, they wanna push private sellers to upgrade to business, which comparing to US value, it too expensive (at least for me). They got rid of multi quantity discount, they reduced the amount of free listings, now you have to wait for your money. The more restraints they gonna put, the more private sellers will leave. Also, when it comes to Royal Mail, they suppose to scan 2nd class standard on delivery, which they don’t always do. Someone will get an item and eBay will refund them as it won’t show as delivered. So not only you’re losing money but the item too. 

[vintique*violet]

The new " funds held"  system from today 4th February, will only allow you to purchase eBay postage labels and/or send refunds, it cannot be accessed to receive your full  funds for your item(s) until  48hrs after  "confirmed  successful delivery" for tracked ... or 24hrs after feedback is left, or 14 days if no feedback for untracked mail. 

[harrisons_horse]

I had funds earlier today and they’ve disappeared now. I shall be watching very carefully to make sure no money is missing. I’ve been on eBay since 2002. I’ve never felt this cheesed off with them.