Reduced fee promotions since February 2023 ?

[lostloads]

I used to receive regular reduced fee promotions, whether it was 70% off, 80% off or maximum £1 etc.

Apparently, like many on here, these abruptly stopped in late February 2023.  My wife has continued to receive a promotion every 2 weeks on her eBay account without exception since that point. Not a single one for me. eBay advise that they are random, but the evidence appears to contradict that.

Anyway, there are several threads on this situation from others.

My question is for anyone in this position who also experienced these promotions suddenly ceasing in February. Has any private seller had a promotion granted to them since then, say after a couple of months without any. I'm curious if most people are in the same position as myself - when the promotions stopped, they have disappeared completely (so far). 

Or whether sellers in that position have been gradulally seeing them re-appear once again.

[welshie1904]

I am not sure if you are totally correct in what you say and I shall say why and you can put me right if I got it wrong please.

From Jan 1st 2024 HMRC are now able to see total yearly sales on private accounts. If sales are over £1000 (which represents income) then that is over the allowable limit before you are required by HMRC to do Self Assessment for income tax purposes. So annual sales over £1000 pa will be subject to income tax. This is how I understand things as they are. If a private seller is making over £1000 per annum and does not do self-assessment from now on then I would think they will be contacted by HMRC and enquire why this is not being done. I do not think it makes a difference whether the items you are selling are your own stuff or not.

[ett1954]

@welshie1904 

This has been said before on many threads in the past week.  A true private seller does not pay any tax on personal possessions unless an individual item returns more than £6,000 profit (this will be reduced to £3,000 in April) and that item does not fall into one of the Capital Gains tax exempt categories.

A person selling off their personal possessions other than the example above does not pay any tax irrespective of how much they sell.  However, if you sell more than 30 items, or items to the value of more than £1,700 in a year the selling platform will advise HMRC of your sales.  This may in turn result in a query from HMRC as to your selling status.  Providing you can satisfy HMRC that you are not actively trading and that these were your personal possessions there is no tax to be paid.  Genuine private sellers have nothing to fear.  A quick check of any seller's selling and purchase history (even if made through a different account) gives a very good indication of their trading status irrespective of whether they are selling personal possessions or collections and I am sure HMRC will do their 'homework' before such contact is made.  They will not want to waste their time - that costs money.

If you read through the various threads on this subject ignore anything written by members, there is too much misinformation amongst those who are giving the correct information; however do check the links to the government website and carefully read, especially the sections on badges of trading and the new requirements on the information digital platforms now have provide  to HMRC on a regular basis.

At the end of the day if you are a seller just selling off your personal items, irrespective of value (with the exception above if you are so lucky), then you have nothing to worry about.  The only people who should be worried are those trading (buying to sell, or making, restoring or modifying items to sell) under a private account , or business account for that matter, and who have not been completing an annual self assessment to HMRC should their turnover (not profit) be in excess of £1,000.

[fashion-dress50]

They / ebay block sellers by name, not accounts. If you open a new account with your name you still won't get the offer as they blocked your name. eBay will lie about the offer being randomly sent when they know that is not true but are told to play dumb. 

[btr.style]

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@fashion-dress50 wrote:

They / ebay block sellers by name, not accounts. If you open a new account with your name you still won't get the offer as they blocked your name. eBay will lie about the offer being randomly sent when they know that is not true but are told to play dumb. 

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Perhaps you aren't getting it because you should be registered with a business account. 

Private accounts are for those clearing out old and unwanted items from their home. Business accounts are for a range of people including sole traders, people who make things to sell, resellers, basically anyone who has purchased something with the sole intention of selling it for a profit. It doesn't matter if you aren't on companies house, don't have a shop, only do it from home, only do it as an individual. It all requires you to be on a business account to comply with the law (You legally have to accept returns for any reason and show contact details on your listings BEFORE a sale takes place). 

It's probably wise to be careful with your listings too as 90% of them have stock pictures (most as the main photo), which unless you have consent from the owners of those pictures (Zara, Clarks, White Stuff, Phase Eight and so on), it's classed as unauthorised use/breach of copyright and all it takes is 1 sweep of listings by a VERO bot and they'll all be taken down. 

[tommystrezures]

@fashion-dress50  you must have strange feet..... Selling shoes from a 3.5 to a size 8 and all on a personal account. I think @btr.style  is on the money.

[bicole]

your reply was that for a different subject as that has nothing to do with his question 0f 80% off FVF

[pamela1773]

I have not had one for over a year, use to get them often

[bungalowbill*1961]

Been getting them regularly every other week this year but I have to check the Selling 'Overview' page on Friday mornings for the offer because eBay aren't posting it in my notications.

[davidr1152]

Hi  I receive the 70 or 80% off  fee promotions every fortnight on my messages  and I was going to try to contact an ebay rep. as I think I have only  noticed  a smaller fee only once or twice so it seems very random and previous attempts  to discover what the criteria is exactly have been unsuccessful when I have contacted them for help.  They hint at certain criteria  but really zi think they need to 'spell it out' to male things a lit more transparent  as things are very vague with them !!!

I did one of their surveys the other day and mentioned my query as I need to know I have not had a reply so it is extremely disappointing all round.

[bicole]

You are fortunate to still get them. I'm blocked on two accounts at home
for these. It's been over 2 years without a single offer.. But still the
agent's at eBay insist it is random. they either know this and lie about it
.. Or they don't even know about it.. Only the high and mighty at fleabay
control that option.. not that it matters .. It's impossible to sell in
this platform now

[trevdbowler]

I too have had no offers since Feb 2023. Yes , they say it’s random, but some lucky ones stay on there permanently. I have been selling a lot on EBay, but I’d have made maybe £200 more in the last year with fortnightly promotions.
postage cost is now a big handicap, especially the appalling 15% fee on the postage.

[bicole]

Your blocked no bother reason

[you_quiver_we_deliver]

Last year I used to receive them every two weeks. Then after Christmas 2023 they stopped arriving. Then about a month ago I put in a high value item and saved it in draft. EBay must monitor items in draft as soon afterwards I was getting emails from them to complete my listing, which I didnt. Then two weeks later after creating the draft I got the reduced fee promotion on a Friday morning. Random or selective, perhaps just lucky. 

[bicole]

I was the opposite .i had items saved in drafts waiting on the promotion
and they never ever arrived after doing that. That was the only time I've
ever created listings and saved them as a draft. I have never received them
ever since on all accounts at home...

[gizby]

I had some emails from ebay saying that their seller fees were removed if I sell clothing. Clearly competing with Vinted, who do not charge the seller any selling fees. I do have some unwanted wardrobe items, but not happy to sell with any platform currently until I get more information.

I'm afraid ebay's invite didn't cut it for me. Whilst ebay gives some sellers no seller fees across all categories, but others don't get this on a "random" (possibly unlawful?) basis, I'm out. If ebay is able to provide an equitable service for sellers I'm willing to reconsider selling on their platform. Meanwhile while they say their computer selects which seller will get the all category seller no-fee and which won't, I suspect ebay maybe operating unlawfully, but I doubt that would concern/effect them at all until associated profits drop.

[ali402363]

i got one after 2 years waiting. it was the 100% no fee then 2 months later 80% promotion.  they ony gave it as there agenda was to make everyone sell as much as possible so they go over there limit.  then ebay can report you to HMRC.  funny how ebay does everything in its power to avoid paying taxes, yet yet has the audacity to report its custmers who made ebay.  its also funny how HMRC turn blind eye to large corporations or does deals with them, while going after the small guys.  i would rather go after trillions rather than peanuts.

[discover_ne1]

These 70% & 80% selling fees continues to 2024 of June... It only includes some people not all and from what I have seen there is no special reason as to why some of us get it and some of us don't.  I spoke to an EBay representive that was cold, arrogant with an attitude who provided me nothing but poor excuses...  A first, as far as EBay reps go.  The call continued to click off/on as we spoke back and forth as I was being recorded for it to be used against me when I spoke the truth.  I stayed calm listening to him say well these people sell hundreds of items or they sell a paticular items that eBay wants to see.  I said you are speaking to me as if you are reading off of queue cards.  He said well I can't help you so I will have to say goodbye, thank you.  I am interested in knowing when suddenly I became an eBayer who is not valued on eBay website?  All I want to know is what did I do?  It makes me wonder how much of my information is being shared, including politics.  All I can say is close your eyes and don't speak. LOL

[bicole]

You not worthy . You used to be a valued customer on eBay boy if your
experienced in this platform then you are not wanted as you don't do as
your told and the new breed dunt know any better. That's their target
audience now . Your too old for the new ways and eBay don't like the long
time customers that made eBay what it was.. Now it's the last place i will
go to and try my best to never spend my money on this platform that has
restricted everything i have listed on eBay.. No loyalty or care but
themselves.

[the_book_seekers]

they ony gave it as there agenda was to make everyone sell as much as possible so they go over there limit.  then ebay can report you to HMRC. 

You're right that ebay had an agenda, but I think it's not because they want to report sellers to HMRC. More like ebay wanted to boost numbers after sellers pulled their listings because of being reported to HMRC.  

[discover_ne1]

It's ok brother, I hear you but I will continue to show my love/loyalty/care for my customers on eBay regardless of eBay not showing or providing me the same courtesy.  I've been buying and selling for a long time on EBay and you are right...  I am just an old guy with old outdated morals/ethics that questions the establishment rather than kneeling and accepting what is wrong.  It's ok.  They (eBay) has not harmed me in anyway apart from my own ego.  Who they value is of interest to me but you maybe right...  Old-timers might need to move on but this old-timer loves to stick in there for the long haul...  Just for kicks.  Peace my friend.