Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

I have been a loyal and faithful member of ebay for 20+ years now, till quite recently it has been good, but of late not so good, sadly. The fees are just too much for me and also for other sellers too.

So what to do, I think that the options for me are to list less items only every second week, so my fees are less and to list less items.

I have found it very theraputic as I had to have open heart opp over a year ago, it gave me something to focus on and I met a lot of nice people and remain in contact with them to this day. But I can see me calling it a day and just giving away my stock of old car parts or just taking it all to the dump, which will be to me a sad day, but such is life and it will be the end of an era too.

Not much else I can say, but I think that ebay should rethink things as it is going to cost them a lot of business, I wonder, I can see that nowdays that their is very little or no loyalty at all.

Kind regards to all who read this.

Message 1 of 185
See Most Recent
184 REPLIES 184

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Not really bothered if I'm honest, their first post said they'd only had eBay for a few months, so I offered some info about free listings for clothing incase they were unaware, got an attitude back, so I'm not really interested anymore 

Message 161 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all


@hudsonsclothes wrote:

You have some used clothes listed that are now totally free to sell until the new year so that should ease some of the burdon.


Eh?! All items are now free to sell (with no fees) if you are a private seller, it's now only business sellers who have to pay fees.

Message 162 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

I apologise for my outburst but to be honest I’ve been selling used clothes
and they watch and like for a long long time before they buy. I sold £500
of new items in the first month of selling and it was a shock I was selling
that much so quickly on new items but eBay have roughly taken nearly £200
of that in fees and of course have to pay the wholesale cost of the items
which is roughly half. Not just that they try and make you buy postage
when am paying postage direct to some of the suppliers. My website got
100 clicks in one night for advertising but noone has brought from my
website direct which is silly because they might pay less due to me doing
offers and money off codes. I had to change one supplier and ebay are
saying until Have regular sales they might hold funds but the issue is
they took so much money had to have a break until they released all my
funds. My argument being they dont just hold your profit they hold the
money you spend on buying the item then you have to wait to receive
that back. Money has to be put back into the business to grow the business
and Ebay earn enough off all their sellers to not do what they are doing.
Completely unethical and their money is growing whilst we are struggling
to sell. Not just that but depending on what you sell you have quiet times
of selling. If you sell paint Etc and DIY stuff I would imagine you
sell more in the summer. For me sell clothing design, homeware, jewellery
and giftware on my website and I alternate to see what sells and what
doesn't ebay should know this is how you first find your feet running a
business. They are holding my funds just because Didnt sell as much
this month lol thsts what he said and that happens god I've only
started two months ago and advertising my website is difficult whilst
ebay take so much. I could be advertising with the money they take. And
they have put all my listings on auto renew, I might want to try and sell
other things. They do not support young small businesses they just take
all their fees and money they make from Your sales then have the
audacity to keep Your money! I think just a cheek but disgusting
because you know they are doing it to hundreds of people and it'sitting
gaining interest for a month or so and on a rotation. Shocking amazon dont
charge for individuals sole traders They take a small percent Only when
you sell so I think After these listings have finished going to get rid
and sort it with amazon
Message 163 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Having a quick read of this thread i think there may be a little confusion.

 

Business sellers do not get free listings when it comes to clothes only private sellers do.

Business sellers have to pay their normal fees on everything.

Message 164 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all


@1956glyn wrote:

Having a quick read of this thread i think there may be a little confusion.

 

Business sellers do not get free listings when it comes to clothes only private sellers do.

Business sellers have to pay their normal fees on everything.


As of yesterday/day before? business sellers now get no fees on preloved clothes until the end of the year.

Message 165 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Oh sorry i didnt realise that as been busy shopping past few days and not on here hardly x

Message 166 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

"My website got 100 clicks in one night for advertising but noone has brought from my website direct which is silly because they might pay less due to me doing
offers and money off codes"

 

 

Being honest I think you are throwing your money away with this advertising. If people can find the product on your website they can also find it on Ali Express at your cost price. I wouldn't be sure many of those clicks are even buyers.

Message 167 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Well myself and the person I was talking too is a business seller. However it's now free for pre-owned clothing.

Message 168 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all


@technthread wrote:

"My website got 100 clicks in one night for advertising but noone has brought from my website direct which is silly because they might pay less due to me doing
offers and money off codes"

 

 

Being honest I think you are throwing your money away with this advertising. If people can find the product on your website they can also find it on Ali Express at your cost price. I wouldn't be sure many of those clicks are even buyers.


Anyone can find the same products for a fraction of the cost on the China based Aliexpress site with free shipping to UK... but is the buyer who may be located in the eBay seller's local country willing to wait 10-15 days plus ?... and maybe pay customs and VAT fees ??... or take the risk that some Ali-scammer posing as a FAKE genuine seller might send you an EMPTY PACKET instead of the lovely item you saw in the "stock photograph"  on Aliexpress ???...

 

This happened to me in February of 2024 - I had bought a machine tool that was worth over £400 in UK for only £187.00 including the shipping !... It was only 9 days later when Royal Mail came to deliver the parcel, I asked my postie Where is my item ?... He said "What do you mean ?"... I said that I am expecting a large 30kg machine tool to be delivered by Royal Mail today... The tracking shows it's out for delivery this morning !... He said "Do you have the tracking number ? ... I showed him my laptop screen saying the item was still out for delivery... and we both compared the tracking number to the feather light jiffy bag that he had just delivered to me !... low and behold IT WAS THE SAME ITEM !!! - I told him "I think I've just been scammed !"... he said "let me take a photo of what I just delivered with my scanner"... It might help you... I said OK.

 

After reading all the horror stories about Ali disputes ruling in their seller's favour and denying rightful refunds for scammed buyers... I decided to open a dispute with PayPal in their resolution centre (as lucky for me I had paid for this using their "Pay in 3" on PayPal)... They - PayPal then accepted my case after I had provided the Royal Mail Tracking number and a full screenshot photo from the Royal Mail tracking site showing EXACTLY what the Ali-scammer had delivered to me ! - The following day PayPal then closed the case in my favour and I received a refund of the first Pay in 3 payment I had Paid... The Pay in 3 transaction for Aliexpress was canclled and I was told by PayPal that I don't have to make any further payments on this transaction.

 

If I had not paid via PayPal I would have been SCAMMED by this rotten Ali-seller and DOOMED ! 😞

 

So NOT ALL ALI ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO ARRIVE ! - Proceed with caution and always Pay on Aliexpress  by PayPal or credit/debit card so if the worst does happen you've got some kind of protection...

Message 169 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Were we talking about eBay fees or AliExpress which I don't use lol 😂 my items are mostly handmade in London or Italy or with Uk printers in the uk through printify or Printful I sell a little bit of jewellery from other suppliers wholesale that are 999 silver mainly. I do not sell  or buy cheap in the first place. I have to pay a lot of money for the pure silver and gem items initially. Tbh  I sold  a lot of jewellery  and  have 100% good feedback  and all delivered on time. If I had  an bad sale record   Wouldn't be able to sell on  ebay but the  fact is  ebay so far in a  month of selling made £200 off me a new seller as well as all the hundreds if not thousands of other people trying to  set up a business. I design  surfwear and retro  boots, shoes and leather bags made in the uk and  italy and that is  the plan going  forward  regardless of  selling the odd handmade silver jewellery or throw. 

Message 170 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

No, Another poster had said that if buyers can find the item on your website, then they can also find it on the likes of Aliexpress - I just pointed out that Aliexpress is not a bed of roses and does come with a risk !

 

Sorry I had mis-typed "cancelled" in my previous post lol

Message 171 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

I did a Google image search of a bracelet and a pendant you sell and Ali Express were the top result. My point is many of the clicks you get on your website could be from other sellers doing some research before stocking the items themselves. 

eBay holding your funds is annoying but it is understandable and won't last forever you just need to get over this hurdle and payment holds shouldn't reoccur. 

Message 172 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

They cant find my items on aliexpress though I am not getting his point
even bringing aliexpess up in the conversation that is about ebay
selling fees
Message 173 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Cool - I understand - Good luck with your business man 😎

Message 174 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

And also have a bracelet very similar that my mother brought Me in the
UK when i was 17 its solid silver. These have never been made in the UK lol
where do you think they come from? They have always been imported from
other countries. We don’t have any real trades here anymore even our cars
arent made here lol
Message 175 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

No idea. I took 30 seconds and matched 2 products, beyond that it's not my concern but eBay fees and payment holds aren't the only barrier you have. Either take it as constructive or just ignore me it's fine.

 

I Google image searched these btw:

 

Vintage Creative MF DOOM Mask Pendant for Men Hip Hop 316L Stainless Steel

 

Real 925 Sterling Silver Bella Bangle Adjustable Open Cuff Bracelet

 

 

Message 176 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Yes and that MD doom pendent and necklace ive sold 3 and had a sale
yesturday from hungery lol ill put the odd item up and see what happens but
ebay wont be making that much money from me when i can just go to amazon
and not get charged for listings and business seller fees. The jewellery i
buy from a wholesaler in birmingham but as i said everything is imported
even alot of main brands now are made in other countries. If its on ali im
not bothered i have still sold alot regardless
Message 177 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

With respect you should know where else your products are and what those prices are. 

Message 178 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Still selling not bothered
Message 179 of 185
See Most Recent

Selling fees are too high on ebay, time to call it a day and just bin it all

Cool good luck

Message 180 of 185
See Most Recent
Got selling related questions? Start here: