As a small business who have used ebay for over 20 years, we are reading these posts because we have so little to do re sales on this particular platform since the seller protection fee was introduced on 4th February but PLEASE sellers, let's be constructive with our views, comments and criticisms of ebay as it is the only way we are ever going to make any impact.
Yes, ebay in the UK is declining compared to other platforms, and their rampant prime time advertising is making little difference but why is this??
Our view is that it is first and foremost because they are trying to mimic other platforms instead of being what they once were - the first and leader in this sector. It is NOT the cost of living crisis causing this as we have seen from previous economic shocks that this sort of situation always steers more buyers to platforms that sell pre owned goods. They look for good second hand items that are cheaper than new.
Ebay need to go back to basics and rebuild the platform from scratch to be more as it once was - a market leader with an even playing field for both small business and private sellers.
1. Dispose of simple delivery (which, thankfully does not affect us as we are a business, with a Royal mail business account).
2. Scrap promoted listings which simply doesn't work , has ruined the search engine facility, and is costing sellers dearly for something that contributes nothing whatsoever to sales.
3. Scrap buyer protection - buyers were always protected to the hilt and this fee gives them no more protection than they had previously. It really was the last nail in the coffin as buyers do not understand that it is only on private seller sales. When levied on auction items buyers are unclear as to what they are actually paying. (To say that only buyers are paying this 'Fee' is also untrue as sellers are having to lower prices in order to get the sales, so ultimately the sellers bear the cost)
4. Simplify. Everything has become so complex now it is little wonder that people are choosing other platforms to sell on. The computer staff at ebay need to realise that not everyone is computer literate and just because someone realises 'we can do this now' doesn't mean its a good idea to do it!
Simple but safe is the key to getting buyers and sellers back on board - that is what ebay need to be advertising on prime time TV.
