New rules for eBay in ENGLAND
Summary: No specific details were provided about the discussion regarding the new rules for eBay in England.
Sorry about the all-caps in the title, but it was to make it clear that the new rules, at least for now, aren’t for us but only for the English. So no panic. While browsing a well-known video-sharing social platform and munching on a hazelnut spread, I came across these new developments (in English) and thought I’d put them here for your curiosity and because - who knows - we might be next. That way we won’t be caught off guard. For anyone who wants to watch it, the video is called "Massive EBAY Changes Introducing BUYERS FEES For Private Sellers & Up To 2 Weeks To Get Your Money".
In short:
-they call it "buyer protection." All of this applies only to private sellers selling used items, not businesses.
-the usual eBay fees were removed months ago.
-the seller will only be paid after delivery of the item is confirmed. Basically, the customer pays, eBay holds the money, shipping must be trackable, and when the tracking number confirms delivery, eBay pays the seller after a couple of days.
-the customer will pay an extra 4% + 75 cents on the item price. But this increase won’t be a surprise at checkout, it will already be included in the price. Technically they’ve just shifted the fees from the seller to the customer, but they remain the seller’s concern.
Having worked and bought on eBay in London for 12 years, I want to say that selling and buying items for 2-3 pounds including shipping there is the norm, because the postal service is reliable, fast, and cheap. So for them it becomes a problem to be forced to use tracked shipping, because something that cost 2 pounds may end up costing 8, and there go the sales.
Who knows how it’ll go. Some time ago I posted a long message about the eBay/Subito difference. I’ll update you by saying that if my sales on eBay have stayed the same, meaning almost nothing, sales on Subito have collapsed overnight since July 1, so there’s no more meat on the bone there either. I used to get an average of one message a day, whether likes or questions, and I sold four items a month. Since July 1, no more messages and no more sales. At first I thought everyone was on vacation. But after September it became clear that that wasn’t the case. In six months I must have received two messages and sold one item. I think they changed something in the algorithm, since their profits rely on people being unable to sell and therefore paying their advertising fees. I’ve read articles and reviews on other e-commerce sites, but it seems there’s nothing better than eBay and Subito. What a pain, I’ve got the house full of used stuff to sell.
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoGood evening rafflesiana
First of all, thank you for sharing with us here on the eBay Italy forum this news that, for now, only affects English sellers.
The UK, US, or even just the German market is different from the Italian market, which is currently experiencing a stalemate that has been dragging on for some time now.
When I buy something on Subito, I’m not thrilled about having to pay fees as the buyer, and I believe this is a PSYCHOLOGICAL issue, like when they sell you items with FREE shipping when in reality it’s included in the sale price, but according to eBay statistics it’s preferable for buyers because it increases sales.
So the buyer maybe wants to buy something for 10 euros, then goes on to calculate the fees, shipping, and probably gives up.
The average user doesn’t like calculating (thinking), so they prefer to buy at the ALL-INCLUSIVE price.
I don’t see it as a smart move, and frankly speaking, it’s a bit like wanting to distort the very nature of eBay.
Kind regards.