changes to ebay UK free p and P extended

soolin

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/sell/sellerupdate/freeshipping.html

From 19th October 2009 sellers listing in selected media categories will be required to offer free P&P as their first domestic postage option. To help you adapt listings quickly and easily we’re also introducing new bulk editing functionality in mid September.

Basically it is all the media items and the one that will affect me badly is the following:

• Accessories
• Annuals
• Antiquarian & Collectable
• Audio Books
• Children's Books
• Collections & Lots
• Comics
• Educational/ Textbooks
• Fiction Books
• Magazines
• Modern Maps & Atlases
• Non-Fiction Books

mrcol1000

Its a bit of a pain and sounds worse than it is. Once you start morphing postage costs into your starting price its not so bad. Although it does mean your fees go up as your items are starting at higher price and buyers lose out if they buy more than one item and normally would get a postage discount.

Creosote

"Educational/ Textbooks" i see that fewer of those 2KG uni books being listed as a result, as sometimes they didn't sell when they were 99p + £3-£4 p&p and therefore got relisted, now to keep on listing them at £5 will result in fees and no good for your pockets.

tyzer2001

That's me finished with listing books then. I already gave up on DVD's as they simply don't sell at a higher price to cover P and P. Books sell now often at 99p plus £1 - 1.50 p and p depending on size - but I doubt they'll sell at £2 - 3

How long before Ebay force some of us to give up altogether

soolin

It might mean Amazon do well if more people list there instead of on ebay.

piratefairy

I think its time to give up on ebay, they are just tryin to drive sellers away in favour of businesses

vet8

I agree. You can charge free P & P on a little paperback, but some hardbacks weigh over a kilo and if you priced them to include postage you would be unlikely to attract buyers. And your listing and final value fees will be higher. AGGHHH

flipper_2010

Guess its of to Amazon for us all then! Or maybe the good old boot sale....

Seems a bit silly on books, I haven't seen too many people overcharging on postage on them.

chja

If eBay are going down this route, then they really need to close the circle by removing listing fees for these items. That way sellers can list at a sensible p&p inclusive start price.

I suspect their volumes will drop significantly, to the benefit of Amazon / Play who do not charge to list.

Some of the other changes are positive - its good to remove the optional insurance option and clariffy that responsibility for delivery is with the seller. Any shortening of the unpaid item process has to be welcome also. If they really want to improve everyone's experience then they should remive e-cheques !

cyberbob

vet8 wrote: »

I agree. You can charge free P & P on a little paperback, but some hardbacks weigh over a kilo and if you priced them to include postage you would be unlikely to attract buyers. And your listing and final value fees will be higher. AGGHHH

But it would have been almost the same price (except some pence in fees) before. Everyone is in the same boat so no one has an unfair advantage. My sales have gone up since Free (Inclusive) P&P especially DVDs. I still think people are making a mountain out of a molehill. The good sellers will adapt and survive

If people give up selling because of it. Well thats more customers for me:D

All_eBayed_Out

I think we should start selling feathers.