MSE News: eBay sellers beware - its fees now eat into postage costs

martinsnest

lonestarsky wrote: »

I discovered today that my eBay payments are being 'held' because I've not met eBay's postage and packaging standards because my buyers have rated me low.

I've been told by eBay that to help rectify this, I should start charging for recorded delivery as buyers prefer this (which is debatable - as a buyer I hate recorded delivery, as I'm never home during the day, so have to go collect it). I've always charged second class prices, so I do find it a bit odd they're recommending that I start charging more, as I feel my charges have always been fair, albeit rounded up (e.g. if something was to be posted at £2.60, I would charge £3, which is not uncommon and as a buyer, I'd be happy to pay this to a seller).

Anyway, I'm just curious to see if this has happened to anyone else, I find it a bit odd that its happened just as they've started charging FVF on postage. Perhaps its just coincidence and I'm an old cynic, but I've now cancelled all my remaining auctions and will find other ways to sell stuff. I really don't like the idea of posting items before funds have been released to me, I just don't trust eBay or Paypal enough.

Dont blame you they are both rogues!!!


Buyers can really mark what they like depending on how they feel on the day and it will affect your dashboard. Theres no comeback on it at all and you cant even find out who leaves the low marks. Personally I dont do scores when leaving feedback for item I buy. It is a totally unfair system for the seller. Good luck with using another auction site.

Marina6

I agree with people who says there is NO such thing as a free postage. The cost of postage is included into the price of the items! Otherwise, why on earth sellers would wish to pay for p&p out of their pockets?..Unless they are philanthropists..or rich and have nothing to do, but amuse themselves selling on ebay.

Ebay is getting greedier and greedier. They already have been the champions in sellers fees and now they increased it. I agree with somebody said here they WILL kill it eventually, considering their poor/incompetent and lazy customer service.

Wonder why nobody here notice that now the sellers are charged TWICE for the p&p - by PayPal and now E-bay as well. It's unfair to say the least.

It's naive to think that E-bay made this new rule out of its good will to help customers. They only did it for their own sake - to get more money out of sellers' pockets.

I am ebays' private seller for a few years and now looking for the alternative. Sometimes I get less money than fees I paid to paypal and ebay together ( after selling something cheap).

I know there is the good site called Etsy and it is such a big difference in how they treat you. You will feel really welcomed on the contrary to ebay where they don't care about you.

Would somebody suggest some other alternatives to e-bay, please?

Marina6

For those who don't know.

Paypal belongs to E-Bay.

soolin

Marina6 wrote: »

For those who don't know.

Paypal belongs to E-Bay.

I think we all realise that, and we also all realise we are paying fees twice on p and p. many of us here are business sellers so need to be aware of what we are doing so we are not taken unawares.

Marina6

RFW wrote: »

I don't think anyone has said buyers will overall be better off. Some sellers are better off and may pass that back on to the buyers, I had a few items that were due a price rise and have now been held.

As a shop seller I now get 200 inclusive listings with my shop fee.

Post has gone up, fees have gone up, prices will go up. It's an inevitability of our capitalist society. I suspect even when Ebay launches shortly in Russia they will be affected by the same problems.

Do not agree with " Post has gone up, fees have gone up, prices will go up. It's an inevitability of our capitalist society" ---- Ebay's fees were ALREADY TOO HIGH. So, it's not fair what they are doing to the sellers. This is NOT the way to treat people who makes money for you.

Marina6

Tellitlikeitis wrote: »

Anyone who thinks that this development is advantageous for the customer is naive at best and, more likely, foolish.
The seller will have to raise the price of Fixed Price listings to cover the additional percentage that Ebay will charge. Period. That's on top of a recent rise in Royal Mail prices, and on top of maximum postage charges set by Ebay in many categories (which sometimes do not remotely cover the cost of postage).

Agree. Ebay pushes sellers to increase their prices.. Not to advantage of anybody, but ebay itself!

RFW

Marina6 wrote: »

Do not agree with " Post has gone up, fees have gone up, prices will go up. It's an inevitability of our capitalist society" ---- Ebay's fees were ALREADY TOO HIGH. So, it's not fair what they are doing to the sellers. This is NOT the way to treat people who makes money for you.

"Already too high" for some people. As people are still selling on there presumably they're coping with those prices. There are some things some people can't afford, Ebay may very well be on
that list for some people.

RFW

Marina6 wrote: »

For those who don't know.

Paypal belongs to E-Bay.

I believe there was a chap in Rotherham who wasn't sure:rotfl:

mitch1975

I was not aware of eBay's new fees until I queried my invoice, as a private seller I am now out of pocket selling my goods on eBay. Who is making the profit? (not the seller). As eBay add more fees, sellers will up the price and postage of their items, so is the buyer really getting a bargain? Also eBay penalises sellers for charging to much postage! I am left asking myself is eBay the place to sell and buy? (I think not).

campdave

It's like Groundhog Day in here.