I just got this email from Auctiva detailing a lot of eBay changes. Just thought I'd share it with anyone that's interested. Over the last few months, eBay has announced a number of major changes to its site that all sellers need to be aware of. From a new fee structure to sweeping changes in listing policies, eBay's latest rule revisions—and their varied timetable for rollout—are causing waves of angst among sellers. Keeping it all straight can be a bit overwhelming, so here are some helpful links to bring you up-to-date on what changes are already in effect, and what's coming down the pipe: General Overview of all the changes: http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Overview/ Paperless payments only—effective late October, 2008—checks/money orders will no longer be allowed as a form of payment (with the exception of "Payment on Pick-up.") http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Payments/ Fee changes—effective 9/16/08—lower insertion fees for fixed-price listings; increases in final-value fees for fixed-price listings (with the exception of items in certain media categories, where the FVFs actually decrease.) http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/BasicFees/ eBay Motors fee changes—effective 9/02/08—eBay is eliminating the insertion fees on the first four vehicles you list in a 12-month period. Insertion fees on the fifth and any subsequent vehicle listing during that period is reduced 50% to $20 per listing. On the flip side, successful vehicle listings will pay a much larger "Successful Listing" fee—as much as 150% higher than the old fee. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/ FeatureFees/ Specified shipping in listings—effective 8/25/08—all listings must now have the shipping cost/service specified. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/june2008Update/faq/index.html#39 Limits on shipping/handling charges in media categories (Books, DVDs & Movies, Music and Video Games)—effective 10/05/08. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/MaxShipping/ Specified return policy/handling time required—effective late October 2008—specify a return policy (even if you don't accept returns, you still have to state that) and enter a handling time for shipping. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/june2008Update/faq/index.html#37 Special incentives for free shipping—effective October thru December 2008—sellers who offer free shipping during the holiday season will get a free subtitle upgrade and PowerSellers will get double their FVF discounts. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/index.html#2 New item page—effective late 2008 or early 2009—a new revamped Item Page with larger photos, real-time countdown timer, tabs to organize shipping and payment information, and much more. For a preview click here: http://pages.ebay.com/newitempage/ ebay.uk/ebay.ie changes: http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200808.shtml#2008-08-20110529 Recent sales history a factor in "Best Match" search results—effective mid-September—recent sales of an individual item will now be a factor in Best Match search results. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/#5 Several of the changes eBay is rolling out require us to make changes in the way Auctiva works so that our software stays in synch with them. We communicate with eBay regularly—often several times a week—to insure that we know what eBay is up to. Our developers are hard at work making sure that these eBay changes are handled in the proper way and at the proper time in our software. Our best wishes on your success, Auctiva Staff
Wow, That is a lot of changes.....I wish they would have kept the old view.....I really dislike the newer user interface.....Sounds like a lot of their charges are increasing as well.......they must have given their executives some big raises and bonuses and now need to recover those cost.............
They have been going through a lot of changes. One thing I will appreciate is that auctions now have to list shipping. I hate having to email sellers to find out what it will cost, and refuse to bid without knowing, because then the seller can charge whatever they want.
I don't care about that at all. I've never used postal checks/money order before (a very, very uncommon form of payment over here) and don't plan on ever doing so.
The paperless payment thing seems like Ebay/Paypal being greedy, wanting more money out of transactions. I haven't listed anything on Ebay in awhile, because I'm not comfortable with the whole "seller can't leave negative feedback". I've never left negative feedback, as a seller, for anyone, but it was a safety feature for selling IMO. The last time I set up an auction through Turbo Lister, it gives me this warning; Say what??? I say no thanks. It isn't worth the hassle anymore. Ebay seems to care more about the buyer, less about the seller, and most about itself.
The paperless payment is mostly due to check fraud that has gone down on Ebay. People will forge checks for more than an items worth and use that for payment and ask you to send the item plus whatever was left over from the check. They use excuses about not having checking accounts and so forth. We may be smart enough to know that somethings not right but I'm sure there are plenty of people ignorant about ebay and check fraud out there that have done so.
The paperless payment option has never been something I've needed. As far as the shipping fees go, I'm really tired of $19.95 charges for items that you know cost $3 to ship. I really like the fact that you have to specify which shipping service you're going to use and the handling time. I've used "Standard Flat Rate Shipping" but I always ship Priority within a day or two. A lot of sellers list "Standard Flat..." and ship First Class 3-4 days after the listing ends. :mad:
I think it will just wind up being more "power sellers" who post hundreds of listings a month and try and make a living off of it rather than random individuals looking to sell a few things. I think its interesting how theyre charging a ton of money for auctions that are won.
Foreign shipments are going to be a problem. It will require a manual look-up. It may cut down items offered for overseas shipment.
It's an incentive to flood the listings and take the profit off the back end. Nothing will sell if sellers are reluctant to put stuff out there due to high front end fees.
It will keep me from buying anything since I closed out my paypal account. I've bought several things and used money orders with no problems. I think ebay will see big changes in their sales numbers.
