Just had an email from eBay, and validated online. In order to compete with the likes of Vinted they're scrapping seller fees for private sellers on most categories.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/01/online-retailer-ebay-scraps-fees-for-private-sellers-in-uk

Not 100% free, but as good as for most users:
Ebay fees update

Private (rather than business) sellers will now get 300 free listings each month. There's a 35p fee for each listing above the initial 300.

Fees will still apply for:
reserve price
promoted items
selling over-seas

There's also a £16.80 fee if you're found responsible for a charge-back/refund or other disputed amount.


Steven B

Quote from: Steven B on October 01, 2024, 12:09:47 PMNot 100% free, but as good as for most users:
Ebay fees update

Private (rather than business) sellers will now get 300 free listings each month. There's a 35p fee for each listing above the initial 300.

Fees will still apply for:
reserve price
promoted items
selling over-seas

There's also a £16.80 fee if you're found responsible for a charge-back/refund or other disputed amount.


Steven B

Are you saying that there is then no commission (from memory usually around 14%) charged against the sale price once sold? If that is the case I would be very surprised as I can't understand how they will make any money. Having no listing fee isn't uncommon but historically they still take their wedge upon sale from the commission, so "Free" listing hasn't mean no costs upon sale.

A bit confused by all this, as I also got the eBay message but it wasn't all that clear.

So what about eBay's usual 'free listing' with 'discounted final sale price' deals? eBay use to give you this deal every 2 weeks, with 75% off final value charges on sales. Is that still going?

As I read it, and having done some reading online, as I also thought the email was unclear. It is what it says. As a private seller there are no fees for selling. Notwithstanding the limits Steven highlights - 300 items/month.

How this doesn't annihilate their revenue I'm not sure, but perhaps private sellers make up a very small proportion of their user base, and they're losing a lot of users to the likes of Vinted (as cited in the article I linked to), which is free to sellers (and buyers, although they upsell you on "insurance" which I assume they make huge margins on).

Quote from: Doc Pye on October 01, 2024, 01:45:32 PMA bit confused by all this, as I also got the eBay message but it wasn't all that clear.

So what about eBay's usual 'free listing' with 'discounted final sale price' deals? eBay use to give you this deal every 2 weeks, with 75% off final value charges on sales. Is that still going?

No need. You no longer pay for either.

Quote from: Roy L S on October 01, 2024, 12:14:33 PMAre you saying that there is then no commission (from memory usually around 14%) charged against the sale price once sold? If that is the case I would be very surprised as I can't understand how they will make any money. Having no listing fee isn't uncommon but historically they still take their wedge upon sale from the commission, so "Free" listing hasn't mean no costs upon sale.

That's what it says, yep.

Quote from: njee20 on October 01, 2024, 01:59:28 PMHow this doesn't annihilate their revenue I'm not sure,

The amount they charge buyers for having things sent out of the UK probably more than makes up for what thery are not getting from sellers fees. I have not bought through ebay for over a year because of this, (and the import fees!).

I suspect it's more about business sellers. It feels like 95% of listings are from businesses any time I look. I doubt the proportion of sales using the GSP is significant, partially because it's so expensive, as you say.

Quote from: njee20 on October 01, 2024, 02:49:59 PMI suspect it's more about business sellers. It feels like 95% of listings are from businesses any time I look. I doubt the proportion of sales using the GSP is significant, partially because it's so expensive, as you say.

Yes, like some  other tech applications, what started as something for private individuals to interact ( in this case buying and selling) has become more  commercial. The same applies to facebook (lots of companies using it as a replacement for websites)   

Quote from: Steven B on October 01, 2024, 12:09:47 PMThere's also a £16.80 fee if you're found responsible for a charge-back/refund or other disputed amount.

Steven B

I also received the email as I guess anyone who has ever used ebay did and agree that private selling is a very small part of their business (financially at least) these days. The quoted line above is the only line which concerns me. Can anyone clarify exactly what this means? The way I read it, if I sell something for £5 and have to refund the buyer because they say it wasn't as described, didn't arrive etc do I then have to pay £21.80 (The original £5 + the refund cost of £16.80)?

It'll depend a bit how the buyer approaches it, but basically no, you don't need to worry. A refund is not a dispute, even if it's for item not as described. I believe if you don't refund the buyer at that point and eBay intervenes, or if the buyer pursues the refund via their bank, then it's a dispute and you're liable. I'm virtually certain this isn't new and was introduced several years ago.

Good news then, I was always against the fact they took a percentage out of postal labels, that I had purchased through their website!

That's not quite true - they charged a percentage of any postage you charge buyers. But you got discounted Royal Mail labels. You paid fees on postage regardless of where/how you bought the postage.

I also received the email. I've just sold an item on eBay, and got caught by the postage label link as it does not offer the Royal Mail free collection option, or label printing service. In the future I will go via the RM website directly as having our postie bring the label, and taking the parcel away is so much easier for me. I also note from the 16th October the funds from selling will not be automatically transferred to a nominated account; this will have to be actioned manually using the 'eBay Balance' feature. Any funds held in the seller's eBay Balance will be available for purchases but I'm not clear if a selection will be provided enabling a choice of 'use/don't use' will be offered when making a purchase.
I'll read the mass of information again when my brain has cooled down!
Cheers

From their website

QuoteAt checkout, just select 'eBay balance' as your payment method. You can use as much or as little of your balance as you like, or combine your balance with another payment method to cover the full amount. Plus, easily withdraw your funds when you need them.

Here in Oz, I've not received my free seller listing offer yet. I get that Ebay charges 15% or so commission on stuff that is sold as the site enables a massive buyer audience around the world. But, Ebay is a clever business and you can bet they are not likely to be giving away a wonderful service (my opinion) for nothing.

Webbo