Frost has learned after this article went to press that Ebay is only offering American’s 50 free listings a month. The UK has been left out. Very disappointing.
eBay have announced new pricing introductions which will see all eBay sellers being offered 50 free item listings per month. The online auction site hopes to tempt back sellers following competitor site Amazon’s introduction of their marketplace area.
Summary of changes to eBay seller fees:
- 50 free listing’s per month
- Free ‘Buy it now’ option to auction listings
- Reducing Final Value Fee rates (for stores and fixed price listings only)
- The Final Value Fee will be increased to include postage and packaging charges also
The updated Final Value Fee structure takes effect for non-store sellers on April 19, 2011, and for Store and Fixed Price sellers on July 6, 2011.
“We think these changes will really improve the marketplace for both buyers and sellers. We’re listening to our customers. We’re trying to understand their needs.” – Vice President Todd Lutwak
eBay’s changes to the feedback system have supposedly contributed heavily to the dwindling number of users on the site. Allowing buyers to leave anonymous feedback has left the system open to abuse and sellers are finding it hard to sell with some claiming to have been victims of sabotage by competitors. The loss of choice is increasing prices of items on the bidding site and buyers are looking elsewhere.
The changes seem to give with one hand and take with the other but will hopefully go some way to apease both sides of customers and buyers.