Mandatory Power Seller program

[hayruss]

Just came back from holidays and found myself to be a Bronze power seller.

Some people thaink this may be a good thing, and for some people it is especially those who sell a large volume of items. But for those of us who have just qualified means that we ae losing money as we now have to pay for the 1st 30 listings every month and over a year that is quite a bit of $$$ anywhere between $180 and $1080.

My biggest gripe about the whole power seller program is it is mandatory, they (Ebay) talk about that once you meet a certain level of sellers performance you automatically opt in. Opt implies option which in this case you do not have an option. When requested to remove the power seller rating they say it can only be done based on your ratings automatically.

Trying to find the pros and cos in the ebay documentation was impossible as I dont think they exist. The doco explains the benefits which is not that much for a small operator, listing multiple items (could be handy) places your items higher in the search results list (with meaningful item descriptions and tags can place you in the same search results).

I have asked Ebay to accept my feedback regarding the poor documentation and the mandatory nature of the Power sellers program. Hopefully it will become a program the sellers can opt in and out of themselves in the future.

I might start listing on Gumtree?

Please let me know your thoughts either way?

Thanks

[gem-boy-g]

I've been a hobby seller since 2002 and was quite happy to pay listings fees until the final values fees went through the roof.

[david035_guitarist]

Try listing your items in some of the big Auction Houses. You pay a listing fee of at least $1 per item, and a Final Valuation Fee of twenty two and a half percent.

It never ceases to amaze me that people whinge about the fees they pay on eBay. Where else could you advertise to a worldwide market for so little?

Try bricks and mortar store expenses; rent, heating, lighting, staff, advertising, telephone, insurances, the list goes on...

Come on guys, sell, or don't sell on eBay. Make your choice, but, sheesh, stop moaning... Who cares what fees are; without eBay, we wouldn't be here selling so well. It's the best market place. Period.

[***super_nova***]

Try listing your items in some of the big Auction Houses. You pay a listing fee of at least $1 per item, and a Final Valuation Fee of twenty two and a half percent.

It never ceases to amaze me that people whinge about the fees they pay on eBay. Where else could you advertise to a worldwide market for so little?

Try bricks and mortar store expenses; rent, heating, lighting, staff, advertising, telephone, insurances, the list goes on...

Come on guys, sell, or don't sell on eBay. Make your choice, but, sheesh, stop moaning... Who cares what fees are; without eBay, we wouldn't be here selling so well. It's the best market place. Period.

could not have put it better myself 🙂

[mccrae2007]

I was rapt when I achieved my power seller status.  It meant to me that I was doing all the "right things" in selling.

As for fees, like any business they need to be factored into the accounts.  My selling is books, listing fees are cheaper, but the fvf is higher.  I accept what it is and choose to sell.

I could go to a market everyday paying $10 minimum for a stall, and perhaps not sell a single thing.  I cannot even imagine what the cost of time and effort to do that would be, not to mention my lifestyle.

I dont have to do that as eBay provide me with a tool & a recognised worldwide brand to sell on.

I have an audience that comes to me, and it is worldwide if that is what I wanted.

[2106greencat]

I was going to copy paste my comment from the AC, but really the thing that I have understood the OP is complaining about is not 'charges per say' - ONLY the loss of 30 free listings.

The OP does not have to pay any extra fvf's, no store fee, simply not happy about the free listings being removed. I think each of my listings cost me .20c - so even playing devil's advocate I will double it to say .40c x 30 each month $12.00 a month - works out to $0.25c per week, so I just don't see how it could become financially debilitating, sorry

[2106greencat]

1st 30 listings every month and over a year that is quite a bit of $$$ anywhere between $180 and $1080.

Sorry, I missed this in the OP - is this correct? I have no idea how the listing fee's are scaled as to what you sell, but this estimate seems excessive?

[2106greencat]

works out to $0.25c per week Sorry $2.75

[phorum_junkie*]

A lot depends on start or BIN price once you are paying for non store listings, it is only 50c for items under $20, from $20 to $99.99 it is $1.50 and $3.00 for over that amount.

The OP has been selling pretty consistently over the last year but the question is of course how many of the 30 free listings were not working because he would easily be able to cover the insertion fees for the sold items.

[2106greencat]

Ah, thank you PJ, I stand corrected and OP do now see where you are coming from - please disregard all dribble form the cat :_|

[calsof]

A lot depends on start or BIN price once you are paying for non store listings, it is only 50c for items under $20, from $20 to $99.99 it is $1.50 and $3.00 for over that amount.

If these numbers are correct, and I had items $100 or more to sell, I would be spending a maximum of $90 for 30 listings.

It costs $50 for a store. If you've got such high-end items to sell, open a store. If you don't, then you're only paying $15 more a month to list so, again you're making a profit. 

If you're selling your items at such low prices that you can't make the costs, raise your prices.

If you want to keep your prices low, find somewhere else to sell your goods and effectively pay more in storage because it will take a looooong time to sell them.