More unwanted enhancements coming

[pnc75]

 From an email just now:

An update to selling on eBay

Coming at the end of April, we're introducing updates to improve our online marketplace and make selling easier. Learn more about the changes and what they mean for you below.

What this means for you

We’re updating our subscriptions for sellers who want more flexibility and control or who sell higher volumes.

This includes a new Pro Starter plan subscription for sellers who use advanced selling features, like multi-quantity and multi-variation listings.

Based on your usage of these selling features, we believe you’ll have the best selling experience with a Pro Starter plan.

• The Pro Starter plan reflects your current selling experience and includes access to advanced selling features, as well as expanded shipping and payout options and additional customer support. 
• This plan has no monthly cost and you will continue to pay final value fees, as you do today.

Free selling

We’re introducing free selling in late April for Australia-based sellers with up to $25,000 in sales annually. Eligible sellers will no longer pay transaction fees when they sell on eBay.com.au, across all categories.

Learn more about selling fees and how your sales are evaluated.

Free selling is intended for sellers with simpler selling needs and does not include access to advanced selling features or scheduled payouts. These sellers will have to buy labels on eBay for eligible items. A Buyer Protection fee will also be added to their listings and paid by the buyer to eBay.

Based on your current selling activity, you'll qualify for free selling.

You don’t need to do anything right now; we’ll confirm your eligibility in late April and explain how you can cancel the Pro Starter plan if you would rather take advantage of free selling. If you choose to cancel, you will lose access to the selling features available in the Pro Starter plan. 

[brickworksmarket]

A seller using a no fee tier can take advantage of that and offer a reduced price.

There is the corresponding Aust Post boxes available at the same price postage.

[countessalmirena]

I am not going to pay eBay a protection fee.

Were an item that I wanted available solely on eBay, it would entail my rethinking this position. It’s unlikely to happen, though, since the world is full of online shopping sites.

On principle I’m repulsed by this change, as well as by the planned cessation of cash on pickup.

Many other buyers will no doubt disagree, if the bottom line is the same. Pity the unfortunate sellers who will choose to subsidise this ridiculous fee.

[pnc75]

The Aus Post boxes usually don't fit most things. Not enough depth. 

[brickworksmarket]

I started out selling medium to large items but as time went on now focus on smaller items. I still sell the odd larger item but storing large items takes up space. Try to buy items to sell that will fit into smaller boxes. I now avoid certain items even if they are profitable due to handling and storage costs.

[pnc75]

And there's the difference. Unlike you, I'm just a casual seller of things me & my extended family no longer need. I do not buy things to sell, hence I have things of all different shapes & sizes. 

Like Dave, I might try large letter like items and others that meet the criteria for not being forced to use ebay labels on one Id, and others on different ID. 

However, having said that, I truly do believe that buyers won't bother with ebay if they're going to be charged a fee; only time will tell.  I certainly wouldn't pay the extra, unless it was a particular item that wasn't available anywhere else. 

I really do believe that this is a backward step for a platform that has already struggling compared to what it used to be. 

[brickworksmarket]

I am unsure what the issue is. If you keep your current tier and dont take up the offer for the no fee tier everything will remain the same as it is now. 

[pnc75]

The issue is that I currently easily qualify for the no fee tier, and that's what they'll  automatically start me off at. and I definitely do not want that if it means I have to use ebay postage labels. They are a complete mess.  Plus as has been discussed at length potential buyers probably won't like being slugged an extra fee and will take their business elsewhere. I certainly would. 

I would need to opt in to pro starter, which is a shop, which is NOT what my current 'tier' is. 

[domino-710]

Like PNC I'm only selling collections - or objects no longer needed.

Not buying to sell - which is considered by both eBay and the ATO to be a business.

I'll stick with the Pro Starter - same as always - tried and true - the buyer knows exactly what they are up for - so do I.

If by buying and selling one makes $10,000 - a year - and this does not mean profit - one would have to do a tax return - to show cost & profit.

[freds_bargains]

Does anybody know or have a clue how the buyer will see the "Buyer Protection Fee".  Will it be in the ad as a separate cost, or will it be added to your sale price automatically when you launch the ad, and the buyer only knows it's an eBay addon if they check their invoice.  Or worse still on when going to pay they suddenly get hit with an extra cost!? Or some other permutation?

[domino-710]

From what I understand it will come up at checkout - but won't show it's eBay's charge - so will be assumed it's the seller's charge.

I could be wrong.