What was changed on ebay recently? My sales dropped 50%

[love_station_au]

Not sure what happed but guess ebay has made some changes on search results. My sales dropped about 50% recently. Anyone has noticed that?

[*new2vintage]

"No one is allowed to pass on their Paypal fees whether you care or not."

Was that attempt at sarcasm? 

Do you think that sellers just absorb all their costs.  Next you will be telling us that Free Post is actually free.

If you run a business all costs have to be covered Paypal fees, eBay Fees, post, rent, and 101 other overheads and there is only one way they are covered that is in the price whether you care or not.   Every time eBay, Paypal, or AP increase their fees the price of items on eBay has to go up, wiggle room to absorb costs has long gone.

Which part of my sentence can't you understand ? Although I think buyers should be charged for fees by Paypal no one is allowed to pass their fees on.

[davewil1964]

For Sellers like myself who has been selling since 2004 on eBay it's a bitter disappointment that eBay has imploded, however options for online sales in various forms have been discussed by myself and other Sellers on this thread....

Not with that ID.  Why do assume I'm not a seller when you use a low FB 3 in the last year sales, ID? Just like me.

[davewil1964]

Which part of my sentence can't you understand ? Although I think buyers should be charged for fees by Paypal no one is allowed to pass their fees on.

You are not allowed to explicitly charge extra for payment via Paypal. You can, of course, add the PP fees into your price, or even discount for payment by another method.

I consider non-PP payments to be a bonus. My prices are predicated on what others are selling at, so a BD means I make an extra 60c (average) profit.

But I would never tout for BD, unless it was a repeat buyer. In which case they usually voluntarily pay by BD, as they KNOW I'm reliable.

[kustomizer99]

Can I ask what it is you sell? 🙂 Congrats on doing so well!

[davewil1964]

Can I ask what it is you sell? 🙂 Congrats on doing so well!

If that's addressed to me, I sell used books. The last few fee changes have cost me (considerable) money without even a drop in FVF. THIS change takes me back to shop fees of 12 months ago, and marginally lower (finally) FVF. Plus 80 free listings a month.

I sell in a market dominated by OS dropshippers, or allegedly Australian sellers who never have stock in-country, most of whom sell at way less for new than I can sell used for. Yet I make sales. About half of which are readily available (some are out of print). I assume it's my 100% feedback (even though I am unlikely to ever be TRS and will never be TRS+) and the fact that MY books are as pictured and available for pretty much next day postage. The rest is in the hands of AP.

[rusty-shed]

Sorry, I don't wish to advertise the little niche I have found on the forum, as it would not be a little niche anymore. When deciding what to sell I found several other niche products such as very rare Australian collectable books ( 1790-1850 ) , vintage computer equipment and vintage stereo equipment which would all make great niche products. There are still opportunities out there. My business started with nothing two years ago, gave up the day job after 12 months, sell the $74,000 ( just under GST Threshhold ) with 2.5 days work per week. Profit around $1000 per week. ( just got accountant figures back today ) I know Ebay is not perfect and I wish they would stop fiddling with the systems, but succesfull businesses can still be built on Ebay. I view the Ebay & Paypal fees as a franchise cost. Ebay still gives sellers access to the largest buyer pool in the world. The accounting systems make running a business a breeze. Although Ebay can be frustrating at times it is still SOOO much easier than running a conventional bricks and mortar business. ( and no I don't work for Ebay ) Best wishes to all in the Ebay community.

[*new2vintage]

" You can, of course, add the PP fees into your price "

I believe that is incorrect unless someone can prove otherwise which I doubt. I found out years ago Paypal fees aren't allowed to be passed on or directly charged for.

[davewil1964]

"Directly" is the key. You can include them in the price, you can discount to avoid them, you just can't explicitly charge more for paying with Paypal. Semantics, sure, but that's what the law thrives on.

[*new2vintage]

I've heard ebay fees can be included in the price but I strongly doubt that Paypal fees can be. If anyone can refer me to information in Paypal's site about it please do so.

[davewil1964]

Paypal state that you can't charge for their service. So if you sell for the same price to anybody, regardless of payment method...

A seller who is in the game to make some sort of profit will naturally include all anticipated costs in the price. That's what business is about. Paypal's prohibition is for sellers who charge EXTRA for Paypal payment. So you include anticipated Paypal fees in the start price. Nobody can know what the base cost of that is. If they pay by another method, the seller can always give the buyer a kickback.

I assume you're playing devil's advocate, Trev. You are sure as excreta experienced enough to know this.