eBay Scrapping Private Seller Fees

[Terminator X]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

I find Facebook Marketplace impossible to use when looking for cars. First of all half of the adverts are clearly scams, and secondly the search feature is impossible to use and seems to just show random adverts not what I have actually searched for.

I gave up in the end and went back to eBay.

I can honestly say I've never used Facebook or eBay to buy cars, I use either here or AT. Is Facebook ok for car buying? Immediately I think of scammers.

TX.

[Hoofy]

Bluevanman said:

You are missing something, there's no fees at all for sellers now,so how are they making money off private sellers?

Advertising, maybe? Also, the ability to boost your item so it comes out at the top of listings. Just thinking how FB makes money in the marketplace.

[Hoofy]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

I find Facebook Marketplace impossible to use when looking for cars. First of all half of the adverts are clearly scams, and secondly the search feature is impossible to use and seems to just show random adverts not what I have actually searched for.

I gave up in the end and went back to eBay.

I started wondering if Zuck has a side hustle as a car scammer, taking deposits from unwitting protential buyers. It's really, really difficult to get a scam ad or scammer removed. I've reported loads in the past and had the report rejected even when appealing but have just given up now and have to accept that it's the victim's fault if they lose money. Nothing I can do.

[TikTak]

Hopefully this doesn't descend it into chaos like FB marketplace has become,

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

I find Facebook Marketplace impossible to use when looking for cars. First of all half of the adverts are clearly scams, and secondly the search feature is impossible to use and seems to just show random adverts not what I have actually searched for.

I gave up in the end and went back to eBay.

It's a horrific experience filled with scammers, non-serious buyers and terrible ads and in all honesty I'd rather pay a little to avoid that. Autotrader's fees on the other hand are diabolical.

I've tried to sell and buy furniture, white goods and cars on FB and of about 50 odd attempts I've brought a ladder and sold a TV. I've had dozens of people agree a price, turn up at the house and then say they'll give me less than 20% of said agreed price. Or "offer" to take it for free. One group of lads got pissy when I said they couldn't have the 8 month old fridge freezer for £20 and they proceeded to raid my skip for stuff. Mental.

Every other listing is a scam, even the ones that look legit I find it's someone who wants you to buy by using a "prepaid card" link. I've reported probably 20 or 30 listings and FB has said they're all legit, so gave up.




Edit - Also got the Ebay app notification (EXCLUDES MOTORS) in caps.

Edited by TikTak on Tuesday 1st October 11:27

[rotaryjam]

Hoofy said:

Advertising, maybe? Also, the ability to boost your item so it comes out at the top of listings. Just thinking how FB makes money in the marketplace.

No fees at all? That is really something.

I thought it was just the listing fee that was being scrapped.

Seems like quite a risky move but as a seller I welcome it!

Edited by rotaryjam on Tuesday 1st October 12:54

[egomeister]

Am I right in thinking that with no fees and the ebay wallet feature being introduced there is no longer the need to link your bank account with a direct debit?

I've not sold anything on there since that was introduced as there is no way I am giving them the ability to dip into my account in the event of a dispute

[JCKST1]

Our eBay business fees have been a p*sstake for years. We sell quite high value goods (£400 - £4000) but the items we sell are discounted over original RRP so we dont have a huge margin. It used to be 14% but was recently reduced to 10.9% which is still a good chunk of money.

We always try and direct people to our site for additional savings and use eBay more as a shop window. If they would amend their business fees and bring them down to 2-4% then we would use it much more.

[njw1]

I've just sold a load of stuff on eBay too, b*stards....!

[Richard-390a0]

CorradoTDI said:

I wonder if it applies to existing listings or is it best to cancel and relist

The second email I've had from ebay today states new & existing listings are F.O.C.

[Actual]

I have bursts where I do lots of selling on eBay but working out the postage and packaging is a real ball ache.

Apparently there is now...

Simple Delivery
We’ve introduced a new way to list and send your items called Simple Delivery. Use Simple Delivery during listing, and eBay will choose the right delivery option for your item. When your item sells, use the prepaid label and feel confident knowing your order is tracked and fully protected from loss or damage during transit. Once you’ve dropped off your item, eBay will handle any delivery related issues raised by your buyer with the chosen carrier on your behalf.

We’re gradually introducing this delivery option over the next few months so keep an eye out as you list.

I need to see this is available and if it works.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Just got the email. My dad is happy as he is retired now and was about to list a life times worth of his Snap on Tools (keeping the ones he needs to work on my car obviously!)

So how is eBay going to make any money now, they must be loosing a fortune doing this.

[Narcisus]

I think this is new but eBay are now duty bound to report your earnings to HMRC if you sell so many items ( 30 ? ) or over a certain amount or an individual item over 6k ?

Of course as a private seller most of us will be fine …

Yes HMRC I’ve been collecting those for 20 years etc..

I could be wrong but that’s the gist I got last night over a beer..

[markymarkthree]

No good if you are trying to sell a load of classic car parts.

[Nick Pappagiorgio]

Richard-390a0 said:

CorradoTDI said:

I wonder if it applies to existing listings or is it best to cancel and relist

The second email I've had from ebay today states new & existing listings are F.O.C.

Can confirm this. I'm a private seller with a basic Ebay shop, and sold £21 of stuff earlier that I'd listed months ago, but the "order details" page which normally has a breakdown of fee deductions shows £0.00 taken off

On a related note I'm wondering why I bother with the shop subscription moving forward, as I'm taking in, at most, a few hundred a month. The shop was to make me look more professional to potential buyers and give me shop categories etc (it's 95% used stuff from my collections) but I'm not sure there's any benefit these days

I'm also thinking, how is Ebay making up the revenue shortfall? I've a feeling this change is simply to snuff out competition like Vinted, and cripple their momentum/synergies, before Ebay restores fees in a year or so but with a much increased market share

Edited by Nick Pappagiorgio on Tuesday 1st October 17:36

[LarryUSA]

Terminator X said:

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

I find Facebook Marketplace impossible to use when looking for cars. First of all half of the adverts are clearly scams, and secondly the search feature is impossible to use and seems to just show random adverts not what I have actually searched for.

I gave up in the end and went back to eBay.

I can honestly say I've never used Facebook or eBay to buy cars, I use either here or AT. Is Facebook ok for car buying? Immediately I think of scammers.

TX.

I recently bought two 2023 Tesla Model 3's off FB Marketplace. The first one literally had 3 awful pictures and a poor description and had recently been reduced by $5k. Enquired and met the seller, a nice girl who worked for Microsoft and was emigrating to Canada with her job and needed to sell. It was a bit of a faff and lots of nervousness paying off her loan for her, but it all worked out and we got a great car. The other one, similar situation, buyer was moving to Taiwan, but got a great car.

[monkfish1]

Actual said:

I have bursts where I do lots of selling on eBay but working out the postage and packaging is a real ball ache.

Apparently there is now...

Simple Delivery
We’ve introduced a new way to list and send your items called Simple Delivery. Use Simple Delivery during listing, and eBay will choose the right delivery option for your item. When your item sells, use the prepaid label and feel confident knowing your order is tracked and fully protected from loss or damage during transit. Once you’ve dropped off your item, eBay will handle any delivery related issues raised by your buyer with the chosen carrier on your behalf.

We’re gradually introducing this delivery option over the next few months so keep an eye out as you list.

I need to see this is available and if it works.

I bet its anything but simple!

Ive pretty much given up on ebay as a seller. Its just too complicated. As someone who only sells occasionally, it different everytime i use it!

I guess being free might tempt me back.

How that going to work long term though? No revenue stream normally only ends one way.

[Actual]

monkfish1 said:

it different everytime i use it!

Yeah really annoying.

[CorradoTDI]

markymarkthree said:

No good if you are trying to sell a load of classic car parts.

Hopefullyu someone else can confirm but I think it's only cars / bikes you pay for - selling parts should be included as free

[Shrimper]

JCKST1 said:

Our eBay business fees have been a p*sstake for years. We sell quite high value goods (£400 - £4000) but the items we sell are discounted over original RRP so we dont have a huge margin. It used to be 14% but was recently reduced to 10.9% which is still a good chunk of money.

We always try and direct people to our site for additional savings and use eBay more as a shop window. If they would amend their business fees and bring them down to 2-4% then we would use it much more.

I'm in the same boat, I've only been using it to try and promote the business and shift stock that doesn't tend to sell elsewhere. Interestingly my shop has taken off a bit in the last week - I'm not sure if I've finally got the formula right or its just sheer luck. I always see an uplift around payday weekend but this is far higher than usual.

Having said that I'm not willing to keep paying fees if I can tone things down a bit and sell it all for free, I'll be keeping an eye on it over the next few weeks and seeing what sales look like

[Spare tyre]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Just got the email. My dad is happy as he is retired now and was about to list a life times worth of his Snap on Tools (keeping the ones he needs to work on my car obviously!)

So how is eBay going to make any money now, they must be loosing a fortune doing this.

I suggest he doesn’t

It will more than likely end in tears

They will sell on Facebook / gumtree if you are in no rush