"I was guessing that the easiest lever for them to pull would have been to make 3% the new minimum promoted listings amount as that probably would have generated a lot more revenue, so I guess it could have been worse."
Indeed.
As a matter of fact, I've kind of been expecting that the next fee increase by eBay would be as part of the Per Order fee. Last year's (February 15, 2023) 0.35% increase to the Final Value Fee (FVF) percentage in most categories is still causing consternation to some sellers. The Per Order fee of $0.30 -- Thirty Cents -- Three Thin Dimes -- has been in effect for a very, very long time, so it seemed reasonable that eBay would increase the Per Order fee as the next detail of fee procedures to be revised.
Y'know, I'm no wizard, financial genius, or mathematician, but I learned through observation some 50 years ago that, in general, Prices Always Go Up. That's just from paying attention to the prices I pay as a consumer, as a Head of Household.
There are things in life that we just have to accept -- or completely give them up. For example, I have chosen not to purchase anything from two specific drive-thru fast food chains anymore because their prices have just gone through the roof. Both of those fast-food chains kind of kept me alive during my student-teaching days, with quick, drive-thru, inexpensive lunches. But those days were more than 50 years ago.
Some people may choose not to patronize certain retail chains or specific stores due to published religious or political philosophies. Some people choose not to enter certain other retail stores because they simply have no need for or interest in the things they sell. Some sellers may choose not to use eBay's platform after this (tiny) fee increase goes into effect.
If any of my competitors fold their eBay tents and walk away because of this relatively minor change, I will wish them well, raise my prices by 25 cents, and wait for the buyers to find my listings.
mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999
