"Have Sellers Ad Fee General Fees Always Been A Part of Selling on eBay?"
No, eBay's ad fees have not always been a part of selling on eBay.
eBay first offered their Promoted Listings options a few years ago.
Sellers now have the option to promote their listings, choosing from several types of promotions (pay-per-click or pay-when-sold). Sellers who do choose to promote their listings are allowed to choose the percentage they want to pay to eBay for the possible benefits of promoting their listings.
Of course, eBay likes to suggest, strongly, that all sellers promote their listings, because it adds to their own profits.
But it is still absolutely voluntary to promote your listings or not.
monroe67
Mentor5 months ago"Have Sellers Ad Fee General Fees Always Been A Part of Selling on eBay?"
No, eBay's ad fees have not always been a part of selling on eBay.
eBay first offered their Promoted Listings options a few years ago.
Sellers now have the option to promote their listings, choosing from several types of promotions (pay-per-click or pay-when-sold). Sellers who do choose to promote their listings are allowed to choose the percentage they want to pay to eBay for the possible benefits of promoting their listings.
Of course, eBay likes to suggest, strongly, that all sellers promote their listings, because it adds to their own profits.
But it is still absolutely voluntary to promote your listings or not.
eburtonlab
Mentor5 months ago@baysider03
"Ad Fee General" is an optional fee based on the percentage you have chosen for your promoted listings.
See here:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/promoted-listings-overview?id=5295