IF YOU HAVE AN EBAY STORE PLEASE READ

[lala15108]

Just got this in my email and boy and I MAD. Anyone with a basic store is going to be furious when they read this and do the calculations. Store listings now at .03 will go up .18 to .20 EACH. PLUS THE REGULAR STORE FEE TO HAVE THE PRIVELEDGE OF HAVING A STORE. There was a rumor a while back that eBay was going to do away with the store format, and it looks like their experiment "test" overseas has bred the following: "Coming March 30: 20¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees with full search exposure, FREE pictures, new low fees for Auction-style listings Dear lala15108: The upfront cost of selling on eBay is about to be dramatically reduced with our lowest Insertion Fees ever. I wanted to personally let you know about this exciting change and how it can help you in particular. In short, on March 30, 2010 we are changing the fee structure to provide a range of fee options designed to improve profitability for sellers of all sizes. New standard fees are being simplified and work best for sellers that sell occasionally. Higher volume sellers like you will want to choose from one of three new eBay Stores subscription packages offering Fixed Price Insertion Fees as low as 3¢ and reduced rates for auctions for a monthly subscription fee. Based on your past year of selling activity, we recommend the new Basic Store subscription package. For just $15.95 a month you get: Fixed Price with full search exposure for just 20¢ Insertion Fees with Final Value Fees for the most part staying the same. FREE pictures Discounted fees on Auction-style listings Only one Fixed Price format "Full search exposure" is key because starting March 30, there will be just one Fixed Price listing format on eBay. Store Inventory Format listings will automatically become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration and renew at the new rates--and they'll surface in search results right along with all other listings. Act now before February 16 and save! We want to make sure you have plenty of time to get ready. If you need to change your current Stores subscription to get the best fee package for your business, do it now and pay no additional monthly fees until April 2010. Act now--this early subscription offer expires February 16. Start now to optimize your current Store Inventory Format listings Remember, starting March 30 your Store Inventory Format listings will become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration and renew at the new rates. Start now to evaluate your current Stores inventory--decide which listings you want to keep and explore options for the rest of your inventory. Get complete details about the new fee options, including a Fee Illustrator for understanding the best option based on your selling activity. MORE UPDATES TO BOOST SELLER PROFITS Building buyer confidence: New eBay Buyer Protection program The new eBay Buyer Protection program launching soon is a major step to inspire confidence in buying on eBay. Find out more about what this means for you and how sellers are protected. The eBay Top-rated seller badge also ensures quality service and keeps buyers coming back. More and more of you are now enjoying the benefits. U.S. sellers can also qualify for Top-rated status in more countries. More ways to boost your efficiency You'll be able to list multiple variations of a product such as color and size in one Fixed Price listing in many more categories. Category and Item Specifics changes are also coming with the rest of these updates to help you make adjustments only once. Find out if your categories are impacted. In keeping with the practice started last year, we're continuing to consolidate changes that impact your business into two or three major releases a year. Get details on all the updates coming in spring 2010, including the new fee structure. For more insight into the upcoming changes, including fees, you're also invited to: Take part in the upcoming webinar on Thursday, January 28. Join me and other leaders from eBay and PayPal in a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, January 27. Check the Announcement Board for more details coming soon. Talk with members of my staff during the next two days on a special discussion board we've set up for this purpose. As always, thank you for partnering to make eBay a thriving, successful marketplace. Sincerely, Dinesh Lathi Vice President Seller and Buyer Experience" -- Laura View My Auctions Here -- Edited by lala15108 at 01/27/2010 12:50 PM PST -- Edited by lala15108 at 01/28/2010 10:28 AM PST

[lala15108]

I might try keeping the store for one month (April) with the new pricing & format, but only have the top 50 of my prints, with no magnets, notecards, keychains, I dunno. -- Laura View My Auctions Here

[seagirlrun]

thanks, Laura for you input. the other E being the one we talked about earlier today? :) -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[flags!]

May not be much now -- but we can see what happens after the 1st.

[kengillam]

It is worth having a read of the forums when you get over there, as it doesn't work the same way as eBay. Folk are very helpful though so just ask. -- http://www.artyman.co.uk

[seagirlrun]

I still haven't paid, because I'm just waiting to get as much info as possible. I hate the situation and feeling like I have to look elsewhere. Anyone else has sold at the other E and has important info for us in the decision process? Ken, any other reason you can see not to go there? Thanks, Rebecca -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[kengillam]

On basic economics, when you consider how much you will pay eBay in fees in say three or six months, and then put that against the cost of lifetime membership, it becomes a bit of a no brainer. As I said, you need to work it differently to here, but there is plenty of help and advice from others in the US that have already made the jump. -- http://www.artyman.co.uk

[seagirlrun]

Thanks, Ken! -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[claycat7]

I don't have a store. I was really excited about selling on eBay. Then I discovered the ACEOs, and my excitement grew. I started selling and had a couple of good auctions, but already less of my things are selling. I haven't even tried doing ACEOs yet. That would have been my next step. Besides the high fees, I was horrified at all the bids starting at $.99 and just staying there. How do people think they are going to make money that way? I have a lot of stuff here that I need to sell for my mother-in-law who is in assisted living. As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short. Maybe I can become an evil person like Karl Rove and end up on the bestseller list. I noticed that at Amazon. (Frankly, their fees aren't any better than eBay's.) I guess I will try to sell all the books on Half.com. For the other stuff, I guess I will have to look for another venue. Does anyone know about ecrater or Bonanzle? I belong to Etsy already, so I may concentrate on art for that venue. I don't know. I was so excited about eBay and the auctions. I guess I should get used to disappointment.

[lynneandjessica]

I wouldn't be too down trodden about the changes. We will adapt. When someone chooses to start their art work at a low starting bid, they do run the risk of "giving it away" for that. As a newcommer on the block, usually won't get a fair price. A fan base needs to be built up and a feedback score established. I wrote alot of my first works sold off as advertisement, just trying to get it in buyers hands. Then, I gave myself my own raises. I still have some of those first buyers and have gained, and continue to gain new ones. It is ALOT of work. I still find it entertaining and interesting. Yes, we grip about the changes, but we are still here. March 30 changes will cause an upset of sorts, but I'll bet by the end of April, the dust will settle. According to everything I've read, Ebay still is top for buyer traffic and sales. Other sites fees may be lower, but it seems it's for closet space. Little traffic and hardly anyone knows your there. Got to go out and direct traffic to the alley where you sit. So until something better comes along, adapt seems to be the key word. Ebay can be a fun place. Many of us here are older artists and hate to learn anything new or make changes. No, things are not always, just about never, done in our best interest. We discuss our concerns here. I'm glad you found these groups. They have helped me alot. Lynne

[seagirlrun]

Great insight Lynne, Thanks for you earnest feedback! I do agree that in the end, ebay still has the most traffic, and it would be hard to leave all the great people I've gotten to know. Rebecca -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[lynneandjessica]

Thanks, Rebecca! I adore the friends I've met here too! I know we sometimes run things off into a ditch, go on witch hunts, grip about stuff, but, we are also funny, informative and caring. Just didn't want anyone to get the wrong impression that this is a BAD place, because it isn't. If it weren't for these groups, I'd have alot of unanswered questions and concerns. I've met people from all over the world here.:) NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Lynne

[seagirlrun]

Totally agree! -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[art*bird]

The thing to know about a store is its very easy to open and very easy to close and very easy to re-open YOU KEEP YOUR STORE FORMAT. You do not lose your settings. What was store inventory can be re-started for quite a while Choose a store name similar enough to your ID and that remains yours even if/when you close-- you will still have that store name and logo/settings ((((((some are now selling thru facebook with or without paypal what they list on ebay))))))

[seagirlrun]

are you talking about the other e, artbid or ebay? Yea, I have a store here (currently closed). I think next month, I'll make a push to get more active on ebay and see what happens. -- NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Be a patron of the arts: Art and science keep us civil! http://www.smellyrhino.com

[art*bird]

this here e and I am on the phone with them right this minute to clarify the new snarkiness