Another Competitor Makes Some Big Changes

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

ebay competitor Mercari announced some big changes today. The best summary I've seen is here:

https://www.valueaddedresource.net/mercari-shifts-fees-buyers-returns-any-reason/

Will this impact ebay's strategy going forward, or will it have little or no effect? I don't know, but it will be interesting to see what the next ebay Seller Update contains....

[redlinear]

I'd sure be happy if eBay went to only 3 days for a return window. 
And for "any reason" would just be a bonus in my opinion.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

And how many folks know Mercari exists, let alone shop there. Does not make the top 10 ecomm marketplaces.

Looks like a desperation move to gain marginal sellers and lose the most price conscious buyers. Which has not been thought through.

I hope many Ebay sellers make the move. Fewer sellers at the low end would benefit Ebay. Lower costs and support burden.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@redlinear wrote:

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@pls-consignments wrote:

I hope not. I think this comment says it all: 

"Awesome, a free clothing rental service! Time to start wearing stuff I can't afford for just the cost of shipping!"

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eBay has 30 day free returns (to any buyer that knows what buttons to push).
Then you get the item returned and don't really know why.  May not be able to re-sell it.

3 days for any reason?  ONLY 3 days?  Heck Yea!!!  (most buyers won't lie about the reason since the reason doesn't matter).  

3 days does sound more reasonable and your right, its not going to stop some to abuse it. By lowering the cost upfront for the seller, it could offset what is already happening in some cases. (Returns Legit or Not)

Returns will always be an issue (Legit or Not) if anyone can dispute a charge (with Bank) which typically will end in their favor.  

I think its a step in the right direction.

Sounds intriguing

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[vintagecraze50]

Wow that’s mighty enticing for sellers to abandon ship on here if they only had the business that ebay has though. They are I think falling behind and that’s why they are probably doing this.

[vintagecraze50]

You still have to consider the effect of the HIGH price these buyers end up paying with the fees shifted to them AND if you can list the item price wise to be competitive.

[vintagecraze50]

Uh, no, you may get more chargebacks if you do that.

[vintagecraze50]

They have needed to do this absolutely to get more customer loyalty.

[vintagecraze50]

Yeah, it’s an eye opened enticement but in the end a shell game. Creative but obviously not that great.

[vintagecraze50]

I would even remotely consider selling what we sell on Mercari. Their customer base is dwindling, their website is subpar compared to ebay. Their lack of having sellers on their provide key item specifics for their merchandise is a turn off for many buyers  when they at time have no idea what they are actually buying. The website is a mess. No way.

[redlinear]

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

Uh, no, you may get more chargebacks if you do that.

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Maybe?   I've never lost a chargeback though.  Guess that would depend on how Mercari handles them.
BUT, back before all this free returns 30 days stuff, really never had any chargebacks anyway.

3 days is plenty.  You get the item, check it out,  Like it or Return it.
Sellers shouldn't have to wait 30 days to see a buyer can find one cheaper, better, find their old one, change their mind. 

eBay and similar MUST have returns/refund policy (buyer protection).  But they need to even the playing field a bit for seller protection. 
Shorter return window helps

[redlinear]

I don't think anybody should jump ship.  
With all the sites out there to cross list.  There's really no chance/risk involved any more.
You don't have to leave anything. 

I found a seller on FB "marketplace" a few weeks ago.  For my line of work, what I saw on marketplace was IMPRESSIVE.
I decided to do a bit of research and maybe learn something.
I chased this seller from FB marketplace, to FB page, to FB group, to eBay, to Google, to their website (shopify).
Place has their ducks in a row, and is darn near everywhere. 

And from the amount of items (car parts) that they have listed on eBay-vs- what they have sold in the last 30/60/90 days on eBay?   
It's enough to make most anybody else selling car parts on eBay look like an amateur. 
Amount of sales was astonishing

[vintagecraze50]

Yes I see what you mean. The shorter window may help some with that. I agree. I just loathe those chargebacks so much that I feel more comfortable extending the return, and like you, not really that high of a return anyway.

[vintagecraze50]

Yeah but the thing that really hurts this website still is the option of NO RETURNS. I cannot imagine how many customer here have been disgusted when a seller fights them for a return of merchandise. These would have been great customers who would come back and buy but once they get that taste of a distasteful seller, they probably leave for good. Just my opinion.

[bennotbill]

I can see eBay having buyer fees as their next money raising move. But knowing eBay they would keep seller fees as well.

[fern*wood]

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@valueaddedresource wrote:

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If Mercari is betting on sellers lowering their prices to make this game work...they might be disappointed.

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Just like grocery stores haven't lowered prices after the supply chain leveled out, I doubt anyone moves to lower their prices.