eBay

beaglewoofer · ‎07-08-2023

I just received payment from eBay for my last sale and realized that eBay is even taking out 13.5% from the shipping. So much is lost from each sale that I must say, after many years of both buying and selling on eBay, that it is no longer worth my time and trouble listing anything except perhaps a few high-priced items.

In other words, all those fun, interesting or collectible items that used to go to happy new homes for modest sums, are no longer worth the time and money to list. And such items are one of the main attractions, the fun, of eBay. As it was, shipping costs were already making many items of lower value not worthwhile to buy. eBay, you may have killed your own golden goose.

mn467462 · ‎07-09-2023

That's why Steve Gass invented sawstop. He saw a problem, and actually did something about it, and saved countless fingers in the process.

dhbookds · ‎07-09-2023

People have been predicting the demise of ebay since the first price increase/postage increase.....

dbfolks166mt · ‎07-09-2023

Lots of responses to my posting saying "this isn't new" and "charge more to cover your expenses" or similar. But the posting was, of course, aimed at eBay's leadership. One more message communicating that the market is beginning not to bear their fees.

EBay leadership doesn't read these postings and even if they did it's probably not a detail they are going to be concerned with. They focus on the bigger picture and meeting shareholder expectations and as long as they continue to pay dividends and provide the shareholders with a decent ROI, which they have continued to do, they are not going to alter their course unless it is to find a way to increase profits.

It is as much external factors that have had an impact on both sellers and buyers as it is internal factors under eBay's control. Ever increasing shipping costs, the application of sales tax to ecommerce interstate sales, the post pandemic shift in buyers shopping patterns, economic factors and the dramatic increase in ecommerce sites fueled by the pandemic.

I agree that at some point sellers factoring in eBay selling cost as well as ALL other costs may hit a point where they are unable to maintain a decent profit margin. I have a lot of items I do not list on eBay for that very reason but most of it has to do with significant shipping costs that buyers are not going to be willing to pay. I use other local forums where there are no fees and the buyer does local pickup to avoid shipping cost.

monroe67 · ‎07-09-2023

"Ita illegal and we should band together to file a class action lawsuit. But we won't."

Assuming your post is sincere and not ironic . . . . .
How is it illegal for eBay to earn compensation for creating this selling platform and allowing people to use it?
Which laws does that violate?
If you are sincere about a class action lawsuit, maybe YOU should (try to) be the hero of the day and start that ball rolling.

"Instead the ebay sycophants will just defend ebay."

What some posters here like to call "defense" of eBay is most often simply restating eBay's policies and procedures. Those "sycophants" or "cheerleaders" have learned and accepted the ways in which eBay works. And they (we) come here to help explain how eBay works.

For example, Class Action Lawsuits against eBay:
You should know that eBay's User Agreement specifically states that eBay will not participate in any class action lawsuits. If there are any disputes between eBay and users eBay will resolve them in individual cases only. (By binding arbitration, as opposed to trials in courts of law.)

soh.maryl · ‎07-09-2023

This fee schedule has been in effect since 2011.

You have been here on this ID since 2001.

How did this suddenly come to your attention?

And, please, do not label me a sycophant.

dbfolks166mt · ‎07-09-2023

"Ita illegal and we should band together to file a class action lawsuit. But we won't."

Assuming your post is sincere and not ironic . . . . .
How is it illegal for eBay to earn compensation for creating this selling platform and allowing people to use it?
Which laws does that violate?
If you are sincere about a class action lawsuit, maybe YOU should (try to) be the hero of the day and start that ball rolling.

"Instead the ebay sycophants will just defend ebay."

What some posters here like to call "defense" of eBay is most often simply restating eBay's policies and procedures. Those "sycophants" or "cheerleaders" have learned and accepted the ways in which eBay works. And they (we) come here to help explain how eBay works.

100% Agree with everything you stated except the following. EBay may state this all they want but they cannot override the laws of the US legal system. They have been sued multiple times. Won some but they also lost a few. They have also been sued by multiple entities the most recent being its own collection agency.

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/tag/ebay-lawsuit/

For example, Class Action Lawsuits against eBay:
You should know that eBay's User Agreement specifically states that eBay will not participate in any class action lawsuits. If there are any disputes between eBay and users eBay will resolve them in individual cases only. (By binding arbitration, as opposed to trials in courts of law.)

sumsum70 · ‎07-09-2023

People have been predicting the demise of ebay since the first price increase/postage increase.....

The demise has already happened. This ship just isn't in pieces on the bottom of the ocean yet. Give it time.

thelongball · ‎07-09-2023

Using eBay labels you receive a discount off the at the counter shipping rate. So you need to be charging your buyer the at the counter rate for shipping. Just raise your shipping by 20% and it also covers the commission your charged on the sales tax, as that's a buyer's expense also. Remember Don't get mad just break even.

inhawaii · ‎07-09-2023

@kenneth686321 wrote:
@beaglewoofer '

Before you list anything ask yourself this simple question. Based on market supply/demand and your competitors' prices how much money do YOU realistically want in YOUR cold hands at the end of the transaction?

Example your Ancient Phoenician Jug Listing - Looks nice btw

If YOU want $50 in your cold hands after all Ebay fees, shipping cost, shipping materials are paid.

Thus, you would price the item at $70 + $20 Shipping.

Item Price: $70
Buyer Paid Shipping Cost: $20
Buyer Estimated sales tax 10%: $9 (I always estimate a higher than average sales tax just to be safe).
Buyer Total Paid: $99

Selling Costs
Ebay FVF 13.25%: $13.12
Ebay Optional PL Fee 2%: $1.98
Actual Shipping Cost: $20
Shipping Supplies (box, bubble wrap, gas): $4 estimated

Profit in your hands: $50.90

If you want $60 in your hands after everything you would list for around $80 + $20 shipping.

If the average sold listing price was lower than $70+ shipping I would either 1. accept a lower profit margin lower than $50. 2. Sell another site with lower fees or 0 fees or 3. Not sell at all.

It is up to YOU to determine if its worth selling your item on Ebay after all the fees.

There are some items that should not be sold on Ebay especially those under $5

I don't know who you are but I would like to buy you a mai tai if you're ever in Hawaii. 😉

Quincy Theme Song - Glen A. Lasrson & Stu Phillips

joliztoyco · ‎07-09-2023

"Every dog has it's day" comes to mind.

Do you REALLY think Ebay is immune to corporate rot and bad decisions??

Well that would be a first, wouldn't it?

You just keep on with that cheery outlook.

Me?

I prefer to look at Quarterly Reports.

Quarterly Reports that state they've been bleeding off sellers( and buyers).

AND for years.

And the long steady decline of GMV is a disaster that should be sounding alarms all through Ebay headquarters.

But it's not.

Ebay was handed a reprieve with the pandemic shutdown. A gift.

And instead of using that bonus wealth to initiate new and innovative ways to fend off competition and retain the lifeblood of their platform...SELLERS...they did what??

Stock buybacks??

Which is a great way to prop up the value of your stock when your business model is failing to do so.

Also a great way to shore-up your "inept executive wealth fund", but it is detrimental to the long term health of most companies according to most financial experts.

Here's the " genius" of Ebay's executives:

They figuratively built a 40 MILLION DOLLAR pile of cash in the Ebay parking lot and set it on fire. Gone.

Evaporated. They bought back stock in a vain attempt to keep its value from falling.

It didn't work. And at the end of 2022, the stock they had purchased had dropped in value 40 million bucks! Poof!

Takes a real mental midget to come up with that one.

Sadly, Ebay is full of " What's good for me and my money" exec's and not "What's good for the company" ones.

And I don't see that improving.

I guess we'll just have disagree on this one.

quiltgeek · ‎07-09-2023

eBay leadership doesn't read these forums.

The communication here is between you (the seller or buyer with a question) and other eBay users that want to help their fellow eBayers.

bw14850 · ‎07-09-2023

If you're using eBay as your "second job" then you will also be paying an extra 15-20% or so as income tax, self employment tax

janet9988 · ‎07-09-2023

@mn467462 wrote:
Ita illegal and we should band together to file a class action lawsuit. But we won't. Instead the ebay sycophants will just defend ebay.

All the people who choose not buy or sell on ebay already banded together. No lawsuit needed.

Lift your left leg at midnight to start off on the right foot. Happy new Year!

cardxcraft · ‎07-09-2023

Good point, but you can't keep building into the price. The price has exceptionally exceeded the price point. Still, building the costs into the price of the item is the only way, so its definitely what needs to be done, until it can't be done.