January 2025 Seller Update & Increase to 15.3% on Books & Magazines

[1786davycrockett]

Just skimmed over the January 2025 Seller Update, and had to wince (again!) regarding the increase of Final Value Fees on books and magazines (and non-vinyl, non-NFT music) to 15.3% -- the HIGHEST category percentage of FVFs billable to eBay sellers.

While we are lectured over and over and over again that physical books and magazines are just too "old school" for today's young, hip, more "with it" audience, it follows then that FVFs on physical books and magazines should be significant lower, and decreased.

Instead, they have jumped from the former obscene level of 14.9% to the projected rate of 15.3% -- which is even more obscene and ludicrous -- and a higher FVF than any other eBay category!

And didn't someone running for higher office just a few months ago promise us that prices would be going DOWN?

Oh, well -- like the old saying says "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."

Speaking of which -- who can afford eggs anymore?!?

[lesegouts]

You actually believed that promise? Wow...

[evry1nositswindy]

Add that to the media mail price increases and you pretty much can't ship a book for under $5.  Sometimes I choose ground advantage because it's cheaper than  media mail.  Customers think they are getting an upgrade, which is great, but I'm actually trying to save a bit of money!

[thecollectionbuyer]

"so we can continue our ongoing efforts to provide tools and services to support your long-term growth."

this phrase is so laughable. Do you mean the changes that you make without notice? You know the ones, suddenly it takes 20 minutes to find the information that previously was at my fingertips? Or do you mean the daily glitches that you deny. "Submit a report" or "get at ticket issued" when you mean, "waste some more time" 

What the advertising giveth, the fine print taketh away.

[sditr1]

Do you mean the president? LOL

Higher office has absolutely nothing to do with how much money eBay wants to take, and I find it crazy to attempt to make that connection.

eBay didn’t increase because of economic costs. They increased it because they want more money. Two completely different things. I hope you know that.

[1786davycrockett]

@sditr1 

Sure.

And the sun rises in the West.

[shado-x]

A great sale for $52.99 today, yielded $45.44 after fees.  Yeah, the FNF is just over a line.  Maybe a good thing in the medium term.