Need help understanding listing limits for starter store

[quixoticpony]

I feel I need some help in understanding listing limits. I want to avoid paying ANY listing fees because I sell mostly low cost items and fees would cut into any small profit I make.

I spoke to someone on the customer service line, and he seemed to say that any month in which there was not a promotion (which I had opted into) I could not have more than 100 active listings.  

I thought I could make 100 new listings a month.

This seems wrong that they would allow you to make a bunch of new listings one month, then charge for them the next month. ESP now b/c they had an offer for a huge amount of free listings till July 1.

I can't generate value fees if I can't list items. I work hard enough trying to make a little extra money on eBay without having to constantly monitor when my listings expire. Or having to end one listing in favor of another.

Any info greatly appreciated.

[nobody*s_perfect]

If you have a Starter store then each month you get 100 free basic insertions.  These can be used for (1) new listings; (2) relisting old listings that ended; or (3) when a fixed price listing renews each month. The free insertion is used up when the listing goes live or rolls over; it doesn't matter how many listings are active at any point in time.

Free insertions are different from a seller's listing limits.   Each seller has listing limits which are set by eBay primarily based on the member's selling history.  For a brand-new seller, the limits can be as low as $500 and 10 listings per month; for such a seller, a store subscription would not make sense. Signing up for a Store subscription has no effect on these limits. 

[fern*wood]

Every listing that renews will be charged a listing fee or use up one of your freebies, just the same as new listings do.   You have to keep an eye or the promo counter if you don't want to pay any listing fees and either stop listing and/or end any listing that is about to renew/roll.

[kensgiftshop]

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@quixoticpony wrote:

I thought I could make 100 new listings a month.

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No, you have a total of 100 listings you can use each month.

That 100 listings include any items that sell for the month and any fixed price listings that get renewed.

If you have 50 listings that are going to renew and you sold 25 items , you can only list 25 new items for the month.

[quixoticpony]

So what happens when I get offered a bunch of free listings???

Like they recently gave a huge number of free listings. but the offer expires at the end June.

Yes those listing are "free". but then when the offer expires, will I suddenly be charged listing fees when those relist the next month and every month after that?

If I make 100 new listings based off an "offer", then get charged fees later, that's freaking $30 A MONTH in relist fees.

Is this correct?? 

[mtgraves7984]

^^^ Yep.

[bar-29368]

Pretty much, yes.

So what you do is, you use as many of those "free" (for now) insertions to list as much as you can (because it can't sell if it's not listed) and then you make a note to watch for when they are due to roll over and you end any that haven't sold so you don't get a fee.

[bar-29368]

Those ended listings will then remain in your unsolds for up to 60 (may be 90) days and you can use any more promos you get in that time to relist them for "free'.

Rinse Lather Repeat.

[fern*wood]

As others have explained, you work with what you have.  Most of us have learned to shuffle to avoid paying high relisting fees.  I generally have no problem ending things and waiting for the next promo to throw them out there again.  It's not a perfect world, but it is doable--just keep an eye on the counter that shows available listings.

[quixoticpony]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to say this seems REALLY underhanded, and SUPER tacky. Very "bait and switch". but then it's eBay's world and we're all just living in it. I have to say, had I known that I would be playing a ridiculous shell game with eBay, I might not have started at all. and I certainly won't be wasting listings on small stuff anymore.

And it makes me sad, b/c I was having fun selling stuff for friends. Not so much now.

[quixoticpony]

Also I'm just not organized enough to constantly be keeping track of which listings expire when. 😒

[kekoacards]

So the limit of the 500$ selling price will not be higher with a subscription to the Starter or Basic sub?? My account is new but 500$ limit price is so low and i wanted to make it higher. I thought by subbing to a store that would make the limit higher? The only benefit of subbing to a store is the amount of listings i can make is what im understanding?  

[dhbookds]

A store will not increase either your listing or $$ limits..........so do NOT subscribe to one until you get the limits raised enough to utilize what stores offer.

New sellers are limited, but usually you can get the limits raised every month as you sell and deliver properly.......

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi and welcome!

Like the other poster advised, getting a store will have no effect on your new seller limits.

If you want to see your limits raised, then sell what you list, deliver promptly, and don’t get any violations during this “proving” phase. EBay wants to see what kind of seller you are before they will raise your limits. The more success you have the better your chances of seeing those limits improved. Best of luck to you and please come back if you have any questions.

[nobody*s_perfect]

As you suspected and as the others have confirmed: Increasing your listing limits is tied to seller performance, not to whether you have a store, or what level of subscription. Make the most of your allotted $500, provide excellent buyer experience, and be patient.