Promotion fees

[hambright64]

I have been a seller periodically on eBay for twenty years. After a recent period of inactivity selling, I returned to eBay to sell items similar to those in the past. I noticed a new feature suggesting that I pay to promote my item. What? I have NEVER had to do this in the past, and have always had ample views, watchers, and bidders. Curiously, and somewhat suspiciously, I list my current items refusing to pay the promotion fee, and lo and behold my listings get zero views. MY OLD CUSTOMERS CANT EVEN FIND MY LISTINGS. I smell a rat. Is eBay hiding or preventing listing exposure in an attempt to force me to pay in order to sell? My listings ran the duration, got 0-3 views and did not sell... This has NEVER HAPPENED in twenty years selling. What gives? My only conclusion is this is an attempt to extort by holding my listings hostage. In addition, the fee they are requesting is NOT CHEAP. It amounts to 25% of my asking price. You have got to be kidding me... there's no money left after paying the fees already required by ebay and now they want 25%more to "promote" my listing. I will never pay that fee this is a blatant attempt to force payment of something I have never needed in the past. If that is what I have to do to sell here, my eBay days are over, that is ridiculous, and I can find no other explanation but that it is deliberate money grab by eBay. Am I the only one upset by this? Does anyone else share my sentiments? 

[buyologist-3]

Bullpucky.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

Using promoted listings is not just about placement in a search. It is about being placed on the left hand side of the screen or at the bottom or when you click on someone else's listing and you see 10 other's at the bottom that are cheaper or when a buyer is on a completely different website and can see your item or on Google. I have had many buyers, with no eBay account, sign up the day of purchase just to buy my items. That is what promoted listing is about.

[buyologist-3]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!  Good one!

[buyologist-3]

Nope!  It's called 'Pay To Play" and becoming the newest trend.  It works, too.  Economy is why. People gotta eat.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

Promoted listings standard - you pay when the item sells.

Promoted listings advanced - is more of a pay per click based on keywords.

It can get complicated. The more complicated, the more eBay makes.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

You commented on the difference in views... are you comparing to "views" received before the algorithm change where they changed what they counted as a "view"??

I remember when I started in April, I had some stupid books that no one ever really wanted, and I had 100 views on them... all because bots and what not. They changed the views, now only "true" views by humans are counted. Soo depending on your data points you are using for comparison, your drop in views is simply an outdated counting system of "fake" views to current "true" views.

Yes PL helps get more true views. Also helps sales. I promote everything at near minimum promoted rates and it works very well for me. It's not for everyone. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[fastlegalhelp]

Try 1% ad fee. See what happens.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

Funny, eBay has taken away 1% promoted listings and required a 2% minimum. Not to worry though, they have kept 100%. There is still plenty of room to end up upside down in a sale.

[jamskeefer]

I feel the same, I’ve sold a long time on eBay, no one looks at my listings now? Is it because I don’t pay the 2.99 fee? I won’t pay that fee so I guess I won’t be selling much on eBay anymore! 

[crystal_jackie]

Totally agree! eBay is using algorithm to hide the listing, which no promotion fee paid. I think the changes happened lately! One of my list used to have more than 100 viewers, now zero. I could not find my listing from other computers! Not a good business practice!

[kh-phdan]

Hello Everyone,

Due to the age of the thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thanks for understanding!