Seller Performance standards outrageous & greedy and ultimately costly to eBay

[historyteacher40]

I have been using eBay for more than 25 years, and until the last few years, have been reasonably satisfied.  A few years ago, I experienced a consequence of a very flawed policy and was suspended for one month, and during that month, discovered how easy it was to list things on Amazon.  I currently have more than 1,000 items on Amazon, and this wouldn't have been possible without the eBay suspension (will mention that later.)

I realized a few days ago that instead of paying 13%+ in fees after each sold item, I am now paying more than 18% in fees, and have been for several months.  If I had known, I wouldn't have listed anything going forward.  What is absolutely disturbing is why I am being disciplined.  I really believe CNBC, national newspapers, and other media outlets need to start sharing stories like this.

The reason for this punishment is because of eBay's seller performance standards.  My standards currently include: 100% positive feedbacks over the past year (199 positive feedbacks), and sadly, eBay doesn't count this.  My late shipment rate is 0.20 (one package out of 500 I shipped late- only because the customer asked me to wait!)  100% tracking uploaded!  0% cases closed without resolution.  And finally, the kills, I have a 96.7% success rate with shipping the package, and 3.24% cancellation rate.  Of this 3.24% cancellation rate, some of the customers asked me to cancel their orders after payment.   A few were because I realized damage to the item and didn't want to ship it, and a few were simply because I couldn't find the item. 

With 100% positive feedbacks, 499 out of 500 packages being shipped on time, 100% of all disputes being resolved, and a 96.7% non-cancellation rate, I am being forced to pay 6% extra with every auction I sell.  This is almost criminal in my opinion.  These statistics are the result of hard work and dedication, however, eBay is trying to get nearly 20% in fees from every auction I sell instead.  

I have done just under $30,000 in sales the past 90 days.  I never realized until recently that I was paying nearly 19% as a punishment for the numbers I just shared.  How does this hurt eBay in the end?  I currently have a very large sports card 1950's collection that I am selling (that is why my sales have been so great lately.)  I was actually about the list several more large ticket items, including a 1954 Bowman near set on eBay (would have started  today,) along with hundreds and hundreds of other sets, vintage PSA graded cards, and so much more (probably $50,000 or more,) along with a large coin collection that I am putting together.   As soon as I realized how much punishment I am receiving for my performance levels, I contacted eBay.  The customer service person kept reminding me of my poor sellers performance and wouldn't eliminate the extra 6% fee.  I immediately contacted a sports auction house (Memory Lane) and mailed several 1950's sets to them.  They will sell for at least $15,000 or more.  Instead of taking 13 or 14% of these sales, eBay forces me to pay 19%. I send the cards to Memory Lane and pay 0%, and eBay loses everything.  I have mountains and mountains of other sets and graded cards that I will now be sending to Memory lane over the next few months.  eBay's punishment to me is they will lose thousands of dollars in business.  

Several years ago, I had another experience where I believe eBay was 1000% wrong, and I moved almost everything to Amazon.  Today, I have more than 1,000 bus and truck parts on Amazon, roughly 12,000 more that I will be listing over the next year or two.  eBay's unrealistic strictness with sellers, and fees that keep going up (when their cost is almost nothing for us to use their platform,) is costing eBay.  If I were part of the eBay leadership, I would be greatly concerned about this direct. 

eBay really can do whatever it wants at this point.  However, at some point, it was catch up.  Look at how many people have left eBay for sports cards, for example.  I discovered the auction houses for sports cards, and some of that is directly connected to how much eBay charges.  

I could go on an on about my frustrations, but probably should stop for now.  I want to repeat that I have loved eBay for most of my years using it (I taught full time and did eBay to supplement my income for many years.)    However, the lack of support for sellers (so many more bad experiences I could share,) the greed with how much money they take from us and the extra 6% with great performance numbers, and other experiences have led me to move to eBay, Memory Lane, a local auction business that brings in top dollar for less commission, and elsewhere due to the horrible treatment of eBay. 

[historyteacher40]

You are not getting it at all.  The purpose of my posts is that the policies pertaining to sellers performance, IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF MANY OTHERS, is harsh.  I will respect your opinion, but mostly disagree with your strong feelings.  

You don't know what percentage of people have been disciplined by eBay for something at some point.  Just about every person I know who does eBay has been suspended or demoted with their performance at least once, and sometimes multiple times.  Do you have the statistics?  Your statement boldly states that most sellers don't fall into the penalty fees.  I tried looking this up online and couldn't find anything.

ANY person who is frustrated with eBay and takes some or all of their business elsewhere ultimately does hurt eBays final sales.  I understand that this is a very small impact on the company.  Sending my sportscards to Memory Lane will cost eBay at least a few thousand dollars.  I wouldn't have looked elsewhere if it weren't for the 6% fees (and I am sure you will remind me that I said this before.)

I am sorry about your horror stories on Amazon.   I have sold thousands of items and never had one bad experience myself. 

And... one thank you.  Thank you for respecting my decision to shop elsewhere for much of what I sell.

[mam98031]

Yes I am, just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean I don't understand.  And yes I agree that likely every seller that has had this policy imposed on their account feel it is a "harsh" rule.  With that said it is likely a problem that could have been avoided if you had watched your Seller Dashboard on a regular basis and read up on the rules that pertains to too many defects.

"Just about every person I know who does eBay has been suspended or demoted with their performance at least once, and sometimes multiple times."  Well I have to say that is scary.  I've been around about as long as you have on this site and not a single one of the sellers that I know or are a friend have never been restricted, demoted or suspended.  And I too know quite a few sellers.

What has happened to you and the others you know is not common place.  Most sellers stay out of those troubled waters.  As I've said before, you would benefit greatly by reviewing your Seller Dashboard at a minimum every week, you might want to share that with your other seller friends as it will likely help them as well.

"ANY person who is frustrated with eBay and takes some or all of their business elsewhere ultimately does hurt eBays final sales."  It isn't quite as simple as that.  I might hurt Ebay or it might help.  Depending on why the seller got in trouble is important.  When it is buyer related as it is for you, then there will be less buyers getting disappointed and upset by having their orders cancelled because you didn't track you inventory properly.  That is a real problem, whether you want to realize it or not.

You truly have been very lucky on Amazon, I've sold similar amounts there too but have had problems with them as have many other sellers.  Google it, you will likely realize how lucky you have been and I hope you luck continues.

[donsdetour]

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@historyteacher40 wrote:

You are not getting it at all.  The purpose of my posts is that the policies pertaining to sellers performance, IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF MANY OTHERS, is harsh.  I will respect your opinion, but mostly disagree with your strong feelings.  

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As I said before it use to be you just were no longer a registered user when it went below the then unkown levels.

Today it is all up front

Today it is still eBay's play ground: they say, we seller adapt or move on.

Would you like it to go back to the good old days where you would not even of had any chance to sell on eBay again????

By the way:  eBay does not care if you or I, stay or go. They really don't; bad metrics, even more likley to think you need to go.

Yet if you are willing to pay more and correct the problems you as a seller have: you can eventually get back to lower fees and so on.

Crying it unfair or to harsh; does not change the facts of eBay's rules. It does not solve the problem.

If you think eBay gets a loss from such actions: , they see such a loss as a good thing due to the risk the seller poses to the buyer as a bad experience....

They would rather keep the buyer than a poor preforming seller.

Advice;

If you have some item or even a whole category problems happen with or in;  discontinue them items and find other stuff to sell.

Shipping methods causing problem change shippers and so on....

[bonjourami]

"Just about every person I know who does eBay has been suspended or demoted with their performance at least once, and sometimes multiple times."  Well I have to say that is scary.  I've been around about as long as you have on this site and not a single one of the sellers that I know or are a friend have never been restricted, demoted or suspended.  And I too know quite a few sellers."

Me too, Ive been here as long as you, havent had one friend who has been demoted for performance, ever. In fact, all of my Ebay friends are doing very well.Some of them...exceptionally well.

[lepke1979]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

@historyteacher40 

Understand the need to expand the Egg basket - we too sell on AZ - have since 2006. 

Good luck as you work thru/navigate your online selling journey.

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If he keeps cancelling transactions. He won't last long on Amazon either.

[lepke1979]

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@aeparts1 wrote:

I'm curious, what does Amazon charge in the way of seller fees?

It sounds like they are an outlet we need to check in to.

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More than here. Some is less, but most stuff is 15%. Clothing is a little higher. I believe books and clothing has a fee on top of that (~$1). And if you don't sign up for the monthly plan ($39.99), 99c gets tacked onto each sale.

I don't believe they charge fees on sales tax. But it is included on shipping.

Having said that, you have the option of sending stuff into their warehouses which can make things a little easier (but that costs money too). And it has a pretty big customer base. Also have to deal with potentially getting banned for petty things.

[lepke1979]

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@historyteacher40 wrote:

It depends on the items, but in the ballpark of 17%.  However, there are three big advantages:

1. They treat the seller with respect and don't have unrealistic and flawed policies that only benefit the buyer.

2.  Things typically sell for more on Amazon.

3.  When listing, often your item is already on Amazon, and you aren't required to add pictures or descriptions.  You simply select your condition and price and submit.  I goes much faster than eBay.

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1) Hardly

2) True

3) Maybe if item is new, but varies. Amazon is geared more towards new and isn't always the best for used stuff.

[yuzuha]

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@historyteacher40 wrote:

You are not getting it at all.  The purpose of my posts is that the policies pertaining to sellers performance, IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF MANY OTHERS, is harsh.  I will respect your opinion, but mostly disagree with your strong feelings.  

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How is it harsh? Cancelling sales disappoints buyers. Disappointed buyers are less likely to come back and shop on eBay again, which hurts ALL sellers.

It is the responsibility of the seller to keep inventory control, which means knowing where your items are and storing them safely so they don't get damaged. Do things happen sometimes? Yes, which is exactly why eBay allows a few cancellations with no penalties. When it happens multiple times, that should be a sign to the seller that they need to fix something about what they're doing, because it clearly isn't working.

[lepke1979]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@historyteacher40 wrote:

You are not getting it at all.  The purpose of my posts is that the policies pertaining to sellers performance, IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF MANY OTHERS, is harsh.  I will respect your opinion, but mostly disagree with your strong feelings.  

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How is it harsh? Cancelling sales disappoints buyers. Disappointed buyers are less likely to come back and shop on eBay again, which hurts ALL sellers.

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And I'm sure there will soon be a post in the Amazon forums (possibly even here) about how unfair it was that Amazon barred him from selling because of cancelling transactions. eBay at least will give you a chance to fix your mistakes. Yeah, at a cost. But it's there. Amazon doesn't play games and flat out shuns you.

[loc2blue]

I agree with you 1000 percent--but greediness has no boundary --and people don't care ---why would they--they do not know how Ebay was when we started--and instead of improving something over the years -- Ebay was like a flea market--now it is a Scam market --people just looking to scam others ---I am also starting to sell on Facebook market, and I make almost the same money than on Ebay --- not long from now I am moving from Ebay and retire for good 20 or so years was enough ---I had fun here also ,but the greed and scammers are way too many even for us to handle ,Ebay should work on that not on improving HOW TO LIST OUR ITEMS--JUST LIKE THEY STARTED TODAY--CRAZY USELESS Help--like they ask you and you have to answer as they wont let you list--New--Very Good- Good --Poor--now choose one --WOW HOW STUPID IS THIS??? and then you have a place where you can "describe your item you are selling---now these two over laps one other as I grade my comics out of ten --not good Vg-or NM --- Ebay has no clue --but they doing it---IF THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO GRADE DO NOT FORCE IT DOWN MY THROAT THAT I HAVE TO PICK THEIR CHOICE ,which is absolutely wrong way to describe a comic --it has to be accurate --- 

[mam98031]

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@lepke1979 wrote:

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@historyteacher40 wrote:

It depends on the items, but in the ballpark of 17%.  However, there are three big advantages:

1. They treat the seller with respect and don't have unrealistic and flawed policies that only benefit the buyer.

2.  Things typically sell for more on Amazon.

3.  When listing, often your item is already on Amazon, and you aren't required to add pictures or descriptions.  You simply select your condition and price and submit.  I goes much faster than eBay.

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1) Hardly

2) True

3) Maybe if item is new, but varies. Amazon is geared more towards new and isn't always the best for used stuff.

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Yes, that #3 is a real roller coaster ride on Amazon.  The Pictures, Title and description on Amazon may be very lacking.  Trying to get them changed is often difficult to say the least.  Then with no notice Amazon may change the title to something else and it isn't necessarily helpful.  I've had this happen many times and I've tried to get Amazon to fix them with no success at all.

[nocoolnamejane]

Many buyers come the the Buying Board complaining that sellers cancelled their purchase and so they will never buy on eBay again.

By cancelling items, you are potentially turning buyers off eBay so eBay is already losing money because of you, so they’re trying to recoup that money by charging you extra fees while you get your stuff together. Before they did that, they simply suspended sellers’ accounts.

So yeah, best of luck in your other ventures!

[mam98031]

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@loc2blue wrote:

I agree with you 1000 percent--but greediness has no boundary --and people don't care ---why would they--they do not know how Ebay was when we started--and instead of improving something over the years -- Ebay was like a flea market--now it is a Scam market --people just looking to scam others ---I am also starting to sell on Facebook market, and I make almost the same money than on Ebay --- not long from now I am moving from Ebay and retire for good 20 or so years was enough ---I had fun here also ,but the greed and scammers are way too many even for us to handle ,Ebay should work on that not on improving HOW TO LIST OUR ITEMS--JUST LIKE THEY STARTED TODAY--CRAZY USELESS Help--like they ask you and you have to answer as they wont let you list--New--Very Good- Good --Poor--now choose one --WOW HOW STUPID IS THIS??? and then you have a place where you can "describe your item you are selling---now these two over laps one other as I grade my comics out of ten --not good Vg-or NM --- Ebay has no clue --but they doing it---IF THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO GRADE DO NOT FORCE IT DOWN MY THROAT THAT I HAVE TO PICK THEIR CHOICE ,which is absolutely wrong way to describe a comic --it has to be accurate --- 

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Are you suggesting that you and the OP are the only members that have posted on this thread back in 1997-1999?  That would be an assumption that is simply not true.

If Ebay was like it was back in the 90's it would no longer exist.  Without moving forward with the times and the needs of buyers, there is no way Ebay would have survived.  The two biggest things would be most buyers do not want to mail in payments and bigger than that is upgrading to support Mobile shopping and payments.  I can list many other changes that allowed the site to grow and stay valid if you'd like.

Scams are horrible.  There is no doubt about that.  But if you think they only happen on Ebay you'd be wrong.  It is not exclusive to Ebay.

I can see you had a buyer hit your feedback because you cancelled a transaction on them.  That is likely what is fueling your feelings on this subject.

[nocoolnamejane]

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@loc2blue wrote:

I agree with you 1000 percent--but greediness has no boundary --and people don't care ---why would they--they do not know how Ebay was when we started--and instead of improving something over the years -- Ebay was like a flea market--now it is a Scam market --people just looking to scam others ---I am also starting to sell on Facebook market, and I make almost the same money than on Ebay --- not long from now I am moving from Ebay and retire for good 20 or so years was enough ---I had fun here also ,but the greed and scammers are way too many even for us to handle ,Ebay should work on that not on improving HOW TO LIST OUR ITEMS--JUST LIKE THEY STARTED TODAY--CRAZY USELESS Help--like they ask you and you have to answer as they wont let you list--New--Very Good- Good --Poor--now choose one --WOW HOW STUPID IS THIS??? and then you have a place where you can "describe your item you are selling---now these two over laps one other as I grade my comics out of ten --not good Vg-or NM --- Ebay has no clue --but they doing it---IF THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO GRADE DO NOT FORCE IT DOWN MY THROAT THAT I HAVE TO PICK THEIR CHOICE ,which is absolutely wrong way to describe a comic --it has to be accurate --- 

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I was here in the late 90s, I was here in the very early 00s when eBay started some sort of “buyer protection” with a $20 “co-pay” that also didn’t cover shipping and handling, item price only (another reason why scammers were listing items for $1 and $250 for shipping).

And I do care.  But I also understand that for e-commerce to take off like it did, it needed to pivot to online payments, meaning eventually PayPal and credit cards. And PP and CC have ALWAYS favored the buyer. eBay can’t tell them to stuff it or they will simply pull out. And without PP and credit cards, there is no eBay.

[seymourssi]

At most, you will only pay an extra 6% for 3 months, until the numbers fall of your stats.  eBay has a 90 day look-back for Seller Performance standards, so just eat the higher rate for 3 months  ...