mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999
I wanted to start a topic here as a reminder and way to keep tabs on this issue that was brought up by @my-cottage-books-and-antiques in the weekly chat on October 21st. https://community.ebay.com/t5/Weekly-Chat-with-eBay-Staff/Community-Chat-October-21-1-00-pm-PT-Gener...
The eBay for Business Podcast transcript from October 20th seems to indicate the TRS Quarterly Promoted Listings Credit is going away at the end of 2020. eBay Head of North America Advertising Scott Kelliher said:
Many of us were alarmed when we saw this section of the Fall Seller Update that seemed to also indicate that Promoted Listings Credits were going away.
When we asked for clarification, we were told that was a "mistake" and should be disregarded.
It has been two weeks now since this was brought up in the chat and we still don't have a clear, direct, definitive answer as to whether or not the TRS Promoted Listings Quarterly Credits are being discontinued after Q4. It also leaves open the question as to whether he was speaking only of the TRS credit, or if the additional quarterly credits for Anchor & Enterprise level store subscribers are also "going to end."
tyler@ebay brian@ebay brittanie@ebay @podcast_team - What exactly did Mr. Kelliher mean and why are sellers being left in the dark here?
If it is eBay's intention to discontinue this benefit, that needs to be communicated to sellers clearly, directly and in a timely manner through official communications channels.
Changes like this are far too important to be the kind of thing you would only find out if you listened to the podcast or happened to be in the weekly chat when it was brought up.
We need answers now, as it may affect sellers' Promoted Listings strategies and decision making for Q4 and beyond.
If the additional credits for Anchor & Enterprise store subscribers are also ending, that needs to be made clear ASAP as well. That credit may be a factor sellers take into consideration when assessing the "value" of those store subscriptions and whether or not the benefits are worth the cost. If that credit is taken away, that would be a material change in the terms of those store subscriptions.
@valueaddedresource wrote:
@moo*cow*corner wrote:I can't speak for anybody else of course, but I'm in MP.
For me, my PL fees are being deducted from the payment right along with the simplified FVF and $0.30 fixed fee. It shows up under MP Expenses as the line item titled 'Ad fee'. Small print clarifies the sale price and the PL percentage amount charged for that sale.
The PL credit actually put my Nov 1st invoice at less than my store fee. My Nov 1st invoice was under $20 for my basic store.
@moo*cow*corner - I believe that is what @mcdougle4248 was talking about.
The ad fees are listed under the "expenses" tab in Managed Payments, but as far as I have experienced, those amounts are not being deducted up front before the funds move to Available for Payout. We are still seeing the Ad Fees paid on the monthly invoice.
Is the Expenses tab where you are looking? Are you seeing those amounts actually being deducted from the transaction before payout if you look at the transaction or payout reports?
Yes, in my previous post I was referring to the PL fees showing under Expenses under the MP tab. I just checked to be sure and my PL fees from today are already showing on my invoice. Screenshot of my invoice below:
That's an interesting thought too @coffeebean832 . I agree that billing wouldn't necessarily have to be the reason and I think there are definitely ways they could get around that if it is an obstacle. Like you said, they could figure out a way to process the credits later.
My thinking on this is coming mostly from this section of the Promoted Listings FAQ:
It's seem pretty clear from that page that the way eBay has programed/structured the actual application of this credit is tied in various ways to monthly invoice billing.
Could eBay change the structure/application of the program to still provide this benefit while also allowing them to collect the fee at time of sale? I think there are ways they could make that happen. Would they do it? I honestly don't know.
Of course this is all just conjecture on my part and should be taken with a huge grain of salt. It could be as simple as they just want that extra $30 a quarter and they are betting sellers will go for it. Or it could be even more simple if it truly is a "mistake" and the credit isn't going anywhere. We won't know for sure until eBay gives us an answer.
@coffeebean832 wrote:It's taking time because they're not ready to announce it yet so they're scrambling to get an official announcement ready or something to that effect. Someone goofed and let the cat out of the bag too early- it was supposed to stay in there through the holidays.
(This post is pure speculation.)
Or like many other changes, they don't intend on addressing it at all. There have been recent changes to the MBG and to TRS discounts, neither of which were announced. Both important changes.
