What, exactly, is included in ebays final value fees?

[bargainbasement101]

I know the items selling price and shipping charges.  But do sales tax get included?  I ask because last month was horrendous for me in sales.  So much, ebay  took money out of my  bank account to cover their charges.

My gross was a lousy $151.00. My net after they took their share was $39.18. That net does NOT include my cost of goods.   Looking back through my records, I have been losing money for the last 8 months.

My bank statement shows, without buying merchandise), has been dropping steadily for 8 months, instead of increasing.

HHHHHHEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_P_, I am drowning.

[jfleming101]

I just found out today that as a seller I am getting charged the 13.25% for what the item sold for, shipping and TAXES!!! Very upset. I contacted eBay and after almost 20 years, I think it's time I considered closing my account. I don't understand WHY we, as seller have to pay a percentage of taxes that go to the government. As I only found out about this today because saw what eBay charged me, I guess this has been going on for a long time, at least since the sales tax was added. I think this is ridiculous to charge us for something we have have nothing to do with!!! Time to make a new plan!!!😡

[tjl63]

When I first started selling, that was the first thing I noticed. 

I learned quickly that selling a book for $5 and free shipping is a LOSS....either you gotta cut out the free shipping or build the cost of shipping into the item. SO, how do people charge free shipping on such small items? Well, if they do it in bulk, its not that hard. 

I talked to this one seller who was selling books for $2-$3 with free shipping. He worked for his daddy who had a huge business, he was tossing the books in the outgoing mail. I'm not suggesting anyone do this, but you catch my drift. 

[dryophelia]

@jfleming101 

It has been this way forever. It may have just come to light with the more expensive items that recently sold, but it’s not new. 

It’s unfortunate it took 20 years. 

One has to wonder what else might come as a surprise. 

[jfleming101]

I think eBay only started charging taxes last year because the government wanted a piece of the pie. So thank goodness it wasn’t for all those 20 years. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@dryophelia wrote: ... It has been this way forever. ... 

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The final value fee on shipping and handling was introduced in 2011. And then was carried over to Sales tax when that became a regular part of the buyers' payments.

[redlinear]

What exactly is included in eBay's final value fees?
  Any profit that you hoped to make usually 😊