I don't think this change represents what everyone thinks it does.
From the updated terms:
The Marketing Services include self-service and fully managed marketing tools through which you can request to promote eBay listings or other content by agreeing to pay a fee to eBay, as described in these Marketing Program Terms and the Marketing Services.
To me, there will be (and currently are) multiple types of Promotions a Seller can use. PLs (Standard) is likely what they are referring to under self-service - you choose the parameters. Fully Managed would not be PLs.
Further from the Agreement:
When you use the Marketing Services, you authorize eBay (and its Partners, as applicable) to use automated tools to assemble and format advertisements (“Ads”) based on the Content (defined below). We may limit the number of Ads you can create at a given time, and also may limit the availability of any or all of the Marketing Services (for example, to listings from certain categories or containing certain attributes) in our sole discretion. In certain cases, third parties (e.g., brands) may also participate in eBay advertising programs which promote the same eBay listing as your Ad, and you remain responsible for the Marketing Fees (defined below) you incur notwithstanding such promotion and understand that those third parties may receive advertising performance information related to their promotion of your listings. By using the Marketing Services, you authorize eBay to place your Ads in any size, placement or location on any content or property (each, a “Property”) provided by eBay or a third party (“Partner”).
E-bay is telling you that they will take the content of your listings and partner with others who definitely will make money off of clicks from e-bay to draw traffic to you and that even if the buyer finds you thru one of those ads and NOT thru e-Bay, you still owe the fees you agreed to.
Further (Read this Closely):
We may make available certain features or services through which we may help you optimize your participation in the Marketing Services, for example, by creating or modifying campaigns, setting or modifying ad rates and/or budgets, and adding or removing keywords or other targeting parameters. If you elect to use those features or services (by informing us in writing or opting in via the Marketing Services), you agree that we may manage your campaigns and take such actions on your behalf without your prior consent, as may be further described by us in writing or in the Marketing Services.
There is nothing that says you have to "elect" to choose a feature or service that OPTS you into managed campaigns. They are telling you that if you do, how it will work. Have seen nothing that tells me that PLs is changing based on how it is set up for us as a Seller currently. There is nothing that says they will change your price for your widget -
The next part talks about content and is telling a seller you AGREE your items will be promoted thru ADS (which they are currently as well) that work with strategic partners to bring TRAFFIC to the site. (Not new)
Further - Promoted Advanced (seems self-explanatory):
Cost per Click Pricing.
If you participate in the Marketing Services on a cost-per-click basis, you agree to pay an amount up to and including the ad rate reflected in your account settings for each click on your Ad.
Further (PLs - Standard) - same as now, except the TOTAL Amount of the sale will apply vs just the item cost
Cost per Sale Pricing.
If you participate in the Marketing Services on a cost-per-sale basis, you agree to pay an ad rate based on the total amount of the sale for each Attributed Sale (as defined below). The total amount of the sale is the same value we use to calculate final value fees (described in the applicable eBay policies), and includes the item price, any handling charges, shipping costs, taxes (including, without limitation, sales tax, value added tax, and goods and services tax), and any other applicable fees.
An “Attributed Sale” means an end user or device associated with an end user (an “End User”) has (A) clicked on your Ad and (B) purchased an item featured in the applicable listing within thirty calendar days of that click (the “Attribution Window”). In the case of multi-quantity listings, if multiple items are purchased from the same listing within the Attribution Window, each item purchased will count as a separate Attributed Sale and incur its own fee. eBay will be the final arbiter as to whether or not a sale of an item featured in a listing constitutes an Attributed Sale. You may end a campaign at any time, but you will still be responsible for Marketing Fees for Attributed Sales if the End User clicks on your Ad prior to you ending your campaign, even if the purchase occurs after the campaign ends.
Subscriptions.
Certain of the Marketing Services may be offered on a subscription basis with auto-renewing payments (“Subscription Services”). The billing period and pricing for each type of Subscription Service will be as specified via the Marketing Services at the time of registration.
Other Pricing Features.
Marketing Fees applicable to additional Marketing Services (e.g., time-based fixed price, cost-per-impression, etc.) will be specified via the Marketing Services. If you participate in multiple Marketing Services at the same time (e.g., Cost per Click Pricing and Cost per Sale Pricing), Marketing Fees will apply to your participation in each such Marketing Service, as may be further described in the Marketing Services.
Truly do not think the changes and wording everyone is up in arms with represents what they think it does. I do think there will be new features you can opt into, subscribe to, etc - based on how this agreement is worded.
Hoping there will be more detailed information soon from e-Bay as this change is now 31 days away.
....... "The Ranger isn't gonna like it Yogi"......... Boo-Boo knew what he was talking about!
Posting ID Only.......
Yes, I have no Bananas, only Flamethrowers.......
Regards,
