eBay Listings fees vs exposure. Sellers need to know what they are paying for

[timemachine777]

eBay is doubling down on listing visibility on the site. They just added a new clause in the UA that highlights their position in regards to exposure of listings, ads, etc on the site. Even if you pay eBay listing fees, that does not require eBay to show your inventory to others. What ever happened to paying for a service and receiving said service.

The bigger question now is; Is eBay doing this due to growing complaints by members of listings not appearing in search, OR because eBay intends on hiding more listings from search results? Maybe both?

Seller fees don't purchase exclusive rights to item exposure on eBay, whether on a web page, mobile app, or otherwise. We may, in our sole discretion and without consent from, or payment, fee reduction, or other credit to, sellers, display third-party advertisements (including links and references thereto) or other content in any part of our Services.

[18704d]

I thought that clause in the UA was at least 2 years old?

Thanks,

Lynn

[timemachine777]

---

@18704d wrote:

I thought that clause in the UA was at least 2 years old?

Thanks,

Lynn

---

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259

They just added it. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page they have the link to the April 3rd update, and under # 5 fees, it's not there.

[sg51]

The bigger question now is; Is eBay doing this due to growing complaints by members of listings not appearing in search, OR because eBay intends on hiding more listings from search results? Maybe both?

I don't think they're planning any changes.

What this says is "What happens is what you paid for, even if you get nothing. You agree you can't sue us no matter what." CYA stuff.

[luckythewinner]

---

@timemachine777 wrote:
What ever happened to paying for a service and receiving said service.

---

Almost since the day this site started, they have not shows every item that matches search results.

eBay never showed more than 10,000 items in the search results. If a search showed there were 1 million matches, then 99% of those listings were hidden from the buyer.

Sure, the search may have said there were 1 million matches - but as soon as you tried to browse to number 10,001 eBay told you they would not show you any more and that you needed to refine your search criteria.

The same basic principle is in place today, although I tried recently and got to 18,000 before the search stopped showing me any more results.

[pjcdn2005]

---

@timemachine777 wrote:

---

@18704d wrote:

I thought that clause in the UA was at least 2 years old?

Thanks,

Lynn

---

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259

They just added it. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page they have the link to the April 3rd update, and under # 5 fees, it's not there.

---

Are you referring to the following?    It is in the April version under listing conditions and has been in the user agreement for quite a while. It is not new.

• We strive to create a marketplace where buyers find what they are looking for. Therefore, the appearance or placement of listings in search and browse results will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
  • buyer's location, search query, browsing site, and history;
  • item's location, listing format, price and shipping cost, terms of service, end time, history, and relevance to the user query;
  • seller's history, including listing practices, Detailed Seller Ratings, eBay policy compliance, Feedback, and defect rate; and
  • number of listings matching the buyer's query
• To drive a positive user experience, a listing may not appear in some search and browse results regardless of the sort order chosen by the buyer

User agreement in April:

• We strive to create a marketplace where buyers find what they are looking for. Therefore, the appearance or placement of listings in search and browse results will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
  • buyer's location, search query, browsing site, and history;
  • item's location, listing format, price and shipping cost, terms of service, end time, history, and relevance to the user query;
  • seller's history, including listing practices, Detailed Seller Ratings, eBay policy compliance, Feedback, and defect rate; and
  • number of listings matching the buyer's query
• To drive a positive user experience, a listing may not appear in some search and browse results regardless of the sort order chosen by the buyer

[emerald40]

I am looking for a new platinum band.

Typed in platinum wedding band

Don't know why I needed to do this again, but I clicked platinum even though it was in my search.

Clicked no stone.

And they are showing me diamond rings.  Almost every single one on that first page has diamonds.

Either ebay is tinkering or they are just showing you whatever they want.

[coolections]

This is nothing new at all. Ebay has been showing 3rd party ads for years now. They are correct you DO NOT hold exclusive rights to a webpage you list on. To do that you need to build one on your own or hir someone to do it for you. Obviously in oversaturated categories all item will not be seen. Buyers will see  your stuff if you list it. If your stuff is priced too high they will not click on it.

[slippinjimmy]

The wording has changed (for about the 10th time) but the intent and meaning is exactly the same as it was 15+ years ago. Any minor changes were done to reflect what eBay has always done but did not clearly state in the UA.

I have to say that eBay has done a pretty good job in recent years of making the UA more friendly to non-lawyers. Of course that's been a general trend for many companies.

[d-k_treasures]

---

@timemachine777 wrote:

eBay is doubling down on listing visibility on the site. They just added a new clause in the UA that highlights their position in regards to exposure of listings, ads, etc on the site. Even if you pay eBay listing fees, that does not require eBay to show your inventory to others. What ever happened to paying for a service and receiving said service.

The bigger question now is; Is eBay doing this due to growing complaints by members of listings not appearing in search, OR because eBay intends on hiding more listings from search results? Maybe both?

Seller fees don't purchase exclusive rights to item exposure on eBay, whether on a web page, mobile app, or otherwise. We may, in our sole discretion and without consent from, or payment, fee reduction, or other credit to, sellers, display third-party advertisements (including links and references thereto) or other content in any part of our Services.

---

That statement is referring to the 3rd party ads on your listing page - not about visibility.

[dr.clockenstien]

---

@coolections wrote:

This is nothing new at all. Ebay has been showing 3rd party ads for years now. They are correct you DO NOT hold exclusive rights to a webpage you list on. To do that you need to build one on your own or hir someone to do it for you. Obviously in oversaturated categories all item will not be seen. Buyers will see  your stuff if you list it. If your stuff is priced too high they will not click on it.

---

6. Listing Conditions

When listing an item, you agree to comply with eBay's Listing policies and Selling practices policy and that:

• You are responsible for the accuracy and content of the listing and item offered
• Your listing may not be immediately searchable by keyword or category for several hours (or up to 24 hours in some circumstances). eBay can't guarantee exact listing durations
• When you use the consumer seller listing tool to create listings, your fixed-price listings may renew automatically every 30 days, based on the listing terms at that time, until the quantities sell out or until you cancel the listing
• Content that violates any of eBay's policies may be modified, obfuscated or deleted at eBay's discretion
• We may revise product data associated with listings to supplement, remove, or correct information

• We strive to create a marketplace where buyers find what they are looking for. Therefore, the appearance or placement of listings in search and browse results will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
  • buyer's location, search query, browsing site, and history;
  • item's location, listing format, price and shipping cost, terms of service, end time, history, and relevance to the user query;
  • seller's history, including listing practices, Detailed Seller Ratings, eBay policy compliance, Feedback, and defect rate; and
  • number of listings matching the buyer's query
• To drive a positive user experience, a listing may not appear in some search and browse results regardless of the sort order chosen by the buyer
• Some advanced listing upgrades will only be visible on certain Services
• eBay's Duplicate listings Policy may also affect whether your listing appears in search results
• Metatags and URL links that are included in a listing may be removed or altered so as to not affect third-party search engine results
• We may provide you with optional recommendations to consider when creating your listings. Such recommendations may be based on the aggregated sales and performance history of similar sold and current listings; results will vary for individual listings. To drive the recommendations experience, you agree that we may display the sales and performance history of your individual listings to those of other sellers

[timemachine777]

---

@slippinjimmy wrote:

The wording has changed (for about the 10th time) but the intent and meaning is exactly the same as it was 15+ years ago. Any minor changes were done to reflect what eBay has always done but did not clearly state in the UA.

I have to say that eBay has done a pretty good job in recent years of making the UA more friendly to non-lawyers. Of course that's been a general trend for many companies.

---

eBay didn't change the wording. The addition of that statement is completely new. eBay only made the statement about exposure of listings in the listing conditions section. Now it's located in the fees section which, BTW was noted in the email that they sent everyone, regarding changes made to the fees section and GSP section.

[timemachine777]

---

@d-k_treasures wrote:

---

@timemachine777 wrote:

eBay is doubling down on listing visibility on the site. They just added a new clause in the UA that highlights their position in regards to exposure of listings, ads, etc on the site. Even if you pay eBay listing fees, that does not require eBay to show your inventory to others. What ever happened to paying for a service and receiving said service.

The bigger question now is; Is eBay doing this due to growing complaints by members of listings not appearing in search, OR because eBay intends on hiding more listings from search results? Maybe both?

Seller fees don't purchase exclusive rights to item exposure on eBay, whether on a web page, mobile app, or otherwise. We may, in our sole discretion and without consent from, or payment, fee reduction, or other credit to, sellers, display third-party advertisements (including links and references thereto) or other content in any part of our Services.

---

That statement is referring to the 3rd party ads on your listing page - not about visibility.

---

No...It includes ad exposure also. Read the sentence. It states that they don't have to give paid ads exposure also. It covers listings, ads, ad links, ad references, and other content.

[southern*sweet*tea]

21 July 2013

https://web.archive.org/web/20130621235521/http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/user-agreement.html?_...

Listing Conditions

By listing an item on eBay's sites, you agree to pay eBay's fees, to assume full responsibility for the content of the listing and item offered, and to accept the following listing conditions: When you list an item on eBay's sites, your listing will be posted on eBay's sites and can be viewed in My eBay. Your listing may not be immediately searchable by keyword or category for several hours (or up to 24 hours in some circumstances), so eBay can't guarantee exact listing durations. eBay's duplicate listing policy may also affect whether your listing appears in search results.  eBay reserves the right to end your listing for any reason. Where and whether your listing appears in search and browse results may be based on certain factors including, but not limited to, listing format, title, bidding activity, end time, keywords, price and shipping cost, feedback, and detailed seller ratings. You can read more about where your listings appear in search and browse results in eBay's Help Pages.

***********************

Shuffling and hiding listings isn't new. It's at least five years old.

[southern*sweet*tea]

---

@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

21 July 2013

https://web.archive.org/web/20130621235521/http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/user-agreement.html?_...

Listing Conditions

By listing an item on eBay's sites, you agree to pay eBay's fees, to assume full responsibility for the content of the listing and item offered, and to accept the following listing conditions: When you list an item on eBay's sites, your listing will be posted on eBay's sites and can be viewed in My eBay. Your listing may not be immediately searchable by keyword or category for several hours (or up to 24 hours in some circumstances), so eBay can't guarantee exact listing durations. eBay's duplicate listing policy may also affect whether your listing appears in search results.  eBay reserves the right to end your listing for any reason. Where and whether your listing appears in search and browse results may be based on certain factors including, but not limited to, listing format, title, bidding activity, end time, keywords, price and shipping cost, feedback, and detailed seller ratings. You can read more about where your listings appear in search and browse results in eBay's Help Pages.

***********************

Shuffling and hiding listings isn't new. It's at least five years old.

---

16 Sept 2013

https://web.archive.org/web/20130916041446/http://pages.ebay.com:80/help/policies/user-agreement.htm...

Listing Conditions

When listing an item, you agree to comply with rules for listing and Selling Practices policy and that:

• You are responsible for the accuracy and content of the listing and item offered.

• Your listing may not be immediately searchable by keyword or category for several hours (or up to 24 hours in some circumstances). eBay can't guarantee exact listing durations.

• We strive to create a marketplace where buyers find what they are looking for. Therefore, the appearance or placement of listings in search and browse results will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

  • buyer's location, search query, browsing site, and history;

  • item's location, listing format, price and shipping cost, terms of service, end time, history, and relevance to the user query;

  • seller's history, Detailed Seller Ratings, and Feedback; and

  • number of listings matching the buyer's query.

    Accordingly, to drive a positive user experience, a listing may not appear in some search and browse results regardless of the sort order chosen by the buyer.  

• Some advanced listing upgrades will only be visible on certain Services.

• eBay's Duplicate Listing Policy may also affect whether your listing appears in search results.