eBay has become way too greedy

[kutra_0]

I sold an item for $400 and eBay found a way to take $103 from that. $48 dollars for the promoted listing of the item then the rest from the eBay fees. I don’t understand why they have to take such a large sum when I already paid beforehand for the promoting the item. Well enjoy the money you stole eBay because I’ll make sure you don’t make another dime off of me. 

[bonanza125]

Well they take that amount because they are a service which the deal wouldn't have happened for you and that buyer if they didn't offer the service. You as a seller have a right not to list an item if the fees are too high. There was no stealing. You agreed to the set fees before clicking submit. This comment goes for anyone complaining about the fees. If you don't like the fees or disagree with them then don't list your item on Ebay. List your item locally and there is a chance you will get much less than what you would get on Ebay or if any interest at all.

[bonjourami]

"Well enjoy the money you stole eBay because I’ll make sure you don’t make another dime off of me".

Ebay hardly 'stole' your money since it was you who signed up for the promoted fee. Dont forget to close your listing before you go!

[fern*wood]

I'm sure you know that promoting an item ($48. fee) is optional.  You can also pick the percentage, if you feel it is necessary in order to sell your item.   The set final value fees can't be avoided, but it looks like about half of what you paid ebay was voluntary.

[isaiah53-57]

@kutra_0 

You are likely a bit confused about how promoted listings work - I believe that is purposeful confusion in how the program and its explanation is presented to sellers, especially those who are casual or new sellers, though even long time sellers have beliefs about the site that are not accurate but are detrimental to them...

Promoted listings is optional - You dont have to pay for it at this time if you do not wish to...

Yes, Its optional, I say with a bit of regurgitation in my mouth - though the idea they can lead a seller down the road of making an additional 15% -20% more in fees seem appealing in the first place is indefensible in my opinion

[crimsontide32092]

I am done with eBay too. Not sure what has changed probably the Biden administration causing the currency to deflate 25% in 4 years hasn’t helped. I just sold 3 items made $500 and $328 in net sales. Miss the days where eBay would not charge the full amount of shipping if you didn’t use all of to the sale amount and all these “govt fees” are new and a joke. A typical listing for $100 used to net you $88-90 back just a few years ago that same sale today would lose 50%. Only to have these ***holes of people come on this page to stand up for the greedy corporations saying “oh but it’s the service they offer you chose to accept getting screwed over” we don’t need anybody else singing the praises of money hungry corporations what we need is competition to drive down the expense of these corps or people making a fuss so eBay feels the pressure to change. 

[kutra_0]

It’s what corporations do best “stealing” it’s something that is needed less of, especially in this economy, where people with a normal salary almost can’t even afford required expenses. Yes, I did agree for promoting the listing, I’ll take fault for that, but they still took a large sum of my money. The higher you sale the item the more they take, doesn’t seem fair since they’re taking a large sum of your “profit” Keep defending companies like eBay, people who defend these big companies are the root of the problem. 

[kutra_0]

I took your advice and have made more money off of Facebook marketplace then on eBay. Keep in mind they only take 5% rather than eBay’s 15.55% plus any other “fees” they claim. Corporates like eBay are just a big cash grab, they give a false reality that you’re “making money” 

[kutra_0]

I fully agree, we keep getting screwed over because of the people who say there’s nothing wrong with it. What they don’t see is that many corporations right now are doing the same thing.  

[fbusoni]

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@kutra_0 wrote:

I fully agree, we keep getting screwed over because of the people who say there’s nothing wrong with it. What they don’t see is that many corporations right now are doing the same thing.  

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@kutra_0 

"We" don't keep getting "screwed over."  I can assure you.  😁

And whether there is "nothing wrong" or "everything wrong" with corporate greed is irrelevant because that is a subjective insight.

In the USA, we have an economic system that rewards those who work hard and are successful.  Either you live within that framework, become like Ted Kaczyinski, or, say, move to a place like Russia or North Korea... have you heard of them? 

As for this gem from above:  Corporates like eBay are just a big cash grab, they give a false reality that you’re “making money” 

I've made a ton of money selling on eBay in the last 26 years and I can assure you it's not a "false reality" (ridiculous expression by the way) because I've been able to use those funds to do things like put a down payment on a home, buy new computers, have sushi three times a week, etc., etc..

If you are "getting screwed" on eBay then chances are that you do not know what you are doing here.  I've never paid eBay fees.  That 15% -- along with shipping costs and every dime that I spend to list an item here -- is worked into my prices and paid by buyers.  

Nor are "people who defend companies like eBay" the "root of the problem" to which you refer above; in this case, seller ignorance is.   And if you make a "normal salary" and cannot afford "required expenses," then you need to examine your spending priorities and make the requisite adjustments.  Or get a second job.

Comments such as yours are a reminder that the number of sellers on eBay who lack basic business acumen exceeds (by orders of magnitude perhaps?) the number of those who possess same.  (I am reminded of the recent post in which the author said they had earned millions of dollars on eBay over many years but admitted that they had not made any profit... post was removed by the author, I guess because it was so embarrassing.) 

PS: I too sell on FBM and never pay that 5% fee because folks look at my FBM feedback and trust me enough to send me payment electronically, outside the FBM framework.  Reputation is indeed everything.

[glorybells]

@fbusoni , you hit the realities of selling, or really doing any job that’s tied into using an online platform.  Over the years, I’ve made sure I was making money, not losing it.  And if I can’t make enough from something to cover my time to list it, package it, and drive to the post office on the other side of the island, then I don’t list it here.  Some items just aren’t worth the effort.

Currently, my main gig is as an Uber/Lyft driver.  I know that they’re taking 30%+/- of what the rider pays.  But on a good day, I’m still clearing $30+/-/hour, and that’s more than I can make anywhere else currently.  From the riders fare they’re taking government fees, taxes, insurance, etc., but I know that going in, and it’s my choice, just as it’s your choice whether to list on eBay or not.  eBay isn’t holding a gun on anyone making them fork over money.

[fbusoni]

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@glorybells wrote:

 eBay isn’t holding a gun on anyone making them fork over money.

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Congrats on making things work for you.  $30 an hour is not bad at all.

And yeah... with IT having opened up a vast array of employment possibilities for those with even a modicum of imagination and motivation, I don't respond well to victimization narratives.   😂 

I grew up in the 1960s and was trained early on to imagine myself sitting in an office, moving papers around, and receiving a stable, predictable salary.   By today's standards, boring indeed, but back in those days there was no "online."

Nor did we have anyone to blame for our failings but ourselves.   "Big corporations" existed but mostly in our imaginations; those of my generation were raised to take responsibility for our lives.

Social media not only have created a generation of entitled whiners; it has also created online spaces where they can all revel in their entitlement and reinforce one another's whines.   

Heaven help us all.

[kh-laura]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.