When eBay loses traffic and money, they just raise fees on the loyal sellers who stay there. When we lose traffic and money, we are expected to just lose even more. One of these days eBay, you’re just gonna make me mad enough to leave. About your NEW fees – Oh, yeah, it’s really gonna help me. With the new plan, I can now pay $15.95 per month store subscription fee and $60 a month for 300 fixed price listing instead of the $15.00 I now pay for 300 store inventory listings, (because eBay is doing away with ‘store listings’) OR
I can pay $49.95 per month store subscription fee and get 300 fixed price listings for my $15.00. And remember, this doesn’t even account for Final Value Fees. When the current plan ends and the new plan starts, my fees will actually INCREASE by $35 – $45 minimum per month. Thank you eBay for saving me even more money!
I know, I know, you say I’ll get better search position because with NO more ‘store listings’, they will ALL become ‘fixed price listings’ and exposure will be better and equal. Seems like I’ve heard all this before….
and yes Free Auction listing fees – IF I start all auctions less than $1.00. Well, see the graphic below for how eBays traffic has been. Less people bidding on an item still means a lower sales price. I’ve sold a ton of items for .01 and do I need to tell you just how rich I’m gettting? If you didn’t catch the sarcasm, you should have. Again, we’ll see how this all turns out…
At a time when margins are slimmer than ever on eBay, they up our fees again. Constantly dealing with bidders who want FREEBAY instead of EBAY is hard enough, now we get to enjoy our small margins get even smaller. Great move, eBay, hope your pockets stay full, because ours will just be emptier!
AARRGGHH!!!!!!

COPY OF LETTER I RECEIVED FROM EBAY:

The upfront cost of selling on eBay is about to be dramatically reduced with our lowest Insertion Fees ever. I wanted to personally let you know about this exciting change and how it can help you in particular.

In short, on March 30, 2010 we are changing the fee structure to provide a range of fee options designed to improve profitability for sellers of all sizes. New standard fees are being simplified and work best for sellers that sell occasionally.

Higher volume sellers like you will want to choose from one of three new eBay Stores subscription packages offering Fixed Price Insertion Fees as low as 3¢ and reduced rates for auctions for a monthly subscription fee.

Based on your past year of selling activity, we recommend the new Basic Store subscription package.

For just $15.95 a month you get:
Fixed Price with full search exposure for just 20¢ Insertion Fees with Final Value Fees for the most part staying the same.
FREE pictures
Discounted fees on Auction-style listings
Only one Fixed Price format
“Full search exposure” is key because starting March 30, there will be just one Fixed Price listing format on eBay. Store Inventory Format listings will automatically become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration and renew at the new rates–and they’ll surface in search results right along with all other listings.

5¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees for Books, Music, Movies & DVDs and Video Games extended through 2010
We’re extending the special promotion so you’ll continue to get 5¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees in these categories when you list with Product Details. (Starting March 30 if you’re an Anchor Stores subscriber, you’ll get will 3¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees when you list with Product Details as part of your new fee package).

Act now before February 16 and save!
We want to make sure you have plenty of time to get ready. If you need to change your current Stores subscription to get the best fee package for your business, do it now and pay no additional monthly fees until April 2010. Act now–this early subscription offer expires February 16.

Start now to optimize your current Store Inventory Format listings
Remember, starting March 30 your Store Inventory Format listings will become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration and renew at the new rates. Start now to evaluate your current Stores inventory–decide which listings you want to keep and explore options for the rest of your inventory.

Get complete details about the new fee options, including a Fee Illustrator for understanding the best option based on your selling activity.

MORE UPDATES TO BOOST SELLER PROFITS

Building buyer confidence: New eBay Buyer Protection program
The new eBay Buyer Protection program launching soon is a major step to inspire confidence in buying on eBay. Find out more about what this means for you and how sellers are protected.

The eBay Top-rated seller badge also ensures quality service and keeps buyers coming back. More and more of you are now enjoying the benefits. U.S. sellers can also qualify for Top-rated status in more countries.
More ways to boost your efficiency
You’ll be able to list multiple variations of a product such as color and size in one Fixed Price listing in many more categories.

Category and Item Specifics changes are also coming with the rest of these updates to help you make adjustments only once. Find out if your categories are impacted.
In keeping with the practice started last year, we’re continuing to consolidate changes that impact your business into two or three major releases a year. Get details on all the updates coming in spring 2010, including the new fee structure.

For more insight into the upcoming changes, including fees, you’re also invited to:
Take part in the upcoming webinar on Thursday, January 28.
Join me and other leaders from eBay and PayPal in a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, January 27. Check the Announcement Board for more details coming soon.
Talk with members of my staff during the next two days on a special discussion board we’ve set up for this purpose.
As always, thank you for partnering to make eBay a thriving, successful marketplace.

Sincerely,

Dinesh Lathi
Vice President
Seller and Buyer Experience