eBay - when did this happen?

[foxgoosefinch]

I used to sell things quite frequently on eBay, but got out of the habit during the lockdown and haven’t sold anything on there for a while.

The buyer interface seems the same as ever. Put something on to sell last night though, and it sold within a few hours - just a small low value thing but clearly someone wanted it!

Then I discovered that not only do they now take their ridiculously massive cut off first, but my payment’s “on hold” for several days until they decide to release it!

When did all this happen? Cannot be bothered with eBay any more if this is the new system they have - no wonder everyone seems to have moved to Facebook and other sites. Grrr.

I think it was just before covid - they now take 15% commission. But on the plus side stuff seems to sell faster and for more money post covid and they have regular "max fees £1" offers almost every week end

EBay really pisses me off. I never use it any more.

Several months ago although it was announced a couple of years ago. It really isn't a place for selling personal stuff anymore. It has lost sight of what it was while being too busy trying to be like Amazon.

How annoying! I’ve got excellent buyer feedback and seller feedback when I sold on there before - I’ve used eBay since about 2004! - but apparently I still don’t get to be paid until it’s delivered. For about seven pounds it’s hardly worth it, especially when they’re charging 15% (I’m sure the commission used to be less?!)

Why alienate lots of small amateur sellers? No wonder Facebook marketplace is getting so busy.

Harrumph.

eBay UKs new standard rate including eBay payment handling is 12.8% plus 35p, previously it was two fees to eBay and PayPal 10%, 3.4% plus 20p

My payouts are on the next working day, and there is the option for it to be daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly
So check what your settings are in case it is set for periodic payments rather than an account limit

So the new method of ebay payments saves 0.6% and costs 15p
If the sale is under £25 then the old way was cheaper, if over £25 then the new way is cheaper

The holding of payments situation is for sellers who have not been on long or don’t have a good history yet (PayPal also had the potential to hold payments)

** correction - it’s 12.8% + 30p
So the break even point is less than £25

@foxgoosefinch

How annoying! I’ve got excellent buyer feedback and seller feedback when I sold on there before - I’ve used eBay since about 2004! - but apparently I still don’t get to be paid until it’s delivered. For about seven pounds it’s hardly worth it, especially when they’re charging 15% (I’m sure the commission used to be less?!)

Why alienate lots of small amateur sellers? No wonder Facebook marketplace is getting so busy.

Harrumph.

Because your sale was about £7 your combined fees charge has gone up, but it’s the minimum ‘plus x pence’ that makes the percentage appear higher

Sale New Old
£7 1.196 1.138
5.804 5.862
17.09% 16.26%

It mashed up my table above

I agree it is rarely worth it for low value items but to be fair, the terms and fees are what you agree to when you list an item, and you can easily work out beforheand what the 'take home' is using a fee calculator to see if it's worth it after fees and postage.

The 'hold' is temporary because you've gone back to selling after a break. I had the same when I restarted a couple of months ago. After the first few went fine, I now get the money the same day every time, albeit you can adjust when you get your payout in account settings to whatever is preferable.

I probably wouldn't bother if we didn't live 30 seconds from a PO. I never buy packaging materials and just keep and reuse anything I've got to keep costs down. It's surprising how much packaging you can preserve and reuse. I don't think I've ever bought any.