eBay Screwing over Sellers, Again

Scab on 07/03/2018 - 12:54

eBay have now increased the FVF for sellers that fall below standard:

New Fees for Sellers That Fall Below Standards

To protect our buyers and the customer experience, sellers that fall Below Standards will incur an additional fee of 2% on Final Value Fees.

Sellers who remain Above Standard or are Top Rated will not be affected by this change. More details on the new surcharge below:

Auction and Fixed price listing formats will be affected by this change

Standards will continue to be reviewed on the 20th of each month.

Be sure to frequently check the resolution centre to ensure your standards are maintained.

For categories with a Final Value Fee cap, the surcharge will only impact these listings until the point at which the cap is reached. If the Final Value Fee and below standard surcharge exceed the cap, only the Final Value Fee cap will be charged.

When will this happen?

Starting 4 April 2018

What do I need to do?

Make sure you offer the best customer experience to remain Above Standard or Top Rated.

https://sellercentre.ebay.com.au/SU18-1/eBay-Stores

Luckily I only sell unwanted stuff/gifts on eBay and I've only ever had one claim which was unsuccessful, but this ticks me right off.

General Discussion

Related Stores

eBay Australia
eBay Australia
Marketplace

Comments

  • tighttighttight1 on 07/03/2018 - 12:57
    +7

    Boo!

  • headphonejack on 07/03/2018 - 13:08
    +10

    eBay should be doing more to protect sellers. It’s buyers who are usually the problem.

    • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 13:56
      +4

      Below standard sellers are the problem. They’ve no place on Ebay. They can use gumtree where they pay no fvf.

      • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:14
        +7

        Below standard sellers are the problem.

        eBay already have numerous measures against bad sellers, ratings, eBay Guarantee and PayPal Buyer Protection.

        And what about idiot buyers who buys things and don't pay, repeatedly.

        The poor seller has to wait for at least 4 days before they can do an Unpaid Item, and all the buyer gets is a "mark" against their name.

        Pretty much nothing happens to the buyer, I've yet to see one banned for it.

        • foxmulder on 07/03/2018 - 14:44

          You know that you can set PayPal with immediate payment right? Thus it will significantly reduced the unpaid orders.

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:49
          +3

          @foxmulder:

          You know that you can set PayPal with immediate payment right?

          Not for auctions though, only auctions with a Buy It Now option.

        • foxmulder on 07/03/2018 - 14:50

          @Scab: Hi yes not for auction, and neither those buy with offer.

  • smashed on 07/03/2018 - 13:09
    +2

    Screwing over sellers?
    They are only charging sellers who fall below standard (e.g. those who are probably screwing over buyers).
    That is fine by me :)

    • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 13:13
      +7

      sellers who fall below standard (e.g. those who are probably screwing over buyers).

      Just because a seller falls below standard doesn't mean they are "screwing over buyers".

      Sounds like you've never sold on eBay or encountered idiot buyers.

      • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 13:45
        +1

        sellers that fall Below Standards

        This is good. Seller that can’t hold an above standard shouldn’t be selling on eBay.

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 13:51
          +5

          Seller that can’t hold an above standard shouldn’t be selling on eBay.

          If you're only a casual seller, it just takes one or two idiots to screw your rating.

          Again, just because a seller falls below a "standard" doesn't make them a bad seller.

          This is good.

          Please send me your eBay store ID and I'll show you just how good it is.

        • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 13:59
          +1

          @Scab:

          All our user id are either power seller or above standard. We work very hard to keep our ratings and improve our service where we can.

          Sellers that fall below standards should pull their act together and deliver the service that buyers expect. They have no place on eBay if they can’t deliver a positive shopping experience. Gumtree and the trading post may be better place for these sellers.

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:03
          +3

          @whooah1979:

          We work very hard to keep our ratings and improve our service where we can.

          So what's your eBay ID, I want to test your service and help improve it?

          Sellers that fall below standards should pull their act together and deliver the service that buyers expect.

          It's not always the seller's fault, you should know that.

        • plmko on 07/03/2018 - 14:05

          @Scab:

          You are right, the seller wears all the risk of reputation on Ebay.

          Simple things like refunds, cancellations (on buyers request) are counted towards your seller rating.

          Also completely not worth starting a new account or moving elsewhere since you've invested in getting enough feedback to be recognisable. So your account is part of your business asset.

        • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:07

          @Scab:

          How will you test our service?

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:11

          @whooah1979:

          How will you test our service?

          Leave that up to me, if you think eBay's system and buyers are so perfect I want to prove to you otherwise.

          PM me your store IDs, I want to go shopping.

        • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:21
          +3

          @Scab:

          Can we assume that you’ll purchase something that doesn’t interest you and then intentionally behave in childish manner, which will allow you to leave a neg fb to try and prove point. Then rinse and repeat until the user id is below standard.

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:26
          +2

          @whooah1979:

          Pretty much, I just want to show you that not all buyers are good to deal with.

          My ads are always accurate, I ship within 1 business day and immediately leave feedback upon receipt of payment.

          But I still sometimes get idiots, here's a few examples:

          Sold a microscope and put in big writing on the first line in bold that it does not suit Macs, only PCs.

          Idiot buys it then complains that it doesn't work on his Mac, when I explain that was in the ad he accuses me of editing after the sale.

          Or idiot buys a SATA III cable, then tells me it doesn't work when it does and they've simply bought the wrong one.

        • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:30

          @Scab:

          My ads

          So you’re a seller. Can we assume that you’ve a power seller or an above standard rating?

        • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:32
          +4

          @whooah1979:

          I'm both a seller and buyer, and yes I'm above standard.

          That's not the point though, it's eBay treating sellers like crap because they can that is.

        • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:39

          @Scab:

          I'm above standard.

          Above standard is good. You’ve nothing to worry about with this new policy as it doesn’t apply to you. This new policy may even boost your sales and see a sharp increase in the final price.

      • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 13:47
        +2

        These seller can use gumtree where the shopping experience is set at a much lower level.

      • smashed on 07/03/2018 - 15:10

        I have encountered plenty of idiot buyers (who hasn't).
        However EVERY big seller has encountered these idiots yet they don't all end up sub standard.

        • Quantumcat on 07/03/2018 - 17:26
          +3

          The concern isn't for big sellers, it's for casual sellers.

      • D C on 07/03/2018 - 21:08
        +3

        Sounds like you've never sold on eBay or encountered idiot buyers.

        Or people who rip a plastic carry bag so they can claim it's damaged and so get their 15 cents backs.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/350163

        Oh wait…

        • Ughhh on 08/03/2018 - 06:23

          Lol it's karma

    • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:19

      I'm sure everyone is fine with any institution penalizing those who perform below standard by screwing over buyers, just like every decent human being will be against rape.

      The problem is how we define or worse, obfuscate the definitions.

      Just like how there is a current absurd movement to call all unwanted sexual experience, whether physical or not, to be classified as "rape", what is "below standards"?

      To further cast doubt on eBay's intent, how is charging sellers 2% more meant to improve the buyer's experience? Of course they will sell the idea that shops will improve but in time immemorial, all costs gets passed down to consumers. If eBay is so altruistic, remove the sellers operating "below standard". Surely that will provide motivation for shops to perform better and better shops wouldn't have to compete with shady shops that undercut on price and service.

      All this is dubious because all rules are dictated by a company. There is no check and balance in a private entity so if I don't like the rules, I'll just leave.

      Whenever an institution charges more of course they will dress it as "in your favour" but it rarely ever is.

  • Quantumcat on 07/03/2018 - 13:18
    +5

    Another move by ebay to keep small sellers out. In a few years ebay will have nothing but cheap Chinese crap on it. Gone will be those rare random collectibles

    • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 13:26
      +2

      They are allowing Chinese businesses to run on multiple accounts which floods searches! These businesses also claim to be in Australia. I know they have been reported (including myself reporting) but ebay do nothing. If AU sellers try it, they get hammered.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:27
        +2

        The simple solution here is to not buy from eBay. They clearly hold double standards and fail to provide an honest market place.

        • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 16:16
          +1

          ebay is the problem, but it's hurting all the genuine sellers.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 16:20

          @whodidthat:
          It is and when an entity ends up damaging those with genuine intent, I think it's time to move on.

        • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 16:34

          @tshow: True

  • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 13:23
    +2

    ebay forgot a long time ago, sellers are their customers.
    Now, they are trying to tell sellers how to run their businesses and imposing demands on them, altering individual business terms and conditions (business interference?).
    They are also imposing returns on used items, I'm sure that's against fair trading "laws".

    • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 13:54

      Sellers are a dime-a-dozen to eBay, they treat them like crap because they want to attract buyers.

      They are also imposing returns on used items, I'm sure that's against fair trading "laws"

      Sadly it's not, you have to abide by eBay's terms and conditions and Fair Trading isn't going to limit eBay offering extra buyer protection.

      • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 14:05

        Pity, but business interference may be.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:32

      eBay knew from the start that their asset is the database of buyers. This isn't a new concept. Traditional marketplaces protected their customers and milked the vendors.

      Shopping malls, bazaars, hawker centres… Centre management doesn't care how the vendor is struggling. High traffic means a long list of vendors vying for some floor space.

  • stratbargain on 07/03/2018 - 13:26

    I stopped using ebay to sell stuff years ago.

    10.9% of the total cost (including postage) for final valuation fees is complete garbage.
    Plus paypal fees which while no longer mandatory, most buyers still have an expectation to pay via Paypal for cough "protection"

    • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 13:28

      The fees would be acceptable if ebay supported sellers properly, provided good and consistent customer service and stopped advertising other items on your listing page (which usually takes buyers off your page to purchase elsewhere!).

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 07/03/2018 - 13:42

    According to the ebay email I just got, you sellers all made $708 last year :)

    Based on 2017 eBay internal data. To be used as a reference only. Individual results may vary. eBay does not guarantee that sellers will achieve this sales amount.

    • Zachary on 09/03/2018 - 23:35

      I made like a zero dollars…

  • altomic on 07/03/2018 - 14:05
    +3

    I hate how you can have 20 buyers in a row who don't pay for the item which they bought, and that stuffs you around as you have to wait for the ebay cancellation process to wotk in your favour. and then you have to list it again. and if other people had bid on it then usually they are not interested in a second chance offer.

    so as a seller you get stuffed around.

    and the buyer gets a "strike" against their name. an invisible strike. 3 strikes and you're out (apparently). big deal. you want to buy something then you just create a new buyer account.

    poor honest seller who gets stuffed about gets shafted.

    can't wait for Amazon to get to Aus, that'll screw ebay.

    • Scab on 07/03/2018 - 14:09

      can't wait for Amazon to get to Aus, that'll screw ebay.

      Unfortunately, unless Amazon change their business model they are a more difficult platform for sellers than eBay.

      More expensive as well, similar buyer protection and they hold your sale money for two weeks.

      • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:27

        Amazon being the largest online retailer in the world sets a high standard for the sellers that use their platform. This befits both their sellers and customers. Ebay is trying to follow amazon’s footsteps and so they should.

    • whooah1979 on 07/03/2018 - 14:11

      20 buyers in a row who don't pay for the item which they bought

      How can you get 20 uid in row?

    • FireRunner on 07/03/2018 - 15:10

      You can change it to immediate payment required.
      This makes it so buyer must complete transaction in order to buy item instead of buy now pay later.
      Of course this only works for buy it now items.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:33
      +2

      Amazon's model is to put all the risk on the seller, and if they succeed anyway, the next week there will be an 'Amazon Basics' version of the product you've done all the work proving there's a market for.

      Basically, Amazon will kill your business if you're successful enough, because they're both a seller and a platform provider, they have an anti-competitive advantage.

    • whodidthat on 07/03/2018 - 16:26

      3 strikes not out these days I'm sorry to say.

      Buyers should have some form of history on display, never mind 100% feedback.

  • Aceboy884 on 07/03/2018 - 14:46

    screw feebay

    they are basically getting desperate to try and squeeze whoever is left on their marketplace

    they are shitting their pants over amazon and there's discounts almost every week.

    clearly they are no longer making money and this is pretty much the last straw for most people selling on ebay.

    anyone who runs their online business that are dependent on market places are doomed to fail.

    i've been selling online for over 10 years and over the years i've seen a lot of a high volume sellers disappear on ebay.

    luckly enough i made the effort to get out of ebay 5 years ago, otherwise i'm forever screwed by these assholes

  • FireRunner on 07/03/2018 - 15:07
    +1

    Should be otherway around reduced fees for Top-rated sellers.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:20

      Agree - though that would reduce the money they make instead of increase it as this does, so you won't see them do that!

      • FireRunner on 07/03/2018 - 16:18
        +1

        It could also encourage the sellers to sell more items which could actually increase profits.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 16:32

          Could, but then again, thats a maybe. By putting up fees, thats a definite

    • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 15:55
      +4

      Reduced fees? REDUCED FEES!?!

      Sound of glass shattering from person being thrown out of a highrise office

    • Zachary on 09/03/2018 - 23:37

      Or both? below gets increased fees and above gets reduced fees?

  • Sage on 07/03/2018 - 15:35

    I'm Above Standard so this doesn't bother me.
    To check your status it's under Account Settings from your name in the top left.

  • ElderyMan on 08/03/2018 - 07:52

    Overseas sellers that claim they are in Australia is a way bigger problem for me. I had more issues with low-quality sellers rather than with buyers.

  • HeWhoKnows on 08/03/2018 - 11:24

    This is just a money grab.
    Sellers will just get fed up with eBay and go elsewhere.
    Plenty of free classifieds sites around now.
    I only list on eBay when they offer the Fee FREE listings

  • OzBoganYeah on 08/03/2018 - 11:26

    This really sucks, I also sell casually on ebay. As if the extra fee from the government wasn't enough (selling in australia). Boo!

  • StingyBritches on 08/03/2018 - 16:48
    +3

    Some interesting comments and rebuttals…

    Two questions (possibly OT):

    1: How come I see so many sellers on eBay with horrible neg scores, yet they continue to sell? Is it because they have such a huge volume of sales?
    Here’s actual figure of a seller I purchased from:
    Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 98.1%
    Negative: 132 (1 month); 715 (6 months); 904 (12 months)

    Bloody hell! I'd go out of business with that many dissatisfied customers. However, online shopping is volume, so sellers can burn a lot of people and find more to take their place.

    2: I had the classic happen to me again a few months ago where a parcel went "missing", so I followed eBay process with a 'dispute' and the seller promised to send me a replacement. As the dispute was 'resolved' by the seller's promise the dispute was closed. Of course, the item never turned up and I could not reopen the case. What a scam!

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