Changes to eBay Fee Structure Spark Controversy
There's a storm brewing in your computer. It's not the sound of your motherboard having a fit, it's the disgruntled grumbling of eBay users who are fed up with listing fees. According to CNNMoney.com and other sources, the company will soon be making changes to its fee structure, allowing sellers to list up to 100 items for free each month provided the bidding starts under a dollar. If the goods don't sell, there's no charge. That sounds pretty good on first read, so why the grumbling? eBay watchers say it's bad news for most sellers, and it might be sparking a rebellion.
Dear eBay,
I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me. We've grown apart. I still love you, but I'm not IN love with you. Lately you've been distant and I feel like we just don't communicate anymore. I'm leaving you for another website. Maybe someday, you'll understand. We'll always be friends Ebay, I promise.
Sincerely, Ex-Ebay Seller
- a comment on webpronews.com
People sure do get worked up about online auctions. It's like somebody's called in a SWAT team on their neighborhood yard sale or put a government tax on grandma's jam. But some people are making a living using online auction and listing sites, and they're worked up because eBay might be hitting them where it hurts.
The changes, scheduled to take effect March 30, will affect every listing on the site. While you might pay no fee to place a listing, you get hit with a 9% "final value fee" for all transactions with a per-item cap of $50. To set up a store on eBay would run from $15.95 to $299.95 a month. The high cost of eBay-ing has provoked more than a few anguished calls for somebody to do something about eBay.
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