Ebay fee heads-up

Jcarney

I listed a few things last week, starting all at 1 cent. I wasn't charged an insertion fee because they were running a promotion. Some promotion. What I found out was that they were charging the FULL 8.75% FVF on the entire total. Now, this is a good deal if you have an item which will close under $25.00, but I was being charged a $19.99 FVF on a $229 item.

I contacted them through their chat window and was refunded $10.60, but it was a hassle.

Jcarney

Just discovered something....this ISN'T a promotion. This is their policy now.

"Your first five single-quantity auction-style listings to be listed on the site in a 30-day period have an Insertion Fee of $0.00 for eligible categories.* (See Insertion Fees for more information.) These $0.00 Insertion Fee listings also have a Final Value Fee per listing of 8.75% or $20, whichever is lower. Additional listings within the 30-day period and multi-quantity listings are subject to the following Insertion Fees and Final Value Fees."

So, OK. I understand now. They're trying to kill the little guy who sells infrequently on Ebay. I haven't sold there in quite awhile. I knew they were getting bad, but didn't realize just how bad. What a shame.

ctf_error_coins

I used the promo as well as I use to list all auction at 99 cents but stopped a few months back.

With their promo I listed some expensive coins at a fair price, which sold quite nicely.

With that test behind me, I now list everything for a little less than what I think it is worth.

No more 99 cent auctions for me EXCEPT for a few items that I know will get multiple bids.

Classof67

This only applies if you use the simple listing form. You can use turbo lister or any other 3rd party software and the regular fees apply. I use it when I want to sell an item for $600 or more. Just sold a double eagle for $1100, cost me only 19.99.

Bochiman

So, it sounds like their new policy is better when you know something will sell for ~$230+ (the 8.75% or $20...whichever is less?) but definitely not when it is going to be below that.....

Is that what I am hearing?

itsnotjustme

Bochiman,
Almost. The break even point is near $550. At lower closing prices, the old style is better, as you only pay 3.5% between $25 and $1,000.

OPA

It's true if you use T.L. the "promo" rate does not apply, but you will be charged the normal listing fee. However, if you have to relist the item, guess what, you will automatically get the so called "promo rate" if you have not used up your 5 for the month.

illini420

i sell infrequently too, but now w/ the new policy I'll just list 5 high value items at moon money, then list my normal stuff.

if one of the big items sells then awesome!!! only $20 FVF and if i price it right the paypal fees won't matter to me. if they don't sell, then didn't cost anything either.

Jcarney

<< <i>So, it sounds like their new policy is better when you know something will sell for ~$230+ (the 8.75% or $20...whichever is less?) but definitely not when it is going to be below that.....

Is that what I am hearing? >>



No, at $230, their new policy will cost you 8.75% of the whole amount or about $20. Regular policy would be $.15 insertion fee, 8.75% on the first $25 (or $2.19), plus 3.50% on the balance for a total of $9.51.

One way around it is to always list sub $25 items as your first 5 items every 30 days.

Jcarney

<< <i>i sell infrequently too, but now w/ the new policy I'll just list 5 high value items at moon money, then list my normal stuff.

if one of the big items sells then awesome!!! only $20 FVF and if i price it right the paypal fees won't matter to me. if they don't sell, then didn't cost anything either. >>



This is another good strategy.

CarlWohlforth

I just list with TurboLister and save my 5 "free" listings for expensive coins.

291fifth

Use the first five listings for cheap items that you know are going to fall in the normal 8.75% fee range.

illini420

<< <i>Use the first five listings for cheap items that you know are going to fall in the normal 8.75% fee range. >>



I like my strategy better of listing very high priced items with high starting bids as my first 5... doesn't cost anything, if someone bids then great!!! You get to take advantage of the $20 cap on the FVF too... in listing a cheap item as your first 5 you waste your shot at using that $20 cap on the FVF.

SirAnthonyAC

Yes, Sellers need to be extremely careful about what 5 items they sell first during the month. You have to make sure your first 5 items are really inexpensive or you'll get socked with up to a $20 final bid fee on your first 5 auctions.

It's a trick just like the Video Professor guy you see at 2AM, "I'll ship you one of my CDs for free because I'm confident that once you try my product, you'll come back to me for all your computer learning needs" but watch out, he ships you 3 CDs (you only get one of the three for free) then he slams you with a $185 and you gave him your credit card because you paid for the "small shipping and handling!"

tmcsr69

<< <i>

<< <i>Use the first five listings for cheap items that you know are going to fall in the normal 8.75% fee range. >>



I like my strategy better of listing very high priced items with high starting bids as my first 5... doesn't cost anything, if someone bids then great!!! You get to take advantage of the $20 cap on the FVF too... in listing a cheap item as your first 5 you waste your shot at using that $20 cap on the FVF. >>




Listing the items with high starting prices is the right way to do it. No matter what, in comparision to all other major auction venues, ebay still has the best overall pricing.

291fifth

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Use the first five listings for cheap items that you know are going to fall in the normal 8.75% fee range. >>



I like my strategy better of listing very high priced items with high starting bids as my first 5... doesn't cost anything, if someone bids then great!!! You get to take advantage of the $20 cap on the FVF too... in listing a cheap item as your first 5 you waste your shot at using that $20 cap on the FVF. >>




Listing the items with high starting prices is the right way to do it. No matter what, in comparision to all other major auction venues, ebay still has the best overall pricing. >>



The "list the high priced" items strategy works only if you have high priced items to sell.

OPA

<< <i>I just list with TurboLister and save my 5 "free" listings for expensive coins. >>



I would continue to list all of the coins through T.L. and then "End the Item" early for the 5 most expensive coins and have those relisted. The relisted items will become automatically eligible for the the "promo fee" and the FVF will be assessed accordingly. I've found that out when I had to End an Item early that was originally listed through T.L. and later relisted.

Jcarney

<< <i>Yes, Sellers need to be extremely careful about what 5 items they sell first during the month. " >>



I haven't sold anything via Ebay in a long time, so I found out about this new rule the hard way. My hat's off to ebay customer services though. They adjusted my FVFs on 3 auctions to the normal rate and saved me 20some bucks.

CarlWohlforth

<<I haven't sold anything via Ebay in a long time, so I found out about this new rule the hard way. My hat's off to ebay customer services though. They adjusted my FVFs on 3 auctions to the normal rate and saved me 20some bucks. >>

Yes, it is complicated and probably designed that way. I'm happy they made it work for you. When I first read about the change I had to figure the price point and listing method to optimize my listings. I had to write them for more info. It will make more money for them in the long run because most people won't bother to figure it out.

Has anyone heard of the auction site Swoopo? They charge 60 cents per bid. They advertise selling nice laptop computers for $38. Well the bid increment is 1 cent. So $38 is 3,800 bids at 60 cents per bid. So they take in $2,280 in bids + the $38 for a $1,200 computer! Not bad at all.