Ebay forcing sellers to offer free shipping in certain categories

[voodoopenguin]

Just had a message from them saying this will start in June. They did say that at times they might offer a discount on final value fees but for most of the time it means more money to eBay as usually they don't get a cut of the shipping charge.

I'm still making money with my buying and selling but they are making it harder.

[mikebw]

Maybe this is in response to the sellers who are posting 1 cent items with $100 shipping fees.

[voodoopenguin]

I can understand them wanting to cut back on that but forcing sellers to offer free P&P penalises the good people as well.

[samintx]

Why don't they crack down on the 1 cent/$100 shipping people. I used to sell on ebay beaucoup but now I would rather give to Salvation Army than sell on eBay with all the new format .... now with the FREE shipping...

[mattkime]

ebay is slowly destroying themselves. they seem quite certain that they want to write the rules and if you don't like it you can go somewhere else.

[Racer X]

if you ever have a claim against one of these sellers, Paypal will only give you back your penny, right? then why do business with them?

They probably aren't very ethical in the first place if they think screwing eBay is OK.

[rz]

I already went somewhere else... Craigslist. I haven't sold on eBay in over 5 years. And the only things I've bought in the last 2 years were a new visor for my truck, and a camera bag. I used to spend hours a week on ebay looking at stuff to buy. Now, it's like going to a cheap flea market.

[Racer X]

that's because of all the mouth-breathers buying those CDs and DVDs telling them how to become an eBay millionaire and never seeing the product.

[Carnos Jax]

mikebw wrote:
Maybe this is in response to the sellers who are posting 1 cent items with $100 shipping fees.

samintx wrote:
Why don't they crack down on the 1 cent/$100 shipping people. I used to sell on ebay beaucoup but now I would rather give to Salvation Army than sell on eBay with all the new format .... now with the FREE shipping...

Exactly, I can't see it being a response to people who are trying to circumvent fees, as they've already put a stop to (the vast majority of) those listings.

This is just eBay being an @ss. Sure, it's their business, and they can run it as they see fit. But a lot of their moves have been boneheaded lately.

[decay]

I'll tell you from recent experience:

1. eBay has been a much better fit for my schedule

2. CL involves dealing with too many flakes, people who want to lowball & waste my time, and ask too many questions. Also harder to schedule meet-ups to match the brief time I'm at home.

Not saying I love everything about eBay... but lately CL has become more of a hassle.