A Question About # of Free Listings with a Store

[jt-libra]

Currently, without a store, I get 50 free listings on each of .ca and .com.  Starting May 1st, If I open a store, I'll be able to get 150 free listings, so I'm only gaining 50 free listings.  But, of course, each BIN listing can be for 30 days which is beneficial but then you lose the "ending soonest" advantage with shorter term listings.  I list most items at auction, with a BIN, which buyers of cosmetics and skin care seem to like.  So if I continued with auction in a store (I'm assuming also at a maximum of 7 days),  those 150 free listings would be eaten up fast.  Right now, I've been relying on the promotions 2 or 3 times a month to supplement the 50x2 free ones, which has been great.  My sales have greatly increased because I can keep my items listed all month.

Anyways, I'm torn now because, like Pierre said in an earlier thread, why would eBay continue to offer promotions to non-store sellers when they're trying to increase the number of store owners and keep the current ones happy.  Yet I'm not totally convinced it's in my best interests to open one.

I know that store vs non-store has been discussed here many times, and I've read all the threads, but I still need more enlightenment, if you would be so kind.

Thanks.

[photoseeum]

Do both. try a store and have a second ID for one with no store.  While experimenting, I would suggest that you do not go with the yearly store plan.  Since you will pay a penalty if you break out of the deal.  Then track what sales are doing on each account and see what option works best for you.

[jt-libra]

Do both. try a store and have a second ID for one with no store. 

That's a good idea; however, with a new ID, you're starting from scratch as far as your history and feedback are concerned.  There's so much competition for the items I sell that I think the only thing that helps me a little is my feedback.  Plus PayPal will hold back payments for a while.  And, absolutely, if I open a store, I would not contract for a year.

I do have a second ID for non-cosmetic items which is working out fine.

I notice that you have over 5,000 listings with no store.  So it's more cost beneficial for you not to have one?

[pierrelebel]

"you're starting from scratch"

Which also means you pay full FVF - no 20% discount until the month after the new ID has reached the TRS status and earned the discount.

So you have to balance the possible savings in listing fees against the loss of the 20% FVF discount (based on $3,000 minimum at 10% FVF, the 20% rebate works out to at least $60.00 loss of discount).

Now, the new system will allow sellers without a store to have 50 listings each month - as before - but sellers will have the option to use fixed price (30 days) or auction (7 days) instead of being limited to the auction format as we are currently. I understand sellers will still be allowed to list 50 a month on ebay.ca and 50 a month on eBay.com.

For many sellers, that may be the answer without paying eBay the extra $20 monthly store fee.  Once again, one will have to measure the value of the 1% lower FVF in most categories for store owners..

[jt-libra]

"Which also means you pay full FVF - no 20% discount until the month after the new ID has reached the TRS status and earned the discount."

Of course -- I didn't even think of that.

"but sellers will have the option to use fixed price (30 days) or auction (7 days) instead of being limited to the auction format as we are currently."

That I didn't notice when I read the bulletin.  That makes a big difference to me.  There are a lot of items I don't mind listing at BIN for 30 days so, by doing that, I'm only using 1 free listing instead of 4 (seven-day auctions).

Thanks Pierre.

[pierrelebel]

To me, that may have been the most important change in the fee schedule:

"April 16—Standard fees change to include 50 FREE fixed price or auction-style listings and one flat 10% final..."

http://pages.ebay.ca/sellerinformation/news/springupdate2013/sellerchecklist.html?sspagename=SIC:spr... 

[pierrelebel]

Now, the MOST important change taking place in not a fee change but a policy change:

To help reduce unpaid items, eligible fixed price and auction-style listings purchased with Buy It Now will now remain for sale until a buyer has committed to buy or paid for the item.

It is impossible to guess what the negative effects will be at this time. I expect I will end ALL my fixed price listings before the change takes place.  I simply think the policy is stupid, ill advised and detrimental to good customer service.