eBay

jt-libra · ‎09-03-2013

I know that a lot of eBay sellers sell their items on other sites as well.

I'm just wondering if these sellers have more than one of each item, or if they only have one, once it sells, say on Etsy, do they cancel the listing on eBay. The eBay policy states "you won't be charged a fee for the first auction-style listing you end early (where a fee applies) per calendar year (January 1 to December 31)." How about for BIN items? Are you charged FVF for every listing you end early?

Thanks.

rose-dee · ‎09-03-2013

Hi 'jt' - good question! I took a look at the policy on ending listings, and I only see auction-style mentioned as attracting fees if ended, although there's a chart of when fees won't apply (for example if an auction is ended prior to 12 hours from close, with no bids). I'll put the link here for quick reference - the rather complex chart regarding auctions takes a bit of study!

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/end_early.html

However, I've occasionally ended BIN/GTC listings in my store for one reason or another (extensive revisions needed, new photos to upload from Auctiva, etc.), and I don't recall ever seeing fees for this. I do recall having to submit a reason for the cancellation from a list that pops up, so I'm not sure how this impacts fees.

I'll check back through my invoices and see if I can determine whether I was charged for any of the cancellations. I rarely run auctions, so any charges I've paid will be on BIN/GTC. Perhaps another seller who is more familiar with this policy will have a ready answer for you though.

I recall Pierre mentioning that when selling multi-quantity items on more than one site, he would end the eBay listing once the quantity got down to "1" to avoid potential problems. This seems like good advice.

I got caught with this sort of issue once even just listing on eBay when I accidentally listed the wrong quantity of a multi-quantity pattern (it was one item short) - the pattern was actually sold out and as a gesture to the buyer I sent her one for free as soon as it was reprinted, but these sort of things can be costly mistakes and make for bad PR. I imagine if you're listing on two or more sites, it's vital to set up a reliable and precise system for keeping track of your inventory.

rose-dee · ‎09-03-2013

Whoops - I've lost access for the past week to all my account information on eBay, so I can't check my seller billings for you after all. Another mess to sort out with eBay tomorrow...

jt-libra · ‎09-03-2013

"However, I've occasionally ended BIN/GTC listings in my store for one reason or another (extensive revisions needed, new photos to upload from Auctiva, etc.), and I don't recall ever seeing fees for this. I do recall having to submit a reason for the cancellation from a list that pops up, so I'm not sure how this impacts fees."

Thanks rose-dee.

Like you, I've occasionally ended a BIN listing early but, so infrequently, that I never even noticed if I had been charged a FVF or equivalent fee.

I only have 1 of each item (with the odd exception) so if I have to list on one or the other, it will be a lot of work to keep track of.

I did read the info that you provided via the link and I think the operative phrase is "If you regularly end listings early, your account may be subject to account restrictions and other consequences. But I don't know if that applies to all listings, or only auction-style listings.

Sales have been so slow this past summer (I'm sure for most of us), I thought I might try selling elsewhere.

Maybe I'll just try selling a dozen or so items on another site, with no duplicate listing on eBay, and see how it goes.

pjcdn2005 · ‎09-04-2013

How about for BIN items? Are you charged FVF for every listing you end early?

No, that's just for auctions. It's a deterrent for sellers that will end an auction early and then relist when they think that the bids are not going to be high enough.

nan*55 · ‎09-04-2013

I sell on 3 other sites. I never listed a one of a kind item on more than one site at a time. I am just not organized enough to keep it all sorted out . LOL And I do not want the hassle of a double sell.

jt-libra · ‎09-04-2013

No, that's just for auctions. It's a deterrent for sellers that will end an auction early and then relist when they think that the bids are not going to be high enough.

Yeah, that makes sense, pj. Good to know. Thanks.

i*m-still-here · ‎09-04-2013

libra, I list on multiple sites as well.

I try not to double list items but sometimes it makes sense to do so, and I've made mistakes and sold items twice but I do that on eBay as well because I use a Third Party Listing service and sometimes my sold items don't get marked as they should.

In any case, I've noticed more and more sellers listing on several sites, and that number is growing every day.

I recognize their items at a glance.

It took me well over a year.......... and closer to two years........... to get my last site going........... but now it challenges my eBay sales.

Thing is, other sites are specialized but on eBay you can list everything.

IMO.......... I watched what happened to Gifts here and that's motivation enough to spread out, but at first your work load is notably greater............. but I think well worth it.

jt-libra · ‎09-04-2013

Thanks i*m-still-here. I'm glad things are working out well for you.

And you've never been penalized or charged fees for ending listings early on eBay?

i*m-still-here · ‎09-04-2013

Never, but I would never double list an auction item and I think that's when fees may apply.

Just don't double list auction items.

I'm surprised at how common the practice of listing the same items on several sites has become.

To me it cheapens the items (but that's just my personal opinion) and I try to avoid it but if it works for me I don't hesitate to do so.

My items are one of a kind and recognizable but that won't be an issue for most sellers.

Also I end listings early on a regular basis for a number of reasons. NEVER fee avoidance though.............

I think eBay wants to make it a little intimidating to discourage sales from eBay customers as a means of fee avoidance and that's why they make you provide a reason for ending the listing.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎09-04-2013

Tried another site once for a month a while back & it did not work out well at all.

I'm sure it has worked out well for others including a couple of friends.

Was selling new team jerseys at 25, a very reasonable price & not one would be considered as junk.

Made the mistake of listing my phone number in the ad, too many calls from grinders including one at 3am.

Others wanted the items delivered & others wanted to come to our home to check the item. My policy is to meet in a central location as i do with my local eBay sales.

One buyer was a No Show & the other said " Oh Gee Sorry, I only have 10 Dollars with Me." Laughable.

Probably my buyer demographic, tall in stature, short in pocket, as a local friendly competitor has experienced the same.

jt-libra · ‎09-04-2013

Others wanted the items delivered & others wanted to come to our home to check the item. My policy is to meet in a central location as i do with my local eBay sales.

One buyer was a No Show & the other said " Oh Gee Sorry, I only have 10 Dollars with Me." Laughable.

Those are the types of issues I'm afraid of encountering when selling on local sites.

I've even stopped eBay pick-ups under a certain value because half the time they never showed up at the scheduled time. And here I am killing time in a local coffee shop or hotel lobby waiting for them. Some people are willing to drive across the city to save $1.95 in postage. That's laughable too. I have some steady customers who show up on time, every time, cash in hand and I have no problem with that.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎09-04-2013

My local eBay buyers have always met me for the exchange though there has only been a handful of them.

They seem to be in the area as most are leaving their workplace at the same time as myself.

Of course that was until my twelves started in the winter.

Frustrating with some buyers, but they seem to be in the minority.

I always let local buyers know it is probably cheaper to ship then meet up.

Had one a couple of weeks back that lived in East St. Paul. Definitely less expensive to ship.

rose-dee · ‎09-04-2013

@jt-libra wrote:

Sales have been so slow this past summer (I'm sure for most of us), I thought I might try selling elsewhere.

Sad but true -- there are many I'm certain who are feeling the same way. I know this isn't pertinent to this particular topic, but so much has been changed so quickly on eBay over the past year that I believe it's fundamentally shifted the way the site operates and is viewed, i.e. great if you're a big-box seller, but not very good if you're smaller and trying to be seen in the crowd.