Questions about basic store

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Hi ladies and gentlemen, I have read through http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/storefees.html#insertion but still have some questions, so any help from stores users would be much appreciated 

1. If I open a basic store today, do I get 250 free insertion + 250 free auction (selected categories) ON TOP of the free 50 listings that every users get, making it 250 + 250 + 50 listings per month? Or do you lose that free 50 listings making it just an additional 450 listings a month for $25?

2. Is it 250 free insertion + 250 free auction for both .CA and .COM, making it a total of 1000 listings, or is it 500 listings for .CA only?

3. If I don't renew my store right away, and open the store again let's say in January, will all the store specific features and settings I have made (for example, item categories) still be there, or will I have to start from scratch again when I reopen the store?

4. Does the store automatically renew, or will it prompt me to pay before it ends? I really only want to try it for a month right now and I don't want it to renew automatically in December. 

Just trying to figure out if it's worth $25 a month for me, as I have limited time to invest in the store itself. It's too bad eBay has been stingy about free listings promos lately...

Thank you for everybody's input in advance! 

[dutchman48]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:

Hi ladies and gentlemen, I have read through http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/storefees.html#insertion but still have some questions, so any help from stores users would be much appreciated 

1. If I open a basic store today, do I get 250 free insertion + 250 free auction (selected categories) ON TOP of the free 50 listings that every users get, making it 250 + 250 + 50 listings per month? Or do you lose that free 50 listings making it just an additional 450 listings a month for $25?

2. Is it 250 free insertion + 250 free auction for both .CA and .COM, making it a total of 1000 listings, or is it 500 listings for .CA only?

3. If I don't renew my store right away, and open the store again let's say in January, will all the store specific features and settings I have made (for example, item categories) still be there, or will I have to start from scratch again when I reopen the store?

4. Does the store automatically renew, or will it prompt me to pay before it ends? I really only want to try it for a month right now and I don't want it to renew automatically in December. 

Just trying to figure out if it's worth $25 a month for me, as I have limited time to invest in the store itself. It's too bad eBay has been stingy about free listings promos lately...

Thank you for everybody's input in advance! 

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1. you lose the 50

2. you get 500 on each if your auctions are in the right category - total 1000

3. your settings, categories and everything should be saved but no guarantees

4. It does auto renew unless you cancel before renewal date. You have to be very careful with billing dates and store states. It will be prorated for part of the month for opening asd well as when you cancel

With the number of listings you have, a store would be worth it and you may also get cheaper FVF's depending on categories.

It does, of course, depend on your sales volume compared to listings. Many peoples sales are way down and they are closing their stores.

Only you can decide if it is worth it and you should not just look at one month. What have you been paying for listing fees per month and what are the final value fees per month compared to the same with a store including the store fee. also look at how many you are able to list or want to list with a store.

Many decisions to be made.

[ypdc_dennis]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:

Hi ladies and gentlemen, I have read through http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/storefees.html#insertion but still have some questions, so any help from stores users would be much appreciated 

1. If I open a basic store today, do I get 250 free insertion + 250 free auction (selected categories) ON TOP of the free 50 listings that every users get, making it 250 + 250 + 50 listings per month? Or do you lose that free 50 listings making it just an additional 450 listings a month for $25?

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When you open the store the 50 free non-store listings go away (which is why you should use them up first before opening the store).  After that (if you can make use of them all) the basic store is 450 more free listings than a non-store,

Divide $25 by the cost of a paid listing to find the tip point.

For example if you are paying 30 cents for each non-free listing, then 24.95/.30 = 84

If you do more than 83 paid listings (on top of the free 50) per month then a store is the best choice from a money viewpoint.

-..-

[pocomocomputing]

Some other comments.

Open the store on eBay.ca Canada because you pay in Canadian dollars. The monthly store fee (no contract) is numerically 24.95 on either site but you pay USD for a store on eBay.com and in CDN for a store on eBay.ca. Because of the exchange rate, the store on eBay.ca is in CDN it is effectively 25% less expensive than the same store opened on eBay.com in USD. The store on eBay.ca will show all listings made on any site on eBay.

Make sure you open the basic store at 24.95 monthly rate for no contract, cancel at any time. Do not open the store at 19.95 monthly rate because it is a year contract with penalties if you cancel early. If the store works for you after 2-3 months and sales are consistent, then consider going for the year contract with the lower monthly fee of 19.95.

Store Subscriptions terms - http://pages.ebay.ca/stores/subscriptionterms.html

Having a store reduces the Final Value Fee rate from non-store 10% for all categories to 9.15% or lower depending on the categories you sell in. So every sale saves a little bit to help pay for the monthly store fee.

Store fees - http://pages.ebay.ca/stores/subscriptionterms.html

Fee Illustrator - http://www.subs.ebay.ca/feeweb/feeillustrator

As mentioned by ypdc_dennis, the break point for considering a store is roughly 50+83=133 listings. This does not take into account the savings in FVF because of the store lower rates.  

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Thank you for Dutchman and dennis’s Input. (And poco too! You posted while I was typing haha)

Question about store fees being pro-rated... so let’s say I open the store on the 15th but my billing date is on the 27th. Does it mean on the 27th I’ll get billed for 12 days worth of the store?

If I close my store on the 14th of December, does it mean I get charged the remaining 18 days of my store on my December bill? I don’t plan to keep my store during Xmas so that’s why I’m literally only doing it for a month now and maybe open again next year.

And let’s say I listed 450 items on the 20th with 30 days FP and close my store on the 14th, will those listings still be live until their 30 days are up?

I’m assuming the min charge for a store is $25 a month. So let’s say I opened my store for 75 days instead of 90 days, I’ll still get charged $75, is that correct?

I definitely don’t plan to do an annual contract, so it’ll be a month here and there, probably every 2-3 months when my work schedule is less busy. 

[pocomocomputing]

The link I gave explains the billing for the first month and the last month.

First month is prorated. Last month no prorated, you paid for the first month.

Billing is 1 month in advance. The first month with have the prorated month charge plus the month coming up. You will pay more in the first month because of this.

The FVF fee rate charged is at the time of listing.  So when you start a store, all active listings will be charge the old non-store FVF rate of 10% until they end or renew. When you cancel the store, the FVF of the store will be used for listings created during the store and will continue until the listings ends or renews. Then the non-store rate will be used.

How many listings do you want extra? Staying non-store and paying the fee for additional listings is attractive up to 133 listing approximately. You pay for what you use and do not have to worry about using up the remaining store free listings.

Also do not forget that you still get the 50 free on both sites so you still get 50 free on USA and 133 (50 free + 83 paid) on eBay.ca before store is cheaper.

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Hmm so the first month costs more because of the way it is pro-rated. I just checked and I get invoices by eBay monthly on the 1st of the month. So if I read the link correctly, that means if I start my store on the 15th, I’d get charged around $12.50 + $25 on Dec 1st for the store, is that correct? Even if I end my store on the 14th I’ll still have to pay $37.50’ is that correct?

I currently have 170 unsold listings on .CA that will reach their 90 days life span, and since eBay hasn’t given out any free promo lately I was thinking of getting a store for a month so that I can “revive” those listings instead of losing them. I have 50 listings on .COM also. A $25 basic store is cheaper than relisting them individually at 0.30 each.

Since my billing date is the 1st, I suppose it’d make more sense to start the store on the 1st?

[pocomocomputing]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:

Hmm so the first month costs more because of the way it is pro-rated. I just checked and I get invoices by eBay monthly on the 1st of the month. So if I read the link correctly, that means if I start my store on the 15th, I’d get charged around $12.50 + $25 on Dec 1st for the store, is that correct? Even if I end my store on the 14th I’ll still have to pay $37.50’ is that correct?

I currently have 170 unsold listings on .CA that will reach their 90 days life span, and since eBay hasn’t given out any free promo lately I was thinking of getting a store for a month so that I can “revive” those listings instead of losing them. I have 50 listings on .COM also. A $25 basic store is cheaper than relisting them individually at 0.30 each.

Since my billing date is the 1st, I suppose it’d make more sense to start the store on the 1st?

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If you start the store on the 15th of Nov, your Dec 1st invoice would show $12.50 for the past November plus $25 for December.

If you end the store in December 14th, then end date of the store is the 31st. You would still have all the privileges of the store til then. No prorating of the store fee in the last month.  I believe you have all store privileges for the month and the end of the store takes place on the 31st. But I would cancel on the 28 or 29 to make sure I get to use the store for the month.

My understanding of the way it works. I had a store 3 times over the years. When I had stores the last month was prorated too like the first month. But that changed along the way I think when free listings came with a store. This was to stop a seller from opening up a store for a week to get the store free listings and closing only paying for a week for a store.

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Thank you for your detailed explanation. Since I don't want to invest more than $25 at the moment just for trying the store, it seems logical for me to start the store on Dec 1st, and end it on the 29th... that way the January invoice should only charge me $25 I hope.

For the 250+250 listings, are they given out on the day you start the store or on the 1st of every month?

[ypdc_dennis]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:
... I don't want to invest more than $25 at the moment just for trying the store, it seems logical for me to start the store on Dec 1st, and end it on the 29th... that way the January invoice should only charge me $25 I hope.

For the 250+250 listings, are they given out on the day you start the store or on the 1st of every month?

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The day you start, then the 1st of every month.

...

For best value open November 29, use as many of the 250+250 as possible before the start of December. And then use the 250+250 in December, Then downgrade the last week of December.

Total cost 2 days prorated + 1 month is about $26.61 plus tax for 2 months worth of free listings.

You pay a month earlier (if invoiced at the start of the month) but get more potential benefit.

...

http://pages.ebay.ca/stores/subscriptionterms.html

...

Warning!  If you use auctions with BIN, stores are charged for adding BIN. It The extra fee for auction BIN is not charged for non-stores.

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[ypdc_dennis]

Note: the pro-rating is based on when your monthly invoice is done (at least that's what the eBay help file shows) -- my suggestion is if you are invoiced at the start of the month. It's different for those with mid-month invoices.

-..-

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Sounds like a plan!

[pocomocomputing]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:
Thank you for your detailed explanation. Since I don't want to invest more than $25 at the moment just for trying the store, it seems logical for me to start the store on Dec 1st, and end it on the 29th... that way the January invoice should only charge me $25 I hope.

For the 250+250 listings, are they given out on the day you start the store or on the 1st of every month?

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There should be no charge for store fees for January because on the December invoice, you paid for the prorated November store fee and paid $25 in advance for the month of December. The January invoice might have some accounting for the store showing store debits and credits but the net amount should be zero for store fees.

Store fees are only added on the monthly invoice so they cannot be seen when you view account charges in My eBay which only shows listing fees.

Remember sales tax is charged on the store fees.

[pocomocomputing]

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@ypdc_dennis wrote:

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:
... I don't want to invest more than $25 at the moment just for trying the store, it seems logical for me to start the store on Dec 1st, and end it on the 29th... that way the January invoice should only charge me $25 I hope.

For the 250+250 listings, are they given out on the day you start the store or on the 1st of every month?

---

The day you start, then the 1st of every month.

...

For best value open November 29, use as many of the 250+250 as possible before the start of December. And then use the 250+250 in December, Then downgrade the last week of December.

Total cost 2 days prorated + 1 month is about $26.61 plus tax for 2 months worth of free listings.

You pay a month earlier (if invoiced at the start of the month) but get more potential benefit.

...

http://pages.ebay.ca/stores/subscriptionterms.html

...

Warning!  If you use auctions with BIN, stores are charged for adding BIN. It The extra fee for auction BIN is not charged for non-stores.

-..-

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It is important to make sure you start the store in November late in the month as suggested above but to have it cover 30+ days so you list at Fixed Price 30 days once in Nov and relist again in December.

The 29th of Nov is a good day because 30 day listings will come up on December 29 for renewal. Because Dec is a 31 day month, you get an extra day for the store compared to November.

If you need more time to prepare and list, start the store on the 28th or 27th.

Of course the start of the store depends on when your UnSold/Sold listings are going to reach the 90 day mark and disappear since that is the reason why you want the store. If you need to start the store earlier, then adjust the start day in the month in November.

PS Sometimes after a store seller cancels his store, eBay will send offers to try a store again a few months later with a promo at a low monthly store rate. I got offers for 5.95 a month for 4 months for a store after my second time having a store for a year or so and used the offer for 3 months then cancelled. So you might be able to get a store again just in time for your 90 days listings to expire in UnSold listings. Be careful if you get the free store promo because if not cancelled it may default to a yearly contract and not monthly. Read the terms carefully if you get such a promo.

[pocomocomputing]

Another warning. Non-store sellers get free eBay scheduling. Store sellers pay a 10 cent scheduling fee per listing. So do not use scheduling while having a store unless you want to pay for it.

[pocomocomputing]

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@pocomocomputing wrote:

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:
Thank you for your detailed explanation. Since I don't want to invest more than $25 at the moment just for trying the store, it seems logical for me to start the store on Dec 1st, and end it on the 29th... that way the January invoice should only charge me $25 I hope.

For the 250+250 listings, are they given out on the day you start the store or on the 1st of every month?

---

There should be no charge for store fees for January because on the December invoice, you paid for the prorated November store fee and paid $25 in advance for the month of December. The January invoice might have some accounting for the store showing store debits and credits but the net amount should be zero for store fees.

Store fees are only added on the monthly invoice so they cannot be seen when you view account charges in My eBay which only shows listing fees.

Remember sales tax is charged on the store fees.

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Just clarify that the daily account fee activity does not show store fees but store fees do appear on the monthly invoice.

At least that is the way it worked when I had a store.

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Noted, thank you 🙂

My 90 days is up on Dec 3rd so I’ll start store around Nov 27-29, depending on which day I have more time after work. Thank you for all the great advices 🙂

[dutchman48]

Good luck with the store.

[rose-dee]

One thing I wanted to add for you to consider, aside from all the actual facts and figures, is that in my view a store (with a unique, and hopefully memorable name) also has significant value from a marketing standpoint for "brand" recognition.  I think this is something a lot of people forget about, but it can be an important factor.  Also, you will get access to a number of tools and features (mostly marketing tools) that aren't available to non-store owners.  Having a store with its own name and nicely designed banner also allows you to advertise elsewhere consistently. 

In this sense, you may not want to jump in and out of store ownership, but rather run a month-by-month store for several months in a row and see how it impacts your sales -- and your returning customers.  I'm always surprised at how far and wide my store and store name gets posted around on the internet, and I consider that promotional value almost worth the monthly cost (I have a yearly subscription, but I wouldn't advise starting with a subscription if you're just trying out a store, as there can be hefty early cancellation penalties involved). 

You may or may not know that there are two basic types of store design (mine is still the classic one).  I believe (but am not 100% certain) that you may still have a choice when you open a store of using the classic style, or eBay's new store format.  Give this some thought, and take a look at a few stores to see the difference between old and new, as your type of customer base may determine which store "look" you choose.  There are also a few features available with the old store format that are no longer provided with the new, such as certain custom pages, which is one of the reasons I haven't switched over.  Also, I don't particularly like the "fade-in" style of display of item listings on the new format, but that's just my personal preference.  

I believe it's still possible to switch from the "old" store format to the new once you're set up, but it will mean re-designing your banner and other features.  I don't know whether it's still possible to go back to the old format once you set up with the new style.  Whichever one you choose, I'd recommend sticking with it, as your buyers will become accustomed to your storefront and layout. 

One last point: do spend time on the layout and design of your store, how you want your business logo to appear (if you don't have one, it's a great time to design one), and put up a great photograph as a banner that exemplifies what you sell.  

Good luck with your store venture! 

[pocomocomputing]

I would recommend anyone just going with the new store design. The old store will be phased out in the next year or two if not sooner. eBay has just not got around to making sellers go to the new store yet.

eBay said when the new store design came out 3-4 years ago that they would add custom pages and promotion boxes to the new store design but I do not think it will happen. eBay has the new promotions tool now. As for custom pages, if they have not added it after 3+ years, it will not happen.

From what I understand, zee-chan is getting the store first to save her listings about to expire but I do encourage her to explore the store while she has it.

PS One last tip for you. If you have too many listings to be left unused in a month, try listings Fixed Price 10 day duration 3 times a month. Get a few more starts and ends in a month hopefully to be found by newly listed or ending soon searches. This is the same trick as many used for Listing Promotions that gave a seller thousands of free listings that would last 10 days, a seller would list 3 times at 3 days duration in the first 9 days and on the 10 day list for 30 days.