eBay Fees

[murphcrud]

It was a typical chat with eBay on this subject with the same result as most chats that I have had with them - 'very little help and nothing resolved'.

So I turn to you - the knowledgable people of the universe -

How does eBay arrive at what there fees are based on?  I understand all of  the percentages of all the charges and taxes; I just don't understand how they arrive at the number that they use to base these percentage charges on the sale amount.    The following example of parallel sales that I recently made from Canada to different US buyers, both in South Carolina and both on low value items (under $10 ea) 

First item had eBay fees charged on sale price only, not including postage.

ie:  item price was 6.95 mailing charge 1.95  eBay charged fees on 6.95

Second item had fees charged on 5.94

ie: actual item price was 4.95 mailing charge 1.50 and yet fees were based on 5.94.

Actual difference what I was charged is very minimal but unexplainable by eBay.  

The exact amount that their fee was based on for this second item is 20% higher than the item price itself.

Any reason for this surcharge?  I couldn't resolve it with eBay, so I am asking if anyone had this similar issue or have an explaination why the fee details have different calculation methods.   Thanks

Can anyone explain

[murphcrud]

I find that explanation quite far fetched.   eBay never did anything that wouldn reduce their revenue, certainly not reducing fvf by using domestic listed shipping fees vs international fees, if the product was mailed out of country.  ie:  $5.40 for 201 gms envelope domestically vs $23.97 to the UK.  Somehow -----, I don't think so.

[ricarmic]

It's not far fetched it is one of the bonuses of having "free" domestic shipping (like I do for all my lots), it means I do not pay fees on any international shipping costs, which can sometimes be up to a couple $100..... it has been this way for a very long time, likely almost 20 years, I've been free shipping on almost everything since that rule came into place and it is a very very long time ago.....

[mrdutch1001]

eBay has based the fees on shipping on the domestic fees for many, many years....unfortunately, to this point I have been unable to find that information...

[murphcrud]

You, My Friend, have explained the process very clearly.  I fully understand how this all works - now that I know, I will change all of my listings asp - sure as heck after I do this, eBay will change their mind on this :-).

Thanks for your help.

[reallynicestamps]

@ricarmic 

My goodness, you are right!

And of course with the Global TRS status, we get another little discount.

I have always just thought of fees etc as being about 20% of gross and been happy when the month end looks lower than that.

I've mentioned I'm dysnumeric and can't easily handle numbers, right?

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/store-selling-fees?id=4809

The stamp category is waaaaay down at the bottom of the list.