eBay System Announcements Posted Today – June 15th Will Be Implemented

Here are the “much anticipated” announcements from the eBay staff. My comments to come later…

Keeping eBay a thriving marketplace requires a close partnership between sellers and eBay to give buyers the experience they expect. We continue to invest in driving traffic and buyer loyalty, and we need your help to make buyers happy and keep them coming back. For our part, we’re also taking steps to make it easier and more profitable for you to sell.

Changes impacting your listings are now being consolidated with more lead time for you to adapt. These updates are scheduled to take place the week of June 15, 2009.

1. Easier, more visual shopping and buyer incentives to drive more sales
   • New item page rolling out to more buyers. New photo zoom coming later this summer. Get your listings ready now.
   • New eBay product pages surfacing to more buyers. List via product details (formerly called pre-filled item information).
   • New way to list in Fixed Price. Offer all variations of one product—e.g. all colors and sizes—in a single low-cost listing.
   • Buyer incentives and loyalty programs expanded to drive more traffic.

2. Key information to set buyer expectations and help reduce your costs
   • New Smart FAQ answers buyers’ top 20 questions before they contact you.
   • Package tracking information right in My eBay—print labels on eBay and tracking will show up automatically, or you can upload your own tracking information.
   • Return policy and handling time required for new listings and re-listings beginning June 15. Deadline for updating your Good ‘Til Cancelled listings extended to mid-September.
   • Use Item Specifics! Now you can customize when the available choices don’t apply to your item.
   • Category and Item Specifics changes now consolidated with the rest of updates—find out if your listings are impacted.

3. Other updates to make selling on eBay more efficient
• New, more efficient process for handling disputes.
• Selling Manager FREE for all sellers—with powerful new Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro applications coming later this summer.
• Easier, faster way to pay for shipping, print labels, and update buyers—right from eBay.
• Bulk editing tools to make it fast and easy to update your listings.

Read full notice overview HERE

Related posts:

1. Press Release: ChannelAdvisor First to Announce Support For Latest eBay Changes