eBay Spring 2010 Fee Changes – The LONG version

The eBay changes have been announced, set to roll out at the end of March 2010. This is the first of 3 for the 2010 year for eBay.

Read them and leave your comments in the comment section…what do you think? Lets hear it!

OUR LOWEST FEES EVER COMING THIS SPRING: FREE AUCTION-STYLE LISTINGS, FIXED PRICE AS LOW AS 3¢

March 30, 2010 will bring eBay’s lowest fees ever. Sellers of all sizes will have a range of options for easy selling and maximum profitability. For the vast majority of sellers, the new fee options will bring significant savings with dramatically reduced upfront cost.

Highlights

With eBay’s new standard fees you can list Auction-style with a low start price FREE—up to 100 items a month—and pay only if your item sells. Or you can choose one of the new eBay Stores subscription packages and list in Fixed Price with full search exposure for as low as 3¢ and in Auction-style at a significantly discounted rate.

Also starting March 30, there will be one Fixed Price format on eBay. Listings in the current Stores Inventory Format will automatically become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration and appear with all other Fixed Price listings in eBay search results.

Subscribe or upgrade your Store now and pay no additional monthly subscription fees until April 2010!

NEW STANDARD FEES

List Auction-style FREE with a low start price—pay only if your item sells.

• NO Insertion Fees for Auction-style listings when you list your item with a start price under $1—up to 100 listings per month. Pay only if your item sells.
• New low Insertion Fees when you list your item with a start price of $1 or more
• One easy Final Value Fee of 9% of the winning bid—and never more than $50—regardless of your start price or final selling price.
• 50¢ Insertion Fee for Fixed Price with Final Value Fees for the most part staying the same.

With no or low Insertion Fees for Auction-style listings—plus the fact that Auction-style listings get an automatic boost in search results when they’re about to end—the new standard rates are a great value if you sell occasionally or sell to earn extra cash.

NEW EBAY STORES SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES

List in Fixed Price with full search exposure as low as 3¢

• Insertion Fees as low as 3¢ for Fixed Price listings with full exposure in search results
• Fixed Price Final Value Fees for the most part staying the same
• New low Auction-style Insertion Fees
• Auction-style Final Value Fees significantly reduced over the new standard rate
• FREE pictures—up to 12 per listing
• FREE Selling Manager Pro with Premium and Anchor subscriptions
• Plus all the other great marketing tools you get with an eBay Stores subscription, including your own customizable store front and Markdown Manager.

Choose the package that’s right for you. Sign up now, before February 16, and pay no additional monthly fee until April!

• BASIC: 20¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees, $15.95/month
  Consider a Basic Store if you list more than 50 Fixed Price or Auction-style items a month. It’s a great starter package if you plan to start an eBay business or ramp up your selling.

• PREMIUM: 5¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees, $49.95/month
  Great choice for higher volume sellers (more than 250 items per month) and sellers listing in both Auction-style and Fixed Price formats.
• ANCHOR: 3¢ Fixed Price Insertion Fees, $299.95/month
  Get the same great deal as the old Store Inventory format-now with full exposure in search results! With an Anchor Store subscription, higher volume sellers get top savings and the lowest package rates on eBay.

  See fee charts for details.

  Use the Fee Illustrator Tool to help you decide.

  NOTE: Starting in March, meeting the new minimum performance standard for all sellers will be a requirement for Premium and Anchor subscribers.

One Fixed Price listing format
Starting March 30, eBay will offer one Fixed Price format with full search exposure. Existing Store Inventory Format listings will automatically become regular Fixed Price listings with their original duration at the new fees included with your Stores subscription package.

Fee Charts

eBay fees as of March 30, 2010

Current selling fees

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the changes to eBay seller fees?
We’re introducing a new fee structure that will allow you to select an option that works best for you based upon your selling activity and preferred listing format. Beginning March 30, 2010, you’ll have the option to list with new eBay standard fees or, for a monthly subscription fee, choose an eBay Stores package with discounted Fixed Price fees and new low fees for auctions.

In general, are eBay fees going up or down?
For most sellers, the new fee options will bring significant savings with dramatically reduced upfront cost. Across the board, Insertion Fees are being dramatically reduced. Final Value Fees for Fixed Price listings are for the most part staying the same. See the fee charts for details.

What are the new standard (non-subscription) fees and who do they benefit?
The standard fees are tailored to help sellers who list primarily in Auction-style format and sell just a few items a month or throughout the year. We’re taking away the upfront cost to list your item on eBay by making it free to list Auction-style with a start price under $1. We’re lowering Insertion Fees for Auction-style listings if you start at $1 or more. We’re also simplifying the fee you pay when your item sells to 9% of the final sale price capped at maximum of $50—regardless of your start price or final selling price. For Fixed Price listings, the new standard Insertion Fee is 50¢ with Final Value Fees based on your category and final selling price. Standard Final Value Fees for Fixed Price listings will be the same as the new Stores subscription packages.

How do I subscribe or upgrade my eBay Store?
You can subscribe to a new Store here or you can upgrade your current Store subscription under Manager My Store in the Account tab in My eBay.

What else do I get with a Stores subscription package besides the new discounted fees?
The new Stores subscription packages also include other great benefits such as free pictures (up to 12 per listing) and, for Premium and Anchor subscribers, free Selling Manager Pro ($15.99/mo value) to help manage your listings and sales more efficiently. Plus you get all the great marketing tools included with an eBay Store.

When will the new fee options (standard and new eBay Stores subscriptions) become effective?
All new fees become effective from 00:00 (midnight PT) on March 30, 2010. Listings that begin on and after midnight on March 30, 2010, (e.g. at 00:00:01 a.m. PST), will be charged the new fees, regardless of when they were created (e.g., through a listing tool or through the Sell Your Item form using the listing scheduler feature). Store Inventory Format listings will renew with the new fees only if the time of renewal is on or after March 30, 2010.

What other fee changes are being made?

• The International Site Visibility Fee on Fixed Price items will be a flat $0.50 for all durations. There will be no changes to the International Site Visibility Fee for Auction-style listings
• Antique Tractors will be charged same insertion fees, final value fees and reserve fees as the Capital Equipment -> Tractors and Farm Machinery categories. For more information on Capital Equipment fees.

Are there any other changes to the Fixed Price format?
Fixed Price listings must now have a price of at least $0.99.

Are there any other changes taking place with Auction-format?
The Feedback requirement to add the Buy It Now option in Auction-style listings will be removed as of March 30, 2010.

Why are you only offering zero Insertion Fees for auctions starting under $1 with the new standard fees?
This "no fee to list" option provides an incentive to list the way auctions work best—with a low start price to stimulate bidding. If the item doesn’t sell, you pay nothing. You can also start your Auction-style listing at other start prices for a new lower Insertion Fee. A 9% Final Value Fee (capped at $50) applies when your item sells.

I usually start my Auction-style listing under $1 but add a reserve to some of my listings. Will I be charged an Insertion Fee for those listings under the new standard fee structure?
The free Insertion Fee applies to listings that start at $0.99 or below and have no reserve. For listing that start under $1.00 and have a reserve, the insertion fee will be $0.10. Reserve fees will still apply to your listings.

Does this new fee structure have any impact on my Top-rated seller discounts?
The discount you receive for achieving eBay Top-rated seller status will not change as result of the new fee structure. If you are an eBay Top-rated seller and get a 20% discount, you will continue to get a 20% discount on the Final Value Fees you pay with the new rates of your choice.

Where will the new fee structure take effect?
The new fee structure will apply to eBay.com, eBay.ca, and eBay Motors Parts & Accessories.

If I list with a selling tool such as Selling Manager or Turbo Lister before March 30, 2010, but don’t confirm the listings until after March 30, 2010, which price will I be charged?
All items that begin at midnight (PT) or later on March 30, 2010, will be charged according to the new fee structure. In this example, listings confirmed after March 30, 2010, will be charged the new fees, regardless of when they were submitted.

What categories are included in these changes?
All regular categories on eBay.com, eBay.ca and eBay Motors Parts & Accessories are included, except those mentioned under the exclusions. (See fee changes for eBay Motors Vehicles).

What categories are excluded from these changes?
Excluded from the Insertion Fee and Final Value Fee changes are Classified Ads, Real Estate, Vehicle categories on eBay Motors, and the following Business and Industrial Capital Equipment categories: Tractors & farm machinery (91952), heavy equipment (25249), concession trailers, carts (67145), imaging and aesthetics equipment (92036), forklifts and other lifts (97185), manufacturing equipment (92080), metalworking equipment (92082) and commercial printing presses (26247).

What do these changes mean for low volume sellers who sell fewer items in many categories or the unique items you can only find on eBay? Will these sellers benefit from the changes?
The new standard fees are specifically tailored to meet the needs of sellers who list primarily in Auction-style format and/or sell just a few items per month or throughout the year. We’re lowering the upfront cost to list on eBay and simplifying the fee you pay when your item sells.

I’m a high volume seller and I sell almost exclusively in Auction-style, often with a start price over $1.00. Which fee option will be best for me?
High volume auction sellers can also benefit from these changes. The new eBay Stores subscription packages include low Auction-style and Fixed Price fees, free pictures and free sales management tools such as Selling Manager Pro (with Premium and Anchor Stores). High volume auction sellers should consider a Basic store when they list over 50 Auction-style items per month. 

Is there a free trial for Stores subscriptions?
There is no free trial period. However, if you wish to try an eBay Store subscription, review and select a Store subscription that you believe will work best for you. Store subscriptions are for a minimum 30-day period. You will be billed even if you cancel or downgrade your subscription within this period. Subscriptions cancelled or downgraded after the first 30 days will be pro-rated.

Can I still list 5 free every 30 days regardless of my auction start price?
No. The current "5 Free Insertion Fees every 30 days" fee structure for Auction-style listings available when you list using the Sell Your Item Form will be replaced with the new standard fees on March 30, 2010. Auction-style format items with a start price under $1 will be free to list, up to a maximum 100 listings per calendar month. An Insertion Fee of 10¢ per listing will apply to Auction-style listings with a start price under $1 after the 100 maximum. You can also start your Auction-style listing at other start prices for a low Insertion Fee. A 9% Final Value Fee (capped at $50) applies when your item sells.

Are there changes to Final Value Fees for non-Store subscribers who list in Fixed Price?
For non-Store subscribers, the Final Value Fee for Fixed Price listings will be the same Final Value Fees as Stores packages and based upon the selling price and category you sell in. For the most part, the Final Value Fees for Fixed Price listings are staying the same. See the fee chart for details.

Can I have a Stores subscription and still choose to list with standard fees?
No, the new fees associated with your Stores subscription level will automatically apply to all your listings after you subscribe to an eBay Store. Note you can choose to end your Stores subscriptions after 30 days if you want to list with standard fees. See more details below about ending, upgrading, or downgrading your Store subscription.

Will I still receive relist credit when my item does not sell?
Fixed Price listings are not eligible for relist credits when an item does not sell. However, relist credits are available (for both Fixed Price and Auction-style listings) when the original item was sold but was not paid for by your buyer. For example, you filed an Unpaid Item claim, received a credit for the Final Value Fee for that listing, then relisted the item and sold it again.

What’s changing with the current Store Inventory Format?
Starting March 30, 2010, there will be only one Fixed Price format on eBay. At that time, listings in the current Store Inventory Format will become regular Fixed Price listings with the same duration. All Fixed Price, Good ‘Til Cancelled listings including previous Store Inventory Format listings will be set to renew as Fixed Price listings at the new fees.

Why is eBay discontinuing the Store Inventory Format?
Having one Fixed Price format will optimize exposure for all your listings and simplify search results for buyers. It will also provide buyers with a wider selection of the most relevant inventory from trusted sellers.

When my Store Inventory Format listings become Fixed Price listings, will they appear differently than Fixed Price listings?
The only difference will be how the items are merchandised within the listing—for example, if you mention your Store or use elements of your Store branding, these elements will continue to surface in your listings. These listings will appear in search results the same way as any other Fixed Price listing.

You will be introducing a lot of additional listings in search results with this change. Could this overwhelm buyers and clutter search results?
The intention of this change is to provide the best selection of items with great quality and great price. Best Match will help surface the most relevant items for buyers. We’ve made significant strides in our search technology over the past few years. Not only can our search technology handle the influx of new inventory, but with this additional inventory being exposed in search results, buyers are more often finding the things they are looking for and buying them—increasing overall purchases. That’s a win for buyers, sellers, and eBay.

Will any of my Store Inventory Format listings be ended automatically with this change?
We will not end any of your Store Inventory Format listings automatically. However, Store Inventory Format listings that have had no activity in the past 16 months will be flagged as a note in My eBay and in other seller tools including Turbo Lister, Selling Manager, Selling Manager Pro and Blackthorne to help you identify listings that are not performing well. Sellers are encouraged to evaluate these listings and edit as necessary to get them ready to become Fixed Price listings surfaced in core search results. We’ll notify sellers if/when non-performing listings will be ended in the future.

What can I do now to prepare for changes to fees and the introduction of a single Fixed Price format?

• Review the new fees/plans carefully to determine which plan works best for your business. Subscribe or upgrade your Store now and pay no additional monthly subscription fees until April 2010!

• Review your Store Inventory Format listings and determine which of those you wish to keep active. At the end of March, Store Inventory Format listings will become Fixed Price listings and set to renew at the new fees with the same duration as the original listing. Consider the following options:
  
  • Allow inventory to renew as regular Fixed Price listings at the new rate determined by the eBay Stores subscription package of your choice. If you opt not to subscribe to an eBay Store, your items will be renewed at the new standard rate.

  • Revise your current listings to make them more competitive so they will perform well as regular Fixed Price listings.
  • Liquidate inventory you don’t want to renew before the new pricing starts: For example, re-price, send to auction, offer items at a special price with Markdown Manager, or use Best Offer.

Are there tools available to help review, edit or end Store Inventory Format listings?
There are several tools you can use:

• My eBay: Underperforming listings will be flagged
• Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro, Turbo Lister and Blackthorne: These tools will identify which of your listings are performing and those that are underperforming.

  How do these changes affect my current Stores subscription?
  If you are a current Stores subscriber and happy with the new rates included with your subscription level, you don’t have to do anything. Sellers are encouraged to review listings and edit those that are not performing prior to March 30 to get them ready to become Fixed Price listings in core search results. If you currently subscribe to a Premium or Anchor Store, you’ll need to be sure you meet the new "Above Standard" performance eligibility requirement. If you currently subscribe to a Premium or Anchor Store and don’t meet the performance eligibility requirements, you will have 60 days to improve performance or your subscription will be downgraded to the Basic Stores tier.

  Will the Store Referral Credit continue after these changes launch?
  Store Referral Credits will be discontinued as of March 30, 2010.

  How do I choose the right listing format for my items?
  Here are some guidelines.

  Use Auction-style format when:

• You’re unsure of the value of your item and want it to sell right away, allowing the eBay Marketplace to determine its value.
• You have unique and hard-to-find items that could attract demand and spur a bidding war, maximizing profits from your listing.
• You are currently using Auction-style format listings, and you have a high sell-through rate (your items typically sell the first time you list them).

Use Fixed Price when:

• You have multiple items that you can place into one listing.
• You know the value of your item or know the exact price you need to get for it.
• You have a lot of inventory and want to minimize your upfront Insertion Fees. Use 30-day durations and try automatic renewals (Good ‘Til Cancelled) to boost efficiency.
• You want your items to be available to buyers for more than seven days.

Consider using a combination of both Auction-style and Fixed Price when:

• You sell a variety of items and want to attract both bidders and buyers—those looking for a deal on Auction-style listings and others who prefer the convenience of Fixed Price purchases.
• You want to maximize demand for your inventory and leverage Auction-style and Fixed Price to help drive bidders and buyers to your other listings.
• Test the different formats and see which one works best for you

Do all sellers have the option to subscribe to a Store?
All sellers with a PayPal account and who are PayPal Verified can subscribe to a Store. Starting March 30, 2010, to subscribe to a Premium or Anchor Store, you will also be required have a seller performance rating "Above Standard." You can see your eligibility in your Seller Dashboard. Learn more about seller performance standards.

Are there any Feedback requirements to open a Store and/or to list in Fixed Price?
The requirements to have a minimum of 5 Feedback to list in Fixed Price and 15 Feedback to list in multi-quantity Fixed Price will be removed effective March 30, 2010.

What is changing with Fixed Price durations?
All Fixed Price listing durations—3, 5, 7, 10, 30-day and Good ‘Til Cancelled—will be available with standard fees and with eBay Stores subscription packages.

How do I upgrade/downgrade my current Stores subscription?
You can upgrade or downgrade your current Stores subscription under Manage My Store in the Account tab in My eBay. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Store subscriptions are for a minimum 30-day period, and you will be billed even if you cancel or downgrade your subscription within this period. Subscriptions cancelled or downgraded after the first 30 days will be pro-rated.

• Any special offer discounts you currently have may be affected if you change your subscription level.
• An upgrade to your Stores subscription level is effective immediately. Subscriptions are billed at the time you are invoiced and will show on the "View Account Status" page after your invoice is generated. Subscriptions are billed a month in advance. In case of an upgrade, the lower subscription tier will be prorated and you would be credited for the unused portion.
• If you downgrade your Stores subscription level, the lower subscription level will become effective immediately. However, you will continue to pay the applicable fees at your current level until after the minimum of 30 days at the higher tier has passed.

What will happen with the existing 5¢ Insertion Fee promotion for media listings?
Insertion Fees in Books, Music, Movies & DVDs and Video Games listed with Product Details will continue to be 5¢ through December 31, 2010 regardless of subscription. Anchor Store subscribers listing in these categories will be charged the lower Insertion Fee of 3¢ beginning March 30, 2010 when the new pricing starts.

If I have a Stores subscription, do any of my listings qualify for the standard pricing or would I ever be charged the standard fees?
If you subscribe to eBay Stores, you will pay the Insertion Fees and Final Value Fees (for both Fixed Price and Auction-style listings) associated with your Store subscription package. You can subscribe to eBay Stores or end your eBay Store subscription at any time. However, keep in mind that Store subscriptions are 30 days long. When you subscribe, you’re billed for the entire 30-day period, even if you cancel before the 30 days are up. When the 30-day period ends, standard fees would apply.

How do I cancel my Stores subscription, and what happens to my listings when I do?
When you cancel or unsubscribe from an eBay Store subscription, you will be given the option to cancel all of your listings (they will go to the Unsold file in My eBay) or you can select the option to let your limited-duration Fixed Price listings end naturally. Good ‘Til Cancelled listings will renew at the standard rate unless you end them.

To close your eBay Store:

1. Go to My eBay.
2. Click the Account tab, then click the Subscriptions link in the left navigation.
3. Scroll to the eBay Stores section, and click the Cancel Subscription link.
4. If you have bundled subscriptions with your eBay Store for Selling Manager, Selling Manager Pro, or other selling tool, select the appropriate button to specify whether you want to keep the subscriptions at the new monthly fee or unsubscribe. (Please note that Selling Manager is free for all sellers.)
5. You should choose to end or keep all your Fixed Price listings.
6. If you’re sure you want to close your Store, click the Close store button.

Related posts:

1. Is There a Hidden Fee Increase For eBay Sellers Coming?!?
2. eBay Mythbusters 2010 Price Change Challenge
3. Will This Vintage Seller De-Clutter? How I’m Dealing with eBay’s Latest Changes
4. eBay System Announcements Posted Today – June 15th Will Be Implemented
5. Dinesh Lathi’s New eBay Toy: I Got An App Store Too Apple?!?