Ebay called me at home about new seller changes!!

[lastpurse]

I did a search for this, and did not see anything so I apologize if something about this has been posted.

A rep from Ebay called me at home yesterday to recap all the different seller changes, then followed up with an email. Has anyone else gotten this call?

Here is the email:

Here is a follow-up email regarding recent changes on eBay. eBay is taking steps to create a great marketplace for sellers, reduce upfront selling fees, optimize search exposure and build buyer confidence, that will help drive more sales for sellers.

Here’s a quick recap of the key changes, followed by a listings checklist:

Auction-style listings are still the heart of eBay: There are no changes in basic fees; when you start pricing low; auction-style is still the best deal on eBay. Along with item relevance, seller DSRs, and total price, the time remaining is also key for Auction-style listings. That means your Auction-style listings will continue to get an automatic boost in exposure as ending time approaches. To learn more about fee changes, visit http://www.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/BasicFees

Insertion Fees for Fixed Price Listings: eBay has lowered upfront listing fees for Fixed Price listings to a new flat rate Insertion Fee of just 35¢, regardless of asking price or number of items available in your listing. For more information on new fees, visit http://www.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/BasicFees

Fixed Price—your listing’s recent sales now factored into Best Match search results: Now, the more items sold in your fixed price listing, the better position you get in search results. “Time ending soonest” is no longer a factor for Fixed Price. The best way to build up a “recent sales” advantage is to combine similar items in one multi-quantity Fixed Price listing with the new 30-day duration option included at no extra charge. In fact, this would be a great time for you to consider moving some of your best Store inventory to 30-day fixed price listings on eBay. Your listings will get more exposure at a very low price. To learn more about the recent sales factor, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/ConfidentBuyers/#2 And as always, maintain good DSRs and price your items competitively.

Limits on shipping and handling charges for key categories: Starting in October, eBay is enforcing maximum shipping and handling charges in Books, DVDs and Movies, Music, and Video Games categories. You are encouraged to use the shipping calculator to charge actual costs at or below the maximums. If your situation is not standard (e.g., if you’re shipping several items to one buyer), you can also use the shipping calculator to charge actual costs. To learn more, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/MaxShipping

Special incentives for free shipping: For items sold between October 1st and December 31st, 2008 that offer free shipping, eBay will include a free subtitle upgrade to highlight this benefit in your listing and PowerSellers will get double their Final Value Fee discounts. As always, listings with free shipping get an extra advantage in search results. To learn more, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ

Checks and money orders no longer allowed: Beginning in late October, sellers will no longer be allowed to offer checks or money orders as payment methods on eBay. Only approved electronic methods will be allowed. In January 2009, all accepted payment methods will be integrated into eBay Checkout. For buyers, change means a more consistent and secure payment experience. For sellers, it means faster payment and fewer unpaid items. (Note this policy will not apply to some categories in Motors, Real Estate, Mature Audiences, and Business & Industrial). To learn more, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/#3

Minimum 4.3 detailed seller ratings (DSRs) required to keep selling on eBay: The vast majority of eBay sellers—some 96%—are well above this threshold. To protect the interests of all these sellers, starting November 1, eBay will no longer allow the few who don’t deliver on basic standards of customer satisfaction to sell on eBay. Sellers will be evaluated on the past 30 days of DSRs. Sellers who’ve received less than ten DSRs in the past 30 days will be evaluated on their DSRs over the last 12 months. Sellers with no DSRs will still be allowed to list. To learn more, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/index.html#4

To find a complete overview of the changes, visit http://www.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Overview


Listings Checklist

Make sure your listings are clear to buyers, priced competitively, and compliant with new policies. We recommend addressing the policy issues early to avoid disruptions to your sales. Whenever possible, consider making your revisions (including changes to your item descriptions) all at once, saving you time later. Here are some key dates to keep in mind.

· By October 5th:
- Revise your shipping costs so they’re below eBay’s maximum shipping & handling costs, or use eBay’s shipping calculator to determine shipping costs based on your buyer’s location.

· By late October:
- Remove checks and money orders from the “Payment Details” section

· Make sure you specify the following listing fields (previously optional):
- Return policy
- Handling time



Coming in 2009

Remove the following from your item descriptions (more details to come):
· All references to checks and money orders

Tips:
· This is a great time to add Item Specifics to your listings, making it easier and faster for buyers to find your items.
· See FAQs on Revising Listings for tips on making bulk edits. Learn more at, http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ

To help your business better adapt to these changes, follow this checklist thoroughly. Download a printer-friendly version of the Seller Checklist, at http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/checklists




Top 5 Best Practices to Boost Your Success

Here are a few quick tips for taking best advantage of the latest developments on eBay—just in time to jumpstart your holiday selling season.

1) List in Fixed Price for 35¢—regardless of start price, item quantity or duration.

2) List in Auction-style with a low start price for the lowest possible fees on eBay.

3) Revise your listings now to stay on top of upcoming changes.

4) Offer free shipping!

5) Give customers great service and earn high detailed seller ratings (DSRs)—your key to success on eBay.

To get more details about these Best Practices, visit http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/BestPractices


I hope you found this information helpful. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

DAWNA
eBay Seller Development

 

[ayla]

Are you a high volume seller ? It seems like a huge waste of resources to call people up to explain this ?

 

[Kamilla850]

I have received 2 messages from Ebay about this over the past month. When I first listened to the message, I got a bit worried that it was not really from Ebay but some scammer trying to get my personal info, but at the end of the message, the rep states that it is not necessary to call back or act on the message, it is for informational purposes only.

FYI - the calls that I have received are from 801-545-1800

 

[gro3602]

I received this call as well.

I told them I wasn't interested, and hung up.

 

[baglady39]

I also have received calls from Ebay, and I am only a silver level powerseller. I've even received calls prior to this from someone wanting to discuss how to increase my sales, etc. It may be how you have your contact preferences set, I'm not certain. There are a number of things I've really never bothered to look into, but I've had a number of phishing attempts with paypal and ebay, and I'm also usually suspicious when I receive calls or emails of this nature. I also hung up when they called me, and sometimes I don't answer at all. Emails I igenerally gnore unless I'm certain they are phishing attempts, and then I report them.

 

[moi et mes sacs]

Maybe they are just checking if people have given valid phone numbers

 

[Kamilla850]

I forgot to add that one of the messages that I received stated that if you choose to no longer receive calls from Ebay, then you have to change your preferences in your account, it's in the Notification Preferences, just uncheck this section:

Phone updates and promotionsCall me about eBay programs like seller specials and other special events and oppurtunities. (If you're a seller, clearing this box means you may not receive some news, information, and invitations designed to help your sales on eBay.)

 

[handbag-ho]

yep, I also received this call earlier in the week and received a follow-up email too. I'm not a powerseller nor a high volume seller. I was kind of curious as to why they would call AND email the same info too. Definitely a waste of time.

 

[K.Z.]

Interesting...

 

[jmh]

Interesting...I giving Bonanzle a try

 

[skigirl73]

I had a message about the changes on my cell phone from eBay. Kind of a waste of resources if you ask me since they send the same info out through the eBay message center.

 

[MissNovember]

I hate Ebay. Nothing they can do will lure me back.

 

[missydarla]

i hate ebay too... im trying out bonanzle...