So any other ebay seller's kind of freak out by eBay's new rules?

Question

Beginning in November 2008, new rules will be applied at eBay. There will be a few good benefits, but there are a few bad ones too for sellers.

No more money orders or checks are allowed as payment unless the item is real-estate, a vehicle, or, oddly enough, an adult item.

Also, the seller must maintain a 4.3 average in all the feedback areas.

And the worst, mandatory shipping costs for certain items like DVDs, books, and other media related items. This is the worst because the madatory price limits for shipping are not in alignment with what it costs for shipping and handling.

Oh just in case you argue this, no one forces you to purchase from ebay. if you don't like the shipping costs, don't order from them. if i need to charge 5.00 to ship a book to you, in order for me to cover costs and actually make a profit, it should be my choice, not ebay's to dictate the cost. no body coerces people to buy such non-essential items. this is not gouging. this is a luxury item and a free market concept.

Answer 1

The economy is doing badly, and e-bay is doing what it has to do to keep the buyers coming.  I work in internet marketing, and right now, every emphases must be taken to improve the quality of customer shopping experiences.  

Ebayers have been taking advantage of the shipping column to punch a little extra profit into their purchase price for years, customers have been complaining about it, and e-bay has finally responded to those requests.  Though it may seem an inconvenience, you will still be able to be competitive in your pricing because all sellers will have to meet the same standards.  E-bay is helping you by ensuring that customers continue to come shopping, so don't be too upset that they are improving user experience by making sure that customers are buying from honest merchants with no hidden fees.

Good luck with your business during these hard times.

Answer 2

You pretty much answered your own question at the end.  Ebay is a "for profit" business in a free market, therefore they can define their own rules (within legal standards) and you have the free choice whether you use their service or not.

Answer 3

People already charge too much for shipping items.  I just bought an item where I was charged 8.95 for shipping when the actual package cost less than $3 to ship.

Not much is going to change anyway.