eBay Fees

sinja · 11-17-2005, 10:12 AM

I've been wondering why eBay charge fee's for selling on their site. Of course it makes huge amounts of money, but if it wasn' for us selling, they wouldn't have a buisness.

who agrees, or disagrees?

Will.Spencer · 11-17-2005, 01:14 PM

Hmmm... the alternative would be for them to charge the bidders/buyers.

Charging the bidders/buyers would discourage bidding and buying, which would lower demand, which would lower prices. (Props to Adam Smith)

Lowering prices would be bad for sellers - so perhaps it is best for them in the long run to just pay up front like they are now?

Rob · 11-21-2005, 07:12 PM

That's true Will

I think eBay should lower their fees a little though. I find after eBay/Paypal fees I end up with only a small amount of money from my eBay sales.

Will.Spencer · 11-21-2005, 07:24 PM

It definitely is discouraging to sell less expensive items on eBay.

I don't know how some people do it.

Rob · 11-23-2005, 10:17 PM

Its also discouraging to sell expensive items on ebay!
Imagine selling a car or something and giving away 10% or whatever it is to ebay?
Its pretty bad

Will.Spencer · 11-24-2005, 02:43 AM

I guess that somehow bothers me less, because I still have a larger sum of money left over for me.

enguy · 11-25-2005, 01:55 PM

10% is a bit too high for just providing interface !!! Even the freelance sites takes upto 15% to 20% of our earning through them, thats a bit high.

Will.Spencer · 11-25-2005, 05:26 PM

I created a Buy, Sell, and Trade Forum just for you.

Unfortunately, until Google stops being angry with this web site, it's not going to get a lot of viewers. We're down to about 2,800 visitors a day!

imported_Steve · 12-02-2005, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

I created a Buy, Sell, and Trade Forum just for you.

Unfortunately, until Google stops being angry with this web site, it's not going to get a lot of viewers. We're down to about 2,800 visitors a day!

Damn Google!

2,800 is still a lot though, don't you think so?

I would be happy with that!

Will.Spencer · 12-02-2005, 12:06 PM

It's just a long fall from where we were in September.

CaitSith4343 · 12-04-2005, 10:09 PM

I definitely hear you on the high eBay fees, but I don't think they should abolish fees altogether.

They are offering an amazing venue and they deserve to make a ton of money for their idea.

It has become a bit excessive with them bringing in a ton of money from eBay fees plus a ton on Paypal fees for most auctions.

I just sold something and got a $20.00 Paypal fee, and the item only sold for about $700.

I don't really understand why they need to take a percentage because I am assuming it costs them the same amount to transfer the funds no matter how much they are transfering.

suzeygal · 12-05-2005, 10:10 AM

I can understand the fees as long as they are kept under control. I remember several years ago when my business partner and I began selling on eBay, the fees were lower then. It seems as eBay became more popular, the fees began getting bigger.

I guess it's like anything else in selling though, if it serves the purpose, that's what matters.

Some people are making a great living on eBay. It just wasn't something I really enjoyed, but did it for the business.

Susan

Will.Spencer · 12-05-2005, 12:19 PM

Who are eBay's most successful competitors?

Do they offer better fee strutures?

CaitSith4343 · 12-05-2005, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzeygal

I can understand the fees as long as they are kept under control. I remember several years ago when my business partner and I began selling on eBay, the fees were lower then. It seems as eBay became more popular, the fees began getting bigger.

I guess it's like anything else in selling though, if it serves the purpose, that's what matters.

Some people are making a great living on eBay. It just wasn't something I really enjoyed, but did it for the business.

Yeah, I remember when fees were much lower. In the beginning didn't you only have to pay them if your item sold? That is much more convenient for the buyer but I guess today it would result in endless junk posted by people just fooling around.

As for eBay's competitors, I've never really even heard of any. That's just how successful eBay has become.

imported_Steve · 12-07-2005, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Who are eBay's most successful competitors?

Do they offer better fee strutures?

There are none!

They have a monopoly so they can increase fees and they know people will continue to use eBay.

kbelloise · 12-17-2005, 05:19 PM

I agree that eBlay's fees are getting a lttle high and when you combine them with PayPal it does get crazy. There are a few ways you can save some money though.

The first one being to use templates to post your auction. If you don't have any of your own you can, of course, buy them on eBay! But they really do help cut down the fees, you can put as many pictures as you like without adding cost and you don't need to pay the designer fee, also it makes your auctions look more professional. They are really simple to use and if you buy them off someone on eBay they will usually walk you through the process of using them the first time or two.

compnut · 12-17-2005, 11:35 PM

The fees do appear to be getting higher, but so is everything else, so it's to be expected. I guess that's how they stay in business, but with all the business they have and probably all the millions they make in profit, you'd think they would lower the fees. I don't think so!

Fry · 12-18-2005, 07:46 PM

The people who invented eVay are mega rich. They came up with this unique, clever business model that is long lasting and has continual income.

Its genius. I just wish I had thought of it first.

Feety · 01-12-2006, 07:52 PM

ebay has to earn money some way. if they dont, the site goes down. Following that is tons of angry buyers/sellers.

lpstong · 02-03-2006, 05:04 PM

I am with ebay. I have only bought like 5 items from them and sold about 2. I have had a good experience with them. I just recently got an email from them saying the prices would drop. I didn't read to much into it. Because I saw something that it would be only 1 cent. So thats why I didn't read the email very well. It was that much of a price drop.