Seller News April 2010

Free postage & packaging requirement to be removed

In 2009 the free P&P requirement was introduced in Accessories, Media and other selected categories. Whilst buyers responded positively to listings with free postage, many sellers asked for alternative options to prevent excessive postage charges – especially for listings in the auction-style format with a low starting price.

In response to sellers’ feedback, the free P&P requirement for all affected categories will be replaced by maximum limits to P&P charges from 8 February 2010. These changes will enable sellers to continue to run successful businesses and help drive further sales.

eBay Shop owners can also take advantage of our latest promotions and receive a 20% discount on final value fees when free P&P is offered in these categories:

• Clothes Shoes & Accessories and any Technology sub-categories
• All Media categories, including Music, Books, Video Games and DVD Film & TV

List of categories with postage limits (effective 8 February 2010)

Review the list of categories affected by postage limits.

Limit applies to the first postage option

The maximum limit for postage & packaging charges applies to the first postage option for all sellers listing on the UK site. Sellers will have the flexibility to offer alternative postal options as an additional service, such as overnight or courier delivery.

1. Why are you replacing free P&P with maximum limits?
2. What happens if I cannot send the item within these postage limits?
3. When will these postage limits take effect?
4. I am an overseas seller and I sell into the UK. Will these changes affect me?
5. Will these changes affect sellers who are based in the Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands or Northern Ireland and selling items to the UK mainland?
6. Will I need to revise all my listings that offer free P&P?
7. Why should I continue to offer free P&P in my listings?

1. Why are you replacing free P&P with maximum limits?

In 2009 the free P&P requirement was introduced in Accessories, Media and other selected categories. Whilst many buyers responded positively to listings with free postage, many sellers asked for alternative options to prevent excessive postage charges – especially for listings in the auction-style format with a low starting price.

In response to sellers’ feedback, the free P&P requirement for all affected categories will be replaced by maximum limits to P&P charges from 8 February 2010. These changes will enable sellers to continue to run successful businesses and help drive further sales.

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2. What happens if I cannot send the item within these postage limits?

For the large majority of items being sold on eBay, there are many postal services that charge below the postage limit. The maximum limits set are in line with other eCommerce platforms and consistent with the online expectations of buyers. However, an article may sometimes be much heavier than expected. Here are some options to consider:

1. Use a cheaper postal service such as second-class post, instead of first-class.
2. Trial an alternative courier company if they are able to deliver within the maximum limits set. Learn more about alternative delivery companies

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3. When will the free P&P requirement be replaced by maximum postage limits?

This change will take effect on 8 February 2010 for all categories where free P&P was previously required.

Review the list of categories affected by postage limits.

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4. I am an overseas seller and I sell into the UK. Will these changes affect me?

International sellers listing on the UK site will need to adhere to the P&P limits only for the first postage option to the UK. For example, if you are from the US and you sell books into the UK, the maximum postage you can charge for the first postage option is £2.75.

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5. Will these changes affect sellers who are based in the Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands or Northern Ireland and selling items to the UK mainland?

Yes. These changes will also affect you.

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6. Will I need to revise all my listings that offer free P&P?

No, the removal of the free P&P requirement only provides you with more flexible options for P&P pricing.

Remember, buyers respond positively to free P&P, and if you want to continue offering it you don’t need to make any changes to your listings. All Good ‘Til Cancelled listings will automatically renew with free P&P as the default value. If you choose to charge or add an additional amount for postage, you will need to revise your listings within the new maximum limits. Bulk editing tools are available to help you revise your listings.

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7. Why should I continue to offer free P&P in my listings?

Research shows that buyers are attracted to listings with free P&P and that the sell-through rate of these listings are much higher than other postal solutions offered.

As such, sellers are still encouraged to offer free P&P in their listings. Sellers whose listings offer free P&P will receive a higher rank in search results. eBay Shop owners can also take advantage of our latest promotions and receive a 20% discount on final value fees when free P&P is offered in these categories:

• Clothes Shoes & Accessories and any Technology sub-categories
• All Media categories, including Music, Books, Video Games and DVD Film & TV

Offers end 31 March 2010 and terms and conditions apply.

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