The eBay Fall Seller Update 2018 is out. It’s fairly painless — except for the new Service Metrics and increased media final value fees. I’ll explain later why they are so critical. The eBay Fall Seller Update is in 3 sections:
- Marketplace Updates
- Inventory Optimization
- Service Metrics & Shipping
FIRST: eBay Fall Seller Update Marketplace Updates
If you want to let customers call with questions, you can now share a phone number through My Messages. Opt-in via “Manage Communications With Buyers” in your account settings.
Marketplace Updates include changes to payments. Read about them at ebay.com/payments. Some sellers are participating in the beta program now. So, if you’re interested, fill out the survey linked from that page. Note: If you opt in, you won’t be able to use PayPal or the Global Shipping Program (GSP), and there is no opt-out.
It’s time to update HTTP URLs to HTTPS! Starting September 15, 2018, sellers with HTTP content in their listings will not be able to submit or relist them until they meet the more secure HTTPS criteria.
The eBay Fall Seller Update reminds sellers to have no links with HTTP in listings
Fee increases primarily affect media sellers. The Final Value Fee for Books, DVDs, & Movies goes from 10% to 12% for non-store subscribers. Additionally, store subscribers Final Value Fees for media also increases. Store sellers media Final Value Fees go up from 9.15% to 12 %. This is a relatively substantial increase. Consider raising prices and/or bundling items into lots to save on shipping. Also, Reserve and Subtitle fees will increase, too.
SECOND: eBay Fall Seller Update Inventory Optimization
This relates to eBay’s new product-based shopping experience. It refers to listing within the eBay catalog. The 2018 Fall Seller Update states which categories must be listed with the catalog as of September 15, 2018. More will become mandated from mid-October to February 2019.
Sellers listing in these categories can now submit information and new products to the catalog. For details, go to eBay.com/StructuredData.
As of October 15, 2018, there will be updates to Condition in Electronics, Home & Garden; Health & Beauty; Musical Instruments; and Business & Industrial. The revised terminology will help sellers better describe their items and make it clearer to buyers exactly what they’re purchasing.
My complimentary Fall Seller Update tip sheet walks you through all the details. Grab yours HERE.
THIRD: Service Metrics & Shipping
Here comes the tricky part! This new initiative means keeping a keen eye on your Item Not as Described (SNAD) returns and Item Not Received (INR) cases. Find these under the Service Metrics tab under Performance in your Seller Hub. According to eBay, this dashboard shows how your customer service compares to that of sellers with a similar selling profile.
The idea behind Service Metrics is to help ensure buyers have a good experience. If they don’t, many of them leave eBay and never come back. As of October 1, 2018, if eBay finds you have a very high SNAD rate compared to your seller peers, you may be charged an additional 4% final value fee on each item sold.
My YouTube, eBay Fall Seller Update 2019- Seller Beware details this.
Starting November 1, 2018, if you have a very high INR rate, eBay may extend the estimated delivery time shown in your listings. This will impact your ranking in search, so be sure to upload tracking numbers to eBay. As long as tracking shows an item as “Delivered”, eBay will protect you.
Updates to eBay Labels roll out next month (September 2018).
That’s it: the 2018 Fall Seller Update in a nutshell. By and large it’s good news for sellers. The fee increases for media hurt. The big concern is the Service Metrics. Watch your metrics closely. If you spot an uptick in SNAD returns, revise listings accordingly. Watch for glitches or errors in your data, and report inaccuracies to eBay ASAP.
The final takeaway from the Fall Update is, sellers, know your numbers!
