July 14th, 2010
2010 eBay Fall Seller Update
eBay announced major changes to the platform and new selling policies changes today that will roll out in September. Most of the changes will launch between September 7 and September 13. eBay is calling the changes Seller Release 3.
As usual eBay is putting a positive spin on the announcement. Here is what eBay VP Dinesh Lathi has to say about the announcement:
“Updates coming this fall will help you take full advantage of the increased holiday traffic, maximize sales, and streamline your operations. As promised, we’re continuing to consolidate changes that impact your selling into two or three releases per year with lead time to adapt. This is the third and final release for 2010.”
The changes fall into 3 main categories:
Changes to the selling platform:
- New rules for iPod/MP3 players, GPS, and DVDs Starting mid-September, listing with the eBay catalog will be required in these subcategories (Auction-style and Fixed Price, including Good ‘Til Cancelled). Pay no Insertion Fees when you list or relist with the catalog.
- eBay Listing Analytics application gives you new insight into how your listings are performing: impressions, clicks, sales.
- Bulk-edit more fields, revise up to 500 listings at once with new functionality in the eBay bulk edit and relist flow.
- Get your unpaid items re-listed and back in front of buyers fast with auto-relist option in Unpaid Item Assistant. Choose to exempt some customers from the automated process.
Shipping Policy Changes
- Industry-standard shipping terms —Economy, Standard, Expedited, and One-day—used to describe domestic shipping services. Shipping options displayed prominently along with estimated delivery time on the item page and in checkout.
- Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, APO/FPO addresses, and special US areas such as Guam and Puerto Rico: Exclude these buyers or show exact charges based on their location.
- Pass on your shipping discounts to buyers with the Shipping Calculator: Specify one domestic and one international discount.
- Low-cost shipping insurance: Available exclusively with eBay label printing.
Buyer Communications
- Updates to reduce and manage buyer contacts: Ask a question link moved down on item page; Automated Answers turned on for all sellers.
- Enhancements to My Messages: Use it as your central inbox for buyer email with out-of-office reply, customized email signatures, and message filtering.
eBay has created a Seller Checklist for more information about how these updates affect you.
Most of these updates are positive, but I am always leery about the automated system changes as they often launch with hidden glitches that can drive sellers crazy. We will just have to wait and see.
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Related posts:
- eBay Announces Duplicate Listing Policy
- eBay fixes one of the biggest holes in DSR system
- eBay Announces final Seller Release of 2010 / Video interview with Dinesh Lathi #ebaynews #eBaySR
- eBay Sellers; Are You Ready for The Changes Coming to eBay Next Week?
- eBay Announces Major changes To PowerSeller Program, DSRs, Unpaid Item Disputes and Search
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