eBay changes get mixed reaction

Proposed changes to eBay have received a mixed reaction from members of the online auction house.

The changes, which will take place on 24 September, include new fees and alternative options for people who run their business over the site.

Essentially, eBay said it wants to charge sellers less for listing an item, but take a greater fee from successful sales.

"We are continuing our commitment to moving the cost of selling an item on eBay.co.uk away from the front-end insertion fee and increasing the final value fees, so that the majority of fees are paid only when you successfully sell an item," the company said.

eBay forum members had a mixed reaction to the changes.

"eBay are now clearly taking massive advantage of their position as a monopoly by upping their final value fee to 10 per cent. What is a real kick in the teeth is that they then go around advertising their new lower fees! I am considering writing to monopolies commision," wrote one eBay member.

But this reaction prompted derision from fellow members. "Yeah, isn't it terrible the way that eBay force you to sell your unwanted tat on their website," one member responded.

Another member predicted that the online auction house could see some big changes as a result.

"I think most old-timers will leave and ebay [and it] will just turnover new sellers like a bad factory turns over new staff, so eventually it will just be big sellers and odds and sods."

Anyone with an eBay shop will have a choice of paying £14.99, £49.99 or £349.99 per month depending on the size of their business, but will pay lower fees for listing items in the Buy It Now section.

Some Web User forum members saw the benefits of these changes.

"Apart from the fee hike, the fact that shop listings will be on the main site is a BIG plus," said forum member FilthyRaider.

What do you think of the changes that will be made to eBay on 24 September? Have your say in the Web User forums.

www.ebay.co.uk

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