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In the 2017 Fall Seller Update, we’re making changes to meet the demands of today’s marketplace and giving you more opportunities to increase your listings visibility on eBay.

 

Listing Visibility

Expose your listings to more eBay buyers with eBay Guaranteed Delivery, schedule markdown sale events with Promotions Manager, and engage buyers with Questions & Answers.

• In Fall 2017, eBay Guaranteed Delivery listings will be searchable for all buyers
• Launch multiple markdown campaigns with Promotions Manager in Seller Hub
• Create bundle and lot listings for extra exposure to buyers
• This October, Questions & Answers will be added to View Item pages

 

Policy Updates

Removal of off-eBay links, listings security, product identifier expansion, image guidelines, and eBay Catalog update.

• Reminder to remove off-eBay contact info and links
• In October 2017, convert HTTP content to HTTPS for a secure buying experience
• Effective October 19, 2017, product identifiers will be required for new or revised listings for Seller Refurbished condition and, in some categories, Used condition
• Effective March 1, 2018, eBay will prohibit watermarks on images and you should begin removing watermarks now to comply with the change
• Beginning in Spring 2018, new and existing listings will be matched to product entries in the eBay catalog

Returns

Display returns information in drop-downs, gain extra visibility for free returns, restocking fee update, and streamline returns with automatic acceptance.

• Display returns information in your listings’ Return Policy drop-downs only
• Get more exposure for listings that offer free 30-day returns
• Beginning this fall, refund up to 50% of the item price if the return is damaged or missing parts
• Starting in October, eBay will automatically accept a return request when the buyer pays for return shipping
• In 2018, restocking fees will no longer be available when you offer free returns

For more information:

• Read the 2017 Fall Seller Update
• Listen to subject matter experts on eBay Radio  from 11 am – 2 pm PT on September 19, 2017
• Watch our live broadcast with subject matter experts on the eBay for Business Facebook page, 1-2pm PT on September 20, 2017. 
• Find answers to your questions at the eBay Community Board
• Learn about eBay’s seller vision in this blog post by Bob Kupbens, Vice President of Business-to-Consumer Selling

As always, thank you for selling on eBay.

In an effort to combat amazon they will give you a better search position if you offer free no questions asked returns. If you offer free returns, there will be no recouping that money via a restocking fee. Buyer finds the same set for cheaper a couple days later... return the expensive one at the sellers expense.

A good search position now will require free 1 day shipping with at least 30 day free returns without a restocking fee. It won't hurt most of the big guys, but each return will certainly dig into the small time sellers ability to compete.

Ummm, something ain't right here...

In 2018, restocking fees will no longer be available when you offer free returns

7 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

Ummm, something ain't right here...

In 2018, restocking fees will no longer be available when you offer free returns

According to ebay, "A free returns policy means just that—free returns with no additional fees. Starting in 2018, you will no longer be able to charge restocking fees when you offer free returns."

Additionally, ebay states that restocking fees will be advertised on listings that have them with "restocking fee up to 20%" or similar. The advertised listing won't specify your restocking fee anymore. So, may as well do 20% instead of 15% or 10%.

The only good thing in this listing for sellers is point 1. The rest is just the tightening of screws and loopholes.

Has anyone opted in yet for the eBay Guaranteed Delivery program? I'm wondering if you can choose which listings you want to show guaranteed delivery for or if every listing gets affected once you opt in.

3 hours ago, brickvoyeur said:

Beginning this fall, refund up to 50% of the item price if the return is damaged or missing parts

Yeah, like eBAy is going to side with sellers over the buyers

52 minutes ago, Jackson said:

Has anyone opted in yet for the eBay Guaranteed Delivery program? I'm wondering if you can choose which listings you want to show guaranteed delivery for or if every listing gets affected once you opt in.

I was going to. Why not.

Combining pictures: catalog could be a good thing

What does "Guaranteed Delivery" mean? Such a weird name. All this time I've been selling stuff to people with no promise I'll deliver?

4 hours ago, donbee said:

What does "Guaranteed Delivery" mean? Such a weird name. All this time I've been selling stuff to people with no promise I'll deliver?

Ebay is going to start guaranteeing delivery dates. What could go wrong?! I glossed over the material benefit to the buyer. Let me read that again. 

The benefit to the seller is "greater exposure." Buyers will be able to filter out items without guaranteed delivery dates.

Edit: See pic. Blue is if you use eBay labels. Green is if you do not.

Edited September 20, 20178 yr by minicoopers11

Ebay is going to start guaranteeing delivery dates. What could go wrong?! I glossed over the material benefit to the buyer. Let me read that again. 
The benefit to the seller is "greater exposure." Buyers will be able to filter out items without guaranteed delivery dates.
Edit: See pic. Blue is if you use eBay labels. Green is if you do not.

The above poster is WRONG.
Blue is if you opt in on the handling time guarantee.
Green is if you opt in on the guaranteed delivery date.
I have spoke with ebay several times regarding this.
I opted in on the handling time one.

Anyone care to divulge how one signs up for one or the other? Guaranteed Delivery time vs Handling time guarantee? I've read through the update but have failed to find clear instructions. Or is this done on a listing by listing basis?

2 hours ago, [email protected] said:

 

The above poster is WRONG.
Blue is if you opt in on the handling time guarantee.
Green is if you opt in on the guaranteed delivery date.
I have spoke with ebay several times regarding this.
I opted in on the handling time one.

 

This is literally the information that eBay provides on their website. If the info they posted is wrong, then I don't know what to tell you.

5 minutes ago, Phil B said:

Anyone care to divulge how one signs up for one or the other? Guaranteed Delivery time vs Handling time guarantee? I've read through the update but have failed to find clear instructions. Or is this done on a listing by listing basis?

It's gradually being rolled out, so may not have option yet. I think bigger sellers have been using it first. The poster replying to me may be referring to an earlier (or current, but not revised yet) iteration of this program.

9 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

It's gradually being rolled out, so may not have option yet. I think bigger sellers have been using it first. The poster replying to me may be referring to an earlier (or current, but not revised yet) iteration of this program.

It's gradually being rolled out, so may not have option yet. I think bigger sellers have been using it first. The poster replying to me may be referring to an earlier (or current, but not revised yet) iteration of this program.

http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/guaranteed-delivery.html#guaranteed-delivery-option

51 minutes ago, Phil B said:

Anyone care to divulge how one signs up for one or the other? Guaranteed Delivery time vs Handling time guarantee? I've read through the update but have failed to find clear instructions. Or is this done on a listing by listing basis?

I was offered to opt in a few months ago but I have been waitlisted ever since with no update