What's changing with eBay selling fees?
Two fees are changing:
- Free pictures on all listings submitted starting on July 2 (excluding eBay Motors vehicles). This applies to new listings, renewed/relisted listings, and revised listings starting on July 2. The Picture Pack listing upgrade option will be retired at that time.
- Starting May 1, the maximum standard final value fee for Auction-style listings will increase from $100 to $250. (Standard fees are the fees paid by sellers who do not have an eBay Store subscription).
Who will be affected by these changes?
Both of these changes will only impact sellers who do not have an eBay Store subscription (Store subscribers already get free pictures). The maximum standard final value fee change will primarily affect sellers with a high average selling price as it only applies to transactions with a selling price of $1,111 or more.
What kind of savings does this mean for sellers who now pay for pictures?
If you're paying for pictures now, this change can mean significant savings.
- Example: You list an item Auction-style, add 4 pictures via eBay picture services, and sell your item for $40. There would be no insertion fee (under standard fees, you can list Auction-style free up to 50 listings each month), you'd pay $0.45 for photos + $3.60 in final value fees. Total fees = $4.05. After pictures are free starting July 2, you'll pay $3.60 in fees for this same listing. That's an 11% savings in fees.
- Example: You list an item Auction-style, select the Picture Pack option adding 7-12 pictures to your listing, and sell your item for $60. There would be no insertion fee, you'd pay $1 for Picture Pack + $5.40 in final value fees. Total fees = $6.40. After pictures are free, you'll pay $5.40 in fees for the same listing. That's a 16% savings in fees.
When will the new fees become effective?
The new maximum standard final value fee for Auction-Style listings for non-Store subscribers will increase to $250 beginning 03:00 am EDT on May 1, 2012. Listings submitted at midnight or later on May 1, 2012, will be charged the new fees, regardless of when they were created (e.g. through a listing tool or through the Sell Your Item from using the listing scheduler feature).
Pictures (up to the maximum of 12 per listing) will be free effective beginning 03:00 am Eastern time on July 2, 2012 (excludes eBay Motors vehicles). This includes listings that are scheduled to start after July 2, 2012.
What if I revise an existing item to include additional photos after they become free on July 2?
If you revise an existing listing on or after July 2 to include additional photos, those additional photos will be free. For example, if you list an item on June 25 with two photos, your invoice will show a fee for one photo (the first photo is already free). If you edit your listing on July 4 to include three more photos, you will not be charged for these three new additional photos (because you added them on or after July 2). You will not be credited for the original one photo. All five photos will then be free with subsequent renewals or relists after July 2.
What categories are excluded from the new maximum final value fee change?
New maximum standard final value fee: The following categories are excluded: Real Estate, Vehicle categories, and the following Business and Industrial Capital Equipment categories: Tractors & farm machinery (91952), heavy equipment (25249), concession trailers, carts (67145), imaging and aesthetics equipment (92036), forklifts and other lifts (97185), manufacturing equipment (92080), metalworking equipment (92082) and commercial printing presses (26247).
What is eBay picture hosting services?
eBay picture hosting services is the feature that allows you to put your picture at the top left-hand corner of your listing on the Item page and next to your item's title in Search Results. As you add more pictures to eBay picture services, they're added next to your first photo on the View Item page. All photos are displayed above the fold on the Item page for buyers to easily and quickly view the item for sale. Pictures in eBay picture hosting services stay in your completed listings for up to 90 days, and can be re-used when you relist or sell similar items.
Can I still host my own pictures?
Yes, you will still be able to self-host your pictures and display in your item description pictures that are stored on a website other than eBay. However, it's recommended that you use eBay picture hosting services and move your self-hosted pictures from the item description to eBay picture hosting services for several reasons:
- You can add up to 12 eBay hosted pictures per listing. Pictures will be FREE on all listings submitted starting on July 2 (excluding eBay Motors vehicles).
- eBay picture services displays pictures "above the fold" on the Item page where buyers don't have to scroll down to see them.
- Moving your photos from the item description to eBay picture services also lets buyers using mobile devices see your pictures. Photos in the item description may not render properly across every mobile platform.
Will other listing upgrade fees for pictures still apply?
Free pictures will apply to all listings submitted starting on July 2 (excluding eBay Motors vehicles). Picture Pack, the feature that offers special pricing for multiple pictures, will be retired on July 2. The fee for Gallery Plus, the feature that allows buyers to zoom in on your picture right from the search results page, is not changing and will still apply.
Am I required to have a picture with my listing?
Pictures are not required now, but this fall all listings will be required to include at least one picture. Pictures will also be required to meet minimum quality standards. eBay will give you advance notice before these requirements take effect.
Get details.