eBay is running a promotion to entice sellers to sign up for a Store subscription, this one offered to UK sellers. Monthly Store subscriptions provide eBay with a more consistent revenue stream at a time of stagnating growth – Marketplaces GMV grew a mere 2% in the fourth quarter.
And, with the pending breakup of eBay, its marketplaces business could see more scrutiny – an increase in the number of Stores could prove an attractive metric to any potential acquirers.
eBay sent the latest invitation to a private (casual) seller in the UK offering him two months free if he signed up for a Store. Yet the terms state only business sellers can qualify for the promotion. Those invited to participate have until March 3rd to decide.
Sellers will have to remember to cancel their subscription one day prior to the end of the promotional period if they don’t wish to be charged fees going forward.
An excerpt of the promotion states, “eBay.co.uk business sellers who have been invited to participate by email or by a message in My eBay Messages and have actively opted in to the promotion via the RSVP link shown in the marketing communication, will pay no Subscription fee related to their subscription to a Basic eBay Shop (a “Shop”) from the day they sign up to a maximum of 2 calendar months (the “Promotion”).”
In the U.S., eBay recently encouraged sellers to upgrade their Store subscription level.
All other fees apply to the UK promo, see the eBay UK website for details and restrictions.
