
Today's eBay weekly chat session provides insight into sellers' concerns at a time of great uncertainty due to fallout from the virus outbreak. Some people are pragmatic - they see an opportunity to keep busy preparing and listing stock and ask if eBay will provide seller incentives. "Any thoughts of giving those of us who are stuck at home a thousand free auctions for thirty days," one seller asked.
Others are asking eBay to waive fees and offer enhanced seller protection in the event they fall ill or encounter lock-downs that prevent them from fulfilling orders.
One anxious seller who is out of work as a result of virus-related policies said they needed their eBay income, ending their heartfelt post with, "I want to continue selling but I also have this terrifying feeling that if the post office suddenly shuts down in my area, it could mean the end of my 21 year selling history. Am I overreacting? Does eBay have my back?"
One seller asked, "What is the proper procedure to cancel a sale if we get sick or shipping services shut down?"
Another seller asked, "FedEx and UPS have both announced changes to signature requirements for the time being. Will eBay take this into consideration if an INR claim is filed on items over $750?"
One seller suggested eBay offer incentives to buyers, asking the moderator: "Can you suggest an increase in coupons and eBay bucks promos to encourage shoppers during this time?"
Many sellers expressed concern over price gouging of items such as hand sanitizers and toilet paper, and some wondered if their efforts to report violations were working.
One seller asked about the impact of coronavirus on technical staff, to which an eBay moderator responded with, "tech issues, both small and large, are still being worked on." eBay is falling behind in customer service, however, as it
announced today.