Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on ecommerce.
by Ina Steiner, Editor of EcommerceBytes.com
Sun Sept 24 2017 21:21:49

eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

By: Ina Steiner

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EcommerceBytes 411 broke a story today about a new service eBay is looking into that could rival Amazon's FBA fulfillment service. As we told subscribers, eBay stated in a survey about the program:

"eBay is working to create fulfillment options that are faster, more affordable and more reliable for buyers. This next exercise will help us understand your preferences for a third-party fulfillment solution."

What do you see as the benefits of using a fulfillment service? Would it be more or less attractive to you if it were offered through eBay?

Many smaller sellers overcame their initial resistance to using Amazon FBA, and over the years, they have learned the pros and cons of outsourcing fulfillment. Feel free to share lessons learned - would you use eBay "FBE"?

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Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Marie This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:11:58 2017

@Marzy

I think you get idea of why many of the people that come here and to read the articles don't post.  The posts directed your way are just a small sampling of how some of the regulars react to posts such as yours.

A fulfillment service on Ebay similar to what Amazon has is a complex and scary issue.  While I would not participate in this on Ebay [and I don't on Amazon either], I can see where some sellers would find this a viable option if Ebay ever pulled it together.  My reasoning for not using the service has nothing to do with my fear of them doing something to my inventory, but of not packaging it correctly or to my standards, or shipping as fast as I ship.  I'm too picky about that stuff and I don't what them messing that far into my business anyway.

I hope you will come and post more often.  Bring your friends too.  Some fresh opinions on any subject here would be great.  I hope you don't let the some of the other posts deter you from posting again.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: eBay Shill Buster This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:16:47 2017

Yeah, bring your friends and Alan with you too.

Bring the entire team who hides behind made up fake ID's on the eBay forums.

Let's face it people, Devin is hoping to hold on to his job because he is real close to getting canned, this will give him a reason to ask for 5 more years to get the eBay warehouses up and running, this dude is a joke, just look at his sellers hub disgrace.

Devin should have been canned a month ago, go read the Sellers Hub forums to see what real sellers think about eBay management.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Marie This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:22:52 2017

@Ebay Shill Buster
You don't give enough credit to Ina and David.  We have had Ebay employees post on various blogs on this site over the years and they do identify themselves as such.

People can and do have differing opinions of different subjects.  I respect yours, it is too bad that you choose not to do the same.  

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: eBay Shill Buster This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:29:53 2017

Ina and David have nothing to do with the planted fake eBay employees posting on the forums under fake ID's at eBay, this is a known fact, even in the UK eBay has been busted with plants on the UK forums, they also have been doing the same for years in the USA.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Marie This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:31:56 2017

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific.  I wasn't referring to Ebay forums.  Sorry for the confusion.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: eBay Shill Buster This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:33:48 2017

I understood what you were saying, I fear you don't understand some of the simple facts that are real though, that or you simply do not want to acknowledge them, that is why a lot of people think you are working for eBay.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Marie This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 02:38:40 2017

@ebay shill buster

I appreciate your concern, but I understand things just fine.  Sometimes I agree with you and sometimes I don't.  But make no mistake, just because I may disagree with you on something does not mean I'm wrong or that you are wrong.  It simply means we see things differently.

Besides what may not work for you may work just fine for someone else.  We don't all require or need the same things.  We are a diverse bunch of sellers and posters here.  Many of the posters here do not currently sell on Ebay either.  

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Mon Sep 25 05:40:55 2017

If a seller can't handle the shipping aspect themselves, they shouldn't be selling.
Inserting a 3rd party into the equation isn't the answer.
The Postal Service needs a complete overhaul. 14 days to get to Point B is unacceptable.
UPS is negligent in that they hire morons at Christmastime to lose our packages along the way.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: FeelingFroggy This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 06:10:23 2017

Going to be another hot day in central US again today. Bayzon is steaming us the landscape. Wish they would just shut the ----up and fix some of the problems they have now. No one with an ounce of brains would send Bayzon anything but a box of rocks.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Calling You Out This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 06:18:02 2017

The cost to self fulfill orders from our facility runs on average 50 cents per order in labor costs alone. Of course, training, packaging and filler are additional costs. If FBE can provide a comparable service for less, yes, we would consider using such a service. This would free up our employees to be moved over into the more profitable manufacturing side of the business and allow us to upgrade machinery and add more product to our offerings across all of the sites we currently sell on.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: HappyOne This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 06:32:34 2017

Outsourced Fulfillment Centers may work for some sellers as GSP by Pitney Bowes works for me with the buyer paying any additional costs. I stopped selling oversea because of the hassle. I get less sales than if I did it myself because selling prices to buyers are much higher with PB fees. I can see foreign sellers sending high margined cargo containers to Ebay 3rd Party for fulfillment. Another layer of costs on a product will raise the price of that product. Maybe a small seller packing own items can offer lower prices.    

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Mon Sep 25 06:33:43 2017

Marzy, the noise will not stop.  There is a reason for that ya know.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Mon Sep 25 06:35:12 2017

eBay have a very short attention span.  Should they go this route give it a few months.  They know how to copy, but they don't know how to execute.  

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Calling You Out This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 06:43:16 2017

Happy One,
We are currently shipping to GSP too. It is a fantastic program and it shaves self fulfillment costs for us.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Calling You Out This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 07:16:04 2017

Ina,

I want to say i agree with the post Marzy wrote on Mon Sep 25 00:11:54 2017. The constant, pointless and idiotic bashing of Ebay by the few whom have never offered constructive criticism places your publication in the trash bin for most readers. I am a regular reader that has been regularly turned away from participating due to these people.

Thank You.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Chicago48 This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 07:29:00 2017

UPC on all items lets eBay identify high velocity items. Next eBay becomes the seller with fulfillment by a 3rd party or maybe even amazon. We should not be fooled to where eBay is heading
^^
This of course.  There's no way Ebay can get up and running without a partner, be it Amz or another fulfillment center.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Big Boca This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 07:49:19 2017

After 20 years of Ebay Selling I would consider using Ebay fulfillment. Why ? POSITIVES  If the cost for Shipping to Ebay, Ebay Fees, Shipping to Customer and Storage comes close to my own cost for similar services then I'll do it. We are all facing ever increasing Shipping costs and the only answer is consolidated shipping.. That is why Amazon is successful they ship for 50% less to customer then you & I.
NEGATIVES I question Ebay's ability to put in place the logistical structure required to do this. I personally doubt they can but if they were in a joint venture or even acquired by Walmart/Jet then it would be a different story.
SUMMARY Let face it folks Shipping is becoming the Killer Cost. You and I are supporting a system that likes the standard consolidated structure of shipments from Amazon and others. They get rates you and I could only dream of.
And yes I am prepared to label/box/pack everything I'd send to them because that is the name of the game.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

This user has validated their user name. by: toolguy

Mon Sep 25 08:14:15 2017

FBE (Fulfillment By Ebay)

My items are used so it's not for me, but if you're selling new items it might be just what the doctor ordered.

If it works for Amazon it could work for eBay!

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

by: Chicago48 This user has validated their user name.

Mon Sep 25 08:30:53 2017

@Big Boca -- word so true.  Shipping costs are killing me.  It's not the etail fees, it's the shipping fees, which I have to pass along to the customer.  And that hikes the price and makes it less competitive.

Perminate Link for eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service   eBay May Launch an Amazon-Style Fulfillment Service

This user has validated their user name. by: VV

Mon Sep 25 08:59:18 2017

Tried FBA and it didn't work for me. Same item / same price and I made more shipping it myself. I can see where it MIGHT work for some, but, certainly not for me. Ebay trying to copy same thing certainly will not work for me.


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