eBay announced its Fall Seller Update for 2020, but it had already rolled out some of the changes, some with an announcement, some stealthily. eBay's own
timeline shows two changes that went into effect
last month.
Nevertheless, there are some changes that will come as a surprise to sellers.
One of the changes that jumps out as a new change: a "
Time Away" feature that replaces eBay's vacation settings. And unlike the latter, the new Time Away will be available to all sellers.
Two major benefits of Time Away include:
- Estimated delivery dates and dispatch due times will be adjusted when Time Away is scheduled for active listings. "This means your buyers will receive realistic estimated delivery dates automatically without you having to manually change the time yourself."
- Negative feedback related to shipments will automatically be removed when Time Away is turned on, provided you post any items by the updated estimated delivery date.
On a less positive note, eBay is changing how it protects sellers with regard to its Money Back Guarantee policy.
Currently eBay requires sellers use Signature Confirmation when shipping an item with a total cost of $750 or more in order to be protected.
Starting October 19, 2020, that will no longer be calculated based on item value, but rather, it will include the order total - that will include all items purchased, taxes, and postage costs.
"Because signature confirmation protection under the eBay Money Back Guarantee now applies to order totals of $750 or more rather than at an item level, items in orders previously not protected will now receive the same protection as the higher value items in that order."
As eBay notes, sellers will need to factor the added costs into their shipping or item price. "If you don't wish to purchase signature confirmation, you risk losing an eBay Money Back Guarantee case on that order," eBay stated.
Another change to be aware of: eBay will restrict "Below Standard" sellers from advertising through its Promoted Listings ad program.
eBay is also making changes to a number of features, including:
- "Offers to buyers"
- Promoted Listings
- Seller Hub Performance tab updates
- New Terapeak Research features in Seller Hub
eBay also included changes it had previously announced, such as the following:
- More monthly zero insertion fee listings for most sellers - "Starting August 1, 2020, you will get a permanent increase in monthly zero insertion fee listings so you can continue to introduce, test, and sell new inventory. These changes will be available to all eBay sellers and you don’t need to take any action."
- Auto-accept and auto-refunds - "Beginning September 14, 2020, eBay will automate the returns and refunds processes for active managed payments sellers to align the seller experience across the eBay platform. Automation of returns and refunds saves sellers time, and enables them to process returns faster."
- Anonymizing email addresses: "As part of our ongoing effort to combat spam and phishing attacks and protect the privacy of eBay buyers and sellers, we're no longer showing buyer email addresses in your orders."
- Expansion of required item specifics.
And as usual with Seller Updates, eBay is making changes to its category structure and to item specifics, something sellers will want to pay attention to.
eBay also advised sellers it is adding more of them to its Managed Payments program. "When you receive a notification from us, we recommend you register before the deadline to avoid any interruption to your business." It also noted, "We expect to manage payments for most business sellers in 2020, and by 2021 eBay will manage payments for a majority of its marketplace sellers."
eBay Announces Changes in Fall Seller Update 2020 
by: toolguy 
by: The End 
by: Ina 
by: Ric