Author: Ina Steiner

Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). She is a member of the Online News Association (Sep 2005 - present) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (Mar 2006 - present). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com. See disclosure at EcommerceBytes.com/disclosure/.

Teikametrics Names Former TikTok Exec Its New President

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Ina Steiner

Marketplace seller tool Teikametrics named a former TikTok executive its new president. Sandie Hawkins formerly headed ecommerce in the US at the popular social media company. Teikametrics helps brands grow across marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart. It facilitates over Read more

eBay to Acquire Service that Facilitates Automobile Transactions

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Ina Steiner

eBay signed a definitive agreement to acquire Caramel, which it said would make buying and selling vehicles on eBay simpler, “regardless of which US state the vehicle and the buyer are located in.” eBay said Carmel handles all of the Read more

eBay Made ‘Saved Feed’ Feature Harder to Navigate, Buyers Complain

January 12, 2025January 12, 2025 Ina Steiner

eBay has been rolling out unannounced changes to the Saved Feed feature over the past month or so, and buyers say it makes it harder to navigate the page. Some buyers say the feed is now full of duplicate listings; Read more

eBay Changes Force Research Tool ShelfTrend to Pivot

January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 Ina Steiner

A popular tool used by eBay sellers for marketplace research is being forced to close its app and pivot to a new offering called ShelfTrend AI, which it’s calling “an innovative, AI-powered approach to ecommerce intelligence.” In an email to Read more

USPS Offers New Same-Day and Next-Day Solutions – for Volume Sellers

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 Ina Steiner

The Postal Service is adding faster-delivery options through its relatively new USPS Ground Advantage and Connect offerings. On January 6, 2025, the Postal Service announced its plans to offer same-day and next-day solutions, but they come with some limitations. USPS Read more

When Marketplaces Object to Generic Words that Are Brand Names

January 5, 2025January 5, 2025 Ina Steiner

An Amazon moderator confirmed that a seller trying to describe the scent of a candle in their listing would not be allowed to do so. The seller posted an exchange they had had with Seller Support in which they explained Read more

USPS to Resume Mail to Canada on January 6th

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 Ina Steiner

The USPS said it would begin accepting mail and packages bound for Canada beginning Monday, January 6, 2025. Canada Post employees had gone on strike in mid-November and were forced back to work in mid-December. But because of the backlog Read more

Amazon to Make Prime Exclusive Discounts More Difficult to Use, Sellers Say

January 1, 2025January 1, 2025 Ina Steiner

Amazon is moving Prime Exclusive Discounts to the Price Discounts tool, but sellers are upset because they will no longer be able to use features previously available to them. “Would you please enable bulk uploads for Price Discount,” a seller Read more

USPS May Suspend Mail on January 9th Day of Mourning (Updated)

December 30, 2024December 31, 2024 Ina Steiner

President Biden declared January 9, 2025, a day of mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter who passed away on Sunday. Federal government offices will be closed. Sellers should be aware that given recent history, the USPS may suspend service Read more

Etsy Sends Some 2024 Stats to Shoppers with List of Faves

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 Ina Steiner

Etsy sent an email to shoppers on December 27, 2024, telling them they were “a gigantic part of what makes this community so extraordinary!” and linking to a page of Etsy’s “faves of 2024.” It didn’t detail how it determined Read more