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/.

USPS Network ‘Severely Disrupted,’ Suspends Guarantee

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Ina Steiner

Sellers are still dealing with the ramifications of late deliveries caused by a brutal holiday-season shipping logjam, and now they are dealing with another nationwide shipping disaster. The USPS said its national transportation network has been severely disrupted by winter Read more

Etsy Hires Former Overstock Exec to Head SEO

February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 Ina Steiner

Etsy hired a new Global Head of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), according to a LinkedIn post by Ratish Naroor. “Etsy is looking to grow both in domestic and international market – I can’t be more excited to be part of Read more

Changes Ahead: eBay Boasts of New Backend and Packed Roadmap

February 20, 2021 Ina Steiner

eBay executive Harry Temkin boasted of a new technology backend for the marketplace during a podcast on Tuesday morning. He said he was excited about all the tools the marketplace was working on, and he spoke of a “packed roadmap” Read more

eBay and Amazon Advise Sellers on Weather Delays

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 Ina Steiner

eBay and Amazon advised sellers about weather delays as winter storms had a severe impact on those living in Texas and elsewhere this week where shipping and delivery were ground to a halt. eBay updated its initial post on Wednesday Read more

Etsy Asks Sellers to Sign Petition on European Digital Service Taxes

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 Ina Steiner

Etsy asked sellers to sign an online petition on the issue of Digital Service Taxes. The invitation came in the form of a post on its Announcement board on February 16th. In the announcement, which follows, Etsy said it would Read more

eBay Shipping Badges Shown to Shoppers Get More Specific

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ina Steiner

eBay is replacing its “Fast ‘n Free” badge that shows shoppers when an item ships fast and free. eBay told sellers on Wednesday, “To make your shipping speeds more visible and help improve your sales, we’re replacing the Fast ‘N Read more

Etsy Lets Buyers Round Up Orders for Charity

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ina Steiner

Etsy is letting buyers round up orders for its Uplift Fund that gives to nonprofits across the US that work to remove barriers to entrepreneurship such as a lack of digital education and training, funding, and insufficient access to health Read more

eBay Adds Limits to Invoiced Currency

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ina Steiner

Sellers who want to change currencies on their eBay invoices will be limited next month. eBay sent an email to some sellers on Wednesday explaining the new policy. We’re not clear if this is part of the new terms eBay Read more

Amazon Asks Users Which Alexa Gadgets to Build

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ina Steiner

Amazon introduced a new program that asks users to help decide which Alexa-powered devices to build next. “The idea is simple,” Amazon stated in its announcement: “We’ll periodically present you with some of our favorite concepts, and you tell us Read more

UK Cites Facebook in eBay Classifieds Anti-Competition Ruling

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 Ina Steiner

In February 2020, activist investor Starboard Value LP stepped up pressure on eBay to sell its classifieds unit. One year later, the sale of eBay Classifieds Group to Adevinta hit a snag due to regulators in the UK. eBay announced Read more