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/.

Are Etsy and Amazon Taking Artisan’s Creative Rights?

September 23, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

When large corporations use lawyers to spell out their rights in Terms of Use agreements, it can cause concern among users. And when terms like “irrevocable right” and “license to use and reproduce” are spotted, sellers may question exactly what Read more

Endicia Helps Speed Packages to Mexico and Brazil

September 22, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

One reason US sellers are wary of cross border trade is the shipping hurdle and the risk of stolen packages, yet serving overseas customers can open the door to increased revenue. Endicia launched Global Services to help merchants overcome some Read more

What Sellers Should Know about FedEx Rate Increase

September 22, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

Like death and taxes, the rising cost of shipping is a certainty for online merchants. Right on cue, FedEx announced its rates for 2016 are going up by an average of 4.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import Read more

Amazon Workers Go on Strike in Germany

September 22, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

Amazon workers in Germany have gone on strike in six fulfillment centers. The union representing them said Amazon operates eight major shipping locations in Germany, and said workers planned to continue striking through September 26. Germany’s leading trade union Verdi Read more

eBay Screwed Up Shipping Estimates over 2-Week Period

September 22, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

eBay confessed to screwing up shipping estimates on sellers’ listings for a 2-week period in September. eBay informed sellers in an email in case they receive defects from shoppers disappointed with delivery time. The issue is important since buyers make Read more

eBay Invites Sellers to Test a Fix for Buyer-Remorse Returns

September 22, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

eBay will run a pilot program in the US and UK this fall to test a new returns feature that lets sellers reclassify returns. The test is recognition of the fact that some shoppers who experience buyer’s remorse lie when Read more

Papal Visit Could Disrupt Online Shopping Deliveries

September 21, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

A higher power could disrupt pick-up and delivery of ecommerce packages, but this week it’s not Mother Nature online buyers and sellers must worry about – it’s the Pope. This week, security measures will be in place in areas of Read more

Etsy Has Cause to Worry over Amazon Handmade

September 21, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

Over the weekend, EcommerceBytes published a preview of Amazon Handmade shops and listings, showing for the first time what a listing looks like on the new store. Amazon first revealed the concept of the new store to select sellers in Read more

New TV Ads Get eBay Sellers Excited

September 21, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

New eBay ads are striking a chord with ad-industry critics, and with online sellers as well. AdWeek called the series of five spots “the most playful, infectious and eye-catching ad campaigns of the year.” Normally hard-to-please sellers seem to agree. Online sellers Read more

eBay Runs Halloween Promotions to Encourage Selling

September 18, 2015August 4, 2017 Ina Steiner

eBay is running some seller promotions to encourage users to list Halloween items for sale. In one promotion, it’s enticing sellers with a $10 coupon: “List and sell your Halloween costumes and decor by October 31 to earn a $10 Read more