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/.

Antitrust Review of Stamps.com Endicia Deal Proceeds

May 26, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

Stamps.com revealed that its planned acquisition of Endicia is still proceeding through the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust review process. CEO Ken McBride said during the company’s recent quarterly earnings call, “We are currently in the regulatory review process with the Department of Read more

USPS Rolls Out Rate Hikes Prematurely

May 25, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

USPS spokesperson Patricia Licata confirmed the Postal Service experienced a problem that caused its system to overcharge customers purchasing postage at retail windows on Wednesday, May 20th. “We did have an issue that cropped up two days ago, but it’s Read more

Target Explains New Policy on Resellers

May 25, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

Last week we told you about chainstore Target’s new crackdown on resellers – people who purchase items from retail stores and websites and then list on eBay, Amazon and their own websites. A spokesperson from Target responded to our inquiries Read more

eBay Canada to Hold Focus Group on Shipping

May 25, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

eBay Canada is holding a focus group on June 4 in Toronto. The marketplace invited certain sellers to participate in the research. eBay is holding the event to ask sellers about its future plans with regard to shipping and shipping Read more

Amazon Beefs Up Same-Day Delivery in Classic Amazon Style

May 25, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

Amazon is leveraging its expertise in same-day delivery by opening up Prime Now to other companies, adding value to the service. Amazon Prime Now is now offering 1-hour delivery from local stores in addition to the tens of thousands of Read more

USPS Suspends Closures of Mail Processing Centers

May 25, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

The USPS resumed its consolidation of mail processing centers this year after Phase 1 saw the closure of 141 mail processing facilities in 2012 – 2013. But the National Postal Mail Handlers Union is now reporting that the USPS has Read more

PayPal Has Big Plans to Help Merchants

May 22, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

PayPal has big plans for helping merchants worldwide and shared its vision at a media event on Thursday. The news coming out of its “Commerce: Rewired” event includes a new partnership with ecommerce platform Bigcommerce and with Chinese financial firm Read more

eBay Reminds Sellers of Auction Fee Credits

May 22, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

eBay reminded sellers of new fee credits that took effect on May 1st. On its announcement board, eBay wrote that sellers could “enjoy unlimited insertion fee credits on auction-style sales” – though sellers only receive the credits if the items Read more

Amazon to Launch Handmade Marketplace

May 22, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

Amazon is launching a new marketplace for handcrafted goods called Handmade at Amazon. Etsy sellers discussed an email invitation they received from Amazon with great interest, and those who didn’t get an invitation were eager to learn more from those Read more

Alibaba Works to Make Sourcing from China Safer

May 21, 2015August 18, 2017 Ina Steiner

Online sellers who use Alibaba.com for product-sourcing can now get purchase protection through a new Trade Assurance program. Alibaba said the program gives merchant-buyers more visibility into sellers’ transactional history and credibility. Buyers can claim a refund from participating Chinese Read more