eBay to introduce new fee for some customers making purchases from next week
From next week, eBay customers will face new fees when purchasing some items on the platform. The company is set to introduce a Buyer Protection fee in the UK on February 4, which will be applied whenever a customer purchases something from a private seller.
However, this won't be an additional fee added after checkout, but will instead be included in the price of the item. Moreover, when a customer purchases an item from a business through the platform, Buyer Protection will be automatically applied at no extra cost.
For buyers, the fee will be up to 4 per cent of the item price plus an additional flat rate of 75p. This move follows eBay's decision last October to drop selling fees, allowing sellers to retain more earnings from their sales made on the platform.
READ MORE: ITV The Chase's Darragh Ennis breaks silence after record-breaking loss against contestants
READ MORE: Bonnie Blue shows off horrific injuries after sleeping with 1,000 men in a day
Similar buyer fees have been adopted by Depop and Vinted, with the latter offering free listing and selling but adding a buyer protection fee which ranges between 3 per cent and 8 per cent plus a fixed amount of 30p to 80p. Meanwhile, Depop scrapped its 10 per cent fee on new listings last year, instead implementing a marketplace fee aimed at British buyers.
This fee, capped at 5 per cent, costs an extra £1, however, sellers still face a payment processing charge.
How does Buyer Protection function?
Buyer Protection is a service utilised by various online marketplaces and financial platforms to safeguard customers from monetary loss when they fail to receive an item they've ordered and paid for. It can also offer protection for damaged items and incorrect charges stemming from the order.
For eBay, Buyer Protection will grant customers access to round-the-clock customer support, which includes phone or online chat assistance. Moreover, payments will only be issued to sellers once the order has been dispatched and successfully delivered.
eBay clarified that the funds will be accessible in a seller's balance account two days after delivery confirmation. As a result, sellers are encouraged to use tracked delivery services via the company's own Simple Delivery or arrange a local collection.
Customers will also benefit from eBay's Authenticity Guarantee, particularly useful for collectors of high-value items. This guarantee allows experts to confirm the authenticity of an item free of charge while conducting inspections of the item.
