Private sellers on auction giant eBay’s website have been issued a warning about ‘big changes’ as of this week, and it will change how they are paid for their sales
An experienced eBay private seller has issued a warning to all other users of the auction website over a change in terms and conditions that came into force earlier this week (February 4).
“Big, big changes are coming and I don’t think they’re very good – certainly not for the sellers,” TikTok user and eBay seller Biz Nest began in a video on Monday. “From February 4, you will not get paid for your items until two days after the customer has received them,” he said.
Indeed, all sellers were first notified of the change back in December 2024, in an explanatory email that read: “We are making changes to the way we process payments on eBay. Going forward, we’ll make your funds available for payout within 48 hours after we’ve confirmed delivery of the item. Until then, you’ll see a ‘hold’ on your funds. This process helps keep our marketplace safe.”
Biz Nest continued, explaining that previously, he received payments a day after they had been made by the buyers. “Now we have to wait, so my advice to you is to do everything via a quicker track service – I’ll be using Royal Mail’s 48-hour service for all my items.”
With that will bring an increased cost to both the customer and seller, but according to Biz Nest it will ensure you are paid quicker that way. He also revealed: “The other thing they’re (eBay) doing is on every order, customers will be charged an extra 70p plus 4% of the total order. The idea of this is it goes towards customer service to make the experience better for buyers.”
Ultimately, however, Biz Nest points out that it means another increased cost, and as sellers, “you have a decision to make” on pricing. “Personally I’m going to keep all my prices the same, but changing all the delivery prices and see how it effects sales.”
He closed: “If I see a downturn in sales then I’ll look at my profit margin and maybe reduce my prices slightly. But it’s something for you all to bear in mind.”
The update in terms was met with a mixed response, meanwhile, as one person responded: “Really doesn’t bother me, I don’t have cash flow issues. I also don’t bother withdrawing funds from account as its effect, would be nice for it to be automatic.”
A second declared: “Good, start paying taxes and be a business account – listing fee, business monthly fee, final sale fee and postage fee… welcome to eBay.” And a third hailed: “This is great news for proper eBay sellers.”
Conversely, however, one person fumed: “There will be loads of scams withholding money by complaints to eBay before release.”
Another slammed: “All the changes and moving of ‘goal posts’ which if you want to continue you have to accept, is not what I signed up for. How many will receive an email maybe a few days before ‘funds are released’ saying we need ‘xyz’ to verify your account and keep your funds on hold for a longer period or indefinitely if you cannot provide?
“Not forgetting that many just sell to get funds in quick for an unexpected bill or to help with the bills that are escalating in this economy and by holding of funds, this will impede.”
Whilst a third person theorised: “Imagine… a buyer receiving an item lets say in a week… that is 7 plus 2… 9 days… (discounting weekends) and that buyer after using that item for a day or so, or deciding that they have changed their mind or something else, opens a case the day prior to your funds supposedly being released? Which are then put on hold for a further 10 days or so to ‘sort out’?
“There is no planning control for the seller on their own funds or account…You literally are in the hands of AI (I do believe this is what will be used) and the postal service which is taking longer and longer in the system.”
eBay has been approached for comment.
