eBay UK Limits Multi-Buy Discounts To Businesses Amid Private Seller Crackdown
eBay UK is taking more steps to differentiate private from business sellers with new multi-buy discount limitations it hopes will "encourage" businesses incorrectly trading under private accounts to upgrade.
Private sellers were notified via email the change will take effect in January, with those wishing to retain access to discount tools needing to upgrade to a business account, which will make their sales subject to final value fees again.
From 20 Jan 2025, Multi-buy will become exclusive to business sellers, and no longer be available to private sellers.
On 20 Jan 2025, all active listings using the Multi-buy discount tool will automatically become multi-quantity listings, and the discounts will be removed. If you’d like to continue using the Multi-buy discount tool, and are operating a business, you can upgrade to a business account which includes a number of additional benefits.
Please note, since it’s now free for private sellers to sell on eBay, upgrading will mean that transaction fees will apply to your sales, and you’ll be unable to revert back to a private account.
Unlike changes that will delay funds until after delivery and require private sellers to use Simple Delivery managed shipping, this change was met with mostly positive feedback from sellers who have been frustrated with eBay's lack of action against obvious businesses which trade dishonestly under private accounts.
aksluk
FINALLY!! Excellent news! Now they need to remove multi variation listings from "private" sellers now too!
Seems fair. Any kind of promotional tool/feature should only be available to business sellers, imo.
Private sellers can just lower their prices if their items aren't shifting.
I got this email on my private ID as I'd used the feature in the last 6 months. If I'm reading it right private sellers can still have multi-item listings, they just won't be able to set up multi-buy discounts. I think it's a step in the right direction tbh
The move comes on top of other changes made earlier this year which reduced the monthly fee listing allotment for private accounts as well.
Liz Morton
Shortly after that announcement, eBay made private selling fee-free across most categories in the UK, accelerating the shift to further separate business selling and consumer to consumer private selling on the platform, with buyer fees expected to be introduced in Q1 2025.
Liz Morton
What do you think of eBay UK limiting discount tools for use by business accounts only? Let us know in the comments below!
eBay seller since 2022
Just started selling about a year and half ago
800 items sold 99.7 feedback
Recently I went away for family things for 30 days set my acct to be away … got back with items not received cases opened
I wasn’t able to revise existing listings post new listings OR refund the buyer from my eBay funds …
The items were caught up in recent wild fires but ended up being delivered late. I had to beg the buyer to let me pay them off of eBay to close the case because it was on hold and I wasn’t able to refund them from my eBay acct etc…. So luckily they obliged and I did … but ever since then my acct must be strikes as high risk because funds have been on hold 3 days after delivery since then indefinitely might I add… I get the run around everytime etc etc FINALLY I got someone saying it’s temporary it’ll be back to normal etc. these r all reps from escalated departments… one lady told me that with my history and feedback I’ve proved beyond doubt that I’m reliable seller and shouldn’t be on hold she put in for a appeal never heard back got the run around for another few months… they keep telling me I’ve been chosen for the new update they r rolling out total BS … do you believe that sellers will stay on eBay with these holds ? No they will simply go to another platform … they r 100% making money on the holds and use any reasoning to tell you basically no and keep profiting…. The get around is creating a new acct… these cases were closed without eBay having to step in and might I add I lost $$ and its been truly frustrating esp since I’ve built the acct up but I know I can do it again.. when they tell me its going to happen to all accts I just mention how my brother just opened one n now has immediate payments they don’t know what to say I don’t think they really even know.,, its sad n scummy but I see a class action lawsuit coming honestly ! I don’t know💬 if I forgot anything but well written thanks for the information. Have a great one!