In a bold move to stay competitive in the ever-evolving online marketplace, eBay has announced the removal of seller fees for private sellers across almost all categories in the UK. This strategic decision comes as the platform faces growing competition from emerging rivals such as Depop and Vinted, both of which have seen increased popularity, particularly among younger sellers and buyers.
The change means private eBay sellers in the UK will no longer have to pay transaction fees when selling most items, with the notable exception of vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. This announcement builds on an earlier initiative by eBay in April when the company eliminated fees for private sellers of pre-owned clothing. That move alone resulted in a surge of listings, particularly for high-demand fashion items like jeans, dresses, and shirts, while contributing to sustainability efforts by keeping items out of landfills.
Taking on the Competition The decision to remove seller fees is clearly aimed at countering platforms like Depop and Vinted, which have built their models around charging buyers instead of sellers. For example, Vinted charges a “buyer protection fee” ranging from 3% to 8% of an item’s pre-postage price, while Depop introduced a “marketplace fee” for UK buyers earlier this year after scrapping its 10% selling fee.
While Depop sellers still face a payment processing charge, the shift in fee structures across platforms is reshaping the online resale landscape. eBay’s move ensures that sellers can keep more of their profits while offering buyers a broader range of items.
Kirsty Keoghan, the UK General Manager for eBay, highlighted the company’s commitment to both sellers and buyers in the announcement: “Removing selling fees across categories is designed to give buyers access to a greater variety of inventory, while simplifying the selling experience. It’s about creating a better marketplace for all.”
Resale Revolution Recent research commissioned by eBay reveals that the UK has a significant amount of untapped resale potential. According to the survey, nearly 294 million unused items are currently sitting in homes across the country. These items, which include adult clothing, DVDs, CDs, and tech gadgets, could generate a staggering £9 billion in resale income.
The study also found that over half of UK households estimate the value of their unused items to be between £50 and £300, with nearly a quarter sitting on more than £500 worth of potential resale value. As people become more conscious of sustainability and look for ways to declutter their homes, the resale market is experiencing a resurgence.
In Germany, where eBay dropped seller fees last year, the move paid off significantly. Not only did more sellers join the platform, but more than 250,000 sellers also began buying through eBay. In fact, these seller-buyers were found to be twice as likely to make purchases compared to those who only bought items. eBay hopes to see similar results in the UK.
Sustainability Meets Profitability The growing interest in resale isn’t just about making money. According to eBay’s research, over half of sellers (56%) use the platform to generate extra income from items they no longer need. Meanwhile, nearly half (47%) see selling as a more sustainable option than simply discarding their unused belongings. For others, the motivation comes from a desire to create more space in their homes or to fund new purchases.
As the resale market continues to thrive, eBay’s elimination of seller fees could lead to a significant increase in both listings and buyer activity, positioning the platform to compete more aggressively with its fast-growing competitors while fostering a more sustainable marketplace for all.
+ There are no comments
Add yours