Huge change to eBay fees starts TODAY for millions of users

MILLIONS of online sellers and buyers will see a huge change from today as eBay introduces new fees. The change will see eBay add an additional charge to the price of all UK purchases from private sellers. The change is part of eBay's push to add additional buyer protection measures and it means both buyers and sellers will see differences from today. As the new measures are introduced the burden of paying for them will shift from sellers to shoppers.

This means anyone purchasing an item from a private seller will be charged a fee of 75p, plus up to 4% of the item price. So, if an item had been sold for £10, an additional £1.15 would be added to the price. Items priced at more than £300 will be subject to a lower percentage fee and there will be a cap on the total amount charged. While shoppers won't be thrilled to be facing an extra fee on purchases there are benefits.

And, they've been reassured they don't need to worry about a nasty surprise at the checkout as the additional fee will be added to prices at the point they're listed. The online marketplace has said its new protection measures will give buyers more "confidence and security", when making purchases. It will cover the expense of handling disputes between buyers and sellers and to aid in this will add a 24/7 customer support service to its website.

As well as this buyers will continue to be able to claim back money paid for items that do not arrive, are damaged or faulty, or do not match the given description through its Money Back Guarantee. Shoppers can also request that an eBay expert verify the authenticity of an item for free and carry out a multi-point inspection at no extra cost. Purchases from businesses made on eBay will also be subject to these protections, but at no extra cost.

The change brings eBay in line with rivals included Vinted and Depop. Vinted introduced a buyer protection fee in 2016, coinciding with the removal of seller fees, while Depop introduced a buyer fee of up to 5% of the purchase price, plus a fixed amount of up to £1 per item last year. For sellers the change means payments for items will not be released until after delivery. EBay has said funds will now arrive in accounts two days after the item is received.

The news comes after eBay removed “regulatory operating fees” for private UK sellers last October, just six months after introducing them. When first announced the benefits of the change were questioned. Helen Dewdney, consumer expert at The Complaining Cow, said in introducing the fees eBay would lose the one thing that set it apart from rivals. She said: "Buyers not paying fees was the one thing that made eBay better than Vinted for buyers, so this may not reap the rewards eBay is hoping for in the long term.".

Meanwhile, a disgruntled user said: "These changes are rubbish for everyone.  Surely they will impact sales adversely.". Another commented:  "Is It just me or will eBay's new buyers' protection fee from the 4th Feb make it near impossible to sell competitively.". EBay has also announced that sellers will also be required to organise their postage through the website from some point in 2025. The change, expected to be brought in by the end of April, will require the use of eBay’s “simple delivery managed shipping” system.

This means sellers must confirm a parcel size and eBay will arrange the shipping at what it calls "competitive rates". The system is currently available for pre-owned clothing listings for private sellers in the UK. But it is understood eBay is expanding this across all listings and will soon make its use compulsory. This change will also meet the marketplace's aim of increasing protections as sellers are fully covered for any loss or damage to their items during transit under managed shipping.

This year has also seen online marketplace sellers see a big change in tax requirements. but, despite the changes many are continuing to offset the cost-of-living crisis through their marketplace side hustles. NEW to eBay? It's head of secondhand, Emma Grant, reveals how to optimise your listings:. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk. Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.