eBay kills digital sellers
I just read that eBay has announced that no more digital goods can be sold on eBay. That means no more ebooks, templates, or software sales. Many marketers have used eBay for years to promote their ebooks and digital goods and will now have to find another way to stay in business.
It seems like to me eBay is going to lose lots of revenue from this change.
The only was digital items can be sold on eBay now are to list them as Classified Ad’s. I am not sure that will be profitable for any eBay seller at $9.95 per classified.
What does eBay have to say about this…?
Digital goods are often reproduced at little to no cost to the seller. On eBay, this creates the potential for Feedback Manipulation (both real and perceived). To preserve the integrity of the Feedback system, effective March 31 all goods that can be digitally downloaded or transferred electronically must be listed using the Classified Ads format.
Using the Classified Ads format, sellers receive a 30-day ad at a fixed price. This solution enables sellers to continue to market their digital goods on eBay; however, because Classified Ad listings are a lead generation tool and do not result in transactions that go through eBay, Feedback cannot be exchanged between buyer and seller.
Now, I am not an eBay seller but I will also be affected by this change, as I have bought many digital items from ebay. From software to stock photos.
I really think this was a stupid move on eBays part. What do you think?
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March 30th, 2008 at 9:49 am
What a stupid thing for ebay to so, especially when the ebook sellers were bring in massive money for ebay and then for paypal as well. Since ebay owns paypal, they will suffer for this one.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Caryn »
I agree with you completely. EBay is going to take a big hit since there are 1000’s of sellers of digital products that will leave ebay. I know if I sold a $30 item there is no way I would pay $9.99 for a classified ad to sell it. There would be no room for profit.
I wonder how yahoo auctions are. If they have the same policy? Maybe Yahoo auctions would be a good alternative for ebay digital product sellers.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
For real? Oh no!!!
I’m a published author and my publishers use ebay to help sell our books. Ebay’s not the only avenue, but a good one. I’m sad to hear this.
I found you blog hopping through the Weekend Blog Hoppers’. Thanks for the info.
Ashley Ladd’s last blog post..New name and new design
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
great post!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
[...] by thewahm in eBay Business Last week I wrote about eBay stopping digital products from being sold on ebay. I was a bit worried, as I know many eBay store owners who do sell digital [...]