The week of June 15th eBay is updating it’s next series of changes. See below both eBay’s changes and my opinions and thoughts on these changes - which could impact how you make money on eBay.

It’s good to know that there are no eBay fee changes in this release.

This set of eBay changes will do three main things as follows:

eBay is making it easier for buyers to ship as well as give buyer incentives which should result in an increase in more sales. Here’s how they plan doing this:

—New item page rolling out. New photo zoom coming later this year. Get your listings ready now.

My thoughts? I really like the new item page layout. It’s simple and easy to see. For TemplateOptimizer.com users - (Template Optimizer is the #1 eBay template software) - please note that we have upgraded Template Optimizer to work seamlessly with eBay’s new item page layout. The templates look better than every!

* New eBay product pages surfacing to more buyers. To make sure your items show up on these pages, use product details (formerly called pre-filled item information).

My thoughts? Anytime you can increase your exposure on eBay, you should do it.  I like this but I hate when eBay changes the name of what they call something.

* New way to list in Fixed Price lets you offer all variations of one product e.g. color and size in a single low-cost listing.

My thoughts? This is a huge benefit to sellers who have items like this.  Finally eBay is allowing something that should have been allowed years ago.

* Buyer incentives and loyalty programs expanded to drive more traffic.

My thoughts? I’m not a fan of anything that drives more traffic to eBay after the initial sale.  I’d rather send the customer to my non-eBay internet business after I have made that initial sale for a variety reasons.

2. Key information to set buyer expectations and help reduce your costs

My thoughts? I have been teaching sellers to do this for years so I really don’t think it’s a big deal.  See my comments below:

* New Smart FAQ answers buyers top 20 questions before they contact you.

My thoughts? Big deal.  You can today, and always could, add your own frequently asked questions section directly into the description area of your eBay listing.

* Package tracking information available in My eBay print labels on eBay and tracking shows up automatically, or you can upload the information.

My thoughts? This is good news for everyone except those of us who ship with fedex.

* Return policy and handling time required for new listings and re-listings beginning June 15. Deadline for updating your Good Til Cancelled listings extended to mid-September.

My Thoughts? Again, no big deal. eBay is requiring what I have been teaching to students for years..include your return policy and handling time in your listings.  Congratulations eBay!

* Use Item Specifics. Now in some categories, you can customize when the available choices don’t apply to your item.
* Category and Item Specifics changes now consolidated with the rest of updates find out if your listings are impacted.

My thoughts? Item specifics help you get more exposure and sell more, so use them whenever you can.

3. Other updates to make selling on eBay more efficient

* New, more efficient process for handling disputes.

My thoughts: Anything that makes it easier to handle a dispute is a good thing - let’s see how this rolls out.

* Selling Manager FREE for all sellers with powerful new Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro applications.

My thoughts: I think it’s good for sellers to use eBay Selling Manager but would not use a paid version of the system.  Template Optimizer will include a simple, easy to use version of Selling Manager that will be available at no additional charge to all Template Optimizer users.

* Easier, faster way to pay shipping, print labels, and update buyersright from eBay.

My thoughts: Same as before - what about fedex users?

So eBay is rolling out changes starting the week of June 16th.  They are simple and basic - most of which will not have any impact on AdamGinsberg.com students who already understand this valuable information that eBay is finally making a requirement to sell on the site. I do like the new item listing form - I think it will end up with better exposure and more bids…at least I hope so!

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