The topic of eBay’s rising fees is getting too hot to handle. In The Activist‘s first issue of Winter Quarter, I observed eBay’s decision to raise fees and made statements regarding eBay store owners and their threats to shut down their stores. Some store owners have already closed up shop. Under pressure, Bill Cobb, President of eBay North America, made an announcement containing plans to adjust some of the fee changes that were scheduled to take affect on February 18. In the announcement Cobb says, “To reward our eBay Stores sellers, we’ll be crediting $15.95–a month’s Basic Stores subscription–in May to all sellers who operated an eBay Store for the month of April.”
It may be a nice gesture, but the fee changes begin in February, not May. For the rest of the eBay community, Cobb offers a reduction in minimum insertion fees for Auction-Style listings, Fixed Price, Motors Non-Vehicle and B&I non-Capital Equipment Categories. He is saving eBayers a whole nickel, reducing the fee from 30 to 25 cents.
Cobb stresses that eBay is passionate about its community. He will host an online meeting sometime in late February to hear more from users, but the date is not yet set. Cobb even goes as far as to promise he will read every e-mail he receives and encourages people to e-mail him at billcobb@ebay.com.
His concern is being received in many different manners; people are still closing stores and some are trying to rally boycotts. Others have kept their faith with the online auction guru. The majority of the initial fee increases remain unchanged, but it is Cobb’s hope a small reward like the one he announced will turn down the heat surrounding the issue of eBay’s rising fees.