eBay launches new return options and social pages

eBay Australia announced that it has improved the merchant sales experience based on the feedback from the merchant community. The specific updates are as follows:

First, eBay is partnering with HUBBED, a convenient and cost-effective returns solution, to expand returns options for merchants.

Merchants can now offer their customers the choice between HUBBED or Australia Post for returns. With HUBBED, merchants’ customers will be able to drop off their return parcels at 24/7 locations nationwide, for a flat fee of just $5.24 (inclusive of GST. Additional $1.65 incl. GST surcharge for interstate returns in Western Australia) for returns up to 10kg and 120cm3 in cubic size.

Second, eBay is adjusting fee credits for partial refunds, buyer-requested cancellations, and voluntary refunds received by merchants. Starting April 1, 2023, when merchants issue partial refunds, eBay will automatically credit a portion of variable fees and certain other applicable fees, including recommended listing standards and international fees, based on the adjusted sales.

Additionally, when a merchant approves a buyer’s cancellation request or issues a full voluntary refund, the full Final Value Fee, including the $0.30 per order fee, will be refunded to the merchant.

Third, eBay will launch a new social page to facilitate linking merchants' social media accounts and sharing orders. At that time, the new page will be able to connect merchants' Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest accounts, and create shareable posts directly on eBay, sending merchants' followers to listings, category pages or merchants' brand flagship stores.

Fourth, eBay will further improve the "View Order Details" experience, allowing merchants to clearly view order revenue, packing slips, order receipts, address labels, and bills of lading from one place.

Fifth, starting February 22, 2023, eBay will require new item specifications for the following categories: Collectibles (collectibles and supplies); Parts & Accessories (motorcycles, scooters, quad bikes and UTV/ATV); Home & Garden (home decor).

It is worth mentioning that recently, eBay Australia also announced that after March 6, 2023, any product in the designated category using the merchant refurbished product status will be moved to the "second-hand" product status.

Merchants need to move their current Merchant Refurbished status listing to "Used" status by March 6, 2023; Update the merchant's item description and title with the item condition. For example: New Comm 1520 Color Inkjet Printer - Gray/Blue - Very Good;

For multi-SKU listings in these categories with condition- or grade-dependent variations, merchants will need to create a new listing for each variation. After March 6, 2023, any listings that still contain multi-SKU variations related to condition or grade will be terminated.

Going forward, merchants will need to create new listings for Merchant Refurbished items in the Used condition listing process.