eBay is rolling out some exciting changes for sellers, the first of which will be released in June 2009.  Changes for some eBay sites may be different, so please check the links below for your eBay selling site.

Some of the changes include a Fixed Price listing that will allow sellers to consolidate variations of a product in one low-cost listing.  For example, a sweater listing will be able to include all colors and sizes in one listing, giving the buyer the ability to choose.  eBay is releasing a new Item page, Smart FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) which will answer the top 20 buyer questions before they buyer used the “Ask A  Question” field.

Starting in mid-June, when sellers upload tracking information, your buyers will be able to access that information in their “My eBay” and if you use eBay to pay and print your labels, the tracking information will be uploaded for you.

eBay will eventually be making the move to printing shipping labels right from eBay, rather than PayPal for more convenience!

There’s a lot of details, so check out this link for further explanation:

eBay US Details: http://pages.ebay.com/sell/April2009Update/Details/index.html

eBay UK Details: http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200904.shtml#2009-04-09163005

eBay AU Details: http://www2.ebay.com/aw/au/200904160946442.html

eBay CA Details: http://www2.ebay.com/aw/ca/200904.shtml#2009-04-14121350

Here is the original announcement:

On behalf of eBay, let me open with two words: Thank you. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to strengthen our partnership with you. Together we can do what’s necessary to bring buyers to eBay and keep them coming back.

We also recognize the impact that major changes to eBay can have on your business. For that reason, we are grouping those changes into two or three major releases per year, with at least 60 days advance notice. 

In 2009, there will be 2 significant releases. This post announces the first release, coming the week of June 15.  The second release will be announced this summer and will go live in the early fall.

Here’s an overview of the changes launching the week of June 15. This release focuses on driving more sales and improving seller efficiency. Note there are no fee changes in this release. 

The spring release is set up to deliver three things for our sellers:

  1. Easier, more visual shopping, plus buyer incentives to drive more sales
  • New item page rolling out. New photo zoom coming later this year. Get your listings ready now.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Buyer incentives and loyalty programs expanded to drive more traffic.
  1. Key information to set buyer expectations and help reduce your costs
  • New Smart FAQ answers buyers’ top 20 questions before they contact you.
  • Package tracking information available in My eBay—print labels on eBay and tracking shows up automatically, or you can upload the information.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  1. Other updates to make selling on eBay more efficient
  • New, more efficient process for handling disputes.
  • Selling Manager FREE for all sellers—with powerful new Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro applications.
  • Easier, faster way to pay shipping, print labels, and update buyers—right from eBay.
  • Bulk editing tools available now.

Get more details on all these updates.

You’re also invited to:

Again, thank you for partnering to make eBay a successful marketplace. We believe these changes will improve your sales and the efficiency of selling on eBay.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Tilenius
Senior Vice President & General Manager, eBay North America