Welcome to the Value Added Resource ecommerce news week in review!
eBay is cutting approximately 9% of its workforce in another major round of layoffs, just eight months after eliminating roughly 800 positions earlier this year.
CEO Jamie Iannone announced the latest cuts in an internal memo sent to employees October 20 saying the company is reducing headcount as part of an effort to simplify operations, sharpen priorities and redirect resources toward areas with greater growth potential.
eBay is laying off approximately 9% of its workforce as the company moves to simplify operations despite strong recent growth.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is making its Spendable Funds balance system the default for eligible US sellers starting November 4, automatically enrolling them in the newly renamed eBay balance program and resetting existing payout schedules to on-demand withdrawals.
eBay makes balance enrollment mandatory November 4, resetting automatic payouts and changing how sellers can access and spend their earnings.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Etsy is tightening restrictions on AI-generated products and listing images, banning AI-created craft patterns and other functional instructions, prohibiting fully automated AI listings and requiring sellers to include unedited photos of actual items.
Etsy says AI content is hurting buyer trust as it bans generated patterns and requires unedited photos of actual products.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is updating its privacy policy globally on November 26, 2026, adding more detailed disclosures about automated monitoring of listings and other user content, AI training on customer data, and automated decisions that could affect seller accounts.
eBay’s latest privacy update expands disclosures on AI training with user data, automated content monitoring and enforcement transparency.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Whatnot is launching its first national advertising campaign and expanding its European operations as the rapidly growing live shopping marketplace looks to attract more mainstream shoppers and open new opportunities for sellers amid increasing competition from eBay, StockX and other platforms.
Whatnot launches its first nationwide US ad campaign, expands European operations and plans to open selling to Irish businesses in 2027.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is offering select sellers 0% commission fees on Live sales through October 29, adding another incentive to get more sellers livestreaming as the company expands access to the service.
eBay offers select sellers 0% Live commissions through October 29 as it expands livestream access and ramps up incentives to boost participation.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Shipping rates are changing so frequently that Pirate Ship is giving up on notifying customers about routine price adjustments, while eBay is warning sellers of yet another round of USPS Ground Advantage changes taking effect October 25, just one week after the latest geographic pricing overhaul.
Pirate Ship stops routine shipping rate alerts as eBay announces more USPS Ground Advantage changes with just days’ notice.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Mercari is offering free shipping on qualifying orders of $50 or more this holiday season, bringing back its Fashion Exchange program and introducing additional shipping protection options for sellers.
Mercari announces free shipping on qualifying holiday orders over $50, the return of Fashion Exchange and new seller shipping protection.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Etsy is waiving transaction fees on qualifying Share & Save orders through January 4, 2027, offering sellers a larger incentive to bring their own holiday shoppers to the marketplace.
Etsy boosts Share & Save refunds to 6.5% for the holidays, eliminating transaction fees on qualifying orders through January 4, 2027.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Update from last week: Texas has now published the proposed rule that would remove marketplace commissions and other seller fees from taxable data processing services. The change could take effect as early as November 15, though the proposal still does not address refunds for taxes sellers have already paid.
Thanks for reading! Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend and let them know where they cansubscribe.📧
Never miss a headline – make Value Added Resource aPreferred
Liz MortonTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
Liz Morton is founder and editor of Value Added Resource. She spent 17+ years operating ecommerce businesses before launching VAR. Her reporting focuses on seller experience, marketplace strategy and corporate accountability.
