Welcome to the Value Added Resource ecommerce news week in review!
The U.S. Postal Service lost an estimated $3.1 billion to counterfeit package labels over two years while USPS tracking data showed 97% of counterfeit labels were still processed for delivery, according to a new Inspector General audit that also found enforcement efforts mistakenly intercepted about 2 million packages with legitimate paid postage.
USPS lost $3.1B to counterfeit labels as OIG found 97% still processed for delivery and 2M legitimate packages were wrongly intercepted.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is looking for someone to help figure out the long-term strategy and economics of Shipping Protections as the company takes on more responsibility for lost, damaged and delayed packages across a growing number of shipping programs.
eBay is focusing on shipping “protection economics” as transaction losses rise and more delivery risk shifts onto the marketplace.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Whatnot is cutting commissions for higher-volume sellers and introducing volume-based rates as competition in livestream shopping heats up, with the company taking some not-so-subtle shots at eBay’s recently introduced Live fee structure along the way.
Whatnot rolls out lower rates for high-volume sellers while taking direct aim at eBay Live’s fee structure and GMV math.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Longtime ecommerce news site EcommerceBytes has ceased publication after 27 years, ending a run that began when publishers Ina and David Steiner launched AuctionBytes in 1999. Shoutout to Ina and David for tirelessly shining a light on issues facing online sellers for almost three decades. Wishing them all the best for whatever comes next.
EcommerceBytes has ceased publication after 27 years, ending a run that began when Ina and David Steiner launched AuctionBytes in 1999.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is removing Live transactions from Seller Standards, Service Metrics and Top Rated Plus eligibility beginning October 15, separating livestream sales from performance programs that can increase or reduce fees on a seller’s regular marketplace business.
eBay is separating Live sales from Seller Standards, Service Metrics and Top Rated Plus, changing how livestream activity affects fees.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
Mercari is raising prepaid shipping rates across USPS, UPS and FedEx next month, including some significant increases to discounted Best Rate pricing, while offering free shipping for some trading cards as the marketplace continues using targeted shipping promotions to drive growth in collectibles.
Mercari will raise USPS, UPS and FedEx prepaid rates October 19, while some trading cards get free First-Class Envelope shipping.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay VP Buyer, Seller and C2C Blair Ethington is departing after nearly four years in her second stint at the company.
eBay VP Blair Ethington departs, renewing questions about who oversees the business seller experience as the company deepens its C2C focus.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is putting its European Union marketplaces under common commercial leadership, promoting Germany and Central Europe head Dr. Saskia Meier-Andrae to a newly created VP & General Manager Europe role as the company looks to make cross-border buying and selling easier across the bloc.
eBay promotes Germany chief Saskia Meier-Andrae to lead its EU business as cross-border services expand across European markets.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay is warning sellers that USPS rates available through eBay Labels will increase again September 19, announcing the changes just one day before they take effect.
eBay gives sellers just one day’s notice before another USPS rate increase takes effect September 19, with more changes coming in October.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
eBay has launched Fitment Plus Auto in the UK as it prepares to shut down standalone myFitment later this month, while its Australian marketplace is expanding Authenticity Guarantee to watches with both mandatory and buyer-paid authentication options.
eBay launches Fitment Plus Auto in the UK ahead of myFitment shutdown and expands Authenticity Guarantee to watches in Australia.
Value Added ResourceLiz Morton
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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.
