posted on December 13, 2008 09:18:58 AM new
regarding the "Pricing Related: 30 Day Fixed Price Listings Pricing and Good Till Cancelled Listing Renewals" announcements:
If I am reading this right, my average of 175 store items will now end up counting as 525 items per month, effectively tripling my Vendio invoice. Is this correct?
If so, then would it be recommended that I shift my plan from Flat Rate Premium Plan to the Flat Rate Power Plan?
Thank you,
Susan
[ edited by wgonzales on Dec 13, 2008 09:19 AM ]
posted on December 13, 2008 09:55:39 AM new
Hello Susan,
That is incorrect. That would be the case for 30 day fixed price listings, but not for your eBay store listings. Your eBay store listings will be charged one Vendio listing fee each 30 day period (this is something that has always been in our terms of service, but we had not followed through with in the past).
posted on December 16, 2008 09:54:20 AM new
but it does mean that you now have to pay every 30 days for your store listings as if they are a new listing, which means that my bill will more than double!
posted on December 16, 2008 10:15:57 AM new
Hello,
eBay has offered the Good Till Cancelled (GTC) format in eBay Stores for some time. Ever since we enabled this eBay Stores format in our system, our Fees Policy has considered each renewal at eBay a new listing. The specific language indicated, “eBay Stores listings will be charged the non-refundable Listing Fee at the beginning of each 30 day period during which the listing exists in your eBay Store.”
Some of you may have noticed the benefit you have received, since we have not enforced this GTC renewal listing fee in our billing system for the last several years. Given the expected increased adoption of GTC for the new 30 Day Fixed Price format on the live site, we will soon be enforcing this policy for both 30 Day FP GTC and eBay Stores GTC items. This new system will affect newly launched items as well as items launched prior to our enforcement of this long-standing element of our fees policy.
posted on December 16, 2008 01:08:32 PM new
In regards to the GTC fixed price listings (non store items) we will be tripling our costs on Vendio. Instead of paying one listing fee through vendio, we will now be paying 3x as much. So if I have 50 widgets listed as GTC fixed price on ebay - my Vendio invoice will now reflect 150 listing charges. So my invoice will now in fact be triple the cost!
I don't see the logic in this at all. It does not cost Vendio any more money so why are we being charged 3x the cost of one listing?? Launching the item once through Vendio for a duration of 30 days does not cost anymore than the cost of launching it for 3,5,7 or 10 days. I really do not think this is fair at all. Especially at this time when so many sellers are still struggling with the incredible fee increases from ebay. Now Vendio too.....
posted on December 16, 2008 01:35:23 PM new
margar - if the volume of listings that your posting now Vs when there wasn't a 30 day GTC FP option hasn't changed, then your fees shouldn't really change either.
If previously you posted 100 items to eBay at all times as 7 day listings and now post the same group of 100 items to eBay at all times, the number of individual listing fee charges would remain the same as before.
If however you have increased the volume of the number of listings your sending to eBay at a time compared to when you were doing shorter duration listings, then the listing fees will increase in so much that they would have had you done it while the longer durations weren't available.
Best Match in eBay’s search gives this new 30 Day Fixed Price listing format the same or more exposure during each day than a traditional 7-day auction or fixed price item, making it a different consideration for Vendio. The new listing type essentially provides the same value during the first 10 days on eBay and then allows an additional 20 days of equivalent value that would normally require additional listings to cover.
To keep sellers with items more applicable to 7-day auctions or fixed prices on a relatively similar fee structure to sellers using this new longer duration fixed price format, we are going to make them reasonably equivalent from a duration perspective.
For sellers using the traditional auction and fixed price formats, this change should not impact you in any way. Additionally, sellers on a final value fee based plan are similarly not impacted by this change.
posted on December 16, 2008 03:21:23 PM new
Chris, thank you for your prompt reply.
However, I still do not see the logic in this move that Vendio is initiating. Other than the fact that it is a very obvious way to squeeze out more revenue for itself on the backs of their customers who choose to use this GTC fixed price ebay platform.
Yes, I have been listing more as in the GTC fixed price venue as opposed to the standard auction duration platform. Due to the increased exposure and obvious cost benefit from the standpoint of ebay fees. However - this cost increase from Vendio just does not seem reasonable and negates some of the cost benefit of listing on ebay using their GTC fixed price platform. Instead of costing me (on my particualr Vendio plan) .22 per listing - it will now cost me .66 per listing. Therefore, tripling my cost per listing on Vendio!!
I do not see the justification of this price hike from Vendio. You have not addressed the "issue" that it does not cost Vendio any more money, time or resources to launch a 30 day GTC listing as opposed to a 3,5,7, or 10 day auction listing. Or for that matter a 30 day ebay store listing. So how can Vendio justify this price increase??
YOUR QUOTE: "Best Match in eBay’s search gives this new 30 Day Fixed Price listing format the same or more exposure during each day than a traditional 7-day auction or fixed price item, making it a different consideration for Vendio. The new listing type essentially provides the same value during the first 10 days on eBay and then allows an additional 20 days of equivalent value that would normally require additional listings to cover."
The fact that ebay is providing the seller with MORE exposure by using a 30 fixed price GTC venue is no reason to charge us 3 times what we were paying prior to this change on ebay. This is only a way for Vendio to increase it's revenue at the expense of the ebay sellers who choose to use the GTC fixed price platform. And I really do have a very large issue with this stand that Vendio has taken.
I am one of the original customers who has been with Vendio all the way from almost the beginning of this service. When it was FREE. That is a long time ago! And I would like to continue to use this service, but to be nickled and dimed to death like this is very unfair. And actually I am surprised that there has not more discussion from Vendio customers as to this change......
posted on December 16, 2008 03:57:37 PM new
Hello,
I think the idea is that Vendio would actually be losing money without the change ultimately, for users on a pay per listing plan. If suddenly you can use the same amount of Vendio resources to sell more items with fewer listings, then you would be getting the same amount of service for less money. This is not a move to collect more than before for those users who are effected by this change, rather make an effort to continue to collect the same amount as before this new duration was released.
The change should keep the different plans equal where sellers with items more applicable to 7-day listings are on a relatively similar fee structure to sellers using this new longer duration fixed price format.
Please let us know if there are any other questions on how this new change works.
If anyone has any feedback they would like to share with Vendio, please email that to the billing department directly using the help link.
posted on December 16, 2008 04:15:54 PM new
Hello Chris,
thank you for the fast answers.
I completely agree to Margar. I was with Vendio when it was still called AuctionWatch. I left and came back, but as it now looks, I will regret that last move.
I have over 1000 small items in my Ebay store. If I have to pay a renewal fee to Vendio every month for those 1000 GTC items, I will be forced to close my store because my costs will be in no relation to my turnover. (anyhow, the last Ebay raise took allready the fun out of this)
And again I agree to Margar that I wonder why there are only a handfull of people complaining about this. I'll bet that only a few are watching this forum.
Maybe it's time to start writing about Vendio priceraise on the Ebay forums, i'm sure that it will get more attention.
posted on December 16, 2008 05:56:11 PM new
"Maybe it's time to start writing about Vendio priceraise on the Ebay forums, i'm sure that it will get more attention."
posted on December 16, 2008 09:38:55 PM new
I am not sure how long you have benn a member. However, using the new rates, do you really believe $1.75/$100 is too much?
The final value fees which are a killer are the eBay fees. Why not use a Vendio store along with the Ebay store?
posted on December 17, 2008 07:24:16 AM new
I changed my GTC store items over to GTC FP items to try to see any difference. (This is changing GTC store items to GTC FP items = no change for Vendio, the exact same listing process!
I have seen a very, very small bump in sales, which is quickily offset by eBay's huge final value fees (it has does little more than get money back from old long tail items).
There is absolutely no reason for Vendio to charge me 3 listings fees for these items. They are listed EXACTLY as a GTC store listing. Vendio is listing them just once, just like a store item.
Beyond my normal 7 day auction listings of 900 a month, I have 1,700 GTC store items that were changed to GTC FP items a month ago.
I will not watch my fees on Vendio TRIPLE!
I have been on Vendio for 6 1/2 years. If Vendio implements this, I will have no other choice, but to leave.
posted on December 17, 2008 09:03:36 AM new
I am glad to see that some other users are also upset about this fee increase. I thought I was the **only** one out there reading these forums. Apparently not many people actually read these discussions, so I agree, this needs to be taken over to the ebay boards for discussion. And I do plan on doing that, especially over there on the Power Sellers Board. Will be interesting to see what others have to say about this fee increase.
Christopher, in regards to your posting: "I think the idea is that Vendio would actually be losing money without the change ultimately, for users on a pay per listing plan. If suddenly you can use the same amount of Vendio resources to sell more items with fewer listings, then you would be getting the same amount of service for less money."
Well, if that were the case, then Ebay would be loosing money too. They are the ones that implemented the new GTC Fixed Price Listing platform. But they will not loose money on this as many sellers will use this new platform to list many more items than they had done so in the past. So they will make up for it due to volume of listings. As would Vendio. I will be increasing my amount of Fixed Price Listings with GTC substantially over the next month or so. However, if Vendio chooses to TRIPLE my listing fees, then I will be forced to look for another auction management service out there that is more competitive. I absolutely think this is the wrong message that Vendio needs to be sending to its customers. A FEE INCREASE is not warranteed in this specific case.
As aaronandelise said "This is changing GTC store items to GTC FP items = no change for Vendio, the exact same listing process!" And I agree. There is no difference in the listing process on Vendios end. If a seller lists for 30 days in a store, or 30 days as a fixed price item or 10 days in an auction. It takes the same technical ability from Vendios end to launch any of those items. It does not matter HOW long the item is listed for. It is just a matter of trying to squeeze more money out of Vendios customers. And I find this to be very unfair. Especially at this point in time with the economy being absolutely terrible. All sellers are trying to find ways to cut the fat, and make their margins more profitable. Even if it is just a little bit more profitable. Especially in light of the large ebay fee increase we have had to endure, this is just one more nail in the coffin for sellers on ebay. I just don't understand why Vendio would take this stand - when they know that ebay sellers are struggling with ebay fee "overload" right now. And when sellers are faced with having to make cuts to save money - Vendio will be one of the places that can be cut. If you sell on ebay, you obviously can't cut out ebay (and ebay knows that all too well). But sellers can look for other options for Auction Management services. As there are A LOT of services out there.
One more thing I would like to mention. Maybe people missed this one. Vendio stated that we can "request" refunds on items that sell before the 30 days are up, as we are being charged on the front end for a 30 day listing (3x fee cost). Wow - just what sellers need. MORE bookkeeping headaches! So now sellers need to closely monitor their listing and if they sell before the 30 days are up we should contact Vendio and they will refund our listing fee for the unused days. Talk about a major headache for both Vendio and Sellers. Who in the world thought up this bright idea!!!
Granted, I have been with Vendio since 2000 and would like to stay. I have been pleased with the service. Easy to use and it works. But I cannot see how I can continue to use this service if my listing fees are going to triple in cost (especially as I plan on greatly increasing my amount of listings). That is completely unacceptable AND unrealistic on Vendio managements part.
posted on December 17, 2008 09:36:43 AM new
To Christopher
Please let us know if there are any other questions on how this new change works.
If anyone has any feedback they would like to share with Vendio, please email that to the billing department directly using the help link.
This change has not been well thought out. You may feel that we are getting 3x the value but with the best match at e-bay we are lucky to see one week of service for a months worth of listing.
You may say let them eat cake but when you raise the price but when those who did not check the notices see their bill there will be a lot of ticked off people.
I read the notice the first day and have been mulling a response and your response will tell me and a lot others what their choice are.
Maybe you (Vendio) need to give us an idea why we are going to pay 3x's more for the same thing.
is it for....
A sales mgr pro that is so behind the times it has became nearly useless. a system so slow i fall asleep using it and spending $90 to $100 a month now for the service.
Promises that have been given a yr & 1/2 ago for updates on the listing forms and always we are working on it and it is nearly complete.
Are you guys like GM going to DC in corporate jets, they got a lot of $$ from the senate didn't they??
You need give us some more to go on with this change or we will have to leave as we can not afford a 300% increase for this current service.
posted on December 20, 2008 12:28:11 PM new
I'm a long-timer, too. I've provided a bunch of referrals to Vendio, both personally and through eBay discussion boards.
This announcement makes me angry.
At a time when eBay sellers are in the most vulnerable situation they've ever been in -- increased fees, inability to leave balanced feedback, a stumbling economy -- Vendio has opted to pile on. And without even the courtesy of providing any kind of additional service on their part ... just a loophole that may be explainable, but is certainly not justifiable.
You don't need to do this, Vendio. You don't need to figure out a way to profit from pretty much the only listing structure that gives eBay sellers a shot anymore. You don't need to play "what's in it for me?"
Others will probably do a better job of explaining their feelings about this, and maybe it's not personal, it's business for you, but after all the money and recommendations and loyalty I've given you, this is personal for me as well as business.
If you won't reconsider your position, or at least grandfather in those who have been contributing to your income for the last several years, then I can't promise to stick around if there's another service I can go to who knows better than to kick their clients when they're down.
posted on December 20, 2008 06:47:35 PM new
I could not agree more with the other posters.
My fees with triple as I mostly use 30-day listings. Because of the volume of sale my auctions end much sooner than in 30 days and your idea of calling Vendio for individual refunds is just ridiculous. I would be spending more time tracking my ended auctions to recover a partial fee than actually selling.
It looks like it will be much cheaper to hire a person to move all my auctions to your competition. With tripled Vendio fees, I will recover the cost in no time.
Also, if Vendio is so worry about a fairness and level field you should consider improving service and features. Vendio is always the last in implementing eBay changes and we are the last taking advantage of them.
posted on December 21, 2008 05:55:51 AM new
I agree that there should be a fee per 30 days.
If Vendio can track 3 listing times within one listing (refund on the 3x listing fee) then they can figure how to charge for the GTC listing over 30 days.
At the least Vendio should wait till this new Vendio program is released. Then we can see if this program offers a way to use them within a reasonable price structure given.
Also since they never release programs within years of annoucement we will not have a price increase this century!
posted on December 21, 2008 01:25:26 PM new
While 30-day FP formats are just a small part of my listings,
Store listings are a large part of my listings. So my invoice will still at least double due to the implementation of the store re-listing fees.
Still not too sure if perhaps I should shift my plan from Flat Rate Premium Plan to the Flat Rate Power Plan to minimize the effect of the pricing. Just don't have the time or inclination to sit down and do the math right now.
But I must say that the reasons given for the triple fees on fixed price listings and the implementation of the store fees
sound exactly like eBay-speak!
[ edited by wgonzales on Dec 21, 2008 01:26 PM ]
[ edited by wgonzales on Dec 21, 2008 01:26 PM ]
posted on December 21, 2008 04:47:24 PM new
I think this is ridiculous. Why should my fee be commission based? It is the same to Vendio provides the exact same service whether my item is listed for one day or 30. Why should Vendio's fee be based on whether eBay includes the item in search? That makes a difference in how I list on ebay, but I'm still using SMPro to write one listing and post sale management the sale of one item. Vendio is not providing any additional service for a 30 day listing and there is no
reasonable justification for charging more.
I sell individual, unique items and only rarely offer multiple quantity listings. Yes, for sellers who do high volume inventory items, fewer listings will result in less income to Vendio. However, I choose the length based on the how quickly I think the item will sell. I'm not selling any more items in a 30 day listing than I would in a 7 day listing, and I'm not using any more of Vendio's services to choose the longer listing.
I still have an eBay store, but since the selling costs are nearly the same and 30 day FP non-store listings are included in regular search, I've been using that instead for the most part. Since BM doesn't consider time in search results, those items rarely make it to the front pages but at least they're there.
I think you need to reconsider. I'm already using a 2 year old product that you've considered obsolete since you acquired Andale (which I tried and did not work for me.) A lot of the features I turned to Auction Watch for when I started are now included in My eBay at no extra charge.
And on the flip side, there are features I've been asking you to incorporate into SMPro for the past year and more that aren't there.(I've begged for separate handling fees for domestic & int'l, I have to edit every auction that I choose "freight" or "local pick up only" for because I can't create my listings with those auctions.)
Maybe it makes more sense to charge for item quantity if you have to do something. (At least you can justify that you're doing more from an auction management side.) But I don't make a cent more when my item sells in a 30 day listing vs a 5 day listing and I think being asked to pay more to Vendio "just because" is absurd.
I don't know what your big new product is going to look like, but it better be good, it better work for non-inventory sellers and it better not cost any more, or I'm going to be out of here and the last person to leave can turn out the lights.
[ edited by oldcountrybarn on Dec 22, 2008 10:33 AM ]
posted on December 23, 2008 09:55:04 AM new
I always wonder if Vendio management has any eBay selling experience. It appears Vendio doesn't have a clue how eBay sellers operate.
Because of the new 30-day format, I'm in a process of listing several hundred new items. I deal with major manufacturers and I can list almost unlimited number of parts that I can drip ship. Even if they are not a good seller, low eBay initial fees will allow me to list as many parts as I want.
With Vendio triple fees, I simply cannot afford to list hundreds of very slow moving items. You would be charging me 3 times a month for hundreds (perhaps thousands) of items that do not necessarily sell.
The whole idea behind eBay lower fees and increased inventory listing is defeated by Vendio completely unreasonable fee increase.
This is not a threat but I will be forced to leave Vendio to execute my plan of listing tons of new items.
This is just a madness.
Jack
[ edited by jackmikol on Dec 23, 2008 09:56 AM ]
posted on December 23, 2008 08:10:38 PM new
The price change does not affect me since I'm on the power plan. I would like to correct a misconception Vendio seems to have on the BIN 30-day and GTC non-stores listing. The assumption that these receive a 30-day vs 7 day visibility is completely untrue. Ebay virtually hides them a week after listing. The conversion to sale rates are no greater than the core BIN listings I listed before the 30 day and GTC option. Ebay realizes this and is charging no more for the extended option. Why does Vendio transgress from this and what data do you have that backs this up?
posted on December 25, 2008 07:29:28 AM new
Just call it what it is... A substantial rate increase! I am surprised it took this long to get a topic going on this. So it looks like, in effect, all Fix Priced listings that are 30 days (or GTC) will now increase 200%. Being charged 3 times in one month. I must say you utilized some great marketing in explaining this price increase. I am sure there were plenty of brain storming sessions in your offices on how you could significantly bump up your bottom line and make it look like you were just "enforcing" a long standing policy" --- and even make it look like you were so kind in giving us a break on rates for a while. You guys are good. (eBay didn't even have a 30 day or GTC on fixed price listings - so how could you have a policy on it???) So does this mean that you will be putting some of this extra money into, lets say, better looking templates, etc? Probably not since they still look like they were designed by my 8th grade daughter. I really do like the Vendio interface, the auction manager, etc. But as we have seen a downturn in the economy and ebay sales et all, this decision by Vendio is now forcing me to re-evalutate our auction - lisitng manager. Just hope your company would rethink its decision on this. Take care --Keith
posted on December 25, 2008 10:03:15 PM new
<i>"I think the idea is that Vendio would actually be losing money without the change ultimately, for users on a pay per listing plan. If suddenly you can use the same amount of Vendio resources to sell more items with fewer listings, then you would be getting the same amount of service for less money."</i>
I'm sure Vendio is losing money, as are many sellers right now, due to the economy and slowing site traffic.
I'm only listing ONE item. If I put it on fixed price it may well take a month to sell. eBay created the 30 day FP format for precisely this situation. It's only slightly better than putting the item in my store - the fees are about the same - but if the item is unique enough or the buyer does a specific enough search, the item will show up in search.
I use the same Vendio resources whether the item is an auction, FP, or store listing. Don't get greedy - we're all suffering.
