Value Added Resource Week In Review 10-8-23

Liz Morton
Liz Morton


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Welcome to the Value Added Resource ecommerce news week in review!

eBay News

As a few thousand sellers tuned in last week to watch pre-recorded video keynotes at eBay Open, CEO Jamie Iannone was making the media rounds with a conveniently timed focus on sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability Smokescreen: eBay CEO’s Media Blitz Amid EPA Troubles
eBay CEO Jamie Iannone makes media rounds touting sustainability initiatives in effort to distract from EPA suit.

We've updated our coverage of the recent EPA case against eBay, including a deep dive on how the Department of Justice is using eBay's involvement in and control over every part of transacting on the site to argue for holding the company accountable for the sale of products that harm consumers and the environment.

EPA Sues eBay Over Sales Of Pesticides, Chemicals & Anti-Pollution Control Devices
EPA files lawsuit against eBay for failing to stop sales of pesticides, chemicals & devices to defeat pollution controls.

The EPA case may be just the first shot across the bow as increasing US and international regulations are brought to bear on the marketplace.

Just this week eBay signed the Canadian Product Safety pledge and announced new tools to help sellers comply with upcoming UK and EU regulatory requirements.

eBay Signs Canada Product Safety Pledge, Readies For More EU Regulatory Requirements
eBay signs Canada Product Safety pledge promising to remove unsafe products, announces new tools to help sellers with EU compliance.

Despite Jamie telling Fortune that "buying traffic" through discounting is an "unhealthy" practice, the eBay-funded coupons continue to flow - this time pushing sales to a single seller to promote eBay Consignment.

eBay Funds 25% Off From Linda’s Stuff To Promote Handbag Consignment Program
eBay promotes Consignment service with 25% discount that only applies to handbags from partner seller, Linda’s Stuff.

Funko Pop collectors can now list directly to eBay from the Funko app, belatedly completing an important step in eBay becoming the preferred secondary marketplace for these pandemic-era favorites whose popularity may be waning.

Funko Pop Collectors Can Now List To eBay From Funko App
Funko Pop collectors can finally list their collection for sale on eBay directly through Funko app - better late than never?

It's been another magical week in the tech-led reimagination of eBay with multiple issues impacting Stores and other parts of the platform.

Sellers reported Featured Categories, Newly Listed, Featured Items and Top Picks module were randomly disappearing from their main Store pages.

eBay Store Glitch Magically Disappears Featured Categories
eBay sellers report Store glitch randomly removing featured categories, newly listed, featured items, top picks & popular items.

And once again sellers were left wondering "is it a glitch or test?" as store and search images show large gray borders with tiny thumbnail pictures instead of having the product fill out the entire image area.

Why Are eBay Store & Search Images So Small?
eBay sellers once again ask “is it a glitch or test?” as store & search images show large gray borders & tiny thumbnails.

eBayUK buyers were perplexed by a glitch that removed sorting and filtering capability when browsing via category navigation this week.

eBay UK Glitch Removes Filters From Category Navigation Pages
eBay UK buyers perplexed by glitch that has removed filters when using category pages to browse the site.

And despite being told over and over again at last week's eBay Open virtual seller conference just how much the company values their feedback, sellers say ongoing problems with "tell us what you think about this page" feature raises serious questions about whether eBay actually values their feedback on updates and changes to the platform.

eBay Email Bounces Seller Hub Feedback On Changes & Updates
eBay Seller Hub “tell us what you think” feature bounced

Other Ecommerce News

USPS released their proposed January 2024 pricing for market dominant products - check out Value Added Resource's exclusive side by side comparisons for Media Mail rates and Domestic Extra Services and stay tuned for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage!

USPS January 2024 Rates Increase For Media Mail & More!
USPS proposed market dominant rate increase January 2024 - exclusive side by side comparison Media Mail & Domestic Extra Services!

Poorly worded emails meant to warn about fake gift card scams have spectacularly backfired on Amazon, raising customer concerns about accounts being hacked and flooding support with panicked questions.

Amazon Gift Card Confirmation Emails Raise Hacking Concerns
Poorly worded Amazon email meant to warn of fake gift card scams backfires, raising hacked account concerns.

Amazon introduced AI-powered customer review summaries in August, promising they would improve the customer experience and ensure customers continue to see the most valuable content and opinions, but two months in, some sellers say the results are hurting their businesses.

Amazon AI Reviews Promised Better Buyer Experience, Sellers Say It Hurts Business
Amazon AI review summaries promised improved customer experience, but some sellers say the results hurt their businesses.

Pitney Bowes CEO Marc Lautenbach is stepping down immediately after months of pressure from investors calling for leadership and strategy changes at the company.

Pitney Bowes Investor Pressure Leads To CEO Shakeup
Pitney Bowes CEO Marc Lautenbach steps down after months of investor pressure calling for leadership & strategy changes.

Logistics company Flexport is planning to layoff 30% of its workforce amid tumultuous leadership shakeup and cost cutting pressure.

Flexport Plans To Layoff 30% Of Workforce Amid Ongoing Cost Cutting Measures
Logistics company Flexport is planning to layoff 30% of its workforce amid ongoing cost cutting measures & leadership shakeup.

And just in time to celebrate National Co-op month, the Artisans Cooperative is launching the beta version of their handmade marketplace Etsy alternative!

Artisans Cooperative Launches Handmade Marketplace Beta
Artisans Cooperative has launched the beta version of their Etsy alternative handmade marketplace!

UPDATES

eBay has finally admitted to sellers that changes to the listing form which removed critical item specifics fields is an intentional test, not a glitch.

eBay Item Specifics Limited In Listing Form, Only Available When Revising
eBay sellers report listing form changes removed critical item specifics fields, now only available when revising.

Garry Thaniel has been promoted to GM eBay Canada, filling the spot left when previous GM Canada Rob Bigler was tapped to take over as CEO of eBay-owned subsidiary trading card marketplace TCGPlayer.

An open job ad indicates eBay has still not found someone to fill Thaniel's shoes in leading this flagship focus vertical category.

eBay Looks For New Leadership For Sneakers & Streetwear
eBay on the hunt for new Global GM Sneakers & Streetwear to reinvigorate category as vertical focus strategy evolves.

The Girl Scouts have announced they will not be bringing back Raspberry Rally cookies after disastrous eBay resale debacle earlier this year.

eBay Scalpers Sell Raspberry Rally Girl Scout Cookies For Insane Prices
Girl Scouts saddened as eBay scalpers profit off their name selling Raspberry Rally cookies for insane prices.

Buyers and sellers are both still anxiously waiting to find out if Amazon will be extending return periods for the holidays, with some receiving conflicting information from Amazon support.

When Will Amazon Announce 2023 Extended Holiday Returns?
Will Amazon announce 2023 extended holiday returns before Prime Big Deal Days October 10-11?

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Week In Review

Liz Morton Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Liz Morton is a seasoned ecommerce pro with 17 years of online marketplace sales experience, providing commentary, analysis & news about eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Shopify & more at Value Added Resource!


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