Value Added Resource Week In Review 11-1-26

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

We kicked off the week with a deeper look at what eBay's GMV actually measures and a pre-earnings review of Q3 developments ahead of eBay's first results incorporating Depop.

eBay reported another quarter of stronger-than-expected results in Q3 2026, with growth led by collectibles, C2C selling and eBay Live even as organic growth slowed and marketing costs rose amid layoffs.

eBay Q3 2026 Earnings: Strong Growth, Big Bets On Depop & Live Amid Layoffs

eBay Q3 2026 earnings beat expectations as Depop and Live fuel growth, while organic growth slows and marketing costs rise amid layoffs.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

USPS published new guidance outlining plans for a weekly variable fuel surcharge on domestic packages beginning in January 2027, with rates tied to diesel and jet fuel prices and changing on just a few days’ notice. Two days later, the agency removed the implementation FAQ without explanation, leaving it unclear whether the planned surcharge itself is changing or the guidance was pulled for another reason.

USPS Plans Weekly Variable Fuel Surcharge For 2027 As Shipping Rate Uncertainty Grows

USPS will introduce weekly fuel surcharges in January 2027, making shipping costs even harder to predict for online sellers.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

Etsy's marketplace growth accelerated in Q3 2026, with active buyers increasing year over year for the first time in two years as improvements to search and personalization helped drive stronger sales, while advertising boosted revenue and customers continued to make purchases less frequently.

Etsy Q3 2026 Growth Accelerates As Search Changes, Advertising Revenue Rises

Etsy Q3 buyer growth returns after two years as search changes affect product visibility and advertising revenue climbs.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

Etsy is updating its Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to explicitly allow the company and authorized third parties to use seller-uploaded content to train artificial intelligence models, while tightening restrictions on how outside companies can use marketplace data and deploy AI shopping agents.

Etsy Expands AI Training Rights Over Seller Content, Tightens Rules For Third-Party AI Use

Etsy's new terms expand AI training rights over seller content, restrict unauthorized AI use, and raise questions about seller opt-out rights.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

eBay is expanding its Ship with eBay managed shipping program to higher-value listings, loosening eligibility criteria and introducing new drop-off options, even as some sellers report the program overriding business shipping policies that should make them ineligible.

Ship With eBay Expands To $500 For Select Users As Sellers Report Business Policy Overrides

Ship with eBay expands to $500 for eligible individual sellers, adds drop-off option as users report business shipping policies being overridden.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

Mercari is bringing its Japanese authentication service to US buyers through the Global App, adding both optional and mandatory authenticity checks for trading cards, sneakers and luxury goods as cross-border business continues to expand.

Mercari Expands Japan Authentication To US, Taiwan Buyers Through Global App

Mercari expands Japan authentication to US & Taiwan Global App buyers with optional & mandatory checks for trading cards, sneakers & luxury goods.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

Fashion VP Alexis Hoopes has departed eBay to join The RealReal as Chief Merchandising Officer, overseeing merchandising strategy, luxury assortment expansion & AI product discovery efforts.

Former eBay Fashion VP Alexis Hoopes Joins Luxury Resale Rival The RealReal

Former eBay Fashion VP Alexis Hoopes joins The RealReal as Chief Merchandising Officer, bringing luxury resale and global marketplace experience.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

Amazon's extended holiday return policy will once again begin November 1st for 2026, with eligible purchases returnable through the end of January. This year, the company is also telling sellers they can expect the same policy going forward.

Amazon Sets 2026 Holiday Return Window, Says It Will Apply Every Year

Amazon extends 2026 holiday returns through January 31 and says the November 1 start will now apply every year.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

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