This is Part 2 of a 4-part series reporting the results of a reader survey about eBay's July 27th changes. Yesterday, we reported on changes to how eBay measures sellers' performance and a new seller designation called "Top Rated seller status," as well as changes to the eBay PowerSeller program (link to article).

Today in Part 2, we cover eBay's policy changes, including a new "Selling Practices" policy and changes to Auction-style listings with Buy It Now. A total of 1,113 readers took the survey.

Generally, the majority of survey respondents rated the introduction of the Selling Practices policy as good or neutral, with the exception of a shipping insurance provision, which the majority (67.9%) rated as bad.

New Selling Practices Policy - Questions and Responses
1) eBay's new Selling Practices policy sets minimum standards of professionalism for all aspects of a listing and a transaction, including providing accurate and consistent details regarding their items, including item condition and product details; including only relevant terms and conditions; specifying their return policy and handling time in a listing; and charging only reasonable shipping and handling fees.
Good: 54.7% Neutral: 24.1% Bad: 21.1%

2) The new Selling Practices policy also addresses product availability: "Sellers are responsible for having items available for sale for the duration of the listing. Single quantity items or items in low supply should not be listed both on and off eBay simultaneously."
Good: 50.8% Neutral 22.3% Bad: 26.9%

3) The Selling Practices policy also addresses appropriate language: "Listings cannot include comments that undermine confidence in the marketplace, such as comments expressing negativity toward buyers or the selling process."
Good: 47.9% Neutral: 27.8% Bad: 24.2%

4) eBay's new Selling Practices policy removes optional or required shipping insurance. Sellers may still insure their shipments, and can fold the cost of insurance into their handling fee or item price.
Good; 14.6% Netural: 17.4% Bad: 67.9%

New Selling Practices Policy - Comments from Respondents
Over 430 sellers (40 percent of respondents) took the opportunity to leave comments on the overall introduction of the Selling Practices policy. A common concern was over eBay's prohibition against sellers charging buyers for optional shipping insurance, though a minority of respondents leaving comments some said sellers should pay for insurance, not buyers. Some mentioned that if sellers raised their prices to compensate for having to pay for insurance, eBay would benefit by receiving higher fees.

Some sellers pointed out that when they list in the auction format, they don't know the cost of the insurance in advance, since it's based on the final selling price, so could end up overcharging or undercharging their customers as a result.

Some survey respondents said the policies were too vague or complicated, others were concerned over how eBay would enforce the policies and whether large Diamond sellers would be held to the same standards. Some of the comments follow:

• We cannot easily "fold" the cost of insurance to antiques or high value collectibles. We require insurance on all purchases due to the fragile nature of our glass & pottery items. S/H fees will increase.
  
  
• As long as Handling costs are allowed to be adjusted up to cover Insurance and are not slammed for now being "too high".
  
  
• Insurance should always have been the sellers expense.
  
  
• The devil may be in the enforcement of these policies. Too undefined but good intentions. I can see removing rewired insurance, but optional should still be there. Some customers feel more comfortable even though we offer 100% satisfaction.
  
  
• Hate the "no optional insurance"
  
  
• Insurance for many sellers has always been an additional profit center. That has been taken away. If it's lumped in to the selling price, eBay makes out with higher FVF and seller could be outpriced.
  
  
• This micromanaging is really getting to me. Now, I can't ask a buyer to provide the insurance costs. With an auction, it would be impossible to judge the cost of insurance and fold it into the shipping price.
  
  
• I think a lot of this is taking away the fun of ebay. It used to be where you went to find the rare collectible that you haven't been able to find. Now it's just about new items and "buyer experience." If I wanted to shop at Amazon, I would (and do).
  
  
• Sad that some sellers actually need a rule about these practices when they should be doing them anyway as good biz practice.
  
  
• Ebay wants to control too many aspects of the sellers business. They are just a venue, they say.
  
  
• Very subjective...
  
  
• All are good things except the insurance thing. This pretty much makes the seller HAVE to purchase insurance even on cheaper products that the buyer would not normally purchase insurance for. Of course that means we have to charge even more for shipping and handling in order to recoup the cost or take a chance and "eat the loss" if something happens to the shipment that is beyond our control. Looks like to me it will keep Paypal from having to pay claims.
  
  
• Who will force the buyer to complete the insurance paperwork once they get their money back
  
  
• As a consignment seller, it is very difficult for us to absorb shipping/insurance fees. We will have to look at raising fees to sellers. Either way, we are pinched in the middle and already tight margins squeezed further.
  
  
• Confusing
  
  
• As long as these changes are applied equally to across the board to all sellers, then I think it is a good idea. However, often the changes don't apply to the mega sellers. Not officially, of course, but very obviously. Also, the new policy on insurance is really bad. If we don't know how much an item may sell for (auction style listing) then how can we fold the cost into our selling price? Either they didn't think that one through all the way, or they are planning on eliminating auction style listings. I also feel that folding the cost of insurance into the cost of product is a direct conflict on some of their policies about what actually can be included in the sale price. We are encouraged to give free shipping and add that to the sale price. If we choose to include a service charge, that is to be included in the sale price, and now the cost of insurance. Considering all of these, I could very easily add $20 to the starting price of many of my auctions.
  
  
• I don't think that ebay should insert itself as much as it has into the seller's decisions on a number of things. Some things aren't any of ebay's business. It isn't their inventory. They don't know what's involved in selling certain things. They need to stay out of the seller's business.
  
  
• Quite positive.
  
  

Changes to Auction-Style Listings with Buy It Now
eBay is instituting a new guideline for using the Buy It Now feature with Auction Auction-style listings. The new policy states, "The Buy It Now price you set when listing your item must be at least 10% higher than your auction start price for that same item." Respondents rated the policy change as good (38.4%), neutral (32.8%) and bad (28.8%). Some of the comments left by survey respondents about this change in policy follow:

• This should have been in place long ago and is one of the few logical changes in SR2
  
  
• Finally! A good change that makes sense!
  
  
• I think this makes sense on lower priced items but not for higher dollar items.
  
  
• I've frankly never understood the logic of having a buy it now price that is essentially equal to opening bid amount-but I also think people should be able to do things I find illogical if they think it's in their best interest.
  
  
• BIN with auction doesn't work well for me, anyway.
  
  
• Why this restriction? If a seller wants a certain price for their item that is their business. This should not be tampered with.
  
  
• What is the point then? Starting price and buy it now are up to the seller's NOT ebay.
  
  
• It's just one more rule to deal with .... seems unnecessary to me
  
  
• Way too intrusive into a seller's business decisions.
  
  
• Yes, I've marked this as good! Believe it or not. I'm sure this should have been this way from the beginning. It doesn't make any sense at all to list for auction at $10, and BIN at $10. Seen this many times.
  
  
• Let the sellers determine the price. Too much meddling from eBay!
  
  
• I find myself asking "Why?". Why is that important to them? Why should I care?
  
  

Comment on the AuctionBytes Blog