EcommerceBytes

Ina Steiner, co-founder and editor of EcommerceBytes, the independent trade publication for online merchants. [email protected]

[EcommerceBytes @EcommerceBytes]

eBay removed a listing for violating its used cosmetics policy even though the seller said the item was new and they had sold hundreds.
https://t.co/Rk5JrbSMtC

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Amazon will have stricter insurance requirements as of November 2nd. Sellers listing products in categories such as children's products, cosmetic and ingestible products, and lithium battery products should take immediate note of the new policy.
https://t.co/Eco7HWuurj

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eBay eliminated certain sizes in the apparel category, leaving sellers to try and figure out how to accurately list certain items such as a size 33 men's pants.
https://t.co/HPe9IPvaia

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TikTok Shop is testing a membership program similar to Amazon Prime that offers shoppers who pay a monthly fee benefits including free shipping, discounts, and coupons.
https://t.co/pZ3qkHAex6

[Big Ideas for Small Business® @BigIdeas4SB]

For your year-round tax planning, you'll want to stay updated with changing #taxrules - see the Online Supplement to J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2026
https://t.co/13kaDssw0D #smallbusiness #taxes #smallbiztaxes #taxlaws

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A new Bundle Discounts feature was included in the eBay September Seller Update, which according to sellers (including former eBay executive Chuck Van Pelt), have both pros and cons.
https://t.co/B6Wr9HxP8s

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FTC and Attorneys General sued Amazon over advertising practices and alleged it used ChatGPT to come up with a euphemism for "surcharge" (it wouldn't be the first m/p to obfuscate when announcing unpopular changes). Amazon vehemently denied the charges.
https://t.co/P0EYQs2YfX

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Amazon joined the YouTube Shopping affiliate program so content creators can tag products directly in their videos - meaning viewers may not have to scroll down to find product links in the description underneath the video.
https://t.co/OHzhkX7ddu

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Letter to the Editor: eBay suggested a seller list an item he was looking at, but when he did, it told him it violated its policy. And it's not the first time it's happened.
https://t.co/7Z5Pteefv5

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eBay users can no longer privately communicate with each other on the discussion boards as eBay tries to thwart a phishing campaign. Have you gotten phishing DMs? Is it a big deal not being able to message other sellers and buyers on the boards?
https://t.co/rQpdrDar5k

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Amazon invited FBA sellers to pay extra to get additional products into its SSD Sub Same Day Shipping network that reaches buyers in many markets in 5 hours or less. Amazon says SSD generates 12 percent greater sales for products in the program.
https://t.co/L8JnO56yIL

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Online sellers will pay higher shipping costs during the holiday shopping season with USPS package rates rising by 6 percent on average beginning October 4th. It is in effect the 4th USPS shipping rate hike hitting sellers this year.
https://t.co/WxKQcD7k69

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eBay sellers must proactively opt-out by September 25 in order to retain shipping discounts for labels purchased on the marketplace. eBay is making the change so listings appear more attractive to buyers - but it's sellers who take the financial hit.
https://t.co/Pbvj0fEgQ8

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A reader weighs in on the program in Letters to the Editor:

A seller says the new eBay Authenticity Guarantee mandate in the Coins category has downsides for buyers and sellers.
https://t.co/I6n0DOPamc

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eBay sellers must now send coins that sell for $500 or higher to its partner authenticator as it expands its Authenticity Guarantee program to the Coins category.
https://t.co/NlUtCt1DPu

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eBay published a webinar and guide on 2026 holiday selling and reviewed some recently added features for sellers - including a feature to help sellers spot opportunities to combine shipping.
https://t.co/yvVLLni0SW

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eBay has been testing extended bidding in the US for the past year and formally launched it in Australia this month. Would the end of snipe bidding be bad for buyers?
https://t.co/YauWHr5r6w

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Amazon sellers are running into problems with the annual Inform Act verification process. An expert said this year is particularly challenging, here's Amazon's advice for sellers experiencing issues.
https://t.co/vg1Y0CAgYK

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Letter to the editor: eBay ignored its as-is policy and allowed a buyer to return an item that was listed "For Parts or Not Working" outside the return window.
https://t.co/6LBN1iU6M2

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Certain USPS rates for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail on eBay will change on August 22nd (again!), though significantly, not for rural buyers.
https://t.co/dVwjNeIfwJ