eBay Express - Friend or Foe?

Allright, enough history on me...for now anyway. :o) Let's talk about eBay Express. What is it? Is it another way for eBay to gouge me for fees? What's in it for me? Who, what, where, when?

Ok, let's get to it. In eBay's own words, "At eBay, we know that it's our job to help you grow your business by continuing to attract new customers for your products. After talking with thousands of real-life shoppers, we've found that many customers are looking to buy new, fixed price goods in a more conventional e-commerce experience. To meet their needs, we are building a new specialty site— eBay Express."

Designed from the inside out to attract and satisfy today's busy shoppers, eBay Express will streamline access to your products.

With eBay Express buyers will:

Get it new. Shop our vast inventory of brand new, brand name, and hard-to-find products.

Get it now. Everything on eBay Express is offered at a fixed price by experienced, motivated eBay merchants. Get what you want now— no bidding, no waiting.

Fill a shopping cart. Buy from as many eBay Express merchants as you want. Pay for everything—including shipping— in a single, secure payment using PayPal or your credit card.

Buy with confidence. Every transaction is safe, secure, and fully covered by eBay Express Purchase Protection.

Sounds pretty good so far huh? It does to me. Basically it's a new site, designed with buyers in mind. The best news of all...no extra charge to the seller. That's right, no charge. Of course eBay is banking on increased sales, which is a win/win situation for them. More sales equals more fees. For the sellers it means increased visibility at no additional cost. Can't beat it if you ask me. It also may eliminate some of your competition that you have on eBay, as not everyone will qualify to be listed on Express. Second best news...if you qualify, you don't have to do anything else to be listed on Express, your listings are automatically shown for you! It's getting better all the time.

Not a member yet? Sign Up HERE

eBay will be holding a workshop online to help sellers prepare for the initial lauch scheduled for the 'Spring', which is just around the corner from what I understand. You can read more about it HERE. They also held a 'brown bag' discussion in late January and you can read about that HERE.

There are a few requirements to qualify to have your items listed on Express.

Here are the requirements to participate:

• 
  1) A feedback score of 100 or more (98% positive).
• 2) PayPal Premier or Business account
• 3) PayPal account will ship to unconfirmed addresses
• 4) Be a US registered seller
• 5) List in fixed price format or Stores Inventory form
• 6) Fill in the item condition field in Item Specifics
• 7) Include shipping costs in your listing8) Provide a picture or gallery photo in your listing

Not too restrictive, but enough to make sure it's the upper tier of sellers.

Well that's the scoop on eBay Express. Check it out, it is rumored to explode eBay sales!