eBay Downplays Auctions, Opts for Fixed Priced Sales

In an attempt to increase the number of Buy-it-Now auctions on the popular bidding site, eBay has taken new measures to encourage sellers to put their items up for sale at a fixed price, rather than hold auctions. The company has lowered the price to put Buy-it-Now items up for sale, which has left many smaller auctioneers in an unfair position.

The price to post a Buy-it-Now item will decrease to a flat fee of $.35, and sellers can offer quantities of the same item for that same amount, instead of having to pay for each one. Items can now be listed for 30 days, instead of the more modest 7. This will add to the recently changed feedback system that was introduced in February, which prevents sellers from giving negative feedback.

Although eBays says they “love” auctions, but as Ars Technica points out, “eBay has made a name for itself as the place to go for online auctions, and now the site’s focus will be more about giving resellers another online storefront than engaging in bidding wars.” In many respects, we all knew this change was eventually coming based on the company’s purchase of Half.com and the recent changes made, so the changes shouldn’t be too surprising for many longtime eBayers.

eBay is making some changes that will further shift its focus from online auctions to fixed price resellers. The company announced Wednesday that it plans to drop the cost of listing an item under “Buy It Now” by 70 percent, extend allowable listing periods for these items, and lift a number of other restrictions in order to attract even more sellers. Although auctions are about to disappear, the move is an example of eBay’s shifting priorities, and not everyone is happy about it.