http://www2.ebay.com/aw/au/200907.shtml#2009-07-14174342

From eBay.com.au General Announcements:

***Changes to stores and search on eBay.com.au***

15 July 2009 | 07:02AM EST


From 10 September 2009 eBay will make a number of changes to stores (including pricing) and search on eBay.com.au.

We’re introducing a number of new pricing packages that will only apply to stores. These price changes are aimed at encouraging larger and growing sellers to list more Buy It Now listings.

In recognition of the ongoing importance that auctions hold on eBay, standard pricing is not changing.

Why?
Whenever eBay make changes the obvious question is why? The short answer in this instance is one word - demand.

The longer answer is about introducing changes to keep up with the rapidly changing e-commerce environment. Today, buyers want quality products at great prices and increasingly, they want them quickly and conveniently. This has been illustrated on eBay by the rapid growth in demand for Buy It Now items over auctions. The changes being introduced are aimed at enabling sellers to better meet this growing buyer demand.

What?
Just as important as understanding why things are changing, is understanding exactly what’s changing and the impact the changes may have on you.

If you use eBay predominately to buy, you should notice an increase in the products available for purchase as well as changes to the way search results are sorted. We’re aiming to make finding exactly what you want on eBay faster and easier.

If you sell on eBay there’s a little more information to absorb.

Let’s start with the increased visibility of Store listings and enhancements to search which we’re calling ‘Best Match’.

From 10 September ALL store listings (often referred to as SIF listings) will have increased exposure as they will appear within the main eBay search results. Increasing the profile of these listings will help sellers meet the growing demand for Buy It Now by giving Store listings greater visibility than they currently receive.

‘Best Match’ is the new search algorithm that uses a number of factors to help rank listings. It is being introduced to manage the extra volume of listings appearing in the main search results. ‘Best Match’ will help ensure there is a good mix of relevant auction and Buy It Now listings.

The other big news for sellers on eBay is the introduction of new Store packages (including new pricing for Stores).

We believe larger and growing sellers are best placed to meet the increased demand for more Buy It Now. To encourage them to do this we are introducing three new Store packages which offer some lower insertion fees and free gallery, among other benefits. Larger and growing sellers should examine the new Store packages closely to determine which package will work best for them.

We also recognise the important contribution that smaller or more traditional sellers make by providing the wide and unique range of items eBay is famous for. To ensure these sellers continue to be a central part of eBay, there will be no changes to standard pricing for both auction and Buy It Now.

Am I going to be better off?
We believe the new Store packages offer greater value for the majority of larger and growing sellers and enable them to better meet the growing demand for Buy It Now. By not changing standard pricing, sellers can continue to benefit from the great existing value available on eBay.

Understanding exactly what the changes mean for you may take time. You may need to think about your selling practices and potentially make some adjustments.

For detailed information and explanations of all the changes, visit ‘The big news’ page where you’ll find tools, tips, tables and lots more.

 

 

Regards,
The eBay team