Ebay UK to launch ‘Pay As You Go” scheme

Ebay UK is set to launch the ‘Pay As You Go’ scheme for start-ups, in response to the economic downturn resulting from Covid-19.

From 9 October, the e-ecommerce site will remove all fees for first time sellers for their first 100 sales each month and fees will be “significantly” reduced until they make up to 300 sales each month.

The e-commerce site’s ‘Insertion Fees’ are some of the biggest costs businesses have to pay when setting up on online marketplaces.

Fees will only increase when sales increase, with 50% fees for second 100 sales and 25% fees for third 100 sales each month.

The window to join the scheme starts from 9 October and closes on 31 December.

Murray Lambell, UK general manager, eBay said: ‘‘Britain is teeming with would-be entrepreneurs and businesspeople. We just need to give them a helping hand and the encouragement they need to get their business up and running. 

‘‘With all the economic challenges we’re seeing across the country, getting rid of the barriers to trading online will really help. We’ve specifically designed this offer for first-time sellers and start-ups – partly to help the growing numbers of unemployed to set up their own businesses and start making money.’’

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association said: ‘‘We have been saying for months that more support is needed to help independent retailers survive this crisis. 

‘‘We welcome eBay’s efforts to help small businesses and high street retailers to expand their business online at little cost, and we hope this will go some way in sustaining independent retailers and keeping people employed as the end of furlough approaches.’’