eBay plans to increase its listing fees have angered small business owners who use the site to reach many customers, reports AP. Fees for the eBay gallery are going up $0.10 to $0.35 on the US site - 10-day listing fees are doubling to $0.40 and the price of an eBay store also doubles to $19.95. The increases come into force on February 18.
Lynette McDonald has sold Barbie and baby clothes on eBay since 2001, but said she may now close her online store entirely because of the price hikes. "It seems as though the larger eBay becomes, the more greedy they become," she said. "This site used to be a place where one could get a good deal."
However, eBay spokesman Hani Durzy said the price hikes would allow the firm to make more important investments in the future. "We believe the price changes are the right thing to do to ensure the continued success of the marketplace," he said. "Ultimately that"s good for the entire community of buyers and sellers."