Ina Steiner
@inas.bsky.social
Editor and reporter for EcommerceBytes
Etsy's New Year's Day message to sellers was to lower their shipping prices to under $6 or get lower visibility in search results, even as shipping carriers are raising rates again this month. Here's one Etsy seller's reaction to its New Year's Day greeting.
www.ecommercebytes.com/0ur9
www.ecommercebytes.com/0ur9
January 1, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Etsy's New Year's Day message to sellers was to lower their shipping prices to under $6 or get lower visibility in search results, even as shipping carriers are raising rates again this month. Here's one Etsy seller's reaction to its New Year's Day greeting.
www.ecommercebytes.com/0ur9
www.ecommercebytes.com/0ur9
The USPS Office of Inspector General has begun its work evaluating the Postal Service's performance for the peak 2025 season. Did your packages arrive on time this year, and what patterns did you observe?
www.ecommercebytes.com/712a
www.ecommercebytes.com/712a
December 31, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The USPS Office of Inspector General has begun its work evaluating the Postal Service's performance for the peak 2025 season. Did your packages arrive on time this year, and what patterns did you observe?
www.ecommercebytes.com/712a
www.ecommercebytes.com/712a
eBay finished rolling out its cost-of-goods-sold feature but said it wasn't making it available to all sellers. Sellers pushed eBay to provide eligibility criteria while some said they would use it, others adamant they would not.
www.ecommercebytes.com/afm4
www.ecommercebytes.com/afm4
December 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
eBay finished rolling out its cost-of-goods-sold feature but said it wasn't making it available to all sellers. Sellers pushed eBay to provide eligibility criteria while some said they would use it, others adamant they would not.
www.ecommercebytes.com/afm4
www.ecommercebytes.com/afm4
eBay ran promotions on ad campaigns in the runup to Christmas, but it backfired for some sellers who ended up with hundreds of dollars in surprise fees, compounded by an inability to get answers from eBay.
www.ecommercebytes.com/7g4s
www.ecommercebytes.com/7g4s
December 30, 2025 at 5:38 AM
eBay ran promotions on ad campaigns in the runup to Christmas, but it backfired for some sellers who ended up with hundreds of dollars in surprise fees, compounded by an inability to get answers from eBay.
www.ecommercebytes.com/7g4s
www.ecommercebytes.com/7g4s
eBay informed sellers about higher shipping rates and surcharges going into effect in 2026 but was silent about the impact on eBay fees and on those sellers who offer so-called "free" shipping.
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
December 30, 2025 at 2:42 AM
eBay informed sellers about higher shipping rates and surcharges going into effect in 2026 but was silent about the impact on eBay fees and on those sellers who offer so-called "free" shipping.
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
eBay informed sellers about higher shipping rates and surcharges going into effect in 2026 but was silent about the impact on eBay fees and on those sellers who offer so-called "free" shipping.
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
December 30, 2025 at 2:39 AM
eBay informed sellers about higher shipping rates and surcharges going into effect in 2026 but was silent about the impact on eBay fees and on those sellers who offer so-called "free" shipping.
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
www.ecommercebytes.com/jybn
Why does eBay force sellers to subsidize shipping costs when buyers select eBay Standard Envelope for ineligible listings? A seller describes the problem in today's EcommerceBytes letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/8drd
www.ecommercebytes.com/8drd
December 29, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Why does eBay force sellers to subsidize shipping costs when buyers select eBay Standard Envelope for ineligible listings? A seller describes the problem in today's EcommerceBytes letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/8drd
www.ecommercebytes.com/8drd
Over the years eBay has tried offering logistics and delivery services without success. Will eBay be tempted to try again? And should it?
www.ecommercebytes.com/ecye
www.ecommercebytes.com/ecye
December 28, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Over the years eBay has tried offering logistics and delivery services without success. Will eBay be tempted to try again? And should it?
www.ecommercebytes.com/ecye
www.ecommercebytes.com/ecye
It's time for an annual ecommerce tradition: online buyers venting their ire at sellers for orders that didn't arrive in time for Christmas. Should there be a "you didn't order in time" button to respond to such complaints, one seller asked.
www.ecommercebytes.com/abmc
www.ecommercebytes.com/abmc
December 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
It's time for an annual ecommerce tradition: online buyers venting their ire at sellers for orders that didn't arrive in time for Christmas. Should there be a "you didn't order in time" button to respond to such complaints, one seller asked.
www.ecommercebytes.com/abmc
www.ecommercebytes.com/abmc
eBay allowed a return without requiring the buyer to upload a photo of the supposedly wrong item the seller sent them. Now, the seller said he isn't sure what the buyer will actually return to him. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/rfox
www.ecommercebytes.com/rfox
December 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
eBay allowed a return without requiring the buyer to upload a photo of the supposedly wrong item the seller sent them. Now, the seller said he isn't sure what the buyer will actually return to him. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/rfox
www.ecommercebytes.com/rfox
It's Christmas Eve, do you know where your presents are? Amazon finds an unusual but not uncommon holiday gifting problem.
www.ecommercebytes.com/0zyg
www.ecommercebytes.com/0zyg
December 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It's Christmas Eve, do you know where your presents are? Amazon finds an unusual but not uncommon holiday gifting problem.
www.ecommercebytes.com/0zyg
www.ecommercebytes.com/0zyg
eBay Ventures is using eBay cash and the expertise of its executive leadership team to invest in startups, including an AI appraisal platform. eBay will announce its latest investments in the New Year. What investments would sellers like to see eBay make?
www.ecommercebytes.com/tx6o
www.ecommercebytes.com/tx6o
December 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
eBay Ventures is using eBay cash and the expertise of its executive leadership team to invest in startups, including an AI appraisal platform. eBay will announce its latest investments in the New Year. What investments would sellers like to see eBay make?
www.ecommercebytes.com/tx6o
www.ecommercebytes.com/tx6o
Amazon is changing the refund process for sellers who fulfill their own orders (FBM), but sellers don't agree that it's a positive change, with questions about their ability to file SAFE-T claims.
www.ecommercebytes.com/nvfx
www.ecommercebytes.com/nvfx
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Amazon is changing the refund process for sellers who fulfill their own orders (FBM), but sellers don't agree that it's a positive change, with questions about their ability to file SAFE-T claims.
www.ecommercebytes.com/nvfx
www.ecommercebytes.com/nvfx
eBay is displaying estimated delivery dates that are prior to sellers' required ship-by dates, a seller writes in today's letter to the editor, which leaves buyers with unrealistic expectations.
www.ecommercebytes.com/45d1
www.ecommercebytes.com/45d1
December 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
eBay is displaying estimated delivery dates that are prior to sellers' required ship-by dates, a seller writes in today's letter to the editor, which leaves buyers with unrealistic expectations.
www.ecommercebytes.com/45d1
www.ecommercebytes.com/45d1
eBay sent sellers and mentors a surprise holiday gift late last week. While appreciated, those who didn't get a gift seemed disappointed. Have you received gifts from marketplaces this year or in years past?
www.ecommercebytes.com/bsms
www.ecommercebytes.com/bsms
December 21, 2025 at 10:48 PM
eBay sent sellers and mentors a surprise holiday gift late last week. While appreciated, those who didn't get a gift seemed disappointed. Have you received gifts from marketplaces this year or in years past?
www.ecommercebytes.com/bsms
www.ecommercebytes.com/bsms
eBay is hamstrung from reaching last-minute holiday shoppers by its approach to digital downloads while its rival Etsy actively embraces the strategy in order to ring up more sales.
www.ecommercebytes.com/ump9
www.ecommercebytes.com/ump9
December 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
eBay is hamstrung from reaching last-minute holiday shoppers by its approach to digital downloads while its rival Etsy actively embraces the strategy in order to ring up more sales.
www.ecommercebytes.com/ump9
www.ecommercebytes.com/ump9
After a $2 million-theft and fraud investigation, police in Ontario arrested Amazon warehouse employees. The news validated sellers' contention that theft occurs despite their frustration over Amazon denials of their claims of missing inventory.
www.ecommercebytes.com/99d2
www.ecommercebytes.com/99d2
December 20, 2025 at 4:13 AM
After a $2 million-theft and fraud investigation, police in Ontario arrested Amazon warehouse employees. The news validated sellers' contention that theft occurs despite their frustration over Amazon denials of their claims of missing inventory.
www.ecommercebytes.com/99d2
www.ecommercebytes.com/99d2
Winter weather is impacting carriers' ability to transport and delivery packages in great swaths of the country and USPS issued an advisory on Thursday - one week before Christmas Day - and said more storms are on the way.
www.ecommercebytes.com/2e13
www.ecommercebytes.com/2e13
December 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Winter weather is impacting carriers' ability to transport and delivery packages in great swaths of the country and USPS issued an advisory on Thursday - one week before Christmas Day - and said more storms are on the way.
www.ecommercebytes.com/2e13
www.ecommercebytes.com/2e13
An experienced Etsy seller had a bad experience as a buyer and is faulting Etsy for being too lax toward the poorly performing seller. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/4xfv
www.ecommercebytes.com/4xfv
December 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM
An experienced Etsy seller had a bad experience as a buyer and is faulting Etsy for being too lax toward the poorly performing seller. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/4xfv
www.ecommercebytes.com/4xfv
Holiday shoppers have returned fewer products than last year, but peak return season lasts into mid-January, according to Adobe. It also said there are still deals to be had.
www.ecommercebytes.com/nntz
www.ecommercebytes.com/nntz
December 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Holiday shoppers have returned fewer products than last year, but peak return season lasts into mid-January, according to Adobe. It also said there are still deals to be had.
www.ecommercebytes.com/nntz
www.ecommercebytes.com/nntz
Buyers are increasingly using AI bots to buy and pay for items online. Two industry giants are collaborating to help merchants stay safe.
www.ecommercebytes.com/1mht
www.ecommercebytes.com/1mht
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Buyers are increasingly using AI bots to buy and pay for items online. Two industry giants are collaborating to help merchants stay safe.
www.ecommercebytes.com/1mht
www.ecommercebytes.com/1mht
eBay no longer shares how it defines interested buyers for purposes of sending seller-initiated offers. But why the secrecy, especially since some buyers are getting annoyed at receiving them?
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
December 17, 2025 at 4:38 AM
eBay no longer shares how it defines interested buyers for purposes of sending seller-initiated offers. But why the secrecy, especially since some buyers are getting annoyed at receiving them?
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
eBay no longer shares how it defines interested buyers for purposes of sending seller-initiated offers. But why the secrecy, especially since some buyers are getting annoyed at receiving them?
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
December 17, 2025 at 4:34 AM
eBay no longer shares how it defines interested buyers for purposes of sending seller-initiated offers. But why the secrecy, especially since some buyers are getting annoyed at receiving them?
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
www.ecommercebytes.com/110b
A seller reports their local packages are entering the mailstream more slowly and they're seeing increases in tracking issues and looping packages. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/22l0
www.ecommercebytes.com/22l0
December 17, 2025 at 1:52 AM
A seller reports their local packages are entering the mailstream more slowly and they're seeing increases in tracking issues and looping packages. Today's letter to the editor.
www.ecommercebytes.com/22l0
www.ecommercebytes.com/22l0
Amazon introduced the "Frequently Returned" badge to product detail pages in 2023. This week, sellers reacted to Amazon's advice on avoiding the designation.
www.ecommercebytes.com/k7zk
www.ecommercebytes.com/k7zk
December 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Amazon introduced the "Frequently Returned" badge to product detail pages in 2023. This week, sellers reacted to Amazon's advice on avoiding the designation.
www.ecommercebytes.com/k7zk
www.ecommercebytes.com/k7zk