The cost of doing business on eBay is likely to increase following a decision by eBay to include shipping in the calculation of the fee payable to eBay.

Whilst this might not seem significant in the instance of larger purchases, it will increase the fee to eBay on most small transactions.  If a small item cost say $10, but the shipping was $15, the vendor will face a significant fee increase.

This won’t hurt the casual vendor, but will make a difference to the micro-business selling via eBay.

This might result in vendors moving to the free classified site Gumtree, which has a very large market in Melbourne and Sydney.  But, did you know Gumtree is owned by eBay?