eBay gave in to sellers in Canada who were upset that it was removing one of the perks of having a Store subscription – quarterly coupons for eBay-branded shipping supplies. An EcommerceBytes reader forwarded the email they received from eBay on Wednesday:
We’re reaching out to inform you of a change to your eBay Store subscription benefits. Effective February 28, 2025, Canadian Store subscribers will no longer receive quarterly shipping supplies coupons.
However, as a current yearly Store subscriber, we will continue to issue the quarterly shipping supplies coupon throughout the term of your existing subscription. For example, if your annual Store subscription ends on September 30, 2025, you will receive the shipping supplies coupon in April and July 2025.
If your upcoming Store subscription renewal occurs after February 28, 2025, you will not be eligible for future shipping supplies coupons. You can view your current Store subscription renewal date on the “Store” tab within the Seller Hub.
What this means for you
No other changes are being made to the Store subscription benefits. As a Store subscriber, you will continue to receive the same tools and support to grow your business.
If you have any questions or concerns, just get in touch—we’re here to help.
Thanks for being part of the eBay community.
Sellers discussed the change on the eBay Canada discussion boards, with one seller saying they thought it was unfair: “Once again, Canadian sellers not being offered the same support/services from eBay as other countries. Not an even playing field. In lieu of this perhaps they should lower subscription fees (yeah right).”
eBay had introduced the shipping-supplies coupon in 2016 to soften the blow of its raising rates for Store subscriptions as part of the 2016 Spring Seller Update.
On Thursday, a day after eBay notified sellers of the removal of the coupons as a perk, it reversed course. Garry Thaniel, General Manager GM of eBay Canada, posted a message on the eBay Canada Announcement Board saying it had made the decision with the intention of reallocating resources for future enhancements to the overall seller experience. “However, after listening to your invaluable feedback, we have realized that we did not get this right,” he said.
Thaniel said sellers shared the importance the shipping-supplies coupon played in supporting their success on eBay, especially for those in remote areas of Canada. “Your success is our top priority, and we are committed to doing what is best for our sellers.”
But the wording of what followed makes it unclear if eBay is only grandfathering in current Store subscribers:
“I am pleased to announce that we will continue to offer the Shipping Supplies coupon for our Canadian Store subscribers. There is no action required on your part to qualify for future coupons. As long as you maintain your Store subscription, you can look forward to receiving this benefit in upcoming quarters.”
Thaniel also told sellers to “stay tuned for an upcoming communication showing our appreciation for your contributions to these conversations.”
The policy reversal comes the same day eBay announced higher selling fees and other changes beginning next month in the US and starting March 3 in Canada as part of the eBay Winter 2025 Seller Update (link to Thursday’s eBay Canada Seller update announcement).