An Introduction to eBay Managed Payments

Posted September 1, 2023 Seller Solutions by Yardline Team

If you haven’t kept up to date with the business side of eBay, you may not be aware of why eBay Managed Payments exists. In 2015, eBay and PayPal became separate companies, but they were bound to a 5-year operating agreement that ensured a smooth transition for the buyers and sellers in the marketplace. The operating agreement is why eBay sellers didn’t see an immediate difference when the companies split. However, 2020 marked the official end of the contract, which is why the eBay Managed Payments program has been formally introduced to sellers.

What Can I Expect From eBay Managed Payments In 2021?

eBay Managed Payments was first introduced in 2018 in beta mode. The invitation-only feature was reserved for specific sellers as eBay focused on working out the kinks and readying it for prime time in its full 2021 rollout. According to eBay, the Managed Payments system is intended to simplify the shopping experience for buyers and sellers, though it has received mixed reviews since the initial beta release.

Buyers can customize their payment options with more ways to pay, including mobile options like Apple Pay and Google Pay which are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. In turn, this provides more opportunities for sellers to earn since they can welcome all shoppers, regardless of which payment methods they prefer. Additional features for sellers include a centralized management center for all sales and payments and the ability to create a direct link between their eBay accounts and bank accounts.

As the complete Managed Payments rollout continues, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons that all sellers should be aware of. As of June 1, 2021, approximately 4 million eBay sellers were already using the new system.

Pros Of eBay Managed Payments

eBay aims to make the buying and selling process as painless and beneficial as possible with the eBay Managed Payments program. Overall, this new system will streamline the accounting side of the equation for sellers and make it more convenient for shoppers to complete their purchases.

Better Protection For Sellers—Managed Payments enables eBay sellers to manage disputes and chargebacks directly through eBay without a third party. This feature simplifies the process and provides more protection.
Greater Selling Potential and fewer barriers to conversion since all payment methods are now accepted. (ex: debit cards, gift cards, etc)
Automatic Direct Deposits – eBay will automatically transfer funds to the sellers’ bank account via direct deposit rather than requiring transfers between multiple accounts. This updated process eliminates the need for PayPal.

Cons Of eBay Managed Payments

As with any new program, eBay Managed Payments has some work to do to maintain all of the benefits that PayPal offered previously and keep sellers happy. The company continues to receive feedback from users and will surely improve the service over time, especially once the priority functions and features are completed. For now, here is what sellers should expect when switching to eBay Managed Payments.

Potential for Slower Payments—eBay sellers have reported that direct deposits take anywhere from two to seven business days. In comparison, PayPal payments were typically received on the same day.
Longer Processing Times—For sellers who prefer to wait for payments to clear before shipping products, they have begun extending the order processing time to compensate for the delayed direct deposits. This approach helps to avoid eBay violations and make buyers aware of extended shipment schedules. However, since shipping speed is a critical consideration for consumers, eBay sellers who choose this method can expect to lose some opportunities. Depending on how significant that loss becomes, they may need to change their procedure and ship items before receiving the direct deposits.
Additional eBay Fees—The new system will keep the standard 2.7% processing fee and add a $0.25 charge for each unique item in the order.
Changes To Capital—eBay Managed Payments is not supported by PayPal Working Capital. The alternative is Yardline, which offers flexible capital solutions for businesses of all sizes. They provide an easy online application process, and approvals are typically received within 24 hours (up to 48 hours for loans of $1 million).

Is It Time to Say Goodbye to eBay?

Although the cons may weigh heavier for some eBay sellers, it’s important to consider the overall value of eBay sales to your business before making a drastic decision to leave the platform altogether. A few inconveniences are unlikely worth losing out on the opportunity to be discovered in eBay‘s vast marketplace or the ability to have the majority of the selling process managed for you.

Searchability and brand awareness are crucial to the success of an ecommerce company, and these are some of the primary benefits of eBay, which attracts over 187 million users worldwide and 180 million active buyers. In Q1 of 2021 alone, $27.5 billion of goods were bought and sold on eBay. These numbers add up to an excellent opportunity for sellers. So, the real question is probably, “How do I optimize my listings on eBay?”

The PayPal Working Capital Alternative

One of the biggest concerns for eBay sellers is the lack of access to PayPal Working Capital. But there’s no need to panic. As mentioned above, Yardline provides an excellent capital solution that will work well with eBay Managed Payments. The company is specifically tailored to the needs of ecommerce businesses and makes it incredibly simple and easy for eBay sellers to get funding and pay it back over time.

Yardline provides loans of up to $1 million, which covers the needs of most eBay sellers who would have otherwise relied on PayPal Working Capital. Business owners don’t have to wait long since decisions are made within 24-48 hours, enabling you to move forward with your launch or growth plans right away. Unlike bank loans, Yardline does not charge a compounding interest rate. Instead, they opt for a fixed fee that saves eBay sellers a ton of money and makes it easy for them to understand the full scope of the loan and payment terms.

One of the most appealing benefits to eBay sellers is that the payment terms are linked to the business revenue. Instead of owing a set monthly payment or percentage of the loan amount each month, the payment due is a percentage of the revenue. By aligning the payment amount to the business’s success, eBay sellers can rest easy. You will never be stuck struggling to pay a massive monthly amount if you experience a slow month or a surprise downturn like the pandemic has caused for many companies.

Make eBay Work For Your Business

eBay continues to offer terrific opportunities for companies of all sizes to build brand awareness, meet their target audience, and bring in sales. eBay Managed Payments will continue to add value to sellers and buyers by introducing features that make the entire process—from listing to purchase—as smooth as possible. Though there are a few inconveniences, most eBay sellers are unlikely to dramatically change their selling practices or switch to other marketplaces. While many sellers will consider multiple marketplaces as part of their omnichannel approach to marketing and selling, eBay is still a valuable piece of the strategy.