eBay 'concentrates on fixed prices'

EBay is competing against other online retailers like Amazon

eBay says it will be concentrating on fast, fixed price or "buy it now" sales from late September.

But the website denies it's ditching auctions and says the changes will give buyers and sellers more choice.

The move is in response to threats from other online retailers like Amazon and continues the site's move away from its original auction format.

It means sellers will be charged a one-off fee to sell as many of the same item as they like at a fixed price.

More fees will be payable only after an item has sold.

eBay says the majority of sellers will see their overall fees go down as a result of the changes, which are introduced on 24 September in the UK.

Clare Gilmartin, director of marketplaces for eBay in the UK, said: "We now have a more tailored offering to fit every size of seller and business model, from a mum cashing in on some old baby clothes to an at-home entrepreneur to a retailer with a large and varied stock.

"Alongside the magic of auction-style sales, buyers increasingly want the convenience of shopping for great value, often new, items at a fixed price."

The reductions follow a similar cut in fees for auction and fixed price listings introduced in March.

Sellers will no longer have to pay to upload photos of their goods, and fixed price listings will be given greater prominence on the site.

"Buy it now" sales account for 43% of total eBay sales, up from 39% a year ago.

eBay estimates 178,000 people in the UK earn a primary or secondary living from running a business on the site.