The reason for raising "But it Now" listing fee is that eBay wants sellers to think harder about how they set prices in this category. Too many have been unrealistically high, which means merchandise doesn't turn over. It becomes "stale". eBay wants to see a fluid market, with quick turnover and fresh merchandise appearing all time.

The Gallery image feature has gone up in price by about 30%, but size of image is being increased by 56%. Pictures sell products, and larger pictures mean that shoppers can see more details. I really don't see this as a bad thing.

If you haven't invested in eBay stock, now might be a good time (eBay intends to split shares on Feb.18). Investors are panicking over eBay's announcements, and their less than stellar 4th quarter 2004 performance in part due to major investments in China. The dooms-dayers say "bloom is off eBay rose". I beg to differ. eBay is still largest online auction venue, accounting for more volume than all of their competitors combined. There's no way eBay is going away, and it won't be long before sellers realize that business will go on as usual.

You can still make a great living on eBay, whether full or part time.

Integrity of Merchant Account Provider

It is extremely important to consider integrity of merchant account provider that you select. There are a number of providers in merchant account industry that cannot be trusted.

Here is a list of some red flags to look for while shopping for a merchant account.

1. The website of company has misleading ads such as “Free Merchant Account” or “Lowest Prices Guaranteed”. Research these ads carefully to find out exactly what they mean.

2. You repeatedly get an answering machine every time you call.

3. They are using a free domain name or a free web hosting service. (If they cannot afford a domain name, then they probably should not be in merchant account business.)

4. They do not answer your questions precisely.

5. They have rates and fees that are not posted on their website.

Make sure you search internet for reviews of company and for any unsatisfactory remarks.

Customer Service

Customer Service is key for smooth transaction processing. Try calling their customer service number to ask them some questions. Pay attention to amount of time that you are on hold. Make sure that have friendly representatives that are knowledgeable and answer your questions precisely. They should be genuinely interested in helping you.

Superior customer service should also have a toll free number and provide 24/7 availability.

Although integrity and customer service are extremely important when choosing a merchant account provider, don’t be fooled into thinking that you should pay more for these services. If you do your research and shop around, you should be able to find a quality provider that does not charge high fees.