Would Buyer Fees on eBay Be Good for Sellers?

We noticed some eBay sellers discussing Etsy's decision to add a buyer's fee for customers on its Depop fashion marketplace (only for Depop buyers in the UK), and we wondered what sellers would think if *eBay* ever considered adding buyer fees in the US or elsewhere.

Beginning April 15, 2024, Depop buyers in the UK will pay the item sale price; shipping costs; VAT or any other applicable taxes and duties; and what it called "the Marketplace fee," which is "up to 5% of the item purchase price, plus a fixed amount of up to £/$1, excluding taxes and shipping costs."

In response to hearing the news about Depop's new UK Buyer Fee, an eBay seller wondered, "Will eBay follow Depop's lead? This is clearly a category eBay wants to "win" (as they always say about sneakers and the other focus categories). I'm sure eBay will be watching Depop's results carefully."

One seller said they feared such a move would harm sellers, having seen buyer's premiums at auctions reduce the price realized for items. "Buyers make decisions based on the total they have to pay, including shipping."

Auction goers are accustomed to paying a buyer's premium, and when eBay launched the eBay Vault in the collectibles category, it introduced fees that buyers would have to pay - and not just submission, storage, and withdrawal fees - but a Buyers Premium fee of 3%. ("The vault buyer's premium covers the administrative costs of securely reassigning ownership of the item within the eBay vault.")

We're curious what sellers think of the concept of an eBay Buyer's Premium. Would it make sense in any category? Would you feel differently if it meant eBay would decrease selling fees?