Is eBay allowing digital products?

[Denise Hall]

I know there was a big commotion a few months ago about eBay changing their policy and not allowing digital products to be sold except in their classified ads. I don't visit ebay very often, but I was just there and found ebooks in the auction listings.

Did I miss another change to eBay's policy? Are they allowing people to sell digital products via auctions again?

Denise

[Michael Dominic]

I look at eBay's Pulse section once in awhile and I've been seeing "digital" products. I took a closer look and one of them state "THIS IS AN eBOOK ON CD MAILED TO YOU BY POSTAL MAIL".

Looks like as long as it is an actual physical item that is shipped, it is allowed.

[Denise Hall]

Originally Posted by Michael Dominic

I look at eBay's Pulse section once in awhile and I've been seeing "digital" products. I took a closer look and one of them state "THIS IS AN eBOOK ON CD MAILED TO YOU BY POSTAL MAIL".

Looks like as long as it is an actual physical item that is shipped, it is allowed.

Yes, that's how many marketers are getting around the eBay policy that won't allow digital products. I saw lot of ebooks on CD's listed, but there were also just ebooks, unless they're on CD's and the seller just didn't list them that way.

Denise

[Michael Dominic]

I have found a few interesting pages on eBay about their e-book/information product policies:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/selling-digital-items.html
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/compilation.html
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/downloadable.html

Hope those answer your question!

[Denise Hall]

Thanks for those, Michael. I guess some people just don't know how to follow rules.

Denise

[killercopy]

Yes, you can still sell ebooks, but you have to send an actual CD. Personally, I have seen an increase in sales with people getting a physical product. But, you can offer instant delivery along with a physical product, which is appealing to buyers as well.

[LeannaLuck]

Thanks for this information. I was wondering about all of this as well too.

L

[Denise Hall]

Originally Posted by killercopy

Yes, you can still sell ebooks, but you have to send an actual CD. Personally, I have seen an increase in sales with people getting a physical product. But, you can offer instant delivery along with a physical product, which is appealing to buyers as well.

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. I guess people feel more comfortable knowing they'll receive a physical product, but it's probably appealing that they can access the information immediately, too.

Denise

[johntanyishin]

I guess ebay wants to present itself as a physical auction site. Digital product sellers just have to work around with it.

JTYS

[Michael Forey]

I think they do, but I dont think it can be run as an auction. It has to be a classified ad. Which is actually cheaper (except you don't get feedback).

Michael Forey