That link is such a "sky is falling" over-reaction!
One of the comments on that article sums the fee changes up best.
Kimota
July 26, 2011 at 11:25 am
True, true…
However, where the benefit may lie is in avoiding paying out on unsold items – which I know is the bane of my existence.
Taking your example – if I sell 30 items from my garage, but only 15 sell at an average of $10, then under the old system, I’m looking at 0.30+0.59 gallery fee (who doesn’t?)X30=26.70 plus final value fee of $10x15x5.25% = $7.875 which comes to $34.58.
Under the new system, it comes to $11.85 and the unsold items go to the Salvos.
So, yes, if I sold everything I listed, eBay wins. But how many of us sell everything? If anything, this may ENCOURAGE more people to list items they are unsure about whether they would sell or not as it reduces the risk.