Online auction site eBay is launching a new service, eBay Express, designed to help growing retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers reach millions more customers in the UK and compete with bigger companies on a level playing field.

The new website, operating alongside the original eBay site, will be launched in autumn 2006 and is intended to bring together various businesses whether they already sell on eBay or not. Only brand new products at fixed prices will be sold and will be available to buy ‘now’ rather than through an auction process.

Feedback from eBay.co.uk’s registered customers suggested they wanted a dual offering; an auction option via eBay.co.uk, and a ‘new and now’ alternative, which is how eBay Express has been developed.

‘The launch of eBay Express is a significant announcement, not only for eBay, but also for thousands of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers around the UK,’ believes Doug McCallum, managing director of eBay.co.uk. ‘With many businesses wanting to expand their customer base in the face of increased competition from supermarkets, online sites, and out-of-town shopping developments, eBay Express provides them with a hassle-free, credible, route to market.’

Sellers can list on both eBay and eBay Express or just the new site, although the following conditions apply:

• Sellers must have a PayPal business or premier account to accept credit card funded payments
• Be based in the UK
• Be registered on eBay as a business seller
• Accept returns within seven days
• Issue buyers with an invoice and returns address
• Commit to dispatch goods within three days of receiving payment
• The item must be brand new
• The item must be offered at a fixed price
• There must be at least one photograph of the item
• You must typically offer a seven working day returns policy, as a minimum, during which time buyers can return the item and request a refund if they wish to do so.