Ebay just sent this message to sellers, which makes the coupons an actual deal now.
We’re making some important changes to our Coupon Master Agreements. The changes will take effect from 16 January 2024.
What’s changed
Clause 7 of the master terms has recently been revised.
As of 16 January 2024, clause 7 will now read as follows:
7. You shall not increase the listing price of any of the Included Items and/or items within the Included Categories for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the start of each Offer Period, or at any time during the Offer Period. You warrant that at no time prior to or during the Offer Period will you increase the listing price for any item so as to make the Coupon Offer/s appear more attractive. You agree to act in good faith at all times in connection with the Coupon Offer/s.
Is this their way to minimise manipulation of prices to benefit from the coupon? for example, eBay says buyers need to spend $15 or more to have $5 off so if your product is $14.99, you can't just raise it above to increase sales?
or is it to avoid sellers raising their price to exactly what the discount coupon would have saved?
I don't know but usually eBay catches on these loopholes pretty efficiently.