As you rightly say, PJ, another u-turn from SB, and another question mark over his oft-cited integrity.
I would imagine that they have lost a fair few customers of late, what with all the changes, none of which seem to benefit the purchaser. I've just had a look on the website and I see that the request facility appears to have gone, and the prices have definitely shot up. As to the 99p kidology, I find it frankly insulting, alongside the completely arbitrary start price of auctions, all done to make gullible people think they're getting a brilliant deal.
Ah well, since leaving the fold, I have saved an absolute fortune, and I know other people have, too. That's a lot of money they are losing from previously loyal customers, and they won't compensate for that loss by relying on new buyers, many of whom will be making one-off purchases, and others who will be quickly disillusioned at the ridiculously long time it takes to refund money on a returned item.
Just had a quick look at the TV auction, and once again saw a pink sapphire ring I paid £39 for a few months ago, close at £67.99 in a so-called 'blowout' hour. I know what sort of blowout springs to mind when I see that sort of caper...