billd26
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:24:00 PM
I have been offered to join Ebay's powerseller program. I think I remember somebody saying something on this board about how the program was kind of a hassle and you had a quota and stuff. Are there downsides to being a powerseller on Ebay? Upsides?
Thanks for any input (unless it's sarcastic, rude or otherwise not useful )
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dottie
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:32:17 PM
I've been a power seller for nearly 2 years.
So far, I haven't enjoyed ANY "perks" - I don't even use the Power Seller logo in my listings because in some cases, it can turn a potential bidder OFF.
Folks don't want to think that they are just one in a gazillion winners or that the seller might be too busy with Power Selling to offer exceptional service.
I understand that eBay is gearing up to revamp the Power Seller program and make it something worth aspiring toward... but I'm not holding my breath. I'm only a power seller by accident (just so happens that I meet the minimum requirements every other quarter) ... it's NOT AT ALL important to me that my sales occur within eBays venue to maintain that "status".
Lately, I've been more content to make the sales from my website or outside of eBay as I recognize that every dollar I make outside of eBay... is one more dollar I made without forking over a portion of my profit to a "venue".
Well.... I guess that about sums up how I feel about the Power Seller program. *sigh*
- Dottie
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stan41
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:39:59 PM
I too was offered the "Invitation" to become a power seller. I think I will decline. I can not see any advantage to it from what I read in the email. I too think that the Power Seller logo is a turn off to some bidders. I prefer to keep my "little country boy" image on ebay. I don't use any templates or any of the bells & whistles and I personally email each of my buyers. So far it has worked pretty good. I have over 400 feedbacks, all positive. My motto is "If it works, don't fix it".
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vohnjamm
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:45:52 PM
I just got an invitation tonight to be upgraded from the bronze level power seller to the silver level power seller. I have been a power seller for the last 6 months and have received no privileges other that being able to use the logo in my auctions and a nice little newsletter that I get about once a month.
If you received an invitation from Ebay to join their power seller program, take them up on their offer. You are under no obligation to use the logo in your auctions if you choose not to. I have used the logo in my auctions for the last 6 months. My sales continue to increase, which is why I just graduated from the bronze to the silver power seller level, so I would say that bidders must not be turned off by the power seller logo.
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gravid
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:48:22 PM
I have just under 1,000 feedbacks and did just under $90k last year. I stopped using the logo because of negative reaction to it.
You get better speed on your emailed questions, but all that means is you get the same useless crap in hours that eveyone else has to wait a day or two to get. If you can't get a service to work or a page to load you must need to clear your cache. LOL. They think it causes warts and piles also. No discounts no real perks. The reward is in qualifying. I would trade my membership for a
free starbucks coffee.
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jamesoblivion
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posted on March 1, 2001 06:56:39 PM
There are no pros at all (pat yourself on the back for the money you are earning, but that's it).
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kyms
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:06:02 PM
Power Seller since December, I like the quick answers I get when I have a problem.. Otherwise no perks. I only have the logo on my "Me" page (I doubt anyone even looks there..)
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countryhorse
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:17:47 PM
Been a PowerSeller for 2+ years & I don't display the logo either...I think it associates thoughts of "Pressure Seller"...only perks are fast reply to questions or problems, a monthly PowerSellers newsletter & year before last eBay sent a PowerSeller T-Shirt for my birthday - HEY, where is my new shirt? They forgot my birthday..
[ edited by countryhorse on Mar 1, 2001 07:40 PM ]
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shaani
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:33:37 PM
My status as a Power Seller is presently on the line as I haven't kept up my quota. My RL business has grown and seems to be taking much of my time away from ebay.
I received very fast replies to my questions before I was a Power Seller and I have never had to contact ebay that many times anyways.
I didn't see any perks from the program but I see no harm in joining it either. It is your choice whether you use the logo or not.
Perhaps if they offered lower listing fees or some other benefits in the future it may be to your advantage to be part of the program.
Congratulations on the hard work that you did to qualify for the program.
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jamesoblivion
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:37:13 PM
I imagine the IRS will at some point ask ebay for a list of their power sellers. That's probably just extreme paranoia on my part though.
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billd26
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:37:54 PM
Thanks for all of the kind responses
I guess I don't really see much of a benefit, but like shanni said, it would be worth it if there was some kind of break on fees or something.
Anyway, thanks again, you guys are great.
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countryhorse
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:48:17 PM
[ edited by countryhorse on Mar 2, 2001 07:25 AM ]
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shaani
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posted on March 1, 2001 07:54:30 PM
My gov't can have all my info also. I have always reported everything. That is why I am still working so hard! They take so much of my money!
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jamesoblivion
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posted on March 1, 2001 08:16:54 PM
Even if you're clean as a whistle (I didn't mean to imply I wasn't -- or anyone else) you still need an IRS audit like you need another orifice.
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countryhorse
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posted on March 1, 2001 09:11:22 PM
jamesoblivion - Amen to that!!
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raglady1
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posted on March 1, 2001 09:13:41 PM
I agree if you get an invitation to join the PS group, do it, what can it hurt? I have been a PS since they started the program.
What are the benefits? The main benefit is the checks you take to the bank to cash for all your hard work. The only other benefit is that you do get prompt answers to your emails, I have to give them that, and they aren't just the standard canned responses, they have helped me out quite a few times with different situations, even on nights and weekends. However I feel all sellers at any level should be given the same courtesy. I have never displayed the logo and never will, I think its a turnoff to buyers.
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 2, 2001 05:18:23 AM
Three reasons to accept:
1) It's free, you do have to guarantee the product but who wouldn't.
2) You never know it may be worth something to you if eBay changes some policy somehow. I stumbled into the yawho? funny money and accepted it for no reason.
3) Can't remember when but eBay sent me a beanie baby knock off with the eBay logo (I was impressed).
dennis
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vvalhalla
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posted on March 2, 2001 05:25:49 AM
Three reasons to accept:
1) It's free, you do have to guarantee the product but who wouldn't.
2) You never know it may be worth something to you if eBay changes some policy somehow. I stumbled into the yawho? funny money and accepted it for no reason.
3) Can't remember when but eBay sent me a beanie baby knock off with the eBay logo (I was impressed).
dennis
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fattyman
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posted on March 2, 2001 05:38:57 AM
to buyers i know power sellers have the image of being pros at the con......if ya know what i mean.........
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buyacct100
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posted on March 2, 2001 05:59:40 AM
I do NOT use the emblem. I think it's obstentatious. A SMALL icon next to your ID name would be sufficient!
No perks, except the one named above. They do answer your emails quickly and personally.
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jumpup
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posted on March 2, 2001 08:37:16 AM
pro's 1)They do answer your emails quickly with the same line of canned answers and no remedies as they always say they are unable to get involved.
CON: you get the same canned answers in about 3 days with the same non help as a ps.
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bidbusters
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posted on March 2, 2001 12:28:55 PM
I got the letter on being a Powerseller last year and was all set to click the YES button until i saw we are required to guarantee all items. I sell a lot of books, comics, etc, and describe each item fairly. I do NOT believe 'the customer is always right.' I believe the customer is sometimes right and I am sometimes right. Problems in a transaction can be worked out via e-Mail, not a promised guarantee so Billy from Hooterville can send ANY item back once he is 'done' with it.
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unknown
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posted on March 2, 2001 01:05:20 PM
I've been a power seller ever since the program started.
I never use it in auctions, and the only benifit I can see is a little more respect when asking questions. It seperates you from all those morons out there asking stupid questions. [It got that prostitution Auction canceled real quick, see other AW thread today]
But early on I complained of the name.
At best it is has no effect if used in an auction, at worst it's a negtive. Would you buy a car from a salseman who was a "Power Seller"
Amazon uses "Pro Merchant" I like that alot more.
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whinecooler
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posted on March 2, 2001 01:21:50 PM
I was accepted as a Power seller two years ago but never used it.
After looking at the, so called, "PERKS" I saw no real advantage.
Just another smoke and mirror ploy by Greedybay to fool the foolish into believing they were getting something for nothing to boost listings and meet quotas.
I never even got the "support" they spoke so highly of.
"PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN"
***********************************
The more PEOPLE I meet.........
The more I like my DOG!!
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jamesoblivion
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posted on March 2, 2001 01:32:27 PM
Unkown, I would think they closed the prostitution auction because it was prostitution, not because they were alerted by a power seller.
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