posted on August 6, 2009 11:42:42 AM
I just had a fun call from eBay. "Jonathan" called to congratulate me for being a Top-Rated eBay Seller. Oh goody , goody!
He then went into a spiel about the upcoming ebay changes. Very well read I must say (script). He was readings so fast and smoothly that I did not even get a second to comment about anyone of them.
After he finished and was trying to slither away, I asked if he would like to hear how I feel about some of the new changes. I gave him my opinion about tying my fee discounts to a screwed up DSR system that allows users to ding my shipping time when i ship within 24 hours and allowing them to ding my shipping cost rating when I offer free shipping. How the heck am I supposed to consistently earn good ratings and a discount if ebay allows details beyond my control to determine those ratings?
I then went on to tell him that ebay has already lost 80% of my business and will most likely lose the rest of it with the new insurance changes. I can see an increase in damage claims ahead as I have already seen an increase in the number of low-life buyers who think they can scam a seller with fake complaints. I paused a moment to catch my breathe and before I could continue with my opinion about the new buyer complaint process, he seized the opportunity to wish me a good day and hung up before I could wish him the same <g>
posted on August 6, 2009 11:22:48 PM
Don't forget that the Top Seller Rating is tied to the Power Sellers program, so you'll need to maintain your monthly sales quota.
I agree that the DSR sytem is unfair. Most buyers don't bother to leave feedback, and many that do don't waste their time by clicking the stars.
Well, congratulations on achieving the Top Seller Rating. There's probably only a small percentage of sellers who well get the Top Seller Rating.
posted on August 7, 2009 02:38:22 AM
Congratulation LtRay. I'm sure you worked hard for it.
Now exactly what does that get a seller? A monthly discount? That's nice and will help cover SOME of the cost for lost income from having to give free shipping and now free insurance.
posted on August 7, 2009 02:49:15 PM
oops, I may have ticked off the eBay gods yesterday. The top-rated seller icon is now gone <g>
I don't have a clue how this new program works and honestly do not care as long as they do not come up with some stupid icon that says BAD Seller and stick on my listings. I have stopped paying attention to the ratings. I have not seen any type of productive feedback come out of allowing buyers to affect my mood with low DSR ratings.
I already follow all of the good selling practices people have posted here to the board. I ship quickly, use good packaging and include an invoice, send shipping updates and leave immediate feedback. If that is not enough to earn a good seller rating then I guess I am just not up to whatever standard ebay wants to set.
I think the TRS program is intended to replace the Power Seller program some time next year. I have been a Power Seller for a long time but have never felt the need to have the icon plastered on my listings. If there were an opt out on the TSR, I would probably use it.
There is an advantage for both programs. Seller receives a discount on their final value fees and higher placement in the search.
I do not have a problem with them giving me a discount for working hard and maintaining happy customers but personally, I feel their use of biased search placement should be outlawed. Everyone pays the same upfront fees for services and should receive equal visibility.
[ edited by LtRay on Aug 7, 2009 03:04 PM ]
posted on August 7, 2009 05:00:34 PM
I think the Top Seller Icon and program is in Beta stage until October. There was an announcement that some people will begin to see it on some items this week: http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200908030932272.html
posted on August 7, 2009 06:47:06 PM
It is beta. I really do not think I ticked off the ebay gods, just being cute. I checked several other sellers who had the rating yesterday and none are showing TSR today.
