Seller Update

In October important changes to the PowerSeller Programme are being made with the introduction of a new status – eBay Top-rated seller. This new status is only available to PowerSellers with the highest quality service on eBay - identified by the smallest number of 1 and 2 star ratings sellers have.

Below you’ll find more information around the new Top-rated seller status, including:

• New eBay Top-rated seller status rewards best quality
• New seller statuses
• Additional benefits for Top-rated sellers
• New Final Value Fee discounts from January 2010
• Changes scheduled to allow time to adjust
• Enhancements to improve DSRs
• New Selling Practices Policy
• New Seller Dashboard

Starting from 1^st October 2009 we’ll be introducing a new status to the PowerSeller programme. The eBay Top-rated seller status will recognise those PowerSellers consistently delivering exceptional service.

Any PowerSeller can qualify as an eBay Top-rated seller, from Bronze to Titanium and Platinum.
All they need to have is at least 100 transactions in the past year and meet the DSR quality requirements, which you’ll find in the table below.

For the purpose of working out low DSR scores, we’ll look at the following:

• Sellers with more than 400 transactions in the last three calendar months will have their instances of 1s or 2s on any of their four DSRs counted for that three calendar month period
• Sellers with less than 400 transactions in the last three calendar months will have their instances of 1s or 2s on any of their four DSRs counted for the last 12 months

Here are some examples of how rates of 1s or 2s are calculated.

With the increased focus on service quality we are introducing new minimum standards for all sellers and new seller statuses. See the chart for details.

* For sellers with less than 400 transactions in last 3 calendar months, 12 months low DSRs taken into account; Sellers with more than 400 transactions in last 3 calendar months, 3 calendar months low DSRs taken into account.

** The ‘Above standard’ status will be introduced in January 2010 along with new Final Value Fee discounts.

Sellers must also comply with the new Selling Practices Policy to qualify as a Top-rated seller.

Becoming a Top-rated seller has its own rewards that will further help increase sales volumes.

• Highest fee discounts
• Increased visibility in Best Match
• Exclusive access to Feature First
• A prominent Top-rated seller badge on your view item pages

In line with these changes from 1^st October, the current PowerSeller logo will no longer be displayed to buyers - this is because buyers don’t necessarily perceive that the PowerSeller logo is an accurate reflection of service quality. However, sellers qualifying for Top-rated seller status will get the new eBay Top-rated seller badge displayed prominently on their view item and profile pages, and throughout autumn we will test placement in other areas such as search result pages.

From 16th January 2010, there will be a new discount structure for rewarding high quality service. The current PowerSeller Final Value Fee discount structure will remain in place until mid January 2010 for all PowerSellers.

PowerSellers who meet the criteria for Top-rated or Above Standard status will benefit from the following FVF discounts:

• Sellers who don’t meet the service quality threshold for Top-rated or Above Standard will no longer qualify for FVF discounts

We understand that changes can be disruptive, so these are being phased in over the next five months to give sellers an opportunity to adapt their business to the new standards. That way they can adjust their business practices – and also take advantage of the new rewards they qualify for as soon as possible.

From 1^st October current PowerSellers of all levels can qualify as Top-rated sellers and benefit from the Top-rated seller badge as well as increased visibility in Best Match.

The current PowerSeller programme discount structure will remain in place until 15th January 2010. PowerSellers who don’t meet the Top-rated seller requirements will be able to keep their discounts according to the current discount schedule – allowing five months to adjust business practices. 

Take a look at our checklist to ensure you make any necessary changes.

To help you keep track of low DSR scores (1s and 2s) and check your quality of service, we’re making some adjustments to the DSR system over the coming months:

• Only domestic transactions count: : Only domestic transactions count towards these new DSR requirements

• Transactions and DSRs from repeat buyers count: All DSRs from repeat buyers will count - great news for sellers who inspire repeat business from satisfied customers.
• No postage-related DSRs with local pickup: When we can be sure that local pickup was used for a transaction, buyers will not have the option of leaving postage-related DSRs.

Our new Selling Practices Policy will set out clear standards for accuracy and professionalism in listings, descriptions and all stages of a transaction. Adhering to the new policy will be required for eBay Top-rated seller status in October 2009 and for all other sellers in 2010.

In short:

• Information like item condition and seller terms and conditions must be consistent within a listing.
• Sellers will be expected to live up to their stated terms through all stages of a transaction.
• Also, comments that undermine confidence in the marketplace or misrepresent a seller vs. buyer’s responsibility in a transaction will not be allowed.

At the end of July 2009 you’ll be able to get a snapshot of your current low DSRs (1s and 2s), updated monthly on your Seller Dashboard. In October, you’ll be able to track your low DSRs on a daily basis and get insights about the specific business practices contributing to low DSRs.