PowerSellers

PowerSeller membership is FREE.

• New PowerSeller eligibility requirements
• The eligibility requirements for the PowerSeller today & October 2010
• PowerSeller Levels
• Policy Compliance

In April 2010, the sales requirements to the PowerSeller programme were reduced enabling more sellers, who consistently provide excellent service to join and to reach eBay Top-rated seller status. As part of these changes, PowerSellers need to meet the minimum performance standard for selling on eBay.

There are 5 volume levels that distinguish PowerSellers, based on their gross monthly sales. The eBay Top-rated seller and Standard statuses were introduced on 1 October 2009. In January 2010, the Above Standard status was introduced along with a new Final Value Fee discounts structure to reward sellers who consistently offer the very best service. These levels will better distinguish PowerSellers based on the quality of service they offer.

Benefits and services vary with each level. eBay automatically calculates eligibility each month and notifies qualifying sellers.

In April 2010, the eligibility requirements for all PowerSellers were changed and now includes:

• A lower transaction and gross merchandise volume requirement of a minimum of 100 transactions and £2,000 in the last 12 months.*
• An average score on detailed seller ratings (DSR) of 4.60 or higher in all four areas
• A raised minimum performance standard based on low detailed seller ratings of 1 and 2 stars (low star ratings)
• Compliance with the Selling Practices policy (introduced in October 2009 for eBay Top-rated sellers only)

* Euro equivalent for sellers from the Republic of Ireland

Raised minimum performance standard

All PowerSellers including new participants are now required to meet the raised minimum performance standards for selling on eBay. The minimum performance standard is defined by a maximum number of low star ratings allowed for transactions in UK and/or Ireland, and from October 2010, a maximum number of opened cases and closed cases without seller resolution. For low star ratings, PowerSellers will be required to have no more than 1.00% for item as described and no more than 2.00% for communication, dispatch time and P&P charges. For cases, PowerSellers will be required to have no more than a 1.00% rate of opened cases and 0.30% closed cases without seller resolution.

All PowerSellers should regularly check their Seller Dashboard to ensure they are meeting the new eligibility requirements before the October changes take effect. They can find detailed information about their current performance including a daily updated snapshot of their low star ratings and cases by each detailed rating area.

Sellers who don’t meet the new requirements in October will lose their PowerSeller status and associated benefits. However, eligibility to the PowerSeller programme is evaluated each month and sellers who improve their performance are will be invited to rejoin the programme when they meet the requirements.

* Euro equivalent for sellers from the Republic of Ireland

Remember: Only items sold to buyers in the UK and Ireland are considered for the minimum volume, low star ratings, and cases criteria. All other requirements are determined by global sales volumes. Sellers to international markets must also meet the minimum performance standards for those countries.

Sellers can check their performance including their low star ratings in the Seller Dashboard.

There are 5 volume levels that distinguish PowerSellers based on their gross monthly sales. In addition, PowerSellers who consistently deliver great service are recognised with the eBay Top-rated or Above Standard status.

To become a PowerSeller, you need to meet the minimum transaction and gross merchandise volume, which is 100 transactions and £2,000 in the last 12 months. Only transactions to buyers in the UK and Ireland count towards this minimum sales requirement. Higher PowerSeller levels, such as Silver and Gold, are determined by monthly turnover requirements (see below).

* per month for three consecutive months
**across a minimum average of four monthly listings. Euro equivalent for sellers from the Republic of Ireland

Any PowerSeller from Bronze to Titanium can qualify for eBay Top-rated seller and Above Standard status, if they meet the status minimum, as outlined in the service requirements table below.

Eligibility for all PowerSeller levels is evaluated every month and qualifying sellers are notified in their Seller Dashboard and via email.

eBay policy compliance is required for all PowerSellers. To comply, sellers must not violate the Shill Bidding, Feedback Manipulation, or Counterfeits policies - hese policies are considered severe and may result in loss of PowerSeller and eBay Top-rated seller status for a minimum of 180 days.

Additionally, repeated violations of any other eBay policy may result in the loss of PowerSeller status. The maximum number of allowed policy violations varies by PowerSeller level:

• Bronze: 4 violations in a 90-day period
• Silver/Gold: 5 violations in a 90-day period
• Platinum: 6 violations in a 90-day period
• Titanium: 7 violations in a 90-day period

Sellers can check the status of their policy compliance in the Seller Dashboard. Visit the help pages for a complete list of eBay policies. For assistance with policy violations, contact customer support for more information.

The Selling Practices policy

The Selling Practices policy sets out clear standards for accuracy and professionalism in listings, descriptions and all stages of a transaction.

Adhering to the new this policy is required for eBay Top-rated sellers and for all other sellers from April 2010. Overview of the Selling Practices policy:

• Sellers are responsible for ensuring a smooth and professional transaction with their buyers.
• This includes setting buyers’ expectations by providing accurate and consistent details about items and the terms and conditions of sale.
• Sellers also must offer excellent customer service from the time of purchase to item delivery. This includes reasonable postage & packaging charges, clear statement on dispatch time, prompt and professional communication, and ensuring the item is delivered to the buyer as described.
• Business sellers need to offer a return policy which is included in the listing description; private sellers may accept returns, but are not obliged to.
• Sellers are expected to live up to their stated terms through all stages of a transaction.

Read all details about the Selling Practices policy