PowerSellers

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about qualification to the PowerSeller Programme

1. Who is eligible to become a PowerSeller?
2. I've tried to sign into the PowerSeller pages and I'm told I don't qualify. What should I do?
3. How do I maintain my current PowerSeller status?
4. How do I move up to the next PowerSeller level?
5. What happens if I do not maintain the PowerSeller criteria for my current level?

FAQs about membership to the PowerSeller Programme

1. Does it cost anything to join the eBay PowerSeller Programme?
2. Are there tools that can help me improve my sales?
3. How is the 98% positive Feedback rating calculated?
4. Where can I see my Feedback performance scores?
5. How do I comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies?

FAQs about the new PowerSeller statuses and standards

1. What are the new PowerSeller statuses and standards and when are they introduced?
2. How often is seller performance evaluated?
3. When are the PowerSeller discounts changing?
4. How do I qualify for the new discounts?
5. What happens if I don’t meet the new minimum standards requirements?
6. How are rates of 1s and 2s calculated and how can I find out my current rates?

FAQs about the new Top-rated seller status

1. What changes are happening to the PowerSeller Programme and when?
2. How do I qualify to be an eBay Top-rated seller?
3. Why is a minimum of 100 annual transactions required for Top-rated seller status?
4. Starting 16th January 2010, if I am a PowerSeller but I don’t qualify for eBay Top-rated seller status, do my discounts change?
5. What is the period of time that the rate of 1s and 2s on DSRs and minimum average DSR calculated? If I am a low volume seller, can one or two bad transactions mean I lose PowerSeller or eBay Top-rated seller status?
6. Why is eBay only counting domestic DSRs?
7. Where will the Top-rated seller badge be displayed on my listings?
8. When will the PowerSeller logo disappear and will there be a replacement?
9. Do I have to remove the PowerSeller logo from my listings after 1st October?

FAQs about the new Selling Practices Policy

1. What is the new Selling Practices Policy?
2. Can you provide some examples of unprofessional language and tone?
3. What’s the purpose of the new policy?
4. When does the new Selling Practices Policy take effect?
5. What do I need to do to make sure I’m complying with the Selling Practices Policy?

FAQs about qualification to the PowerSeller Programme

Every month, eBay looks at member sales data and identifies those who are eligible to be invited to the PowerSeller Programme. To qualify, sellers must:

• Be registered as a business on eBay.co.uk or eBay.ie
• Average a minimum of £750 (or the Euro exchange rate equivalent) in sales or 100 sold items per month, for three consecutive months
• Maintain a minimum of 4 average monthly listings for the past 3 months
• Achieve an overall Feedback rating of 100, of which 98% or more is positive
• Maintain a minimum score of 4.6 in all four DSR categories
• Have been an active member for 90 days
• Have an account in good financial standing
• Comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies

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When your eligibility is confirmed, eBay will send you an invitation via email to join the programme within a month of evaluation. If you think you should have qualified for an invite then please contact Customer Support.

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PowerSeller Programme eligibility is reviewed every month. To remain PowerSellers, sellers must:

• Maintain the minimum average monthly sales amount for your PowerSeller level
• Maintain a 98% positive total feedback rating
• Maintain a minimum score of 4.6 in all four DSR categories
• Have no more than the maximum allowed instances of 1s or 2s on all DSRs for your PowerSeller status level.
• Maintain an account in good financial standing
• Comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the downgrade or removal of a member's PowerSeller status.

Find out more about the qualification criteria and level requirements of the PowerSeller Programme

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To move up to the next PowerSeller level, you should:

• Continue to comply with all of the PowerSeller Programme criteria
• Reach and maintain the next level's minimum volume and/or service requirements. Read more about the qualification criteria for all PowerSeller levels.

Make sure you are opted in to receive advanced selling notifications for PowerSellers by mail, email, and telephone, by visiting the Communication Preferences area of your My eBay page.

eBay will automatically notify you when you reach the next level.

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If your account falls below the programme criteria, you will automatically receive an alert via email. You will have 30 days to bring your account back into compliance. During this time, please feel free to contact us - we can provide tips to help you maintain your PowerSeller status. If, after the 30-day grace period, your account still falls below the criteria, your status as a PowerSeller may be jeopardised. This won't prevent you from achieving PowerSeller status in the near future.

However, if you breach the Shill Bidding policy, feedback manipulation policy, counterfeit policy or severe prohibited item policies or if you reach your limit of policy breaches within a 90-day period, you will lose your PowerSeller status. To regain your PowerSeller status, you must comply with eBay listing and marketplace policies over the next 90 days, and maintain compliance.

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FAQs about membership to the PowerSeller Programme

There is no cost to join the PowerSeller Programme. Membership is FREE for eligible members.

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There are several tools you can use to help you keep organised, maintain excellent communication, as well as streamline and improve sales. We strongly recommend you use the following tools:

• The Seller Dashboard for detailed information about your performance as eBay sellerincluding your current PowerSeller level and DSR scores. The Seller Dashboard also provides insights about the specific business practices contributing to low DSRs.
• Turbo Lister and Selling Manager Pro to create professional listings, automate your process and track sales
• Picture Services to present your items in the best possible way
• eBay Shops to give your merchandise more exposure, and to encourage repeat buyers to find your listings easily
• Visit the Business Centres for the UK and Ireland for guidance on trading as a business

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The rating is calculated each month by taking the total number of positive Feedback ratings and dividing them by the total number of Feedback ratings (both positive and negative).You may see a different % positive Feedback number in the Seller Information Box in view item pages since it is calculated based on unique positive Feedback.

The PowerSeller Feedback score is calculated based on total user Feedback to better reflect the fact that many PowerSellers have satisfied, repeat buyers.

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Sellers can find all information regarding their performances as eBay seller on their Seller Dashboard, including their current PowerSeller level, their overall current Feedback rating and their current Detailed Seller Rating scores by DSR category.

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

From 1st October 2009 sellers will also have to comply with the new Selling Practices Policy in order to qualify for Top-rated sellers status. Wider enforcement of the new Selling Practices Policy across all PowerSeller levels will begin in early January 2010.

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FAQs about the new PowerSeller statuses and standards

Following new statuses will be introduced to the PowerSeller Programme focusing on quality of service.

Starting 1st October 2009:
Top-rated PowerSeller

• Eligible PowerSellers will need to have minimum DSRs of 4.6, with less than 2 or no more than 0.5% low (1 or 2 star) DSRs in each category and comply with the Selling Practices Policy.
• Eligible PowerSellers will need a min. of 100 transactions/ year.
• Benefits include promotion in Best Match search results, highest discount levels from January 2010 and exclusive Top-rated seller badge.

Standard PowerSeller

• Eligible PowerSellers will need to have minimum DSRs of 4.6, with less than 3 or no more than 3.0% low (1 or 2 star) DSRs for item description and with less than 4 or no more than 4.0% low (1 or 2 star) DSRs for communication, dispatch time and P&P costs
• Eligible PowerSellers will need to comply with the Selling Practices Policy from January 2010.

Starting 16th January 2010:
Above Standard PowerSeller

• Eligible PowerSellers will need to have minimum DSRs of 4.6, with less than 3 or no more than 1.0% low (1 or 2 star) DSRs for item description and with less than 3 or no more than 2.0% low (1 or 2 star) DSRs for communication, dispatch time and P&P costs and comply with the Selling Practices Policy.
• Eligible PowerSellers will need a min. of 100 transactions/ year.
• Above Standard PowerSellers will receive up to 15% discount on Final Value fees.

Any PowerSeller from Bronze to Titanium can qualify for Top-rated, Above Standard or Standard status, if they meet the level’s DSR requirements.
Find out more about the new seller statuses and qualification criteria.

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Seller status is evaluated each month. So, for example, the 3 month DSR calculation in July will include DSRs for all transactions in the months of April, May and June.

Note that sellers who fall below the new minimum standard for all sellers would have their status changed immediately, including loss of Top-rated seller status and benefits. Sellers can see how they are trending to meet the requirements on their Seller Dashboard.

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The fee discount structure will change from 16th January 2010 to reward those sellers who consistently offer an excellent level of service.

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To be eligible for the new discounts starting 16th January 2010 you need to qualify for either Top-rated or Above Standard PowerSeller status.

Read more about the detailed qualification criteria.

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If any seller’s rate of 1s and 2s goes over the maximum of low DSRs they’ll get lowered placements in search and may even face limits on selling activity until their ratings improve.

Minimum standards for all sellers:

Item as described: <=3.0% or count of <3
Communication: <=4.0% or count of <4
Dispatch time: <=4.0% or count of <4
P&P cost: <=4.0% or count of <4

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The rates of 1s and 2s are calculated for all four DSRs: Item Description, Communication, Dispatch Time, and P&P Cost. The calculation is as follows:

Number of 1’s or 2’s received, divided by the total number of transactions

The total number of transactions includes all transactions, not just transactions where DSR scores were received. Here are some examples of how rates of 1s or 2s are calculated.

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FAQs about the new Top-rated seller status

The following changes are being made to the PowerSeller Programme:
From 1st October 2009:

• Introduction of an additional DSR measure focusing on the number of low (1 & 2 star) DSR ratings.
• Introduction of minimum service standards for all sellers
• Introduction of eBay Top-rated seller status & benefits
• Introduction of a new Selling Practices Policy
• Removal of the PowerSeller logo from search results and view item pages for all PowerSellers

From 16th January 2010:

• Introduction of the Above Standard status
• Introduction of a new fee discount structure

There will be no change to the ways sellers can qualify as a PowerSeller. Learn more about how to qualify as PowerSeller.

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To qualify as an eBay Top-rated seller, you need to:

• Be a registered PowerSeller
• Have a minimum of 100 transactions over the past 12 months
• Have no more than the maximum allowed instances of 1s or 2s on all DSRs from  buyers in the UK and / or Ireland:

Sellers with 400 or more transactions over the previous 3 calendar months: No more than 0.50% of transactions with 1s or 2s on each one of the four DSRs over the past 3 months.

Sellers with 400 or more annual transactions, but less than 400 over the most recent 3 completed calendar months: No more than 0.50% of transactions with 1s or 2s on each one of the four DSRs over the past 12 months.

Sellers with less than 400 annual transactions: No more than two instances of 1s or 2s on each one of the four DSRs over the past 12 most recent completed calendar months.

• Comply with the new Selling Practices policy requirements.

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At least 100 transactions over the past 12 months are needed to ensure consistency of good customer service.

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Possibly. Starting from 16th January 2010, if you qualify as a PowerSeller and perform ‘Above Standard’, you will receive a final value fee discount of up to 15%. If you qualify as an eBay ‘Top-rated’ seller, you will receive up to 30% discount.

Sellers who do not meet the requirements for ‘Above Standard’ or ‘Top-rated’ seller status will no longer qualify for Final Value fee discounts.

Find out more about the benefits for each PowerSeller level.

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The time period for evaluation depends on a seller’s volume. For sellers with more than 400 transactions during the most recent three calendar months, the evaluation period for both minimum average DSR and rate of 1s and 2s will be the most recent three calendar months. For all other sellers the evaluation periods will be the most recent twelve calendar months.

For low volume sellers with less than 400 transactions a year, qualification for eBay Top-rated seller status will be based on the actual number of 1’s or 2’s on DSRs and not a percentage. Once a seller reaches more than 400 transactions a year, the rate of 1s and 2s on DSRs will be calculated as a percentage.

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

Find out more about the new seller statuses and requirements.

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Sellers who sell internationally can be disadvantaged in postage-related DSRs because of customs and other factors. This change will allow sellers to continue to expand their businesses internationally without risking their performance ratings too much.

What about Ireland?

Ireland (IE) will be included for the Top-rated seller status as a lot of cross border trade takes place between the UK and IE. IE and UK will be treated as one ‘region’ so transactions for this region will include both IE and UK transactions.

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The new Top-rated seller badge will automatically be displayed on a seller’s view item and profile pages when he qualifies as Top-rated seller. The badge is an indicator of trust to buyers showcasing sellers consistently delivering outstanding service, helping you to further build customer loyalty and increase sales.

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The PowerSeller logo will be removed from all buyer-facing pages from 1st October 2009.

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.

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The PowerSeller logo will be removed automatically from all buyer-facing pages on 1st October 2009.

Registered PowerSellers using the PowerSellers logo in their eBay listings, About Me or Shop pages or on their primary website outside eBay can continue to do so. However, if you would like to continue using the PowerSeller logo in your listings or the other places mentioned above, you must be a current registered PowerSeller. Any use of the PowerSeller logo must continue to link to the PowerSeller Programme page.

As only the eBay Top-rated seller badge will be displayed on buyer facing pages from 1st October 2009, the PowerSeller logo will no longer appear next to your user ID.

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FAQs about the new Selling Practices Policy

The new Selling Practices Policy sets minimum standards for all aspects of a transaction:

• Item Details and Description: sellers are responsible for providing accurate and consistent details about their items, including item condition and product details. For example, it would be a violation to select “New” in item specifics and then reveal that it’s refurbished in the item description.
• Terms and Conditions: sellers can include only relevant terms and conditions. Violations would include conflicting information in a listing, failure to uphold stated terms, or a disclaimer of seller responsibility to deliver the item as described in the listing.
• Product Availability: sellers are responsible for having items available for sale for the duration of the listing.
• Postage and Related Charges: we’ll continue to ask sellers to charge only reasonable postage and packaging fees and to comply with the maximum postage costs defined by eBay in certain categories.
• Return Policy and Dispatch Time: as a business seller you have various legal obligations about how you provide your service. These cover the information you include in your listing, the quality of the item and various other aspects of the service you provide on eBay. For more information about your legal obligations, please see Listings, Items & the law and Returns and the law.
• Appropriate language: listings cannot include comments that undermine confidence in the marketplace, like negative comments toward buyers or the selling process.

Read more about the Selling Practices Policy.

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Of course, take a look below to see what we mean:

“Due to bad buyers on eBay, you must contact me prior to bidding or your bid will be cancelled and you will be reported to eBay!!”

“I have had so many bad transactions with zero feedback buyers. So, if you are new, don’t bid!”

“I am forced to use PayPal.”

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Buyers expect clear, concise and informative descriptions. Conflicting information and negative or irrelevant comments can put a buyer on the defensive and give a poor impression of eBay. Clear guidelines and standards regarding professionalism on eBay will benefit both buyers and sellers. The new policy is designed to:

• Give buyers a professional shopping experience
• Clearly show sellers what aspects of the transaction they are accountable for

Help sellers take responsibility for the buyer experience

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From 1st October 2009, violations of the new Seller Responsibility Policy may result in the loss of eBay Top-rated seller status. Wider enforcement for all sellers will begin in early 2010.

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• Check any terms and conditions within a listing to make sure they’re consistent.
• Change any generic templates that include multiple or inconsistent conditions for the same item.
• Include accurate information regarding postage costs, dispatch time and returns policy.
• Remember you’re responsible for your item until it arrives safely in the buyer’s hands. Don’t imply in any way that once the item is posted you’re not responsible for timely delivery or condition on arrival.
• Avoid disclaiming the availability of the item listed and remove or edit listings when you sell out.
• Review your listing descriptions and listing templates and make any necessary changes – bulk editing functionality is available to edit your listings fast and easily.

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