★ I am DISCUSSTED with Ebay's new proposed "Top Rated Seller Requirements".

[pyroyd]

EBay has announced new requirement to their Top Rated Seller Program.

One of these requirements is that I now offer FREE POST.

I expect everyone is aware that there is no such thing as FREE POST, the postage const must be included in the item cost.

If postage is included in the item cost, Ebay also take their 10% Final Value Fee of postage and Paypal fees from postage, so my sell price must go up 10% as a result.

Another new requirement for to their Top Rated Seller Program is that I also provide a 30 day money back guarantee.

As  Ebay expect the postage cost to be included in the item cost with a 30 day money back guarantee I am also expect to refund a buyers postage cost with the item cost if they ask for a refund, simply because they changed their mind about the purchase or for any other reason.

Another issue with this Free Post is that I am unable to list postage discount for the purchase of multiple items.

As if sellers haven’t copped enough price increases with Ebay recently increasing their Final Value Fee to a flat 10%, they now want 10% of the postage paid by buyers, to eliminate postage discounts for multiple items, and force me to refund postage if a buyer wants to return the item just because they changed their mind or used it for and no longer need it.

These new requirements increase costs to both buyers and seller.

 The only beneficiary is Ebay.

[digital*ghost]

I'm not all that keen on the new requirements for Top Rated Plus, and I on't be making any changes to achieve it unless I notice a dramatic difference in sales once it takes effect.

That being said, for those that can accomodate the changes, you can stipulate your own terms and conditions surrounding some of the requirements.

The 30-day money back return policy doesn't have to be unconditional, therefore you can stipulate that items must be in exactly the same condition as when sent, with any original retail packaging / tags in tact, and you can also have a re-stocking fee for returns, which is pretty much a different name for not refunding non-recoverable, out of pocket expenses for change of mind returns. 

I agree that some of these new conditions benefit eBay more than anyone else, but you can work around the parameters a bit, like offering customers something for free if they buy X items or spend X amount. 

TRS+ is listing-specific, as well, so you could have it on some of your listings for the (supposed) exposure boost, and keep other listings with P&H separate etc so that buyers can still take advantage of combined postage discounts, or on items where a 30-day return policy is not feasible. 

[some999]

This already occurs in the US - search calculate final value fees on www.ebay.com & you will find this -

If your item sells, you're charged a final value fee. The final value fee is based on the item's total cost to the buyer which includes i...

This is totally unfair as ebay is not providing a service for postage so how can they charge commission on postage charges.
Paypal are usually acccepting the payment & take their share.

It is what I call unfair & we need to stop this happening here in Australia.

These new changes appear to be a "hidden" way of introducing this same scale for fees.

As pyroyd points out, you need to include postage in your item value - that also does not allow for postage to be combined at a lower price on multiple small items where the postage does not alter.

The buyer loses out by paying more - the seller loses by paying more in fees & losing business.  Ebay get increased fees!!!

[pyroyd]

To: Mr Adam Savage.

TRS is NOT listing-specific!

It's seller specific!

I believe you and I will notice a dramatic difference in sales for anyone who looses your TRS benefits and listing promotion for failing to comply.

Ebay make no allowance for a restocking fee and PayPal will not recognize a restocking fee of any other conditions in my item description in the case of a dispute.

You think I should offer free items as incentive to purchase multiple item, what do you suggest, free steak knives???

You accept my post as reality but you reject it for your own, what?

That says it all to me.

How much is Ebay paying you for your posts???

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

the bit of a post that appears below a line is a posting 'signature'.  In this case, it is a quote that has nothing to do with your thread, does not make comment about your topic, and does not identitfy the poster.

[putney32]

do you think you really really really need TRS Plus?

I'm guessing many sellers will just ignore this extra tier of 'goodness'

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

the bit of a post that appears below a the bottom line is a posting 'signature'.  In this case, it is a quote that has nothing to do with your thread, does not make comment about your topic, and does not identitfy the poster.

see below for an example of what would appear below every one of my posts if I decided to keep it as a 'signature'

[kopenhagen5]

Oh dear pyroyd. You just shot an innocent person.

As mentioned  I reject your reality and substitute my own. ~Adam Savage   is only a saying placed on the bottom of someones posts just like the avi picture.

Have a look at other threads and you will see many members have them. Mine is a heart with Life is Wonderful.

[foxette-in-sox]

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

In this one they attack something that's not even an opinion but a quote.

without meaning to sound disrespectful to the OP, it is rookie mistake that happens every now and then.