TRS and Premium Badging…!!!

[5kazam]

I’ve just received another email from eBay telling me to update my listings in accordance with their Premium Badging Service and the benefits (??!!) of TRS.  Apart from the fact that I couldn’t care less about either, I am wondering if part of eBay’s long term agenda is that it will become mandatory.  It’s sort of like eBay’s ‘Business Policies’, you can ‘opt out for now’, but how long before sellers can’t.

Within my own category, Australian Pottery, I can clearly list why I can’t/won’t ‘update’.  And I am quite sure there are a lot of other categories that fit similar criteria.

30 day return : I source all my items on the secondary market.  A buyer will know upon opening their package if (i) item not as described (ii) damaged.  If I offered 30 day return that could only constitute change of mind or buyer has damaged item, if said buyer wanted a return/refund.  So it is definitely not acceptable.

Free postage/express post : This one really gets to me.  If I send a package (up to 22kgs) to Metropolitan Melbourne the postage is $8.95.  If I send it to WA, NT, Q’ld (in particular) the minimum would be $13.40 (soon going up), if I could package the item into a mailing bag.  Multiple items (boxed) could, and have been, $40-$50.  If I tried to factor this into my listing prices I wouldn’t have any sales.  (And I agree with comments on other threads about eBay and FVF’s on this issue).  And in spite of what eBay thinks, buyers DO expect postage to be added to their purchase (at least certainly in my category).  My pottery will not slip into an envelope allowing me to add $3.00 to the item and offer free postage.

Same day/1 day postage :  I usually do post the day I receive payment from my buyer (depending on what time of day the payment is made).  But just sometimes a hiccup can occur.  My listings say 2 business days for postage – which I don’t think is unreasonable.  There is only me, I’m not a store, I don’t have employees.

I believe I already offer my buyers PREMIUM service, with good communication, and ensuring their packages get to them in the same condition they left my place.  My feedback will attest to that.

What I am attempting to get over, is that eBay needs to get it into their heads that eBay, with all its categories and sub-categories, is not a ONE SIZE FITS ALL.  For eBay to continually email about ‘upgrading listings’, gives me the impression of ostriches.  

[mbselections00]

Sorry, I was thinking you might be able to use theSeller Discounts & Charges part of the invoice - not the actual Postage section ?

And yes, I have offered an additional item of their choice in the past and/or if they have paid suffiient postage to cover Registered Post, I message and explain and usually they opt for me to send Registered, which I prefer just for a little protection 🙂

Touch wood, never had a Registered local go missing yet. Lol, let's hope I didn't just jinx myself !

Cheers and thanks so much for your time and comments

[aquacor]

I received one bad feedback from buyer who wants half postage refund after he receive the parcel. Buyer says: he received ebay email say: if eBay seller charge you more postage, but packing goods in one box, then, report this seller to eBay. So, buyer view they should only pay one item's postage if they ordered few items and receive in one box.

I rang eBay, but the answer is: If you choice "Premium service" listing your items, then, eBay will remove the negative feedback regarding postage complain. And Premium service item can move to the front pages.

eBay use two ways (both seller and buyer) to pushing sellers listing item with "free post". But most of my items big in size, how I offer a "free posting" due to postage will be base on buyer's post code?

[5kazam]

Thanks to all for your responses to my opening post.  I certainly don't feel like I'm an island out there.

As we all know this is a Discussion Forum, but we also know that eBay moderators check every post that is made here (otherwise there wouldn't be any mod. edits/deletes), so hopefully one of these moderators will pass this thread onto the ostriches - who will with a heap of luck, collectively decide that the TRS / PBS has not provided sellers with what they were led to believe was a 'given' - so why persist with it any longer.

No-one wants it, and most can't/won't comply with it.

[5kazam]

PS : (Sorry don't know how to edit a post).  Thanks to the 3 members who gave me kudos.  Although they haven't posted on this thread, they have at least read it and agreed with what I have written.

[wehavethatau]

Totally agree with the original post.

However, if eBay introduces these badges, unfortunately it forces us to make changes to earn these badges.

I altered the way I do things and adapted so I could get the Premium Service badge and I like to thing it gives me an edge over competing sellers when it comes to a buyer choosing who they buy from.

[digital*ghost]

The thing I love most about those emails is the first sentence...

"We noticed you have listings that are missing important details."

       

Oh, and the bit in the help pages about TRS+ that basically says "we know it's not possible for some sellers to offer all the requirements, but try to do it anyway". 

[diecastcarsvicki]

However, if eBay introduces these badges, unfortunately it forces us to make changes to earn these badges.

well im for one that will not be forced to mislead a buyer.

offering free postage is totally false advertising if cost of posting is added into total cost of item then its not free is it.

the term free post should be scrapped and replaced with postage is included in the cost of item because that is the truth.

[wehavethatau]

How is it misleading?
Are you making the assumption that the buyer is stupid?

[diecastcarsvicki]

Are you making the assumption that the buyer is stupid?

not at all buyers know that postage is added to cost of item.

but that's not the point it don't hide the fact that postage is not free because its added to items cost. to me that is flat out dishonest.

the term free means cost nothing adding cost into items overall cost does not make it free does it. 

[mbselections00]

I totally agree diecastcarsvicki, I won't be forced to do it either, but at the same time, I don't want to be disadvantaged, I don't think anyone should be.  Have you suggested to ebay Free Post be replaced with your wording - it is certainly way more accurate.  Unfortunately, while it is truthful, it still doesn't get round the whole 'double dipping' for postage situation when selling multiple items, but at least it would be a step in the right direction.