When I was qualified as a PowerSeller nearly 2 years ago after Christmas time I felt I did archive something. I think it was US$3,000 for 3 months to be a bonze PowerSeller not 12 months that time. US$1.00 was about AU$1.20 that time. It wasn't easy.

Now the sense of achievement is lost because it's so easy to be a bonze PowerSeller. And there in no PowerSeller icon visible to buyers. It's taken over by Top-rated seller badge which not all powersellers can get.

I believe that people don't want to be a PowerSeller because PowerSeller can't get 30 free listings. Other than that there is no disadvantage being a PowerSeller since the PowerSeller icon disappeared buyer can't tell if you are PowerSeller or not.

I consider this 30 free listings as eBay free trial for new sellers. They won't get charged for non sales till they get used to selling and sell over 100 items and over $3,000 total per year. When new seller achieve that they get graduated from free trial course.

And if it's really important to list free, anybody can create more than one IDs to sell. There is no limit how many ID one person can has.