Next Phase of eBay Changes.

[Matt]

Some notables:

1) To ensure PowerSeller status rewards consistently good service, a minimum of 100 transactions in the last 12 months will be required for all PowerSellers.

2) Optional buyer charges for shipping insurance removed: The insurance option creates the perception that buyers need to purchase shipping insurance as a protection on eBay, an experience they're not accustomed to on other ecommerce sites. In fact, sellers have always been responsible for their items until they arrive safely in their customers' hands. That's why shipping insurance will no longer be included in the purchase flow as either an option or requirement for buyers.

3) The current 4.3 minimum average DSR requirements will be replaced with new requirements based on a seller's incidence of low DSRs (1s and 2s) on transactions with U.S. buyers: In April 2010, the standards will be stricter. All eBay sellers will need to have low DSRs (1s or 2s) on no more than 1.00% of transactions for item as described, and no more than 2.00% for communication, 2.00% for shipping time, and 2.00% for shipping and handling charges.

[Jay Wolt]

All eBay sellers will need to have low DSRs (1s or 2s) on no more than 1.00% of transactions for item as described, and no more than 2.00% for communication, 2.00% for shipping time, and 2.00% for shipping and handling charges

Say a seller does his auctions the right way and a couple of guys as a goof gives the seller 1's & 2's across the board
even though they got what he paid for and rec'd it secured & in a timely fashion.
With that said, the seller has now been booted off

[Matt]

Jay - the list of changes was pretty extensive - they actually included the following clause to address that:
"To ensure lower volume sellers are not penalized as a result of one or two transactions, it will take at least four instances of 1s or 2s before consequences based on low DSRs are enforced."


The 100 transaction requirement is a killer for me, and I imagine most others who just dabble on eBay but don't make a full time job out of it.

Full text of the changes here:
http://pages.ebay.com/sell/July2009U...ils/index.html

[Jacklitsch]

The 100 transactions is for "PowerSeller" status.

I could care less.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Jacklitsch

The 100 transactions is for "PowerSeller" status.

I could care less.

If powerseller status didn't afford you all the benefits it does, I'd agree, but already powersellers get increased visibility in search results and I believe some of the changes make the class difference even greater.

[Minerscoin]

X

[sbfinley]

At least the the little time ticker rolls down without refreshing now. That was all I ever asked for.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Matt

Some notables:


2) Optional buyer charges for shipping insurance removed: The insurance option creates the perception that buyers need to purchase shipping insurance as a protection on eBay, an experience they're not accustomed to on other ecommerce sites. In fact, sellers have always been responsible for their items until they arrive safely in their customers' hands. That's why shipping insurance will no longer be included in the purchase flow as either an option or requirement for buyers.

Interesting! I guess we'll have to let all the auction houses know that we will no longer be paying for insurance to have our packages shipped safely to us anymore...............you know, since buyers aren't accustomed to paying for it.

Just another cost we have to eat I guess.

[drc]

If they allow for insurance to be part of the overall shipping charge, it's okay. This may only be about marketing rhetoric, creating the correct appearances for customers. In other words, they may be saying it's fine to include an insurance charge, just don't make a song and dance or multiple choice text out of it.

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

At least the the little time ticker rolls down without refreshing now. That was all I ever asked for.

Best enhancement they've made in recent memory.

[martyogelvie]

YES, the countdown was a much needed addition...
love it!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by drc

If they allow for insurance to be part of the overall shipping charge, it's okay. This may only be about marketing rhetoric, creating the correct appearances for customers. In other words, they may be saying it's fine to include an insurance charge, just don't make a song and dance or multiple choice text out of it.

That's fine with a flat rate "Buy It Now".

What about auctions? The Insurance rates are different based on the final values.

Giving options to customers seems more customer friendly to me then NOT giving options.

Now customers will be unable to see the reasons for an elevated shipping cost which will lead to more conflict between buyers and sellers and more reason to ding DSR ratings.

If you are up front about shipping costs and can show the reason for them customers will be happy and will bid accordingly. Now they want us to roll it all into one cost and not be able to break down the reason for the shipping charge.

This does not make any sense to me.

Is Ebay pissed because they aren't getting a portion of the Insurance charges? Something else they want us to wrap in the cost and sell at flat rate prices instead of auction prices?

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

What about auctions? The Insurance rates are different based on the final values.

Giving options to customers seems more customer friendly to me then NOT giving options.

I absolutely agree. It doesn't make any sense.

One more way they're trying to move from the auction style setup to fixed price sales, I guess.

[Doug]

100 transactions is quite a bit. I think that's why they took my powerseller status away. I used to only sell a few higher dollar cards a year, but it kept my average sales high enough to qualify. Now there's no chance I'll qualify for it if that's the case. Not that it matters since I'm out of cards to sell.

[iggyman]

A few nuggets that stood out for me regarding eBay's latest annoucement....


Paying for shipping insurance raises my costs. What can I do?
If appropriate, you can move the cost of shipping insurance into your
handling charges or item price.

Does offering free shipping help my position in search?Yes. Fixed Price listings with free shipping will receive added exposure. As always, keeping costs reasonable continues to be a best practice. Both Auction-style and Fixed Price listings with excessive shipping will be demoted in search.


What is the new eBay Resolution process?
We are introducing a new dispute resolution process for when buyers claim their item was not received or the item they received was not as described in the listing. This new on-eBay Resolution process will be the primary avenue for settling eBay transactions and is designed to:
Help buyers and sellers resolve disputes in fewer steps, and provide buyers with a more familiar ecommerce resolution experience.
Offer an option to call eBay in the event buyers and sellers can't reach resolution themselves. We'll be taking a more active role in ensuring transaction problems are resolved and, in certain cases when we determine the seller was not at fault, we may refund the buyer at our own expense.
Keep most of the same definitions and policies that PayPal uses to resolve item not received and item not as described disputes
Under the new system, you can contest buyer claims in the same way as the current PayPal process—for example, by providing delivery confirmation in the event of an item not received claim.



Listings cannot include comments that undermine confidence in the marketplace, such as comments expressing negativity toward buyers or the selling process. Can you provide some examples of unprofessional language and tone? Here are a few examples unprofessional language and tone:

"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 will leave negative Feedback for all non-paying bidders."

"I am forced to use PayPal."



What happens if the buyer does not pay for an item? If four days pass without payment after the case is opened, an unpaid item will be recorded on the buyer's account, the case will be closed and your Final Value Fee will be automatically refunded. At that time, the buyer won't be permitted to leave Feedback for that item.



Beginning in April 2010, there will be a new structure for PowerSeller Final Value Fee discounts: 20% for eBay Top-rated sellers and 5% for all other PowerSellers.

Lovely Day...

[Anthony S.]

You gotta respect Ebay's determination to grab the brass ring whenever it lands upon a fresh, new way to further alienate its clientele.

[barrysloate]

Obviously the powers that be at ebay have decided to change their business model. One can still auction items if he chooses, but there are so many strikes against the seller that it probably isn't even worth it anymore. I haven't sold in a while, but when I get back to it in September I may decide to abandon auctions and switch to retail. I guess nothing stays the same forever.