eBay Top rated seller. Is it worth the hassle?

NZT · #1 10-25-2015

Hi guys, been a long time.

Im back on ebay and can see in my dashboard that I am due to hit the top rated seller on November 20th.

Have tried to manage good sales, with fast turn around, accuracy in items and good communication but you are alway dicing with the devil to some degree as there are some eBay users that are, shall we say "a special breed"

Obviously it looks nice to see the top rated seller logo and 10% reduction on UK fees is welcome along with the improvement in item listing rankings.

My question is, is it all really worth it?

I think you do put yourself under a bit of stress going that extra mile to please everyone so heaven forbid they dont leave something that will affect your DSR ratings.

I mean it is very precarious isnt it? You can have 100 perfect sales and if the 100th the person requests to return an item for whatever reason that gives you a 1% defect rate, get a second and that kills your hopes for a top rated seller. (2% kills it)

What are your views on this guys? How good is the improvement to listings with top rated seller?

Many thanks.

Welbs · #2 10-25-2015

The special breed that u mention are americans lol well mine are anyways dont have probs with any buyers uk or world based apart from usa #specialteamusa

hAve · #3 10-25-2015

it's easy to get top rated if you aren't selling **** and you know what you are doing however most of time when I got couple weeks left until I can become top rated I get my paypal suspended :/ so not really worth unless you know you won't be suspended for life

GhostOfAmazon · #4 10-26-2015

I don't think so, but hear my reasoning before taking it into account: I don't like to offer returns. Now, some will undoubtedly point out that you can be "forced" to take returns if the buyer opens a case. True, yes, but it's less likely. When they see "Top Rated Seller" theres a good chunk of buyers that see "Sucker". They KNOW you worked hard to get that, and they KNOW your ass is on the line if you don't do whatever they want. There are certainly some items/categories that are definitely worth the hassle, but for me, personally, I don't WANT TRS on my accounts. Back in 2012, when it wasn't such a pain to get, it was a lot better. Now it's crap. IMHO.

james13v · #5 10-26-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

I don't think so, but hear my reasoning before taking it into account: I don't like to offer returns. Now, some will undoubtedly point out that you can be "forced" to take returns if the buyer opens a case. True, yes, but it's less likely. When they see "Top Rated Seller" theres a good chunk of buyers that see "Sucker". They KNOW you worked hard to get that, and they KNOW your ass is on the line if you don't do whatever they want. There are certainly some items/categories that are definitely worth the hassle, but for me, personally, I don't WANT TRS on my accounts. Back in 2012, when it wasn't such a pain to get, it was a lot better. Now it's crap. IMHO.

If they see you don't offer returns, then they will open a SNAD case compared to a normal return case. So, umm, why do you feel it's less likely?

austyn12x · #6 10-26-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

I don't think so, but hear my reasoning before taking it into account: I don't like to offer returns. Now, some will undoubtedly point out that you can be "forced" to take returns if the buyer opens a case. True, yes, but it's less likely. When they see "Top Rated Seller" theres a good chunk of buyers that see "Sucker". They KNOW you worked hard to get that, and they KNOW your ass is on the line if you don't do whatever they want. There are certainly some items/categories that are definitely worth the hassle, but for me, personally, I don't WANT TRS on my accounts. Back in 2012, when it wasn't such a pain to get, it was a lot better. Now it's crap. IMHO.

yeah i agree i had it on my main for a bit and all i got was get alot of "missing packages" or "missing peices" or i got returns which was such a hassle and half the time it came back used. It was one of the reasons why my account got banned when it did , oh well **** ebay ill make more and more accounts they cant stop us.

GhostOfAmazon · #7 10-26-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by james13v

If they see you don't offer returns, then they will open a SNAD case compared to a normal return case. So, umm, why do you feel it's less likely?

You don't have much experience with eBay then...

I win a LOT of INAD cases. Like I said, offering returns is putting a target on your back.

It's all about how you list the item, the wording you use in your description, and how you present your case....

p4k1pr1nc3 · #8 10-26-2015

Definitely worth it if you sell high volume or high priced items.

solefoodbk · #9 10-27-2015

My sales increase about 25-30% with the TRS badge.

You also pay less fees, no holds if a buyer opens a dispute/claim, and you can use TRS to help with ANY case you have and if worded correctly can help win many cases you may not have won otherwise without the badge.

Haidukken · #10 10-27-2015

Across 5-6 accounts that I sell on.... I don't notice much difference in all honesty. Might be my category and people who shop in there, but I personally don't qualify for TRS on some of the accounts, but still take home rather nice sum of money.

I guess it's worth it if you sell qty, over quality- If you sell 17 million iphone chargers and need to compete with 234567867242 listings, then I'd do what ever I could to rank higher.

rsot · #11 10-27-2015

iphone chargers....oof

vettefever17 · #12 10-27-2015

After having many accounts and a range of different products, I would say no. Why? Because no matter how hard you try to satisfy customers, you will always have about 5% scammer/asshole that will come into play. The only way I would ever consider TRS, would be to reach a certain point in sales numbers where dilution could be used, and I plan to run the same quality products for a long time. Otherwise, don't bother because the variance is coming.

NZT · #13 11-10-2015

All good comments. I think thats a good point by GhostofAmazon, buyers know you worked hard to get the Top Rated seller status and they will exploit it tantamount to subtle 'blackmail' to get what they want.

Already experiencing this and am torn between giving in and fronting it out.

Fronting out will definitely and quickly lead to a loss in status.

To be honest the goal was just to get it, keeping it I'm undecided if I will continually roll over.

GhostOfAmazon · #14 11-10-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saw

All good comments. I think thats a good point by GhostofAmazon, buyers know you worked hard to get the Top Rated seller status and they will exploit it tantamount to subtle 'blackmail' to get what they want.

Already experiencing this and am torn between giving in and fronting it out.

Fronting out will definitely and quickly lead to a loss in status.

To be honest the goal was just to get it, keeping it I'm undecided if I will continually roll over.

The one good thing about it is that you pick and choose which items display the badge, via your return settings.

NZT · #15 11-10-2015

I didnt know that. Will have to have a look. Thanks Bud.

Dmshark25 · #16 11-10-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saw

I didnt know that. Will have to have a look. Thanks Bud.

Also the handling time , if it's greater than one day than no badge

ebabe · #17 11-10-2015

Depends on the item, I just got TR a couple of months ago. For some items makes no difference, but for cheaper items I guess iv seen a few more sales then before. You have to understand that ebay had more traffic just a few years ago. Seems like their traffic has slowed down over the last year?. I blame their new search engine Cassini and them falling out with google?

GhostOfAmazon · #18 11-10-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmshark25

Also the handling time , if it's greater than one day than no badge

2 Week Return (Minimum) and 1 Day Handling Time.

Otherwise, even though you're technically TRS, it doesn't display on that item.

So you can have your cake and eat it too, in a way.

Dmshark25 · #19 11-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

2 Week Return (Minimum) and 1 Day Handling Time.

Otherwise, even though you're technically TRS, it doesn't display on that item.

So you can have your cake and eat it too, in a way.

You lose the TRS Badge and the FVF Discount on those items . You still get the shipping discount

GhostOfAmazon · #20 11-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmshark25

You lose the TRS Badge and the FVF Discount on those items . You still get the shipping discount

I was referring to not dealing with the buyers who will try and poach you.....

GreenBean · #21 11-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

It's all about how you list the item, the wording you use in your description, and how you present your case....

AMEN!

This is the very essence of selling on ebay. Keep the control, always.

The very essence!

muzzie · #22 11-11-2015

It is. Reduced fees, much more space for handling defects, better search positions. Moreover, reps on the phone are a bit more contributing when serving TopRated PowerSeller sellers.