PowerSeller

1. Does it cost anything to join the eBay PowerSeller program?
2. Who is eligible to become a PowerSeller?
3. How do I maintain my current PowerSeller status?
4. What are the benefits to being in the PowerSeller program?
5. How is the 98% positive Feedback score calculated to determine PowerSeller eligibility?
6. How do detailed seller ratings (DSRs) affect my PowerSeller status?
7. How do I improve my detailed seller ratings?
8. How can I move up to the next PowerSeller level?
9. How is my PowerSeller tier calculated?
10. What happens if I do not maintain the PowerSeller requirements for my current level?
11. Are there tools that can help me improve my sales?
12. How do I comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies?
13. How do I add the PowerSeller icon and logo to my listings?
14. I’ve tried to sign into the PowerSeller pages and I’m told I’m not qualified. What should I do?
15. Can International members join the US PowerSeller program?
16. Where can I find more information?

• PowerSeller Fee Discounts
• Unpaid Item Protection Program
• Expanded Seller Protection
  
• UPS Savings Program (login required)

1. Does it cost anything to join the eBay PowerSeller program?
There is no cost to join the PowerSeller program. Membership is FREE for eligible sellers.

2. Who is eligible to become a PowerSeller?
Every month, eBay calculates member sales data and identifies those who are eligible to be invited to the PowerSeller program. To qualify, members must:

• Uphold the eBay community values, including honesty, timeliness and mutual respect
• Meet the following average minimum sales requirement:
  • Three Month Requirement: a minimum of $1,000 in sales or 100 items per month, for three consecutive months
  • Annual Requirement: a minimum of $12,000 or 1,200 items for the prior twelve months
• Achieve the following minimum average of items sold:
  • Three Month Requirement: 2 items sold per month for the past 3 months (6 items)
  • Annual Requirement: 2 items sold per month for the past 12 months (24 items)
• Achieve an overall Feedback rating of 100, of which 98% or more is positive
• Have been an active member for 90 days
• Have an account in good financial standing
• Maintain a minimum of 4 average monthly listings for the past 3 months
• Comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies
• Effective July 2008, have maintained a minimum 4.5 or higher in all four detailed seller ratings (DSRs) for the past 12 months - item as described, communication, shipping time, and shipping and handling charges. In the case of PowerSellers that sell exclusively in Motor Vehicle categories or Half.com the following requirements apply:
  • Motor Vehicle categories - the requirement applies to item description and communication ratings only
  • Half.com - since Half.com does not use detailed seller ratings (DSRs), these sellers are exempted from the DSR requirement

3. How do I maintain my current PowerSeller status?
PowerSeller program eligibility is reviewed every month. To remain PowerSellers, members must:

• Uphold eBay community values, including honesty, timeliness, and mutual respect
• Maintain the minimum average monthly sales amount for your PowerSeller tier
• Maintain the minimum average number of items sold
• Maintain a 98% positive total feedback rating
• Maintain an account in good financial standing
• Comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies
• Effective July 2008, maintain a minimum rating of 4.5 or higher in all four detailed seller ratings (DSRs) - item as described, communication, shipping time, and shipping and handling charges (with the exceptions of Motors Vehicle categories and Half.com as described above).

4. What are the benefits to being in the PowerSeller Program?
PowerSellers enjoy exclusive benefits:

• Prioritized customer service via email, telephone or assigned account manager depending on PowerSeller tier
• PowerSeller discounts on Final Value Fees based on detailed seller ratings (DSRs)
• Unpaid item protection for Feature Fees
• Expanded seller protection on items paid through PayPal
• Increased visibility in Best Match searches based on detailed seller ratings (DSRs). This advantage also applies to sellers outside of the PowerSeller program
• Powerful Giving program - sellers can nominate their favorite charities for eBay Foundation donations
• Exclusive offers from third parties
  
• PowerSeller - only networking boards

5. How is the 98% positive Feedback score calculated to determine PowerSeller eligibility?
The positive Feedback rating for PowerSeller program eligibility is calculated the same way as the site Feedback rating visible on the Seller Information and Member Profile pages. The Feedback percentage is calculated:

• Based on the last 12 months
• Including repeat Feedback from members that have left Feedback for transactions that ended in different weeks
• By taking the total number of positive Feedbacks and dividing them by the total number of positive and negative Feedbacks.

6. How do detailed seller ratings (DSRs) affect my PowerSeller status?
Because detailed seller ratings (DSRs) enable buyers to rate specific aspects of their transactions - item as described, communication, shipping time, and shipping and handling charges - these ratings provide the best measure of customer satisfaction and the best way for eBay to identify good sellers.

Beginning in July 2008, PowerSellers that have one or more DSRs below 4.5 based on the DSRs for the previous 12 months will no longer be eligible to be part of the PowerSeller program. PowerSellers that sell exclusively on Half.com are exempted from the DSR requirement since there are no DSRs on Half.com.

PowerSellers that don't meet the 12-month requirement in July 2008, but who have been receiving PowerSeller fee discounts at 4.6 minimum DSR or higher every month since the discounts launched in April 2008, can stay in the PowerSeller program as long as they stay at 4.6 and above in all four ratings and meet the rest of the PowerSeller program requirements.

7. How do I improve my detailed seller ratings (DSRs)?
It is important to maintain excellent customer satisfaction on eBay, and DSRs give you a complete picture of how customers rate your performance and what you can do to improve. Learn more about detailed seller ratings (DSRs) and best practices for maintaining high DSRs. Good detailed seller ratings are a factor in your PowerSeller program status, your eligibility for PowerSeller fee discounts, and your eligibility for increased visibility in Best Match searches.

8. How do I move up to the next PowerSeller level?
To move up to the next PowerSeller level, you should:

• Continue to comply with all of the PowerSeller program criteria
• Reach and maintain the next tier’s minimum average monthly sales or items sold for the defined period (Three Month Requirement or Annual Requirement) across eBay's marketplaces: eBay.com, Half.com, and eBay Motors.

Make sure you are opted in to receive advanced selling communications for PowerSellers by mail, email, and telephone, by visiting the Notification Preferences area of your My eBay page.

eBay will automatically notify and congratulate you via email when you reach the next tier.

9. How is my PowerSeller tier calculated?

Every month eBay looks at your following past data:

• Sales volume for the prior 3 months
• Items sold for the prior 3 months
• Sales volume for the prior 12 months
• Items sold for the prior 12 months

However, if you violate the Shill Bidding policy or if you reach your limit of policy violations (see Question #9) within a 60-day period, you will lose your PowerSeller status. To regain your PowerSeller status, you must comply with eBay listing and marketplace policies over the next 60 days, and maintain compliance.

10. What happens if I do not maintain the PowerSeller requirements for my current level?
If your account falls below the program criteria, you will automatically receive an alert email. You will have 30 days to bring your account back into compliance. During this time, please feel free to contact us -- we can provide tips and education to help you maintain your PowerSeller status.If, after the 30-day grace period, your account still falls below the criteria, your status as a PowerSeller may be jeopardized. This won't prevent you from achieving PowerSeller status in the near future.

However, if you violate the Shill Bidding policy or if you reach your limit of policy violations (see Question #9) within a 60-day period, you will lose your PowerSeller status. To regain your PowerSeller status, you must comply with eBay listing and marketplace policies over the next 60 days, and maintain compliance.

11. Are there tools that can help me improve my sales?
Visit the PowerSeller Resources page to view a list of essential eBay tools to help you learn more about selling on eBay.

12. How do I comply with all eBay listing and marketplace policies?
To comply, you must not violate the Shill Bidding policy. In addition, violations of any eBay policies may result in the loss of PowerSeller status. The following limits apply:

	Bronze	4 violations in a 60-day period
	Silver/Gold	5 violations in a 60-day period
	Platinum	6 violations in a 60-day period
	Titanium	7 violations in a 60-day period

Examples of Policies:
Shill Bidding Excessive Shipping and Handling Accepted Payments Misrepresentation of Identity Transaction Interference Site Interference User Agreement violations that are     not List Practices	Keyword Spamming Links Policy Choice Listings Misleading Titles Payment Surcharges Spam No Item Listings Categorization of Listings

13. How do I add the PowerSeller icon and logo to my listings?
The PowerSeller icon next to your user ID can show buyers that you are an experienced seller. We recommend you display it with pride!

If you prefer not to display the icon, the option is located under My eBay --> eBay Preferences --> Seller Preferences.

You can also display the PowerSeller logo in your listings and on your About Me page. Full instructions are available in the Resources section of the PowerSeller portal.

14. I’ve tried to sign into the PowerSeller pages and I’m told I’m not qualified. What should I do?
eBay automatically sends invitations to eligible members each month. Please check your email inbox regularly if you think you are qualified. If you received an email and then get a “you are not qualified” message when you try to sign in, please refresh your screen and try again. If you are rejected again, please send an email to powersellersinfo@ebay.com explaining the situation. An eBay customer service representative will reply to you as soon as possible.

15. Can International members join the US PowerSeller program?
Yes, they can. However, some US program benefits may not apply to you due to geographic restrictions. Many of eBay’s international sites have PowerSeller programs (for example, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France). Check your local eBay site to see if your country has its own PowerSeller program.

16. Where can I find more information?
Bookmark and sign in to the PowerSeller portal pages and the PowerSeller Discussion Board frequently to read the latest news and take advantage of the most current PowerSeller-only promotions.