| In this article |
 | |
Top-rated sellers are PowerSellers who consistently provide the best buying experiences to their customers. Whether you have a large volume of sales or a smaller volume, you can be a Top-rated seller. The requirements and benefits are the same for most categories, with the exception of Motors vehicle categories.
Top-rated seller benefits
Top-rated sellers receive the following privileges and benefits:
Priority customer support
Expanded seller protection from PayPal
A badge on listing pages 
Be sure to look at your Seller Dashboard to check your current average ratings, status, and discount level.
What are the requirements?
To become a Top-rated seller you need to:
Have at least 100 transactions and $3,000 in sales during the last 12 months with US buyers.
Meet the following requirements for detailed seller ratings (DSRs):
DSR category |
Percentage of 1 and 2 ratings |
Maximum number of occurrences |
Item as described |
0.50% |
2 |
Communication |
0.50% |
2 |
Shipping time |
0.50% |
2 |
Shipping and handling charges |
0.50% |
2 |
Notes:
Sellers with 400 or more transactions over the past 3 months are evaluated on their transactions with US buyers from the last 3 calendar months. For all other sellers, the rate is calculated from transactions with US buyers over the last 12 calendar months.
To measure your overall performance accurately, we count 1 and 2 ratings only if they come from 2 or more buyers within any given evaluation period. If you have more than 400 transactions, 3 or more buyers must leave low detailed seller ratings before they are counted.
Meet the following eBay Buyer Protection and PayPal Buyer Protection cases standards:
Rates of cases based on |
Percentage of cases |
Maximum number of occurrences |
Opened cases |
0.50% |
2 |
Closed cases without seller resolution |
0.30% |
2 |
Notes:
Sellers with 400 or more transactions over the past 3 months are evaluated on their transactions with US buyers from the last 3 calendar months. For all other sellers, the rate is calculated from transactions with US buyers over the last 12 calendar months.
To measure your overall performance accurately, we count cases only if they come from 2 or more buyers within any given evaluation period. If you have more than 400 transactions, 3 or more buyers must open cases before they are counted.
Getting ready for changes to the Top-rated seller requirements
We know that shipping items quickly and having a clear return policy are important to eBay buyers. To reflect this, we'll be making some changes to our Top-rated seller requirements on June 1, 2012:
Starting June 1, only listings from Top-rated sellers that include 1-day handling and a minimum 14-day return policy with a money-back option will qualify for the greatest exposure in search results, and 20% final value fee discounts.
Note: If a Top-rated seller chooses not offer 1-day handling or a 14-day return policy, that seller's listings will continue to receive some additional search exposure and a Top-rated seller badge.
A new requirement will be added for Top-rated seller eligibility – Tracking upload. Beginning May 1, Tracking or Delivery Confirmation numbers must be uploaded to eBay on at least 90% of your shipments to US buyers within your stated handling time in order for you to continue to qualify as a Top-rated seller.
The annual sales requirement for Top-rated status will be lowered from $3,000 to $1,000 to expand eligibility to more sellers who provide great service.
These changes will be evaluated and reflected in your June 20 performance evaluation.
Follow these best practices to make sure you're prepared to meet buyer expectations for the 2 key services that earn you the top rewards:
Make sure you can fulfil your orders within the time promised and fulfil orders within 1 day when possible.
Upload tracking on all of your orders. Use eBay label printing to automatically upload tracking to eBay. USPS Delivery Confirmation for First Class Package service is now free.
Offer a return policy that is 14 days or longer—we suggest 30 days.
Learn more about the upcoming changes.
Becoming a Top-rated seller in Motors vehicles categories
Some requirements and benefits that apply to sellers in other categories aren't applicable to vehicle sales, so Top-rated seller status requirements for vehicle sellers are unique. Only vehicle transactions with US buyers count toward Top-rated seller status in Motors vehicle categories. All other transactions—including transactions in eBay Motors Parts & Accessories—are evaluated by the Top-rated seller program requirements.
To achieve the Top-rated seller status in Motors vehicle categories, you need to:
Have at least 40 vehicle transactions with US buyers during the most recent 12-month period.
Meet the detailed seller ratings standards: You can't receive a 1 or a 2 on more than 2 transactions or 1% of transactions during the past 12 months.
Maintain a low rate of vehicle transactions that result in a Vehicle Purchase Protection claim filed against you over the last 12 months.
Be registered with eBay for at least 90 days, and make sure your account is in good standing (not past due).
As a Top-rated seller in Motors vehicles, you'll receive the following benefits:
A prominent badge on your Motors vehicle listings, Feedback Profile, Motors vehicle search results pages, and My eBay
Qualifying for Top-rated seller status on other eBay sites
You can become a Top-rated seller in the US, UK, and Germany based on your transactions with buyers in those countries. US sellers may receive the Top-rated Seller badge and greater on average search placement if they meet the criteria for the UK and German Top-rated Seller programs. For example, if you are a US seller selling to the UK, you can qualify for UK Top-rated seller status based on your UK performance rating, which is based on your transactions with UK buyers.
US sellers who meet Top-rated seller requirements based on global performance standards will receive promotion in search and the Top-rated seller badge on these eBay sites. For example, if you are a US seller selling in France, you can qualify for these Top-rated seller benefits based on your global performance rating, which is based on your transactions with buyers in all countries. Learn more about global seller performance standards.
Important: Sellers who live in the US aren't eligible for Top-rated seller discounts or sales offered by other eBay sites, even if they participate in those programs. To qualify for discounts for sales through those sites, a seller must reside in the UK or Germany and be a Top-rated Seller in the UK or Germany program. Also, only sellers who reside in US or Canada are eligible for the 20% final value fee discount on eBay.com and eBay Motors listings.
