Highlights

• Earlier this year, the eBay Top Rated seller requirements and rewards were updated to keep pace with consumer expectations and reward the services today’s online buyers want most: prompt shipping with access to tracking information and a good return policy. The sales requirement was also lowered to allow sellers of more sizes to achieve the rewards of being Top Rated.
• As always, eBay sellers delivered, updating their listings and selling practices to stay competitive.
  • By mid July, the percentage of all eBay purchases that were from Top Rated sellers with tracking uploaded on at least 90% of their US transactions, and included 1-day handling and a 14-day or longer money-back return policy, was growing rapidly.
  • Overall, more than 76% of items purchased offered 14-day or longer money-back returns and more than 66% had 1-day handling. Your efforts are paying off and buyers are responding.
• Starting this November, eBay will acknowledge your efforts and highlight your listings with 1-day handling and 14-day or longer returns with a new Top Rated Plus seal. This new seal will help buyers spot listings with the services they want. The current badge will be retired for all categories except Motors Vehicles.
• As a Top Rated seller, it’s still your choice—you can choose to offer these services on some or all of your listings. However, the Top Rated Plus seal will only appear on your listings with these services.
• The Feedback profile page of all Top Rated sellers will include this recognition: “Top Rated: Seller with highest buyer ratings.”

Take Action

• Continue the great service that qualifies you for Top Rated status and then maximize your benefits.
  • To keep your Top Rated seller status, continue to provide great service and meet all the requirements. Be sure to upload tracking information or Delivery Confirmation on 90% or more of your US transactions within your stated handling time.
  • Maximize your benefits as a Top Rated seller by offering 1-day handling and a 14-day or longer return policy with money-back option on as many listings as possible. These listings will earn a 20% final value fee discount, the highest average boost in Best Match, and the new Top Rated Plus seal.
  • Check Selling Reminders on your My eBay All Selling page or in the new Listing Improvement section of your Selling Manager summary page to see which listings need to be updated to meet these new standards, and then easily edit those listings in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s changing with the eBay Top Rated seller seal?

A new Top Rated Plus seal will clearly identify listings from Top Rated sellers that offer minimum 14-day returns with money-back option and 1-day handling. The current badge will be retired for all categories except Motors Vehicles. This will enable customers to quickly spot the listings offering the services they want most. The new seal will reinforce the fact that these important services are widely available when you choose to shop and buy on eBay.

What will the new Top Rated Plus seal look like?

In some locations buyers will also see the following message to help them understand what service benefits they can expect from items with the seal:

Look for new Top Rated Plus items:

• From experienced sellers with highest buyer ratings
• 14+ day returns, money back
• Ships within one business day with tracking

Will buyers be able to identify Top Rated sellers in any other way?

Top Rated sellers will continue to receive recognition on the Feedback profile page.

Top Rated: Seller with highest buyer ratings

• Proven track record of excellent service
• Ships quickly, with tracking provided on over 90% of items sold
• Has a minimum of 100 selling transactions per year

Why is eBay making this change?

The new Top Rated Plus seal will enable buyers to quickly spot the listings offering the services they want most. The new seal will reinforce the fact that these important services are widely available when you choose to shop and buy on eBay.

When will the new Top Rated Plus seal start appearing on listings?

Starting in November 2012, the new eBay Top Rated Plus seal will appear on Top Rated seller listings that offer 1-day handling and a 14-day or longer return policy with money-back option.

Will the current Top Rated seller badge continue?

No, when the new Top Rated Plus seal appears in November, the current Top-rated seller badge will be retired and will no longer be used in any category except Motors Vehicles.

Where will the new seal be placed?

Beginning in November 2012, the new seal will appear on Top Rated seller listings with 1-day handling and 14-day or longer returns with money-back option, in search results, and other key spots.

Can I still choose not to offer 1-day handling and minimum 14-day returns with money-back option without impact to my Top Rated status?

Yes, as a Top Rated seller you can choose whether or not to add those services to some or all of your listings. However, only those listings with 1-day handling and 14-day or longer returns with money-back option will display the seal, receive the greatest average boost in Best Match, and receive a 20% final value fee discount.

What happens to my listings that don’t have 1-day handling or 14-day or longer returns with money-back option?

If you are a Top Rated seller, your listings will continue to have some additional exposure but will not receive the new seal and the 20% final value fee discount. You will continue to receive recognition on your Feedback profile as a Top Rated seller.

Is the badge changing in the Motors Vehicles category?

No, Listings from sellers meeting the Motors Vehicles Top-rated seller requirements will continue to display the original Top-rated seller badge. The updates announced in February do not apply to the Motors Vehicles Top-rated seller program.

What about other pages besides search results and item pages that now show the Top-rated seller badge such as My World page and my Store?

All current placements of the Top-rated seller badge on other pages will be discontinued in all categories except Motors Vehicles. These pages will only show the new seal in direct association with listings with 1-day handling and a minimum 14-day return policy with a money-back option. However, Top Rated sellers will be recognized on their Feedback profile page as receiving the highest buyer ratings.

How do I qualify to be a Top Rated seller and get the discounts and greatest average boost in Best match?

• Upload tracking on 90% or more of your transactions with US buyers within your promised handling time
• Offer minimum 14-day returns with money back option
• Provide 1-day handling time
• See all requirements

How do I offer returns?

When listing an item, you will need to indicate that returns are accepted and specify your returns policy. You have the option to pay the return shipping costs or require the buyer to pay the return shipping costs. In addition, you can specify the terms of accepting a return, including setting a basic restocking fee or specifying that items must be returned in original condition. See the Create your Return Policy.

How do I specify 1-day handling?

When listing an item, choose a handling time of ‘one business day’. This means you will need to ship the item within one business day after receiving cleared payment. For example, if you specify 1-day handling time and a buyer pays for an item on Tuesday, you have until 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday to upload a tracking number. For an order paid for on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, a tracking number must be uploaded by 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time on Monday. Weekends and holidays will not be considered a ‘business day. Learn More.