Online Workshop: Key changes for sellers selling on US site,10 Sep 4-5 PM

[sapana@ebay.com]

Dear Members,

As you must be aware, in the last week of September, lot of changes will be rolled out on eBay.com and other eBay international sites. These changes will significantly impact business for sellers selling to international buyers. Click Here to see the details.

We are conducting this workshop to help you understand those changes and how you need to change your business strategy to benefit from the changes. Details:

Workshop Topic: Key Changes for sellers selling to International buyers
Workshop Date: 10th September 2009
Workshop TIme: 4 - 5 PM

Please post your questions in advance or attend the workshop on Thursday, 10th September 2009 from 4 PM – 5 PM on this link.

Looking forward to the interaction!

Regards,
Sapana

[sharat@ebay.com]

What are the changes to search enhancements?

The are as follows:

- Changes to best match which considers and impressions and sales for FP
- Auction listing still get a boost in exposure as they end
- New guidelines for Auction sytle listings with BIN
- Listing features discontinued to save money and focus on relevance
- Product pages rolling to more buyers get credit for product pictures

[sharat@ebay.com]

I am only selling on India would these impact on India also?

No, currently these changes which are announced on US is applicable for sellers listing on the US and would not be applicable on other sites( unless they are specifically specified on the respective site)

[sharat@ebay.com]

I am currently listing on India and use the International Listing Feature , would these changes have any impact?

No, there would not be any changes when you are listing on India – other than those announced in our pricing changes - click here

However as the features used on India site along with International Listing Fee would not be visible on US

Ex: Listing with Bold and Border taken along with International Listing Fee

What happens

On India site - both Bold and Border will be highlighted

On US site - As International Listing Fee has been taken it would apprear but the bold and border will not be highlighted

[sharat@ebay.com]

What is the Top Rated Seller?

New eBay Top-rated seller status: It's not sales volume that distinguishes quality of service. That's why, starting in October, a new PowerSeller status—eBay Top-rated seller—will highlight and reward those sellers creating the best buyer experiences.

•eBay Top-rated sellers will earn top rewards: 20% fee discounts, exclusive promotion in search results for Fixed Price listings, exclusive ability to purchase Featured First, and a prominent Top-rated seller badge on their item pages.

•PowerSellers of all levels, from Bronze to Titanium, can qualify as eBay Top-rated sellers if they have at least 100 transactions and $3,000 sales in the past year, and low DSRs (1s and 2s) on no more than 0.50% of all transactions with U.S. buyers on each of their 4 DSRs.

•To ensure that lower-volume sellers (fewer than 400 annual transactions) can be included as Top-rated sellers, two instances of 1s or 2s on each of the four DSRs will be allowed before the 0.50% requirement is applied.

•The time period over which a seller's low DSRs are evaluated will depend on sales volume: For sellers with 400 or more transactions over the past 3 months, it's 3 calendar months. For all other sellers, it's 12 calendar months.

•Until April 2010, the current PowerSeller discount structure based on average 30-day DSRs will also continue: 20% for 4.9; 15% for 4.8; and 5% for 4.6. PowerSellers will continue to get those discounts through April 2010 as long as they continue to meet the 30-day DSR requirements. This gives PowerSellers eight full months to keep those discounts while they evaluate and adjust their business practices to meet the new requirements.

[sharat@ebay.com]

What are the new standards for all eBay sellers?

Beginning in October, the current 4.3 minimum average DSR requirement will be replaced with new requirements based on a seller's incidence of DSR 1s and 2s on transactions with U.S. buyers:

In October, all eBay sellers will be required to have 1s or 2s for item as described on no more than 3.00% of transactions, and on a maximum of 4.00% of transactions for communication, 4.00% for shipping time, and 4.00% for shipping and handling charges.

To ensure sellers—especially lower-volume sellers—are not penalized as the result of just one low rating, it will take at least four instances of low DSRs (1s or 2s) in one DSR for consequences to be applied.

In April 2010, the standards will be stricter. All eBay sellers will be required to have 1s or 2s for item as described on no more than 1.00% of transactions, and no more than 2.00% of transactions for communication, 2.00% for on shipping time, and 2.00% on shipping and handling charges.

To ensure sellers—especially lower-volume sellers—are not penalized as the result of just one low rating, it will take at least four instances of low DSRs (1s or 2s) in one DSR for this requirement to apply.

[sharat@ebay.com]

What are the changes in the way DSR are considered

Only transactions on DSR's with US buyers will be considered

- Low DRS will be the measure - 1's and 2's
- Transactions and DSR's from repeat buyers will count
- Low DSR's for volume sellers ( >400 transaction/3months), others 12 calendar months for all other sellers

The rate of 1s or 2s on DSRs will be caluculated as below

Rate = # of transactions with a 1 or 2 on DSR / Total Trascations

Note: Total Transactions = ALL transactions and not just those where DSR's are received

[sharat@ebay.com]

What is the Selling Practices Policy?

This is towards setting standards on professionalism including:

Item Details and Description: Listings descriptions must be professional in both language and tone, accurately detail item condition, product details, etc. and may not include conflicting information

Terms and Conditions: Sellers must include terms and conditions and uphold the stated terms, with no disclaimers of a seller’s responsibility

Product Availability: Sellers are responsible for ensuring items are available for sale for the duration of the listing and not out of stock or sold elsewhere

Shipping and Related Charges: Sellers will continue to be required to charge only reasonable shipping and handling fees

Shipping and Handling Time: Sellers will need to specify their handling time

Returns: Sellers will be required to clearly state their return policy

[sharat@ebay.com]

How do I ensure my product gets visibility when Best Match is used?

For most sellers, the best practices to get visibility in search results haven’t changed, but there are some new insights that may help you take your business to the next level.

Stick to the basics. List in the right format and the right categories, write accurate and relevant titles, offer good prices and reasonable shipping, use item specifics, and provide good service

There are lot of tips to know more click here

[sharat@ebay.com]

Dear kan_79

As you correctly mentioned and under the current guidelines laid our for the Top Rated Seller on US you would qualfiy

The feedback is also to be given by US buyer only to qualify for Top Rated Seller as this is currently launching on US.

On India site the current Power Seller badge will continue for all seller who qualify the Power Seller criteria

Regards

Sharat

[sharat@ebay.com]

Dear Community Members

I hope you all will find the below informaiton useful

Please post any further question on this topic and my team and I would be happy to give the relevant answers

Regards

Sharat:-)