The new absurd rules of Ebay - "Unless you use every service we offer in every way, you will be punished"

Please read the email they sent me, it's ridiculous.


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Satisfied buyers mean more sales for you!


Spring Seller Update: New seller standards reward great service

Dear (my ebay user name):

Updates coming to seller performance standards will recognize and reward sellers who are most responsible for keeping buyers on eBay.

Starting with the regularly scheduled August 20 seller evaluation, a new measurement, your transaction defect rate, will replace the current four detailed seller rating requirements used to evaluate your seller performance.

Your defect rate is simply the percentage of your transactions over the most recent evaluation period with one or more of the top predictors that a buyer will leave eBay or purchase less, such as an opened eBay Money Back Guarantee case, a return because the item wasn't as described, or negative or neutral feedback.

As of the last seller evaluation on February 20, your defect rate is above the 5% maximum expected of eBay sellers. I encourage you to start now on some focused improvements to lower it.

A low defect rate is important because it indicates whether your buyers consistently receive the item they expect, when they expect it. Buyers won't see your defect rate, but eBay will. With a defect rate higher than 5%, your listings won't have an optimal position Best Match search results. You may be also be notified of limits or restrictions to your selling privileges when the new requirement takes effect August 20.

I know you want to provide great service to your buyers. Please take some time to get familiar with the new performance standards—especially tips for maintaining a low defect rate.

Track your status in your new seller dashboard
Starting the week of April 16, you'll get an up-to-date preview of how you're tracking toward the new standards in your new seller dashboard. Your dashboard will be fully updated with the new standards on August 20.

Where to focus based on your recent selling
In the meantime, based on your recent selling history and the factors included in the new defect rate, pay special attention to these basic services all buyers expect:

Be sure to upload valid tracking information when you ship—that means that eBay has access to at least one package scan. This is your best protection in the event of a case for item not received or a low rating for ship time. Also, starting with the August 20 evaluation, to meet the tracking upload requirement for Top Rated Sellers, 90% of your tracking numbers must have a carrier scan that is validated by eBay.

Note, only tracking numbers from USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL Global Express are validated with scan information. Take a minute to review the services offered by these carriers. You may also want to take some extra care to make sure you're entering the numbers accurately.

The best way to ensure you meet this requirement is to print your shipping labels on eBay. You get discounted rates and tracking is uploaded to eBay automatically.

Note, the new defect rate is designed simply to identify transactions where something was not quite right. Each transaction can only count once toward your defect rate, regardless of the number of defects associated with it. When your buyers consistently get the items they expect when they expect them, your defect rate will reflect it—so focus on the basics of good customer service.

Capture sales with easy returns
Recent and future updates to eBay hassle-free returns—including a clear message to buyers on your item page—makes it easier than ever to win more potential sales with your confidence-inspiring return policy.

Category and item specifics updates
As always, changes to categories and item specifics are included with the rest of seller updates. Changes are coming the week of April 7 in these categories.
Find out if your listings are affected.

Business & Industrial
Cell Phones and Accessories
Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
Coins & Paper Money
Collectibles
Dolls & Bears
Health & Beauty
Home & Garden
Jewelry & Watches
Motors
Pet Supplies
Sporting Goods
Sports Memorabilia
Stamps
Travel

More information

Get details on the 2014 Spring Seller Update.
Use the Seller Checklist to stay on top of important dates.
Find out how you can update your listings quickly and efficiently with
bulk editing tools.
For additional insight, you're also invited to talk with members of my staff during the next two days on a special discussion board we've set up for this purpose. Join me and other leaders from eBay in a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, March 12, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm PST.
Register now for a special online workshop for valuable tips on what you can do right now to stay on top with the new standards. Chose the date that's best for you: Thursday, March 13, 1:00 pm PST
Wednesday, March 26, 11:00 am PST.

As always, thank you for selling on eBay.

Sincerely,
Michael Jones
Vice President,
Merchant Development


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I have one negative feedback in the last seven years of ebay. I make huge use of ebay. It apparently now is up to ME whether they stay on ebay or not? Apparently that makes me below the threshold. I also have to use THEIR shipping labels if I want to remain in the top results? Get the fuck out of here Ebay.