You're thinking of Top Rated Plus, which is a listing designation (not a seller status, though you must be a Top Rated Seller to take advantage of it), and requires shorter handling times and certain return policies.
To become a Top Rated Seller, you must meet the following guidelines:
- An eBay account that’s been active for at least 90 days.
- 100 or more transactions and $1,000 in sales during the last 12 months with US buyers.
- A defect rate less than or equal to 0.5%, with three or fewer defects from unique buyers.
- Cases closed without seller resolution less than or equal to 0.3%, and two or fewer cases.
- A late shipment rate less than or equal to 3%, and five or fewer late shipments.
- Tracking uploaded within your stated handling time, and carrier validation for 95% of transactions to US buyers.
No one is being punished, if they don't meet the requirements they're not a TRS, and that's just the way it's always been since this was introduced. Definitely no legal issue, I don't know what would prompt you to even suggest that.
