eBay

ijazzu · ‎04-23-2018

I feel like I've just got punched in the stomach by eBay and I can't catch my breath. I can't imagine how eBay can tell their 5 stars , 100% feedback for years, Top Rated Sellers sorry but we know you've never had a problem with an international sale but because your under a 100 sales ( and Not by much) you are now no longer Top Rated Globally. It doesn't matter that your dashboard is flawless and you use GSP, we just have to take way your Global reputation because your sales are down internationally.

So if you do have an international sale from a listing that in the USA has a Top Rated Plus badge, the badge will be gone internationally, you will not be getting any discount like you would if it sold in the USA. BUT....here's the good news, since the USA listing has to have FREE returns to get the TRP badge, if it's sold internationally they get free returns as well. So if an International buyer purchased with GSP changed there mind, you get to pay for the return shipping.

So after 17 years, 365 days a year without an International problem, I will no longer be able to sell Internationally....Thank You eBay for letting me know how you really feel. Thank you for showing me how my hard work and dedication to you and my buyers pays off.

fern*wood · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:
Yes, I'm afraid you do and why it's not going to be profitable to sell Internationally anymore. Since I'm a small seller the international return shipping would wipe me out. It's kind of a catch 22, lose the badge for USA buyers or Keep the badge and stop selling Internationally. Either way, it's not a win and no loyalty to long time good sellers or fair to the new good sellers.

This is a quote from the Spring Seller Update on the returns:

"You will also have the flexibility to set different return policies for domestic and international returns. For example, you can choose to offer free returns domestically, and in the same listing, offer paid returns to international buyers."

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fern*wood · ‎04-23-2018

I'm pretty sure you don't have to offer free returns for international sales even if you do choose to offer them domestically.

mg152 · ‎04-23-2018

According to Ebay free returns is free returns. Domestic & international

Patricia
eBay member for 25 years

ijazzu · ‎04-23-2018

Yes, I'm afraid you do and why it's not going to be profitable to sell Internationally anymore. Since I'm a small seller the international return shipping would wipe me out. It's kind of a catch 22, lose the badge for USA buyers or Keep the badge and stop selling Internationally. Either way, it's not a win and no loyalty to long time good sellers or fair to the new good sellers.

emerald40 · ‎04-23-2018

JMO, but the badge is not worth selling internationally if your product is high priced.

Dealing with US scams is hard enough.

And if you use a carrier with all the bells and whistles for safety, that can mean another $100+ to pay to get it back to you.

fern*wood · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:
Yes, I'm afraid you do and why it's not going to be profitable to sell Internationally anymore. Since I'm a small seller the international return shipping would wipe me out. It's kind of a catch 22, lose the badge for USA buyers or Keep the badge and stop selling Internationally. Either way, it's not a win and no loyalty to long time good sellers or fair to the new good sellers.

This is a quote from the Spring Seller Update on the returns:

"You will also have the flexibility to set different return policies for domestic and international returns. For example, you can choose to offer free returns domestically, and in the same listing, offer paid returns to international buyers."

tunicaslot · ‎04-23-2018

OP - you only lost TRS+ on the global. I know you're upset but due to the high postage costs - whether you use GSP or not - sales are going to be down. I'm sure you still have good placement because many sellers refuse to ship internationally.

As fern said - you can opt out of the free returns for international sales.

Also there are rules where ever you go - I had to spend $20 in order to get that gal of milk for $1.59 today. The store doesn't car that I've been shopping there for 30 years and have given them 10's of thousands of dollars. Don't upset yourself over the little things.

ripcityresell · ‎04-23-2018

Global Top Rated doesn't mean squat.

ittybitnot · ‎04-23-2018

So if an International buyer purchased with GSP changed there mind, you get to pay for the return shipping.

Basically, you have to do that now. All the buyer has to do is claim the item is not as described. Since a US seller cannot print international return postage, ebay requires that the seller forward $$$ for return shipping via PayPal. If the buyer doesn't ship back, they get to keep the refund anyway.

the only difference I see is that with the free seller funded return program, buyers no longer need to lie to get return shipping paid by the seller.

ijazzu · ‎04-23-2018

Thank you, The account specialist I was talking to had told me I could not op out of free returns internationally if I had free return domestically. That is why I was so upset, it's one thing if I lost my TRS I would at least know I tried my best. It's another to have it taken from you for doing nothing wrong. So my point with the rep was if I don't have the badge on International sites, why would I need to offer free international returns?

I get the point about the cost of everything is going up, I just don't understand why my reputation went out the window. What purpose does that serve eBay? International sales have been down since tracking became mandatory. For over a decade I consistently had hundreds of International sales a year without a problem but since I've only had 77 international sale in the last 12 months.

I'm no longer: "You're one of the best sellers on eBay, providing a great experience for customers"

I'm now: You're meeting at least our minimum standard for sellers, and looking after your customers well.

Only because I'm short 23 sales????? I know this is stupid but, it's my business and my reputation is important to me. I'm more insulted then upset, you get tried of being insulted after this many years of pouring your heart and soul into something you care about. I totally unerstand I'm certainly not alone, just needed to vent....

Thanks

southern*sweet*tea · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:

Only because I'm short 23 sales????? I know this is stupid but, it's my business and my reputation is important to me. I'm more insulted then upset, you get tried of being insulted after this many years of pouring your heart and soul into something you care about. I totally unerstand I'm certainly not alone, just needed to vent....

This is very simple. Aside from meeting seller standards, the requirements for TRS are 100 sales and $1000 per year. Either you meet the sales totals, or you don't. It is not personal. It is not an insult. It is business. The criteria are the same for everyone. You are still just as good a seller as you were before. Your excellence is not based on some silly badge.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:
Thank you, The account specialist I was talking to had told me I could not op out of free returns internationally if I had free return domestically. That is why I was so upset, it's one thing if I lost my TRS I would at least know I tried my best. It's another to have it taken from you for doing nothing wrong. So my point with the rep was if I don't have the badge on International sites, why would I need to offer free international returns?

I get the point about the cost of everything is going up, I just don't understand why my reputation went out the window. What purpose does that serve eBay? International sales have been down since tracking became mandatory. For over a decade I consistently had hundreds of International sales a year without a problem but since I've only had 77 international sale in the last 12 months.
I'm no longer: "You're one of the best sellers on eBay, providing a great experience for customers"
I'm now: You're meeting at least our minimum standard for sellers, and looking after your customers well.
Only because I'm short 23 sales????? I know this is stupid but, it's my business and my reputation is important to me. I'm more insulted then upset, you get tried of being insulted after this many years of pouring your heart and soul into something you care about. I totally unerstand I'm certainly not alone, just needed to vent....

Thanks

Op, I wish I could say something that would make this better for you. I can only say, try to not let this bother you...although I understand and I know it hurts...

luckythewinner · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:
I feel like I've just got punched in the stomach by eBay and I can't catch my breath. I can't imagine how eBay can tell their 5 stars , 100% feedback for years, Top Rated Sellers sorry but we know you've never had a problem with an international sale but because your under a 100 sales ( and Not by much) you are now no longer Top Rated Globally.

So you are saying that because you meet some of the requirements, eBay should waive the rest of them?

No matter where they set the requirements for Top Rated, someone will always be close but not quite there. What is the point of having requirements if you don't adhere to them?

Everyone gets a trophy! Everyone is above average! Everyone is Top Rated!

I have never been Top Rated globally, and it hasn;t affected my ability to sell internationally at all. No one has denied me a "global reputation".

tunicaslot · ‎04-23-2018

Vent away - that's what we're here for and there are days we all are annoyed due to a return - a policy ect.. but Ebay has rules and regs they've implemented and if you don't make that cut off number - no matter who you are - you lose.

As I said earlier - most buyers don't even look at badges and ratings let alone feedback of sellers. That's why you'll continue to see a seller with a 90% or less feeback rating still selling - buyers only see the price and don't bother to look to see whether other buyers question the quality, shipping time, or customer service of that seller.

You have high standards for yourself and have worked hard to obtain what you have - but no one is at fault here - neither you because you weren't able to generate enough over seas sales nor Ebay because they have a set policy in place.

I didn't bother to see what you sold and if it might not be cheaper to not use GSP and mail internationally on your own which may increase sales. I myself ony use GSP even tho it's probably wiser to just do my own international shipping. I never even consider whether I'm TRS+ or not for global sales - I'm just happy to make a sale and clear out one more item from my inventory.

Things will be OK - TRS badge or not!

livadia · ‎04-23-2018

@ijazzu wrote:
Thank you, The account specialist I was talking to had told me I could not op out of free returns internationally if I had free return domestically. That is why I was so upset, it's one thing if I lost my TRS I would at least know I tried my best. It's another to have it taken from you for doing nothing wrong. So my point with the rep was if I don't have the badge on International sites, why would I need to offer free international returns?

@Anonymous

Looks like another coaching/training opportunity...