Tracking of Low Value Items vs
Summary: wildlife55 is concerned about the negative impact on their "Top Rated Seller" status from not using tracking on low-value items due to cost concerns. janet9988 suggests using a separate account without a store subscription for such sales. christworks questions the value of the "Top Rated Seller" status and points out the limitations of the benefits it provides, suggesting that if the current setup works better, it might be wise to continue without worrying about the status.
Tracking of low value items versus - Top Rated Seller status ....
So when I sell a low value item and send it out 1st Class ... and do NOT add Tracking to it ... I get "dinged" on my "Top Rated Seller" Status for not having Tracking ... but for these items Tracking is too expensive ... and ROI turns negative .... is there a way to continue selling these otherwise great low value items AND avoid getting "dinged" for using 1st Class USPS mailings instead ????
And ... this is not the type of item where you might typically lot several together and sell at a higher overall price to cover Tracking ....
What are my options ??
Wildlife55
christworks
·2 weeks ago · Edited@wildlife55 I think you need to ask yourself why you want Top Rated Status. What do you feel you get out of it that being one step below doesn't give you?
For the sake of what I'm about to say, I'm going to assume the Plymouth keychain is an example of the type of a "great low value item."
With TRS eBay says you get "enhanced visibility." They do not define what that is. We know it doesn't involve a badge because that is for TRS+. Does it mean you show up in search more often organically? How do we know those listings do? eBay provides no metrics that say, "Hey, seller, listing X was shown 10x more times than the Advanced rated seller who sells the exact item you do."
I personally do not put any stock in eBay's "enhanced visibility" when they don't even define what it is. "Enhanced" is a buzzword and it sounds cool, so some marketing geek had the attorneys put it in there.
eBay also says you get "exclusive seller protections" for being TRS. Let's look at what those are:
You get a return shipping credit of up to $6 for false INAD claims. This benefit is not automatic. You must first report the buyer, then follow up with eBay and "remind" them you are owed the credit. I don't even bother with that because it is not worth my time chasing $6. If eBay really wanted to to make TRS something special, the refund would include the full amount of return shipping and it would be automatic. They would also give TRS sellers the ability to block buyers whom they've determined lied about the return reason.
The other "exclusive seller protection" you get is the ability to reduce the refund. But if you are TRS you must also have 30 day returns, even if they are buyer paid returns. Your listing is set to no returns accepted, so you actually do not get this protection.
When you look at it, it makes very little sense to aim for TRS unless you are going to accept returns. Of course, eBay wants you to do that which is why they have TRS set up the way they do. If you are going to accept returns, you might as well adjust the handling to one day and accept free returns, then reap the benefits selling fee savings. Otherwise, if you feel no returns and 2 handling works best for you, I would not worry with being TRS. I'd keep doing what you are doing be content with Advance and keep using your current account that has some history.
I am generally pro eBay in my posts. I think they strike out on TRS though due to ill defined benefits and a lack of meaningful benefits.
janet9988
·2 weeks agoOpen up another account without a store subscription and just sell those items in which you want to use the cheap shipping option.
wildlife55
OP2 weeks agoThat might work ... I do have a second account that is NOT a store ... I just haven't used it much. Will check that option out.
J