I was looking forward to the additional 10% discount on FVF this month on my sales after finally achieving Top Rated Seller status because my profits are razor thin to almost non-existent. However, I noticed that the discount wasnt being applied to any of my sales since I've been made Top Rated Seller and despite my listings all qualifying for Top Rated Seller Benefits. I know I should book-keep a little better so that I dont operate at a net zero or even a slight loss, BUT this is a side-hustle thing that i've started several months ago (although it consumes actually most of my time, and I've sacrificed most of my sleep since I do try packing all my orders with care, and have it ready to be shipped on the same or within 1 business day with or without top rated status. I just believe feel that if people are willing to place their trust in me and order from me, i should deliver them exceptional customer service).
So, I asked customer service why my final value fees weren't being discounted despite my listings and sales all being eligible for the Top Rated Seller discount. One agent took a look into my account and after waiting ~30-40 mins, I was told that it was because I was just made top rated seller (I just got it this month on the 20th), but that it should update in a few days and not to worry and that the discount will show later. I said thanks, and went on with my day.
I then asked the next day because i just wanted to double check, and one customer service agent told me, after waiting and re-explaining what exactly is going on, and them looking into my account for 30-40 mins, that it's because I made the listing before I was made a Top Rated Seller, and to be eligible for the discount, I would have to relist everything. I replied, I have over 100 listings, how does that make sense, and why should i need to end over 100 listings and relist them all? Why wouldnt the Top Rated Seller discount not just roll over especially when the listing shows I have the top rated seller badge?
I then got transferred to another agent, and another 30 or so minutes (I am seriously not exaggerating on the wait time), I was told that the first 30 days of being a Top Rated Seller, the discount doesn't apply. And that it will apply for all sales after the first month of being a Top Rated seller. I asked, "Why? Where does it say that on the website that the Top Rated Seller benefits do not apply for your first month?" I wasn't given a real answer, but at that point i was so tired of wasting my time and kind of convinced that most customer service agents don't have any idea on what they're saying on some topics, and will say whatever so that they can move on and have it be someone else's problem.
I'm inclined to believe that what the last agent told me is true, but I still don't understand why the first month of being a top rated seller doesnt make you eligible for the top rated seller discount. Isn't the whole idea of being a Top Rated Seller receiving the benefits of being a Top Rated Seller? Why even give me Top Rated Seller status if I dont even get the benefits of being a Top Rated Seller that month? It just feels almost like a tease, and kind of doesnt feel like it makes much sense that being the benefits you receive for being a Top Rated Seller does not apply for the first month you receive TRS status. I was really looking forward to it to because the month prior, the only thing that was holding me back during last month's evaluation was that I was exactly 1 sale short before the evaluation period was over. I've actually almost had 100 sales the last 30 days (the minimum requirement over a 3 or 6(?) month period or something like that) and was really working hard and looking forward to finally seeing maybe a little bit of light on the other side.
Just wanted confirm with other sellers if what I was told was true: Top Rated Seller benefits (well, the TRS discount) doesnt apply for your first month as a Top Rated Seller even if it says on your Seller Dashboard that your listings qualify for Top Rated Seller Benefits (including discount).
I couldn't find any information or eBay stating this anywhere, and after receiving 3 different answers from customer service, I don't think they (or at least most of the agents dont) know what they are saying.
I literally see on my Seller Dashboard:
"Save more on your final value fees
As a Top Rated Seller, you get 10% off final value fees, as well as a seal on your listings, when you offer same or 1 day handling time, and, for most categories, a free 30 day return policy. See exceptions.
117 of your active listings qualify for benefits".
I sell mostly trading cards and collectibles so I dont even need to offer returns to be eligible for a discount, but i offer it anyway. I honestly dont know why I sell on eBay with these fees, and the very time-consuming inefficient listing format, and was considering canceling more yearly store subscription early because i started selling on tcgplayer this past week, and I was surprised to see my fees were actually LOWER as a brand new level 1 seller account (free) than my fees on eBay WITH a store subscription. I believe fees get reduced the higher seller level you are on tcgplayer as well too. Inventory and pricing is 100x easier and time efficient compared to eBay, and i'm so tempted to walk away, but I feel like I've sunk SO much time and effort on this platform that I don't want it to feel like a complete waste. Plus if I cancel my store subscription like 8 months early, the cancellation fee is gonna be huge.
Sorry for my long, probably incoherent rant, i'm sleep deprived, and i think i probably deep down wanted a place to vent my frustrations with selling on ebay. Basically, just wanted to hear directly from other Top Rated Sellers that can confirm whether or not what the customer service rep told me about top rated seller discount not applying for the first month you're made a top rated seller.
I apologize for this massive wall of text. Ty for your time esp if you made it this far, and ty in advance if you can give me a straight forward answer. i'm heading off to bed and will check answers when i get up if there are any. I know im going to wake up and re-read this (probably) incoherent post and feel embarrassed that i actually typed all this as if I were an angry teenager instead of just going to bed or just getting straight to the point. I dont know if i am posting on the right thread or category, i just clicked on some link from one of the FAQ pages, and at this point, i dont care and have enough energy to find out whether or not im posting under the right category. Ty and gnight.
wooden_flower Volunteer Community Mentor.
disneyshopper
