I sell 30-50 items but multiple qty, do i need a store? starter/basic? TOP RATED - USELESS?

[eatupenergy]

Hi All!

I've been on eBay for 10 or so years, past 3-4 have really ramped up to 70-90k/yr. I initially signed up for the basic store (currently about $22/mo with "250 listings with no listing fee") and worked my way up to power seller for the original 20% (2%***) discount on fees against the rigorous requirements at the time. I recently noticed that the discount is now only 10% (which has been for a while it seems) and the requirements have gone up as well in regards to return requirements. Thus rendering the rewards absolutely useless in the scheme of things in my opinion.

I have a solid 30-50 items TOPS that I sell at any given time but with qtys from 1-20. I enjoy the 30day listing and out of stock feature but I don’t know if this is a store feature or not. Does this mean I’m overpaying for the “250” items offer for an old basic store, maybe downgrade to the ‘new’ starter store.

I’m pretty set on giving up being a top rated seller, that’s a joke in my book, I bust my butt to save 1%... - NO THANKS, I also no longer feel the need for the shipping supplies coupon bc their items have dwindled to 2-3 box sizes, 2” hideous tape, STICKERS AND TISSUE PAPER LOL, sorry but pass, no need.

I sell about $5-10k/mo , currently offering free shipping to abide by ebays fast’n’free, so im already ‘out/paying’ 20% to shipping, 3% to paypal, and now 9?% to ebay%, previously 8%, but avg joe only pays 10% but no store fee or shipping/return/feedback requirements…

Should I drop the store to starter? Meeting Top rated is out of the picture, sorry eBay, the rewards are a joke.

[eatupenergy]

my items are protein bars by the way (under health & beauty), so their advertised 4-9.15% is just a flat 9.15% for me as a store. No clue what the 4% is for but I'm happy for those who sell in that category.

[slippinjimmy]

I sell about $5-10k/mo

but avg joe only pays 10% but no store fee or shipping/return/feedback requirements…

Having a Basic Store is saving you $50 - $100 per month in fvf's, there are NO shipping/return/feedback requirements for Store subscribers that are different from the requirements for non-Store subscribers.

FYI - Starter Stores pay the same fvf rate that non-Store sellers pay, the reduced fees only apply to Basic and higher levels.

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

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If you're selling $5K per month, then the difference between paying a FVF of 10% vs 9.15% is $75, which is more than enough to justify paying $22 per month for a Basic store, even if you don't take advantage of the free insertions and shipping supplies. As noted in the other post, the FVF for Starter stores is 10%, the same as for non-stores, so a downgrade is not advisable: You'd lose the one Store feature that is a tangible benefit.

All listing durations and the "Out of stock" option are available to all sellers, even those who don't have a Store.

Top Rated Seller status has no requirements related to free shipping or return policy.  It's the TR-Plus badge and the 10% FVF credit that have return-policy criteria. So if you change your return policy, you'd still be a TRS, though you wouldn't have the badge and discount.

[luckythewinner]

I’m pretty set on giving up being a top rated seller, that’s a joke in my book, I bust my butt to save 1%

I assume you are talking about the TRS Plus status that you choose to give a listing, and not the TRS status that is assigned to you  by eBay based on your seller performance.

The two are completely different things - the only way to "give up" being a Top Rated Seller is to intentionally limit your sales volume or to intentionally accumulate transaction defects. 

Should I drop the store to starter? 

That is a question entirely about math and features. Just calculate your fees and compare the two. When doing so, remember to look up the fee percentages for each scnerario because they are not the same.  

I get 50 free listings without a store subscription, and multi-quantity and 30 day listings are definitely available - because I use them all the time. Not sure about the "out of stock" feature as I have no need for it. I have 50 items I list regularly and I have never had the need for a store. 

[adkhighker]

OP, here's a chart that should help you decide whether or not you need a store and, if so, which store would work best for you.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/run-your-store/subscriptions-and-fees.html#m22_tb_a2__2