No tracking number provided

[roykay]

I mail inexpensive paper items in an envelope with minimal postage charged to customer, or I ship free.  If these items did not arrive, I would make an immediate refund.  Yet it appears that sellers get a below top rating of there isn't a tracking number?  This seems absurd....I can ship an item for 50 cents, it would cost the customer at least 2.61 just to get the tracking number.....

[luckythewinner]

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Yet it appears that sellers get a below top rating of there isn't a tracking number? 

Just to be clear, there are three sellers ratings: Top Rated, Above Standard, and Below Standard. If you are shipping without tracking, you probably miss the tracking requirement and will not be able to

reach Top Rated.

This seems absurd....I can ship an item for 50 cents

eBay wants buyers to be happy by forcing sellers to ship their items quickly. When there is tracking uploaded eBay can monitor this cheaply and automatically. Without it, they do not have a cost-effective way to monitor whether you are complying with eBay's wishes.

it would cost the customer at least 2.61 just to get the tracking number

No, it would cost the seller  $2.61 to get a tracking number. Whether the seller passes that cost on to the customer is entirely up to the seller.

[sg51]

This seems absurd..

I buy watch batteries from sellers like you.

I hope this market segment prospers, and can be treated better.

[klassic*kids]

@luckythewinner  I have some small items that I plan to list in my alternate (overflow) account and send in envelopes with just a stamp.  I will not do so from my primary account as I don't want to lose TRS.  However, in this secondary account I am just the standard "above average" rating, question is: if I send too many untracked stamped envelope items can I -- will I -- be demoted to a "below average" seller?

[sg51]

 I send too many untracked stamped envelope items can I -- will I -- be demoted to a "below average" seller?

The foul status is called "below standard".  You can't get there by shipping untracked packages.

You can get there by doing anything other than a quick refund if buyer submits an INR.

[klassic*kids]

@sg51  Good to know.  Thanks so much. 

[kitschy*loot]

Some buyers take advantage of sellers that don't use tracking, even on very cheap purchases. All they have to do is open an INR case and win. I think it is a good idea to use tracking when shipping.