What's the logic behind hiding TRS status from buyers when not offering free return shipping?

[craigsfinds]

Ebay decided to "incentivize" (some would say extort) top rated sellers to provide free return shipping for any reason by eliminating their TRS discount if they don't comply. I don't agree with this strategy but at least I can see the logic behind it. However, I fail to see the logic in making it harder for buyers to find the "most reputable sellers" (a.k.a. Top Rated Sellers) by not prominently displaying the top rated badge or something similar, simply because the seller chooses not to offer free returns for any reason.

"Free returns" is already prominently displayed so it would be easy for buyers to distinguish TRS's who offer free return shipping from those who don't. 

Put another way, what would be the down side of promoting ALL TRS's? 

[warbuyer99]

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@1tuna wrote:

I am not so sure that TRS is that easy for most people

ebay executives stated in interviews in 2018 that only 20% make the grade

that is one TRS.............for four that did not make it

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TRS is very basic. I get that sellers will have a bad month here and there but if sellers can't meet simple requirements and basic customer service requirements month after month they probably don't belong on ebay in the first place.

[warbuyer99]

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@nc-daydreamer wrote:

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

They hide mine too and I do offer free 30 day returns. Problem is, you also have to offer 1 day handling, which I wont do because of the all the defects and threats of being put below standard.

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That and the MP thing. I see no reason to ship until the money is in my hands, or at least confirmed as pending, unless I must to please a buyer's special request.  Now if eBay will announce the same day money that we enjoy using PP, I'll go back to fast & free, but until then, I may take an extra day because I am not a department store with my own credit card to offer buyers - I don't require to know their FICO before shipping... just payment.  Most sellers give the buyer a respectful 48 hours to pay, I think sellers are entitled to the same respect. 

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Is that $16 going to put a huge crimp in your wallet? 🙂

[gamersbaystore]

I'm dreading the day they force me into managed payments. Then we'll be forced to pay for shipping labels when we don't have the funds yet to cover them. I think its just going to backfire and fall apart, another failed idea from ebay. I can see it now, I'll have to change my handling times to 5 days while I wait for eons to get paid.

[warbuyer99]

What I see now is legit businesses and people with proper finds have an advantage. If you are relying on the payment to clear so you can pay for shipping you are probably not long for ebay's world. Sellers that don't have two nickles to rub together are usually the first ones to give problems with returns, fights for pennies with customers and so on. Maybe it will make ebay better.

[upgradedendmills]

I am sure most sellers don't know who you are or feel a great need to meet your standards to belong on eBay.

[warbuyer99]

It's not my standards. Switching to holding funds for two days is going to weed the site out of sellers who are on shaky ground to begin with. As a buyer I'd prefer that.

[gamersbaystore]

Your statement ignores the fact people have bills to pay, the cost of living is outrageous, and I think its a bad assumption to assume that sellers should just be able to afford to print hundreds of dollars of labels every day with money they don't have.

Like the average American has anything left after paying their bills. Just look at the cost of health insurance today. I pay close to $600 a month, and many others pay much more than I do. You act like people should just have money to burn, I don't see how.

[tienhu-66]

I'd like to you.

[warbuyer99]

If you do not have cash on hand to ship items I really do not want to buy from you.

[pburn]

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@warbuyer99 wrote:

It's not my standards. Switching to holding funds for two days is going to weed the site out of sellers who are on shaky ground to begin with. As a buyer I'd prefer that.

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As a buyer, I don't care what kind of grounds my sellers are on, as long as I get my item safely and on time, and it's reasonably as described.

I'm sure there are people who sell on eBay to make ends meet these days. What difference would that make to me as long as my transaction with them goes smoothly? They can be filthy rich or trying to scrape together this month's rent--it makes no difference to me.

[this*old*attic]

I just look until I find what I want to buy, I don’t look at badges at all... or even read feedback, unless something sets off my spider senses (like an angry TOS or “see pictures” as the whole description).

[nhnguye7329]

The analysis is quite detailed. Thank you for sharing

[this*old*attic]

I think the point is that if a seller’s financial ground is that shaky, there are more ways a garden variety problem transaction can turn into an utter disaster.

 I personally agree with this. If one can’t even afford to mail their sold items then there’s a problem. It sets up a seller to be antagonistic towards buyers because they are stressed/desperate.

[1tuna]

I think I am like many people

i rarely ever  notice the badge

a fast glance at the feedback column all the way on the left tells me what I need to know

a  1 second glance is really all i need

if I see a bunch of feedback I know every things fine

the seller has a pulse

sales are taking place

feedback is being left

a red donut is just fine................someone cared enough to make you look

as far as having the funds to ship........

paypal has had that covered for a long time I think

its been many years since I had a hold...... but from what  I have read you can easily ship whatever is needed.

paypal will front you the shipping money while you1re still awaiting clearance

[chapeau-noir]

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@1tuna wrote:

I think I am like many people

i rarely ever  notice the badge

a fast glance at the feedback column all the way on the left tells me what I need to know

a  1 second glance is really all i need

if I see a bunch of feedback I know every things fine

the seller has a pulse

sales are taking place

feedback is being left

a red donut is just fine................someone cared enough to make you look

as far as having the funds to ship........

paypal has had that covered for a long time I think

its been many years since I had a hold...... but from what  I have read you can easily ship whatever is needed.

paypal will front you the shipping money while you1re still awaiting clearance

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I think the subject changed to managed payments.