top rated seller badge question and international returns question

[1wish2fish-43]

Hello, I just received top rated seller status and was hoping to get my top rated seller badge.  I changed my shipping handling time to 1 day and turned on 30 day returns, however when I looked at my listings there wasn't any top rated seller badge next to them.  I was just wondering if I missed something or if I just need to wait.  One thing that I did wonder about was if I also need to turn on the 30 day refund on international shipping.  When I was doing the bulk listings edit to change my return policy there was a section to change the international returns as well.  That confused me because I thought ebay took care of all the international returns and refunds.  I chose not to check the boxes for those returns, but now I'm wondering if that is what's keeping me from getting the top rated seller badge. Thanks in advance, jim

[mam98031]

---

@justin0467 wrote:

I'm basically having the same problem!

---

@justin0467 

Like the OP, your listings do NOT meet the requirements to be TRS+.

If you want to qualify for the 10% FVF discount and have a badge on your listings, the following is required.

1.  Achieve TRS status

2. Have 1 day handling time

3.  Offer 30 days or more return policy with free shipping.  AKA 30 day returns w/ Seller pays shipping.

[justin0467]

I fixed it.  I couldn't figure out what I didn't have but I got it.  I didn't have "free" returns.  Buyer had to pay returns.  

We'll see if it's worth it now to have the badge.  

Thanks for everyone's help. 

[mam98031]

---

@justin0467 wrote:

I fixed it.  I couldn't figure out what I didn't have but I got it.  I didn't have "free" returns.  Buyer had to pay returns.  

We'll see if it's worth it now to have the badge.  

Thanks for everyone's help. 

---

I'm glad you got it fixed.  Yes, time will tell if the discount you get is worth having free returns.  For me, it wasn't as most returns I get are Buyer Remorse returns.  And the minimal amount of this discount didn't prove to be worth it to me.  But for other sellers it can be very worthwhile.

If you have $1,000 in sales in a month X 13.25% FVF = $132.50 and 10% discount on that = $13.25.

[pjcdn2005]

@1wish2fish-43 

I think that you might have misunderstood. The other posters were telling you that you need to offer 30 day free seller paid returns. You do not have to offer free shipping when the buyer purchases your item. In fact, at lest some of your listings are offering free shipping via ground advantage. Your items are priced at $2.40 and ground advantage costs $4+. So with shipping and ebay fees you are going to lose money on those listings.  If you are going to continue to use free shipping, you should take that out of your title because you sell internationally. Shipping will only be free to US buyers but ebay will charge the international buyers a shipping fee.

The good news - Because you sell trading cards you can use eBay's standard envelope which is quite a bit cheaper and does have limited tracking. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

Also, because you sell trading cards the TRS plus program works a bit differently. More on that in my next post.

[marnotom!]

I echo @pjcdn2005's point about your use of the term "free shipping" in your item titles.  eBay International Shipping is not free for your international buyers.  Some international buyers are savvy enough to recognize that the "free shipping" note in your item title will apply only to US buyers, but some may create a stink about it.

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

@justin0467 

@1wish2fish-43 

As has been stated, in order to get the TRSplus badge and the discount, the seller has to have same day or 1 day shipping plus 30 day free returns.  However, there are some exceptions in certain categories.  If I am reading this correctly, in the trading card category which you are both listing in, you do not need to have returns enabled to receive the discount.  If you don't have free returns, the badge won't be seen on your items but you will receive the discount.

@justin0467 

I don't see free returns on your listings until I click on the free returns option on the left hand side of the search page. Then it brings me to one listing so buyers could find it that way if they were looking for it.  I can then see the trsplus designation. But I don't think think that you will be able to see it on the search page because your returns are just for 14 days, not 30.    As I said earlier though, you will still receive the discount even without the 30 day returns, but not the discount.

Below is information about the top rated plus program. Trading cards is mentioned at the bottom.

See the full list of circumstances where the discount benefit applies

• In Jewelry & Watches, and most Collectibles & Art categories, you need to offer 14-day free returns
• When you use freight shipping or sell items in the following categories, you need to offer 30-day or longer returns, but the buyer pays for return shipping:
• Books
• Motors > Automotive Tools & Supplies
• Motors > Parts & Accessories
• Movies & TV
• Music
• Musical Instruments & Gear
• You don't have to accept returns for these categories:
• Business & Industrial
• Cell Phones, Smart Watches & Accessories > Cell Phone Cards & SIM Cards > Cell Phone SIM Cards
• Coins & Paper Money > Bullion
• Coins & Paper Money > Virtual Currency
• Computers, Tablets & Network Hardware > Computer Printers, Scanners & Supplies > Printer Ink, Toner & Paper > Printer Ink Cartridges
• Computers, Tablets & Network Hardware > Computer Printers, Scanners & Supplies > Printer Ink, Toner & Paper > Printer Toner Cartridges
• Computers, Tablets & Network Hardware > Computer Software
• Gift Cards & Coupons
• Home & Garden > Food & Beverages
• Home & Garden > Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living > Plants, Seeds & Bulbs > Plants & Seedlings
• Pet Supplies > Bird Supplies > Food & Treats
• Pet Supplies > Cat Supplies > Cat Food
• Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies > Dog Food
• Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquariums > Coral & Live Rock
• Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquariums > Food
• Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquariums > Live Fish
• Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquariums > Live Invertebrates
• Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquariums > Live Plants
• Pet Supplies > Small Animal Supplies > Small Animal Food
• Sporting Goods > Fishing > Baits, Lures & Flies > Live Bait
• Tickets & Experiences
• Trading Cards (Sports Trading Cards, Non-Sports Trading Cards, and Collectible Card Games)
• Wristwatches

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-standards-policy?id=4347&st=3&pos=1&query...

[mam98031]

---

@marnotom! wrote:

I echo @pjcdn2005's point about your use of the term "free shipping" in your item titles.  eBay International Shipping is not free for your international buyers.  Some international buyers are savvy enough to recognize that the "free shipping" note in your item title will apply only to US buyers, but some may create a stink about it.

---

I'm not as sure as some are on this.  There are lots of sellers that do this.  There is no need for them to do it and it is a waste of valuable space, but it shouldn't cause a problem with an international buyer.  The OP is posting on the US site.  

Not sure why having Free Shipping in the title means something different than Free Shipping via Ground Advantage does.

International shipping is still stated on the shipping page.

[pjcdn2005]

When international buyers see the title they see Free Shipping so they have to right to expect free shipping.

When international buyers see the shipping area they see the amount they will be charged. They do not see

free shipping via Ground Advantage, only domestic buyers see that.  It should not say free in one place and then the cost in another place. It's misleading.

[mam98031]

We just disagree.  No problem.

[marnotom!]

@mam98031, this is what someone on eBay Eire would see in search results.  I think that's a problem.

[pjcdn2005]

You mentioned that the op is posting on the US site. They are posting on a site based in the US that attracts buyers from other countries  The seller is using EIS so obviously they are trying to attract international buyers. And as @marnotom!  pointed out,  the listings done here are often seen on other sites. Although an international buyer seeing free shipping and not receiving it is not going to cause world problems, it does cause a bad buying experience and any bad experience reflects on us all.  Buyers should not have to look at a title and then try and figure out where the listing was done just in case the free shipping in the title doesn't apply to them.

It could be considered bait and switch although in this case and I'm sure in most cases it is not intentional. Unintentional doesn't make it ok.

[mam98031]

That is interesting, Thank you.  What that tells me is that it will cost the buyer 13.96 Eur to ship this item to them from the US.

[pjcdn2005]

But it also tells you that shipping is free.

How confusing for a buyer. 

[1wish2fish-43]

I was away for a few days and just checked the thread I started.  I was very surprised to see all the messages about my listings and the contradiction of free shipping.  I put that in the title to try and attract buyers because I know my listing photos are not very good with my $50 phone.  A few weeks back I read that international shipping can increase sales so I went ahead and edited all my listings.  Now I think I'm going to go back and revise all my titles and take free shipping out of them.  Thank you all for helping me out.  Im very green at all of this stuff.  

[ebooksdiva]

---

@justin0467 wrote:

I'm basically having the same problem!

In order to qualify for TRS plus and get a badge in your listings you need the following...

Offer 1 day handling.

Offer 30 day free returns.

You currently don't qualify because you offer 14 day returns and have a handling time of 3 days.