Powersellers getting more benefits

soolin

This is from ebay.com, I had the message in my inbox when I signed in.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200901.shtml#2009-01-08120030

These are the interesting bits:

Update to Feedback Removal Policy – Customs Fees
Many of our cross-border sellers have asked for help when they receive a negative/neutral Feedback rating because they wouldn’t mark an item as “gift” in order to sidestep customs fees. eBay will now remove Feedback if a) the listing meets the Customs Requirements below and b) the seller receives a negative or neutral Feedback comment which references customs delays or customs fees.
The following text, or very similar wording, must be included in the listing and be:

• In the format below
• In a font size no smaller than the majority of the other text in the item description
• Prominently displayed (in the upper half of the description, free-standing, etc.)

~~~~

New Approved Payment Methods -- Moneybookers and Paymate
In February, we’ll be adding two new electronic payment methods to the permitted payments list in the Accepted Payments Policy: Moneybookers and Paymate. These are established payment methods that increase the safe choices available to our buyers and sellers, which currently include PayPal, credit and debit card payment to a seller’s merchant account, Propay or Pay on Pick-up. To learn more about these new payment methods, visit www.moneybookers.com/partners/us/ebay and www.paymate.com/eBay. Please note, Propay also plans to open up its payment service to all levels of Powersellers starting January 22. For more information about Propay, go to www.Propay.com/eBay
~~

soolin

This one as well: (Also ebay.com as far as I can see and only for powersellers)

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[SIZE=+1]Seller Update: January 8, 2009 [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Get a head start in 2009 with these seller specials running now:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]50% off auctions-the whole month of January. Ring in the New Year with "quick turn" auctions. Get 50% off Listing Fees all month for 1- and 3-day Auction-style listings. It's a great way to sell single quantity and unique items and get a quick visibility boost in Best Match search. [/FONT]

ArmitageShanks

Vaguely on this topic, do PS FVF discounts apply to sales made on ebay.com etc?

Edit: I like the first, although yet to prove an issue for us. Be nice if there was one for USPS not completing their side of the Airmail bargain, very quickly anyway. Slow delivery to the States has cost us two neutrals which isn't disastrous, but much more in tedious emails saying 'where's my item'.

Better integration for Internet Merchant Accounts
For sellers who currently accept payments to an Internet merchant account, we‘re improving the checkout experience to make payments more convenient and secure for you and your buyers. Buyers will be able to pay sellers directly to their Internet merchant account by entering their credit card information in eBay’s secure checkout instead of sending information via phone or email. You will need to sign up for a Payflow Gateway account in March to connect your Internet merchant account to eBay. This service will be available to sellers with an Internet merchant account at no additional cost.

This is interesting, and potentially much needed if its any good. Will 'payflow' have fees though?

soolin

It also depends I suppose on whether these new online payment services will cross the pond and make themselves available to us. At the moment it is ebay.com that are banning cheques and money orders so I suppose they had to try and line up something else apart from paypal to keep the punters happy. If or when ebay UK go paypal only perhaps that is when these online payment services will hit the UK as well?

We do have nochex of course, but that seems to attract even more bad press than paypal with their permanent 'hold' policy to cover chargebacks.

I do wonder how much of the ebay.com policy willr each us here in the UK. We did follow the fixed postage on books of course, I have been managing that on my ebay.com sales now for a short while.

I know I am rambling a bit but I am always interested in the dynamics of it all and seeing powersellers getting a further boost it does rather seem that despite the critics ebay are continuing their policy of moving towards the corporate seller rather than the small seller. Trying to guess where ebay.uk will go is essential for anyone who trades as a very small business, do I spend money buying stock for ebay or do I concentrate on my Amazon stuf finstead..decisions, decisions.

soolin

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

Vaguely on this topic, do PS FVF discounts apply to sales made on ebay.com etc?

Not sure as I am only a lowly little seller and don't mix with the big boys

chja

Now since all the Powersellers moan when there is a standard promotion, I'm going to winge that us mere mortals dont get the quick turn discounts - bahhhh

soolin

chja wrote: »

Now since all the Powersellers moan when there is a standard promotion, I'm going to winge that us mere mortals dont get the quick turn discounts - bahhhh

I'm not sure it is the powersellers that moan about the promotions as they are already listing at less cost than other sellers. It is the likes of me who have a registered business account but who get no listing favours nor do I get any discount on FVFs, nor can I use my account to take part in the private seller promotions. I'm sure ebay hate me.

chja

soolin wrote: »

I'm not sure it is the powersellers that moan about the promotions as they are already listing at less cost than other sellers. It is the likes of me who have a registered business account but who get no listing favours nor do I get any discount on FVFs, nor can I use my account to take part in the private seller promotions. I'm sure ebay hate me.

I withdraw the remark then

soolin

chja wrote: »

I withdraw the remark then

Hey don't do that..I'm spreading doom and gloom this afternoon so you have to indulge me :rotfl:

(blasted Virgin blasted broadband with no blasted email yet again..how on earth can I run a business like this)

ArmitageShanks

soolin wrote: »

I'm not sure it is the powersellers that moan about the promotions as they are already listing at less cost than other sellers. It is the likes of me who have a registered business account but who get no listing favours nor do I get any discount on FVFs, nor can I use my account to take part in the private seller promotions. I'm sure ebay hate me.

On one of our accounts which is business registered we don't sell much through it, but we still have 20% FVF discount just for being a business seller.

soolin

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

On one of our accounts which is business registered we don't sell much through it, but we still have 20% FVF discount just for being a business seller.

Now I am going to sulk then :undecided