Latest Announcement - New DSR Minimums

[timwestbackgrounds123]

"Updated Seller Standards - Minimum DSRs: eBay.com is instituting a new minimum Detailed Seller Rating (DSR) requirement, as a way to further improve the customer experience for everyone on eBay. As of November 1, 2008, sellers will need at least a 4.3 across all four DSR categories, over the prior 30 day or 12 month period depending on volume, in order to list on eBay.com. eBay.ca is not implementing a similar threshold at this time, but may do so in the future. Please be aware, however, that Canadian sellers who list on eBay.com will be required to adhere to these new standards."

I currently list on eBay.ca, but most of my sales go into the USA. As such; I've been getting killed on shipping and handling charges, with many USA buyers simply not appreciating the cost of international shipping. Yes, the announcement does say that ebay.ca is NOT implementing this DSR minum at this time, but it indicates that it may do so in the future. For sellers who routinely list on ebay.ca and sell into the USA, does this concern you? It certainly concerns me!

[vesivus]

Oh yes -- I just got binged down to 4.1 on shipping & handling charges. I guess I won't be able to list anymore.

I've been phasing eBay out for quite a long while. I may just make an extra push to get rid of stuff before this policy takes effect.

John

[faerywishes]

vesivus
Lower your shipping and you DSR will rise. You have 2 months to correct it. I looked at 1 item you sold to buyer in the US. Item sold for $2.50 you charge $8.00 for shipping. Why not use Light Packet? For $2.00 you could have it shipped. If they say they didn't receive it credit them the $2.50. I use Light Packet for almost all my shipping to the US & International. Rarely do I have anyone say they didn't receive it. I have many more people buying my items than I would if I charged $8.00 for expidited. I only use Expited for large orders. You'll more than make your previous profit even if you have to credit buyers once in awhile.

[faerywishes]

timwestbackgrounds123
I looked at your listings and I was very impressed. I can't really see how the shipping could be too much as it does seem reasonable to me. I know some sellers will increase the price of the item and then decrease the shipping cost. I know nothing about your market so not sure if you are able to do that and remain competitive. However, I'm sure you know much more about businesses and how to market than I do.

I was quite impressed with your listing information. I included Canada Post's website in my listing for buyers to see how much it costs to ship from Canada. My DSR's are fairly good but I do struggle some with the shipping time and fees. A couple of months ago my shipping time DSR was at 4.3. So I barranged my customers with the shipping time frames from Canada and I was able to bring it up to 4.6 in just over a month. I included a pamphlet with every order and part of it informs the buyer of the shipping times and fees as well as the website. I think it has helped to keep my DSR's where they are. The bonus was my Communication also went up. I also encouraged my buyers to rate all sellers on how quickly we ship not on how long it takes. I know if buyers are generally happy with at least 3 of the 4 DSR's some won't rate the other one as low.

Anyways I wish you good luck and hope you are able to pull them up. It is very nice how you honor your brother.

[tea_past_times]

The other shoe drops, as we all knew it would.

[ampurtle]

Good thing I have 4 shoes :^O

[ampurtle]

vesivus
That is a very common problem. The rule of thumb is that the shipping should never be more than the cost of the item, unless it's blowout of items at $.99 or such.

Put yourself in the buyer's position, would you pay $8 shipping for a $2 item ? The buyer isn't interested in your shipping issues, all they see is a $2 item that is going to cost them $10

The solutions are not easy, you can reduce the shipping cost by using a cheaper service, arbitrarily lowering the shipping charge and increase the item cost or chose not to list the item at all because you know it's a problem. You may have to experiment until you find out what works best for your buyers and you.

[bare_bright]

I agree Light Packet very Fast and Cheap, However I think the problem still lies from international Seller "I WON'T MENTION WHAT COUNTRY, BUT I THINK WE ALL KNOW"

the items that are 99 cents and shipping 18$ yes there still around even with the new DSR program, they don't get to get back 15% FVF lol "think they care"

These sellers hurt my Buckle Market very much and wish ebay would rid of them because it's not fair game, who care the guys score is 7676767676 and has a zillion NEGS They still sell and buyer's keep buying

I think it's up to ebay to stop these sellers and when they do Stop, well they just use a different name and Start all over.


There Had to Vent on this issue a Little bit 🙂

[ampurtle]

Get it out... get it allllllll out ]:)

I just don't pay attention to DSRs or neutral feedback. Negative feedback is a different situation that one needs to address. Basically, if you treat customers the way you would want to be treated, you'll probably end up with the same outlook eventually...

Personally, I have no problem with the 4.3 requirement, but I don't list on ebay.com, just ebay.ca, but I feel confident enough not to have to worry about it when it comes to ebay.ca

[bare_bright]

What I done to Boost my Shipping time * is just b4 I Print a Label @ Paypal I send a email from seller Manager saying that there item will be shipped and not to judge me by the Postal time but Judge me from when I have Shipped the item etc.

I also have this email Bilingual since 10% of my sales are to France & Quebec

Also note that paypal will also issue them a email that you have printed there label and shows The planned drop off Date, However I have found out that there emails don't allways get sent, Hence my email

by doing this my Communication went from 4.6 to 4.9 and the same for shipping 4.6 To 4.8

Also Include a Nice Looking packing Slip with a Small Photo of there item & a Coupon for a 10% Discount on the next Purchase! it actually works!

Cheers! 🙂