Good morning Andrew.
Welcome to a rather exclusive club - sellers relatively happy with the fee/policies changes announced by eBay earlier this year. Not too many of us!
While many sellers are negatively affected on the short term by some of the changes, I also believe most "good" sellers will benefit on the long term.
The February change in fees - elimination of the gallery fee, reduction in listing fees, introduction of a F/VF rebate program for PowerSellers achieving a superior level of buyer satisfaction as expressed by DSRs offset by higher FVF should benefit as many sellers as it cost others. On balance, the changes save me over $2,500 a year in eBay fees (based on the same sales volume). The recent increase in FVF rebate from 15% to 20% is most welcome. 🙂
The policy changes by PayPal potentially withholding payment for up to 21 days will not affect most sellers other than those with "risky" transactions. It is not a factor for most of us.
Giving better exposure to items offered by sellers with higher DSRs and less exposure to items offered by sellers with lower DSRs will obviously benefit those of us with superior DSRs. The message is quite simple: you want better exposure: improve the perception your buyers have of the transaction with you.
The change in feedback where the rating will not positively reflect repeat buyers is quite good for sellers who have developped over the years a consistent repeat business on eBay.
The change in feedback percentage including neutral as negative went into effect in May and will be eliminated in August.
The elimination of feedback by sellers is a good thing as too many buyers were not posting deserved negative feedback in fear of retaliation.
Nothing is perfect and no changes will satisfy everyone. However, on balance, I am satisfied with the changes in direction and believe they will lead to more buyer's satisfaction. And all sellers benefit. .
Welcome to a rather exclusive club - sellers relatively happy with the fee/policies changes announced by eBay earlier this year. Not too many of us!
While many sellers are negatively affected on the short term by some of the changes, I also believe most "good" sellers will benefit on the long term.
The February change in fees - elimination of the gallery fee, reduction in listing fees, introduction of a F/VF rebate program for PowerSellers achieving a superior level of buyer satisfaction as expressed by DSRs offset by higher FVF should benefit as many sellers as it cost others. On balance, the changes save me over $2,500 a year in eBay fees (based on the same sales volume). The recent increase in FVF rebate from 15% to 20% is most welcome. 🙂
The policy changes by PayPal potentially withholding payment for up to 21 days will not affect most sellers other than those with "risky" transactions. It is not a factor for most of us.
Giving better exposure to items offered by sellers with higher DSRs and less exposure to items offered by sellers with lower DSRs will obviously benefit those of us with superior DSRs. The message is quite simple: you want better exposure: improve the perception your buyers have of the transaction with you.
The change in feedback where the rating will not positively reflect repeat buyers is quite good for sellers who have developped over the years a consistent repeat business on eBay.
The change in feedback percentage including neutral as negative went into effect in May and will be eliminated in August.
The elimination of feedback by sellers is a good thing as too many buyers were not posting deserved negative feedback in fear of retaliation.
Nothing is perfect and no changes will satisfy everyone. However, on balance, I am satisfied with the changes in direction and believe they will lead to more buyer's satisfaction. And all sellers benefit. .
I notice that both of you sell light items, one of you sells comic books, the other sells stamps.
I wonder what sellers who need to ship 1kg+ items think about the DSR system. If they are hit with worse DSRs than either of you, does that mean that the system is differentiating the good from the bad?
Blanket statements based on personal anecdotal evidence are fun. As of today, the 30-Day eBay average is 4.74, 4.69, 4.58, and 4.55. My 3-Day rating is 4.96, 4.90, 4.77, and 4.71. Most of my items range from 500g to under 2kg. What are your numbers for comparison?
I wonder what sellers who need to ship 1kg+ items think about the DSR system. If they are hit with worse DSRs than either of you, does that mean that the system is differentiating the good from the bad?
Blanket statements based on personal anecdotal evidence are fun. As of today, the 30-Day eBay average is 4.74, 4.69, 4.58, and 4.55. My 3-Day rating is 4.96, 4.90, 4.77, and 4.71. Most of my items range from 500g to under 2kg. What are your numbers for comparison?
While about 40% of my shipments are in #8 envelopes, about 60% are in larger envelopes or parcels (I sell a lot of 1.4kg catalogues costing from $7 to $19 within Canada/USA).
I have noticed no change in feedback or DSRs with catalogues or collections (also $10 to $15 postage).
Even when I make a mistake (at least once a week) and ship the wrong item, a stamp is missing or damaged, these errors have not damaged by feedback ratings nor DSRs. .
I have noticed no change in feedback or DSRs with catalogues or collections (also $10 to $15 postage).
Even when I make a mistake (at least once a week) and ship the wrong item, a stamp is missing or damaged, these errors have not damaged by feedback ratings nor DSRs. .
But what are your 30-Day DSRs as of TODAY?
700g to ship a comic book? Sorry, don't see it. And, Pierre, are you suggesting that 40% of your sales are in a weight class exceeding 1kg?
700g to ship a comic book? Sorry, don't see it. And, Pierre, are you suggesting that 40% of your sales are in a weight class exceeding 1kg?
Excellent DSRs!
BTW, I have been accused of "drinking the koolaid" and being an eBay "cheerleader" in the past (on the US PS Board). I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I think that there are many factors that go into the DSR calculation besides what has been presented, such as the nature of the market segment you're selling in, the collectibles vs consumables argument, the age demographic (assumed maturity level)...
For instance, I notice that most of the larger video game sellers have lower DSRs these days. Why is that?
BTW, I have been accused of "drinking the koolaid" and being an eBay "cheerleader" in the past (on the US PS Board). I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I think that there are many factors that go into the DSR calculation besides what has been presented, such as the nature of the market segment you're selling in, the collectibles vs consumables argument, the age demographic (assumed maturity level)...
For instance, I notice that most of the larger video game sellers have lower DSRs these days. Why is that?
magisterrex - your posts seem to assume feedback rating and DSRs are directly related to the weight of items being shipped.
That assumption is wrong. It will only take you a few minutes to check other sellers of similar goods.
Their DSRs will range from 4.5 to 5.0. If the weight of the items shipped were that relevant, all stamp dealers and card sellers would show DSRs of 4.9 and 5.0. That is not the case.
No, the grass is NOT greener next door. Every industry, every product group has its own challenges.
Feedback ratings and DSRs are in direct relation to the satisfactory level expressed by buyers - their perception of a transaction.
If a collector in California pays $19 to receive a $35 catalogue and is happy with every aspect of the transaction, he will leave 5.0 across the board.
On the other hand of the spectrum, if a collector in Toronto purchases a small stamp set for $1.50 and pays US$2.00 postage and handling he will still leave 5.0 across the board despite the fact he is being charged more for postage than for the product and the stamp on the envelope shows $0.52 while he paid US$2.00
There is much more to providing customer satisfaction than the cost of shipping. My customers know that. :-) .
That assumption is wrong. It will only take you a few minutes to check other sellers of similar goods.
Their DSRs will range from 4.5 to 5.0. If the weight of the items shipped were that relevant, all stamp dealers and card sellers would show DSRs of 4.9 and 5.0. That is not the case.
No, the grass is NOT greener next door. Every industry, every product group has its own challenges.
Feedback ratings and DSRs are in direct relation to the satisfactory level expressed by buyers - their perception of a transaction.
If a collector in California pays $19 to receive a $35 catalogue and is happy with every aspect of the transaction, he will leave 5.0 across the board.
On the other hand of the spectrum, if a collector in Toronto purchases a small stamp set for $1.50 and pays US$2.00 postage and handling he will still leave 5.0 across the board despite the fact he is being charged more for postage than for the product and the stamp on the envelope shows $0.52 while he paid US$2.00
There is much more to providing customer satisfaction than the cost of shipping. My customers know that. :-) .
your posts seem to assume feedback rating and DSRs are directly related to the weight of items being shipped.
Not at all. As I've already stated, there are many factors that go into the DSR rating system. Weight class is a factor which works in conjunction with the demographic of the category. As others have found out, the older collectible market segment tends to be more forgiving (perhaps as they are more educated on what to expect) than the casual buyer.
Not at all. As I've already stated, there are many factors that go into the DSR rating system. Weight class is a factor which works in conjunction with the demographic of the category. As others have found out, the older collectible market segment tends to be more forgiving (perhaps as they are more educated on what to expect) than the casual buyer.
"So by reading our feedback I guess we are offering bad service "
????
Why imply words that have not been written.
Your feedback rating is 100% (disregarding neutral which will no longer be counted by eBay as of next month).
Any potential buyer seeing 100% would think you have an outstanding reputation. Even the current 99.3% (includes neutral) is well above average.
Why would anyone think you are a bad seller? .
????
Why imply words that have not been written.
Your feedback rating is 100% (disregarding neutral which will no longer be counted by eBay as of next month).
Any potential buyer seeing 100% would think you have an outstanding reputation. Even the current 99.3% (includes neutral) is well above average.
Why would anyone think you are a bad seller? .
"We have been lowered on the Best Match results "
Does it really affect you?
Most of your items are rather exclusive. If I look for a Tintin Lunch bad for example, only one is offered: yours.
I honestly think too much emphasis is placed on Best Match. Since most of your items are store inventory items in any case, Best Match does not apply.
Also, with so many relatively exclusive items, with over 75% of them offered at $20 and up, would it not make sense to increase the selling price by a few dollars and reduce the shipping charge by the same amount? This may help your buyers express a higher degree of overall satisfaction through higher DSRs. .
Does it really affect you?
Most of your items are rather exclusive. If I look for a Tintin Lunch bad for example, only one is offered: yours.
I honestly think too much emphasis is placed on Best Match. Since most of your items are store inventory items in any case, Best Match does not apply.
Also, with so many relatively exclusive items, with over 75% of them offered at $20 and up, would it not make sense to increase the selling price by a few dollars and reduce the shipping charge by the same amount? This may help your buyers express a higher degree of overall satisfaction through higher DSRs. .
Also, with so many relatively exclusive items, with over 75% of them offered at $20 and up, would it not make sense to increase the selling price by a few dollars and reduce the shipping charge by the same amount? This may help your buyers express a higher degree of overall satisfaction through higher DSRs.
This advice only increase's eBay coffers. Better yet, reduce the shipping price and increase the selling price to double that of the shipping reduction. An extension of this is the FREE SHIPPING but more expensive starting price option. A very potent sales device to use during any of the listing sales. Just make sure you're increasing well beyond what your shipping price was. Buyer behavior being what it is on eBay, it won't matter what your sell price is - only your shipping cost.
This advice only increase's eBay coffers. Better yet, reduce the shipping price and increase the selling price to double that of the shipping reduction. An extension of this is the FREE SHIPPING but more expensive starting price option. A very potent sales device to use during any of the listing sales. Just make sure you're increasing well beyond what your shipping price was. Buyer behavior being what it is on eBay, it won't matter what your sell price is - only your shipping cost.
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