cc5
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posted on November 14, 2002 06:44:02 AM new
Hi,
Libra63 posted a similar question in Sanmar's
thread and I want to make it more public.
I've been pondering this question for a couple of months now after ebay offered me a bronze. So far I've concluded that the benefits are very small in reality, and the invitation to fruitcakes may become larger.
But I'd like to hear some opinions since I still seem unable to make a definite decision.
Paul
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eauctionmgnt
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posted on November 14, 2002 06:50:11 AM new
Paul,
Why would you NOT want to be a Power Seller? Sure... the benefits are slight... but they are benefits nonetheless! If you don't want your bidders to know you're a Power Seller, you can always choose to not display the PowerSeller icons. In other words... you can be a power seller and nobody but yourself and ebay will know!
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replaymedia
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posted on November 14, 2002 07:41:46 AM new
"Secret Powerseller"- Are you sure?
What you said used to be true, but now that they have the little icon up next to your colored star or eBay Store icon, do you have the option of hiding that?
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tooltimes
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posted on November 14, 2002 07:48:52 AM new
Here's a possible reason to not want to accept a bronze level ( lowest level ) power seller invitation.
If a seller regularly only sold about $500-$800 per month on ebay but had a few consecutive rare months where he hit above the $1,000/mo level and knew he would be at a lower rate of sales in the months ahead he might not want to accept the invitation. That way a PS logo would appear for a few months and then disappear after ebay took it away for lack of minimum sales. Some regular buyers of the seller might not understand the loss of the PS logo and think of it in an unfair negative way.
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eauctionmgnt
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posted on November 14, 2002 07:55:52 AM new
right from the Power Seller FAQ section:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/f-powersellers.html#G12
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trai
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posted on November 14, 2002 10:38:21 AM new
Well, they do send you a niffty T shirt! That makes it worth the while right there.
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Libra63
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posted on November 14, 2002 10:44:48 AM new
I did answer in the other thread. I didn't say in that thread that eBay offering sellers to be Power Sellers help them in maintaining their projected revenue so the more they ask sellers to be Power Sellers the more certain they will be of their revenue.
Living in the North where are summers are only 4-5 months, sales the other months are 0.
I could not get enough merchandise to sell in those 4-5 months. I don't want to drop ship or buy pallets because I don't trust a drop shipper and I don't have the room for Pallets. So I am just sticking to my slow but sure business and hope for the best.
Good Luck if you decide to be one.
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computerboy
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posted on November 14, 2002 11:27:05 AM new
You got a T-Shirt? I'm a gold level Powerseller and haven't received a thing this year.
I pay our eBay bill with my American Express card so I at least get points
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tooltrader
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posted on November 14, 2002 12:24:51 PM new
Have you read all the ANTI power seller posts here on auction watch?
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wendywins
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posted on November 14, 2002 12:32:47 PM new
I am a bronze powerseller (Whoop-di-do!) but haven't sold nearly the $2000 worth necessary to maintain that status for the past couple months. Ebay has never removed the "powerseller" from my name?!
After I signed up, I began thinking...
Maybe the powerseller logo is a way for the IRS to see if large volume sellers have been reporting their earnings. I'm not anti-government or anti-IRS but why else would eBay assign a monetary number on Powersellers?
It is very easy to see the volume of merchandise sold by a seller and what those items are selling for, so what's the point.
As mentioned in another reponse, the benefits are nil. I got an invitation to claim a FREE Ebay pin but never received it! Big Deal.
Just a thought~perhaps it's far flung. I know many people make their living on Ebay and very few do things like collect sales tax so how many are under-reporting or not reporting at all?
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wendywins
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posted on November 14, 2002 12:34:02 PM new
I am a bronze powerseller (Whoop-di-do!) but haven't sold nearly the $2000 worth necessary to maintain that status for the past couple months. Ebay has never removed the "powerseller" from my name?!
After I signed up, I began thinking...
Maybe the powerseller logo is a way for the IRS to see if large volume sellers have been reporting their earnings. I'm not anti-government or anti-IRS but why else would eBay assign a monetary number on Powersellers?
It is very easy to see the volume of merchandise sold by a seller and what those items are selling for, so what's the point.
As mentioned in another reponse, the benefits are nil. I got an invitation to claim a FREE Ebay pin but never received it! Big Deal.
Just a thought~perhaps it's far flung. I know many people make their living on Ebay and very few do things like collect sales tax so how many are under-reporting or not reporting at all?
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ihula
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posted on November 14, 2002 02:12:36 PM new
I haven't received a pin or a T-shirt. I did get my red pin when I hit 1000 feedbacks, but that was it. I have thought of the IRS thing too, but I claim it all on taxes anyway so I didn't care.
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rykar
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posted on November 14, 2002 02:25:05 PM new
I do more buying then I do selling. I avoid buying from Power Sellers. There seems to be a page full of arrogance when it comes to transacting buisness with them. Most have more negative feedback then the small guy that has as much feedback without the flaunt.
But, that's my opinion.
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ihula
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posted on November 14, 2002 02:27:45 PM new
Do you look at their feedback first or just avoid all powersellers. I have about 4300 positives, 6 neutrals and 4 negs (or something like that). I'm seriously debating taking the power seller logo off my name (I don't have the big one displayed in my ad)
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tooltimes
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posted on November 14, 2002 02:38:09 PM new
I have noticed that a very large percentage of the sellers with the Power Seller logo do not seem to sell more than a few hundred dollars a month so maybe ebay doesn't care about about that aspect at all.
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zoomin
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posted on November 14, 2002 02:57:25 PM new
If you question it, don't bother, I guess.
I'm a Bronze PowerSeller.
I outsell my competitors on a regular basis.
With upscale clothing, reputation means a lot.
I have 99.5% positive feedback (the exceptions are obvious retaliatories)
I doubt The PowerSeller Dude helps me, but it definitely doesn't hurt.
The only preconceived notion that is apparent from the PS bashing threads here at AW is that Powersellers "should XXX better" than "regular" sellers.
I guess I XXX better than most.
I can handle the "higher standard" that bidders expect from a PowerSeller.
I sell at a good price, charge fair shipping, list only high quality items, and send items fast.
The bids keep coming & the Ebayers keep coming back (30% repeat biz).
THe PowerSeller logo is overrated.
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rykar
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posted on November 14, 2002 03:06:45 PM new
In response ihula...I just avoid Power Sellers. Most power sellers have a full page of disortation concerning their selling practice. If the buyer is going to be a deadbeat...they are not the ones that are going to read all that. The feedback was just an observation. I don't think feedback is all that it is cracked up to be either.
I have 1 neg. and that was from a woman that gave me neg. in retalliation, a couple of years ago. She was the first and the only person that I have given neg. to. The Power Seller status is suppose to provide a level of trust in the seller. But, for many PS's the neg. feedback tells another story. I have seen 8 to 10 negatives on Power Sellers with less then 1000 feedback. It's like Ok..now I can screw up.
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toolhound
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posted on November 14, 2002 03:15:08 PM new
I have been a PowerSeller since the program started and have never recieved a pin or shirt or anything. I don't think being a PowerSeller means anything but it is the only thing eBay has ever given me. Giving us a title of "PowerSeller" is like the floor sweepers boss making him the "Head Floor Sweeper". Just a title no more money.
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sanmar
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posted on November 14, 2002 03:15:33 PM new
Well, I didn't ask to be a power seller & it isn't going to change the way I do business. I have built my reputation on selling quality mdse. I always make a guarantee on my china that is as described. I won't change that one bit. I get high praise for my products & my careful packaging. Why would I jeopardize my business?
[ edited by sanmar on Nov 14, 2002 03:16 PM ]
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kiara
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posted on November 14, 2002 06:15:22 PM new
I am always amazed at the way PowerSellers are bashed. When bidding on an auction check to see what the feedback is like and if there have been any recent problems. Read the TOS and see if it meets your needs. If you want personal e-mails and hand-holding throughout the transaction check to see how many auctions the seller has listed.
What's the difference if it happens to be a PowerSeller or not?
I wonder how many people that bash the PowerSeller would jump at the chance to become one if they had the opportunity?
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sanmar
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posted on November 14, 2002 06:54:48 PM new
kiara: You have just spoken the words of my love. When I told her of the negative responses, she said "I am not an eBay person but think about this, out of every 100 people, there are 1 per cent basxxxds.
Learn to ignore the 1 per cent."
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dadofstickboy
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posted on November 14, 2002 06:59:29 PM new
Power seller / Non Power seller.
Makes no difference to me!
When I want something I look for who has it, and has it at the price I want to pay.
That's all that matters to me.
In the past 2 week I've purchased 3 items, all from power sellers.
Didn't plan it that way, they just had what I was looking for at the price I thought was a good deal.
Didn't check their feedback or do any research on them at all!
Just bought item, paid, and received my goods.
That's all I expect from anyone!
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Libra63
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posted on November 14, 2002 07:04:22 PM new
Sanmar you are right, and it seems like we only talk about that 1%. I have been reading your postings for quite a while and I will bet that you will be one of the top powersellers. Ihula the same because of the professional she is and with the responsibility she has I know that she is an honest powerseller also. You can't do what she does and not be. I have stopped buying on eBay so I guess I won't encounter a good or a bad one.
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ragstoo
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posted on November 15, 2002 09:40:43 AM new
I was a Power Seller. Don't know if I am any more or not! I removed Logo. (yes, you can do that from MY eBay.) There are NO advantages, except for eBay. I got tired of trying to meet a quota every month. Who wins there?? Mostly eBay.  ) I was happy when they finally gave us the promised (for over a year) neat little red & blue icon by our ID name. Then right away they screw that up with the other unnecessary second ugly icon beside it. Way to go eBay. Don't ever leave anything ALONE. As I understand $1,000. is or will shortly be the minimum. There may be more power sellers than not soon.
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sanmar
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posted on November 15, 2002 10:18:36 AM new
If I read it right, it takes 2 consecutive months of $1000.00 & a minimum of 100 positive feedbacks with 90% positive. After that you must have minimum number of auctions per month. I did not read anything about maintaining the min. $$ per month just min. auctions posted.
[ edited by sanmar on Nov 15, 2002 10:20 AM ]
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rykar
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posted on November 15, 2002 10:19:55 PM new
This is old news for a couple of vocal Pouer Sellers..One PS, doen't like PS bashing , and another thinks every buyer wants their hand held. Well, I am gong to add a disclaimer to your myth. #1. PS's are icons
in their own eyes. (They are Ebay's dummies)
Whom else would back up a symbol, which mans literally nothing, $'S for Ebay, and be proud of it? Ahhh, yes. Customer service....
hold their hand, gee...what does that mean?
Duh? Customer service...Ahhhh,a page and a half of a dunning letter, you don't even know how to send payment, BUT, YOU SURE AND THE HELL WILL, know what will happens if you don't. Golly Gee.
Myth #2: Not eveyone wants to be a PS...why?
Jeepeers..not all of us have an ego...SOME, just sell...NOT ALL THINK EBAY.....is a life support SYSTEM. THERE IS A LIFE....BESIDES EBAY? Hard to imagine....right?
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kiara
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posted on November 15, 2002 10:45:54 PM new
rykar, I am not a PowerSeller though I was at one time. I just get tired of people classifying ALL PowerSellers the way that you have.
There are probably more non-PowerSellers that have long and anal TOS statements and poor customer service. But some don't seem to understand that.
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zoomin
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posted on November 16, 2002 08:56:28 AM new
Whom else would back up a symbol, which mans literally nothing, $'S for Ebay
If that symbol gets me more bids, I'll take it any day.
Care to enlighten me on how my PS status makes any more $ for eBay than if i were NOT a PowerSeller?
the fees remain the same.
but wait.
eBay makes more $$ off of me than it does the non-PS.
Because my closing bid is higher.
Gee.
You mean I make more money than my competitors?
Well, now, we just can't have that, can we?
Take away that logo man!
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Libra63
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posted on November 16, 2002 09:23:00 AM new
[i]PS status makes any more $ for eBay than if i were NOT a PowerSeller?
the fees remain the same.[/i]
Yes they make more money off of Power Sellers than they do me and yes the fees are the same but I don't have to have the pressure of selling a certain amount each month. I can relax so therefore I don't have as many auctions on and then I make less money for eBay. You as a power seller HAVE to list a certain amount. They count on that amount and project their earnings off of the power sellers. They can't project earnings off of me. If they did that they would go broke.
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zoomin
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posted on November 16, 2002 11:47:19 AM new
eBay makes a lot more money from fly by night sellers who list cars, homes or jewelry than they do off of my sales as a Power Seller.
They can not count on my listings ~ I can leave at any time.
They can, however, count on new Sellers listing high ticket items.
I'm sure they project their earnings from that source as well.
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