My own “don’t get me started” bit is from the OFT’s pdf:

the DSRs do not link cancellation rights with a supplier’s ability to resell items as new.
And believe me, I know it hurts sellers to have to take a hit on something, but it’s part of the costs of doing business. If people didn’t pare their margins down to the penny trying to be The Cheapest all the time, it wouldn’t be such a terrible issue for many sellers.

The DSR’s are something that should be read with your individual business in mind.

Many sellers both on and off eBay don’t even know the DSR’s exist never mind what’s in them. And don’t even get me started on “restocking fees” whatever they’re meant to be!

For example, where you offer “free post” as a delivery option but the buyer chooses another paid postage option, such as upgrades to 1st class or Next day delivery etc.

The DSR’s say:

If you provided additional services such as gift wrapping or express
delivery that a consumer specifically requested, then you may
withhold the additional charges incurred by the consumer for these
services only if:…

It basically goes on to explain how you have to let the buyer know etc etc.

I’m not saying that this is what you should do, that’s for you to decide but I think it’s quite clear that you don’t actually have to refund postage. (given certain circumstances)

I received a message in my eBay inbox yesterday and I went through the postage and PowerSeller changes in detail.

What I couldn’t see is how much you need to turnover in order to increase your discount from 5% to 10-15% on the standard visibility level?

I couldn’t see that mentioned anyway – does anyone else know?

I wrote up a longer summary of the changes and how I think they will affect users on my car boot sale blog (hope this is within posting guidelines)

http://www.everything-car-boot.co.uk/ebay-postage-policy-changes/
http://www.everything-car-boot.co.uk/changes-to-the-ebay-power-seller-program/

Anthony

sellerupdate.ebay.co.uk/april2010/postage-limits.html

If you have say twenty sales for your MVL and the title is Whirlpool Bath those twenty sales regardless of which item had been bought will count towards BM for search visibility for the terms Whirlpool, Bath and WShirlpool Bath.

If you’d sold 10 Oval Whirlpool Baths (bear with me I have no clue what the variations would be) those ten would count for that serahc term and so on.

So if most buyers use generic terms you’re away!

I can see the logic of trying to improve the smaller sellers’ selling practices but it seems incredibly stingy not to differentiate between those who have consitantly given good service over thousands of transactions.

Presumably this is based on the sheer volume of sellers in this category, with many just not quite managing to get beyond this holy grail of a figure
It also ties in more or less with the vat thresholds.

Question: what is the point of the silver PS level as it confers no advantage. Likewise the Titanium level.

The VeRO violation / removal of PS status I was worried about yesterday will not be an issue according to my PAM.

International visibility on fixed price items. At last we can get our US customers back!

Free p&p scrapped. We can get our multiple item sale back!

I can really see all the Italian haute couture sellers sending gucci dresses etc into the UK for 4 pounds (eBay’s new standard first postage charge option) or the new Jimmy Choos for 6 pounds …it is ludicrous

We don’t all sell little light electrical cables or memory cards

Just the typical stupid not thought out reply..we are in Northern Spain

Last time i mailed a pair of jeans in the UK recorded 2nd class cost 6.75..people like you are fools as you just don’t get the implications of idiotic caps like this …how the hell can we mail a leather jacket into the UK for 4 quid…a pair of womens boots for 6 quid….the backlash from this will really hurt eBay and Our business

My shop selling new garments is at top rated or nearly at. My 2nd hand shop is on the boundary of the 1% for item as described. I put 10x more effort in getting things right for the used shop.

To list a suit, we have to hand measure 5 or 6 bespoke measurements; get the colours right; describe the texture and material; describe the fit; check each button is in place and not loose..etc etc. This takes incredible attention to detail and commitment.

I thought I would share that, and hope eBay management appreciate that we dont live in a homgenised environment.