Is eBay's "power-seller" status a positive thing? Or a negative?

[James_OldeTowne]

Recently, a discussion about power-sellers on eBay came up in THIS THREAD . I'm curious as to what your opinion is regarding power-seller status. When browsing eBay, do you see the "power-seller" status as a positive or a negative attribute? Or do you pay no attention to it at all?

 

Discussion welcome!

 

James

[kryptonitecomics]

Well I have been a powerseller on Ebay for a year and a half and I can say that I think it helps my sale prices a little bit. It is supposed to show longevity and honesty...though I know that there are some real slimbeball power sellers out there.

 

I think for the newer buyers on Ebay it gives them a measure of confidence that the seller they are dealing with is established and not a fly by night operation etc. I know when I purchase items on Ebay it doesn't make any difference to me whether someone is or is not a Powerseller and I certainly do not pay any more for an item because of it.

 

Again I have been on Ebay since 97 or 98 so good feedback is important to me...but the powerseller status doesn't mean squat when I buy.

 

I also don't see where it gives the sellers any perks like some might imagine...I don't get reduced fees etc....all I got was a Chrome business card holder and some bumper stickers

[HaydenTubbs]

I also don't see where it gives the sellers any perks like some might imagine...I don't get reduced fees etc....all I got was a Chrome business card holder and some bumper stickers

Wow!

I think I'll put my enitire collection up for sale,so I can become a powerseller!

I have always thought that being a powerseller would be an honor,but I don't consider sellers who aren't PSs not worthy of my bids.

 

I agree with you on the fact that many powersellers are scammers,but I think that the good outweighs the bad and a another honest powerseller would be a plus for collectors everywhere.

-Hayden

[midwest]

it gives them a measure of confidence that the seller they are dealing with is established and not a fly by night operation etc.

 

 

What kind of cheap shot is that

 

Also it is fly-by-night, rickshaw operation for your information

 

[libertycoins-migration]

I personally take no consideration into whether the seller is a power seller or not. Many members who have smaller collections need only to liquidate some coins, therefore they don't need a power seller icon.

[gmarguli]

I kind of dislike the idea of Power Sellers. In the past I felt like it was a license to screw - they were Power Screwers. All the real scumbag dealers were PS. Now, for the most part I ignore the PS icon as it is so easy to obtain. The only time it gives me reservations is if the seller talks up being a PS in their auction (i.e. mentions it requires an honest seller or a trustworthy partner). When that happens I usually run away.

 

FYI, I am a Power Seller and when it was first offered to me, the only reason I accepted it was for better customer service from eBay and I could turn the PS icon off on my listings. If you qualify, become a PS and turn off the icon. The worst you get is better customer service...and a chrome plated business card holder and bumper stickers.

[melmcbee]

I will take the antagonistic approach and say it gives me a negative impression. In the earlier thread Hayden stated he bought from Darin-5 who was a powerseller but Hayden you buy from him because you know him from the forums. You don't necessarily purchase from him because he is a power seller. You purchase from him because of his integrity. I personally only shop from James, Hayden, Darin, Shane, Hoot and all of the other forum sellers that I know or who they have mentioned as being trustworthy. I could care less if they are a powerseller. And the negative aspect of it is that ebay supports their high dollar or multi sellers even if they are selling fakes, cheating people, doctoring coins, or just flat out lying. They will back one of their powersellers before they back a smaller operation because it is all about the $$$ for them. So in my opinion, the powerseller status is similiar to a UN dignitary in that they can come to our country, break our laws, and suffer no consequence for this action. Take pjd19--. Powerseller for years and has repeatedly offended every law pertaining to the sale of coins and has received only a couple of slaps on the wrist only to be back in action. I could continue to name others but I think you get what I am trying to say. A powerseller to me is someone who can not be beat if you have a legitimate complaint.

[TomB]

The PS status leaves me with no positive impression whatsoever.

[spiny]

To me it just means that you've sold (what, like $1k/mo?) stuff on a regular basis. The way you conduct the auction and your history is what I base my decision on. Well, and of course, if it's the right price.

[HaydenTubbs]

I will take the antagonistic approach and say it gives me a negative impression. In the earlier thread Hayden stated he bought from Darin-5 who was a powerseller but Hayden you buy from him because you know him from the forums. You don't necessarily purchase from him because he is a power seller. You purchase from him because of his integrity. I personally only shop from James, Hayden, Darin, Shane, Hoot and all of the other forum sellers that I know or who they have mentioned as being trustworthy. I could care less if they are a powerseller. And the negative aspect of it is that ebay supports their high dollar or multi sellers even if they are selling fakes, cheating people, doctoring coins, or just flat out lying. They will back one of their powersellers before they back a smaller operation because it is all about the $$$ for them. So in my opinion, the powerseller status is similiar to a UN dignitary in that they can come to our country, break our laws, and suffer no consequence for this action. Take pjd19--. Powerseller for years and has repeatedly offended every law pertaining to the sale of coins and has received only a couple of slaps on the wrist only to be back in action. I could continue to name others but I think you get what I am trying to say. A powerseller to me is someone who can not be beat if you have a legitimate complaint.

Thanks for the kind comments Mel,you made my day

 

The comments I made about Darin were meant to say that not all powersellers were bad,not that I bought from him only because he was a PS.

Personally I would like to be a PS simply because that would mean that I was selling over 1k a month,and hopefully it would mean I was actually making some money! Not that I would rub it in all over my listings.It irritates me when dealers are so full of themselves. "Cough-cough-Luara-Cough"

I prefer a table at a local show

-Hayden

[midwest]

Not that I would rub it in all over my listings.It irritates me when dealers are so full of themselves. "Cough-cough-Luara-Cough"

 

 

Could you be a little more clear there I dont think I know who you are talking about

[nwcs]

Seeing the powerseller icon on ebay means nothing to me.

[chinook]

I am a powerseller and like Greg said it is for better customer service. I never mention that I am a PS. In fact my auctions are quite boring

[kryptonitecomics]

Yes....I have never put one sentence in any of my auctions about being a power seller...I just tell them to check out my feedback and bid with confidence. I am proud of the fact that I have never screwed one person in all of the years I have been buying and selling......I pride myself on being honest and even though I don't consider my sales on Ebay a business....the customer is always right.

 

I can not begin to tell you how many times I have taken a loss when some one wanted to return an item........I don't charge a restocking fee....I don't try to get my Ebay and Paypal fees back and most of the time I even refund shipping. Yes maybe I am nuts...but again this is how I chose to do business so I personally see my Power Seller status as a badge of honor......but the bottom line is you have to be careful with everyone you deal with in life and Ebay is just an extention of that.

 

I have a 1970 Corvette Stingray and I will tell you that 80% of the repair shops I have ever taken it too try to overcharge me for repair since they knew an owner of a Vintage Corvette had enough money to not care. Well I don't have a lot of money and I do care and I have found some good shops that are honest and fair.

 

My parting words on this topic will be common sense rules the day......look at feedback ratings very carefully and most of the time you will be ok!!!

[gmarguli]

I don't try to get my Ebay and Paypal fees back

 

Why? If you take a return there is no reason not to get your fees back from eBay & PayPal. It isn't held against the buyer by either company, so get your money back!

[kryptonitecomics]

You used to be able to get Ebay fees back, but now you have to file a complaint against the bidder or something like that to get your money back. At least that's what it seems when I have tried to request the FVC back from Ebay....I could be doing something wrong?

 

If I refund through Paypal...you are right I think they automatically give you the fees back as long as you issue the refund back through them.

[gmarguli]

You used to be able to get Ebay fees back, but now you have to file a complaint against the bidder or something like that to get your money back. At least that's what it seems when I have tried to request the FVC back from Ebay....I could be doing something wrong?

 

It just appears that way. When you go to file the Non-Paying Bidder it gives you a drop down list of reasons why. Choose "Buyer Returned Item, I Refunded Full Amount". There are a few more steps, like it issues an alert to the buyer to confirm this is correct. After that, you get your credit and the buyer does NOT get a strike.

[kryptonitecomics]

ahhh I see learned something new.....wow I have lost out on some money over the years on that one.....when the buyer and I reached an understanding that they were returning an item...I didn;t want to file a NPB on them....so very cool.

 

Thanks for the tip G-man!!!!!!