How to Become a Top Rated Seller on eBay

What Is A Top Rated Seller?
When you hear someone referred to as a TRS, or say they have TRS status, they are talking about the Top Rated Seller (TRS) program that was designed by eBay. The program was created by eBay as a way to promote sellers who meet certain selling criteria: fast handling times, low-cost shipping and an overall great buying experience for their customers.

Once a seller receives TRS status, eBay rewards them with a number of benefits, including high standings in search results for their product listings and discounted selling fees. These perks help increase an eBay seller’s total revenue. It also gives eBay the ability to promote and reward the buyers who provide a superior level of service. Maintaining a high number of proficient sellers helps boost eBay’s traffic and overall reputation.

Although the TRS program was first introduced about three years ago, the program did not generate a lot of buzz until changes were introduced to the program in June 2012. Those changes launched new shipping guidelines and a requirement for sellers to post tracking numbers to at least 90% of their completed transactions.

Starting in September 2012, eBay introduced a new TRS badge for sellers to place on their product listings. In order to include this badge on your listings, you must offer both a 1-day handling time and a 14-day or longer money-back guarantee. These items were not required in the past.

How Do I Become a Top Rated Seller?
To become a TRS seller on eBay, you must comply with the following requirements:

• Have an eBay account that’s been active for at least 90 days.
• Have a positive Feedback rating of at least 98%.
• Have at least 100 transactions and $1,000 in sales with U.S. buyers during the last 12 months.
• Upload package tracking to your buyer’s “My eBay” account within your promised handling time for at least 90% of your transactions with U.S. buyers over the last 3 months.
• Have no more than 0.50% of one- or two-star (best possible is 5 stars) ratings in all Detailed Seller Rating (DSR) categories.
• Have no more than 0.50% of Opened Cases (these are buyer protection cases that buyers initiate with either eBay or PayPal due to a dispute with a seller.), nor 0.30% of Closed Cases (same as above, but eBay or PayPal has issued a verdict on the dispute) without seller resolution in eBay Buyer Protection and PayPal Buyer Protection cases.

While the essence of being a TRS remains the same as it did before the changes in September 2012, other qualifications for achieving this status have changed. As an example, to qualify for the 20% Final Value Fee discount (a fee-reducing perk for sellers), a TRS must now offer 1-day handling time on shipping and provide buyers with a 14-day return policy.

What Benefits Do I Receive As A Top Rated Seller?
When you qualify as a TRS, you receive these benefits:

• 20% discount on the Final Value Fees(FVF) for all listings that offer 1-day handling time and a 14-day (or longer) money-back return policy.
• A Top Rated Seller Plus Badge on compliant listings (i.e., they must include 1-day handling and a 14-day, money-back return policy)
• High standings in Best Match search results on eBay. Listings with 1-day handling and 14-day returns will get the most benefit but other listings will also get a slight boost in search results.
• Discounts on postage through both USPS and UPS.

Final Thoughts
Many eBay sellers believe the 20% discount on Final Value Fees is the most important benefit, while others believe that a high search result standing is more important. The truth is both items are beneficial,  as placing high in search results ensures that customers see your listings. Once customers purchase your product, you benefit from the 20% discount on Final Value Fees. So as you can see, these benefits truly go hand-in-hand.