Last fall I lost my "Top Rated Seller" rating because I did not make 100 sales in the past 12 months. It took me a few months to find out why I lost that rating. So I was determined to get it back. In y April I found my next evaluation rating would be May 20th. By early May I exceeded the 100 sales for the past 12 months I needed. I checked today to see if I made the Top rated rating and they still had me "Above Standard." However, they said if I were evaluated today I would be "Top Rated". Now why in the heck wasn't I given that yesterday? At times I get disgusted with them. I've been selling on eBay for 25 years and it seems to me every change they make is making things worse for a seller instead of better.

My daughter used to sell a lot of things on E Bay.
She got tired of the seller always was at fault, the buyer didn't have to prove anything.
Also the % they took kept growing to the point it wasn't worth it any more.

Maybe you're overthinking it Nitty. I buy frequently on there and never knew "top rated" or "above standard" were even a thing. Only number I look at is the feedback percentage. And if it's not great, then I look to see why before I decide not to buy from them.

Angela, top rated gives you a lower percentage in seller fees. Plus a couple other benefits I forget about

Ahhh ok, I gotcha.

I never worried about my seller rating, I only worried about customer service. With that said I sell way more than 100 items a year, if there is a problem I fix it. I have had a few “I didn’t get my item” guess what, not my problem , carriers problem. Once package is scanned on pick up the carrier owns it. The few scams people have tried to run on us eBay ruled in our favor every time.
eBay’s cut is around 20% give or take, so that needs figured in your price. eBay sends you everything you need to know after the sale and shipping is complete. So you know your money coming to you.
I’ve be doing mail order for over 46 years , eBay makes it easy and supplies you with everything you need to track sales and profit and TAXES lol

Seller rating is what buyers look at the most, and that's why buyers get away with crap.
Sellers can't afford to have a blemish on their rating.

I still sell a bit on there but not that level. Most of the time is just go move things doesn't matter how much just to move it.

Any more anything I sell is on market place, it's all local, no shipping.
It may be the only good thing on Face Book.

Ive bought alot of stuff through the years.
What "crap" do buyers get away with? Im not sure what your talking about. I thought you either bought it or not. And if anything "buyer beware" because you pay before you get to see the product in your hand

They'll complain it's not as advertised , or not as good quality as the seller posted, thus the seller gets a bad rating.
Only way to not get a bad rating is to try to make the buyer happy.
It costs more than it's worth. JMHO.

Does anyone know what you can do online that isn;t a hassle

Im top rated and dont see much if any savings. Wait till you get the "Shop More Ship Together" option they are messing with. It gives the buyer 7 days to pay because they are SUPPOSEDLY buying more for you to combine shipping-I always did combine shipping without Ebays involvement. After 75 or so sales that buyers were going to buy more not ONE has. Yet Ebay takes there fee immediately and I have to wait 3 more days on top of the 4 already to get paid. One thing I hate is the minimum 30 day return window which is CRAP. That said most buyers are awesome, you always get a bad apple once in a while.

Very true 391 you deal with algorithms and that seems to be the easiest way out

ahh so it is to fleece you for more money , there you go that is their motivation , take more of your money for as long as they can and give you no recourse.

I mostly buy stuff on Ebay, rarely sell. I've had very good interactions with nearly all sellers and rarely return anything. I recently bought a new shirt, the buyer sent me the wrong shirt. When I initiated a return the buyer began an email campaign bad-mouthing and berating me. It was ridiculous.

I explained to him that he sent me the wrong shirt, sent pictures even. I finally told him if he didn't stop emailing me I'd leave a negative feedback. He mocked me for that. The guy was clearly unhinged.

I sent the shirt back and got my refund, haven't left any feedback yet.

I stopped using them years ago. For me it was to much When they asked for a longer more secure password I had enough. Now if I sell something I have a young person sell it for me and give him a cut

It was always my problem if the buyer didnt get the item. I had to refund them then go fight with the USPS for insurance. I never got refunded for lost claims which I feel is totally on them. Only the ol "we are still looking for it" for a couple weeks until they win by attrition- to the point where I dont even bother any more.. I also never thought ebays year end figures were any good to me with alll the shipping and sales tax mixed in so I kept my own records. And dont forget the old damaged claims where they need to see the box......I dont have the flipping box and most buyers arent readily going to help me much or throw it away immediately. There arent any so called "scams" any more a buyer can return an item for any reason under the sun, including buyers remorse or I found one cheaper. Maybe Im doing it all wrong or missing something here?