It’s been a long time coming, but eBay have announced the end of the eBay PowerSeller Programme in the US. This is something we predicted way back in 2011 so the real surprise is that this relic from the past still existed.
The reality is that the eBay PowerSeller Programme has slowly had it’s benefits removed to be replaced by seller standards and the eBay Top Rated Seller Programme and eBay Premium Service listings. Once considered the pinnacle of achievement, the reality was that so long as your feedback was OK, it ended up that anyone could be a PowerSeller based purely on the volume that you sold.
The benefits such as fee discounts have long gone to be replaced by other programmes and, in the US, the final benefit which is a grace period before buyers could leave negative or neutral feedback is being migrated to the Top Rated Seller Programme.
This change will be more emotional than have practical implications for eBay sellers. I’m still the proud owner of an eBay PowerSeller mug which was given to all PowerSellers at eBay Live (If you missed it, they were in the PowerSeller lounge!). Now it has some additional nostalgic value as eBay will never again be giving away PowerSeller merchandise!
If you are a seller in the UK, you’ve probably not even noticed that the term PowerSeller has disappeared from the Seller Hub and help pages. Now, the US is joining the UK in relegating one of the most evocative eBay terms to the history books.
eBay email to PowerSellers (courtesy Reddit)
“As a PowerSeller, you’re one of eBay’s most trusted and valued sellers.
While the PowerSeller program is part of eBay’s heritage and has provided a meaningful badge for sellers, it now exists alongside eBay’s Top Rated Seller program.
Because the Top Rated Seller program offers more meaningful seller recognition as well as a wider set of benefits, we have made the decision to simplify our seller programs and retire the PowerSeller program and badge as of June 20, 2021. It’s been inspiring to see how PowerSellers have shaped eBay since the launch of the program more than 20 years ago and we now encourage you to continue your eBay journey as a part of the Top Rated Seller program. Learn more about what it means to be a Top Rated Seller.
So that you don’t lose the benefits of being a PowerSeller, starting June 20, your 7 calendar day grace period for negative and neutral feedback will now be included in the Top Rated Seller program.
In recognition of your contribution as a PowerSeller, we have created a special certificate which you can personalize and download here.
Thank you for being one of eBay’s most active and long-standing sellers, and for contributing to our heritage. We look forward to supporting you as you continue to represent the best of selling on eBay through the Top Rated Seller program.”
– eBay
