These days there’s a big buzz around the net about eBay top-rated seller program.

eBay changed top-rated seller requirements in a big way (to know exactly what the new requirements are look here then come back).

Here’s the trick eBay made: they made it easier to GET to top-rated seller program but they made it harder to KEEP your status!!

So…how can you retain your top-rated seller status?

I’ll tell you below.

Easy is not always the best!

Probably the “easiest!” way to lose your top rated seller status is to receive low DSRs. Those are the feedback stars buyers just click on to “rate” the transaction. The reason is that once you have 3 low DSRs, you’re out of top-rated seller program unless your transactions are very high (higher than 800, in which case you can receive 4 low DSRs).

Note that for high volume sellers who have more than 400 transactions in the past 3 months, requirements are based on the past 3 months not the regular 12 months.

Detailed Seller Ratings have been a huge headache for many eBay sellers since eBay tied it up to top-rated seller status and also search standings. Low DSRs can hurt your search standing and top-rated seller status. Be careful about it.

Describe your item accurately.

Ship fast.

Use tracking number.

Provide excellent customer service.

Accept returns intelligently.

You know, the online business best practices…


There are times that a buyer leaves an accidental low DSR. Contact them and ask to revise their feedback. Once they agree, send them a feedback revision request. There are times an obnoxious buyer leaves low DSR with positive feedback and can’t be contacted. Well, I have no solution in that case! Just move on and pray it doesn’t happen again because eBay wouldn’t care to remove it.

Track it down

Another way you could lose your top-rated seller status is that you don’t upload tracking number (or you don’t upload it within your stated handling time) for more than 10% of your US transactions. It shouldn’t be a problem unless you use drop shipping services and they won’t give you tracking number or you use super cheap shipping options that don’t come with tracking number (for example, postal stamp sellers).

Otherwise, upload tracking number or delivery confirmation number and don’t worry about this requirement at all. USPS has made tracking number free with Fist Class Mail so use that to your advantage. That’s a relatively cheap shipping option if your package is light (13 oz or lighter).

Sell a lot

Another hurdle would be that your US transactions fall below 100 in the past 12 months. If you’re selling seriously on eBay or that’s your business, this problem doesn’t exist for you because the requirement means you need to have an average of 8.3 transactions per month. That’s not much for businesses or serious sellers. Of course you need to sell at least $1000/year which is again not much if you’re selling seriously.

These suggestions are for KEEPING your Top-Rated Seller status. To enjoy the full benefits of TRS program, you need to be on top of your game…more on that later.

Your experience?

Have you recently lost your top-rated seller status due to new requirements? Have low DSRs affected your TRS status? Please share these and other thoughts and experiences in the comments section and remember to subscribe to updates using the form below.