Highlights

• Earlier this year, the sales requirement was lowered to allow sellers of more sizes to achieve the rewards of being Top Rated in either the US or Global program. Additionally, the US Top Rated seller requirements and rewards were updated to keep pace with consumer expectations and reward the services today's online buyers want most: prompt shipping with access to tracking information and a good return policy.
• On eBay.com, starting this September, listings from US Top-Rated sellers offering 1-day handling and a minimum 14-day return policy will be highlighted with a new Top Rated Plus seal to help buyers more easily spot listings with the services they want most. The current badge will be retired.
• Canadian sellers who are able to upload tracking information on 90% of their sales to US buyers within their stated handling time will be eligible to have the new eBay.com Top Rated Plus seal appear on their qualifying listings on eBay.com. Canadian sellers who are unable to meet the tracking requirement can continue to qualify for the Top-rated Seller discount, and for promotion in search results on eBay.com.

Take Action

• Continue the great service that qualifies you for Top Rated status and then maximize your benefits.
  • To keep benefiting from promotion in Best Match search results on both eBay.com and eBay.ca, continue to provide great service, and meet the performance requirements of both the Global and US Top Rated program. Canadian sellers who qualify as Top Rated under either the US or Global program receive the Top Rated discount on listings on both eBay.ca and eBay.com.
  • Maximize your benefits as a Top Rated seller by offering 1-day handling and minimum 14-day returns with money-back option on as many listings as possible. These listings will earn the highest average boost in Best Match on eBay.com.
  • Use trackable services wherever possible and upload tracking within your stated handling time. While Canadian sellers don't need to meet the tracking requirements for the US Top Rated program discount and search promotion, only those who are able to meet the tracking requirements will qualify for the highest level of boost in Best Match search results, and to have the Top Rated Plus badge appear on their listings on eBay.com.
  • Check Selling Reminders on the My eBay All Selling page or the new Listing Improvement section of the Selling Manager summary page to see which listings need to be updated to meet these new standards, and then easily edit those listings in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's changing with the eBay Top Rated seller seal?

On eBay.com, the new Top Rated Plus seal will clearly identify listings from Top Rated sellers that offer minimum 14-day returns with money-back option and 1-day handling, and who are able to upload tracking on 90% of their sales to US buyers. The current badge will be retired. This will enable US buyers to quickly spot the listings offering the services they want most. The new seal will reinforce the fact that these important services are always available when you choose to shop and buy on eBay.

What will the new Top Rated Plus seal look like?

On eBay.com, the following message will be included in some areas to help eBay.com buyers understand what service benefits they can expect from items with the seal:

Look for new Top Rated Plus items:

• From experienced sellers with highest buyer ratings
• 14+ day returns, money back
• Ships within one business day with tracking

Why is eBay making this change?

The new Top Rated Plus seal will enable buyers to quickly spot the listings offering the services they want most. The new seal will reinforce the fact that these important services are always available when you choose to shop and buy on eBay.

When will the new Top Rated Plus seal start appearing on listings on eBay.com?

Starting September 2012 on eBay.com, the new eBay Top Rated Plus seal will show on Top Rated seller listings that offer 1-day handling and a 14-day or longer return policy with money back option, who upload tracking on 90% of their sales to US buyers.

Will the current Top rated seller badge continue?

Not on eBay.com. When the new Top Rated Plus seal appears in September, the current Top-rated seller badge will be retired from the US site and will no longer be used in any category except Motors Vehicles. On eBay.ca, the current badge will remain.

Where will the new seal be placed?

Beginning in September 2012 on eBay.com, the new seal will appear on Top Rated seller listings with 1-day handling and minimum 14-day returns with money-back option in search results, and who upload tracking on 90% of their sales to US buyers, as well as throughout the site where buyers view listings.

Does my handling time, return policy or use of tracking impact my Global Top Rated standing on eBay.ca?

No. While Canadian sellers are encouraged to comply with the new US program requirements wherever possible, they are not factors in your eligibility for the Global Top Rated program on eBay.ca. As before, if you are able to achieve Global Top Rated status, your listings will show the Top Rated badge on eBay.ca, you'll receive the highest level of search promotion on eBay.ca, and you'll qualify for the Top Rated Final Value Fee discount on listings created on eBay.ca and eBay.com.

Can I still choose not to offer 1-day handling and minimum 14-day returns with money-back option without impact to my US Top Rated status?

Yes, you can choose whether or not to add those services to some or all of your listings. As a Canadian seller, you can still qualify for the Top Rated Final Value Fee discount on all your North American listings, and promotion in search results on eBay.com without meeting the 1-day handling, 14-day return, or shipping tracking requirements. But only listings with 1-day handling and 14-day returns with money-back option, listed by sellers who are able to upload tracking on 90% of their sales to US buyers will qualify for the Top Rated Plus seal on eBay.com and the highest level of eBay.com search boost.

What happens to my listings that don't have 1-day handling or minimum 14-day returns with money-back option?

If you are Top Rated in the US program, your listings will continue to have some additional exposure on eBay.com but will not receive the new seal. You will continue to receive recognition on your Feedback profile as a Top Rated seller and a 20% final value fee discount for listings created on eBay.ca or eBay.com.

What about other pages besides search results and item pages that now show the Top-rated seller badge such as My World page and my Store?

All current placements of the Top-rated seller badge on other pages will be discontinued on eBay.com. These pages will only show the new seal in direct association with listings with 1-day handling and a minimum 14-day return policy with a money back option, for sellers who are able to meet tracking upload requirements. However, Top Rated sellers will be recognized on their Feedback profile page as receiving the highest buyer ratings. All current placements of the Top Rated seller on eBay.ca will remain unchanged.

How do I qualify to be a Top Rated seller?

See all requirements for the US Top-rated Program on eBay.com and the Global Top-rated Program on eBay.ca.

How do I offer returns?

When listing an item, you will need to indicate that returns are accepted and specify your returns policy. You have the option to pay the return shipping costs or require the buyer to pay the return shipping. In addition, you can specify the terms of accepting a return, including setting a basic restocking fee specifying that items must be returned in original condition. See the Create your Return Policy.

How do I specify 1-day handling?

When listing an item, choose a handling time of 'one business day'. This means you will need to ship the item within one business day after receiving cleared payment. For example, if you specify 1-day handling time and a buyer pays for an item on Tuesday, you have until 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday to upload a tracking number. For an order paid for on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, a tracking number must be uploaded by 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time on Monday. Weekends and holidays will not be considered a 'business day.'