eBay Selling

Another startling change is the new demand for complete adhesion to the stupid new detailed seller ratings. These are the four idiotic percentages that are now used as a part of the seller’s feedback and already carry too much weight. Recently the site changed the default search to give an astounding preference to sellers with percentages of 4.7 and above instead of the more sensible “ending soonest” setting.

The new change actually blocks sellers from selling if they fall below a 4.3 in any of the four stupid ratings. They will be barred from selling until their percentages rise. This is done by allowing recent buyers to leave feedback and raise the percentages or by waiting a long time until the percentage has changed. How is that possible? Funny you should ask.

The percentages are only for the past 30 days, so low-volume sellers will be hit hard if they get a buyer or two who wasn’t happy with any one aspect of their experience. This will play out in untold ways, presumably including increased fraud from buyers who will blackmail sellers. And, being afraid of losing their selling privileges altogether, sellers will be more inclined to give in.

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