Did Anybody Else Have A Similar Issue With Ebay?

I received my "Top Rated Seller" badge about 6 weeks ago, then switched all my listings to 1 day handling + free returns for the Top Rated Plus benefits.
The entire time, I couldn't see "TRS" badge from my devices. I figured it was because the benefits were only applied to US customers seeing as how ebay makes that distinction in their guidelines, so I contacted friends in the US who had also confirmed that the badge was not there.

I contacted customer support who sent this:



Their screenshot showed me having the badge.
I immediately messaged back with screenshots from various US residents using multiple devices showing the opposite. A new representative (they change after every message) responded with this:




This was a few days ago, and I believe the issue was fixed. Even though I can't see the badge from Japan, my US friends confirmed that it's there now.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I auctioned a good amount of items since getting TRS assuming they would show the badge. They all did well, but I wonder if they could have done better if customers had seen the Top Rated Status. Anything helps when going up against the hulks in the industry.

About a week ago I got a message saying I was granted TRS status, but when I checked I didn't see the promised badge and I had a friend who checked for me and he didn't see it either. I just assumed they sent me the message in error, but from what you experienced I may have the same problem you had.

Doesn't make me bid.
Doesn't make me bid more.
Doesn't make me bid less.
Doesn't make sellers lower their price given the savings in listing fees; thus:
Doesn't mean squat to me.

This is one buyer's point of view.

I agree with the direction parcelpostguy takes.
Quite simply, do you have the item I want at a price I am willing to pay ... or not.
I don't care about status or badges or feedback.

I also do not factor in ebay feedback or TRS status when making buying decisions.

Anyone, including convicted criminals, can simply go buy an existing ebay high feedback/TRS account on a number of website like this one

Don

As is the case with hotel reviews, I do check the seller reviews. The positive reviews do not tell me much. I have read reviews on Tripadvisor that showed the writer had no clue where he or she had been. Negative reviews can be telling. Stand alone, they do not mean much. However, if there is a pattern, it can be a good reason to be cautious. Also, reactions to a negative review can be telling. When a seller tries to attack the reviewer, it is a good sign the seller does not care about his or her customers.

The negative reviews are only informative if they are not removed by ebay.

PS: Badges and feedback on ebay mean nothing to me. Rupp Brothers is likely the most trustworthy seller on ebay EVER for US and Canadian material. They are not a top rated seller.

Perhaps it would not make any difference in my sales, but I sure would like the fees discount that is supposed to go with it.

Yeah, but you guys are veterans. You know the ins and outs of the industry better, and probably know the sellers better than the sellers know themselves.

I'm fairly new to ebay, but like most I incorporate Top Seller status with the underlying principles it's supposed to exemplify, being diligence and integrity. For the (good) seller, it can motivate them to uphold the title by being as honest and forthright as they can. That long-term joy is much more rewarding than the short-term high from making a quick buck.

There are many psychological elements attached to a title and are certainly nothing ebay has created. They've been around since the beginning of time! Nothing wrong with wanting to pursue them.

ebay states that the badge is attached to listings that offer free 30-day returns to customers. For me, that's a huge incentive to make bids on high-end items. The seller's reputation is only relevant to how much money you're trusting them with.
So, how is nystamps able to show the badge while not offering any returns? They have the best of both worlds!

Not only that, but it's supposed to make your items more visible in search results. For anyone not using ebay as their primary source of income while still wanting to make a decent buck, that's a huge +.

I hope you ask ebay about your situation. And be sure to bring receipts! Otherwise they'll just "reassure you that everything's okay", or lather you with "We're sorry. We're so sorry." (South Park meme comes to mind)

Don, I sent a message yesterday about not being able to make contributions to your site because of my location, and also not being able to include my ebay in my profile.
Did you receive that message?

Sorry, I did not. Did you send it to my att.net or my stampsmarter.org address?
Don

Thanks Don. I sent it via the stamp community.org Contact Us link because they are site related issues. I figured you would be one of the main people reading them.

I only see the 'Send note to Staff" messages (link in lower right hand side of every post). Or you can directly message me privately using the SCF forum messaging system.
Don