| Each level in the PowerSeller program comes with its own collection of rewards. We'll look at these benefits next . Priority Customer Support Chief among the benefits of PowerSeller status is priority customer support, as detailed in Table 17.2. It's great to have the extra handholding from eBay, if you need it. Table 17.2. PowerSeller Priority Customer Support | Level | Fast 24/7 Email Support | Phone Support | Dedicated Account Manager | | Bronze | Yes | No | No | | Silver | Yes | Business Hours | No | | Gold | Yes | 24/7 | Yes | | Platinum | Yes | 24/7 | Yes | | Titanium | Yes | 24/7 | Yes | Other Official Benefits Other benefits offered to members of the PowerSeller program include -
Healthcare Solutions, a medical insurance plan provided by Marsh Advantage America -
Rebates for use of eBay's Direct Pay billing -
Use of the PowerSeller Entrepreneur Resource Center, a one-stop site for third-party business services -
Access to the PowerSeller discussion board -
Monthly PowerSeller eNewsflash and Pillars newsletter -
Invitations to special eBay events, including the yearly eBay Live convention -
Ability to display the PowerSeller logo in all item listings and About Me pages  | In the past, eBay offered a special PowerSeller Recognition and Reward Program to its PowerSellers. It also offered a variety of PowerSeller merchandise for sale. However, the site discontinued both these programs at the end of 2002, so being a PowerSeller today isn't quite as rewarding as it used to be. |
Psychological Benefits As you can see, the concrete benefits that accrue from PowerSeller status are less than awe- inspiring . (Fast responses to your emails ”boy, is that impressive or what?) No, the real benefits of being a PowerSeller are psychological. Some buyers see a listing that features the PowerSeller logo and assume that they're dealing with a trustworthy and presumably savvy seller. If, to potential buyers , the PowerSeller logo inspires a greater degree of confidence, then membership in the program is beneficial. On the other hand, some users view the PowerSeller logo as the sign of a big business; if these users prefer dealing with individuals, displaying the PowerSeller logo can actually be detrimental. Bottom line, it's probably a wash. If you qualify, great. If not, no big deal ”although a lot of users really like the status that goes with the qualification. Unofficial Benefits Then you have the "unofficial" benefits of achieving PowerSeller status. Chief among these is access to the advice and camaraderie of the PowerSeller community. In addition to eBay's PowerSeller discussion board, there are several Web sites that cater to PowerSellers. These sites offer news and information, discussion forums, and (in some cases) discounts on purchases from other PowerSellers. These independent sites include e-Powersellers.com (www.e-powersellers.com), shown in Figure 17.2, and The Powerseller Report (www.tprweb.com). Figure 17.2. Get advice from other PowerSellers at e-Powersellers.com.  |
