Becoming an eBay PowerSeller

One of the steps to running your own eBay businessalthough not a requirement, by any meansis to become an eBay PowerSeller. eBay's 100,000-plus PowerSellers generate enough business to warrant special attention from eBay, in the form of dedicated customer support, premier tools, and the occasional special offer. Plus they get to display that cool PowerSeller logo in all their auction listings.

To become a PowerSeller, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Maintain a consistently high level of eBay sales (see Table 30.1)

• Maintain a minimum of four average monthly total item listings for three straight months

• Have been an active eBay seller for at least 90 days

• Achieve and maintain a minimum feedback rating of 100, 98% positive

• Deliver post-auction messages to successful bidders within three business days of each auction close

• Be an eBay member in good standing and uphold eBay's "community values"including honesty, timeliness, and mutual respect

Table 30.1. PowerSeller Requirements, by Level

Level	Requirement (average monthly sales)
Bronze	$1,000
Silver	$3,000
Gold	$10,000
Platinum	$25,000
Titanium	$150,000

The most important point is the first, because it's the most quantifiable. There are five levels in the PowerSeller program; qualification for each level is based on average gross monthly sales, calculated over the past three months of selling activity. Table 30.1 shows the qualifying requirements for each level.

That's right, there are some eBay sellers who average $150,000 or more a month. That's almost two million dollars a year in revenues from eBay auctionsno slight accomplishment!

Membership in eBay's PowerSellers program is free. However, you can't apply; PowerSeller status is by invitation only. Each month eBay sends out invitations to sellers who meet the PowerSeller criteria. You become a member by (1) meeting the criteria; (2) receiving an invitation; and (3) responding positively to the invitation.

Want to learn more? Then go to the main PowerSeller's page (pages.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/welcome.html) and read up!

Note

To keep your PowerSeller status, you have to maintain the base sales rate. If your sales drop below these levels, eBay will give you 30 days to bring your account back into compliance; if you don't, your membership in the program will be revoked. (You're free to requalify at a later date, however.)