eBay "PowerSellers" - good or bad connotation?

[Spoosh]

I have wondered what the community thinks about this for a long time. For those of you who use eBay, do you have any inclination towards or against "PowerSellers"?

(If you are not familiar with the term, I'll explain. When an eBay seller meets a certain quota, of either number of sales or cumulative bid earnings, that seller is invited to wear the badge of "PowerSeller." The label appears next to the person's username on their auction listings. The title comes with perks, one of which is a supposed inclination of trust from perspective buyers.)

"PowerSeller" and "Pony Flipper" are not the same thing. However, with the recent discussions concerning people who resell ponies, as well as various controversies surrounding a couple of well-known PowerSellers, I've started to wonder about the label itself.

Does the label of "PowerSeller" have a negative or positive connotation to you? Do you infer a seller's level of commitment to you as a buyer based on the label? (For example, does dealing with a PowerSeller seems less ..warm?) Specifically, when you see that an eBay user is a PowerSeller, does it put you at ease? Are you more inclined to trust or mistrust them based on the label alone? Does the label have any weight to you at all (in that you prefer to judge a seller based on their feedback instead?)

 

[LadyM]

Definitely a negative connotation. They might as well change the title to "sells a billion things a week, yet neglects each and every customer on a personal level" sellers.

I know they're not all that way, but in general . . . uh huh.

Edit: I think the perception is that if you run into trouble with a Power Seller (item not as a described, item lost in the mail), you are screwed. eBay does not want to lose them as they are making mad $$$ off them and will side with them against the buyer; in addition, since the Power Seller sells so many items a week, if you leave negative feedback it will mean nothing to them.

Now, is that true? Maybe not, particularly with eBay's recent changes. But to me the term does come with a certain amount of mistrust.

 

[bestinthewest]

I would hope that a "power seller" has gotten that way by designating a lot of time doing business through e-bay, not just b/c their out to make a quick buck......but its unrealistic to think that way.

Even though one negative feedback doesn't reflect too much, I would still take it as far as I needed to, getting the issue resolved if I wasn't happy. I don't care if their "known good sellers" or not. That doesn't excuse bad business or make it okay for one person to be ripped off.

To be honest, I've found that sometimes I have a harder time doing business with "power sellers" or people with e-bay stores. It seems they either don't respond to messages, or it takes a long time. And I've had a few experiences where they don't return feedback, which is a pet peeve of mine.

But on another note, I've also had GREAT experiences with power sellers.

I guess it really depends on the person. And I always make sure to check out feedback and return policy before buying from someone.

 

[eatontabby]

I like to say a power seller is a good title because it means you've been doing a lot of business and you are doing it well to keep in business... and I myself will purchase from powersellers..however many won't because they assume that they will be ignored, flaws or notes will be overlooked and any issues that need to be answered after the sale will go unanswered because the seller got their money already...

I guess it all depends on the buyer though.. as well as the seller holding up their part..

 

[Chun-Li]

It doesn't really effect me because I've bought from powersellers that were really nice and great but also powersellers that really over charge on shipping and lie by selling ponies that are in much worse shape than listed.