Top eBay Sellers To Receive New Perks

So called "Top-Rated Sellers" on eBay will now receive a few extra perks including a slash of listing fees of up to 20 percent and higher ranked listings in the search queue. All this as a way for eBay to rev up its long-stagnant Marketplaces arm.

Announced on Monday, the new program is aimed at rewarding the most reputable sellers, who drive shoppers to the site and give top customer service. eBay will give the "Top-Rated Seller" designation to approximately 150,000 sellers that conduct 100 transactions a year and post at least $3,000 in annual sales volume.

Those sellers must have a detailed seller rating of at least 4.6 out of a possible 5 on eBay's newest seller rating system. The ratings are a measure of a sellers auction accuracy, shipping time and cost.

"For buyers, the new eBay Top-Rated Seller status makes it easy to find the highest quality sellers on eBay based on the feedback of other buyers," said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces. "For sellers, the Top-Rated Seller status recognizes and rewards their commitment to consistently delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction."

Other changes eBay is making include a more streamlined claims process when winning auction bidders do not pay, an easier system for editing listings of bulk items and a tool that allows sellers to see the factors affecting the placement of their items on eBay's site.