Changes somewhat for the better

New automatic 5-star Detailed Seller Rating (DSR) for Communication protects sellers from getting low DSRs when there was no communication at all. Starting in April, you'll get an automatic 5-star Communication DSR when you specify same-day or 1-day handling, upload tracking information by the end of the next business day, and no communication was needed between you and the buyer. Of course, friendly, prompt and informative communication is always important, so on transactions where buyer and seller communications do occur, the Communication DSR will be rated by the buyer.

That's a good thing, of course, I guess.


The problem is, it fails to address the core issue of unavoidable negative communication stars: slow pay. Instead, it mitigates the '4' issue, which is trivial, and has no consequences beyond being an annoyance.

Sellers who harass slow payers, and sellers who refuse to fix SNADs, can expect a low comm star.

Sellers who end up with a UID filed 8 days or more after close of auction, and the buyer pays after the UID is filed, are in great peril of an undeserved negative comm star. If they're looking to improve good seller confidence, that's the kind of issue ebay should address, instead of the fluffy, doesn't happen, neg comm star from the blue.

One of the worst aspects of ebay selling is the tremendous impact a very small number of cranky buyers can have on a seller. It's like living in a war zone, where even good, skillful sellers can get shot down. It shouldn't be that way, and it doesn't have to be that way. Coercing good selling practice is good, but it can be achieved without intense focus on a very few cranky reports.

More details:

You will not receive an automatic 5 star DSR for Communication if there is any buyer or seller initiated communication related to the transaction in the eBay messaging system or a request for contact information by the buyer or seller. Operational emails such as invoices and invoice requests even if they contain messages added by the buyer or seller, and Best Offer communications are excluded from consideration and you will still qualify for an automatic 5 star DSR for Communication if there is no other communication between buyer and seller.