Getting Started with eBay

This article covers what you need from eBay before you start listing through Ecommerce, including the store subscription requirement and the eBay VIP Program — a significant cost-saving benefit available to Ecommerce dealers.

eBay Store Subscription

To sell on eBay through Ecommerce, you need an active eBay Store subscription tied to the US eBay site (eBay.com). Ecommerce lists into the eBay Motors category structure, so your account must be eligible to list in Motors categories.

Which store tier do I need?

At minimum, you need an eBay Store subscription. However, we strongly recommend a Premium or Anchor tier store for most powersports dealers. Here is why:

• Higher listing allowances. Dealers frequently carry hundreds or thousands of SKUs. Lower-tier stores come with tighter monthly insertion fee allowances, and overages add up fast.
• Lower final value fees. Higher-tier stores reduce the percentage eBay takes on each sale.
• Access to more business tools. Premium and Anchor stores unlock additional promotional and reporting features on eBay.

If you are unsure which tier fits your inventory size, your Ecommerce onboarding contact can help you estimate. You can also change your store tier later through eBay's Seller Hub, but it is best to start at the right level so you are not surprised by fees in your first month.

Setting up your eBay Store

If you do not already have an eBay Store, you can subscribe through eBay's website:

1. Sign in to your eBay account.
2. Go to Seller Hub > Marketing > Subscriptions (or search "eBay Store subscription" in eBay's help).
3. Choose your store tier and complete the subscription process.
4. Make sure your store is registered on the US eBay site (eBay.com) and that you can list in eBay Motors categories.

Once your store is active, you are ready to connect it to Ecommerce and apply for the VIP Program.

The eBay VIP Program

The eBay VIP Program is a special partnership between eBay and PowerSport Support that provides meaningful cost savings for Ecommerce dealers. If you are listing at any real scale, VIP is not optional — it is essential.

What does VIP give you?

• Zero insertion fees. Normally, eBay charges an insertion fee every time you create or relist a listing beyond your store's monthly allowance. With VIP, those fees are waived for listings created through Ecommerce. For a dealer with thousands of parts and accessories, this can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.
• Free subtitles. eBay normally charges extra to add a subtitle to a listing. VIP removes that cost, giving your listings an extra line of searchable text at no charge. Subtitles can improve visibility and click-through rates in eBay search results.

Why VIP matters at scale

Consider a dealer with 5,000 active listings. Without VIP, insertion fees alone — even at a few cents each — add up to a substantial monthly expense, especially when listings cycle or get relisted. The VIP Program eliminates that entire cost category for your Ecommerce-managed listings.

Free subtitles are a bonus on top of that. Subtitles typically cost around $1.50 each, so across thousands of listings, the savings are significant.

How to Apply for the VIP Program

The application process

After you begin onboarding with Ecommerce, you will receive an email from PowerSport Support with the subject line "Step 2 - eBay VIP". This email contains specific instructions for applying to the VIP Program through eBay.

Follow the instructions in that email carefully. The application goes to eBay for review, and approval can take up to one month.

Apply early — do not wait

This is one of the most common mistakes new dealers make: they finish their Ecommerce setup, start listing, and only then realize they never applied for VIP. By that point, they have already been paying full insertion fees for weeks.

We strongly recommend submitting your VIP application as early as possible in the onboarding process. Ideally, apply as soon as you receive the email — even before you have finished configuring your Ecommerce settings or connecting your eBay account. The approval window is long enough that you want it running in the background while you handle everything else.

Here is the recommended timeline:

1. Day 1 of onboarding: Receive the "Step 2 - eBay VIP" email.
2. Day 1-2: Submit the VIP application following the email instructions.
3. While you wait (up to 1 month): Complete the rest of your Ecommerce setup — connect your eBay account, configure settings, prepare your inventory feed.
4. Once approved: Your VIP benefits activate automatically on your eBay account.

What if I did not receive the VIP email?

If you have started onboarding and have not received an email with the subject "Step 2 - eBay VIP," check the following:

• Your spam or junk folder. The email comes from PowerSport Support and can sometimes be filtered.
• Your email address on file. Make sure the email address your Ecommerce account uses is correct and monitored.

If you still cannot find it, contact Ecommerce support directly and ask them to resend the VIP application instructions. Do not skip this step or assume it will sort itself out — the sooner you apply, the sooner you stop paying unnecessary fees.

Summary

If you have questions about your store subscription or VIP status, reach out to Ecommerce support. Getting these two pieces in place early sets you up for a smooth and cost-effective launch on eBay.