John Donahoe, eBay's Marketplaces President said in the 10/12/07 issue of the Wall Street Journal that top ebay sellers ( I assume that means PowerSellers) will be given priority in searches done on the ebay site, and that those who are not top sellers will suffer the consequences.

For the small ebay seller this means that their items will be lower in the search index, and if history is any indication, those on the top of the search page often get more bids. This may be the death noll for the small ebay seller. Based on reaction from the discussion boards, many sellers will be looking for alternative marketplaces.