posted on January 13, 2001 01:27:56 PM
I have close to 500 positives on my ID and only 3 negs(none in last 6 months).
I just made my feedback private because a buyer mentioned my name in the feedback and I don't feel comfortable with that.
I did have to change my ID and email address last year for a weirdo
stalking me online.
Yesterday too someone had emailed a buyer of mine and asked for my name and address....
So,today I made my feedback private.Do you think this would affect
my sales ? I'm sure the curious ones will click it on to view the stats.
Just wondering how others with PRIVATE feedback fare.
posted on January 13, 2001 01:30:12 PM
I personally do not sell to or buy from anyone with private feedback. It makes you wonder what the person is hiding. I really don't even think having private feedback should even be an option.
posted on January 13, 2001 01:42:23 PM
I'm thinking that mentioning a name in feedback is not allowed in ebay rules. You may be able to request ebay take away the feedback where your name is mentioned or at least edit it. Wouldn't hurt to ask!
posted on January 13, 2001 01:48:23 PM
I get uncomfortable when a buyer bids on my item and they've got their feedback set to 'private'. As far as a seller having their feedback set to private I have no concerns, I simply move on to a seller that is more public with their feedback.
If the feedback mentions your full name or your first name is so unique it would be a give away you can have eBay remove it. Personally I like feedback when they say things like "Wonderful transactions, thanks a bunch Joe", it makes the feedback more personal.
posted on January 13, 2001 02:03:35 PM
I probably would not buy from a seller with private feedback. Even if the figures looked good, I'd wonder what the person was hiding, or think that he/she was some kind of paranoid weirdo that I'd rather not do business with. Just my opinion.
I have read numerous times on discussion boards that eBay will remove feedback containing names or other personal info; I'd certainly ask them to, if it bothers you.
posted on January 13, 2001 02:31:29 PM
eyedo: I think you should probably check with eBay regarding their criteria for Feedback Removal. There is something about Real World / Identifying information not being allowed in the feedback comments, I believe.
Usually, the fact that someone has mentioned their trading partners name is not offensive to the other party... however, if it's bugging you... I would think that TECHNICALLY it should fall within the eBay site texts guidelines for removing it.
Hidden Feedback would be someting I'd do only as a LAST RESORT... just because I do believe that many potential trading partners might be uncomfortable with the fact that they cannot read the comments left by previous trading partners to get an idea what to expect from you.
Too many other sellers to buy from... so they might just opt to go place a bid somewhere else. Ya know?
posted on January 13, 2001 10:42:17 PM
I don't buy when someone who has Private feedback, I always wonder if they took it private because they're about to get several negatives and don't want anyone to see what the problem is.
posted on January 13, 2001 10:59:09 PM
I do agree with the others regarding Private Feedback.
Regarding maintaining privacy, there are a couple of things you can do. For example, I have all payments made out in the name of my company. The address I give is my home address but the buyers don't really know that. If I was uncomfortable using that address, I'd get a post office box.
I think that buyers feel more comfortable sending money off to a stranger if they have a name, even if it is just a first name. If you are uncomfortable with that, why not just make a habit of signing your e-mails with your middle name.
posted on January 13, 2001 11:39:00 PM
I won't buy or sell to anyone with either a Private FB, or a Private Auction...
I don't sell to PFB because I wonder how many of those "positives" are cloaked negatives, and I won't bid on Private Auctions because I can't tell whether I am being shilled or not.
JMHO
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on January 13, 2001 11:48:10 PM
I agree, when I see private feedback I think they have something to cover up. I avoid buying from sellers with private feedback. I'm not sure if I would cancell a bid if someone had PFB. I may add that to my TOS.
BTW, I use my real name all the time, if people will send me money orders with my name on it, I need to know I can deposit them without any trouble.
posted on January 14, 2001 08:29:53 AM
Like most, I won't buy from someone with private feedback. As a seller, I don't have time to check the feedback of all my buyers. I've had some with private feedback and some with negative feedback turn out to be quick paying bidders.
Just my opinion, but if someone used my name in a feedback, I wouldn't care. I don't see any reason for concern.
posted on January 14, 2001 08:47:19 AM
Over 1500 sales transactions and the only pain-in-the-butt bidder I've ever had was someone with private feedback. So, I will cancel any bids from people with private feedback.
Also, I will not buy from anyone with private feedback.
On a side note, I also rarely bid on auctions that do not accept PayPal.
"My possessions are causing me suspicion." - Neil Finn
posted on January 14, 2001 01:28:04 PM
I once made my feedback private because I thought the number was sufficent, not like the comments make any difference!! I had to make it public again because a guy for no other reason of being paranoid (never emailed me, never sent payment), negd me thinking I was a crook. He got a laugh out of it when I asked him, and he realized his stupidity. You can tell by many of these posts how irrational people can become, so its a lose/lose situation, better to make it public if you do lots of sales.
