posted on February 24, 2001 08:01:14 PM new
i just want to see what you people think about this. who should leave feedback first?
One Step...
Two Steps...
posted on February 24, 2001 08:02:37 PM new
I don't think it really matters, but as a seller I leave feedback after it's been left for me, and as a buyer I leave feedback as soon as I receive the item.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:05:00 PM new
Seller should leave feedback first IMHO. I leave feedback as soon as I know the buyer has received the item and hopefully is satisfied.
Even if they are not satisfied though, if they paid in a timely manner and responded to EOA, then they deserve positive feedback most of the time.
If they are rude or totally irrational about their dissatisfaction, and nothing I do will appease them, then I usually leave no feedback.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:08:43 PM new
I used to give the buyers feedback first when eBay began, but not anymore. I had too many buyers threaten me with negatives if I did not meet their demands. To protect myself I only leave when I receive, and it takes a huge worry away.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:10:37 PM new
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK??I SELL ON EBAY..AND HAVE A LINK IN MY AUCTION THAT STATS THIS. We give feedback on Ebay once feedback is given. We have two reasons for giving feedback this way.
1)We are extremely busy packing orders, so we have created automated program that gives positive feedback when positive feedback is given to us.
2) We have sold for over two years on ebay. We have come to understand that Ebay's feedback system has some flaws in it. The biggest flaw we have seen is
We would leave feedback once the product was paid by the bidder. Some bidders would have unusual requests once the product would arrive. They would threaten to leave negative feedback , unless we gave in to the unusual demands.
What do we consider unusual demands.
a) bidder chooses not to insure product , it arrives damaged and they want a refund
b) bidders product does not arrive and they chose not to insure product & they want a refund. (please remember we will scan manifest to show product went out)
c) bidder is unhappy with the product and wants to return product and is not willing to pay for shipping back to origin.
....SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO...WHEN THIS HAPPENDS..YOU WOULD DO WHAT WE DO ..LEAVE FEEBACK ONCE THEY HAVE
posted on February 24, 2001 08:17:27 PM new
I leave feedback when/if it is left for me - unless it is for a repeat customer.
I grew tired of fradulent/troublesome types that attempted to nickle and dime me; considering, I'm fussy in item descriptions, and have an open return policy, they wanted partial refunds not total refunds. I don't do partial refunds - it's all or nothing. Furthermore, I refund shipping if the error is mine.
I can remember back a few months when this opinion would go against the grain of many posters here at AW. Seems this has and is changing... One only gets burned a few times before policy changes are implemented.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:19:04 PM new
Chum & Eastwest: That is exactly why I no longer leave feedback as soon as I receive the payment. I used to do it that way but no more. Too many people use feedback as a weapon.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:23:42 PM new
EastWest:
I like what you said, but, I would not post it for my bidders to read. It would open an unnecessary door to antagonism and possible bidder rejection. IMO
I belive it's best not to mention if/when/how/why you leave feedback.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:32:19 PM new
I do not put in the auction , I put a link to my about me web site...and but about feedback and insurance and shipping
posted on February 24, 2001 08:48:50 PM new
As a seller I always leave FB when payment is received or if I'm a little behind, when the item is shipped, and have never had a problem.
As a buyer I expect the seller to leave FB first as I have already lived up to my end of the bargain. Also, I became sick & tired of leaving FB first for sellers who never had the courtesy to return the favor.
Just my 2 cents worth!
posted on February 24, 2001 08:51:38 PM new
I mostly buy. I leave feedback as soon as the item arrives. When I do sell, I leave feedback when I get payment either by MO or Billpoint. If they pay by personal check I wait till it clears. I guess I've been lucky no one has ever tried to pull a fast one on me. If it ever happens I'll probably start waiting too.
posted on February 24, 2001 08:55:24 PM new
What is the difference between a buyer who threatens to leave a neg if they don't get what they want and a seller who won't leave feedback until they get a feedback from the buyer?
NONE!
Both are feedback extrotion. In both cases, feedback is being held in reserve for the retalitory neg.
Leave feedback when you want, but don't base it on what the other party does with feedback.
I think one way to help the feedback process is to not allow each party to see what feedback they get until they have left feedback. If either party doesn't leave feedback within 30 (60 or 90) days, they get their feedback and they can only leave positive.
posted on February 24, 2001 09:02:26 PM new
gjsi, I disagree in some cases, though it does happen. My wife left a neg for a seller and they neg'd her back. That was strictly retaliation and many sellers leave feedback after as extortion, but not all, including me.
chum summed it up for me perfactly and eastwest had great points which is why I leave feedback after now. However, just because I get a nuetral or neg does not mean I will leave a neutral or neg. A bidder really pissed me off and left me a neutral because a CD I sent him was a "record club issue." I was furious, but I let myself calm down and waited until I was calm and then I left him a big fat positive. Why? Well, he should have contacted me first before leaving feedback if he had a problem, but nonetheless, he was a good customer and had a perfact record so I wanted to give him what I felt he deserved; a positive.
I don't always wait. Just today I had a bidder contact me that he had a problem and I quickly offered a solution and apoligized even though he was quite angry. I left him a positive and a little bit later I recieved a positive from him and he emailed me and admited it was not my fault (though I still intend on sending him a replacement). It all depends on how the person reacts how I react. I also recently screwed up (actually GoToAuctions did) and posted an item twice. The same bidder won both and was disapointed that he could not get both items. When he finally got the other, he was not happy with the condition. I considered that transaction my fault and left him positive. I sent him a message actually telling him I deserved a negative and it was unexcusable that I misrepresented the item and I gave him a refund. Nonetheless, he left me a positve.
If I did get that neg though, I would not have been mad. I only get angry when I did not deserve the comment or if the bidder does not at least contact me first. I never retaliate. Also, I have left more feedback then I have recieved. If you see a seller recieved 1500 feedback or so and leaves 100, that is a bad sign. I leave feedback for everyone of my bidders. Though, its actually by choice and no one is obligated to leave feedback.
I have also recieved nuetrals from other bidders about packaging a long time ago after I started my new policy and I have left a few positives after I have recieved thouse neutrals. I think it really depends on the seller. I have noticed though that this topic tends to be a real sensitive issue with some buyers/sellers and I'm not sure why. To each his own! Everyone has their own way of doing things.
"I ask myself, should I part my hair on the right?"
ok, waspstar, that was your que...
[ edited by digitalmaster on Feb 24, 2001 09:16 PM ]
posted on February 24, 2001 09:36:17 PM new
Hi Eastwest - I did have that problem recently. I told the buyer (very nicely) that what they were attempting was feedback extortion and could get them suspended from eBay. They ended up deciding they were happy with the item after all and even left me pos FB.
I know that there are nuts out there who would have negged me anyway, but I think that for the most part people like that will neg you one way or the other. The threat of a negative FB doesn't really carry a whole lot of weight with non sellers.
posted on February 24, 2001 11:33:21 PM new
Really great topic and one I am going to change my policy on. When I first started selling on ebay in '99, I would enclose a card with the buyer's item, asking them to let me know when they received their item(s) so that we could leave feedback for one another.
(I worded it very nicely and politely, even letting them know it was important to me that they were pleased with their purchase).
After my feedback was built up, I began (and still am) leaving feedback for the buyer as soon as payment is received. I am fortunate in that I have never had any problems ~ never any threats of retalitory feedback, etc. For the past 6+ months too many (once they have their item and their feedback) "forget" to leave FB for me. I would not mind if it were just a few, but it is getting to be too many lately. And most are not newbies, either. In fact, the newbies seem to be more on the ball that way.
As a buyer, I post feedback as soon as I receive my purchase.
I have never failed to leave FB for any of my transactions ~ whether I was the seller or buyer.
The ones that really puzzle me are those (usually with at least 50+ FB) that take the time to email me that they received their purchase and are very pleased, yet fail to leave feedback!!!
IMO ebay has changed quite a bit in the last year. Buyers and sellers used to be more on the ball. A lot of the courtesy that existed seems to be disappearing. And so I think I shall go back to the way I did it in the beginning and hope it works as well now as it did then.
posted on February 24, 2001 11:48:17 PM newaramatha, maybe you are getting all of the buyers that have given up leaving feedback because they are tired of sellers who won't leave feedback until the buyer has.
posted on February 25, 2001 05:31:21 AM new
Positive feed-back for both parties involved results in satisfaction (for both parties), after transaction is completed. As a seller, I'm NOT black-mailing when I wait. It just means sale was completed and hopefully everyone was satisfied!
posted on February 25, 2001 05:43:56 AM newragstoo, IMHO, if you will NOT leave feedback until the buyer has left feedback, you are blackmailing the buyer. If, on the other hand, you leave feedback when they let you know the item arrrived via email and they are happy, then there is no blackmail and no problem.
posted on February 25, 2001 07:17:59 AM new
As a user of AAPro(at least for now), I always leave feedback as soon as payment arrives. I never wait for the buyer to post first. My reasons being:
1)They followed through on their end
2)It shows the buyer that I appreciate their business
3)It's easier to send emails and post feedback at the same time
If a buyer is not happy, then I try to resolve the problem. If a buyer posts a neg without contacting me, then I would post a response and leave it at that. No point in arguing with an irrational person anyways.
So far no problems with this, all positives and no negs. I would like to see more buyers returning the favor of leaving feedback, but I don't worry about.
I would never make the buyer post first as this comes across as unprofessional to me. Leaving feedback is not required, so I don't expect it. It is merlely a courtesy.
posted on February 25, 2001 07:20:28 AM new
This is a really great topic;
I used to leave feedback immediately upon receipt of payment. That was until several people Lied in their feedback about me or threatened me with feedback. Or people who have left negative feedback without contacting me and giving me an opportunity to make things right for them. I think that
Burns me up the most because everyone gets a letter from me stating I will do whatever it takes to make things right if they let me know. Here is the part of the letter my customers get regarding feedback:
FEEDBACK
Once I know you have received this item and are happy I will leave feedback. I normally leave feedback after the transaction has been fully completed: meaning the buyer and seller should be happy. In my view the transaction is not complete until both the seller and the buyer have been satisfied with the outcome of the transaction.
Keep in mind I guarantee customer satisfaction so please do NOT leave negative or neutral feedback! If there is a problem I will take care of it. I am a no nonsense type of guy, and take great pride in my customer base. I still believe in the old fashioned way of doing business and assume "the customer is always right." I will do whatever it takes to make you happy doing business with me. That's the bottom line.
One last word on feedback. Feedback is very important to both you the buyer and me the seller. We both need it because it is a reflection of how we do business on e-Bay. If you are satisfied with the product you received and the timely manner of my delivery and the service you got from me, please leave positive feedback. My user name is: <deleted>. This will let me know that you have received your order and the transaction is complete, and I will reciprocate in kind immediately. Remember, 1 for me = 1 for you. Again if you are not happy for any reason, contact me and like I said I will make it right.
posted on February 25, 2001 07:47:46 AM new
As a seller I send the following email when I ship the item: "I mailed your item today. Please let me know when it arrives so that I can know that everything went OK and I can leave you feedback." As soon as I hear from them either by feedback or email, I leave the buyer feedback. If I never hear anything from them I do not leave feedback.
As a buyer, I leave feedback as soon as I receive the item.
The reason I wait until I hear from the buyer before leaving feedback is that I don't consider the sale completed until I know that the item has arrived and the customer is satisfied.
posted on February 25, 2001 07:53:00 AM new
I'm wondering if I have ever bought anything from any of you. I think it is common courtesy to leave feedback for the buyer when payment is received so the buyer knows it has been received. As a seller I always leave FB as soon as payment is received. As a buyer I leave FB as soon as item is received. If that seller was not decent enough to let me know that payment was received, they do not deserve feedback. I have bought from sellers that give no indication whether they ever received payment. So, I treat them the same way they treated me.
posted on February 25, 2001 08:07:11 AM new
Samimandi: I always ship the item the same day that I receive payment, so my email is both a receipt for the money and a shipping notice combined.
posted on February 25, 2001 08:24:34 AM new
stan41
So, at least you are letting the buyer know that you received payment. I have had sellers that don't let me know if they received payment or if they sent package at all.
I leave FB when payment is received and I also send an e-mail to let them know I sent package. I've noticed it usually is the big sellers that don't seem to have the time to do things like this.
So, if seller doesn't leave me FB or at least let me know package has been sent, I don't leave FB for them.
posted on February 25, 2001 10:52:16 AM new
samimandi, we can all agree on that. I hate having to email a seller asking if they recieved my payment. I paid someone with BillPoint recently and I kept emailing him asking when my item would be shipped because he never replied to me. After checking his feedback, I found he too has the policy of leaving feedback after the buyer gets the item and he also retaliates when someone complains.
Anyway, I got a response yesterday (a week and a half after I paid and after sending in about 5 emails) and he said he got my payment and would be shipping my item out soon! What the hell is that? That is longer than it takes most people to clear a check!
By the way, on the feedback issue, this always seems to be a sensitive subject. Please read my message above to see what I had to say on this. It also depends on your feedback. After you reach at least 500, or especially 1000, bidders target you as a mark and try to control you because of your feedback. Even if one bidder does this to you it will most likely change your perspective on things. I have had it happen several times so I had no choice but to change my policy.
[ edited by digitalmaster on Feb 25, 2001 10:55 AM ]
posted on February 25, 2001 11:28:36 AM new
My main reason (as both a seller and buyer) for not leaving feedback first is this :
Some users do not leave feedback at all, so why should I leave them feedback ?
I have left several positive feedbacks for users who never returned the favor (whether they were happy or not) they simply did not take the time to do it, so now, unless I recieve feedback, I will not leave it.
This is not extortion, it is common courtesy.
Whether buying or selling, if you are not going to leave me a feedback, why should I leave you one ?
posted on February 25, 2001 11:36:17 AM new
Greg, I didn't understand your post to me. Care to clarify? Why would a buyer punish me for other sellers who do not leave feedback for them? I clearly stated I leave feedback the same day the payment is received (and this includes personal checks). I have been doing it for quite some time. I said I was going back to my previous way of doing things in 1999 for reasons stated.
I go way beyond leaving feedback for the buyer the day payment is received. I also email them that payment was received, tell them I left them feedback and I also ship right away and that includes personal checks ~ I have yet to hold a check for bank clearance. And I do this for an item of any amount, whether it be $2 or $100.
Then, I actually (if shipment is the next day because the post office is closed), again email them to confirm that I shipped the item as I had told them the previous day I would. Now, this is a lot of work and time and does not work as productively re feedback and response from the buyer as my long ago system did. So, why would I not go back to the system that worked more efficiently??
To reiterate, care to clarify? Why would a buyer punish me for what other sellers may or may not do, when I am going to all these lengths for them? If all they care about is...I paid for it....I got it...end of story. Well, if it is not important to them, why should we work so hard if they don't care? Why should it then be so imporant to the seller if they don't care? It works 2 ways, as so many here have stated.
aramatha
edited to put the little blue bouncey guy I love so much in here
[ edited by aramatha on Feb 25, 2001 12:01 PM ]
posted on February 25, 2001 11:48:31 AM new
A lot of positive feedbacks can be important for a seller, to give prospective bidders the confidence to place those high bids. A lot of positives is not that important for a buyer.
Being just a buyer, I don't worry too much about the politics of who-leaves-feedback-first. It's not so important to me when a seller leaves feedback for me, or if he leaves it at all.
If I'm absolutely delighted when I receive an item, I'll often go right to the computer and leave a feedback that day.
If a seller emails me and says, "Please let me know when you receive your item," I will often make a point of being sure to leave feedback to let him know, rather than emailing him.
If a seller includes a handwritten note with the item that says, "Thanks for your business! Please leave feedback if you're happy with the item," I will usually make a point of leaving a feedback. For some reason a printed out note doesn't elicit the same response in me.
Every so often I pull up my bidder list and leave feedbacks regarding the items I'm pleased with and for which I don't recall previously leaving feedback. Some items probably fall through the cracks. (I know "My eBay" has a feature that spells it all out for you, but I started eBaying before that was added, and I've never gotten into the habit of using it.)
Every few weeks I review the feedbacks I've received coz I want to be sure I reciprocate any seller who's left me a positive.
I understand the reasons some sellers have for wanting the buyer to leave feedback first and that's fine. I don't hold my feedback hostage, waiting to receive feedback from the seller first. But eastwest, I think spelling it all out for the buyer as you have is a big turn-off. It's kind of like waving a big flag in my face, saying "I don't trust you." It seems to set an unnecessarily adversarial tone for the transaction. It probably wouldn't keep me from bidding, but I probably would not be leaving any feedback either.
[Edited to add:]
I don't leave feedback for anyone who nags me for it by emailing after the transaction is done. To me this seems akin to a salesclerk following me out into the parking lot, yelling, "Hey!! Aren't you going to say Thank you?!?!"
[ edited by triplesnack on Feb 25, 2001 03:23 PM ]
posted on February 25, 2001 12:03:57 PM new
In all Honest It dont matter who leaves the feed back frist buyer or seller.
In either case feed back should not be left till the sales is Done completely and the buyer has there item and both sides are happy.
Buyers should always work any problems out with the sellers before leaveing feed back.
This way there is little need for any neg or neutral feed back in anger and the only reason to leave neg feed back would be due to dead beat buyers or sellers or a total refusal on the part of the seller or buyer to work out after sale problems.
This also would make the feed back system a more useful tool for all buyers and sellers to gage who they are doing business with.
I never leave feed back when I receive a payment for items as only half the sale is finished and inless I hear from a buyer that they recived there item and all is well I Dont leave feed back for that buyer for at least 60 days at which time I feel all there time to claim a problem is up if there is no trouble reports after 60 days there is no valid complaint they should level against me or no reason to neg for the sale.
The comunication between the buyer should happen before the bid after the win and after delivery of goods is made all problem work through then its time for feed back.
when I do leave feed back for a buyer its #1 based on the buyers Comunication to me before during and after the sale.
every thing else is secondary if the buyer and seller fail to comunicate all things to each other They may get a positive for paying but with a negitive tone to the feed back due to a lack of comunication.
