MAH645
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posted on April 6, 2001 08:14:28 AM
I get the impression sometimes that because people know you can't rate them back,they can leave negative feedback and lie about what they received.I sold a video I had viewed one time,I opened it new.The guy claimed it was in awful condition and not viewable.I sold another video,the gal claimed I switched videos in the box and sent a horror video instead of a Daniel Boone video and she was glad it was not her child who went to the mailbox and found it.Another one said the video was snowy from beginning to end,that was a new video.Why do these people tell these lies? I have never had any negative feed back on E-Bay just on this site.I think I will pull my stuff off of Half.Com and post it elsewhere.
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kumite94
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posted on April 6, 2001 01:36:03 PM
I was wondering if you have found an alternative? I hope you dont mind, but I looked you up on half.com and saw that you seem to have done well with them...why leave? I know that a seller rating is very important, but if they are bringing you sales why would you want to go else where?
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nowwhat
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posted on April 6, 2001 01:44:47 PM
MAH645 ~ I think in some cases people mix up sellers and leave feedback for the wrong person. It's definitely not a very fair feedback system.
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VeryModern
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posted on April 6, 2001 05:04:27 PM
I agree, it's not fair, but I got a book this week "very good" - comments "binding tight" and it arrived marked not only in high lighter but in pen cover to cover upwards of 70% of the pages and I RAN to give the seller a poor rating.
I really hate to pay someone to ship their garbage to me. The book is not even readable.
Anyway - I am primarily a seller and was relieved that I did not have to risk my rating to warn others for what good it will do and so there is another side to the story.
VeryModern Space Junk
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nowwhat
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posted on April 6, 2001 05:53:41 PM
VeryModern ~ Have you considered returning the book? I've ordered quite a few things on Half and some of them have turned out to be fabulous buys, but some definitely didn't match the seller's description. So far I've returned one book and am thinking of returning another one. I think you can only return 3, if I'm not mistaken.
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VeryModern
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posted on April 6, 2001 06:06:51 PM
nowwhat - I did consider it and when I heard the 3 only rule (in your life?) I opted not to because the book was not high dollar and I would burn one of my strikes.
The "you can return 3 times" is very poor policy. A frequent buyer could run through that in a wink. What I learned is that you are scr**ed as a buyer when this happens, and frankly the feedback I left is purely ineffective because the seller's rating is 4.8 which is plenty to sell on half. I am just out the money.
What happens is this...
That was Tuesday, and today is Friday and I needed to make another purchase.
I went straight to Y Shopping, and bought new, it is not worth taking a chance.
Till the memory fades anyway.
I mean that Very Good book is garbage.
VeryModern Space Junk
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ph44
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posted on April 6, 2001 07:09:34 PM
Most buyers don't seem to bother posting feedback. Those that do are a small % so a low rating can pull down your numbers. I read the feedbacks to see what was said.
In my case a buyer purchased a book from me that was incorrectly listed by Half.Com themselves but I got the bad feedback. I bought a book once where the seller had the same problem I left them no feedback and got my refund from Half for it.
They need to work on their FB system.
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rogerdodger
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posted on April 6, 2001 07:59:08 PM
Very interesting topic.
I have been selling on Half since December. I sell 200+ books a month with them. I have noticed the following from my own observations and from reading feedback about other sellers:
1) Video Sales have the highest negative feedback.
2) Negative feedback is most generally based on a "Very Good" rating that the buyer feels is only "Good". Not as many negatives from "Good" or "Acceptable" or even "Like New" ratings. (My guess is that the buyer expects "Like New" but wants to only pay a "Very Good" price.)
3)The Buyer doesn't understand the rating system.
I learned quickly that to help offset the negative feedback I enclose a polite note thanking them for their business and asking them to contact me if they are not satisfied with their purchase in any way.
I have found this can solve several mistakes on my part and the customers. If anyone is dissatisfied I offer a complete refund no questions asked.
Interestingly since I always refund by check I have noticed that 70 - 80% of the checks I send are never cashed. I recently had one customer claim that my "Like New" book arrived trashed and torn with a ripped cover. My wife laughed when she read the e-mail because she always makes fun of my triple wrapping and careful packing. Anyway, the check was never cashed.
I agree that the feedback system needs improvement. But until then I would recommend that you give your customer some way to contact you before they neg you. Your rating does affect your sales. It's hard to find a better place to sell under $20.00 items otherwise I would probably be there.
Rogerdodger
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kudzurose
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posted on April 7, 2001 05:24:43 AM
rogerdodger - I agree with you; I always include a note and my email address and ask that they email me if there is any problem.
I also think that some types of book result in feedback more than others - I seem to get feedback for the more "serious" non-fiction books, but seldom for a paperback novel. My feedback ratio is just over 40%.
kr
[ edited by kudzurose on Apr 7, 2001 05:26 AM ]
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traceyg
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posted on April 7, 2001 05:48:01 AM
MAH
You bother reading the comments? I don't bother. I did once or twice when I started all 5/5 but I stopped looking when I went in one day and have a 4/5. The buyer stated that the book was in good condition better then thought very happy with book kind of thing but the post office did something he didn't like so he left me a 4/5.
Since I can't do anything about were the post office leaves things there was nothing I could have done. If they feedback helps me improve preformance that is one thing but it doesn't in this case. So I don't bother even looking. I just sell my books and collect the money.
I have a perfect rating on ebay and a perfect on Yahoo. Never had a complaint from my websites. I don't need Half.com rating system. It is mostly for the buyers.
BTW I also include a note thanks them for their purchase from half and myself. . . . I end it with my name and e-mail address. So far know one has contacted me but I think that helps. I also always rate my books one level below what I think they are.
As a buyer I will buy only from sellers that have a rating of 3/5 and above. Perfer 4/5 or 5/5.
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siddielou
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posted on April 7, 2001 05:53:53 AM
Good morning all!
I just listed about $300 worth of inventory with Half and have more to post. So far I've sold a few things in a week - for far better than e-bay- but a newbie at this....
As for enclosing a little note I was under the impression that Half prohibited that and that one could be suspended for doing such a thing. Is that true or is it just a matter of what they don't know won't hurt them? If one gets "caught" would it affect one's E-Bay status?
Thanks so much - I'm constantly learning from all of you!
Sid.
[email protected]
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kudzurose
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:00:07 AM
siddielou - they do discourage it, officially, but I don't think they really object all that strongly - I think if you filled your package with advertising for a bunch of stuff, and someone complained, you'd hear from them. But some of their biggest sellers put flyers and catalogs in with the books they send out - I know, because I buy a good bit from half.com, and I've gotten this stuff numerous times.
I don't believe you will have a problem with a short thank-you and your email address.
By the way, in case you don't know, it is okay to put a link in your eBay auctions to your listings on Half.com.
kr
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siddielou
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:04:48 AM
Thanks for info & the great tip about linking on E-Bay auctions (I guess it's okay so long as Meg is getting her cut...)
Thanks a bunch,
Sid.
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traceyg
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:12:30 AM
They don't care if you stick a little note in. After all they want you to send along the one they send you. I find that to be a pain. I have a little note that I type of and then about 6 to a sheet and insert that along with my half.com id.
They do discourage sending advertising stuff along such as business cards to auctions websites etc. . . That is understandable. However many still do it.
(PS now that Ebay bought them out they probably wouldn't say anything about advertsing Ebay auctions but I don't bother. To me its not worth it because what I sell is to different)
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tazcubby
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:17:51 AM
I agree! I have sold well over $1,000 of stuff on half and the 4 lousy feedback comments I got were HALF bad!!! In one case, the woman ordered a textbook over Labor Day Weekend, it was shipped the next business day after the weekend, as it should, and she lied that she got it too late! Another guy claimed I sent him the wrong CD. The CD was the one described, and I even bought a NEW jewel case for it! When I wrote him a letter, he responded saying he wanted to keep the CD and wanted his money back and he would retract the comment. That's PURE extortion!!! I have a stellar feedback rating on eBay too! (redbear28)
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