posted on May 5, 2001 03:55:33 PM new
Lately as a seller I have only been accepting
PayPal and Billpoint payments (another topic entirely)and I usually leave positive feedback the same day I recieve payment. It seems though that buyers don't take the time to do the same once they get there item. I don't really like playing the feedback hostage game, so what do you other sellers do?
posted on May 5, 2001 04:02:05 PM new
I do not play feedback hostage but I do not leave feedback until they have received the item. This is just part of my system and after feedback is left I know my transaction is complete. I do not ask for feedback from my buyers but thank them for it when I do receive it.
posted on May 5, 2001 04:14:50 PM new
I never leave feed back to my buyers till after there item has arrived and both of us are satisfide then I leave feed back this seems to work best.
the Idea of feed back is to give other a gage as to how past transaction have gone how can either buyer or sell gage how the tranaction went untill the sale is finail.
if buyers and sellers comunicate and work togeather as they are supose to there is no need for negitive feed back from either side since even if a sale ends in a refund for any reason its because both partys agree which is a postive thing.
Feed back is the last thing that should be done in a transaction when both partys are happy with the sale how could a seller leave feed back before the buyer has wrote and said they recieved the item every thing is as described.
or in the case of a problem the refund or replacement is made.
posted on May 5, 2001 05:59:40 PM new
I leave feedback when the transaction is complete. This way I can be sure that the feedback will accurately relect the entire transaction.
When is the transaction complete? After the buyer lets me know that he is happy with the transaction or gives me the opportunity to make him happy with the transaction.
Note that I didn't say that I wait for the buyer to leave feedback first. I routinely leave feedback first unless the buyer beats me to it. I just wait until the transaction is complete. IMO to do otherwise is foolish.
posted on May 6, 2001 12:11:05 AM new
When I receive payment from the buyer I leave feedback.IMHO when I have received payment, the buyer has fulfilled their end of the bargain. No matter what else happens they paid in good faith and deserve the feedback.
posted on May 6, 2001 12:57:00 AM new
When I was relatively new selling, I would leave feedback when I received payment. I felt this would encourage bidders to leave feedback for me, but there are risks with this (bounced checks, unreasonable chargebacks, feedback extortion, etc.)
Now that I have a reasonable amount of feedback and don't sweat it, I believe feedback should be left when the transaction is complete, in other words, when the buyer has notified me that the have received the item. I agree with dubyasdaman on this one, I don't insist that the buyer leave feedback first, but I do want to know that they received the item and are satisfied. I email buyers when I ship and add a note to this effect.
Edited to add: Oops, ya beat me Morgantown I guess I type too slow.
posted on May 6, 2001 08:51:57 AM new
So if your buyer doesn't leave you feedback, or send you a note that it was received (rarely happens for me) you don't leave anything. I have had bounced cheques, but as in my case we are talking about three bounced cheques in at least 600 transactions. I'm not to worried about them, and don't feel the rest of my buyers should be punished.When I receive a bounced cheque I file for NPB immediately, so they do not totally get away with it.So far (knock wood) they have all paid within the ten days.I will be very surprised if you have a high percentage of the kind of buyers you are describing.
posted on May 6, 2001 08:57:49 AM new
Also I would like to add that I have received two negs and managed to go on selling.One was from a feedback extorter.Now that I have a reasonable # of feedbacks, I treat my buyers as I would expect to be treated, if they are not happy, I move on.
posted on May 6, 2001 09:36:40 AM new
Well somebody has to represent the opposing viewpoint, even at risk of searing flames scorching this post to a charred electron.
95% of the time I don't leave FB until the buyer does. I understand that with simple, low cost items my stance may seem harsh, but walk a mile in my shoes before you judge me. I sell expensive computer related electronics, some new, some used, and I've had several cases where the buyer emailed that they received the item and all was well. Then weeks later, I got an email that they have some type of issue (want to return it, found it for less, can't hook it up right, some feature doesn't work, they woke up on the wrong side of bed, whatever). Inevitably, if I have already left positive FB but the buyer has not, he will remind me that "I havn't left FB yet, so I need you to (fill in the blank with an unreasonable demand)" - and with Ebay's system, he can come back to me and do this with no time limits - 2 months, 4 months, a year later - it doesn't matter, Ebay has no time limit on posting FB (But they used to a long time ago, I'm fairly sure. IMHO Ebay should have a 30 day time limit after a transaction for posting feedback).
So in essense, the seller is the one who becomes the hostage to the buyer when he or she leaves FB first.
When I have not left FB, I almost NEVER have this occur. If the buyer does contact me weeks after the sale, they are much more reasonable in their requests.
There are two sides to every coin, including this one. And in the end, FB is far more important to the seller than the buyer. Unless you sell inexpensive trinkets, or you are trying to build up your FB rating, why put yourself at risk by giving FB first? If you want to stick your neck out just to be a nice seller, that's your business and my Christian heart applauds you. But please don't present your opinion as sound e-bay business strategy for all sellers. There are newbie sellers who look to these boards to make their own judgements, and they need to be armed with all the information possible in order to make up their mind.
posted on May 6, 2001 11:08:51 AM new
I understand your point of view, its just one more case of those few problem buyers, making it difficult on the far greater majority of great ebay buyers.
posted on May 6, 2001 01:13:36 PM new
Dealtyme, you have to look at it from a different point of view. If ebay were to change it so you couldn't leave feedback after 30 days, it would create a lot of problems. A person could list something, get paid and not send the item. After about 2 weeks they will get an email wondering where the item is. They can make excuses, say it has been sent, etc and after 30 days they don't have to worry about it anymore because the buyer can't leave them a negative to let anyone else know that they are a scam.
I usually leave feedback when payment is received. Sometimes I get feedback in return, sometimes I don't. That's life. I figure if person isn't going to leave me feedback, they won't do it regardless of when I leave it. I don't sell high-end items, I mostly sell baby clothes so I have never had anyone threaten me with negative feedback after I have left positive for them. JMHO.
posted on May 6, 2001 01:15:32 PM new
I don't think you will ever have an agreement on this.
I used to leave FB when payment was received. I now wait until I know the person has received the item and everything is OK. Sometimes that requires a follow-up on my part. If I have not heard from the buyer within 10 days of shipment, I email and ask if they have received it and to make sure everything is OK. If they respond, I leave them FB immediately. If they do not....I wait to leave FB for another 10 days. Just to make sure there is not going to be a problem crop up after they have received their FB. I want the opportunity to solve any problems with a buyer before it becomes a FB issue. I also leave it whether or not they have left any for me.
As a buyer, I always let the seller know when I received the item (even those that probably don't like being bothered). I then wait for them to post FB for me. If they do, I leave it. If they don't....neither do I.
Why do I handle my seller FB differently from my buying FB???? Because as a seller, I believe the buyers real obligation is in making a timely payment. All the rest is just extra. I ultimately leave FB for all buyers. I just give it a little time, if necessary, to be sure there are no problems.
As a buyer, I make the effort to let a seller know the item has arrived and that everything is OK. If they can't find the time to post FB after that, then I don't feel obligated to leave them any. I may change that philosopy when/if I start seeing sellers posting neutrals/negatives that say: "This buyer paid promptly, let me know item arrived and everything was OK, but they didn't leave FB!"
There really is no excuse for a seller not leaving FB after a transaction has sucessfully been completed. That's just part of good "customer service". I wish all buyers would, but they aren't the business end of the transaction, they are the customer end.
posted on May 6, 2001 05:03:28 PM new
As a buyer only, it used to bother me to get notes from sellers that said they would leave feedback when I did (seems like a REAL lack of trust on the seller's part). Since my process for handling a purchase includes posting feedback and sending a note when the item is received and I am satisfied, I don't even worry about it any more.
What I find really amusing are the sellers who respond to my feedback and "Item Recieved" note stating they will leave feedback and then never bother. Talk about a way to loose future sales to people who care about feedback.
posted on May 6, 2001 06:19:57 PM new
As an international seller I have learned for my business I have no choice but to give feedback after they have given me feedback. I have been extorted more then a few times. Actually I did not know it was extortion till I came on AW
90% of my customer do not insure there products. At the end of the auction our company asks and show what it cost for insurance. It's there choice and with the product we sell insurance is smart. So I have to wait to see what happens with the product before I post feedback. We pack very well..and for the most part 80% of the product arrives fine . Once the customer has paid we give them our ebay ME PAGE and tell them to read it and if they have any questions to email us:
this is what it reads
FEEDBACK ON EBAY
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.
OUR INSURANCE ON EBAY
We are based outside of the United States. So our company is considered an International Company on Ebay.
Our company self insures all products to North America. Right now our insurance is $2.50 & 1.00 for each additional item. Because we self insure, if a product arrives damaged. We will ask for proof of the damage, at that point we will resend another product or refund Any other country should email us before bidding
Our postal service in our country does insure international packages but it is very expensive. $7.00 per package. So we have gone with self insurance instead !!
INSURING ON EBAY
While all of our customers on Ebay are given the choice to insure there product, most do not. That's fine we understand that it is your chose, to chose weather you want to insure your product
But it is a good idea to insure your product for two reasons.
1) If your product is lost intransit, we can trace it and replace it or refund it
2) If your item were to arrive damaged & proof was given to us of your damage. Our company would replace your product or refund
COMBINE SHIPPING
On January 2001 we started to combine shipping on most items. This is how our policy stands right now.
1) All mirrors can be combined for shipping. We will charge $2.00 for each additional mirror, won on ebay
2) All small items can be combined with a bigger or smaller item , If there is room. This does not include mirrors. There is always a possibility that the smaller item may break the mirror.
3) All products on our web site are shipped for FREE. Please remember this special is only given to ebay customers. And is only given with a closed auction code
SHIPPING
We charge 3.75 for shipping to all of America. Your product is shipped by AIR INTERNATIONAL
We are based outside of the United States. So our company is considered an International Company on Ebay. We use our local postal service( CANADA POST) They will pass the product off to your local postal service in your country. This process takes about 5 to 7 business days. The odd case I have seen it take 15 days
PAYMENTS WE TAKE
First we do not take checks !!!!!!!!
1) Billpoint
2) Paypal
3) Money Orders
4) Visa / MasterCard via fax
Billpoint & Paypal are the most used. We do ask that each auction be paid separately. This may should silly but both companies take larger % for larger amounts. In the comment box provided by Billpoint and Paypal.
Please make a note that you would like to combine order & give the auction #'s . This way we will get all of your statements together.
DIDN'T INSURE PRODUCT
While insuring on ebay is a choice we give @ the end of your auction. Most customers chose not to insure there products. You can request that our company scan your manifest. This will show that your product was sent out. We would suggest this if you find your product has taken a longer then normal amount of time. Please refer to our section on SHIPPING for the amount of time it takes! . We will not refund or resend product or products if they are not insured.
EMAILING US
1) We love emails,but remember the auction # , when emailing us
2) Always hit reply when answering letters from our company. This way we can look back on any dialogue we have had with you. Because of the large amounts of emails. This reminds us of who you are and what we have spoken about
CANADIAN CUSTOMERS
1) We will convert all winning auctions & shipping into Canadian funds. Please give us your total & we will convert it.
2) Must pay GST on the total
PRODUCT QUALITY
Any product listed @ $1.00 will either be
1) Discontinued- perfect condition
2) Overstocked- perfect condition
3) Imperfect- stated in the auctions
www.urbanhouseimports.com
[ edited by eastwest on May 6, 2001 06:23 PM ]
[ edited by eastwest on May 6, 2001 06:32 PM ]
posted on May 7, 2001 03:59:22 AM new
For me, it's come down to a time issue. If I get electronic payments, while I'm at the computer and sending an email reply with my ship date, I leave FB and I'm done. With mail payments, I batch by day and try to send email as soon as I can, but then I batch them again and leave all the FB in one session about once a week.
So I'm neither immediate, nor waiting for FB or email from the buyer. I don't routinely get "I got it!" email from buyers, nor do I have time to scan my FB and note who has left ME feedback today.
I feel that my paramount responsibility is to ship the buyer's item as soon as I possibly can once payment reaches me. I also owe them a FB point but I no longer feel this has to be done instantaneously.
I really can't imagine how the super-high volume sellers keep up with it.
posted on May 7, 2001 05:48:25 AM new
I was glad to see this thread still near the top today.
I had a buyer email me late last night and ask why I hadn't left her feedback. She wanted to know if anything was wrong.
I explained honestly to her that I used to leave feedback when I shipped, and how that was more efficient. And I explained to her how an unscrupulous (sp?) buyer can hold feedback over a seller's head.
She left me wonderful feedback, and I reciprocated this a.m. first thing. It's not a hostage thing - it's a cover my a** thing.
posted on May 7, 2001 06:17:19 AM new
1271 Feedback left by me to date, and every last one of them were left FIRST.
I leave feedback the same day I ship the goods, which is the same day the funds arrive. No negs on my feedback profile.
Hostage? Not likely, and the ironic part is that by doing so I've been spared a couple negs by hostile buyers. I believe the fact that I had already left them glowing pos feedback reduced their anger/frustration and they spared me from a neg feedback.
99% of my high bidders are GREAT people, the other 1%, who gives a sheet?
I'm not going to punish the 99% of my customers because of the odd whack job out there.
This may not work for everyone, but it works for me.
