posted on July 3, 2001 12:34:21 PM new
I was reading one of the other threads about leaving negative feedbacks for NPBs. Some were of the opinion that it was risky leaving negative feedback because of the chance of retalitory negatives.
I looked up one of the most prolific sellers on eBay to see how many negative feedbacks he has left. At this time, according to Vrane, he has 21,860 unique positive feedbacks and has left 0 negatives.
posted on July 3, 2001 03:24:37 PM new
Maybe there is some coorelation between the fact that this seller has left zero negatives and has received over 20k positives. Sounds like a wise businessman to me...
Obviously, he is doing extremely well as a seller. And, obviously, it is also his business on leaving negative feedbacks. The point I was trying to make is that out of the 46,462 feedbacks he has left, there have surely been hundreds or thousands of transactions that warranted a negative. He chooses not to leave any, which, according to some, does the entire community a disservice. I wanted to see if anyone agreed with his policy, or, on the other hand, thought that he was, in the words of MrBusinessMan, a "wise businessman."
posted on July 3, 2001 10:44:19 PM new
A very wise business man or woman for that matter. I don't leave negs and I used to leave positives when payment arrived - but not anymore - I leave feedback when feedback is left for me only. I went from apx 50% of my customers leaving feedback to 85% - this implies that many just don't leave feedback when it has already been left for them - but when they have to leave feedback to get feedback - 35% more bother to leave feedback. I have found this very interesting.
I only have 2 negs ~ but both times I had been left glowing feedback only to get slapped. I have not had a single neg since changing my policy - and for the records - neither of my negs were deserved. Neither person contacted me and said there was a problem - both just negged me.
You just leave yourself so exposed when you don't hold your last card..........I have dealt with all kinds on ebay.........and you are at their mercy if you have already left feedback.
We dont solicit feedback, if we did we'd be up near the 20,000-24,000 zones. Its simply more work and for what? Not even a cup of Java.
LOTS of folks dont understand feedback especially buyers. They hop from seller to seller to get another "point" to their final feedback rating. In reality what they are doing is looking for a reward? The numbers mean ZERO. People feel like its a reward, its not a reward.
In fact, we get LOTS of return buyers who hop around to up that feedback, get smoked by some sellers and become loyal to us sometimes exclusively. The reality is the more you hop from seller to seller to get another point on your final rating the more you are at risk of getting taken. Thats just an odds game.
As to feedback for NPB's it really depends. Of our buyers 95% at eBay pay, we track statistics. That as compared to eBays quote of 68%, the main reason is we issue reminders each and every week via a special mailer I coded up in C++. No, its not for sale as we dont want to support it.
Leaving negative feedback for someone whos not going to pay regardless can result in retaliatory feedback and while that in itself doesnt mean much to volume sellers it simply making a bad sale a worse sale. Its one thing I think Yahoo does right. If the bidder doesnt pay the site itself leaves a administrative feedback on the buyers account and they cant retaliate against the sellers feedback. I think eBay is working on something similar.
But its like placing a rotted cherry atop a totally rotten cake so we dont leave them either unless we SEE a problem in attitude, other neg's on the account whatall, we play it by ear if you will. But in general, nope we wont leave them as they almost ALWAYS result in retaliatory feedback often chock full of lies.
In my opinion its a very flawed mechinism as a whole. I think that all people who come into or are at eBay should be required to submit a credit card to eBay for starters to eliminate the kids who are often the bad bidders and they come back over and over and over using new accounts. Secondly those cards should be tracked. So if someone who's been tossed off the site comes back they sure cant use that same card to make another account.
I also think for NPB's that eBay should charge an adminstrative fee to the card just like a bank does when a rubber check happens.
Bad bidders will think twice if they know, I buy, I dont pay and eBay charges me an administrative fee of $5-$10. Now they have no goods and are out that money. eBay makes more money and the amounts of npb's instantly decrases major league.
Signed: WhyNot!
posted on July 4, 2001 12:33:05 AM newLikewise, some don't leave negative feedback because they're afraid or lazy.
eBay has sold you on the notion that it's your responsibility to police their site. Yet they are the ones making the billions. Go figure.
. Internet Pioneers
posted on July 4, 2001 02:09:20 AM new
Interesting point. I think the feedback forum is necessary just because eBay won't do their job and weed out bad apples.
Like a brink-and-mortar merchant, if a shoplifter or bad-check-writer is working the neighborhood, you owe it to your fellow merchants to let them know. Not doing so is just bad business for everyone.
posted on July 4, 2001 04:04:30 AM newthekismeme -
Thought your post was right on & I try to hold my last card out as well.
With that in mind, do you have a "canned" insert which you send with your inital buyer contact, or that you insert with your shipments regarding your feedback posting policy?
I'm looking for a more effective way of stimulating buyers to post. Should you find your way back to this thread, please email me at the following address:
