posted on February 19, 2002 10:43:16 AM
When I got my first bad feedback, I about had a heart attack. The feedback was posted without notifying me it was coming. Now, with over 2000 auctions, over 1000 positive feedbacks and a countable feedback rating in the 700's, I have managed to accumulate 3 negatives, 4 nuetrals, giving me an imperfect feedback rating of 1%. Ebay power selling allows you 2%, so I don't complain much.
Now that I have given all the vitals, every bad feedback given me was "out of the blue", with no warning. What I call "sniper feedback" Do others find that is true? Any buyer that has emailed me or called me on an issue, we have worked out the problem to everyone satisfaction on every auction. Why do these few idiots just shoot first, have regrets later. Seems like there should be an ebay board that reviews bad feedback before it is issued, and make sure that the seller has been contacted before it is issued. Seems like a no brainer to me.
posted on February 19, 2002 11:12:24 AM
I agree - you should have to fill out a form stating you could not reach agreement with the seller before posting negatives. Ebay could at least put in their warning that the person should attempt to reconcile their problem with the seller before leaving the neg.
I think some new buyers just don't understand the whole process.
posted on February 19, 2002 11:16:46 AM
While it is a "norm" to resolve issues before leaving feedback, some things are not resolvable even if you placate the bidder with a refund or replacement.
If you pack something lousy, you don't get a second chance to resend it with good packaging. If you send something that is not as described, it is still not as described. If you send the wrong item, you still sent the wrong item. If you were very late in shipping, you can't turn back the clock and resend it early.
People want what they ordered, delivered in a timely manner, and packaged well to prevent damage. They frequently are ordering for a special occasion or someone they care very much about. No one I know orders refunds or insurance checks on eBay and if the item doesn't make it intact or on time, you might as well expect that the bidder is not going to be happy.
And more than likely, none of them knew this when they placed their bids. Their misfortune was "out of the blue", but there's no eBay review of that either.
Just something to keep in mind. As bad as the feedback hurts, it probably doesn't match a bidder's disappointment when something eagerly awaited falls far short.
FWIW, some transactions result in negatives and that reflects the bidder's unhappiness, not the seller's neglect or willingness to do right. Don't take it personally.
posted on February 19, 2002 11:18:13 AM
Because some bidders think if you are not kissing their tush or licking their feet, you deserve the neg. They don't have the guts to face you with the problem.
I have a thought.... why is it that someone can bid on your item, never pay you or contact you, you can send out a ton or emails, a NPB and request FVF... and a month or weeks later relist the item, sell it to someone new, complete the transaction simply, both post positive feedback, and then 30 days later... BAM... you get a negative from the ORIGINAL NON-PAYING BIDDER. I do not feel that should be allowed per ebay's rules. I think if someone has a NPB filed on them, they SHOULD NOT be allowed to leave NEGATIVE for the seller. How is that ethical?
posted on February 19, 2002 11:22:08 AM
The bad feedback I have received over the 6+ years on eBay has come from crooked buyers. And yes, they came out of the blue no real warning.
If someone writes and e-mail "threatening" bad feedback, I have in the past most of the time tried to work things out, but as I said, it has been so seldom, and usually coming from a crooked buyer who wants something for nothing, that often it is impossible to deal with such people.
I'll admit it , that more than once I have paid off such a person, just to get rid of them - BUT WHAT I HAVE FINALLY DONE is to STOP GIVING FEEDBACK TILL the buyer is satisfied.
That is the ONLY way to make other sellers aware of the crookedness of the buyer.
I use to automatically give positive feedback when payment was made - but that give the buyer too much leverage, so I have had to stop that, and wait till it is obvious they are satisfied, and honest, and ONLY then leave feedback.
I am an e-bay Power Seller, and ONLY because when confronted with a buyer problem I get more support and interaction via the PowerSellers than I did before joining PowerSellers. That is the one and only reason I joined, but that is enough.
posted on February 19, 2002 11:25:32 AM
My opinion is that the seller MUST approve the bidder before any capability of feedback transaction takes place. If the buyer can check my feedback before bidding, why can't I as a seller apporve of him/her
posted on February 19, 2002 11:29:39 AM
I agree. the deal is never done until the customer is satisfied. So the customer MUST give final feedback first. All I want is the money and a happy customer.
posted on February 19, 2002 12:25:36 PM
I agree that a non-paying bidder should not be allowed to leave feedback, but there are circumstances where the bidder is not at fault.
Holding feedback hostage doesn't solve the problem; it only gives a seller a means to retaliate. I'm sure people mean well, but the problem bidders are such a small percentage, it doesn't make any sense to run the show in that direction.
posted on February 19, 2002 11:58:21 PM
I agree that it makes no sense on an item that already has gone through NPB and you get your money back, any feedback should be wiped out against the seller.
I'm also in favor of a flexible feedback system where you can change the feedback.
I used to leave feedback as soon as payment arrived, and did not really care if the customer left feedback for me. I changed my policy last month after a few undeserved neutral feedbacks. I just don't want to leave a glowing recommendation only to find out that the bidder has badmouthed me.
While negative feedback does not hurt the buyer like it does the seller, there are those unwise who have only one account for buying/selling, so you can always get them there, or at least have the satisfaction of responding with appropriate feedback.
posted on February 20, 2002 12:49:31 AM
I love the people who post Negative feedback then ask or demand a refund or fix to the problem. Those people are told exactly what they can do with their complaint.
If there is a problem I always take care of it promptly but some people you just can't satisfy.
My negatives which seem to be increasing are mostly due to people who either flat out lie or think they deserve more then a refund.
I sold 10 poison rings to a bidder who complained in the feedback several were missing the stone piece. Since I personally bagged them I know all were intact. If they werte damaged in shipping I could have filed a claim. But she insists I packed them damaged. Since she lkeft the negative feedback I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to help her now.
posted on February 21, 2002 12:19:21 PM
Ebay is shooting themselves in the foot (again) with this one..With their "hands off" approch, they have devalued the feedback forum until it means next to nothing...when retaliatory feedback is the norm,,it is time to look elsewhere..
