posted on July 18, 2005 09:55:41 AM
To put it as succinctly as possible: International buyer pays $9.00 US shipping rate, we refund his PayPal payment & tell him shipping's $48, he says, quote, "Cann we cancel this auction I give you neutrial feedback. " Is this feedback extortion?
posted on July 18, 2005 10:15:17 AM
just passing through really fast - when i respond to buyers who try things like this, i gently remind them that feedback is a two-way street. i never hear from them again in fb or e'mail after that.
posted on July 18, 2005 10:26:52 AM
Just giving the buyer the benefit of doubt and possibly lack of proper translation of the TOS in the auction, I'm not sure that they intended feedback distortion.
Have you ever read a foreign translation of your auction? I have and it can be very confusing for the buyer.
I would contact them and explain that the terms for international shipping were clearly stated in the auction (they were weren't they?).
If you are willing to cancel the transaction you might also add that you will not file a NPB against him if you received payment for your auction fees.
posted on July 18, 2005 11:18:27 AM
Thank you. I'm peeved because he has apparently given us no way to exit gracefully from this situation--neutral feedback at best, negative in any other scenario.
posted on July 18, 2005 12:12:33 PM
Advise him that neutral feedback is not acceptable, that they should leave positive feedback, and you will cancel the transaction after it is done. If neutral feedback is left, I would file against him and give him a strike (as well as leave negative feedback)
posted on July 18, 2005 01:11:30 PM
I honestly don't care if it is, I certainly wouldn't threaten negative, but I certainly would be leaving it if I got a neutral over a moron who backed out of a transaction.
Also, ebay will do NOTHING about feedback extortion. I had a buyer who threatened me (and followed up) with negative feedback because I would not leave them positive feedback! Ebay didn't really care, so reporting them for extortion is probably not going to get you anywhere. It's all in the wording, I would be subtle and tell them a neutral is not acceptable for a mutual withdraw, that they should consider leaving positive feedback, and then you can go forward with a mutual withdraw. Don't threaten them with negative if they leave neutral, but definitely go ahead and do it. Also, if you haven't blocked them, do so now!
posted on July 18, 2005 01:46:54 PM
I'd ask them why you deserve a neutral when they are the ones that want to cancel the sell.I'd also send a copy of your bid is binding contract even thou it's nuttin but hot air ....But it's your feedback so you do what you have to do to protect it.
posted on July 18, 2005 04:45:01 PM
First check and see what he really meant. His command of English probably isn't great. It sounds to me more like he was trying to extend an olive branch; don't snap at him until you're sure he meant what he appeared to mean.
Claude
I grew up in a home filled with immigrants (myself included). My parents (whose English improved over time) didn't always say what they think they said.
posted on July 18, 2005 05:12:17 PM
there is a difference between extortion and following the rules according to ebay guidelines.
you shouldn't have to worry about a statement like, "if you don't pay, you will get negative feedback." that isn't extortion, that is simply telling the bidder that they must follow the rules, otherwise they will be held accountable for nonpayment. if the rules are already in place, and the bidder can read them via ebay's rules, or your policies, then you should have to worry about it. when a bidder attempts to change the rules of the auction like this whiner, then it is extortion. there are no rules that say, if a bidder doesn't pay, or decides to back out after the auction ends, that they can hold you hostage via feedback. they broke the rules, not you.
the problem of this particular bidder may be one of language. i would email them back and explain to them that you would prefer to receive no feedback as opposed to neutral because some bidders view neutral as a means of disatisfaction, rather than coming to an agreement not to purchase the item. suggest positive feedback or none if you are willing to accept that they are not paying. if they respond rudely or negatively to your suggestion, then bomb the crap out of them with a neg for nonpayment and not following the rules.
posted on July 18, 2005 09:16:28 PM
Technically neutral would be the correct feedback to leave. This person did pay so it was there intention to complete the transaction. Just they were too stupid to understand that international shipping is different from USA shipping. It is clearly not feedback extorsion.
A return negative would clearly be feedback extorsion on your part however and extremely undeserved.
IMHO, I would suggest to the other party, that no feedback to be left at all and move on.
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Alive in 2005
