posted on January 10, 2006 09:51:20 PM
Hi, I recall that several posters to this board have really well thought-out policy statements on their seller's pages/terms about why they don't leave feedback until the transaction is 100% complete, i.e. not just leaving feedback when the bidder makes their payment.
But for the life of me I can't find the thread or remember who you guys were.
Would appreciate it if you could again share your feedback statement that you use in your auction, I'm looking for an improved one to include in mine.
posted on January 10, 2006 10:04:56 PM
The one I use, when a buyer asks for feedback first is " I do not participate in the Ebay feedback program. However, as a courtesy to my customers, I will recriprocate in kind for any feedback left for me".
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
That's great, thats for helping out, however I do like participating in the feedback program, but I need a good statement to let bidders know I will be leaving feedback now after the transaction has been 100% completed to everyone's satisfaction, not earlier ~ I know I read a couple of good ones here a month or so ago.
posted on January 10, 2006 10:47:46 PM
Sparkz, that is a great policy and, IMHO, scads more honest than 'the transaction is only complete after you leave me feedback"
posted on January 10, 2006 10:54:37 PM
Oh great, here it goes!
I assume now I'm being told I'm less than honest for some reason, because I don't want to leave feedback at the time someone pays, but feel it is better to wait until they have received their item.
posted on January 10, 2006 11:04:50 PM
Upriver, I'm not suggesting that at all. If you only post positive feedback for positive feedback received, and negative feedback for negs received, why not state it up front, as Sparkz has done?
posted on January 10, 2006 11:11:00 PM
See it's not quite that, it's just I've gotten a little sensitive the last month, having received two negatives for things entirely outside my doing. For instance, on one transaction, the bidder paid me 7 days after the auction ended. No problem with that at all, I mailed the item the next day, and left positive feedback. So the item took 9 days to arrive, and I got a negative from this newbie because shipping took too long! The other neg was for an even more ridiculous & unfair reason.
Personally I don't think they make any difference whatsoever in my sales or how bidders deal with me, it's just these things are so darned aggravating ~ you do everything with excellent & diligence, and you still get a neg, so I'm just leaning toward a different way of doing this.
posted on January 10, 2006 11:42:59 PM
I recommend leaving feedback second, but I also recommend not worrying about negatives left that are out of your control - It's not worth it, I don't think people lose business because of a couple of stray negatives. That being said, nobody likes negative, and I've found having a feedback policy that automates is means customers are more willing to contact me if there is a problem, and if there is an undeserved negative, I can leave them one and do a mutual withdrawal. I'm 50% successful doing that, so it works.
My note on feedback reads (when I acknowlege payment, I don't write about feedback in the listings):
A short note on feedback - Because of the overwhelming number of items sold, I have automated my feedback - After you receive your item, please leave feedback and I promise my computer program will then automatically leave feedback for you. Without this program I would spend my days just leaving feedback!
I just checked my feedback, a little less than 20,000 feedbacks left for me in the past year, or about 55 per day. Too many to deal with it other than automating the process.
posted on January 10, 2006 11:53:38 PM
Here's mine, as posted on my AboutMe page:
Feedback Policy:
I'm very glad to leave positive feedback after the transaction is complete. Once you receive your item and are happy with it, please either leave feedback for me so that I'll know everything's okay, or let me know via e-mail, and I'll be glad to leave positive feedback for you as well. I generally leave feedback in batches once every 1-2 weeks.
For years I used to leave feedback upon receipt of payment, but after receiving 10+ bounced checks, several attempted PayPal reversals, and several buyers who claimed non-receipt of their packages despite proof of delivery, I decided to leave feedback only after I'm reasonably sure all is well.
Unfortunately, some bidders have figured out ways to "work the system", finding ways to get the item AND their money back. If warranted, I want the option to mention this in their feedback.
posted on January 11, 2006 08:10:55 AM
I used to leave feedback as soon as the person paid. Now I don't. I send a letter in each package with item number, etc. This is what it says about feedback:
A pleasant feedback comment from you would be most welcome and I will leave the same for you, assuming all’s well with your purchase. If not please let me know right away!
posted on January 11, 2006 08:51:46 AM
Me form letter:
"Hello!
Our system is set to leave feedback automatically once it detects that someone has left it for us. This is an automated system, and if I leave feedback first, it gets confused.
If you are happy with your purchase, just go ahead and leave feedback, and you will receive one within an hour or so at most.
Thanks for your patience!"
Bottom line, I blame "the system", not my own policy- it really cuts down on the debate. If they insist that I leave feedback first, little red lights go off and I decide what to do on a case-by-case basis.
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Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
posted on January 11, 2006 11:37:01 AM
Thanks all, you certainly really did help me to clarify my thoughts on this.
I've decided to go with this, which will be on the packing slip/sales record that I include already with every shipped item:
Your satisfaction is very important to me, both in terms of the products you purchase and the service I provide, and I look forward to exchanging positive feedback with you at the completion of your transaction with me. In the rare event you encounter a problem, please contact me.
posted on January 11, 2006 04:04:32 PM
I am now finishing my 8th year on eBay & I have always left feedback as soon as I receive payment. My philosophy is: If the buyer is prompt in paying, then he/she have fulfilled their part of the transaction & their is no reason not to give a pos. fdbck. I also ship within 24 hrs of receipt of payment. I have never asked for feedback, but I get some really nice warm ones.
posted on January 11, 2006 08:47:18 PM
Sanmar, maybe you just have really nice customers- it depends on what you sell. Or maybe you've just gotten lucky.
Great products, quick shipping, and Good service have nothing to do with it if you get someone who just insists on finding something wrong with you or thinks they can get away with something for free.
Again, depending on what you sell, you may not get this type of person, but I cannot imagine what that might be.
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Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
posted on January 12, 2006 01:30:50 AM
I just received this one from a newbie:
very nice piece..it was mailed priority, but took 5 days to get here instead 2-3.
I quote a flat rate shipping fee. No where in my auctions does it say what they can expect for a delivery time. Even the ebay supplied blurb at the bottom of the auction does not stated an estimated delivery time because I did not select Priority Mail.
THIS is why I do not leave feedback until I hear from the buyer.
My feedback policy is stated on my packing slip.
"We appreciate your purchase and hope you enjoy your xx. Please leave Ebay feedback so we know your xx arrived in good condition.
If there is a problem with your order, please contact us immediately at xx.com. Thank You
If warranted, I want the option to mention this in their feedback.