Skip to main content

63 replies

Feedback's becoming a wast of time!

G gardengnomeMember
Hi everybody; Been a long time, hope you remember me!

I've just got back into ebaying after a long hiatus and one thing has struck me. The number of sellers who insist on waiting for the buyer to provide feedback before deigning to reciprocate is on the increase. They often say this is because some buyers don't bother, but so what! If a buyer such as myself pays promptly THAT is when feedback is due from the seller. If I subsequently leave a neg. for them then there's a damn good reason!

Feedback is NOT compulsory despite what some people think.

This will kill the feedback system because buyers will avoid leaving negative feedback for fear of retaliation, tit for tat as it were. A great situation for those less upstanding individuals to exploit.

You've prob'ly already covered this ground but there's my tuppence worth anyhow.

GG
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

L lvtosnipeMember
I agree with you - before right after the payment was made feedback was usually left. I've done this myself as a seller (still do, but I'm one of the few). I believe the buyer has completed his/her part of the deal by paying me. Truly that is all the buyers obligation is, to pay for their item in a timely manner.

My obligation as a seller is to get that item there and mail it out in a timely manner. Whether or not the buyer is happy with their purchase is a different matter altogether.

That is why it is VERY important to read carefully so you know what you are getting.

I have 100% positive, but I can say that I have not left feedback for something that I've purchased that may have taken way too long to get or that I'm not happy with because it wasn't stated in the auction, just because I don't want to blow my feedback rating if the seller hasn't already posted feedback.

Maybe a suggestion to ebay is that once payment is rendered the seller has 10 days to leave feedback that payment was received on time. That might help?!?!?!?

Any other suggestions?
Wink
G gardengnomeMember
I generally concur.

I know some (a very few I hope) commercial dealers do use this as a form of blackmail but I'm disappointed to see it becoming general among non-commercials as well.

I, too, have a 100% record but I accept that at some point, if I sell again, some problem will arise that may make it 99.9 or something. It's prob'ly inevitable, but that's life.

Perhaps NOT leaving feedback should automatically generate a positive after 90 days, on the understanding that "no news is good news"? Or even a neutral?

GG
G gardengnomeMember
Thanks for that warm welcome back Puppy - much appreciated. I'll have to show that pic to Mini & Maxi when I get home from work.

I never did figure out how to do that image thing.

The more I think about it the fewer problems I can see with the idea of an automatic positive feedback. Rather than a blank comment line it could read "This Feedback was automatically generated as no response was received from the buyer/seller after 90 days" or something.

That way "real' feedback with it's complimentary comments would still be preferable, and taking the trouble to give it would show a genuine desire to praise the other party for a job well done.

Don't know how eBay would take to it though.

GG
mrsmmrsmMember
I certainly concur with most of your comments! I sell everyday on Ebay. When a person has paid for their win, I immediatly go in and leave feedback, then email them with shipping info and a personal "thanks". If they leave me good or bad is up to them or if they don't leave any. I had a seller tell me recently that she would leave me feedback as soon as I received my item and left her some. I came right out and asked her if she was trying to blackmail me into a positive!! She appoligized and left my good feedback right away!

Puppy, cute, cute pix!!

GG, hope to see you really often!! We missed you!
G gardengnomeMember
Hi Mrs. M. Nice to chat with you all again.

If this reaction by sellers is truly because of a tendency for buyers not to bother with feedback then I think my suggestion is the only answer.

If a buyer doesn't leave me feedback I don't even bother to remind them as some people do. To my mind it doesn't matter what the total of your feedback is as long as it's 99% (or thereabouts) positive, and that's all I ask of others.

In my last bout (or binge) of buying, I think about 40% of sellers didn't give feedback on payment, and, since I pay immediately and without demur that annoys me. I've done my bit! They've got my money. They owe me. I can understand those who do their feedback in bulk at the end of the week or something, even if I disapprove, but I currently have 6 won items, all paid for with no feedback. It's bad manners if nothing more.

As I'm certain you do, as a seller, I acknowledge payments with a personal email, not just a system generated one. I send one when the item's posted as well. As a buyer I immediately request a total price, advise by personal email when payment is made and also when the item arrives. (Exemplary ain't I?)

Seriously though, I think the feedback system is in danger of being corrupted partly because of some people's fixation with their FB total. If my idea was adopted these ones would be assured of getting their precious feedback and anyone still insisting on the buyer posting first would be exposed as attempting blackmail.

Boy, I sure can rabbit on when I get going! Are you SURE you missed me?

GG
L larrythelegendMember
I have a different slant on this subject. I participate in the glass & pottery discussion group on eBay. Most of the participnts are sellers.

They don't like to give feedback earlier than the buyer because they feel a transaction is not complete until all parties are satisfied. They don't do this as blackmail but to defend themselves from an increasing number of buyers who are trying to commit fraud such as buying an item with a good lid, claiming lid was broken in shipping and asking for a partial refund. These buyers use FB blackmail to defraud nice guys. So, no more nice guy. These are the same sellers who place secret marks on their items so that they can verify the item they sent was returned.
G gardengnomeMember
I, too, can see your point but I've moticed many sellers who wash their hands of responsibility if the buyer chooses not to take out insurance. If this is stated clearly in the item description and the buyer refuses it's on their own head and the seller can reply to their negative FB by stating this fact.

Obviously, the seller has to pack the item securely in the first instance and keep a receipt.

As I said in the beginning, a few negs are almost almost inevitable when selling - there's always someone who's never satisfied. It doesn't pay to be too sensitive about one's FB total.

I have no qualms about dealing with anyone with a total of 97+, even 95+ provided of course all their negs didn't arise in the last month (or week) so a certain number of malicious negs won't be the end of the world.

GG
mrsmmrsmMember
The only bad feedback I ever had was on a scooter part. The person never complained in any way, but two or three month later gave me a neg saying it didn't go right with his other accessories! Go figure!

The thing you have to watch , I think, also, is how the percentage corresponds to the amount of sales. Otherwise, if you have sold just a small amount and get a neg.,it will knock your score way down, whereas, if you have sold tons, you could have many negs and a much higher percentage. Guess you just have to judge the overall content.
puppyraiserpuppyraiserMember
Another idea is to have a max feedback score... either in numbers or time frame. You could still keep a total transactions count, but drop the old ones from a score. I don't really care about comments left years ago. I want to know how you've been satisfying your buyers/sellers over the last few months/year. People do change, and there would be less blackmail, knowing your record would (one day) be expunged.
C chatterMember
I can see that some sellers have kept up their end of the bargain, only to have buyers leave negative feedback, without ever having contacted the seller. I get many items with notes asking that I leave positive feedback, assuring me that they will do the same once I havew done so.

I notice four types of sellers:

1) leave feedback immediately upon payment
2) leave feedback when the item is shipped
3) leave feedback when they receive it from me 4) leave feedback in batches, weeks or months
later

As a buyer, I really do not care, but I can see the merits of each approach. Of course, a few leave none at all.

I have no problem with a seller who disclaims responsibility if a buyer chooses not to purchase insurance. Red Face
G gardengnomeMember
Mornin' all;

Yes, I like the idea of FB being deleted after 12 months or so enabling honest sellers/buyers to get back to 100% after a malicious neg.

There'd be a helluva scream from those to whom the FB total is everything but.

The dice are a bit loaded against newcomers aren't they? If you have a FB total of 2 and you get a neg., deserved or otherwise, you only rate 50%. A lot of people would see just that and not be inclined to take a punt on you.

GG
G gardengnomeMember
We'll just have to live with it, eh?

On a connected subject, I recently had an instance of a seller who never delivered the goods and ignored all emails for information. Something obviously went drastically wrong as a number of buyers were also involved and she got some 11 negs in the last week. I, and others, reported this to eBay and she was subsequently suspended.

When I bought the goods the seller had something like a 97% record, so something must have occurred in her life to cause the problems. That's no reason to ignore emails though.

My point is, she was able to prevent anyone seeing her feedback comments (and rating) by making them "Private".

What is the point of having a feedback score if nobody can see what it is? No one in their right mind is going to buy from a seller who hides their FB rating and comments, are they?

I don't understand what this facility is there for.

GG
B barskinMember
Now here's blackmail for ya! I just received an email from a seller, whom I paid 3 days ago- just minutes after the end of the auction, telling me me item had shipped. At the end of the message was this:

"The program I'm using for auction management is set up to automatically post you a very positive feedback immediatelly after your positive feedback is received.
Thanks for your purchase!"
N ncxlightningMember
I don't leave feedback till it is left for me. I know it seems harsh but the seller assumes almost all of the risk with E-bays feedback system.

If your a buyer and go looking for something to buy and there are a tun of them going for around the same price and you have a choise of buying from a person with 100% and a person with 98% who do you buy from? It is obvious that the seller can lose money from negative feedback.

Now lets look at it from the other angle (the buyer) if you have a 98% feedback and a person who has a 100% feedback wants the same item but won't pay as much do you think a seller would not take the higher price? (you can see the double standerd already)

When won't a seller take a bid from a buyer? Even if the buyer has a 50% neg feedback a seller can get his listing fees back and be out nothing (except time) if the deal gose sour. So why do buyers think it is more important for a seller to leave feedback first? The only reason I could see this happening is if the buyer was also a seller but if they are they should know the risks each side takes and be accomodating.

Now lets talk practical. Feedback is a statement that says the transaction went well and if a seller gave feedback before knowing that it did indeed go well, then they are doing themselves a disservice and on top of that, the buyer can say whatever they want without fear of rebutal or anykind of punishment at all.

I have one neg feedback and thank goodness I was able to give him a neg as well. I shiped an item the seller didn't want insurance on and he told me some time later it never arrived. I gracefully gave him his money back and apoligised (even though I was not at fault at all I have the reciept from the post office) later (the day I gave him the refund) he posted negative feedback for me saying I kept the item.

The example above is a prime reason a seller should never go first unless they are very brave.

I have taken bids from buyers with 0 feedback and didn't think twice about it and so do other sellers. If a buyer gets bad feedback it isn't that hard to start over buy a bunch of 1 cent items get about 20 feedbacks and go again. The seller however won't recover quite so quickly I assure you.

Sorry about the rambeling to those who sat and actually read it I'm at work so I'm a little board Smile
G gardengnomeMember
I can see your point(s), I'm a seller too. But actually you've just proved my initial point.

I quote, " I have one neg feedback and thank goodness I was able to give him a neg as well."

This is exactly the kind of tit-for-tat use of feedback that destroys the spirit of the thing. It leads to the blackmail situation we've discussed, in other words, "Bad-mouth me and I'll do the same to you!".

Yes, the seller does take a risk, I said a few negs are almost inevitable and what's so bad about 97%? - it's never turned me off a seller.

Keep in mind that if you receive a negative you have the chance to comment on it and state your case there.

I sell, and I give a positive feedback immediatley on receipt of payment too. If I took the attitude that you propose it would take the fun out of dealing and the pleasure out of contact with people, which is a big part of the eBay experience.

GG
skinnyskinnyMember
Lightning, I read your complete post. Are you filling in for Jabbarah? However, I think GG is absoultly right. I received an item today I forgot I bought. I won it 2 months ago. It came in a very small padded envelope. By paying within minutes of auctions end I fufilled the first part of my obligation to the seller, peroid. I deserve positive feedback so other seller's know I pay and pay quickly. I have been without the money I paid, without the item and without feedback for two months. I left him positive feedback, fufilling the final part of my obligation. Regardless of whether the seller leaves me feedback, I've played by the rules as I believe ebay intended. This seller obviously refused to abide by eBay and PayPal regulations regarding shipping times. Not all seller's or buyer's are honorable. It is very sad indeed when attitudes deterorate to the point of, I'll help you IF you help me. I don't believe a seller needs to be concerned about poor feedback if he/she is selling a ligit item, it is as described, has good communication with the buyer and ships on time.
G gardengnomeMember
quote:
If your a buyer and go looking for something to buy and there are a tun of them going for around the same price and you have a choise of buying from a person with 100% and a person with 98% who do you buy from? It is obvious that the seller can lose money from negative feedback.


Just one additional comment;

I would buy a: from the one who accepted Paypal, b: the one whose item seemed the best quality and/or value, and c: the one with the best description/picture so I know what I'm getting.

To be honest, I rarely, if ever, check a sellers feedback before bidding and I've never regretted it.

GG
bartelbybartelbyMember
Let me just throw a scenario out there....

What if you have a buyer pays within minutes of the auction ending, you post the item, leave feedback as every good seller should... then when that buyer receives the item they say it was broken/never turned up/not as described blah blah blah, even though you know it was as described, prolly turned up and wasnt broken....they retort with a I will be leaving Negative feedback *unless we come to a suitable arrangement*. So you scurry around, give them a refund or partial refund. They then move onto to scam the next person.

Now, from my experience, I dont *follow up* these kinds of dealings as I dont want to broadcast that I refunded money for an item that didnt turn up/broke/wasnt as described. You then only attract other shonky buyers like moths to a flame.

Soooo, does this buyer end up with 100% postive feedback because they fulfilled *part* of the deal?

I dont look at buyers feedback, until something goes wrong, but once something does go wonky, I look and see if there is a pattern. How would I know if this person has glowing feedback because all the sellers have left feedback once paid?

quote:
If your a buyer and go looking for something to buy and there are a tun of them going for around the same price and you have a choise of buying from a person with 100% and a person with 98% who do you buy from?

I am sorry, I wouldnt care 2 hoots whether I bought off the seller with 98% or 100%. I wouldnt automatically for the 100%'er thats for sure.

quote:
I quote, " I have one neg feedback and thank goodness I was able to give him a neg as well."

We dont know the specifics of this deal, maybe the retalitory NEG was warranted.

I DONT believe that a buyer has completed their end of the deal by just paying.

quote:
Lightning, I read your complete post. Are you filling in for Jabbarah?

I kinda wondered the same thing Skinny. Razz

Anyways, this is the looooongest post I have made for a long time me thinks, its a subject that I have strong beliefs about.

I *used* to be the seller that left feedback instantly, but I am tired of having a potential NEG lorded over me like blackmail. I have 1 neg and I dont really mind if I get another, *justified* neg's dont bother me in the slightest.

Ok - someone else can have the soapbox now Wink
Next

Add Reply

Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×