Feedback's becoming a wast of time!

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?

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

Hey GG, Glad to see you back!

I usually leave feedback on reciept of payment, but there are exceptions. Depends on what their feedback looks like. If they're a whiner, or have little or no feedback, I'll wait.

I like the 'No news is good news' idea.

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

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!

Wonder where Lexie is...maybe she is only posting in the private forum. Hope she is not ill.

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

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

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Yep!!

And, I really do concur with you on the subject of feedback. Not that anyone over there would listen or give a darn, but maybe you could suggest the changes?

OK I'll do just that!

I'll let you know when (if!) I get a response.

Don't hold your breath.

G'nite Mrs. M.

GG

Nite, GG! Keep us posted!

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.

Yes, I can understand that side. Maybe feedback should be stopped altogether! All we would have to do is say "I do not give feedback any longer or expect it because of the many cases of attempted blackmail connected with this area."

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

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.

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.

Good idea, Puppy! The neg I have is from 2 years ago and it still and will always refelect on my total, no matter how many positives I get. My score has been 99.8 forever even though I have had some 600 positives since then!

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.

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I have no problem with a seller who disclaims responsibility if a buyer chooses not to purchase insurance.

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Chatter, I agree 100%

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