posted on February 6, 2001 08:35:49 PM new
Why is it that we go out of our way to hurry up and package up an item to ship out after an auction ends (of course after payment is received) and I continuously send follow-up emails asking if the bidder received the item, they either don't answer the emails and I have no idea if the item was received and the bidder doesn't even bother to leave feedback? Yet I, the seller, left positive feedback for the buyer when receiving payment. Have some courtesy bidders - leave feedback for sellers - as this builds there business, reputation and is so important - even if just a simple "thank you", contributes to the point system. Wake up dead-beats!!
posted on February 7, 2001 09:42:09 PM new
I started waiting to leave the positive feedback to bidders until they advise me either by email or feedback that their package arrived safely. It gives them an incentive to leave your feedback (in order to get theirs posted as well), and also protects you should an unforseen problem in shipping arise.
I found out the hard way that you can't always tell whether a transaction is positive until the buyer receives and approves the package (I found that some buyers don't show their true colors until the item is in their hand).
Specifically, I had a buyer who reported the item I sent didn't work. Since it was new in the box and probably was a manufacturing problem, I offered to refund his bid upon return of the item. He wanted to keep it, but wanted a partial refund.
I told him that I would gladly refund his bid but that I wouldn't do so unless the item came back to me (I had no way of knowing whether he was making up the problem, or if indeed there was a problem).
He rated me a bad seller. Since I already left him positive feedback because he paid within the time limits stated in the auction, I had no leverage. After that incident, I began leaving feedback only after I heard from the party that all was ok.
Now that ebay limits feedback to a single comment unless a response is posted, I find it best to be sure it IS a positive transaction before posting. Fast pay doesn't always insure a smooth deal.
posted on February 25, 2001 03:13:17 PM new
Hearye Hearye! I agree! I mean, it's great you all won the bid, paid in a decent amount of time and all, but all we ask after that is to put in a good word for our services! I doubt many of us outside of the full fledged businesses have their mail picked up for them, so it can be quite a hassle at times to jump in the car, drive to the Post Office then stand in line for 10 minutes to get their goodies out! That's part of the deal I guess we are naturally supposed to enjoy?? We all as sellers only get the business because of our ratings, so PLEASE take a moment or two and tell the world we did you right! Please!
posted on February 26, 2001 01:07:02 AM new
I agree.. I had over 175 completed auctions, & only 88 left positive feedback. I had one negitive from a guy who waited 7 weeks to send his payment. After the 5th week i sent him an email telling him i was relisting the item as stated i would in my Payment/ Shipping terms. I emailed the guy several times, & yet he said he never got any of them & that i should have waited the 7 weeks. I could have relisted aftert he second week but didn't..
I'm sorry i went thru all that *grin*. I know it had nothing to do with the thread, so please don't FLAME me.. I couldn't handle that.
Rhodes Inc.
M Rhodes (CEO)
posted on February 26, 2001 01:05:58 PM new
I feel for you Call1!! I know this is going to sound rather ignorant, but what exactly does "flaming" mean? I've only had my computer since about this time last year, and only have been doing "business"
for the last several months, so I suppose I'm still learnin! I'm not in to "backstabbing" unless the person has failed ALL my attempts at settling any problem they may have with ME personally -
posted on February 26, 2001 10:55:24 PM new
Websters #2 Definition of Flame.. Break Out Like Flame, In Anger Or Passion.
Here in Cyberspace when Someone "Flames" you, they pretty much nail ya with four letter words telling you how stupid you are, or how much they wish you'd wither up & die.. Usually In all CAPS. These are just examples..
I hpe this explains it clear enough.. I'm not that great at the teaching thing..
posted on February 27, 2001 04:35:01 AM new
If anyone tried that here, the Moderators would take care of it. Insults and profane language are not allowed.
posted on February 27, 2001 02:58:34 PM new
Reply to dogred99:
If the buyer communicates reasonably and remits payment in a timely manner, there is no reason to withhold feedback out of fear of retaliation. On the other hand, when the buyer sees no feedback, he knows he'd better give glowing feedback to the seller first, or else he could be zapped, which puts the fear of retaliation on the buyer's shoulders, and without cause. That is not a good situation, and not good for the rest of us ebay sellers.
posted on February 27, 2001 06:14:44 PM new
As I see it, buying and selling, feedback is
part of any transaction, I have been burned
from buyers and sellers on feedback, I feel that after a bidder completes his part with a payment his part is through and should post his feedback good or bad, there end is through, I do mine for mainly fun, have made some big purchases on ebay, paid fast and still not had feedback left for me!!
What to do?? Patrick
posted on February 28, 2001 02:26:38 PM new
To all you sellers out there who are getting frustrated and abused by:
· Non-paying bidders
· paypal charge backs
· Bounced checks
· Fraud problems
· Negative feedback for no good reason (retaliation)
I found out the hard way that safe harbor and FBI dont do a thing about it, and I signed up for a sitesentury.com, a security company that will do REAL investigations. Check out their site, I signed up for their service and I put their log on all my auctions and the bad guys will think twice before they mess with me!!!!!!! It is like having a security guard by my side protecting me!!! Which car do you thing the thieves like to break-in: one with alarm-on or one without??? That is what the log will do for you.
The investigator already got me some of the money I lost on bounced checks and the bank fee too!!!!!!
Do yourself a favor and check out sitesentry.com
posted on March 1, 2001 03:58:40 AM new
I agree that feed back is very important. It's like your credit rating. I have been torn between the different ways to handle this as a seller. In my first couple of years selling under the name bobshobbyshop I got over 800+ fb, I would always leave feedback as soon as I received the buyers payment. I ended up getting a few negative fb because of this. I was selling old rare model trains and cars and found that some buyers were purchasing the models (not $20 models, $200-$500 rare antiques)and removing pieces from them or simply taking my mint condition model and sending me back their incomplete one, returning them for a refund, when I looked further into it, I would see that they had previously bought the same model missing these pieces, they in turn left me negative fb, and of course, they had already received +fb for ripping me off. I talked with other sellers that complained of buyers upgrading their collection at the buyers expense. I contacted safe harbor about it and supplied them with photographs of my complete model, the item# of the incomplete models, emails, etc. even emails from other sellers stating that they had sold them the same model missing these pieces, or that they too had been bictims of this. Safe Harbor didn't do anything. I have since stated in my terms that the buyer must initiate fb upon receiving their item, and that all fb is returned right away. I also enclose a note stating this with every package. Some buyers have emailed me saying that they won't leave fb, and I can tell that this is not the perfect way of doing it. But what can I do, I have been ripped off for several hundreds of dollars after leaving postive feedback. I not only got ripped off, I got negative fb. I firmly beleive that when the buyer receives the item, and is satisfied with the purchase, they should initiate the fb process, it avoids this problem, but I guess the other problem would be to get all of the sellers to respond to it. Like I said to begin with . I have been torn between the different ways to handle this as a seller...
Tell me, does this sound fair to you?
Is there a fair way for both buyers and sellers?
posted on March 1, 2001 06:04:57 AM new
Hey whatīs the whole discussion all about !?!?!
Whereīs your benefit in selling through online auctions !?!?!?! Feedback or profit ?
NOBODY owes leaving a feedback !
Would you rather prefer a neutral or negative - in case the buyer was not satisfied - or no feedback at all ????
You as a seller have the RIGHT to leave a comment to each transaction, and you should do so !
But NEVER complain if somebody else wonīt leave a feedback for you!
Donīt get mad if somebody leaves an unreflected negative one, who cares about it ? Depending on your selling volume this feedback isnīt even visible for more than one week.
Do you think somebody investigates your complete feedback rating to find those few possibly negatives !?!?!?!?
Most users simply do a quick overview to see whether you have a proper feedback at all or not.
Guess we all know about these damn neurotic individuals leaving nagitve feedbacks just because the morning coffee was not hot enough.
And your potientally new bidders know that too!
So go ahead and stop wasting your time thinking about feedbacks !
ENJOY listing and selling throughh auctions with itīs final benefit ; PROFIT!
#have a nice one!
posted on March 1, 2001 06:19:56 AM new
It's me again. I agree with rocksmail to a point. Just go by the golden rule, manage your business with integrity anyway, and don't threaten retaliation to the new buyer because someone else burned you. Requiring them to leave feedback first is a clear message that you will give them a negative if they don't come through with a positive for you immediately. You are making the new, innocent buyer a victim. That's wrong, that's bad business for you, and that makes the rest of us look bad.
posted on March 1, 2001 07:13:41 AM new
Hello! I'm seeing some attitudes being read IN TO what was originally said, no? To Rocksmail - Yes, I, for one, KNOW people look in to feedback - I do it RELIGIOUSLY. IF I notice a "pattern", I take the time to email that person and NICELY inquire as to "what happened"? They answer instantly, explain - it is usually a minor thing, I thank them, and do business with them! They are MORE than anxious to do whatever they can to make new customers happy! I BUY and SELL all over the web, including eBay - FEEDBACK, at least to me is VERY important! I'm not going to buy a used car from a place that ranks poor with the BBB either! Am I the exception to the rule? If so, cool! Keeps me from getting burned! I don't get "mad" about lack of feedback. It is frustrating at times, but the "newbies" can't know everything at first, nor are they REQUIRED to care! RETALIATION is rarely smart at any time in a business arena, threatening it or doing it, is flat out suicide. Did someone here say they do that? Sorry, but I ENJOY being able to give reference to my glowing feedback. I ENJOY giving new customers that "comfort zone". You're right! It IS fun! I treat people the way I would LIKE to be treated! (and it is SO sweet when they do!)
posted on March 1, 2001 07:22:30 AM new
To hotrodmama...........Yeah, you are right on every count. The golden rule. EBAYERS, PAY ATTENTION TO HER COMMENTS. No threats, just operate with integrity and if you get good feedback, terrific, if you don't, OK, but you did your part very well. Thanks for your comments. Joette
posted on March 1, 2001 11:42:02 PM new
For what it is worth.
I always ship on the same day I receive payment and at the same time send a email notifying the customer their item is on the way and that I hope they will leave positive feedback after receivng the item, if all is well, so I can do the same for them.
posted on March 2, 2001 02:41:56 PM new
REPLY TO BETDAYS.......
As a buyer, when I have gotten emails like that, it's good to know the item has shipped, but it also informs me that the seller will not do feedback for the transaction itself unless and until she has been given positive feedback first. The buyer has earned their feedback already, and shouldn't be made to feel under the gun before even receiving the item. That type of statment can make the buyer feel like the seller is a vindictive person who could zap them if they don't give glowing feedback. Wouldn't you rather have honest feedback freely given, than to alienate your customers? You can always email them in a week and nicely ask for feedback to be entered. How does anyone else feel about it?
posted on March 2, 2001 07:15:04 PM new
When I mail something to a buyer (or during a swap) that I know does not do this much, or is obviously new to the arena, I enclose one of my business cards inside the package with a note written on the back that says - "If you are completely satisfied with your purchase, feel free to leave feedback at - - - - -.com! Thank you!" That pretty much leaves it up to them - notice I did NOT say "positive"
BUT it works everytime! I have gotten email from sellers I've bought from about a week later that I admit hasn't made me want to jump up and do it - - this is a good one - - they don't ask if I received it, it's condition, or even a HI how are you - just - "please leave positive feedback." Now to me, that's kinda let's say - arrogant and assuming? I'm fair from stupid, and I ALWAYS leave feedback, it's just
that I DO have another life that has to be attended to ALSO! What do you think -
posted on March 2, 2001 11:17:21 PM new
I agree feedback is important and all sellers wish that they would receive glowing feedback from each buyer. However, we all know that this will never happen. I personally am turned off by a buyer or seller even mentioning feedback during or after the transaction. It may be polite but it certainly is not mandatory. It is used too often to show power over someone else.
Effective selling involves superior service from start to finish without the need to mention feedback. Your performance as a seller will take care of the feedback you desire. Desiring feedback is like most everything else...the more you want it, the harder it is to get.
posted on March 3, 2001 07:04:36 AM new
Jallenii - I suppose you are right - it's like the little kid that brings home a great report card and just can't WAIT to hear the parent compliment their efforts, so they ASK - and they get a "how DARE you ask" response! Now that's a power trip alright! WHO uses feedback as power over who? The game is being played by who? The more you desire it the harder it is to get? Wow! It SOUNDS as if you EXPECT superior service, but can't deal with anyone asking for reference?? Please tell me I am mis -understanding you!
posted on March 3, 2001 08:41:05 AM new
As a buyer only, my first comment is this:
Don't ask me or tell me I have to leave feedback first! I don't like it and I won't do business with you again. If you don't want to leave feedback first, then don't say anything about when you leave feedback. As a buyer (over 200 purchases) I have left positive feedback in every case but two (seller had been NARUed). Those sellers who required me to leave feedback first are now on my don't buy list.
Second comment:
Yes I check feedback and if the percentage of negative to positive is high enough I use http://www.vrane.com/ef.html to check out all of the negs. I am not looking at the negs, I am looking at how the seller responds to the negs. If a seller is not professional in their response, it's on to the next auction.
posted on March 3, 2001 01:12:09 PM new
To gjsi - Who is it that said they ask OR require the buyer to leave feedback FIRST!? Alot of people are responding to that statement - I must of missed it! Could you please point that person out to me?
I agree! If a seller told me I "had to be first", that's getting close to a threat! It would make it all a "conditional" sale - yuck! No fun! It takes all kinds!!
posted on March 3, 2001 01:13:50 PM new
Response to JALLENII.....
I agree with you 100%. I am a buyer and a seller, and you have expressed the buyer's point of view, and I wish more sellers would heed that opinion. I give feedback the day my package arrives, and I have not yet asked for it from anyone in over 100 sales transactions. Feedback from the buyer lets me know the package arrived safely. I am considering emailing the buyers that don't leave feedback about a week afterwards, just to make sure the package arrived in good shape. Maybe that would be ok without offending..what do you think?
posted on March 3, 2001 01:28:37 PM new
I like to check on my buyers because if they did NOT receive, or it's not perfect, I want the earliest opportunity to make it RIGHT! That's called good CUSTOMER SERVICE - It seems that can easily be misread in to something quite negative - - that's a tough one - it's hard to tell if someone will over react and get upset - you nosey but-in-ski!!!!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!! (I am only joking!!!)
posted on March 3, 2001 06:47:05 PM new
dear sellers - get a grip. as sellers you (we) are offering a service; buyers owe no further obligation than payment for service rendered. as sellers, on the other hand, you do have an obligation to buyers who perform as they should (ie: pay promptly and properly) to post the proper feedback for them (without waiting for them to get back to you - no news is usually good news). buyer feedback to a seller is courtesy, to make more than that out of it endangers the good will of the transaction. - dc
posted on March 3, 2001 08:44:06 PM new
Reply to danscomics.......
Hear, Hear! Very well-put. As a seller and a buyer, I agree completely. Appreciate that feeling, and wish more ebay sellers would see that the customer is important. Thanks, Joette
posted on March 4, 2001 12:30:15 AM new
to gjsi - UNBELIEVABLE! I was hoping you were just seeings things!!! WOW! I can't believe anyone would have the NERVE to place such a condition on a customer!! I wonder what they do if you as a buyer don't follow their "rules"! I admit, I have yet to see such a thing, but thanks to you, now I will make sure I don't deal with them either!! THANKS for the info!!!
posted on March 6, 2001 11:19:11 AM new
Hi everyone. Personally, when acknowledging that I have received payment I write something like, "Thanks so much for sending payment so quickly. I am on my way to the feedback forum to post postive feedback for you.(then I do so) Your item is on its way." I usually add, "I would appreciate it if you would let me know when it arrives, either by e-mailing or by posting feedback." For my own peace of mind, I like to know that a breakable item has been received safely. If I don't hear anything, I assume that it has,and I don't e-mail to ask the buyer, but if a buyer is kind enough to e-mail and let me know, I always e-mail back and say thank-you. This is definitely a service-oriented business. I have been blessed to have excellent buyers who have posted well over 200 positive feedbacks.(No negs so far, thank the Lord) I never directly ask for feedback, but asking the buyer to "let me know" that an item has arrived by e-mailing or posting feedback (some buyers are kind enough to do both)seems to be an effective way to gain a good rating without offending anyone. Personally I just completed a transaction with a seller who "reminded" me several times to please "post appropriate feedback for the seller" including that message within the positive feedback that he posted for me. He was a good seller from whom I would buy again, but I thought the approach was a little pushy.
posted on March 6, 2001 12:04:54 PM new
Response to SUZE.....
Way to go/great ebaying! You are right, be customer-oriented. However; the guy who kept asking for feedback......that's more than a little pushy, and I would not give him any more business if I were you. Your system is a good one....not offensive and quite nice. Thanks, Joette
