posted on November 2, 2001 01:40:58 PM new
This is a message I received from one of my buyers. I would like to know how you would all respond:
Hi Katrina, sorry to bother you again, but this is a reminder if feedback is not put in within 1 week of today on this item and the other 5 I bought from you I will enter all 6 as neutral. Sorry but to many sellers not entering feedback. They will all be positives if same is done for me. Thanks Tim
I used to leave feedback for my buyers as soon as I received payment but found that many did not leave any for me in return. Another problem I had was buyers taking advantage of the fact that I had already left them positive feedback and basically held my feedback "hostage" stating that if I didn't do such and such to make them happy then they would leave me negative feedback.
So, my new policy is to just leave feedback for those people who leave feedback for me.
I know that this has been discussed here on the board and I'm not asking about your feedback policies, I just want to know how you would respond to a buyer who threatens to leave neutral feedback if he receives no feedback from you?
posted on November 2, 2001 01:49:17 PM new
I'm doing the same thing. I'm not leaving feedback until the buyer does. Tough if they don't like it. I got so tired of leaving feedback and not getting it in return. Or worrying about a buyer giving me a neutral or neg when I have already given them a positive.
I totally agree. If he gives you 6 neutrals, give him 6 negatives back!
posted on November 2, 2001 01:50:15 PM new
I was going to let him know that if he felt compelled to leave me 6 neutral comments, then do not be alarmed if he receives the same from me.
Since I have almost 1500 feedback and he has 52, I'm not too worried about 6 neutrals at this point but I do not like to be threatened!
posted on November 2, 2001 02:17:33 PM new
Katrina,
Before you go too overboard thinking of how to respond IF this guy gives you nuetrals... why don't you send him a well-worded e-mail explaining your policy? Try something like this:
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your valued business. It is our policy to leave feedback only after we know the transaction has been completed to our bidders satisfaction. The only way we can be sure that you are completely satisfied is by viewing your positive comments left in our profile. Once we have received your praise, we will be more than happy to reciprocate. Thank you for making this transaction a pleasant one.
posted on November 2, 2001 02:19:59 PM new
I think I would just leave him the positives if you were paid, and be done with him. You probably can't change his behavior.
For me it just isn't worth getting riled up over (not that you are).
Good luck at any rate.
posted on November 2, 2001 02:21:49 PM new
I'm not worried about responding to his neutrals, I want to send him a nice email explaining that feedback is completely voluntary and should not be used as "blackmail" and that threatening me is not a good way to ask for feedback.
Has anyone else run into this kind of behavior?
posted on November 2, 2001 02:24:50 PM new
I refuse to be bullied. Most buyers email me to let me know that their packages arrived safely and tell me that they left feedback for me and would appreciate it if I would do the same for them. And...I do. I have no problem leaving feedback, but don't like to be threatened.
posted on November 2, 2001 02:33:36 PM new
My auction program has an 'Item shipped' automatic email, and from there it does feedback, I do all that when I get back from the Post office.
I do get people when they pay by Billpoint or PayPal bug me to leave them feedback right then, I usually ignore them, and do not leave the feedback until the transaction is done, at least on my end, and that is when I ship the item out to them.
I would say just leave them the feedback, and be done with it, BUT if you are going to give him neutral or negative feedback, be sure to block him from bidding on any of your future auctions, just in case he wants to be stupid.
posted on November 2, 2001 02:38:03 PM new
When I get one like this I tell them I do not participate in the feedback system. I do however leave feedback to those who leave it for me as a courtesy.
posted on November 2, 2001 03:29:59 PM new
I guess I just don't understand why you won't just leave the feedback.
I leave feedback for my buyers after I ship. Sure, some don't return the favor-but that's life. BUT, I'll be damned if I'll leave feedback for a seller first! Not a chance! I pay immediately with either Billpoint or Paypal. I email them and let them know I rec'd the item and am pleased with it. I've done my part. If they don't leave feedback for me-then none gets left. Period.
Those of you that say you won't leave feedback until the buyer leaves it for you-how is this not feedback blackmail? How are you different than the buyer in the original post? Amazing that some of you would actually neg a buyer over this.
posted on November 2, 2001 03:44:11 PM new
For a nicely worded email how about something like:
Dear buyer,
While I understand your frustration at leaving feedback and not getting any in return, your email sounds kind of threatening and I worry that if you say that to another selller they might turn you into ebay for feedback extortion. Now, of course I am not going to do that-- I just thought that you might wish to know that this is how your email comes across. I know that this was probably unintentional.
And then you can mention if/when you will leave FB.
???????
I tried to help-- anybody else? Is eventer gone?
posted on November 2, 2001 03:45:38 PM new
Katrina,
This is what I send out to all my customers and how I reply if someone e-mails me in similar situations as you have encountered. You are welcome to use this, edit it, etc...Try sending something like this:
FEEDBACK
Once I know you have received this item and are happy I will leave feedback. I normally leave feedback after the transaction has been fully completed: meaning the buyer and seller should be happy. In my view the transaction is not complete until both the seller and the buyer have been satisfied with the outcome of the transaction.
Please keep in mind I guarantee customer satisfaction so please do NOT leave negative or neutral feedback! If there is a problem I will take care of it. I am a no nonsense type of guy, and take great pride in my customer base. I still believe in the old fashioned way of doing business and presume “the customer is always right.” I will do whatever it takes to make you happy doing business with me. That’s the bottom line.
One last word on feedback. Feedback is very important to both you the buyer and me the seller. We both need it because it is a reflection of how we do business on e-Bay. If you are satisfied with the product you received and the timely manner of my delivery and the service you got from me, please leave positive feedback. My user name is: ______. This will let me know that you have received your order and the transaction is complete, and I will reciprocate in kind immediately. Remember, 1 for me = 1 for you. If you are not happy for any reason, contact me and like I said I will make it right.
posted on November 2, 2001 04:07:19 PM new
Our policy is to leave positive feedback if the transaction was completed, but we do it in batches, once a month. We get many people who nag us for feedback, nothing can be more annoying!! Thank God for the delete button We have flat out refused to leave positives until we know that the other party is satisfied, otherwise we put ourselves at risk of those bidders who pull the Paypal chargeback, stating that the item never arrived, when in fact it did. They get their item for free and have no fear of receiving a negative. After a couple of those we stopped automatically leaving positve after shipment, plus we bit the bullet and started paying for tracking.
Of all the negatives that we have gotten, none are valid. For once we would like to get a VALID negative on a incorrectly shipped item or an item that we inadvertantly let slip through the cracks and never got sent. Those folks should give us a negative, but of course we do all that we can to correct the matter. It's always the ridiculous, petty ones that leave a negative.
Hopes this helps!!!
[ edited by ti1 on Nov 2, 2001 05:14 PM ]
posted on November 2, 2001 04:53:58 PM new
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE FEED BACK IF YOU ARE THE SELLER FIRST. IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL THE "BUYER" IS HAPPY (OR IN SOME CASES NOT)THEN RETURN THEIR FEED BACK IF THEY GIVE IT. IF THEY DON'T, MOVE ON. IF YOU GO L@@KIN' FOR FEED BACK YOU CAN BEE STUNG!!! SOME CARE NOTHING ABOUT THE FEED BACK SYSTEM AND ARE ANNOYED WHEN YOU BOTHER THEM. I ONCE GOT A NUETRAL CAUSE I WOKE A SLEEPIN' GIANT. JUST MY .2 CENTS. EXPERIENCE COUNTS FOR A TON. I AM OUT OF HERE BUT I HOPE YOU ALL ANSWER THE CALL WHEN I NEED HELP. THANKS, JACK.
posted on November 2, 2001 05:12:36 PM new
YOU KNOW I READ A FEW MORE COMMENTS HERE TONIGHT LIKE BLOCK THE BIDDER FROM ANY MORE BIDS. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THESE PEOPLE CAN STILL SEE YOUR AUCTIONS AND IF THEY SEE,,,,,,ANYTHING THAT MAY,,,,,,BE........AGAINST "E BAY" RULES. THEY WILL TURN YOU IN AND BURN YOU. VINDICTIVE. JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I GOTTA RUN. GOOD LUCK. C-YA. SEE, I AIN'T REALLY ON PROZAC. HAHAHAHHAHA. JACK.
posted on November 2, 2001 05:36:25 PM new
I have been posting feedback as soon as I receive payment and mail the item. I have only had two neutrals so far. One said the item was exactly as described but they were disappointed in the quality. The other one was because I left feedback and forgot to send an email stating the item had been mailed. I never thought of leaving feedback after the people received their items until I read this thread. I'll give it some thought.
posted on November 2, 2001 05:48:40 PM new
Thanks NearTheSea!!! I am not sure that I will want to spend the time typing in all the addresses, but it is worth the consideration. We need to operate more efficiently here, and are stuck, somewhat. The PO won't pick our packages at this address, arggggggggg. USPS is by far the cheapest and easiest, accepting the trips to the PO, so printing out postage and conf. really don't save us, there is no incentive. UPS, we have found delivers packages that are dinged and look as though they were used as a football, plus supplies are costly. We are stuck in our ways and would love to change if it is really to our advantage. Any ideas??? ^..^
posted on November 2, 2001 06:05:24 PM new
Oh yeah I understand about typing in the addresses in that form, the only way you get the free D.C. is to use their labels.
I use Seller Assit. Pro, and once the buyer sends me the address or its in PayPal or Billpoint, its so easy to copy and paste it into the program, then it has a label printer, that prints the USPS label. Thats how I was doing it.
But when I found the free D.C. if I have a lot going out, I found you fill out one, with your return and the buyers address, at the bottom, it asked 'Create another' and click that, and your return address is still there, so you only have to type in each buyers address... I know, it is more time consuming. But I figured in the long run when you have 25 packages, and free delivery confirmation vs .40 cents per package, it does save you $10 right there.
Yes, I won't use UPS. We ordered there literature on pick up and supplies and it does seem more costly.
My real concern now, is this anthrax and what the future holds for the USPS. I hear 1st class is slow, I see that myself, but my Priority is getting there as quick as it was before all this.
I would hate to have to resort to using Fed Ex or UPS, just hoping for the best!
posted on November 2, 2001 06:14:36 PM new
Sorry jackswebb, but I have blocked bidders that turned into real pains in the @sses.
My feedback is over 1500 on one account, have been doing this for going on 5 years.
I don't do anything against 'ebay's rules' for anyone to turn me in. My 3 negatives in 5 years are from 3 people whos items never arrived, and I refunded their money, this was before delivery confirmation, and even that far back, I can remember each negative and what it was for.
I have rarely, maybe once, left a negative. I just file NPBA, get my credit and move on, if that bidder that didn't pay gives me grief over filing, I do block them. I don't need more grief.
katrina7 I have one bidder that is a REPEAT buyer, and has never left feedback. I always do, I have never asked her to, if she wants to buy, thats what I'm doing ebay for, to make a little bit of extra $. I don't work this only for the feedback. Feedback is great, but I'm more interested in making extra cash right now
posted on November 2, 2001 06:39:51 PM new
Looks like I am in the minority. I post the feedback right when I get back from the post office. I see it as the buyer has fullfiled their obligation and if I held off the feedback I would be the one holding feedback hostage. I also send a short note right when feedback is left saying something to the effect that "money has been recived , item is in the mail and I have posted posiitive feedback. Please return the feedback when the item arrives" and most do so. I have 6700 positive remarks and 5 negs with this method so I feel very comfortable with it.
posted on November 2, 2001 08:27:20 PM new
I think you have to do what makes you feel at ease. For me I like to make sure the buyer gets his item and is happy. After 9 years of running a B&M retail shop I know some of the things that can happen after a ordinary transaction. There are people who can get very ugly after changing their mind about a transaction - I like to be on an even footing.Until the transaction is finished to the satisfaction of my customer.
Good Luck
posted on November 3, 2001 03:13:20 PM new
I just reported a buyer for Feedback Extortion! It's in eBay's Rules and Regs. A member may not threaten negative or feedback in order to get another member to do something he/she is not required to do. Check it out in Safe Harbor and see what they can do for you. Members need to be fair with one another.
I automatically leave feedback once the bidder pays...an action reserved only for the fool-hearty! It's going to be sad when I change my feedback policy! But my bidders are asking me to go WAY beyond lately!
Lynne
posted on November 3, 2001 07:29:34 PM new
I guess I am in the minority. I feel feedback is my opinion on how the other guy does business. If I receive a timely payment, I leave positive feedback at the same time I package up the item to be sent. Sure, after I leave a feedback, they could neg me and I could not do anything about it, but if I've been paid on time, they have met their obligation to me. If the deal goes south from there, it is probably my fault. I've not had a problem yet.
posted on November 5, 2001 05:24:49 AM new
Goldpanner3 - inkjets do work!
Although I'm not sure that saving the 40 cents in going this route isn't going to cost the equivalent in ink...
Katrina - I always send feedback right after the e-mailing the notice that an item has been shipped.
If I received a "threatening" request like yours, I would simply hit the REPLY button and add the text:
"You've stated your position regarding feedback very clearly. We will consider what you said for possible use in future sales. For now, my use of feedback is..."
And add what ever you really believe feedback should be used for.
