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    Feedback removal inconsistent with policy

    Can someone more experienced than me at this please shed some light on what constitutes a harmful/inappropriate feedback policy violation sufficient enough to warrant removal.

     

    Ebay leaves the door open for any harmful and nonconstructive feedback comments to be removed, and states if the feedback contains any of that type of content, it can be removed. I get that interpretation plays into what is considered harmful, inappropriate and nonconstructive, but when the content starts slandering the business instead of the product or transaction, that just screams violation no matter what else was mentioned.

     

    Apparently, removal of this type of content is very inconsistent. One where the content included "this place is a rip-off" I've had removed on appeal, the other where the content was "I don't think this is a serious company" was completely ignored in favor of the buyer's experience. 

     

    Front line reps and "back office" feedback team are very disconnected in the process. Responses are broken-English rambling sentences and don't address the specific issue. Once the appeal is denied, there's no other recourse. I know eBay had a push to treat feedback more fair for buyers and sellers by adhering to policy and removing manipulation from front line reps, and I'm all for that, but it sure doesn't seem like anything has improved based on my experiences.

    spacecoastparts
    spacecoastparts
    2406View listings
    Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 6 months ago
                                           
             
    13 comments

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                   
    kh-shawn

    kh-shawn

    ·6 months ago
    0View listings

    Hi everyone,

    Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

    Thank you for understanding.

                                           
    mikekelly101

    mikekelly101

    ·6 months ago
    2432View listings

    Ebay had changed what I have seen since 2023.

    I have purchased a lot of things from ebay(protein powder and bars,also tools,phones,movies,cds,coffee and other things.

    Now they don't horror their own policies,can't call their chat doesn't work most of the time or I get an idiot that repeats them selves.

    Now a 30 or more to sort things out or get my funds back,they don't care,so I won't buy anything from them and if I ever do I will use my credit card so I can get refund from items not received.

    I have had an ebay ad account since 2001,even amazon gets fast results and responses,if they don't change they won't be around in the future.

     

                                           
    fuchi888

    fuchi888

    ·1 year ago
    3889View listings

    Be prepared for getting lots of negative feedback even if item not covered on e-bay protection policy and you win the open case. had a buyer leave negative feedback based on sizing and even though the case closed in my favor and I called to have removed they state because it was an unpleasant experience they could not remove. Then why have the buyers protection not cover sizing if they allow buyers to basically use "if you don't return my funds, I will leave negative feedback" . In the 22 years selling, I have seen the decline of E-Bay. It is all for buyers not sellers even though we are the bread and butter for the company!!!

                                           
    mam98031

    mam98031

    ·1 year ago
    Owner / Operator19676View listings
    @fuchi888 wrote:

    Be prepared for getting lots of negative feedback even if item not covered on e-bay protection policy and you win the open case. had a buyer leave negative feedback based on sizing and even though the case closed in my favor and I called to have removed they state because it was an unpleasant experience they could not remove. Then why have the buyers protection not cover sizing if they allow buyers to basically use "if you don't return my funds, I will leave negative feedback" . In the 22 years selling, I have seen the decline of E-Bay. It is all for buyers not sellers even though we are the bread and butter for the company!!!

    @fuchi888 

     

    You would have been protected from this feedback if you had a Free Return policy.

     

    Returns issues

    We remove neutral/negative feedback when any of the following occurred and this is what the buyer is referencing:

    • The item was returned used or damaged and the seller deducted an amount from the refund
    • The seller declined a change-of-mind return request, as the listing didn’t offer returns
    • The buyer changed their mind and was liable for the cost of an eBay return label
    • The seller offers free returns, handled the return and issued a refund

    https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/feedback-policies/feedback-policy?id=4208

                                           
    fuchi888

    fuchi888

    ·1 year ago
    3889View listings

    Yep, moved on. Hard to keep anyone’s reputation perfect in the world we live in. 

                                           
    mam98031

    mam98031

    ·1 year ago
    Owner / Operator19676View listings
    @fuchi888 wrote:

    Yep, moved on. Hard to keep anyone’s reputation perfect in the world we live in. 

    That is a healthy attitude.  I wish you the best !!!

                                           
    mam98031

    mam98031

    ·1 year ago
    Owner / Operator19676View listings

    @spacecoastparts 

    I can see from what you wrote that you tried to take care of the buyer, but they were not willing to work with you.  Sorry about that.  I've been there and it is difficult to accept when they just won't work with you and then leaves negative feedback.  It is very disturbing.  

     

    Ebay is not however being "inconsistent" in how they remove feedback.  The feedback that your buyer posted just did not meet any of the rules to get it removed.  Just because a seller disagrees with it or because a seller tried to work with the buyer but the buyer just wasn't going to accept it, is not reason for removal.  I really do respect how that is not only annoying but frustrating.

     

    Just keep being a great seller and put this behind you.  I know that is easier said than done.  I wish you the best.

                                           
    stainlessenginecovers

    stainlessenginecovers

    ·1 year ago
    5401View listings

    Not sure where you went in the past to 'appeal' but I go to reps on FB, but ONLY if it wasn't removed and should have been. 

    That feedback you have, is not a reason they will remove it since buyer says it wasn't the right part as stated...it will be your word against theirs. 

     

    Was the item returnable? Did they attempt a return? Did you deny a return? 

                                           
    spacecoastparts

    spacecoastparts

    OP1 year ago
    2406View listings

    I don't have FB, and although I've heard that going this route usually gets better results than the normal (outsourced) reps, I don't plan on getting a FB account just for this.

     

    I would agree that much of this particular buyer feedback was their experience, and for that a feedback would be valid. However, the fact that an unconstructive and harmful [to my store] piece was added at the end is what would constitute removal according to policy:

    We remove all feedback that contains any: 

    • Personal attacks that could harm the reputation of the seller or their business and could not reasonably be viewed as constructive criticism

    The key word here is any, which means to me that even if the buyer is sharing their experience, if they start to slander the seller or business, that feedback becomes a violation. Not seeing this fact is what probably denied my appeal.

                                           
    stainlessenginecovers

    stainlessenginecovers

    ·1 year ago
    5401View listings
    @spacecoastparts wrote:

    I don't have FB, and although I've heard that going this route usually gets better results than the normal (outsourced) reps, I don't plan on getting a FB account just for this.

    I don't either, but opening an account just for ebay is not a big deal. You can have your account 'private' you don't need to post a picture of yourself, any pictures of anyone else, have any friends etc. Just open the account in 20 seconds and now you have it if you need it. 

     

                                           
    12345jamesstamps

    12345jamesstamps

    ·1 year ago
    8692View listings

    Sometimes we sellers have to go out of our way to try to make a buyer happy to some degree.

    I don't know what kind of interaction happened between the seller and buyer here.

    'I don't think this is a serious company.'...did you try to solve the problem or just ignore it...

    Returns or partial refunds or what was done?

    And have to understand reps will understand 'this place is a rip-off'....which is offensive.

    And usually reps are from another country and may not understand the wording or words of what Americans say as oppose to their own language. We are not dealing with employees in San Jose who answer the phones. 

                                           
    bonjourami

    bonjourami

    ·1 year ago
    2513View listings

    Im sure Ebay would tell you that that buyer was entitled to express his opinion.

                                           
    hartungcards

    hartungcards

    ·1 year ago
    955View listings

    "Front line reps and "back office" feedback team are very disconnected in the process."

     

    That's because the "back office" feedback team (or any "back office" team that a CS rep tells you about) is just a canard they use to make you feel like you're getting somewhere and get you off the line.

                                           
                                                                                     
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