AI Descriptions Can Be DECEPTIVE/Feedback Honesty

[tina287barbieplanet]

I buy tons on ebay, but I'm noticing more sellers using it alone, without describing flaws.  The AI description only regurgitates what we've already described in info on the item....which can be so redundant. 

I recently purchased a vintage Barbie outfit that the description that said it was a "delightful, beautiful dress that would be a wonderful addition to any Barbie collector ".  The pics looked good...but, pics don't show everything!!  I asked a question on it's condition but got no reply.  I assumed they were just busy, went ahead and purchased it....boy, was I wrong.   I got it wadded up in a baggie, it had serious hidden flaws.  So much for the AI description. 

There's been a serious influx of bad sellers in my category.  Aside from the AI description, they'll write that they aren't "experts", so "zoom in and find any flaws I may have missed".😡  Anyone with one or two eyeballs can SEE the flaws, describe them and TELL IT in the danged description and take a pic of them!!!!  How hard is that??? I'm sorry, I don't see that as an oversight or mistake, I see that as deception!  A few weeks ago I had 4 out of 6 orders that were just flat deceptive, full of hidden, undescribed, bad flaws.  I'm so fed up.  This is the reason I've come to distrust other platforms; on some it has become the norm.

Here's my problem:  I don't like leaving bad feedbacks.  You never know when it's a newer seller just trying to figure things out, someone having a really hard time or honestly made a mistake.  I've been overwhelmed a time or two, fortunately I came straight to the forum and was blessed to have folks reach out to help me...I will never forget them.  I don't want to add to someone's misery, but a fair portion of these sellers are just flat unscrupulous! Buyers, too, and eBay will take the scamming Buyers side, no matter what.  Accepted.  I have lots of return buyers, but, now I vet many of my new Buyers to see how they've treated sellers in their feedback.  I got an obvious scammer buyer recently, eBay let me keep my money, she got a free Barbie and her money back from ebays pocket.  Trust this, eBay will get their money back from me, and reflect it in my account no matter what they say.

Should I start leaving bad feedback, on sellers AND buyers?  Do I go against my gut feeling on the negativity around my name and store?

I just don't like negativity attached to my name.  EBay removes bad feedback from bad sellers all the time, we know how they do it and get away with bad practices.  I'm as honest as the day is long, is refraining from leaving bad feedback anyhow hurting other buyers and not being honest?  I don't know.  I know I'm tired of feeling hurt because of others dishonesty. 

I'm sorry for my long rant, I'm not just speaking for myself; other sellers I love dearly are feeling the same way, and it's happening way too often.  Especially when sellers are getting negative feedbacks removed...that needs to stop unless it's truly a mistake.   Thank you in advance for anyone who would offer advice on this, it means the world to me and you are so appreciated.   ~tina 💖

[anglophile62]

Thank you for your honest comments on how this travesty called ebay AI worked for you.  As a buyer only, I'm starting to write off any seller who uses AI to write their description.  Yes, that means I'll purchase less on ebay which is sad for me but I expect more buyers to do the same especially when situations like yours happen.  There is more and more community commentary on the AI use in ebay - much of it negative and much from sellers.  If a seller cannot make the effort to write a couple of sentences - especially after filling out all the info that AI needs to generate it's "let me sell you swampland in the desert" botspeak, I'm less likely to purchase from that seller.  Since most sellers who use AI probably won't ever read this comment - and likely won't care if they lose some potential buyers, I've decided the only way I can have an impact is to leave a statement in feedback such as "Thank you for NOT USING AI to write your description".  Should I end up purchasing from a seller who used AI, I may add something like "relying on AI to write your description isn't a benefit to buyers" and leave a negative communication score.  When I read that sales pitch fluff that includes NO USEFUL INFORMATION, I am wasting my time.  This is worse than me having to msg a seller who has "Used" and "See pics as they are part of the description" when I need more information that they could have easily included. 

Like you, Tina, I've msged sellers to ask about flaws/damage that are visible in pics but would like more info only to be ignored.  I will not purchase from sellers who are not honest and up front about their items.  So, while I'm just one buyer, there are an increasing number of buyers who dislike the impersonal Skynet AI and worse who will not tolerate receiving damaged or poorly described goods as time goes on.

I've left one negative feedback in my 25 years on ebay.  It's important to be honest and fact-based when leaving feedback - and it helps buyers when you do.  I've been so fortunate with ebay sellers - most have been an absolute joy to deal with and I have my list of trusted folks I purchase from.  But I'm at the point now where pointing out useless AI descriptions, poor packaging and lack of care is important - and so I will do that.

Best of luck in Barbie-land!!!

Anglophile62

[gone.c-33]

As far as leaving negative feedback for buyers, that hasn’t been allowed or physically possible in over 12 years so that point is moot.

As far as leaving negative feedback for sellers, I would first consider buying and selling on different IDs to avoid retaliation. The feedback I would leave would also depend on the seller’s experience and selling history, how they would handle a dispute and the severity of the bad description.

[simba6]

If the item arrives not as described, file a case with eBay to return it for a refund.   eBay has been pushing that AI to sellers.  Why any seller would want to spam their listing with that pablum ?  I just move on the the next listing when I see it.  Too much to wade through.

I suppose some sellers have not even looked at some of that AI tripe they added to their listings.

[tina287barbieplanet]

Thank you so much, you have given me so many great tips!  Please forgive the delay in seeing I had replies.  I checked back a couple of times and didn't see a reply so I kind of gave up.  Lol, I figured I must be too old fashioned and no one wanted to tell me so!  XD.  I get swallowed up in TechnologyLand.

I am absolutely going to adopt these things!  I've begun to send more questions mentioning the confusion of the AI and flaws.  I'm a retired nurse, lol, I do head-to-toe assessments of every dolly and outfit. 

I value all my return customers, they deserve more than a fake rehash of what the item specifics says.  I SO appreciate all the wonderful Sellers, and Buyers, who post here.  The time and knowledge of everyone is appreciated more than can be said.

Thank you for the great ideas and tips, putting them into practice starting today!  Hope you're all having a great weekend!  

tina 💖 

[tina287barbieplanet]

Thank you!  Well, I understand what you're saying, but I think we are allowed to tell the "experience" we had with a Buyer, as they can with us.  

I don't know about you, but I've experienced flat out crooks pulling scams on me.  I even had one recently to return a different item of lesser value and even style!  It was an expensive and htf vintage original Ken doll jacket and sandals...he actually sent back a different item!  I gathered evidence on him, made reports and turned him in to ebay-- they backed me!  I'm so thankful they saw through that crook! Awesome folks in the fraud/security team!

I'm going to think hard before I leave a feedback.  I'm going to relay the honest truth about my experience.  Most are great buyers.  But I'm going to be honest whether it's taken positively or otherwise.

Appreciate ya!

[tina287barbieplanet]

Thank you, I agree, it's like spam to me.  More and more there is no description where descriptions should be, it's a bunch of babbling instead of checking out their merchandise and being honest.

As was said above:  if they can't write a line or two about the item, I'm moving on to the next Seller.

Thank you, I really appreciate your help!  💖