Feedback Extortion Question

[niedermonger]

I had a buyer purchase an item, they sent me messages stating they had received the correct items and were happy with them but wanted me to leave them positive feedback. I generally only leave feedback for buyers after I have received positive feedback because let's face it sellers are the ones doing the work and should receive feedback for that work. The buyer then proceeded to leave me multiple messages containing profanity, threatened negative feedback and made other comments. They then left negative feedback stating that the "idiot seller" sent the "wrong item". Uh no I have the message where they admit they received the correct items, were happy with them and all the other messages containing profanity and threats of negative feedback for what is essentially a service not including in the listing which is me leaving positive feedback for the buyer doing zero work.

Does anyone else think this is a example of feedback extortion? I have already gave the buyer a chance to save themselves by sending a feedback revision request before I personally call eBay.

Thoughts?

[lovett-1000]

Since looks like you never leave feedback to your buyers. That is not a good practice. As many just in the last month left it for you but you left none. Shame on you no I would not call it extortion. But someone asking you to be nice enough to respond to thier buy. 

[mudshark61369]

@tonedog99,

"You see feedback as being supportive fo sellers--I see it as being for buyer's confidence".

It is painfully obvious You haven't sold on ebay for quite awhile. I'd venture to say since before May of 2008. 

Feedback does work both ways it supports sellers while giving buyers an idea of a seller's reliability.  If sellers had no feedback how would you have any idea of how well they perform?  Buyer's feedback on the other hand means nothing since the nonpayers, scammers, and MBG abusers all have a 100% rating.

"The more I've heard about this new American "screw the buyer, we love the sellers!" attitude, the more I hate it.  Everything you mentioned that could go wrong with the buyer was absolutely atypical".

On ebay, sellers have just about zero protection from buyers who claim not as described, when they find an item for less, misuse an item and break it, or use a new item once and want to return it. If a buyer files a not as described claim the seller has basically no option but to send a return shipping label, and not only eat the cost for that, but are also out their selling fees. Those things are not atypical but common.  ebay had to institute a MBG abuse policy, because of the number of abuses.

If a seller tries to refuse to accept a return for the above reasons, even when ebay policy states "an item has to be returned in the same condition in which it was received" ebay lets the buyer keep the item, get a refund, and the seller gets a defect on their account.  The buyer also has 180 days from payment protection through PayPal, and between 90 and 180 days protection by a credit card provider. 

Of course none of that can happen or is needed unless the buyer pays first which is mandatory on ebay, but you think that is the be all / end all of buying, and deserve a pat on the back for doing the minimum required of you.

"I love it--a seller who bemoans having to work to make their money. Must be American".

We do not moan about having to work to make money, it is well understood that work is necessary in order to be successful whether selling on eBay or in any other endeavor.  What we bemoan is that all too often our hard work is for naught.  Our job doesn't even end when we receive a postive feedback, which we all to often do not get, especially when we leave it first.  No, we then have to sweat out the extended protections afforded by PayPal and credit card companies, for what ever period is left after eBay's MBG protections expire.  That is not a strictly American phenomenon either. Sellers from around the world face the same challenges, except maybe the chinese sellers, who ebay allow to continue, even though they are the least reliable block of sellers on ebay.

"But you did say one thing that made sense and wasn't entirely supportive of the seller over the buyer--it's voluntary--we don't have to use it.  After getting this reply from you, I think that's a good way to go".

So in your opinion if a seller does not perform a voluntary action they need to be castigated, but it is fine for buyers not to do the same thing?  Because feedback IS VOLUNTARY you have no reasonable expectation of receiving it. Sellers already know they will in most cases not get it, no matter if they leave feedback first or not.  If you somehow feel this is an American trait, then why not buy only from sellers not located in the U.S.? 

[tonedog99]

When you profiteers try and make a point, you immediately go to unprovable lies.  "Well, you're not a seller--you don't know how rough it is!"  Cry me a river.  I could care less about your problems.  Saying you sellers have it rough means nothing to me.  Everything you said was supportive of the seller.  I believe the seller has been given enough.  Giving the sellers everything they want is the primary cause of our economic collapse.

I will continue to be a buyer, and know you sellers for the profit-making people you are.  You can lie with facts all you want, but it won't change anything.  

There is nothing more important to you than profit--I still believe in a few human values.

[the_fancy_fox]

"If sellers had no feedback how would you have any idea of how well they perform? "

By ebay goIng to a  system of successful transactions vs unsuccessful. After 30 days and no return? Your positive number goes up. Feedback as it is isn't a accurate indicator of how good a seller is. More peopls don't bother to leave it when they are happy vs those that are unhappy. That skews the numbers.

that said, as a seller I always leave it but all I put now is "Thank you for your purchase!"