Open eBay feedback issues

[saltysam-1]

I am experiencing many issues with non-feedback with purchased items. Is it just me or are others seeing the same reaction? I know feedback is not mandatory, but it is happening more and more. I used to wait 30 days and then send a gentle reminder that the purchase is still open in my feedback file. I know you folks send out reminders as well. Years ago, feedback had 100% of the seller's co-operation, now it seems that percentage is going down. One seller told me that he was too busy to get involved with replies. If this is the new attitude, perhaps I should reconsider being active in the program myself......very disappointing. Can I leave a transaction comment like:  Seller does not participate in leaving feedback? Or will it be removed because it's not a required part of the sale?

[kateinthe26th]

I always leave FB for my sellers. I leave FB for buyers in blocks .....most buyers in March didnt get FB as i was suddenly swamped in April and barely had time to get orders out the door.

I prefer how Etsy does FB to be honest. FB on ebay seems old fashioned and no longer as relevant as it once was.

[soh.maryl]

You "know it's not mandatory" but you appear to feel pretty strongly about it.

Not sure what its importance is to a buyer since buyers can only be given positives.

You are free to "reconsider being active in the program".  

[etacarina11]

The only 3 things that a seller has to do to make me as a buyer happy.
1.Be accurate in the description and location of the item.
2.package it well.
3. send it out within a reasonable time...or at least message me if there is a delay.

If a seller does those 3 things I would most certainly be happy and leave feedback. Leaving me feedback as a buyer is not necessary.

[mr_f1ash]

I used to send feedback reminders however I gave it up as a bad joke a long time ago. I have not sold near as many items as some of the veterans that have posted on this thread but I have been an eBay member for a long time. My experience is that despite the most carefully crafted and polite reminder the response rate (feedback provided as result of reminder) is about 5%. I used to chase feedback however now I am simply grateful for the feedback I receive and I always ensure that I leave feedback for buyers.

Be aware of the feedback policy on eBay as well - "Feedback is the foundation of trust on eBay. Having terms and conditions that dissuade an individual from leaving feedback undermines the integrity of the feedback system and decreases trust within the eBay marketplace." It is a sticky area to blatantly advise that you as a seller are opting out of the feedback system.

If a buyer is upset you will know about it. If they are happy and the transaction is perfect you might get feedback. I do not think feedback has been a level playing field for some time now so I just continue to do what I have always done - act professionally as a seller, be honest in my listings and communications, and treat people with respect. You can only hope if there is a problem that the buyer would contact you so you can resolve whatever the issue may be as mature adults. Unfortunately the relative anonymity involved often results in knee jerk responses that are simply unwarranted and unnecessary.  

[7606dennis]

Feedback is and always has been voluntary on eBay for both buyers and sellers.  Since 2008 when sellers were barred from leaving anything other than positive feedback for buyers, many sellers have simply decided to forgo leaving it altogether.  Thus the feedback system has been rendered somewhat useless.

Of course, as a seller, checking a bidder's feedback left for others and their bid retraction record is of some use.

[southern*sweet*tea]

When it comes to buyer feedback, the ONLY useful buyer feedback is the feedback that buyer LEAVES their sellers. Received feedback means nothing since it can only be positive, and if a seller does happen to leave a negative comment under a positive donut, I'm going to totally dismiss it because I don't listen to policy breakers.

[soh.maryl]

And, as a seller, when you send that "reminder" message, be prepared for the buyer to hit you with a big fat negative and a remark" Here's the FB you requested".

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@mr_f1ash wrote:

"...If a buyer is upset you will know about it. If they are happy and the transaction is perfect you might get feedback. I do not think feedback has been a level playing field for some time now so I just continue to do what I have always done - act professionally as a seller, be honest in my listings and communications, and treat people with respect. You can only hope if there is a problem that the buyer would contact you so you can resolve whatever the issue may be as mature adults. Unfortunately the relative anonymity involved often results in knee jerk responses that are simply unwarranted and unnecessary. " 

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Beautifully said, @mr_f1ash .

[michklo-34]

I was totally ripped off by a seller on eBay for a lot of money for a car I have every receipt and everything they could possibly need I looked up the guy and he has a record for Grand theft Auto he has never owned the car eBay did not help me at all I shouldn't say eBay whatever their insurance company is A-1 air whatever did nothing they told me they called the person and he said he reimburse me there is no way that they had any receipt and even reimburse me because I never got the vehicleall I got was a title and a receipt and a picture of him in the bank parking lot with his ID I did a check on him and the only thing he has been convicted of Grand theft vehicle never owned a car has several tickets for bad registration no registration driving with a bad license it goes on and on will you think they EBay would check the people who sell cars on their website I find it totally ridiculous I did everything I was supposed to and I got nothing and I am a extremely good customer I bought a car the day before from a man in Texas I had no problem he shipped it to me sent the title I'm driving it now

[1ttsquare]

As a buyer, my preference would only to leave good feedback.  I tend to order more than one item from a seller.  If I receive all the items I ordered, and they are as described, I give glowing feedback.  Let's say if I order 40 items and I only receive 37 of them, I give the seller a chance to fix the issue.  If they do not, I leave non favorable reviews and they loose me as a customer.  I recently had a seller update an order that the item was delivered.  I did not receive it.  Contacted Orange Pack, they gave me the USPS tracking.  Went to the post office, they ran GPS, and it shows it was delivered to a different address.  I opened a dispute with the credit card company with the documents the post office gave me.  Three weeks later I received a package with the items I ordered, completely different tracking number.  Not sure if they delivered after I opened the dispute, or if this was the correct package to begin with.  Seller never answered my messages on the issue.  I decided to leave no review even though I did receive the items,  I had to do a lot of work to get the info and the seller never responded to me.

[soh.maryl]

It's hard to understand why anyone with 1049 FB who, in addition, has been around for 12 years would be concerned about FB.

Also, you do know that buyers can only receive positive FB, right? So that means that FB for buyers is basically meaningless except as an ego booster.  

[soh.maryl]

Since buyers can be left only positive FB or none at all, how does eBay "allow public shaming of its buyers"? 

[tnt-usa]

As a buyer I do not appreciate the tons of emails and messages requesting feedback so as a seller I do not do it. I send my sold items out quickly , Package them with care and track them to their arrival. If that person wishes to leave feedback it is much appreciated. I would rather have no refunds or disputes against me.

I believe that not everyone is going to leave  feedback for whatever reason and I don't take it personally.