Exploits within eBay's feedback policies and system.

[the.real.deale]

Clearly, eBay policy writers logic and reasoning aptitudes are lacking when a system is put in place with gaping wide exploits that allow for the abuse of one's public profile i.e. repuation as a Seller. Can anyone explain what the purpose of feeback is for exactly here on eBay? Is it for a product and service that requires an interaction from time to time, or are you branding yourself and selling it affixed to a product, like a name brand? Better yet, can I just sell a conversation and have it marketed, sold, and rated? It appears the later also can be sold and is an acceptable practice according to eBay that can be rated, unbeknownst to the Seller.

My main question is: what team at eBay that writes policy for feedback overlooked how cancelled transactions are covered? If neither a product nor a service to deliver a product were performed by a Seller due to the Buyer demanding a cancelation before the product is in transit, how or why can a Buyer be given an option to leave feedback when their request was acknowledged and willingly fulfilled (null and void ring any bells up there)? Nothing was exchanged that denotes what this site is here for - and feedback can be left to impact a Seller publicly for that? I think the team who wrote the current policy for feedback and their degrees in education for business don't really stack. Failure to analyze what your site is actually for and ignoring the social aspects that are abused within it is rather unprofessional. What site am I on again; an eCommerce fortune 500 platform for selling I thought?

[eburtonlab]

Can anyone explain what the purpose of feeback is for exactly here on eBay?

Feedback allows buyers to get an indication of whether sellers are delivering the items they advertise, and to choose whether to do business with those sellers on that basis.

My main question is: what team at eBay that writes policy for feedback overlooked how cancelled transactions are covered?

Is that really your main question? Knowing the answer will not help you, as you will not be able to get in touch with anyone at eBay that sets feedback policy to argue that the policy should change. Instead you should have considered asking for advice from other sellers on the Selling board on how to deal with customers that want to cancel, or how to handle bad feedback.

If neither a product nor a service to deliver a product were performed by a Seller due to the Buyer demanding a cancelation before the product is in transit, how or why can a Buyer be given an option to leave feedback

If a buyer requests a cancellation, it is generally in the seller's best interest to comply if the item has not shipped and its shipment can be prevented without cost. It is rarely beneficial to the seller to force an unwilling buyer to proceed with a transaction.

Buyers have the opportunity to leave feedback until certain conditions are met. If the seller cancels at the buyer's request or if the seller cancels due to nonpayment, the buyer can not leave feedback at that point, and prior feedback left can be removed if it is not removed automatically.

If the seller is unsuccessful in getting negative feedback removed, a single vague feedback comment will not affect the seller's account much if the seller has an otherwise good history of receiving positive feedback.

A single ill-considered response to a feedback comment can, however be much more costly than the negative feedback itself.

[the.real.deale · Accepted solution]

"If the seller cancels at the buyer's request or if the seller cancels due to nonpayment, the buyer can not leave feedback at that point, and prior feedback left can be removed if it is not removed automatically."

Exactly the exploit I'm pointing to that has been left open to abuse. Apparently eBay did not review carefully what I'm bringing to their attention with their feedback policy after requesting it be removed considering it violated their own guidelines and was possible for the Buyer to do.

[the.real.deale]

Honestly eburtonlab, your reply has only misdirected the issue. I'm well aware of my options and took the path of least resistance when dealing with the matter. My previous reply indicates what the situation is - as helpful as your suggestions might seem, they don't rectify the problem nor offer anything that already hasn't been exhausted. It's time for eBay to step-up and take responsibility for the code within the feeback system that allows violation(s) of it's own rules.

[44012]

I have cancelled 2 orders in the past three months at buyers request.

Months later I received feedback from both buyers.

One was positive. I let it be. I was actually confused, thought I shipped. But I didn't ship it.

One was neutral. Buyer said they never ordered. But they did. They actually cancelled and bought cheaper elsewhere. I asked eBay to remove the feedback and they did. This happened in the past month.

I believe customers who ask to have orders cancelled CAN leave feedback. As it has happened to me.

[nylvseller]

i contacted a winner of a $8 card (the day he won) and told him i would have to refund or replace with something else (could not find the $8 card) .  9 days later he finial replied said he wanted the card.  ebay said to refund him.  he leaves my 1st neg in 7500 sales and calls me a "FRAUD" .  eBay will not remove it.  IMO its a violation as its slander or defamation.   

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@nylvseller wrote:

i contacted a winner of a $8 card (the day he won) and told him i would have to refund or replace with something else (could not find the $8 card) .  9 days later he finial replied said he wanted the card.  ebay said to refund him.  he leaves my 1st neg in 7500 sales and calls me a "FRAUD" .  eBay will not remove it.  IMO its a violation as its slander or defamation.   

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That negative or neutral FB is earned. It is not libel, slander or defamation. I have one of those within the past year. It is mine and I would not ask for removal.