Buyer left inaccurate negative comment as positive feedback

[5ring5ale]

Hi, I sold an item. Shipped it on time but, I guess, USPS had a delay and it ended up being delivered Monday not Saturday. The buyer left positive feedback but left a negative comment in typical troll fashion "Did not arrive in time. Delivered two days past due." I'm assuming he intentionally left the feedback as positive to circumvent it from being removed.

This seems to be against eBay policy "or by leaving negative comments with a positive rating. "

I contacted him, asked him to look at the tracking info and see that I delivered the item to USPS on time. That his issue is with USPS, which I'd gladly help him recoup the shipping costs if it weren't for the fact that he chose First-Class, which they do not guarantee. (btw, why is ebay guaranteeing first-class shipments in the first place?)

His response pretty much ignored everything I had written and it's clear he's just looking to mess with someone. 

Should I contact eBay or let it slide? My understanding is that eBay hates when any drama is created, justified or not, that requires human interaction instead of a bot. I don't want to harm my account any further as I also just became top rated. However, I work my butt off to get items out and this just irks me to no end. 

[fern*wood]

I can't imagine harassing a buyer over their positive feedback to me because I didn't agree with the verbiage.  Good grief, no wonder people are looking elsewhere to buy.  Things like this turn us into the last resort site.

All those follow-ups just draw attention to the fact you had an issue.  Most don't care if it was warranted or not, since they know there are always two sides to every story.  Writing in public feedback that you will help with recouping costs might make a future potential buyer think that buyer lost money somehow in the deal, and step away from you.   Being a right fighter isn't usually a good look.

[city*satins]

His response pretty much ignored everything I had written and it's clear he's just looking to mess with someone. 

Actually that's not clear at all. What's clear is that a paying customer was was guilt-tripped  into trying to make a seller happy, the buyer is now further in trouble for making an effort to make the seller happy. Funny that....the buyer trying to pacify the seller.  That speaks for the buyer being kind of nice, not a troll.

It's a positive and nobody would have noticed it if you hadn't gone up in smoke about it.

You didn't know you were signed up for Guaranteed Delivery?   You may not be reading your ebay emails. A lot of sellers don't read the eBay messages they think don't need reading, but then come here all surprised and stuff.  Same ones who don't read the seasonal updates.

Just to be clear about negative comments with a positive rating - the only time this applies to buyers is if they say things like:
Was supposed to be free shipping   When the listing didn't offer free shipping

or

Seller never responded to my messages. When the Contact Member record shows that the seller did.

or

I ordered size XL and received size XS. When the sales record shows the buyer ordered XL and that there were no typos in the listing anywhere like Item Specifics, Title or Description that said XL.

And then at best, the comment MIGHT be removable - it's a life-sucking struggle but has been known to happen at the discretion of the customer service rep the seller gets on the phone.  In a negative feedback, the entire feedback would be removable if nothing else negative was said that WAS true.  Again, it's time a seller won't get back but it can be removed with effort.

Other than that, a buyer can make a negative comment in a positive rating.  Such as

Nice item but the seller was extremely rude to me

Arrived on time and as described but sadly it doesn't fit.

Item is fine but the buttons are already falling off

Nice shirt but the seller didn't mention that it had been altered

etc etc

Sellers who complain about negative comments like this in positive feedback really need to ask themselves if they'd be happier if the feedback rating was a big red negative.   The buyer can leave feedback comments like that as either positive, neutral or negative - this does not violate any policy.

As for your DSRs - regardless of whether the buyer left a comment or rating that you didn't like, eBay specifically asked the buyer when he left feedback, whether the item arrived by the specific guaranteed date.  The buyer was entitled to reply correctly that no, it didn't.

Try to move on and not stress so much - stressing made things unnecessarily worse, in my opinion and wasn't by the looks of it, much of a picnic for the buyer either who will likely never buy from you again.  To which you might say Well, I already blocked him! or I wouldn't want a customer like that back anyway!  but I would say that when a seller plays a key role in a customer not returning, then I as another seller, I don't appreciate when my potential customers are run off.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@city*satins wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

Stop ascribing negative reasons to this. Buyers don’t leave negatives as a positive because they’re trying to get around the rules. There are no such rules for buyers.

Most I’ve ever seen on the boards do it to be KIND to the seller because they think negs still hurt AND stick out to warn future buyers.

Let that sink in for a minute. They were unhappy about something, could have made it stand out but didn’t.

Feedback and DSRs are no longer used for eBay punishment. 

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BUt in this case if it had been negative it would have been better because it would have been removeable 

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Actually it wouldn't have been removable if it had been a negative because the statement wasn't incorrect per the terms of the sale which had a guaranteed delivery date.  The buyer didn't say that the seller didn't send it on time, the buyer said it didn't arrive on time - which being guaranteed, it didn't.  Not removable.

---

Actually that's exactly why it would have been removable.   This is the policy 

Feedback
If a Guaranteed Delivery item arrives late even though the seller met their handling time commitment, eBay will remove any negative or neutral feedback left by the buyer regarding late delivery.

They will remove any negative or neutral feedback regarding late delivery   It doesn't have to say you didn't meet your handling time just that it was late. Unfortunately since its positive it now doesn't qualify...

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@city*satins wrote:

His response pretty much ignored everything I had written and it's clear he's just looking to mess with someone. 

Actually that's not clear at all. What's clear is that a paying customer was was guilt-tripped  into trying to make a seller happy, the buyer is now further in trouble for making an effort to make the seller happy. Funny that....the buyer trying to pacify the seller.  That speaks for the buyer being kind of nice, not a troll.

It's a positive and nobody would have noticed it if you hadn't gone up in smoke about it.

You didn't know you were signed up for Guaranteed Delivery?   You may not be reading your ebay emails. A lot of sellers don't read the eBay messages they think don't need reading, but then come here all surprised and stuff.  Same ones who don't read the seasonal updates.

Just to be clear about negative comments with a positive rating - the only time this applies to buyers is if they say things like:
Was supposed to be free shipping   When the listing didn't offer free shipping

or

Seller never responded to my messages. When the Contact Member record shows that the seller did.

or

I ordered size XL and received size XS. When the sales record shows the buyer ordered XL and that there were no typos in the listing anywhere like Item Specifics, Title or Description that said XL.

And then at best, the comment MIGHT be removable - it's a life-sucking struggle but has been known to happen at the discretion of the customer service rep the seller gets on the phone.  In a negative feedback, the entire feedback would be removable if nothing else negative was said that WAS true.  Again, it's time a seller won't get back but it can be removed with effort.

Other than that, a buyer can make a negative comment in a positive rating.  Such as

Nice item but the seller was extremely rude to me

Arrived on time and as described but sadly it doesn't fit.

Item is fine but the buttons are already falling off

Nice shirt but the seller didn't mention that it had been altered

etc etc

Sellers who complain about negative comments like this in positive feedback really need to ask themselves if they'd be happier if the feedback rating was a big red negative.   The buyer can leave feedback comments like that as either positive, neutral or negative - this does not violate any policy.

As for your DSRs - regardless of whether the buyer left a comment or rating that you didn't like, eBay specifically asked the buyer when he left feedback, whether the item arrived by the specific guaranteed date.  The buyer was entitled to reply correctly that no, it didn't.

Try to move on and not stress so much - stressing made things unnecessarily worse, in my opinion and wasn't by the looks of it, much of a picnic for the buyer either who will likely never buy from you again.  To which you might say Well, I already blocked him! or I wouldn't want a customer like that back anyway!  but I would say that when a seller plays a key role in a customer not returning, then I as another seller, I don't appreciate when my potential customers are run off.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

---

The seller didn't sign up for guaranteed delivery   Their listings qualify as fast n free so eBay put them in guaranteed delivery. Really the only way out of that is to not offer free shipping

[fern*wood]

Could someone explain how it is a good idea for a seller to follow-up by saying I will help recoup the USPS shipping cost when "free" shipping was in the listing?

[myangelandmyprincess]

I agree the ops response doesn't make sense.  I understand being upset about the positive even more than if it was a neg or neutral as those could have been removed.  But the smart thing would have just been to realize that it made the buyer look like a doofus since the buyers complaint is that it's two days late.  

[nmemoryof]

If I were shopping your listings, I would see that comment as buyer pettiness and not as seller failure.  Most people are not stupid.  They know mail can be delayed by the carrier. 

[city*satins]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

---

@city*satins wrote:

---

@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

---

@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

Stop ascribing negative reasons to this. Buyers don’t leave negatives as a positive because they’re trying to get around the rules. There are no such rules for buyers.

Most I’ve ever seen on the boards do it to be KIND to the seller because they think negs still hurt AND stick out to warn future buyers.

Let that sink in for a minute. They were unhappy about something, could have made it stand out but didn’t.

Feedback and DSRs are no longer used for eBay punishment. 

---

BUt in this case if it had been negative it would have been better because it would have been removeable 

---

Actually it wouldn't have been removable if it had been a negative because the statement wasn't incorrect per the terms of the sale which had a guaranteed delivery date.  The buyer didn't say that the seller didn't send it on time, the buyer said it didn't arrive on time - which being guaranteed, it didn't.  Not removable.

---

Actually that's exactly why it would have been removable.   This is the policy 

Feedback
If a Guaranteed Delivery item arrives late even though the seller met their handling time commitment, eBay will remove any negative or neutral feedback left by the buyer regarding late delivery.

They will remove any negative or neutral feedback regarding late delivery   It doesn't have to say you didn't meet your handling time just that it was late. Unfortunately since its positive it now doesn't qualify...

---

Thank you! I stand corrected!

[city*satins]

---

@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

---

@city*satins wrote:

His response pretty much ignored everything I had written and it's clear he's just looking to mess with someone. 

Actually that's not clear at all. What's clear is that a paying customer was was guilt-tripped  into trying to make a seller happy, the buyer is now further in trouble for making an effort to make the seller happy. Funny that....the buyer trying to pacify the seller.  That speaks for the buyer being kind of nice, not a troll.

It's a positive and nobody would have noticed it if you hadn't gone up in smoke about it.

You didn't know you were signed up for Guaranteed Delivery?   You may not be reading your ebay emails. A lot of sellers don't read the eBay messages they think don't need reading, but then come here all surprised and stuff.  Same ones who don't read the seasonal updates.

Just to be clear about negative comments with a positive rating - the only time this applies to buyers is if they say things like:
Was supposed to be free shipping   When the listing didn't offer free shipping

or

Seller never responded to my messages. When the Contact Member record shows that the seller did.

or

I ordered size XL and received size XS. When the sales record shows the buyer ordered XL and that there were no typos in the listing anywhere like Item Specifics, Title or Description that said XL.

And then at best, the comment MIGHT be removable - it's a life-sucking struggle but has been known to happen at the discretion of the customer service rep the seller gets on the phone.  In a negative feedback, the entire feedback would be removable if nothing else negative was said that WAS true.  Again, it's time a seller won't get back but it can be removed with effort.

Other than that, a buyer can make a negative comment in a positive rating.  Such as

Nice item but the seller was extremely rude to me

Arrived on time and as described but sadly it doesn't fit.

Item is fine but the buttons are already falling off

Nice shirt but the seller didn't mention that it had been altered

etc etc

Sellers who complain about negative comments like this in positive feedback really need to ask themselves if they'd be happier if the feedback rating was a big red negative.   The buyer can leave feedback comments like that as either positive, neutral or negative - this does not violate any policy.

As for your DSRs - regardless of whether the buyer left a comment or rating that you didn't like, eBay specifically asked the buyer when he left feedback, whether the item arrived by the specific guaranteed date.  The buyer was entitled to reply correctly that no, it didn't.

Try to move on and not stress so much - stressing made things unnecessarily worse, in my opinion and wasn't by the looks of it, much of a picnic for the buyer either who will likely never buy from you again.  To which you might say Well, I already blocked him! or I wouldn't want a customer like that back anyway!  but I would say that when a seller plays a key role in a customer not returning, then I as another seller, I don't appreciate when my potential customers are run off.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

---

The seller didn't sign up for guaranteed delivery   Their listings qualify as fast n free so eBay put them in guaranteed delivery. Really the only way out of that is to not offer free shipping

---

I didn't say the seller signed up. I said the seller was signed up  (...you were signed up )

[myangelandmyprincess]

But many sellers don't realize they are qualifying for it.  eBay doesn't inform them.  The only way they know is if the look at their own listings after they are listed and even that doesn't really confirm much.  Because wether the listing qualifies can also depend on the zip code it's being viewed from 

[city*satins]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

But many sellers don't realize they are qualifying for it.  eBay doesn't inform them.  The only way they know is if the look at their own listings after they are listed and even that doesn't really confirm much.  Because wether the listing qualifies can also depend on the zip code it's being viewed from 

---

I got a notification. Also it was mentioned in that season's update.  I assumed (I guess incorrectly) that since I was notified, other sellers were too.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

I kept changing my listings handling time later and later until guaranteed delivery stopped posting on my listings. I will control my business ebay, like it or not. 

[5ring5ale]

I don't know how else to say it, my mind is simply blown. I just, guess a few of you are on the same wavelength as the buyer and I'm on a completely separate one. All I can say for myself, it's just a simple thing. And if it's not clear, I take pride in shipping on time.

In fact, I did not bring this up before, because it was not relevant (remember the simple part), one of the reasons why I was upset is because I had read his comment right before having to drive a 1-hour roundtrip to our main USPS hub to make sure an item went out on time because for various reasons I had missed our local drop off. I did this with a slipped disc in my back, and it was at the peak of its pain, I wasn't even going into work, I was bed-ridden, my family thought I was crazy. Bottom line is, if I say it will go out at x time, I will and have done whatever to make sure it does. It's simple. And so in the same manner, if you leave feedback on my page, make sure it's about me. It's a simple concept. That's what it's there for. To help other buyers understand me as a seller, not if USPS is fast or if apples new phone is good or not.

Whereas you guys, I don't even know, you're just making stuff up. Just to be negative and argue. Literally, everything that has been said has turned out false. 

And then you're using the word verbiage like a politician. It's not verbiage. He literally left negative feedback but marked it as positive. 

And now you guys are even analyzing my response. That was literally my response to him. That is literally what the reply button is for. He had not responded to my follow up email. And in the message, I had even said to him that if he was really upset about it I could contact USPS and see if I could get a refund. That's called a resolution.

If anything, it was dumb because it may attract attention from those who would want to take advantage. Which goes back to why I am angry that I was having to do this in the first place. 

[5ring5ale]

"Good grief, no wonder people are looking elsewhere to buy.  Things like this turn us into the last resort site."

Ha dude it was literally one buyer, who is easily an outlier, and one seller. And the buyer left bad feedback. Not verbiage. Again, I'm not contacting all of my buyers over verbiage. I contacted one buyer who made a "mistake".

But you leave a line, the cliche line that has been said over and over again for years about ebay's impending doom (no numbers) and relate it to this one example. Dude, the guy doesn't even know how to leave feedback. How the heck do you use him as an example of the average ebay user. 

[5ring5ale]

Big time booyah! Thank you my angel