eBay

goodspeedusa · ‎08-13-2023

Buyer left us a neutral feedback stating the steering wheel was not leather. Buyer never contacted us in any way and did not use our free returns. I figured I would call in to ebay since it is in fact leather. I offered to provide the rep with the manufacturer's website, with whom we are an authorized dealer, for the said steering wheel showing it is in fact leather. Rep didn't want the information and said it didn't matter because the buyer has the "right" to leave their opinion.

What is going on Ebay? Facts no longer matter and buyer's "opinions" even when they are factually incorrect trump the irrefutable facts.

goodspeedusa · ‎08-13-2023

I think almost everyone is missing my point here. While this one feedback in and of itself is not a "disaster", the way ebay is now handling feedback IS a disaster. Buyers can say whatever they want and ebay doesn't care. Ebay has moved so far towards buyers and away from sellers that make ebay what it is.

My post is to show that facts do not matter to ebay. I know buyers do not have to contact sellers before leaving feedback, but it would be really nice if ebay did mandate it.

I also know this doesn't "harm" my feedback score, but it does harm my business. This buyer is claiming I misrepresented an item and that I am a liar. That is surely harm.

Also my response to this doesn't show up on the mobile platform so over 50% of buyers do not even have the ability to see my response.

As far as it being "factual" or not, I also have the invoices from my supplier showing I purchased their leather steering wheel. Ebay is not interested in me providing those either. Basically there is no amount of evidence good enough for ebay.

The response stating there are no "facts" is basically saying nothing amounts to facts which is simply not true. This was also an overseas order so if we want to go down this rabbit hole then the steering wheel could have been switched out at the hub or in customs when it arrived in the buyer's country. Continuing down the rabbit hole, since it was shipped using Ebay's International Shipping Program then they should have opened everything and verified it when they received it.

Furthermore, this buyer can say whatever he wants to with zero evidence. I have evidence that what this buyer is stating is untrue.

Also, almost all of my neutral feedback is technically a product review. On Ebay's competitor, Amazon, any feedback that is 100% product related is removable. Just throwing that out there Ebay!

reallynicestamps · ‎08-13-2023

Ask instead to have your Response removed, not because it is wrong, but because it draws attention to the buyer's mistaken claim.

As others have told you, neutral feedback has no effect on your rating, and FB generally is not used by eBay to assess your account.

maxine*j · ‎08-13-2023

@goodspeedusa wrote:
I think almost everyone is missing my point here. My post is to show that facts do not matter to ebay... I have evidence that what this buyer is stating is untrue...

You have evidence that you bought a leather steering wheel for resale, and you have evidence that you listed a leather steering wheel for sale on eBay.

You do not have evidence that you shipped a leather steering wheel, and you do not have evidence that the buyer received a leather steering wheel, even if you did ship one

It's a "he said / she said" situation. I happen to believe you, and more than likely any eBay representative you speak to will happen to believe you, as will potential customers who read that bit of feedback and your response to it. But, in the end, it's "he said / she said," and both of your "saids" must stand.

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vintagecraze50 · ‎08-13-2023

If you got the item back you are blessed. People tell you all kinds of things to get a refund including a sack of lies.

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-13-2023

If buyer has made a claim that you fear will other customers will be turned off by, which in this case stating the item was basically not what you sent, you can reply in a factual manner that the buyer was mistaken regarding the materials used in the product. I understand your need and want to look completely legit on here.

rugerskick · ‎08-13-2023

You are missing the OPs larger point.

Its not necessarily about one neutral feedback.

Its more concerning Ebay does not care about the actual facts and that one side is incorrect yet being allowed to remain unchecked. Thats the larger point you gloss over. This particular incident theres no real harm, but it also occurs in incidents that cause harm and damage to a sellers metrics and reputation, which many work hard to maintain. It is grossly unfair when this occurs, and Ebay ought to understand and want to correct it just out of principle of supporting truthfulness and accuracy.

maxine*j · ‎08-14-2023

@rugerskick wrote:
You are missing the OPs larger point.

Its not necessarily about one neutral feedback.

Its more concerning Ebay does not care about the actual facts and that one side is incorrect yet being allowed to remain unchecked. Thats the larger point you gloss over. This particular incident theres no real harm, but it also occurs in incidents that cause harm and damage to a sellers metrics and reputation, which many work hard to maintain. It is grossly unfair when this occurs, and Ebay ought to understand and want to correct it just out of principle of supporting truthfulness and accuracy.

No one is missing the point. What people are saying is that using the tools and resources available, there is no way for OP to prove that he sent a leather steering wheel. There is no way for the buyer to prove that he received a non-leather steering wheel. It's he-said/she-said, so eBay (as any other business does) treats the buyer as always being right.

To obtain actual proof in these cases would require a vast, international staff of well trained investigators, with incredible resources and authority. Each case could take weeks or months to decide. The cost would be so great that no seller could afford the fees to sell here.

So, anyone who sells here must face the fact: Every seller may have a false case opened against him and/or will receive a false feedback. At least OP's feedback was neutral and not negative.

Is it right or is it fair? No, it is not in the cosmic justice sense. But it is the reality in the imperfect world of mankind in which we do business.

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