Feedback Extortion

[hoichi]

I have a free 30 day return policy where I pay for the return shipping and can cover the buyers original shipping costs also. Was wondering if other sellers have experienced a rise in feedback extortion. The subtle language of either I "do the right thing" or feedback is imminent, usually implying negatives. 

  Thought the "right thing" was having a free 30 day return policy in place when a buyer is not satisfied with an item.  Apparently, since November, I was told by Ebay reps that with the change to the seller protection plan, unless a buyer submits a return request through Ebay, the seller is no longer protected from these types of subtle Feedback extortion. So Ebay has provided the loophole and this flaw in their policy has opened the door for these types of threats.

   Now that the reps do not handle this directly but you have to file a petition to some invisible board that makes decisions on such matters, truly Ebay has become complicit in this scheme to hurt sellers reputations with unfounded and in most cases libelous accusations.

   Been on here 25 years, seen the ups and downs of policy changes, seems this is one of those down times. The 'Karens' of Ebay now have the upper hand(no kidding, one of these extortion threats I received was from a buyer named Karen, can't make this stuff up:)

  Here is the latest example:

Well you got me. Good customer service, and completely fooled me with your one photo and "hey no problem, the wrinkles and glare are on the bag not the book." And what of the writing and numbered pages in ballpoint, and multiple folds,tears, and creases? Are those on the bag as well? Why would your deceive and manipulate your customer on a platform where you will be held to account,l. And for what. $10  What a shame for you. I expect you will make this right. I will not send it back for a refund, It is worthless and I refuse to waste my time correcting your malfeasance and scam. I have opted to give you an opportunity to do so before I decide on what feedback I can offer. You have 24 hours to correct this.

   My initial response:

Hi Mathew

Sorry you were not happy with the purchase. I have a free 30 day return policy. Put in for the return and Ebay will generate a free shipping label. Once upon receipt, you will get a full refund including the original shipping.

Bob

PS There was no intent to deceive Matthew. The book was given the low grade of G/VG for a reason. In the grading chart included in the listing you will see details that cover that specific grade.

Follow-up:

Hi Matthew

Please clarify what you mean by "making this right". A total refund would be considered making you whole once you return an item that you are not satisfied with, that's standard policy for Ebay buyers. The return shipping is free.
As far as the description, it's a general description that fits most listings at this price level. Unfortunately I use it as a template and in this case the creases and glare on the bag terminology should have been removed, forgive me, sometimes you just miss things, especially with the amount of listings I have posted. Never had this problem before because the grade usually covers the problems with the book. That's why I include the Overstreet grading chart in the listings.

Bob

Reply:You are now harassing me after I told you to not contact me again. You have now been reported to Ebay for abuse, harassment, and violation of the TOS and community guidelines. Stop immediately and do not contact me again.

Contact Ebay customer service for any questions you may have.

  Sorry for the long post. Just wondering if this is now becoming a trend and if Ebay will address the situation. Thanks!

[caldreamer · Accepted solution]

This person is a jerk and having a temper tantrum (he needs a "time out").  So he demanding a full refund + keep the item.  If it so horrible why does he want to keep it?

Clearly this is feedback exortion but don't expect much help from EBAY.     Sorry this happened to you.

[hoichi]

Thanks for the kind words! Here's an update. Yeah, Ebay invisible council was no help, they wouldn't remove the feedback even though this was clearly a case of extortion. had few options. only way to get the feedback removed was to have the buyer apply for the return. So, goaded into a return by using this message:

Hi Karen Hope you enjoy the book! May God reward you according to your deeds, have a meaningful life.

His response in his opening and return, priceless:)!

Seller keeps contacting me after told not to do so,; as well as addressing me as Karen. The book is damaged and worthless. It was sold as good. Listing description states damage is on bag, not book. a child has written numbers on pages inside. I regret this purchase and will reduce usage of Ebay unless this is addressed. Please let me know what you would like me to do. thank you for your time

  Now since he's opened the return, I can get teh feedback removed. Refunded him already and told him if he wants he can keep the book. God is good, always has your back!!!

[deanenesthings]

I’ve had 100% rating for over a decade on this account. I too was just threatened with a negative feedback if I did not give a partial refund. I immediately contacted CS and was told not to worry, any negative feedback would be removed because item was about size and shown clearly next to a ruler. ( Diamond Huggies ) I refused the shakedown and ignored buyer once the extortion message came in. Neg was left claiming I enlarged pics ( on diamonds- lmao. Most buyers demand zoomed in pics to see clarity and color!) So I requested removal. Denied stating it was INAD - when no return request was opened for INAD??? I then escalated to the “ offline team” which immediately denied the request to remove because eBay didn’t want to get involved in a buyer’s opinion.
Another thing-I thought a buyer had to wait 7 days to leave bad feedback? Guess that changed too! 
So I’m furious. I buy & collect way more than I sell. Ended all of my listings, made FB private, returning items that truly weren’t as described but I let it pass and I pay full asking price most cases. 
So beware. What stuck out to me was “ Buyers don’t expect to see 100% positive feedback “ in this new garbage update. 

Best of luck! My buyer was a former seller !!!! With 3k FB!!! And as a reseller, eBay was making a lot off of me!!! 

[eau-de-fragrance]

Buyer threatened to give me bad feedback if I didn’t refund and let them keep the item. I reported them to eBay and await the result. By the way, after refusing to gift them, they immediately left a negative. 

I perused their feedback. It’s 98.4% as a seller. As a buyer they’ve left negative feedback with an F bomb. This ebayer is nuts.