Feedback is not a negotiating tool

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I know calling it a "negotiating tool" may be overstating it in this case ... maybe not. But I've gotten a number of these recently.

(Listing with no "Best Offer" Feature... Unsolicited offers sent via message)

"Hey, would you take $XX.XX and some outstanding feedback for this item. Please?"

I generally ignore the feedback comment, because money talks and you know what walks. 

If you are willing to use positive feedback as a negotiating tactic, or to try to leverage getting your offer accepted... I'm led to believe you are willing to use negative feedback in the same or similar ways with partial refunds after the fact and such.

Whether you're "cutely" offering "outstanding" feedback with your request for a deep discount, or you're threatening negative feedback in a dispute with a seller, I think it's all some form of feedback extortion or abuse... honestly needs to stop. It's getting old.

I even get uncomfortable when a buyer does a deal with me and at the end they are thanking me and then go on to promise to leave feedback upon receipt of their items... I guess I flat out don't want a buyer to tell me anything about leaving any feedback. Do it or don't, don't tell me about it. I don't want to discuss it. It's taboo to me to discuss FB w/ a buyer if I'm the seller (prior to the FB being left)... Maybe that's just me....

[mam98031]

Just speaking for myself.  I would decline the buyer that wants to use FB and a negotiation tool and I would put them on my BBL.  Actually I likely wouldn't even respond to the buyer.  

Important to keep in mind that what the buyer is suggesting is against the Ebay rules both for the buyer and the seller.

As to your last situation.  I don't see that the same way you do.  I've had many of my buyers say something similar to me over the years.  It has never been an issue nor did any buyer misbehave.  I would say, don't read more into it than is there.  Don't get paranoid.  Reading on the negative threads can get you to feel that way, don't let it.  Most buyers are good responsible people.