Frustrated, What does it take?

[michaelruggier0]

I fully understand how important a reputation is on Ebay. I also know how diffcult some people can be. I had one buyer who I believe was impossible; and despite his complaints I know he got an incredible deal. I was a beginner, not only was I learning how to pack and ship, but sold over 600 dollars of vintage stage lighting to him for about 65 dollars. Nonetheless this buyer complained and gave me a bad writeup, while he refused to return the merchandise which I offered at my expense. Of course he wouldn't, he knew he still got a great deal.

I understand that Ebay does not like a seller disparaging a buyer, and I will respect that and not mention that buyer's ID. But when does it end? As a beginner I was not used to asking my buyers for feed back, so finally with the few that I did everything was positive. Recently I just sold something to a new buyer who gave me positive feedback, so my rating went up from 75% to 80%. That's with only one negative feed back. Seriously? So is the buyer always right when he trashes a seller? How long does it take to redeem a problem that you may not even have messed up?

My first month on Ebay I did great. Then I had this buyer who was impossible no matter how much I tried to resolve his issues. Since then, with a rating of 75%, all positive except for him, I can't seem to sell anything anymore.

Completely disgusted with this system.

[baantiques · Accepted solution]

Yeah, that's tough.  It's going to be slow, you just have to be patient.  It took me a good 6 months to get regular sales when I started back up again almost 6 years ago.  I didn;t sell a thing for 6 weeks and even getting a view was cause for celebration.

Just keep plugging away.

[anthemshop247]

Aim to sell more, and hopefully you will receive positive feedback with each sale but per experience I get feedbacks only from 25 % sold. Look for fast sellers that are affordable and eventually you will jump to a more respectable 95%. Your feedback percentage is computed for 12-months sales, so after one year your negative will no longer be factored in.

[tunicaslot]

Mike - find a couple of good low cost items to that will sell quickly to get your feedback back up. I have a question tho - are the Shakespear books you have at a Buy It Now the same set you have at auction because you can't have both an auction and a Buy it now for the same item unless you have more than 1 of an item.

Best of luck to you - read the boards - as you'll find a lot of helpful information and look at some of the other posters listings as you'll get clues as to what sells well!

[candd205]

Unfortunately 1 bad feedback can have that kind of effect on a low volume seller. But you do know that the bad feedback drops off after 12 months. Check the date of the bad feedback and see how close you are to being free of that anchor.

[michaelruggier0]

Thank you!

[michaelruggier0]

Thank you! And wow, I can't believe I listed that twice, not intentional. So thanks again.

[frodobagginskennedy]

It is tough getting started on E Bay.  Especially when someone leaves negative feedback right off.

I started back in 2001 I think by going through our closets.  The first month I sold about $1500.00 just from old gifts that we never used and STUFF laying around.  

I then bought a bunch of inexpensive peruvian bracelets and sold then $3/$10.00 didn't make a lot of $$ but it got the feedback up and taught me how to navigate e bay.

You need to find something inexpensive that will sell quickly and get the FB up.  Do not focus right now on making too much.  You need to get established first,

[myboardid]

Personally I would start over with a new ID.  Don't just change your name, because the feedback will follow you.  Get a whole new ID with  new email address. 

Regarding those flashlights - use your title for words buyers search under, such as the brand names of the flashlights.  No one searches for the words "highly collected".  Save those for use in the description. 

[michaelruggier0]

Thank you!

[michaelruggier0]

All good advice, thank you!

[castlemagicmemories]

Sorry this happened to you; don't let it get you down!

As a buyer, I try to cut new sellers some slack, but not everyone thinks as I do.

And you ran into one of those who don't.  

[michaelruggier0]

Thank you!

[castlemagicmemories]

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@michaelruggier0 wrote:
Thank you!

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You are most welcome! 

Your neg will fall off after a year.  

Wishing you all the best!

[luckythewinner]

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But when does it end?

It never ends. When you choose to sell on eBay, you are choosing to live by their rules.  

As a beginner I was not used to asking my buyers for feed back, so finally with the few that I did everything was positive

IMHO you have this wrong - the beginner's mistake is asking for feedback. If I do not give a positive it is because the seller does not deserve it. If one of those sellers asks me for feedback, I have to fight the urge not to give him what I think he deserves. 

sold over 600 dollars of vintage stage lighting to him for about 65 dollars. Nonetheless this buyer complained and gave me a bad writeup

You chose to sell for $65. The fact that you think the buyer got a deal should not change either (a) your responsibilities or (b) the buyer's expectations. 

So is the buyer always right when he trashes a seller? 

eBay has never required that feedback had to be fair, honest, or accurate. 

How long does it take to redeem a problem that you may not even have messed up?

How long it takes depends upon how what feedback you get, how much feedback you get, and when you get it. Feedback is nothing more than a math equation, and no one here can predict how fast you will sell or whether those sales will be positive.

All that is entirely up to you.