Leaving negative vs factual feedback for a non-paying bidder as a seller

[oldwestgold]

I find this interesting and was just curious what your thoughts were on the subject.

I received an eBay message from a non-paying bidder this morning ranting and raving that I must remove my feedback left for him over a year ago. Case facts are - bidder bought an item, bidder failed to pay for the item, I opened a non-paying bidder case with eBay and received final credit as bidder never responded. So I decided to leave simple feedback of "Non-paying bidder. Filed with eBay." The bidder claimed I could not leave negative feedback in a positive FB column.  Never heard a peep from the bidder until a year later yet in checking their ID I see they continued to bid and win over 50 items in the past 6 months. They claimed they were in a near-death auto accident and were incapacitated all during this last year. So that story doesn't fly. In contacting eBay, yes I know that was a mistake, I hoped they could shed light on this negative FB in positive thing. The first agent could not confirm that leaving "non-paying bidder" was negative.  The second agent still couldn't explain if this was a violation yet seemed to lean on the side that it was negative FB even though it was the truth.  The whole feedback thing is now only a joke with all of their changes but I find it amazing a seller could not even leave a truthful FB statement such as non-paying bidder.  I guess eBay now supports non-paying bidders over a great seller.  Love to hear your thoughts!  Thanks!

[fern*wood]

It's not allowed, but some get by with doing it.  If the reps knew anything they should have removed it, especially when you pointed it out.

[18704d]

You had a non paying (buyer) bidder.

You left a False Pos FB in violation of policies (whether you knew it then, or not)

Now, a year later

They noticed it.. and knowing it violates policy, they messaged you.

You called eBay CSR's.

Got multiple answers.

And now you assume, eBay "supports" non paying bidders over good sellers.???

Bottom line,

Both of you did 'wrong'.

I don't think you can pull your FB (which violates policy)

It looks to me like your buyer doesn't know they can possibly Report your FB and get it Removed.  (which might officially harm your selling account)

So,

It's not a judgement against eBay, in my opinion.

It's a message that many of us sellers would ignore... not respond to...

(because I think it's too late to solve it)

and most importantly we'd have learned not to repeat this mistake.

If that makes sense?

Lynn

[muttlymob]

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@oldwestgold wrote:

The first agent could not confirm that leaving "non-paying bidder" was negative.  The second agent still couldn't explain if this was a violation yet seemed to lean on the side that it was negative FB even though it was the truth. 

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It is a policy violation.

See the 4th bullet item under the Feedback comments containing inappropriate contact section of the Member-to-member contact policy:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/membertomember-contact-policy?id=4262

These types of feedback comments may be removed:

Negative feedback comments that directly contradict a positive rating. (When the comment is posted by the seller. This type of contradictory comment is not removable when left by the buyer.)

note:  this policy has been in effect since 2008, when eBay removed the ability to leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers.

[mikeystoyz · Accepted solution]

Buyer cheerfully failed to pay for his item making my day positive!  is that postive enough?  lol

[mam98031]

I agree with the others.  It is not a good thing to do.  It does violate policy.

I understand why you did it and I have to admit in the past I've done something similar.  But it is important to remember just because the FB you may leave is "Factual" has nothing to do with it.  We are not allowed to leave a false positive FB.  

It is kind of funny however how much this still bothers your buyer a year later.  Ebay won't adjust FB that old.

[bigdeals.etc]

The truthfulness of your feedback doesn't matter.

False positive feedback = anything you say that the buyer doesn't like.

The only area that you are allowed to leave things like this is in the reply to the seller feedback you received from the buyer... which I actually look at when sizing up buyers.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Yes, sellers are welcome to rant and soil their own feedback by leaving a negative comment.

It makes it easier for good buyers to know who to avoid. Nobody wants to do business with a seller (or buyer) with anger issues. 

Of course if yours would be professional it would be less concerning. Many sellers though leave responses when they’re mad as hatters.

[luckythewinner]

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@oldwestgold wrote:

"Non-paying bidder. Filed with eBay."

{snip}

I find it amazing a seller could not even leave a truthful FB statement such as non-paying bidder.

---

I'm not surprised.

Here is the purpose of feedback on eBay, according to eBay's feedback policy page:

"Feedback is an opportunity to leave an honest comment about your experience with a seller, or thank a customer for their purchase."

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/feedback-policies/feedback-policies?id=4208

BTW, I always thought it used to be against policy to mention a case in feedback, but I can no longer find a policy that mentions.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I asked the specific question here a few weeks ago. The eBay rep said it is no longer a removable offense to mention a case. Only if you mention an outcome because they believe outcomes are private.

[a_c_green]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

The eBay rep said it is no longer a removable offense to mention a case. Only if you mention an outcome because they believe outcomes are private.

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Well, that's completely bass-ackwards. I would much rather have people know I was acquitted than have them know what I was charged with in the first place. ("Trust your sales to a_c_green! Not Guilty of anything as far as we know!" )

Getting back to the original point, though: even though the feedback was factual, it's still not Positive in how it portrays the buyer. If it ever dawns on him to complain to eBay instead of to the seller, he may succeed in getting it removed.

[monster-deals]

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@fern*wood wrote:

It's not allowed, but some get by with doing it.  If the reps knew anything they should have removed it, especially when you pointed it out.

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...and net them a policy violation for their troubles for everyone they go and turn up

[juststuffisell]

All of the above...

I believe it is a violation of feedback policy as well. I wonder if it would be allowed to do it in a more positive way;

"Thank you for your bids, I appreciate your non-payment, hope to see you again"

Would that be considered positive feedback? Thoughts? Feedback?

Hmmmm Love to hear from ebay on that one 🙂

Cheers

[mam98031]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

The truthfulness of your feedback doesn't matter.

False positive feedback = anything you say that the buyer doesn't like.

The only area that you are allowed to leave things like this is in the reply to the seller feedback you received from the buyer... which I actually look at when sizing up buyers.

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I didn't say that.

BTW, the same rules apply to comments left to FB.  I too have seen comments by sellers to FB given and received that breach the rules.  That doesn't mean it is OK, it just means that Ebay hasn't been notified of the comments.

[mam98031]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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@oldwestgold wrote:

"Non-paying bidder. Filed with eBay."

{snip}

I find it amazing a seller could not even leave a truthful FB statement such as non-paying bidder.

---

I'm not surprised.

Here is the purpose of feedback on eBay, according to eBay's feedback policy page:

"Feedback is an opportunity to leave an honest comment about your experience with a seller, or thank a customer for their purchase."

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/feedback-policies/feedback-policies?id=4208

BTW, I always thought it used to be against policy to mention a case in feedback, but I can no longer find a policy that mentions.

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It isn't the fact you mention a case, it is the OUTCOME of the case that breaches the rules.

These types of feedback comments may be removed:

• Feedback containing personally identifying information about another member, such as a member's address, phone number, email address, or real name. We may also remove feedback that can be used to obtain personally identifying information about another member, such as a shipment tracking number
• Feedback not related to a sale, including a comment, reply, or follow-up related to a different sale
• Feedback containing political, religious, social, or other commentary, rather than genuine comments about a sale
• Feedback containing language that is profane, vulgar, obscene, or racist, as well as comments containing adult material or physical threats
• Negative feedback comments that directly contradict a positive rating. (When the comment is posted by the seller. This type of contradictory comment is not removable when left by the buyer.)
• Feedback containing links or promotional language which encourages buyers to purchase outside of eBay
• Feedback that includes references to law enforcement investigations or eBay or PayPal investigations

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/membertomember-contact-policy?id=4262