Major drop-off in feedback received?

[gatts1]

I’ve noticed in my latest round of selling that I’m receiving significantly less feedback than years in the past, even for relatively high-dollar items in great condition or listings where I absorb a significant portion of the shipping cost. My deliveries are always on-time or early and I always issue refunds for mistakes or condition details I miss, on the rare occasion that happens.

I never leave feedback until it’s left for me, just in case there’s some trouble with the buyer. But this is normal practice. I’ve done this for years and still received more feedback than now.

The ratio of buyers who leave feedback has always been relatively low. But now it’s only 10% of so of my listings, if that. Has anyone else noticed this trend, or am I doing something wrong and the buyers are dissatisfied without saying so?

[katzrul15]

We get 3-4 for about every 45-50 items sold.  We don't send requests for FB though - I hate those as a buyer, so I don't send them as a Seller.  I think it has more to do with peeps buying from a mobile device and they are not really on the site, etc.  FB has been really slow for us the entire pandemic time.  Sales about the same but a few slow times, but FB slow.

[tdumonde2014]

You have received 399 feedback and you have left 377. Try leaving feedback first if you want to increase your feedback received. I leave it first and about 58% of my buyers leave feedback.

[1grandmashope_1]

Feedback,  as you know, is voluntary.  It is up to the individual if they want to take time to leave it.  

Many of my sales over the last year were from buyers that were long time eBay users with no recent history of leaving feedback.  No worries. 

I too choose to leave feedback after it is received,  just the way I do business, so who's to say that a buyer may feel the same. 

Don't ask. Be grateful.

With kindness, 

Grandma 

[releasethekraken_1]

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@gatts1 wrote:

I never leave feedback until it’s left for me

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And you're complaining because buyers might have the same policy? LOL

You've given out LESS than you've received, and you're not satisfied with how many you've gotten. Wow.

[katzrul15]

I leave it first and about 58% of my buyers leave feedback.

I do also, but with the 500 character change, I am re-thinking doing it this way.  I am thinking I might want my 500 characters if a situation warranted it.  Not sure - this might be a game changer.

[gatts1]

This is not telling the whole story... I frequently use this account for buying, and don't leave feedback for items I'm not all that satisfied with but don't feel like complaining about. And sometimes, I do just plain forget.

Regardless there's no need to be so rude. We're all friends here, no?

[gatts1]

And I'm not complaining, just making an observation and asking why it could be. Any buyer who doesn't try to rip me off, leave neg or neutral feedback, or open an NAD case without contacting me or after I've tried to appease them is a good buyer to me.

Just don't want this question to be misinterpreted.

[johnrj1226]

Have always left Feedback for a buyer at he time I print the shipping label (and have been paid).  My theory is if the buyer did his job & life is good .   Without buyers there are no sellers (some think it is the other way around).

 Being proactive with buyers  has side benefits.  Only receive 1 neg FB (actually two but the buyer removed it - it  was meant for someone else) and  less than a handful of  returns.

Over 1564 eBay shipments  received FB on 64% of  my sales transaction.  FYI have  minimized to almost my eBay selling activities over the last several years - am a '44 model that needs attention more frequently.  Just a side note "old age ain't for the sissies"

[johnrj1226]

Getting in to  a word fight on the internet generally never turns out good and one only has one side of the story.

"Be Pithy" as my  H.S. Senior Theme Writing teacher used to  preach.

[backroomnoir]

I just leave them on auto 'after buyer leaves positive feedback.' 

The only buyers that still care about receiving feedback are the ones still leaving feedback, so.  

[bigdeals.etc]

Yes. In the past five years or so I’ve been getting 25-33%. But less than two years ago I’ve noticed a significant drop. Nowadays I get 10% if I’m lucky... which is about the same as what you are reporting. Doesn’t matter much to me though anymore.

[releasethekraken_1]

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@gatts1 wrote:

But now it’s only 10% of so of my listings, if that. Has anyone else noticed this trend, or am I doing something wrong and the buyers are dissatisfied without saying so?

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OK, let's try this. You have 30 sales in the past month, and you've received 10 feedback comments. You've left 7. So your recent "received" % is 33.3%; your recent "given" % is 23.3.

Again, I don't see the problem. But sure, we're all friends; I just like my friends to be logical.

[gatts1]

You're right - a faux pas by me. For some reason those other 3 transactions weren't showing up in the "All" tab which is where I usually check for received feedback. This technology often eludes me.

Seems like the consensus is to leave feedback for every transaction at the start, as this has virtually no negative consequences for the seller. That's what I'll start doing.

[48hrs-clothing]

We also get a similar %  and I think it may be a generational thing.

People who have slightest complain tend to express it more freely than those who are satisfied with their purchase.

30 years ago we said thank you more frequently and I have noticed a change there as well.

As long as I am not getting any negative feedbacks I am happy.