March 2020-private feed back

[allgold2017]

Has anyone else had a lot of complaints the past month from buyers with private feed back? They always want partial refunds and deal with you rather then open a case. They but a lot of things which must mean they are resellers. But where do they sell during the coronavirus??? Maybe it's time to stop selling high priced items.

[femmefan1946]

If they are resellers, it is not on that ID since sellers cannot have private feedback, even for buying. On the other hand, it is never a good idea to buy and sell on the same ID, certainly not similar items.

It's interesting that most of your quite innocuous listings seem to be private. Might this be part of the problem?

I rarely have requests for refunds but my categories attract people who read and understand  and actually like following instructions. (books, postage and philatelic material, sewing patterns, ephemera).  This will vary by category.

Keep in mind that No Returns does not mean No Refunds. I'm of the opinion that having a No Returns policy increases the number of Disputes, since the customer gets the idea that the seller is not going to cooperate if there is a problem.

For your 0FB/private FB customers, the only answer is :

I regret you are unhappy with your purchase, please return it for a full refund.

If the customer demands a partial refund:

I regret you are unhappy with your purchase, please return it for a full refund.

if the customer demands Return Shipping:

I regret you are unhappy with your purchase, please open an eBay Dispute so I can send a shipping label which allows you to return it for a full refund.

You can demand a return before refunding, even if you have a No Returns policy.

If the buyer is scamming, he will not want to get eBay involved. You do.

If he loses the Dispute, you do not refund and he cannot leave FB.

If he leaves poor FB you can Respond:

Refused to return for full refund.

And appeal it to Customer Service- they are using email, Facebook and Twitter at the moment.

Some of those buyers may not be allowed to use the Money Back Guarantee because of too many Disputes. That would also explain the private Feedback.

In spite of my impulse categories, I have seen no dropoff in sales compared to March 2019 or March 2018. This is usually a steady month for me and that continues. This will of course vary by category.

Also my postage lots sell basically to eBay sellers. And there is definitely no dropoff there, so I gather they are feeling confident about sales.

Is there a particular type of item that is getting more complaints than another? Would dropping those items for the interim help at all?

[mam98031]

I personally have not had any increase in the problems you describe but I've never liked the option of private FB on a public site like this.  I don't think buyers should be able to have that option.