Negative Feedback for something listed in description

[jaf.us.hysarja9]

So I received negative feedback from a buyer that says, "No directions in box". The listing clearly says the item is open box and may not contain directions. I'm relatively new to selling on eBay (2 or 3 months) and everything has been flawless up to this point with my feedback, but I've found that eBay is a brutal platform to use. I've been selling on other platforms (the big competitors) and I've had none of these issues. On eBay I have at least 3-5 purchases per week that are unpaid. I also receive another 1-2 per week that want to cancel. Weeks ago I made sure to check the box that prevents buyers with unpaid strikes from purchasing. I'm really at a loss to see why eBay makes things so difficult for their sellers. Literally everything w/ eBay is a battle. I called recently regarding an item that was sold and the item has been in process of payment for over a week. I called eBay and they blamed it on paypal, and then I called paypal and they blamed it on eBay. Someone should know something. Anyway, back to my original point, a buyer should not be able to leave negative feedback w/ out first contacting the seller. I would have GLADLY refunded the money and allowed the seller to keep the item to avoid negative feedback. Now my business is greatly impacted by someone w/ reading comprehension issues. 

[tdumonde2014]

Next time, since it's an Open Box, peek in and see if the diections are in there. I would also go to the manufacturer's website and see if you can download the directions. If you can, send them or a link to the buyer .

[lacemaker3]

An "Open box" item is supposed to be functional, and include everything that is necessary to be able to use the item. The seller is also supposed to include a full description of anything that may not be included or any cosmetic issues with the item. 

You did not provide any details about the item that was being sold. A list of items that "may not" be included is not "full details and description".

In this case, I think that the buyer took you at your word when you said this:

"If you purchase from me you will get world class service every step of the way. If there's an issue, I will make it right."

[wesk_36]

OPEN BOX - ITEM MAY OR MAY NOT COME IN FACTORY BOX.
I don't even know what that means. It either does or it doesn't. The picture shows the box.

ITEM MAY OR MAY NOT COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS, ADDITIONAL DIFFERENT SIZE RUBBER PIECES, CHARGING CABLE.
Again, why ambiguous, it either has those things or it doesn't. You have pictures of item outside of the box so you looked inside...

or are you drop shipping and the pictures are from another listing?

[southern*sweet*tea]

There are no "may or may not"s on Ebay. Either it does, or it doesn't, have instructions.

You need to verify the contents of the box and state what is included or not included.  Since these are NEW, by default that means it includes everything. New open box, you need to verify if it does in fact include everything, and if it doesn't that needs to be specifically stated in the listing.

I do believe the buyer's feedback will stand. I don't see a reason for removal.  Maybe you can find the instructions online, send the buyer the link and then send a feedback revision request. Maybe they will change the feedback if you do that.

[jaf.us.hysarja9]

It does not say "NEW". It says like new. And it says "Open Box" and eBay's own description says it may not be in the original box. This item did happen to be in the original box, but was open.  This is crystal clear. 

It literally says "may be missing instructions THREE times on the listing. I'll be more careful going forward but this an obvious example of why eBay sellers are leaving by the thousands every year and eBay's growth in the greatest economy in history has been stagnant. 

[jaf.us.hysarja9]

Drop shipping? Come on, why would anyone waste their time drop shipping a $10 item? No, it's because i have 200 of these, all tested, verified to be working, but many without instructions. Lesson learned next time i will have two different auctions and clearly say in the biggest letters possible "NO INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED".  

[jaf.us.hysarja9]

Good advice, thank you

[firstwave]

Check the box - immediate payment required.

[wesk_36]

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@jaf.us.hysarja9 wrote:

Drop shipping? Come on, why would anyone waste their time drop shipping a $10 item? No, it's because i have 200 of these, all tested, verified to be working, but many without instructions. Lesson learned next time i will have two different auctions and clearly say in the biggest letters possible "NO INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED".  

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Gee, maybe I got that idea because you list inexpensive things as coming from;

Detroit, Michigan
Halle, Germany
Newport, Kentucky
Hialeah, Florida

Looks like drop-shipping to me.

and not to mention that you didn't know if it may or may not have certain things included and if you did have it in your hands, there wouldn't be the uncertainty on your part.

So I think southern*sweet*tea gave you good advice; "There are no "may or may not"s on Ebay. Either it does, or it doesn't, have instructions."

Good luck going forward.

[jaf.us.hysarja9]

I've never listed anything coming from Detroit Michigan, Germany, or Florida. Only from Newport Kentucky where I live. If it says that eBay did it as eBay likes to do a lot of interesting things. For the first month I was selling on eBay they changed my address to a Chinese address. I contacted them and it kept happening and they couldn't figure out why. Then suddenly one day it stopped. 

[lightlily_arts]

Unless you are willing to inspect each box perhaps it would be better to state that the the listing includes the wireless earphones and charging cable only.