Negative Feedback

[tjens215]

I sold an item to a customer that was damaged prior to shipping. I notified him immidiatly of the now faulty item and issued a full refund. He when nuts and threatened me with negative feedback. I don't know how someone can get mad over me trying to do the right thing? AND for ebay to allow this to happen as it now dirrectly affects my rating... I reported it but still am stuck with the negative feedback on my account. 

[old_new_and_interesting]

For one, feedback extortion is a big no-no in the eyes of Ebay. They even have a page on it. Buyers and sellers are not allowed to 'threaten' to leave feedback in any way shape or form, and in doing so actually puts that person on the chopping block for a ebay restriction or cancellation of their page. 

If you messaged the person prior to shipping and have proof of that message, make sure you have it on hand. Call Ebay personally and explain that, they will be able to check your messages and see that you indeed did notify the buyer, and you can also prove that the buyer used extortion in order to get a refund back and Ebay will take off the negative feedback on your page...it is a rarity, but usually Ebay fulfills deleting negative feedback if extortion was used.

[ymeagainlord]

Well OP, it is, as the seller, kinda YOUR responsibility to keep your inventory "safe" once listed.

Yes, I do know mishaps occur, btdt myself, but the buyer does have a point.

And in no way is this "feedback extortion".

[18704d]

"For one, feedback extortion is a big no-no in the eyes of Ebay. They even have a page on it. Buyers and sellers are not allowed to 'threaten' to leave feedback in any way shape or form,..."

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That's not entirely true.

Under feedback extortion rules, buyers are not allowed to ask for something extra, something not in the listing.

It's not feedback extortion for example, to say you'll leave negative feedback if the seller doesn't ship the item you paid for.

Lynn

[plumbingspecials]

You should have sent the item prior to refunding him, then you would not have a defect and he can't open a case because you've already refunded him AND shipped the item.

You can probably have the feedback removed because he mentioned it in his message to you.

[old_new_and_interesting]

I've personally had to deal with buyers that threatened to leave negative feedback if I did not refund a item that they got and was displeased with. When I notified Ebay, they told me that that was feedback extortion and was not allowed on the site. Any sort of threat when it comes to feedback is considered extortion. The page is really just a guideline with examples, it doesn't cover the spectrum of what is considered...

[fern*wood]

As a seller, it's a big sinking feeling when I realize I've messed up.  It happens, and we just need to man up and take the consequences.  Cancelling sales is not a popular thing on ebay and one of two ways to get a defect.  Sometimes, like  in your situation, it is pretty much unavoidable.  Sellers that have this happen too often do get banned.

Buyers have a right to be unhappy and express this in their feedback.   I see no blackmail involved as one poster claimed.

[ymeagainlord]

This is NOT FB extortion, it's merely the buyer saying they have a right to leave their opinion of the transaction which is obviously negative.

[fern*wood]

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@old_new_and_interesting wrote:
I've personally had to deal with buyers that threatened to leave negative feedback if I did not refund a item that they got and was displeased with. When I notified Ebay, they told me that that was feedback extortion and was not allowed on the site. Any sort of threat when it comes to feedback is considered extortion. The page is really just a guideline with examples, it doesn't cover the spectrum of what is considered...

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The buyer didn't receive the item at all. 

[old_new_and_interesting]

Let me be clear, negative feedback in general is a part of Ebay, I am referring to messaging you prior to leaving negative feedback in a threatening manner, aka, a ultimatum. If your buyer simply left you negative feedback, then there is nothing you can do. If he threatened you in a email he will do so if you dont __________...then that is wrong. 

[pingpong517]

I've said this MANY times before....

THIS IS ABOUT YOUR EGO, PRIDE, and it means litte...IT is one negative feedback--rightly or wrongly given..YOU WILL SURVIVE this...and future issues... Did you learn something from it?

YOU can call ebay CS and express the emails from the buyer, and that is about it..they will or they won't remove it...and I doubt they would, its an opinion and not a violation... you barely got an extrotion case either, but you could always plea your case....

BUT hey.... it isn't the end of the world...YOUR ebay rep, your street credibility is still ok...you have to work hard , get some positive , keep the % up...but you will live and breath and no one will point a finger on the street,in the market, at ballgames...and say oh its him.....ebay negative....nay nay...nothing like that... just sell more..it happens and some people are nice and understanding...and some just aint!.

[ymeagainlord]

There was no "ultimatum" just a statement of fact.

[*madison]

In my opinion,  it isn't feedback extortion. No threat was made. The buyer only stated a fact.

You are a low volume seller, so there was no reason for this to happen.

It would have only taken a minute to check the item before you listed it.

[us-zubri]

remember this Ebay protects the buyer and dont give a **bleep** about the seller. I have had this happen to me before and called ebay to remove the negative feedback after i did the right thing. Ebay would not remove it no matter how many managers I spoke to. This is just another way that ebay will push more sellers off along with declining sales....Only thing you can do is respond to the negative feedback.... 

[scstool]

OP, you left a good professional, unemotional reply that basically will neutralize the negative for most of those potential buyers who read feedback.

This is one of those cases where you are being punished for doing the right thing. As others have mentioned you could have avoided a cancellation defect and maybe the negative feedback if you had sent the item out broken. In that case your buyer would file a claim, you would refund, you might get a neg, but at least you would not get the cancellation defect. Just think how long it would take the buyer to get his money back had you went ahead and shipped the item. You might try messaging your buyer and explain this in hopes of getting the feedback removed. But he seems like a jerk and seems to derive some sort of pleasure giving you the neg.

It is tempting to message back that "you are entitled to put him on your BBL".

Interesting that your buyer has so many feedbacks, you would think buy now he would know stuff happens.  Maybe that is the problem, he has had to many bad buying experiences. Look at his feedback left and see if there are any patterns.