06-09-2025 09:41 AM
Ebay request policy on removing negative feedback has an impact on sellers when the negative feedback is unwarranted by the buyer causing less volume traffic buyers. The buyer was not happy that the item was out of stock and received a full refund. This unwarranted negative feedback removal was denied by EBay.
Also I encountered a buyer that used profanity words and taking a picture of trash on his floor and posting it as a negative feedback, also causing issues and less volume of EBay buyers traffic. I already requested from EBay removal of this negative feedback that is insulting and unprofessional and waiting for a response from EBay, I hope this doesn’t get denied. Will keep you posted.
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06-09-2025 01:30 PM
It is unfortunate the buyer devolved into name-calling. That was wrong. But then, (pardon my directness) so were you, seemingly in both facts and outcome. For example, there was no profanity in the feedback, as you claimed. The words “scum” or “junk” are not ordinarily considered obscene. Rude? Yes. Profane? Not really.
To be taken seriously, one cannot call out their buyer for unprofessional conduct while also being unprofessional oneself. And it is not professional to blame the buyer for the consequences of your choices, or not bringing oneself up-to-speed on eBay policy.
In other words, if you are seeing an impact to your sales from these negs, it is unlikely that it is due to the buyer’s complaint per se, but rather how you handled the buyer’s concern.
A well-worded reply can utterly disarm a poor review. Conversely, an ill-advised comment can make it infinitely worse. Sellers who incautiously express blame, anger, defensiveness, name-calling, and the like, can easily chase off potential buyers, particularly if handled poorly. One’s prospective buyers are the only audience that matters here. They are the ones who can affect future sales, and to whom feedback replies need to be directed—not the dissatisfied buyer who gave you the neg, not the other sellers you wish to “warn”.
06-09-2025 09:47 AM
A buyer that did not receive the item they paid for because the seller cancelled on them for being out of stock is well within their rights to leave negative feedback for that order. It was a bad experience: they placed an order and then was told the item wasn't actually available, which is not a good thing. You also would have gotten a defect on your account, and eBay will impose penalties if you accumulate too many of those.
Feedback that contains profanity will likely be removed, but note that they may remove the wording but not the rating, so if it was negative, it may stay as a negative but without any wording.
06-09-2025 09:54 AM
Buyer said the item didn't work and you think he has to pay return shipping?
06-09-2025 09:55 AM
buyers do not pay "return" shipping for an INAD.
Refunding a buyer for OOS does not make it a "positive" experience for the buyer.
06-09-2025 10:20 AM
I'm sorry, but when you list an item and buyer pays thinking they've completed the transaction, and anticipates delivery, and then you cancel, that's ALL on you. Had a seller do this to me 5 business days after a purchase.
NEGATIVE well deserved.
06-09-2025 10:22 AM
Your reply to the "profanity" laced feedback was less than ideal. As noted above, a defective product does not require the buyer to pay for return shipping. So both your negatives were seemingly justified even if the language used was not to your liking.
06-09-2025 10:29 AM
@vickysvintagefinds wrote:Ebay request policy on removing negative feedback has an impact on sellers when the negative feedback is unwarranted by the buyer causing less volume traffic buyers. The buyer was not happy that the item was out of stock and received a full refund. This unwarranted negative feedback removal was denied by EBay.
Also I encountered a buyer that used profanity words and taking a picture of trash on his floor and posting it as a negative feedback, also causing issues and less volume of EBay buyers traffic. I already requested from EBay removal of this negative feedback that is insulting and unprofessional and waiting for a response from EBay, I hope this doesn’t get denied. Will keep you posted.
If buyer purchased an item and it was out of stock then why would a negative not be warranted? Why have an item for sale if you don't have it?
06-09-2025 10:44 AM
Both your negatives were very justified
06-09-2025 10:53 AM
I'm wishing I'd read the feedback in question along with their reply before I commented initially. There is nothing I would deem profanity in that feedback, but their reply is as you said, less than ideal.
@vickysvintagefinds I take back what I said initially. Both feedbacks should remain in place, and I'd say your response should be removed, but it's probably better that buyers can see the type of seller you are so they can avoid buying from you.
06-09-2025 10:58 AM - edited 06-09-2025 11:28 AM
I will join the chorus saying your negatives were earned and your responses made it clear that you do not think you did anything wrong. A real problem which will affect the minority of buyers who read FB.
Sellers who sell NEW product and are not authorized resellers fall in two categories. Those who believe that being NEW is worth taking the risk of calling it Brand New even though other sellers see calling the item NEW means higher likelihood of post-delivery problems.
An item produced in 2000 is not NEW to many buyers and other sellers. It is at best, New Old Stock, and many would list it as Like NEW or even USED.
Similarly, New without tags. Unless you know its travels since it left the manufacturer's factory, you are taking a risk.
If you are so disturbed by negative FB, you should be doing more to avoid it.
06-09-2025 11:10 AM
Try not to have any more out of stock cancellations. That is a big no-no for eBay. People lose their eBay accounts for too many out of stock cancellations.
06-09-2025 11:17 AM
How happy would you be if you bought an item from me and found it was cancelled as OOS?
Sellers bear the responsibility for making sure an item is available.
BTW, a quick review of the MBG might help you. If/when a buyer opens an NAD case, it's the SELLER who needs to pay the return shipping if he wants the item back.
06-09-2025 11:49 AM
Are you familiar with out of stock cancellations, which are considered defects, and how they can impact our seller ratings?
06-09-2025 11:56 AM
Which one do you think is unwarranted?
The one where you sold an item you didn't have and canceled the order?
Or the one where the buyer says the item doesn't work?
I think the replies you left to the negative feedback was a little unprofessional.
06-09-2025 12:00 PM
Its truly hard to remove negative comments, however when calling eBay the question should be what are the guide lines for removal and if there's any follow ups, or is there anyone who monitors the content of the comment
Jrome