Neutral feedback for not wanting to just Chat.

[val7772]

Received neutral FB because I didn't communicate.  The Emails had nothing to do with the item, cost or shipping.  Was selling a piece of pottery her father made and she wanted me to know.  She did buy the item for $9.95 it was shipped quickly and received in perfect condition.  Then Emailed me to say she bought it.  Then gave me neutral feedback because I didn't communicate!  I know, maybe I should have made small talk.... but.  I guess she wanted me to praise he father or say I was happy she won the auction.  To top it off, I gave her positive feedback and said her father was a great potter.  She waited until I gave her feedback to give me the Neutral FB.  I'v had only Positive feedback for the past 300+ transactions.  Not fair!!!!

[bonjourami]

your response was great..we all run into the screwballs on Ebay occasionally.

[mtgraves7984]

I'd take that neutral feedback... it almost makes your buyer look like a return  buyer. They're gold! Way to go!

[dhbookds]

Maybe she's a nut, but I don't know why you couldn't have extended a bit of common politeness to a customer.

[sin-n-dex]

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@dhbookds wrote:

Maybe she's a nut, but I don't know why you couldn't have extended a bit of common politeness to a customer.

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I get messages often that are not really related to the purchase (but they are purchasing something).

I respond, but try to give closed responses that don't invite further discussion. Seems to work so far, I am responding just not spending loads of time chatting.

C.

[upgradedendmills]

You and I rarely disagree on anything, but in this case, I don't feel that a $10 purchase (or any amount) entitles the buyer to a lifelong companion, free baby sitting for a year, or a dog walking service with bonus pooper scooper. Dearly love all my customers, but some buyers are really pushing the limits of entitlement!!!!!

[khavbt0]

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@bonjourami wrote:

your response was great..we all run into the screwballs on Ebay occasionally.

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I'm not here to look good in front of other sellers, I need to make sure I look good in front of the buyers.

In this case I feel the reply attacks the buyer, that rarely looks good from a buyer's perspective.

Also "Communication" is one of the five DSR's a buyer can leave.

I believe an apology would've been a far better reply.

Something like:

I am so sorry we emailed a lot, how we can make this right?

(I am never shy to talk a little Engrish)

[myboardid]

It never hurts to take a moment to be nice to someone and acknowledge them.  That said, I got a negative once, many years ago, because I accepted Paypal and the buyer didn't like them.  That is one of 3 negs I have ever had in 22 years here. 

[chapeau-noir]

I answer all emails for anything (unless it's crazy and I just block), even if it's to say "Thank you!"  Takes a second.

Still, that's a bit silly to leave a neut about - maybe isolation gets to some people more than others.

[7606dennis]

Alas!  Probably she was just tired of being cooped up because of the virus and wanted to talk to someone.  Some people just need to socialize.  

[coolections]

If I got your post right you sold an item to a buyer that happened to be made by the buyers father but yet you could not spend a couple minutes talking to the buyer ?

[karthok.of.daolodus]

yes, the emails had something to do with the item - her father had made it.  and you couldn't even talk to her a little? not like she was needy nellie - any normal person would have mentioned that.  i sold a vintage dress once and the designer's daughter wrote me - i was delighted. it was only two messages exchanged and that was it.

geez - what an opportunity wasted.  maybe you go neuted for just being too busy and important.

[this*old*attic]

I have to agree - the reply is snide.

[perrance78]

Most buyers dont care about feedbacks. Just dont make your listings look too shady if you got low feedback.

[inhawaii]

I'm not going to criticize the OP for doing what he did (or didn't) do.   We're all different. We do things differently. 

Because i'm in Hawaii i always get customers who will tell me about the time they visited or when they used to live here or that their father was a Pearl Harbor veteran or asking me about the housing market here.  I'm used to it.