eBay

lgustaf · ‎07-19-2023

Just received my first neg since 1989 for buyer's oversight in throwing out a part with the packaging and being too embarrassed to admit it. He never contacted me - ever, and it appears it has happened before with another seller. I requested a feedback revision and he revised the neg to another neg and left a nasty comment. I thought buyers could only revise from neg to neutral or positive and neutral to positive. Is that not the case any more?

slippinjimmy · ‎07-19-2023

@lgustaf wrote:
Actually, that is NOT true. I've been selling since 1998, it since it's been so long since I've had a bad feedback, that I had no idea the rules has changed.

How do you know that the revision policy has changed? Did you ever try to revise negative feedback comments you left without changing the rating and were blocked from doing so?

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

lgustaf · ‎07-19-2023

Because that was how it was.

lgustaf · ‎07-19-2023

Are you a seller or just here to create controversy? I came with a question. I think i'm done with this community.

ten_o_nine · ‎07-19-2023

Next time, reply to a negative with positive, don't sound like a person, sound like a business, just my advice.

lacemaker3 · ‎07-19-2023

@slippinjimmy wrote:
Yes then can, they always have been able to which is why you should always make sure the buyer is willing before sending the revision.

@lgustaf, actually @slippinjimmy is correct about this.

When eBay first introduced the ability to revise negative feedback, there was discussion on the boards about this. One of the regular responders decided to test it, and found that it was in fact possible to revise a neutral or negative feedback to a negative.

It shocked a lot of people that someone would actually do that, but it answered the question definitively.

fashunu4eeuh · ‎07-19-2023

Hi @lgustaf

i scoured all the feedback policies to be sure, and there is no rule a buyer must improve the rating when handling a feedback revision request. So i don’t believe you can employ or attribute a policy violation to the buyer’s revising a negative for another negative. I am very sorry. Keep in mind that one neg out of thousands of glowing reviews is no danger at all to a seller’s reputation.

You are a long-time successful seller. This negative feedback will not be a reflection on you. (Your comment left to the neutral feedback was excellent.) I hate to admit that i agree with some other posts. Your comment left in this case is on the borderline of helpful.

Tight restraint when leaving a follow-up comment on a poor rating is best. I know such a neg as yours stings and outrages one’s sense of fairness, making it all the harder not to react personally affronted.

Whatever a buyer states, it is possible for a seller to shoot himself in the foot by leaving a comment potentially more damaging than the negative. A seller who remains even-tempered, non-blaming, avoids defensiveness or anger in his comments will assure future buyers of the seller’s customer service skills when an issue arises. A future buyer will evaluate the seller’s response much more carefully than they ever will a buyer’s poor rating. Sometimes a well-crafted reply to an unhappy buyer can improve one’s standing.

One last thought, I have been a seller for 15 years and a buyer 5+ more than that on my primary ID. I say this so you will know where i am coming from. Rather than trying to offend, the posters here are imparting what knowledge and experience they have to edify and help fellow sellers with an issue. So i hope you will accept such advice in the spirit of community in which it is given.

Good luck and wish you well.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎07-19-2023

@fashunu4eeuh wrote:
Hi @lgustaf
i scoured all the feedback policies to be sure, and there is no rule a buyer must improve the rating when handling a feedback revision request. ....

Exactly; it has always been possible for the buyer to change only the comment, and leave the negative rating in place. In fact, I might have once heard of a neutral being changed to a neg by a particularly annoyed buyer!