eBay

inhawaii · ‎08-06-2023

Do you think it is wise or unwise to include...

"I wish you would have contacted me first before leaving me negative feedback"

-or-

"Buyer left this negative feedback without contacting me first"

-or-

something along those lines?

Buster Voodoo - Rodrigo y Gabriela

chapeau-noir · ‎08-06-2023

@inhawaii wrote:
To me, replying to a neutral/negative feedback is more to address future potential buyers than it is for the person who left you the feedback.

Yes - defending one's self or arguing with the buyer is a defensive position. Offering solutions is a proactive position and a stronger one.

_______________________
“I have a year, and who knows what might happen in that time. The king might die. The horse might die. I might die. And perhaps the horse will learn to sing.”

Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.

sakic92710 · ‎08-06-2023

Exactly. All 3 of the negatives I've received are from buyers who got refunds. The last buyer got his item & a full refund! WHO deserves the negative????

simply-the-best-for-you · ‎08-06-2023

@sakic92710 wrote:
Exactly. All 3 of the negatives I've received are from buyers who got refunds. The last buyer got his item & a full refund! WHO deserves the negative????

Just b/c the buyer rec'd a refund, does not make it a positive experience for them. It's still possible the item was described incorrectly or took forever to ship or the seller switched the class of shipping & pocketed the difference. Not saying you've done those things, but they have all happened to me as a buyer & you bet I still left NEG FB.

This one goes to Eleven - Nigel Tufnel

Simply-the-best-for-you Volunteer Community Mentor
eBay Seller since 1996

gurlcat · ‎08-06-2023

LOL I would never reply to this question without knowing what the feedback said. In some cases it would be totally appropriate, others totally inappropriate.

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-07-2023

If I leave comment at all It usually involved a statement that reflects that we provided good customers service by allowing a return. If the neg is dishonest and unfair we may or may not reply by stating the facts of the matter with the item. Generally though we leave them alone because we have so many excellent transactions that a few that look bad do not hurt us at all.

soh.maryl · ‎08-07-2023

Since you asked, don't think I'd use either of those replies. And this is why: So many buyers come here and state that they received an item not as described, contacted the seller without opening a case and seller gave them a hard time about it, sometimes even dragging out the situation so that they lost their chance to open a case. And I do know that, as a seller, you would never do that. But that's the reason I don't suggest that the unhappy buyer contact the seller first.

brightlightbookseller · ‎08-07-2023

I would read that as accusatory language, and personally would not do it. I think it would reflect poorly on us as a seller.

luckythewinner · ‎08-07-2023

@inhawaii wrote:
Do you think it is wise or unwise to include...
"I wish you would have contacted me first before leaving me negative feedback"
-or-
"Buyer left this negative feedback without contacting me first"
-or-
something along those lines?

IMHO too many seller here assume that 'working with the buyer'' (a replacement, a refund, etc.) is supposed to magically make a negative experience into a positive one. For many buyers who leave negatives, I do not think that is necessarily the case.

maxine*j · ‎08-07-2023

@luckythewinner wrote:
... IMHO too many seller here assume that 'working with the buyer'' (a replacement, a refund, etc.) is supposed to magically make a negative experience into a positive one. For many buyers who leave negatives, I do not think that is necessarily the case.

Exactly. A refund or replacement doesn't turn a bad buying experience into a good one. The buyer still experienced disappointment, still had the hassle of contacting seller and opening INAD and so on, maybe missed a personal deadline for use of the item, perhaps regrets not buying the same item from another seller, et cetera.

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maxine*j · ‎08-07-2023

IF you feel the need to reply at all, I say think more along the lines of: I am sorry you were disappointed, but please feel free to contact me as it's never too late for me to try to make things right for you. Or, I am sorry you were disappointed, and I'd be pleased to have the opportunity to make things right for you. Neither of those is brilliant, but you get the idea.

Just my own take on things, so you're not seen as criticizing the buyer. YMMV.

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