When replying to negative feedback...

[inhawaii]

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?

[pjcdn2005]

I don't think so although I know a lot of sellers do write that. In some cases the buyer doesn't want to bother with returning an item or even talking to the seller, they just want to comment on how they felt.

Btw, I like the reply you left for the recent neutral.

[nick101902]

I've left that for a neutral, I honestly wish the would have contacted me, give me a chance to make it right.

My negative feedback happened after giving buyer a full refund, that still doesn't sit well with me.  

[fern*wood]

...and it's gone!!😊   I would never add either of those comments, since that isn't a requirement.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

I recently was the recipient of neutral feedback(as you can see), and it stung like a bee! I felt it hurt my reputation, hence the reply incorporating the verbiage you are debating.

I asked my husband, and his comment "you got their money didn't you?". 

For me that wasn't good enough as I felt I needed to defend my reputation.

[12345jamesstamps]

I would leave nothing. Because other buyers can read it. Buyers know there are nutty buyers out there.

Leave well enough alone. I would try my hardest in those 30 days to try to get buyer to change it of course.

[sin-n-dex]

---

@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?

---

I've never replied to a negative feedback... but I always send them a message letting them know I saw the feedback and I would "have appreciated it if they contacted me first to resolve the issue rather than go straight to publicly posting something negative on my profile".

The idea is to shame the behaviour of going around leaving negatives, especially on issues that can easily be resolved.

C.

[anasazirose]

I received a neutral rating, but the comment was positive.  I assumed it was a mistake, replied that I was glad they liked it, left positive FB, and sent a message asking if they could change it.  I didn't get a reply nor was it changed. 

In response to Neg FB, I would reply, 'sorry u weren't happy, items are returnable" or 'sorry u weren't happy with the item, you've been refunded" 

Or, 'Any unhappy customer can contact me at any time to make things right'

[ten_o_nine]

I would reply by saying "You're Welcome."

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @inhawaii

No, i would not, because i would not have wanted to leave anything that sounds as if i am blaming the buyer. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

No strong opinion either way.  I don't think it matters one way or the other.   I don't think it's unwise, but I also don't think it really helps anything. 

[byrd69er]

Forget it and move on.  Oh.....and obliviously, do the 'old blockola.

[natoman777]

So I have 1 negative right now... and what they say is totally off... so I replied.

I have done what you are asking here.  Especially when they say something like, "hat didn't fit" or "not in as good of condition as I had thought."  I say, wish you would have contacted me, I would have provided a return or partial refund. 

Lately I am trying to refrain from replying to any feedback I think it does absolutely nothing.  I think eBay wants us to interact in this way, but all it does is muddy the waters

[inhawaii]

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.

[dqdistribution]

It is for future buyers. I think it's best to just apologize and invite them to send a message to discuss. (sorta implies they never reached out without accusing them)