I think you’re looking for something to complain about.
After a user gets a couple hundred feedbacks, the feedback function is pretty much meaningless anyhow. Since buyers can’t receive negative feedback, it’s completely useless, and for big sellers it’s only a matter of time until they get some crank who blames them for something out of their control (post office) or doesn’t try to resolve an issue.
That’s a good idea. If no evidence of harm, then declare it no foul and thus positive feedback.
Roger, I’m in 100% agreement with you. I always pay within an hour or less. As you pointed out, I’ve done my part as a buyer and have earned good feedback. Likewise, when someone buys from me and pays in a timely fashion I provide good feedback before even shipping the article. I must be doing something right as I’ve had almost 2,000 transaction in the last 18 years and have 100% positive feedback.
Nowadays I don’t post feedback to sellers who withhold their feedback waiting on mine. And I will never again bid on anything from a seller who states they give the same feedback they get. Twice I’ve gotten absolute junk from such sellers and was pretty much over a barrel on feedback. Never again.
Keep in mind that the only way the seller can be certain that you received the item is when you leave feedback. Yes, a tracking number will show that the package was left. Yes, a signature required (costs extra and is a hassle many buyers do not want) tells you someone signed for it.
However, feedback via the standard method costs nothing and makes sure you got what you bought. I understand that you’re a 100% buyer when you bid. That doesn’t communicate that the package the seller sends has reached its destination. And if you’re buying from a 100% seller, do you REALLY think they got that rating by leaving nasty notes after someone nicely told them they got what was sent OK and perhaps even said they were satisfied?
And now that you can NOT leave negative feedback for a buyer, how exactly is someone going to diss you? Heck, even now when I do note that no feedback was received, I try to do it in a bland, neutral tone, still hoping for some reciprocation – and still nothing from many buyers. Kind of sad really that we assume other folks are out to get us. There may be a few, but I’ve yet to meet them as a buyer myself and I sure haven’t done anything like that as a seller.
Like in many other areas of life, you get what you’re willing to offer. After letting you know I’m packing a purchase and the PO letting you know I put it in the mail, I still am baffled by someone thinking I should interpret the silent treatment as a sign that everything’s fine. YMMV
Which is unfortunate. I know ebay has its issues, but generally I’ve had no problems. It’s an invaluable source if you’re in narrowgauge, like I am, or model a rare prototype (or two like I do.) I try to make sure those I deal with get the same positive experience. There are disappointments from time to time in life and I’m sure ebay has it’s share. But most people are just like you and me when it comes to smalltime sellers and buyers. That seems to be even more so in the
Hi
I only ever buy off of evil bay
No feed back is left by me untill I have what has been purchased in my hands
You can’t give acurate feed back until you have it in your hands.
It is also good manners to drop a courtisy note to the seller when you get the Item and that it arrived in one piece, most of my purchases come from over seas.
I find sellers tend to wait untill they know you have the product to leave feed back.
This doesn’t bother me.
It is when there is no feed back at all I think there is a problem as both the seller’s and buyer’s reputations rely on the feed back for good or ill
regards John
John,
Your perspective is a bit different than most here in the US, who never comnsider the vagaries of international shipping. For overseas buyers, hearing the package made it tgakes on a whole new level of significance. Unlike many Americans, I do sell to the world.
It’s also the case that my very first ebay purchase was a brass loco I’d scoured the US for. Even had one fellow said he had one, but couldn’t find it. Then I saw one on ebay in Australia. Should I join? Why not give it a try? Sure enough, a couple of week’s later I’d found what I looked for 2 years – a Jonan HOn3 SP GE #1. I do dabble in other stuff, but most of my transactions have been model RR items, often ones that are sold out long ago or simply hard to find.
BTW, they guy that couldn’t find his called me back a couple of years later. Oh well. Ebay beat him to it.
I notice that the OP has not returned 3 days later after starting the thread. Too bad, because it would be nice to know his reaction to the replies. I always feel that an OP should stick around to manage his own thread.
Rich
I have not read all responses so this may be repetitive.
I have had buyers complain about a handrail that fell off, a grab iron that fell off, some easily reattacheable part falling off during shipping (or taken off by the buyer because of buyer’s remorse), or a scuff on the paint, then complain that the “item was not as described” …then demand a refund plus original and return shipping.
There are many tricks buyers use when they are simply remorsefull after getting into a bidding war.
I’ve been ripped off by unscrupulous buyers much more than unscrupulous sellers, so I always wait for the buyer to leave feed back first.
I guess he’s just not that into feedback…[;)]
Yep, we gave him feedback as buyers, but no feedback from the seller.
Do as I say, not as I do. [8o|]
Rich
I’m still here richhotrain and lehman. I’m just interested in seeing what folks have to say and was waiting for it to slow down and get as many ideas as possible. Other than a few rather pompus smart asses most folks have some very good things to say. I may or may not agree with them all but I was asking for opinions on this subject and I have certainly gotten quite a few. I was glad to see sellers as well as buyers respond. The opinion seems to be all over the place about what is and what isn’t proper. I thank you all for participating and taking time to add your 2¢ to the post.
I sold for a long time on feebay but gave up when the fees and their rules got to be too much. When I listed a rather large and extremely heavy S scale articulated and aux tender and THEY listed the shipping as $7.05 I had to balk. I called them and explained the boxed item would cost over $54 to ship anywhere in the USA not counting insurance costs and the fellow told me, “after the auction is complete you can work that out with the buyer”. BS! If I won an auction stating $7.05 and then the seller hit me with $54 I know I’d be pretty unhappy with him and I would post negative feedback. That would not be a very happy surprise for a buyer. Their rules and fees have made me a buyer only. They definitely seem to be more user friendly toward buyers.
With that said I still feel a seller should post positive FB when the buyer has won and paid. If there’s an issue the buyer needs to contact the seller and work it out. Most folks are reasonable and will work with you.
The biggest issues I’ve had with a buyer so far is he didn’t tell me to send his item to a different address so I sent it to the one on his check. DUH! How about making sure you communicate something that important? We worked it out and things were fine. I have a FB of 1244 @ 100% so far so I’m not a newbie.
It’s worked well so far in spite of feebay’s constant rules changes, interferrence and
LOL
We knew you were lurking out there somewhere. Good to hear back from you.
Rich