Check out this letter I got from an eBay seller...

ClarkOfKent

I received a '64 proof set in the mail today. It was already opened, but I thought it was worth a try, since the seller was new and didn't have a record of selling coins. In fact, no seller feedback at all.
The proof set turned out to be nothing special. No big deal, it was worth a shot.

So, when it arrives it's wrapped in this letter:

Thanks For Your Bid!
I am sure that by now you realize that the coins are worth more than what your paid. Being new to selling at Ebay I appreciate positive feedback.
Being new to Ebay I am sure that you also know the importance of good feedback. I almost didn't sell to you because you did not have a rating. Please leave me good feed back and I will do the same for you if you are not pleased with your order please email me at XXXXXX@XXXX.XXX.


Pretty funny stuff. The seller has a feedback rating of 7, none of them sales. I have a rating of 47. Yet, I get, "I almost didn't sell to you because you did not have a rating." Should I just ignore this, or drop them a note?
BTW, seller has recently purchased "COINS Make $5k/Mo - $Back Guaranteed! Item # 1390571803".

Let me know what you think.


Clark

ldhair

I think I would be nice to him. He's new.

ClarkOfKent

I wasn't planning on being not-nice. Just wondering if it even merits an email explaining her mistake.

Plus, I thought it was kinda funny.


Clark

ldhair

She would probably be mad for being corrected. With my luck she would neg me. Someone else will probably correct her for you if she keeps it up.

Russ

Probably a form letter from that book they bought.

Russ, NCNE

Dog97

I'd ignore it too.

WWBillman

Ignore it and DON'T give her feedback.

LMAO

Pushkin

Sounds like the seller has enough problems already - be nice. Just my opinion.

ldhair

I have had some really strange notes and emails from sellers the last few years. One ask for more money because it sold to cheap. One sent a different coin and ask for more money. Another said I couldn't have the coin because I ask for a total to fast. Go figure. There's all kinds out there. I just ignore and go on.

BlueCole

don't bite. Just bark alot.

B.

ClarkOfKent

It seems the general consensus agrees with my initial response.... no feedback, no email. At least I got a good chuckle.


Clark

Clankeye

Well, why don't you give her some real feedback. Send her a short e-mail saying if she is new to eBay, the kind of letter she sent to you has the potential to alienate many bidders. She can take your "feedback" and either learn from it, or not. Odds are she might not get it, judging by the letter. But, you never know.

I had a seller once send me something with a lot of material about Jesus along with it. Now, I don't care if you are Christian or not, it's not even the point. But, I found that really, really inappropriate.

Carl

MarkJude

I agree with Carl, why not give her something that she could use and hopefully take to heart.

No need to be mean, just some constructive criticism...

Mark

leothelyon

I would ask what she thought the set was worth. My red book says $7.25. I would then suggest to her your experiences when you sell on ebay on how she could get better results by setting the openning bid higher. She's obviously wants to learn the game. Lead her on that you are more knowledgable the that kit she bought. She may open up to you once you get into her head.

Leo

ClarkOfKent

I paid $8.03. And... she just left me a positive feedback. Oh well, I'll be a nice guy and leave her a positive and drop her a note about the letter she sent me.

Clark

MastaHanky

<< I had a seller once send me something with a lot of material about Jesus along with it. >>

Hahaha, I had a seller do the same thing to me! Wonder if it was the same guy? I don't remember who it was...it was a long time ago.

telecoin

$8.00 down...$4992.00 to go.

Gilbert

Why don't you cut her a break THIS TIME. By the SOUND of her commentary (not sending the letter, but the jist of it) she probably read and is following the advice of many of the sellers in this forum.

Yeah, it sounds cynical, but I've heard the EXACT sentiment expressed, practically recommended right here.

nwcs

If you're happy with what you got, leave a positive. The seller may have meant to send that email to another buyer?

Neptune

If you received product promptly and it is what was offered for auction, then I would ignore the comments. Maybe this person, being new, doesn't understand the eBay ratings, and maybe they just made a mistake. I wouldn't worry about it, and just go on. If you want to take the time, you could email them and tell them that you do indeed have 47 positive feedbacks, and that they had made a mistake, etc. BUT, I would first make sure that they have already posted your feedback so that no chance of them posting a neg can occur.

JLW

Clark,
Sounds like you got e-mail intended for someone else, but who knows. Carl's suggestion isn't a bad one, if it was intended for you, they are not getting off to a good start. Personally, I am tired of the "reverse feedback" or "feedback hostage" situations a lot of sellers practice. I know this has been discussed here before, but it does seem as though a lot of people do hold back feedback until they read yours first. I get notes with my items such as "and be sure and leave me positive feedback and this will remind me to leave yours." Excuse me, when I followed your auction criteria and sent you prompt payment my end of the deal was completed. That should be all the reminder they need, oh well......
Joe

silverandvinyl

Clark: Just explain to him/her how things work on E-Bay.Just the basics like,the seller leaves feedback as soon as he/her receives payment from the buyer.The buyer does not leave feed back first.Many e-bayer sellers expect the the buyer to leave FB first.That's Crazy.

DCAMFranklin

Glad to hear you did the right thing and left her positive feedback. I can't believe you try and make an issue of such a simple, stupid note from a rookie Ebay seller! I'm sure she meant nothing derogatory in her note and is too stupid to know better.

All this about a $8.03 Proof Set?? Whew!

People, if you think you are going to receive feedback prior to receiving your coin, then you are RIPE for disappointment! Personally, I leave feedback prior to shipping every coin I sell on Ebay. However, I don't think I receive feedback prior to receiving my coin in even 15% of my purchases. There are so many nutcases out there buying coins making issues of the most minute, ridiculous situations (such as this one), most sellers have had to resort to withholding feedback until the buyer submits it. Unfortunately, you are disappointed about your feedback due to the idiotic buyers before you. Their actions have made this nearly standard practice. I don't like it, but it is reality. Learn to deal with it.

Endocrinologist

I hate when the seller asks for feedback before giving feedback. The buyer should get positive feedback for a prompt payment. They shouldn't be held feedback hostage for feedback in return. When I sell on Ebay, I always give positive feedback for prompt payments (mostly for any payment). I'm not worried about a neg because I send out my shipments promptly as well. Generally, people don't take the time to leave feedback on all of their purchases (some newbies don't know how to leave it either).

Endo

ClarkOfKent

DCAMFrankie,

Kiss my A$$.

Your buddy,
Clark

Twowood

Have you ever written anything that you were emarassed to think about after you wrote it? I certainly have. I'd ignore it and post positive feedback if you're inclined. Twowood