What do you do when people beg for feedback...

Guru · February 10, 2008 7:11AM

I typically do feedback once a week. Lately I've had a ton of other stuff going on so it's slipped my mind. But, the one thing that annoys me more than anything is when people send me a message saying, "I've left positive please do me the favor at least of doing the same." Does this annoy anyone else? I just don't understand why someone can't wait a whole week after the transaction to get their feedback. Is my feedback that important?

dontippet · February 10, 2008 7:13AM

I know a guy that does not leave feedback if it is asked for. I used to go by this motto somewhat too, but now I usually leave feedback if it is deserving. Interestingly, a good amount of those that ask for feedback are sellers that I didn't have the greatest experience with.

storm888 · February 10, 2008 7:21AM

I get FB, THEN I leave FB.

If people pester me for 1st FB, I ignore them.

Come May, I may have to change my methods.
Maybe not. I have not made a firm decision.

Stone193 · February 10, 2008 7:22AM

I mentioned this before.

While I was gone from CU, I picked up a piece of sheet music from a guy - in the package was a note - if satisfied please leave FB.

I did.

He never did. Did I contact him? No.

Do I care? Not a whole heck of alot.

If one sells - take all the notes from buyers - whatever they're asking - in stride. Life's short.

My dad used to tell me all the time: "don't sweat the small stuff."

Ya know? Life's great when ya do that?

And remember - this Bud's for you!

GOODLIEU · February 10, 2008 7:32AM

Wait for May and than it wont matter.

storm888 · February 10, 2008 7:43AM

"Wait for May and than it wont matter."

///////////////////////////////////////////

In May, sellers who do not leave FB fast/first will see:

"NEG: Failed To Leave Feedback When I Paid."

EBAY Buyers........NEG Victoriously !

Guru · February 10, 2008 7:44AM

So basically, sellers are going to be held hostage?

elsnorto · February 10, 2008 7:46AM

I only have one eBay ID from which I sell and buy from (mostly buying these days) and I have always left feedback once paid as a seller. As a buyer, like Stone, I only leave feedback if the seller leaves feedback for me. I have never asked anyone for feedback and, if I am asked to leave feedback (from a seller who has not left me any) I simply ignore the request.

It amazes me how few sellers leave feedback first and I believe this is a large part of the reason eBay has made the feedback change where sellers cannot leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers. Despite what many sellers say, I believe they do not leave feedback first because they either are afraid buyers will extort them, or they want to have the leverage to extort buyers. Some say the transaction is not complete until the buyer lets them know the item was received safely and they are happy with it... yet they still will not leave feedback until their buyer does so. I understand the concern, but my experience shows the vast majority of people on eBay are good, upstanding people and I do not believe punishing everyone for what a few might do is a good approach.

As far as I am concerned, the eBay feedback system was in desperate need of an overhaul for all the reasons they mentioned, but their "solution" is an awful one. Still, I will continue to do business the same as before these changes based on my belief that most people are good and honest. With a feedback rating of over 4000 and 99.5% positive, most of my issues came from a few eBayers back when you could leave feedback that was not even related to a transaction!

Snorto~

Estil · February 10, 2008 7:48AM

My policy is begging for feedback will only ensure that you don't get it.

Seriously, it's a privledge, not a right.

storm888 · February 10, 2008 7:49AM

"........I do not believe punishing everyone for what a few might do is a good approach. ......."

////////////////////////////////////////////////

The new scheme WILL punish ALL good sellers.
Bad sellers will continue to prosper, AND
criminals pretending to be buyers will THRIVE.

elsnorto · February 10, 2008 7:55AM

<< "........I do not believe punishing everyone for what a few might do is a good approach. ......."

////////////////////////////////////////////////

The new scheme WILL punish ALL good sellers.
Bad sellers will continue to prosper, AND
criminals pretending to be buyers will THRIVE. >>

It certainly has the potential to do so, Storm, which is a big reason I said it was an awful solution. I believe in the existing model the sellers had too much leverage and, with the new one, the buyers have all the leverage. I have always subscribed to the double blind feedback model personally. I wonder if eBay gave some thought to this, or other solutions, before rolling out this mess?

Snorto~

Guru · February 10, 2008 7:58AM

So basically, the buyer can leave neg feedback for any reason at all and the seller cannot contest it?!

DrJ · February 10, 2008 8:02AM

<< 

It amazes me how few sellers leave feedback first and I believe this is a large part of the reason eBay has made the feedback change where sellers cannot leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers. Despite what many sellers say, I believe they do not leave feedback first because they either are afraid buyers will extort them, or they want to have the leverage to extort buyers. Some say the transaction is not complete until the buyer lets them know the item was received safely and they are happy with it... yet they still will not leave feedback until their buyer does so. I understand the concern, but my experience shows the vast majority of people on eBay are good, upstanding people and I do not believe punishing everyone for what a few might do is a good approach.

<< 

I agree that this is one of the major reasons why Ebay is making a change. If a buyer pays for the item their part is done. Seller should leave a positive feedback and be done.

I have run into way too many sellers who request a buyer to leave feedback first. The sellers want to best of both worlds in this situation. The ability to force a positive feedback in fear of a retalitory neg, and the ability to mask poor auctions or selling practices.

J

storm888 · February 10, 2008 8:03AM

"So basically, the buyer can leave neg feedback for any reason at all and the seller cannot contest it?! "

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

There is an exception.

A bidder fails to pay.
Seller files NPB.
Bidder does NOT respond to NPB.
Bidder leaves NEG.
EBAY will remove the NEG.

IF the bidder responds to the NPB - even with nonsense -
the NEG FB will remain.

Guru · February 10, 2008 8:07AM

Wow, see I've never requested feedback as a seller or a buyer. I just assume if someone wants it then they'll leave it and I always get around to leaving it back within at least a week, 2 at the max.
I think this new policy has good aspects, but also it seems like some horrible aspects. But, seeing as ebay being the big auction house that they are I'm sure this will not distract anyone from selling or buying.

Stone193 · February 10, 2008 8:16AM

Ya know - and I don't want this to sound condescending but ebay has turned a bunch a people into junior business tycoons.

Try opening a real business - pay all your taxes, all kinds of insurance and potential regulations set by the city, county, state and federal govt.

Realize that you can be taxed in more ways than you ever imagined.

Then go to work only to find out that this is broken, that isn't working and your best assistant is out with the flu!

Then, in walks a client - customer - patient - or whatever.

Believe me - you leave positive FB, you kiss their butts and bend (hopefully not break) because the bottom line when the day is done:

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!

And if ya think I'm full of it and want to challenge that fact?

You'll own a business for only a very short time and be very lonely during that span of time.

BTW - I leave FB as a buyer EVERY time and after I'm satisfied - I only have a 140 rating but 100% - with about 400 transactions.

mike

gamehunter · February 10, 2008 8:21AM

<What do you do when people beg for feedback...

leave them their well deserved negative

Guru · February 10, 2008 8:24AM

Stone, I never thought about it from that perspective. This could actually end up being a great lesson for all the "Jr. Tycoons". I helped my dad run his business that's been around for almost 25 years. Even though I only helped for about 15 years, I saw everything. And even now working for my brother in law I still see everything. Wow, I guess I ddin't view it this way. This will be really interesting to see.

MCMLVTopps · February 10, 2008 8:32AM

my 2 cents...

Mostly I'm an eBay buyer, as soon as I got the card and all was cool, I immediately left pos feedback. As a seller, once the check or money clears, I leave pos feedback. When I've won an auction, I paid within the next few minutes, thinking, get it over with. I've been left out of the feedback game when sellers didn't leave me anything. No big deal to me, I still have a 100% rating.

As for "begging" I'd just take it in stride and not add fuel to the fire by ignoring the buyer. Just takes less than a minute to difuse the situation and everyone is happy. After all, if the buyer didn't buy, you'd still be stuck with the merch...no?

Silly game we play with feedback, BUT, life is short, use your energy on more important stuff. Satisfy the buyer, he may be back for more.

Al

thenavarro · February 10, 2008 8:39AM

If they ask for feedback, and if they deserve it, I give it to them. They took the time to have a succesful transaction with me, so why would I not?? If I'm not doing it quickly enough in their opinion, they have the ability to ask and I'll leave it for them the next time I'm on ebay. Creates a satisfied customer, and hopefully a repeat customer. I try to leave positive feedack for everyone that deserves it. Just a part of doing business on the bay.

Mike

Guru · February 10, 2008 8:53AM

I guess I should have also included this, I have a buyer that has left me 7 different messages begging for feedback. That's the only thing that's annoying me. I agree that if you buy and leave positive, you should get positive. Like I said before it usually only takes a week or 2 at the max to leave the feedback. I guess I dont' understand what the hurry is. Just me.

mtcards · February 10, 2008 9:00AM

As a seller, I leave fb based upon the payment of the buyer, not any other nonsense that goes on. As a buyer, I will NEVER leave FB first. I have 800 fb and counting and not once have I ever left FB first as a buyer.

Stone-good post. Ebay HAS made too many junior businessmen who have no clue about real business. FB is a myth anyway, you can never have 100% FB in the real world, someone will ALWAYS be disappointed no matter what you do. The new FB system is not great, neither is the old one. The old one allowed retaliation negs from bogus sellers and people who just cant stand criticism. The new one will hurt the good sellers some too, but so what? One neg doesnt mean bad seller.

goose3 · February 10, 2008 9:01AM

if he continues, oblige his pathetic arse and leave him a negative.

storm888 · February 10, 2008 9:14AM

"......Ebay HAS made too many junior businessmen who have no clue about real business.......:

///////////////////////////////////////

ALOT of senior-businessmen with ALOT of money also
operate on EBAY. They operate in MANY different venues,
and they know how "real" business works.

Cards make up a tiny bit of EBAY's income. MANY sellers
do hundreds-of-thousands in sales in the categories
that make EBAY the real money. MANY such sellers own
warehouses and B&M businesses where their EBAY
merch is stored and shipped from.

MANY EBAY sellers employ workers. MOST pay all of the
taxes they are liable for. They are NOT interested in
being treated like children and punks by the RICO
enterprise that EBAY has allowed itself to become.

F1ferrari · February 10, 2008 9:57AM

As Mtcards said, you can't please everyone in the world outside eBay, so thinking you're going to do it in the eBay world. What will happen, as others have pointed out before me, is that good sellers feedback will drop from 100% to probably around 97-98%, while the bad sellers will drop for the high 90% to 50-60%. This is probably more realistic anyway, and buyers will begin to see through the smokescreen the current feedback allows eBay users (both buyers and sellers) to hide behind.

The only potential drawback is that bad buyers can still hide behind high feedback ratings. It's not perfect, but at least it's half-way fixed.

stown · February 10, 2008 10:16AM

One guy harrassed me for FB and after his 3rd email, I told him that I would shortly.

After two weeks of daily email harrassment "Where's my feedback?!?" I left him a positive since he did hold up his end.

My cat's breath smells like cat food

He then sent me an email saying that I was reported to eBay for leaving that kind of feedback.

I replied that because of his response and daily emails, I in turn, reported him for harrassment and included every email he sent.

For some reason, I never heard back from him again.

True story.

Downtown1974 · February 10, 2008 10:29AM

One guy pestered me to leave feedback, so I loosened his jaw for him.

BobaFett72 · February 10, 2008 11:15AM

"THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT"

to a point. if they cross a certain line. screw em' there are other fish in the sea.

I work in a ridiculously busy outpatient cancer treatment clinic...and have run across a few patients who make scene about waiting an extra 15 minutes or so for their doctor...We try to be very accomodating, offer free or reduced parking etc. Sometimes they make such a scene that they are asked to simply go somewhere else.

Most of the complainers are the folks who come every six months for regular check-ups. the sickest folks, the ones who come 5 days a week never complain; ever. A little perspective goes a long way.

SidePocket · February 10, 2008 11:24AM

Interesting question.

I don't buy a lot of cards on eBay, mostly high quality 50s and 60s. My feedback is at 41. I pay quickly and appreciate fast shipping. I have had only exceptional experiences with no problems at all. I find eBay to be head and shoulders above card shows when it comes to variety although I miss buying raw.

That being said, I do appreciate that some day I will likely begin selling on the bay. So, every feedback counts because it is certainly true that sellers with high feedback make me much more comfortable when buying.

I have never emailed a seller that was late in providing feedback, but I can see why you would.

I don't understand why a seller would take such a view of his customers. If your comment is from the viewpoint of a buyer, I would still question it as your feedback is valuable to the seller.

What's it take to submit feedback, all of 15 seconds?

Leiascards · February 10, 2008 11:39AM

<< "So basically, the buyer can leave neg feedback for any reason at all and the seller cannot contest it?! "

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

There is an exception.

A bidder fails to pay.
Seller files NPB.
Bidder does NOT respond to NPB.
Bidder leaves NEG.
EBAY will remove the NEG.

IF the bidder responds to the NPB - even with nonsense -
the NEG FB will remain. >>

You forgot if the UPI is enough to get them suspended or they get suspended for some reason Ebay will remove all their feedback.

I still forsee Ebay telling sellers late March or April. "We have heard your complaints and have changed this policy." I think it is just a cover for the new fee "decrease." Why would this policy not start in Feb like every other change that took place?

Stone193 · February 10, 2008 11:41AM

<< "THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT"

to a point. if they cross a certain line. screw em' there are other fish in the sea.

I work in a ridiculously busy outpatient cancer treatment clinic...and have run across a few patients who make scene about waiting an extra 15 minutes or so for their doctor...We try to be very accomodating, offer free or reduced parking etc. Sometimes they make such a scene that they are asked to simply go somewhere else.

Most of the complainers are the folks who come every six months for regular check-ups. the sickest folks, the ones who come 5 days a week never complain; ever. A little perspective goes a long way. >>

Excellent points.

Keep in mind - that's why I said bend - "don't break" - on occasion I've written a nice letter to a patient asking them to go elsewhere.

I think most intelligent and business saavy people here know what I'm saying.

I started with life's short - let it go - don't sweat the small stuff.

And believe me the ones who want to do well on ebay - keep their FB good and have loyal customers are totally cognizant of what I'm talking about.

And, you're totally right about some people - they just need to be reacquainted to where the door is.

mike

Leiascards · February 10, 2008 11:47AM

Thats just like the biggest PITA buyers on Ebay generally spend less than 10.00

metalmike · February 10, 2008 11:53AM

I bought 3 24 cards from you on Jan 24th whch is WAY over a week ago. WHERE"S MY FEEDBACK???? J/k just bustin your chops.......

storm888 · February 10, 2008 12:00PM

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000644162&tstart=0&mod=1202697856341

MANY new buyers are getting the BETA FB screens.
They are encouraged to leave FB immediately.

Guru · February 10, 2008 12:09PM

Oh crap Mike! Whoops. That was overlooked. I'm sorry dude. We had chops tonight for dinner. My wife was making this loud noise in the kitchen and I asked her what she was doing. She said, I'm busting your chops. LOL, I spit my coke everywhere. What she meant was she was busting the chops I bought last summer and had stored in the big freezer. Thanks for reminding me of that Mike.

What do you do when people beg for feedback...

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