Feedback harrassment. What would you do?

EAsports · July 26, 2007 8:21AM

I have this goofball that keeps hounding me to leave feedback. I leave feedback about once a month, but I do EVENTUALLY leave feedback.

I've got 1300 positives, and a 99.7% rating, so I guess I'm doing something right.

This guy won a .99 cent card from me, and has been hounding me since he got it about leaving him a feedback.

The only auctions I have up right now are DVDs that I'm selling for my girlfriend, as we're consolidating our DVD collection. One of them is "The 40 Year Old Virgin."

I get this message today:

"Speaking of the "40-Year-Old Virgin", do you know how I know you're gay? You don't leave feedback."

Should I give this 11 year old a nice, juicy negative for his feedback?

'Cause that sure feels like the right thing to do.

MuckyMutt · July 26, 2007 8:24AM

It sounds like you're irritating him just fine by ignoring him. I'd go with what is working.

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 8:27AM

The feedback nazis are really getting out of control. I leave feedback in groups about every 2 or 3 weeks and I could care less if people don't leave it for me. The funny thing is, usually after I leave all of my feedbacks, about 10 minutes later I will have like 20 more feedbacks in my profile. It's like all these people have been waiting intently for me to leave feedback so they could reciprocate. How much time do you think these guys spend on dealing with feedback? 5 hours a week? 10?

When you reach a certain point (over 100 transactions, 99% positive) it really doesn't matter unless you start to pile up negs. I think it's funny that so many people choose to spend their time this way.

I say leave a neutral saying he's been going overboard in harassing you about leaving feedback.

Lee

theczar · July 26, 2007 8:28AM

bothering people to leave feedback is insane.

i personally leave feedback after i get the item because there are times i buy so much junk i cannot keep track if i have received it or not. that week if something is weeks late i can easily see that it is late because i have not left feedback (hope that made sense)

when i do sell stuff i like getting feedback just to know it got there alright.

everyone has their own methods but after thousands of transactions missing some feedback doesn't keep me awake.

cohocorp · July 26, 2007 8:34AM

that messege is so funny.

F1ferrari · July 26, 2007 8:35AM

I'm the proud owner of a 100% feedback rating, and I remember back in the old days of eBay when sellers left feedback when they received your money, and you left feedback when you received the item. With Paypal and instant money transfers, power sellers, etc. I understand it's tough for sellers to leave feedback as soon as you pay them. I know a few who are very fast with feedback if you're fast with payment, and there are others who probably do 'blocks' of feedback. I understand that if you've got 100 items for auction and 200 for sale in a store, providing feedback instantly would be impossible.

As a general rule as a buyer, I never leave feedback until the item is in my hand and is in the condition described in the auction. I'll usually leave feedback even if the seller hasn't left any for me. Maybe I believe in Karma, but if I'm happy with the deal, the seller shoud be happy as well.

Then again, I'm still trying to get a refund from a seller who shorted me a Heritage SP in a lot I bought from him...

vintagetoppsguy · July 26, 2007 8:54AM

EAsports,

You didn't mention, but did you ever answer any of his emails? If you emailed him back and stated "I leave feedback about once a month" then he should have waited patiently and what he is doing is hounding. But if you never replied to the guy, then he has a right to keep asking.

As for me, once I receive an item from a seller I leave feedback immediately. I usually wait a week or so and if I have not received feedback in return then I will send him an email saying something like, "Can you please leave me feedback as I have done so for you?" Sometimes I get a response back stating that they only leave feedback every couple of weeks and then I just wait. But If I don't receive the feedback and he ignores the email, then yes, I am going to keep emailing him until he responds. Thats not hounding. If you had to keep emailing him for your payment and he was not responding, would that be hounding? No.

So, all I'm saying is that it depends on how you responded. If you never answered his email then that is not hounding, he asked you a question and has the right to an answer. But if you emailed him back and told him your feedback policy then yes, that is hounding.

I'm definately not taking his side because he sounds like a jerk for his comment and probably deserves a neg or neutral, but then he's only going to retaliate. I just think you're better off at this point to leave him his positive feedback and block him as a bidder and just move on.

MuckyMutt · July 26, 2007 9:03AM

vintagetoppsguy, feedback is NOT mandatory. Get over it.

I'm waiting for the first guy with this epitath on his gravestone:

"Died penniless and without friends - but dog gone it, he had 100% feedback!"

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 9:06AM

vintage- that is the exact definition of hounding. You're bugging a guy to do something he's not obligated to do. Some people leave feedback immediately, some every few weeks, and some never leave it. Whether you ask them 50 times or not isn't going to change the way they operate. It would be like if you owned a business and kept asking your customers to fill out a survey. It becomes annoying and in the end you're the one that looks desperate and obnoxious.

There's nothing in the ebay rules that says someone has to leave feedback. Leave people alone and don't worry so much about missing a feedback here and there. It's not going to affect anything.

vintagetoppsguy · July 26, 2007 9:08AM

I didn't say it was mandatory. I said if someone asks for feedback, they deserve an answer. It doesn't matter if that answer is "No, I don't leave feedback" or "I only leave feedback once a month" or whatever. If you answer their question (no matter what the response) then you have done your job, whether they like the answer or not. However, if you don't answer them at all, they have a right to keep asking. I don't consider that hounding. Hounding is to keep asking the same question once they have responded.

goose3 · July 26, 2007 9:08AM

Ignore him. Maybe he'll kill himself.

Exactly why I don't fool with feedback anymore at all, whether I'm buying or selling.

Too many loonies out there.

MuckyMutt · July 26, 2007 9:12AM

<< I said if someone asks for feedback, they deserve an answer. >>

No, they don't.

edit to clarify:
While responding to a legitimate question is polite, asking for feedback is rude. And I handle rudeness with rudeness.

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 9:12AM

vintage- When you send an email saying "I have left feedback, please do the same", exactly what answer do you expect to get? You're giving a suggestion, not asking a question. Either they take your suggestion into advisement or they don't, but a return email isn't appropriate. No one has to explain their practices to you, and since feedback isn't obilgatory, they are free to disregard your email if they want to.

If I sent you an email saying "You should go see Transformers", I'm not going to get pissed off if you don't respond with "Thanks, I will" or "No I won't".

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 9:13AM

mucky, glad I'm not the only one getting irritated by somebody trying to validate their ridiculous behavior.

gumbyfan · July 26, 2007 9:15AM

Tis better to give than to receive...

According to ebay's stats, I've left 2,645 feedback and received 2,229.

Not everyone gives feedback, but it's not the end of the world if you don't receive it. People should stop worrying about what everyone else does (as an example, hounding a seller to leave feedback) and just worry about your own (leave feedback if you want to, don't leave feedback if you don't). It's quite simple.

gumbyfan · July 26, 2007 9:17AM

<< "You should go see Transformers" >>

Thanks, I will!

MuckyMutt · July 26, 2007 9:18AM

vintagetoppsguy, don't take my comments too personally - I'm just giving you some "feedback" about your views.

vintagetoppsguy · July 26, 2007 9:20AM

"vintagetoppsguy, don't take my comments too seriously - I'm just giving you some "feedback" about your views."

No problem. It's all in fun. I realized real quick that you have to have pretty thick skin if you want to be a part of the boards.

rube26105 · July 26, 2007 9:28AM

lee-people do the same to me-like little kids,it does get rather annoying,please leave me feedback, lease leave me feedback,i have 36,500+with 99.9 % potistives,and im like you, i could really care less if you leave feedback for me or not,even if somebody gave me 100 negatives, whats that gonna take me down in the percentage .a tenth of a % lol,you get alot of this from people trying to get their 1st star i suppose,the excitement of feedback wore off on me a long time ago as well
randy
ps.- i agree with mucky, ask a stupid question , you get a stupid answer, people always ask the classic,how much is postage to ....you know the ones, right when you have it on the auction, so i just raise it 50 cents everytime they ask , i figure if you are too stupid to read, im too stupid to count LMAO

Leiascards · July 26, 2007 9:30AM

Feedback is optional anyone who keeps bugging me for feedback may actually get the feedback they may deserve. There are many reasons for NOT leaving feedback in lieu of leaving a deserved neg or neutral.

Myself I have automatic feedback set up through Auctiva when I recieve a positive feedback as a seller it automatically leaves feedback for me. I have about 30 different positive feedback responses it rotates them for me so it does not seem automatic.

vintagetoppsguy · July 26, 2007 9:31AM

"vintage- When you send an email saying "I have left feedback, please do the same", exactly what answer do you expect to get? You're giving a suggestion, not asking a question. Either they take your suggestion into advisement or they don't, but a return email isn't appropriate. No one has to explain their practices to you, and since feedback isn't obilgatory, they are free to disregard your email if they want to."

CDs,

I never said, "I have left feedback, please do the same". I said, "Can you please leave me feedback as I have done so for you?" I am no English major, but I know the word "can" makes it a question, not a suggestion and the word "please" makes it a polite way of asking the question. If they tell me "no", then you are right, they do not have to explain their practice. But if they don't respond then I have the right to ask the question again.

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 9:37AM

You have the right to do whatever you want. Just understand that the majority of society finds you annoying if this is how you conduct yourself.

I'm sorry, I sell 50-100 items at a time and I always eventually leave feedback. Still, I get 5-10 emails in each group nagging me to leave feedback. I'm not taking 10 minutes out of my life to respond to all of them about something so petty and insignificant.

Barfvader · July 26, 2007 9:40AM

<< Then again, I'm still trying to get a refund from a seller who shorted me a Heritage SP in a lot I bought from him...

>>

I won a 1985 Leaf Roger Clemens (was bought for someone else that doesn't have a computer and has me buying stuff for him) and when I got it it was clearly not the same card that was pictured in the auction.

First I paid $4 for shipping. Comes in the following for 97 cents.

I knew as soon as I opened the envelope that the card was not the same but went to the auction page to look it over again.

Card in auction.

Card I received.

Bottom auction, top what was sent.

And a closeup of the cards bottom edge. Bottom from auction, top what was sent.

Transaction took what seemed like forever and even had a payment reminder sent to me even though I had paid the next morning (money order, and I know I need a Paypal account) and sent a message thru eBay (second one) that I had sent payment and that because of the 4th of July it probably slowed the mail down a little. Both times I had sent a message I received no replies.

So I found the email address that the seller put on their Me page and sent the pics comparing the cards and asked the following.

Received the card this morning and had one small question.

Is the card in the scan the exact card you sent?? I only ask as I have
compared the scan in the auction to what I have in my hand and although the
one pictured in the auction is off-center top to bottom (I fully knew that
before bidding) the one in my hand appears to be off-center even more so.
Might be my eyes playing tricks but I have examined the scan very closely
and was just wondering?"

Funny how fast I got a reply once I had sent the pics as it was only a matter of minutes I get this.

I don't know. If you don't like, send it back and we'll refund your bid amount.

Uh yeah I don't like it but seeing as the bid was only 99 cents (I am a cheap well, you know) with money order, stamp, $4 shipping and then having to pack it back up again and pay to send it guess that I really had no choice but to keep it.

So now I have to decide what to do with feedback. They haven't left any for me and I know that if I leave either a neutral or negative I will get a negative back no matter what. Can't really see leaving a positive as it just wasn't a positive transaction so I think for me on this one I will just not leave any.

And back on topic (sorry about that) as a buyer only on eBay I never hound a seller for feedback. So if I was in this circumstance as the OP I would just ignore it and/or report it to eBay as harassing emails. I had a nutcase from the discussion board not like what was said and he/she/it started sending all sorts of stuff thru eBay so I did report them and the emails did stop.

Jeff

Leiascards · July 26, 2007 9:50AM

Looks pretty close to the same card to me although it does look slightly more off center from T to B but many of the chips are in the same spots, you can file a SNAD with Paypal and send it back.

A clemens rookie for 4.99 I don't think I would complain one bit.

vintagetoppsguy · July 26, 2007 9:50AM

Jeff,

Did the seller really send an envelope that big for that card? The pic makes it look like the envelope is 10X the size of the card!

F1ferrari · July 26, 2007 9:50AM

I agree that the Clemens card isn't the one you bid on in the auction (unless it settled during shipping

), if the item price was far less than the hassle of returning it for refund (that might never be received), I'd just keep the card. If the seller hasn't left you feedback, treat them the same. If they had left feedback, good or bad, it's up to what your conscious tells you to do.

As I mentioned, I've had a seller string me along for a $1 card for almost 2 months. Is that $1 breaking me? No, but I still don't have the last card for my set. I finally asked for a refund. Let's see how that goes. If I receive the refund in a timely fashion, the seller probably won't receive any feedback. If it's another month (and a dozen emails on my part) before I see the dollar, that's a different story.

Then again, that's my opinion. That and my missing dollar might almost buy a cup of coffee.

Barfvader · July 26, 2007 10:12AM

<< Jeff,

Did the seller really send an envelope that big for that card? The pic makes it look like the envelope is 10X the size of the card! >>

Yes the card was sent in that envelope. Had a little sticky note with some numbers on it and tape on the top loader and that was it. If not for the fact the card had been put in a sleeve it probably would have got stuck to the tape.

And I realize I got a Clemens RC for $4.99 but it's not the card I bid on. As I said I have a buyer that doesn't have a computer and so I buy stuff online to sell to him as I can get him the cards he needs/wants at a much better price then the local dealers (local if you consider a 4 hour total drive to and from) and I can make a little profit as well. He looked at the auction and agreed that the centering wasn't so bad and wanted me to bid on it. So we agreed on a price that I would sell to him based on the one in the auction scan as we thought that was the exact card I would be receiving. In the end my buyer did pay for the card but I couldn't sell at the agreed price because it was not the same card.

And the sellers feedback is in the 17,000's so nothing I would do would matter anyway. They haven't left any and I will do the same.

Jeff

lostdart58 · July 26, 2007 10:31AM

Feedback I left for a clown who emailed twice about leaving him feedback:

I would have left FB without your proding when I received card which I have now. Seller: superiorinvestments ( 2393) Jul-02-07 10:26
1972 Topps #375 Reggie Cleveland PSA 9 (#250129700108) -- View Item

Stingray · July 26, 2007 10:33AM

sonoranmonsoon · July 26, 2007 11:29AM

<< The feedback nazis are really getting out of control. I leave feedback in groups about every 2 or 3 weeks and I could care less if people don't leave it for me. The funny thing is, usually after I leave all of my feedbacks, about 10 minutes later I will have like 20 more feedbacks in my profile. It's like all these people have been waiting intently for me to leave feedback so they could reciprocate. How much time do you think these guys spend on dealing with feedback? 5 hours a week? 10?

When you reach a certain point (over 100 transactions, 99% positive) it really doesn't matter unless you start to pile up negs. I think it's funny that so many people choose to spend their time this way.

I say leave a neutral saying he's been going overboard in harassing you about leaving feedback.

Lee >>

I am pretty sure in most cases you get feedbacks immediately after you leave yours, because the feedback is set up through an automatic progam. This is getting to be more common. These automated software programs are becoming very popular with the high volume sellers that do no have the time to manually leave 30 or 40 feedbacks everyday.

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 11:50AM

That would make the most sense. I didn't know that type of program existed, but I guess that's because I never looked into it. Thanks for the info.

Lee

lawnmowerman · July 26, 2007 11:56AM

<< "Speaking of the "40-Year-Old Virgin", do you know how I know you're gay? You don't leave feedback." >>

Thats actually kinda funny

jmbkb4 · July 26, 2007 12:00PM

<< "Speaking of the "40-Year-Old Virgin", do you know how I know you're gay? You don't leave feedback." >>

I would reply and say something like Oh, I'm gay. OK. I guess then the "gay" thing to do would be to "prance" on over to eBay and give you the feedback you deseve. Right after I get pounded."

BunchOBull · July 26, 2007 12:00PM

I had a buyer purchase a $17 card (plus $2.50 shipping), after 2 weeks, no payment. I don't throw negative feedbacks prematurely, so I contact him. He claims his bank account was hacked and he's penniless, asks me to cancel this contract. I agreed simply because the card was one I had put up just to see if there would be any interest in it and I wasn't going to take anything less than a 75% offer on it, simply put, I don't mind keeping it. This d**che bag then asks me to leave feedback for him. Needless to say, I didn't, but he didn't for me either, and I believe he was much more obligated to do so than I myself was. That was very irksome.

jmbkb4 · July 26, 2007 12:05PM

I think that bidder is a rascal!

BunchOBull · July 26, 2007 12:06PM

I always let the buyer or seller know in my communication that I will leave feedback after the receipt of payment or the receipt of the item.

Skinpinch · July 26, 2007 12:07PM

Lawnmowerman,

I agree. When I read the posters initial post, that comment was funny, as he tied the feedback in quite nicely with that scene from the movie. Give the 11 year old his kudos at least.

Lawnmowerman. First you mowed her lawn, and now you want to...mow her lawn.

pandrews · July 26, 2007 12:21PM

<< 

<< "Speaking of the "40-Year-Old Virgin", do you know how I know you're gay? You don't leave feedback." >>

Thats actually kinda funny >>

i thought so too..

grote15 · July 26, 2007 12:32PM

I also find the feedback hounders annoying, though I will usually leave feedback if asked because some of those buyers are more likely to bid again on your auctions if you respond in kind.

I also thought the 40-year-old virgin comment was quite funny, too, I must admit.

CDsNuts · July 26, 2007 12:38PM

Bunchobull- that's pretty funny. If my bank account got hacked into and all of my money stolen to the point where I couldn't afford to buy a $17 card, the last thing I would care about is getting positive feedback on ebay.

envoy98 · July 26, 2007 12:39PM

<< 
"Speaking of the "40-Year-Old Virgin", do you know how I know you're gay? You don't leave feedback."
>>

That is flipping HILARIOUS! LOL

Has he already left you feedback? If not I would ask him to leave feedback. I would also reply to his email "Know how I know YOU'RE gay? BECAUSE YOU KEEP HOUNDING ME FOR FEEDBACK! Now go lay by your dish...your feedback is coming." Sheesh. Some peoples children.

EAsports · July 26, 2007 12:47PM

I think the best thing I can come up with is to clear out all of my "unleft" feedback, and just don't leave him one....

Kids these days....

I do have to give him credit. He did use complete sentences, and proper English and punctuation.

kimo75 · July 26, 2007 1:02PM

Asking for feedback is akin to walking behind a dog with a bag and waiting for them to take a dump...one of the most embarrassing things a human can do.

I leave bulk feedback about every 2 weeks, but NEVER for someone that asks for it.

jmbkb4 · July 26, 2007 1:10PM

Honestly, I really don't get too bent out of shape when someone asks for feedback.

I kind of view it as a cry for help.

stown · July 26, 2007 9:59PM

If you make a purchase from "apache41aow", expect your inbox to get full from his feedback requests.

And yes, I did tell him that I received the card but then it went from 1 request per day to two.

When I finally left him appropriate feedback "My cat's breath smells like cat food.", he reported me to eBay.

True story.

Feedback harrassment. What would you do?

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