Does the new ebay feedback mean anything? What should a seller do?

jmski52 · June 15, 2008 11:03PM

I have had two recent transactions that leave me rather disdainful about ebay's new feedback policy.

I was the seller in both of the following cases:

1) I had a nonpaying bidder on a $2,000+ coin. After a phone conversation, we decided to initiate a mutual cancellation. Fearing a retaliatory neg, I declined to file a nonpaying bidder notice, and that was that.

2) I just sold a $1,000 coin and the transaction proceeded normally. I got a personal check and waited 10 days for the funds to clear, then I shipped the coin and immediately left a positive feedback.

Now, we are engaged in several emails discussing my mode of shipment - USPS Insured. He wants a tracking number and thinks that every insured shipment has one. I've explained that they only track an insured package if a claim has to be filed, and on, and on....

I'm sure that he will get his coin, either today or tomorrow. But, if he doesn't and a claim has to be filed - I've left a positive and he can neg the crap out of me. In fact, he can neg me just for waiting 10 days for the check to clear - or any other "reason".

What should a seller do? I mean, what should a seller do in ANY transaction, not just the two above examples?

It seems to me that the feedback is pretty bogus at this point in time. Any capricious buyer can play with any seller, for any reason.

Preussen · June 15, 2008 11:10PM

<< It seems to me that the feedback is pretty bogus at this point in time. Any capricious buyer can play with any seller, for any reason. >>

I believe that just about sums it up. -Preussen

UtahCoin · June 15, 2008 11:11PM

Nothing you can really do. Just keep taking the high road.
And, welcome to the new and improved eBay..

erroid · June 15, 2008 11:17PM

If it's insured, it has bar code and the PO can track it. You could scan the code and send it along to your antsy winner. Seeing that you're worried about feedback, do it yourself and notify your buyer with the results.

notwilight · June 15, 2008 11:21PM

I don't consider either one a feedback issue.

1. Happens to me occasionally, I treat the customer profesionally and cheerfully file the mutual agreement. you'd be suprised how many timess these guys come back and buy if treated well.

2. I've never had one of these guys I couldn't make happy. Have you offered to scan and e-mail the insurance recpt? If you sent with paypal shipping just forward him the shipping recpt. Usually guys requesting this kind of thing have heard too many storied about scammers selling on ebay. He may need proof to show his fishwife who meets him at breakfast every morning with "see, that coin hasn't shown up yet. I told you ebay is full of scammers."

--Jerry

seemyauction · June 16, 2008 2:38AM

For these very same reasons, I don't sell on ebay anymore.

last year my ebay fees were over 12K.

Its not about the fees, its about the feedback..........

OPA · June 16, 2008 3:00AM

Print your labels through PayPal ... for an additional $.18 they all have tracking numbers. ( For coins insured for less than $500) over $500 you need to deal with the P.O. for your "tracking #" PO refers to it as a "delivery confirmation #"

GoldenEyeNumismatics · June 16, 2008 3:13AM

<< 

2) I just sold a $1,000 coin and the transaction proceeded normally. I got a personal check and waited 10 days for the funds to clear, then I shipped the coin and immediately left a positive feedback.

Now, we are engaged in several emails discussing my mode of shipment - USPS Insured. He wants a tracking number and thinks that every insured shipment has one. I've explained that they only track an insured package if a claim has to be filed, and on, and on....
>>

If you mailed it properly it should always have a tracking number.

mnmcoin · June 16, 2008 2:53PM

<< What should a seller do? >>

Stock up on vaseline.

mo

Oldnewbie · June 16, 2008 3:28PM

<< 

<< What should a seller do? >>

Stock up on vaseline.

mo >>

Sit in a corner and wring one's hands?

TavernTreasures · June 16, 2008 5:07PM

<< 

<< 

2) I just sold a $1,000 coin and the transaction proceeded normally. I got a personal check and waited 10 days for the funds to clear, then I shipped the coin and immediately left a positive feedback.

Now, we are engaged in several emails discussing my mode of shipment - USPS Insured. He wants a tracking number and thinks that every insured shipment has one. I've explained that they only track an insured package if a claim has to be filed, and on, and on....
>>

If you mailed it properly it should always have a tracking number. >>

It can be mailed first class(or priority)insured.
Or, it can be mailed first class(or priority)insured (with tracking# for an additional fee).

I do not understand the how the OP improperly mailed his package.

jmski52 · June 16, 2008 10:06PM

Sit in a corner and wring one's hands?

Should I use vaseline for my hands, too? Or can you recommend a good hand lotion?

My point had to do with ebay's worthless feedback system, not my angst over any transaction. My only neg has been from a non-paying bidder who is now NARU'd, but it occurs to me that trying to maintain a positive feedback record is pointless and definitely not worth a second thought.

It's more a concern now when buying, when you stop to think about it.

The point is that ebay tries to make a big deal out of feedback, when it's essentially less than worthless.

SaorAlba · June 16, 2008 11:57PM

Ebay basically dumbed down feedback to be flaccidly useless. When I auctioned a 1950-D Star $50, I had to cancel two bids from buyers that had multiple NPB strikes, even though I have my profile set up to block that garbage. I don't have time to sit around and play kindergarten cop to bidiots that don't pay on eBay. That last auction that closed about 2 weeks ago might have been my last ever. I will continue to buy, but for the most part I know sellers that will end auctions and sell outside of eBay as a means of keeping transactions private.

As for selling, when I get around to it, I will sell paper money on my site. Just not a priority these days.

TwoSides2aCoin · June 17, 2008 12:09AM

Just keep moving forward. Don't let policy affect your process or your progress. eBay may digress and become convoluted with BS, but that shouldn't be any concern of ours.

Tvac897 · June 17, 2008 12:34AM

The new system is no bueno.

Russ · June 17, 2008 12:40AM

What should a seller do? The same thing they've always done. Take good care of their customers.

Russ, NCNE

AUandAG · June 17, 2008 12:41AM

If I were in your shoes, I'd quit selling on ebay for fear of a negative.

bob

slipgate · June 17, 2008 1:06AM

It never ceases to amaze me that sellers, especially power sellers, STILL have absolutely no concept of what feedback is for. It can be explained to them 100 different ways, forwards and backwards, graphically and otherwise, and they STILL think that feedback is only a tool to extort good feedback for themselves. I am actually a little glad when I see posts/rants like this as it proves once again that Ebay has made the right decision to not allow bad feedback from sellers.

I really hope they take the next step and not allow sellers to leave buyers any feedback at all, good or bad.

dac076 · June 17, 2008 2:48AM

I am actually a little glad when I see posts/rants like this as it proves once again that Ebay has made the right decision to not allow bad feedback from sellers.

Spoken like someone who has no experience selling in any significant way.

I really hope they take the next step and not allow sellers to leave buyers any feedback at all, good or bad.

It actually would make a lot of sense to do that, since the current buyer fb is meaningless anyway. It won't happen though, because Ebay is supposedly trying to protect the fragile self-esteem of their buyers. To make a purchase and not receive positive fb would not be a "positive buying experience", and would cause the buyer to abandon Ebay forever, at least according to Ebay.

WinPitcher · June 17, 2008 2:51AM

A seller can still reply to any negative that he/she gets.

That is what a seller can do.

Steve

doh · June 17, 2008 2:56AM

<< since the current buyer fb is meaningless anyway. >>

That's not true. I know the feedback HAS to be positive, but sellers don't HAVE to leave feedback at all, so if the feedback is there for a buyer, sellers can be somewhat assured that the buyer is a good person to work with. Also, sellers can leave NPB strikes, etc, so no, buyer feedback is not meaningless.

Russ · June 17, 2008 2:57AM

<< I am actually a little glad when I see posts/rants like this as it proves once again that Ebay has made the right decision to not allow bad feedback from sellers.

Spoken like someone who has no experience selling in any significant way. >>

Fundamentally, I happen to agree with him. The feedback system became nothing more than a mechanism for sellers to threaten and intimidate buyers and phoney up their feedback by forcing mutual withdrawals. And, BTW, I have sold a few things.

Russ, NCNE

TomB · June 17, 2008 2:57AM

If fully insured, your $1,000 transaction would have cost less to ship via Registered mail than Insured mail. Every package you send via Registered mail will have a Registered Receipt number that you can send to the buyer and that they can then lookup online on the USPS website. The USPS updates to this tracking number are rather poor, but it gives the buyer some assurance that the item was shipped and when it was shipped. Additionally, it allows the seller to see when the item was signed for and by whom. There is no additional fee on top of the normal Registered fee for this service.

dac076 · June 17, 2008 3:06AM

<< I am actually a little glad when I see posts/rants like this as it proves once again that Ebay has made the right decision to not allow bad feedback from sellers.

Spoken like someone who has no experience selling in any significant way. >>

Fundamentally, I happen to agree with him. The feedback system became nothing more than a mechanism for sellers to threaten and intimidate buyers and phoney up their feedback by forcing mutual withdrawals. And, BTW, I have sold a few things.

That's a pretty broad idictment of sellers - I don't think that's how YOU use the feedback system, is it? Of course there are bad sellers, as well as bad buyers. My points are 1) Now you can't tell good buyers from bad, and 2) Most sellers have also been buyers. But many buyers are EXCLUSIVELY buyers, and don't have experience on the other side of the counter. Some of them love the new system that allows them to behave as badly as they want to, and not get dinged for it. Having said that, I think it's a small minority. But they can still hurt an honest seller's reputation.

newbiecollector · June 17, 2008 3:12AM

I have said it before, on several other threads, that I totally disagree with this new system.

I am a smal buyer on the bay and don't play in the league you folks do but I pride myself on my feedback (as a buyer).

I basically think it is just wrong.........down to fundamentally wrong, that a seller can NOT leave an honest feedback. If that is a neg........then that's what it is.

Now I, as a small time buyer, may not even get any feedback when I buy something. So I think the new system is wrong for me also.

Russ · June 17, 2008 3:18AM

<< That's a pretty broad idictment of sellers - I don't think that's how YOU use the feedback system, is it? >>

I've never done a mutual withdrawal. Ever.

There's a coin seller who was showing 100% feedback. My feedback is 99.9%. His feedback was phonied up because he retaliated and publically threatened lawsuits against his buyers, and forced 60 mutual withdrawals. His was fake, mine is real. Now his will be real. And, there are plenty of sellers just like him.

Russ, NCNE

doh · June 17, 2008 3:32AM

<< Now you can't tell good buyers from bad, >>

You've said that twice now, but have yet to give any reason for why you think that. I'll repeat what I said before: "I know the feedback HAS to be positive, but sellers don't HAVE to leave feedback at all, so if the feedback is there for a buyer, sellers can be somewhat assured that the buyer is a good person to work with."

dac076 · June 17, 2008 3:33AM

I've never done a mutual withdrawal. Ever.

Neither have I, and I'm not in any way accusing you of that behavior.

There's a coin seller who was showing 100% feedback. My feedback is 99.9%. His feedback was phonied up because he retaliated and publically threatened lawsuits against his buyers, and forced 60 mutual withdrawals. His was fake, mine is real. Now his will be real. And, there are plenty of sellers just like him.

Russ, NCNE

That's pathetic, and it just shows how negligent Ebay is at policing it's site. At least of few of those buyers must have complained, and yet someone like that is allowed to continue to do business there. But does Ebay really have to rely on feedback and DSR's to ban crooks from selling?

dac076 · June 17, 2008 3:38AM

<< Now you can't tell good buyers from bad, >>

You've said that twice now, but have yet to give any reason for why you think that. I'll repeat what I said before: "I know the feedback HAS to be positive, but sellers don't HAVE to leave feedback at all, so if the feedback is there for a buyer, sellers can be somewhat assured that the buyer is a good person to work with."

Every buyer's feedback will be 100% positive, whether every seller he's dealt with has left feedback for him, or only 1% of those sellers have.

doh · June 17, 2008 3:40AM

<< Every buyer's feedback will be 100% positive, whether every seller he's dealt with has left feedback for him, or only 1% of those sellers have. >>

In theory you're right. In practice, however, at least a few of those 99% of people who didn't leave him a feedback would complain to eBay and that buyer would be suspended.

Russ · June 17, 2008 3:40AM

<< Every buyer's feedback will be 100% positive, whether every seller he's dealt with has left feedback for him, or only 1% of those sellers have. >>

And every buyer's feedback left for others will be visible for any seller to see.

Russ, NCNE

dac076 · June 17, 2008 3:48AM

<< Every buyer's feedback will be 100% positive, whether every seller he's dealt with has left feedback for him, or only 1% of those sellers have. >>

In theory you're right. In practice, however, at least a few of those 99% of people who didn't leave him a feedback would complain to eBay and that buyer would be suspended.

Hopefully you're right, but I'm a little doubtful, especially when you consider situations like Russ mentioned in his post.

storm888 · June 17, 2008 3:57AM

<< Every buyer's feedback will be 100% positive, whether every seller he's dealt with has left feedback for him, or only 1% of those sellers have. >>

"In theory you're right. In practice, however, at least a few of those 99% of people who didn't leave him a feedback would complain to eBay and that buyer would be suspended. "

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

At this point, EBAY is much more likely to suspend sellers for complaining about SCUMMY buyers,
than they are to dump the SCUMMY buyers.

I have thousands of transactions. Never left/rcd a NEG/NEUT in any account selling collectibles.

Bad buyers are totally out of control in MANY categories. Happily, collectible buyers are among
the best EBAYers. In designer-fashion and electronics, it is open season on sellers; scamsters
are running wild, since May 19.

The ONLY defense sellers now have is to examine the FB left for others by bidders. If they
are NEG/NEUT happy, their bids can be cancelled and they can be blocked.

Sometime in July, categorized lists will be available for rent/sale. They will note buyers who
have left NEGS/NEUTS; such folks will be blocked by many sellers.

BECOKA · June 17, 2008 3:59AM

<< What should a seller do? The same thing they've always done. Take good care of their customers.

Russ, NCNE >>

Words of wisdom.

You can't please everyone but if you treat everyone well most will be very satisfied and comeback.

Russ · June 17, 2008 4:08AM

<< Happily, collectible buyers are among
the best EBAYers. >>

This is very true. Collectibles in general tends to be genteel categories compared to some others that are just flat brutal. DVD's and games, for example, are crawling with trigger happy idiots.

Russ, NCNE

dac076 · June 17, 2008 4:59AM

<< Happily, collectible buyers are among
the best EBAYers. >>

This is very true. Collectibles in general tends to be genteel categories compared to some others that are just flat brutal. DVD's and games, for example, are crawling with trigger happy idiots.

I haven't sold in those other categories, but I agree that most of the coin buyers I've dealt with have been top notch. I would speculate that maybe the problems in DVD's and games are due to the age and transient nature of those buyers, with a few Far East sellers thrown into the mix.

Does the new ebay feedback mean anything? What should a seller do?

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