Ebay buyer harrassing me about sending feedback

bladefox · October 9, 2008 2:02PM

Well, I decided not to leave feedback because the buyer took too long to pay for some hockey cards from Canada - sent paypal 11 days after the auction ended, and even then I had to wait an additional 6 days for the payment to clear - since it was Paypal pending. So it took over 17 days, I shipped item, and this is the third email I got asking me to send feedback. Should I report to this ebay? If so, what's the link?

So another buyer to block: mattebrault

grote15 · October 9, 2008 2:05PM

You'd be better off just leaving the positive and moving on..if you don't he may neg you and you will have no way to respond in kind.

lawnmowerman · October 9, 2008 2:06PM

<< You'd be better off just leaving the positive and moving on..if you don't he may neg you and you will have no way to respond in kind. >>

Yup

WeekendHacker · October 9, 2008 2:06PM

Let it go brother, if he's harassing you about feedback just imagine what feedback this schmuck will leave you..............let it go and take the high road and wait for him to leave feedback first.

lawnmowerman · October 9, 2008 2:18PM

<< .............let it go and take the high road and wait for him to leave feedback first. >>

lol

bladefox · October 9, 2008 2:34PM

Well, he already left + feedback, but why should I leave + feedback when my auction states that payment is due in 7 days. It took him 11 days to shoot paypal, and this was pending paypal which took an addition 6 days, so it took 17 days total or 10 days after the stated payment policies. He didn't follow the directions. If he wanted the cards so bad, he should've started the paypal process with 3 days or less.
Is there a way I can block his email on ebay? BTW, I already put him on my bidder blocked list.

stevek · October 9, 2008 2:49PM

There are so many poor businessmen on this board it amazes me. Like the guy in another thread who doesn't seem to understand fundamentals about running a business. I suggest to these people buying some books on how to properly run a business and treat your customers.

So your customer paid you a bit late, so the heck what! Give the customer positive feedback and appreciate the fact that he is a customer and you made some money off him.

grote15 · October 9, 2008 2:51PM

This is really much ado about nothing. 7 days or 11 days? Really, does it make that much of a difference?

storm888 · October 9, 2008 2:56PM

Since May 19, I have been leaving FB when the buyer pays.

Haven't had to deal with any FB-beggars since then. Much better system.

............

The buyer left POS FB. It costs the seller nothing to reciprocate.

grote15 · October 9, 2008 2:58PM

Since May 19, I have been leaving FB when the buyer pays.

Haven't had to deal with any FB-beggars since then. Much better system.

............

The buyer left POS FB. It costs the seller nothing to reciprocate.

Well stated.

stevek · October 9, 2008 3:00PM

<< This is really much ado about nothing. 7 days or 11 days? Really, does it make that much of a difference? >>

I've developed my business whereby some customers who i've done well with over the years, I ship them the product with net 15 day terms, IE: open account. In my view it builds loyalty - i've never been stiffed once, and I believe it has helped the business grow. Plus i do it for self-serving reasons - i save the ebay and PayPal fees. I guess it depends on whether a person wants to look at selling cards as just a "I don't give a dam" type way to supplement their income, or treat it as a good, solid business...I prefer the latter as everyone knows this business of selling cards takes a lot of time and effort, and it doesn't take that much more effort to treat customers the way they're supposed to be treated.

perkdog · October 9, 2008 3:22PM

It sucks waiting to get paid but at least you did get paid. I sold an item and emailed the buyer politely but directly if he planned on following through with his end of the deal and I got an "Im sorry but I actually dont need the item now" What can I do? I eat the ebay fees for the supposed sale and move on, there are worst things than getting payed 3 days late!

WinPitcher · October 9, 2008 3:28PM

I'd say something like :

Sorry it took me 17 days to give you feedback but that was the amount of time I waited to get paid for the item

Steve

Leiascards · October 9, 2008 11:48PM

<< I'd say something like :

Sorry it took me 17 days to give you feedback but that was the amount of time I waited to get paid for the item

Steve >>

Then he gets it removed by Ebay and you get suspended. I had one removed because the buyer left a neutral 4 after after she paid sying shipping was too slow. I left a positive that said "Paid, but 4 days is not to long to recieve item." Ebay removed it and gave me a slap saying don't do it again.

I would not leave any feedback in this case. Even under the new feedback system I do not nor will I ever leave feedback first.

Feedback is still optional

I would tell him based on the fact your payment was not recieved in accordance with my listing terms you agreed to I don't feel I can leave honest feedback at this time.

Just because you do this does not make you a bad business person and anyone who think otherwise has a few thing they need to do and learn themselves. There are times when you should not kiss your customers backsides. Personally I would send him that email and block him from future bidding.

bman90278 · October 9, 2008 11:53PM

Just go ahead and leave him a positive feedback and keep him as a blocked seller.

Brian

WinPitcher · October 10, 2008 12:10AM

Then he gets it removed by Ebay and you get suspended.

You do not know that for sure.

Is it possible? sure.

Steve

larryallen73 · October 10, 2008 12:22AM

Is selling cards on Ebay a business (i.e. you want to maximize your profits) or is it a place to show you are right?

I love being right but get over it. The dude paid a few days late and is annoying (begging for feedback). If you want to maximize your sales in the future you need happy customers. A lot of people buy over and over from the same sellers. I suggest you re-vamp your customer service department.

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 12:25AM

With the way Ebay is a if a buyer complains to Ebay about a seller then the buyer gets his way.

I have been going round and round with Ebay about a buyer who got through my buyer blocks because he does not have a Paypal account. The block was set and the listing also said Paypal only. I have talked to several supervisors, live help, a PS rep and Trust and safety they all said there is nothing they can do. Yesterday the buyer files a Non-Selling Seller complaint on me because I refuse to give him my address so he can send a check for the items Ebay sends me an email reminding me that a completed transaction is a binding contract and the seller must honor it.

Basically buyer got around blocks and is an unwelcome bidder, wants to pay with personal check I refuse he cries to Ebay I get in trouble with Ebay for not altering my own auction terms.

Sellers have no protection from buyers right now at all.

stevek · October 10, 2008 12:49AM

<< With the way Ebay is a if a buyer complains to Ebay about a seller then the buyer gets his way.

I have been going round and round with Ebay about a buyer who got through my buyer blocks because he does not have a Paypal account. The block was set and the listing also said Paypal only. I have talked to several supervisors, live help, a PS rep and Trust and safety they all said there is nothing they can do. Yesterday the buyer files a Non-Selling Seller complaint on me because I refuse to give him my address so he can send a check for the items Ebay sends me an email reminding me that a completed transaction is a binding contract and the seller must honor it.

Basically buyer got around blocks and is an unwelcome bidder, wants to pay with personal check I refuse he cries to Ebay I get in trouble with Ebay for not altering my own auction terms.

Sellers have no protection from buyers right now at all. >>

I understand the problem, but if it means anything here to ya, I've never had a check bounce from an ebay buyer, and I've taken a decent number of checks. Depending on the buyer and the amount, I may tell the buyer that they have to wait 7 - 10 days for the check to clear, and they expect that. Good buyers, with good feedback, i don't even wait for the check to clear to ship their order. I like checks - I like saving PayPal's 3% something fees.

MeteoriteGuy · October 10, 2008 12:59AM

A guy offered to shake my hand yesterday. After thinking really hard about it, I decided not to shake his hand, but instead create a gripe thread in a sports forum.

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 1:00AM

Problem is I have nor will I accept anything other than Paypal. Been that way since July of 2007. These items were clearly laid out in the listing the buyer emailed me after he won saying he knows I only accept Paypal but the only way he is going to pay is by check. That raises many red flags in my mind. Plus the fact he was allowed to bid on the item shows he is lying according to Ebay, but they still won't do anything. They go on and say he has to abide by the payment terms I have in the listing but they still won't do anything.

At this point I would rather take the neg, file the UPI and give him a strike and hope he gets kicked. I used to take checks until I had 3 in a row bounce from three different buyers. The local PO will not cash money orders if they are over 25.00 and my bank holds ALL money orders and checks 14 days. That is the standard for all of the local banks I would care to do business with in this area.

rube26105 · October 10, 2008 1:10AM

mtcards · October 10, 2008 1:50AM

Be honest, leave a positive saying "Buyer paid, but took longer than the auction terms"

If eBay was to remove that feedback, then they truly are being run by idiots.

storm888 · October 10, 2008 2:06AM

<< Be honest, leave a positive saying "Buyer paid, but took longer than the auction terms"

If eBay was to remove that feedback, then they truly are being run by idiots. >>

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

That one would definitely be removed on request of the buyer.

..................................
.................................
.................................

Dealing with Unwelcome Bidders:

File an online UB report. If it is not acted on, THEN call EBAY.

PoppaJ · October 10, 2008 2:08AM

It boggles my mind why sellers worry about feedback so much.

I've been selling since 1998 and have always sent feedback 1st to our buyers.

Even with a very few negatives and neutrals, our FB score is still 100%.

Regardlees of the reason a person may send neutral or negative feedback for us.
others can see that it's an isolated case and they will judge us on the majority, not the few.

Do whatever seems right to you, but don't let it mess with your mind.

For any of you guys in your 20s and 30s or even some older, do yourself a favor and invest about
$10 and a couple hours of your time to read the book pictured below.

It might change your outlook on life ... or at least how you live it.

PoppaJ

storm888 · October 10, 2008 2:24AM

"It boggles my mind why sellers worry about feedback so much."

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

A small seller - less than 21 FBs received per month - will be
suspended for 30-days, if he gets one NEG. The same can happen
with two NEUTs.

This has nothing to do with FB% or DSR-stars. It is about the
"customer satisfaction rating;" a screwball formula that EBAY's
cretins have devised to eliminate small sellers.

THOUSANDS of little sellers have depended on EBAY to make
a few dollars each month to help pay their bills.

To those of us that have lots of money, FB may be "small stuff,"
but to MOST little sellers it is a big deal.

shagrotn77 · October 10, 2008 2:30AM

I'd leave him positive feedback that states that he paid late. Nothing wrong with that.

PoppaJ · October 10, 2008 2:42AM

<< "It boggles my mind why sellers worry about feedback so much."

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

A small seller - less than 21 FBs received per month - will be
suspended for 30-days, if he gets one NEG. The same can happen
with two NEUTs.

This has nothing to do with FB% or DSR-stars. It is about the
"customer satisfaction rating;" a screwball formula that EBAY's
cretins have devised to eliminate small sellers.

THOUSANDS of little sellers have depended on EBAY to make
a few dollars each month to help pay their bills.

To those of us that have lots of money, FB may be "small stuff,"
but to MOST little sellers it is a big deal. >>

I think the little sellers, as you call them, have bigger fish to fry if
negative feedbacks are going to put them out of business.

eBay doesn't seem to want them around anyway. If I were one of
the small guys, I'd be looking elsewhere ... not worry about feedback.

PoppaJ

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 4:26AM

<< I'd leave him positive feedback that states that he paid late. Nothing wrong with that. >>

While we may not see anything wrong with it if he or anyone else complains to Ebay they will remove it and possibly suspend the sellers account. A seller cannot leave anything that might be seen as aneutral or negative comment in feedback.

vintagechris · October 10, 2008 5:41AM

<< There are so many poor businessmen on this board it amazes me. Like the guy in another thread who doesn't seem to understand fundamentals about running a business. I suggest to these people buying some books on how to properly run a business and treat your customers.

So your customer paid you a bit late, so the heck what! Give the customer positive feedback and appreciate the fact that he is a customer and you made some money off him. >>

Amen Brother! I am constantly amazed. Do people not realize it is building a large customer base that gets you more bids and in return higher bids for your auctions? So let's block everybody that "harrasses" me about feedback.

vintagechris · October 10, 2008 5:44AM

<< A guy offered to shake my hand yesterday. After thinking really hard about it, I decided not to shake his hand, but instead create a gripe thread in a sports forum. >>

Now that is funny! lol

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 6:01AM

Feedback is OPTIONAL......

DeutscherGeist · October 10, 2008 7:14AM

Just leave positive feedback and do not sweat the small stuff. Look at this way, at least you blocked him. That is your reprisal.

Leave positive feedback, but make it short:

"Thank you for your payment"

Nothing else. It sounds all nice and positive, so it won't get you suspended, but its not like you are praising the buyer with:

Buyer paid! Good communication! Awesome Ebayer. Recommended~ A++++++

When I read short statements for positive feedback, I get a sense that the transaction was made, but nothing to praise about. If that is coupled with a few negs, then I stay away from that ebayer.

mtcards · October 10, 2008 7:25AM

How about...

'Yeah...He paid"

or

"Saved me money. I was using sales to invest in stock, when payment got here, market had already bottomed out"

or

"Pays like a Niekro fastball"

goose3 · October 10, 2008 7:26AM

I wouldn't leave him any and start forwarding all of the stupid jokes and crap you get in your email to him.

grote15 · October 10, 2008 10:40AM

A guy offered to shake my hand yesterday. After thinking really hard about it, I decided not to shake his hand, but instead create a gripe thread in a sports forum.

Jeez, all this about leaving a pos FB that takes two seconds...just ridiculous, IMO.

rube26105 · October 10, 2008 11:11AM

all 42,000+ of mine get the same fb unless i get slapped with something stupid
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++++++- saves on tyipng

Blackborder · October 10, 2008 1:08PM

Leave a positive:

"Lightning fast 17 day payment and constant communication. A+"

PROMETHIUS88 · October 10, 2008 1:13PM

PoppaJ does it the way it is supposed to be done. Buyer pays, you leave them positive feedback... plain and simple. If there is a problem later, deal with it then. At this point, it doesn't matter. If they are going to leave you a neg, it's gonna happen. Good sellers will do the right thing and give you the feedback first. I'm sorry if it offends anyone, but too many d-bags holding feedback hostage these days. I look at it this way. When I go to any store and buy an item, I pay them and I hope to hear the person taking my money say "thank you". I shouldn't be the one saying thank you first. You... as a seller, should be thanking me for my business. I'm not a big seller on ebay, but I have never, ever waited for a buyer to post feedback first. It's just not good business.

+10 for PoppaJ
+9 for all the other sellers that do the same (only less because Poppaj's post is here)

thedutymon · October 10, 2008 1:59PM

Good Evening,
And you just miss the fun!!!!!
A$$$wipe leaves me something along the lines of this thread and I am not going to just sit down and put my head between my legs and kiss something...Not !!!!. Lots of options.....I am the most honest, up front, clearly try and do the right thing Dealer as there is. So if dipwad wants to have fun, I'm down with it.
I have an over 3000 feedback, 100% positive, and have to deal with one A&%hole or more per day to keep it there, it is only a day away from that being gone !!!!!
So there will be no mercy if I can help it. I literally send Free Crap almost every day to keep the hordes at bay, and have a blocked bidder list of over 400, imagine that !!!!
I love selling on E-Bay and interacting with % 99.9 of my customers, it's the other percentage that make me just go...WTF!!!!
Neil

So in otherwards, tell him to take his Feedback and put it where the Sun Don't shine!!!!!

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 2:13PM

I don't see how anyone can call something that is optional being held hostage.

Fact is the buyer has all the power in regards to feedback now so it does not matter when or if a seller leaves it at all. I am now on number 3 in 2 weeks where a buyer emails me and tells me I have to send item first due to all the scammers on Ebay. Many buyers are saying if you don't do this you will make this deal very negative. If you can hold feedback hostage that is how it is done.

thedutymon · October 10, 2008 2:20PM

Kevin,
We have both been held hostage, you have even mentioned it on these boards. The bottom line is the system right now is a Train Wreck for the Seller, end of story.
Hopefully sometime soon it at least swings back a little bit for us Honest Sellers.
Neil

gonzer · October 10, 2008 10:23PM

<< There are so many poor businessmen on this board it amazes me. Like the guy in another thread who doesn't seem to understand fundamentals about running a business. I suggest to these people buying some books on how to properly run a business and treat your customers.

So your customer paid you a bit late, so the heck what! Give the customer positive feedback and appreciate the fact that he is a customer and you made some money off him. >>

In a nutshell Steve.

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 10:32PM

With the new changes announced the other day buyers are now going to have another way to hold sellers hostage on feedback.

Coming soon buyers will be able to CHANGE feedback left. I see it now buyer wins an item gets item leaves neg then tells seller send me 25.00 and I will change the neg.

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 10:35PM

<< 

<< There are so many poor businessmen on this board it amazes me. Like the guy in another thread who doesn't seem to understand fundamentals about running a business. I suggest to these people buying some books on how to properly run a business and treat your customers.

So your customer paid you a bit late, so the heck what! Give the customer positive feedback and appreciate the fact that he is a customer and you made some money off him. >>

In a nutshell Steve.

>>

FEEDBACK IS OPTIONAL. If a buyer cannot follow the terms of the auction he does not deserve feedback nor does he allow need to be on Ebay. Maybe there needs to be a new book about how to run a business in the way Ebay is forcing sellers to. NO REAL BUSINESS WOULD ENDURE THE ABUSE EBAY IS ALLOWING THEIR SELLERS TO ENDURE FROM CUSTOMERS.

vintagechris · October 10, 2008 11:08PM

I don't know, maybe poppaj and I are the minority but I always leave feedback as soon as someone pays, I ship the next day, send them an email that it shipped and I only get maybe one unreasonable buyer a year. I have been doing it this way for years. I leave feedback first because I believe it shows my appreciation for their business and it shows in good faith that you believe as a seller you did everything to make their buying experience a positive one. Most buyers really appreciate that. I believe for every bad buyer out there, there are thousands of good ones who are looking for sellers who do things the right way so they can be regular customers to them. I know for me personally as a buyer, I have a little more respect for the seller that leaves feedback first. It shows me their intentions were good. I mean if someone is going to scam a seller, it isn't going to matter if a seller leaves feedback or not.

Leaving feedback IS an option. So is saying please and thank you. So is wowing the customer. So is trying to build a friendly, trusting relationship with your buyers.

Leiascards · October 10, 2008 11:20PM

I have run a fairly successful restaurant for nearly 8 years now and if a customer ,I don't care how much money they spend, tried some to the crap Ebay sellers are allowed to endure they would not be allowed back in the store.

Even before the feedback change there were literally hundreds of things that could go wrong in a transaction AFTER the buyer paid. I used to leave feedback first, but learned a lesson the hard way about that. There was a buyer he is now NARU, who bought 4 items from 4 different sellers. He paid and immediatly relisted the items for more than he bought them for, no problem with that. 3 of the items did not sell. He then demanded refunds on the 3 items that did not sell NON of us refunded him anything guess who the only seller from the group to get a neg was? Me, because I left it first. The other 2 sellers got nothing for feedback since they never left any.

Blackborder · October 11, 2008 12:11AM

There always seems to be 2 schools of thought. 1. The customer is always right. 2. There are some customers you don't want.

Southwest Airlines built a successful busines on #2.

grote15 · October 11, 2008 3:13AM

I'm just surprised that this thread is still going..Feedback is optional, yes, but why not just take a second and leave a positive for a buyer who paid in good funds (albeit a couple days late) and who has already left the seller positive feedback? It's just ridiculous to try and justify why you should not do this.

WinPitcher · October 11, 2008 3:45AM

I agree with Grote, however did the buyer in this case leave positive feedback?

Not sure he did.

Steve

storm888 · October 11, 2008 4:00AM

"...I mean if someone is going to scam a seller, it isn't going to matter if a seller leaves feedback or not...."

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

That is at the heart of EBAY's current FB scheme.

It was devised out of game-theory, and it makes perfect sense.

"When a player can neither gain nor lose by taking an action, he
will usually take the action."

Currently, sellers lose NOTHING by leaving FB immediately on payment.
Before May 19, they lost the "MAD option" of leaving a NEG for a NEG.
Once that option was removed, there was no risk and no reward for
sellers to withhold FB. (Although one can argue that the "risk" is now
that a PSYCHO buyer will NEG a seller who fails to leave prompt FB.)

Ebay buyer harrassing me about sending feedback

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