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@digital*ghost wrote:
... I'd leave it at "Many thanks for your purchase. Please contact me if there are any problems"...
I don't even say that much. I just thank them and then tell them I've posted their items. I haven't checked lately to see what percentage leave feedback but it'd be around 70% (used to be 75% but I'm finding less bother these days. I wouldn't care about receiving feedback if it wasn't for the fact that one idiot buyer can do a lot more damage if less buyers leave it overall.
If I get a note saying to contact a seller if there are any problems it always makes me wonder whether they expect there to be problems and I'm not as comfortable as I would have been if they hadn't said it. I have confidence in my products and I don't expect problems so I don't like to create that sort of expectation with my buyers. There are probably some products that it might be appropriate to say it, but generally I'd expect things to be checked before I buy them.
In the same way I'm always wary of sellers who make a point of saying in their descriptions saying problems can always be sorted - makes me wonder whether they just list as quickly as possible and sort problems later (if buyers bother asking). I've been watching one seller who's got mistakes galore in her listings and she repeats the bit about sorting things amicably two or three times - she'd be better spending her time checking things properly before she lists them than sorting problems afterward. I run a mile when I see this sort of comment, same as I run a mile when people say "I list to the best of my ability". I even saw one the other day that said they list as well as their failing eyesight allows. 
@englishrosegardens wrote:
@digital*ghost wrote:
... I'd leave it at "Many thanks for your purchase. Please contact me if there are any problems"...
I don't even say that much. I just thank them and then tell them I've posted their items. I haven't checked lately to see what percentage leave feedback but it'd be around 70% (used to be 75% but I'm finding less bother these days. I wouldn't care about receiving feedback if it wasn't for the fact that one idiot buyer can do a lot more damage if less buyers leave it overall.
If I get a note saying to contact a seller if there are any problems it always makes me wonder whether they expect there to be problems and I'm not as comfortable as I would have been if they hadn't said it. I have confidence in my products and I don't expect problems so I don't like to create that sort of expectation with my buyers. There are probably some products that it might be appropriate to say it, but generally I'd expect things to be checked before I buy them.
In the same way I'm always wary of sellers who make a point of saying in their descriptions saying problems can always be sorted - makes me wonder whether they just list as quickly as possible and sort problems later (if buyers bother asking). I've been watching one seller who's got mistakes galore in her listings and she repeats the bit about sorting things amicably two or three times - she'd be better spending her time checking things properly before she lists them than sorting problems afterward. I run a mile when I see this sort of comment, same as I run a mile when people say "I list to the best of my ability". I even saw one the other day that said they list as well as their failing eyesight allows.
englishrosegardens - thank you for your comments - I like the idea that less might be more in this case.
At the end of the generic spiel I put on all my listings re postage, pickups, payments etc I include the phrase "If you are unhappy or disappointed with your purchase please contact me before leaving negative or neutral feedback as I would like an opportunity to address any concerns. I do my best to describe things accurately".
Perhaps that is enough to indicate that I am a reasonable, approachable seller without further referencing it in my "packing slip" message - especially, as it seems from this thread, that any mention of 'feedback' raises the hackles of a few and has no effect on the rest.
@englishrosegardens wrote:
If I get a note saying to contact a seller if there are any problems it always makes me wonder whether they expect there to be problems and I'm not as comfortable as I would have been if they hadn't said it. I have confidence in my products and I don't expect problems so I don't like to create that sort of expectation with my buyers. There are probably some products that it might be appropriate to say it, but generally I'd expect things to be checked before I buy them.
In the same way I'm always wary of sellers who make a point of saying in their descriptions saying problems can always be sorted - makes me wonder whether they just list as quickly as possible and sort problems later (if buyers bother asking). I've been watching one seller who's got mistakes galore in her listings and she repeats the bit about sorting things amicably two or three times - she'd be better spending her time checking things properly before she lists them than sorting problems afterward. I run a mile when I see this sort of comment, same as I run a mile when people say "I list to the best of my ability". I even saw one the other day that said they list as well as their failing eyesight allows.
Do you feel the same way about eBay and PayPal's protection policies? (As in, because eBay plastered the MBG advertising on every page, do you feel like that's undermining their sellers and putting the expectation of problematic transactions on the table before people even start browsing - genuine question, because I personally would prefer eBay highlighted / drew attention to more positive things first).
But... in all reality, and the seller with error-filled listings that you mention aside, most of those kinds of statements on listings, or on invoices, notes etc, are usually intended to inspire confidence, and/or work as defence mechanisms, not lazy failsafes.
By defence mechanism, I mean for every seller who just wants their buyers to know they'll sort out something if an issue occurs, there's at least one who's had a no-contact neg or neut and doesn't know what else to do to get people to at least notify them of a problem so that something can be done about it. For every seller who does get a message from a buyer who notifies them of a problem, but is understanding and/or forgiving about it, there's at least one other seller who gets a message that's all guns blazing and assumes whatever issue occurred was intentional or at least all the seller's fault. It's undertsandable for people to start wondering what the best way is to try and counter that kind of behaviour.
And really, what other options are there, other than to say nothing at all? Lots of businesses have money-back guarantees that cover all of the same kinds of consumer complaints that occur on ebay, but perhaps it's just how they word and/or present it that stops people from assuming the worst when the see it. eg Coles have something like "we're not happy unless you're happy", and offer unconditional money back guarantees, but I certainly don't avoid them because of that, so I wouldn't avoid a seller on ebay who tries to make it clear they'll listen to me if there's a problem. 😉
@samjess54 wrote:
@englishrosegardens wrote:
@digital*ghost wrote:
... I'd leave it at "Many thanks for your purchase. Please contact me if there are any problems"...
I don't even say that much. I just thank them and then tell them I've posted their items. I haven't checked lately to see what percentage leave feedback but it'd be around 70% (used to be 75% but I'm finding less bother these days. I wouldn't care about receiving feedback if it wasn't for the fact that one idiot buyer can do a lot more damage if less buyers leave it overall.
If I get a note saying to contact a seller if there are any problems it always makes me wonder whether they expect there to be problems and I'm not as comfortable as I would have been if they hadn't said it. I have confidence in my products and I don't expect problems so I don't like to create that sort of expectation with my buyers. There are probably some products that it might be appropriate to say it, but generally I'd expect things to be checked before I buy them.
In the same way I'm always wary of sellers who make a point of saying in their descriptions saying problems can always be sorted - makes me wonder whether they just list as quickly as possible and sort problems later (if buyers bother asking). I've been watching one seller who's got mistakes galore in her listings and she repeats the bit about sorting things amicably two or three times - she'd be better spending her time checking things properly before she lists them than sorting problems afterward. I run a mile when I see this sort of comment, same as I run a mile when people say "I list to the best of my ability". I even saw one the other day that said they list as well as their failing eyesight allows.
englishrosegardens - thank you for your comments - I like the idea that less might be more in this case.
At the end of the generic spiel I put on all my listings re postage, pickups, payments etc I include the phrase "If you are unhappy or disappointed with your purchase please contact me before leaving negative or neutral feedback as I would like an opportunity to address any concerns. I do my best to describe things accurately".
Perhaps that is enough to indicate that I am a reasonable, approachable seller without further referencing it in my "packing slip" message - especially, as it seems from this thread, that any mention of 'feedback' raises the hackles of a few and has no effect on the rest.
What an interesting thread. I guess it really highlights, as sellers we all think differently, just as I am sure all buyers do 
Perhaps one of those situations where you can't please all the people all the time, so you just have to do what you feel most comfortable with and what gives you the best or more positive results.
Similarly samjess, I have the following at the end of all my listings :
Customer satisfaction, service & the quality of items offered is of prime importance, so please, if you are not happy for any reason, before leaving Neutral or Negative Feedback, please contact me as we are sure to find a mutually agreeable solution. Thank you ......
It never occurred to me this may be seen as englishrose interprets it (no offence intended englishrose - I can see your point ), but likewise, I have confidence in what I offer and include the comments to try and give buyers confidence that I am approachable and willing to sort out any problem that may arise rather than have them think they need to open a case as their first option.
That said, the few problems I have had the buyers have contacted me via message and they have been easily sorted. In actual fact, most of them were buyers questioning how to open the bracelets to put them on, which was great, because I now include a little printed photo diagram of how to use the bracelet clips and stopper clips, which I see as extra customer service.
I also include a similar message to the one in my listings on my invoice, again to be reassuring and I don't have it on my packing slip. I have care instructions on the bottom of the packing slip.
To be honest, I actually figured most buyers probably don't read the entire listing or the notes on the invoice 
Edit : well said as usual digi (I'm such a slow typer)
