topic Re: Feedback Star Ratings in Buying

Feedback Star Ratings

shoppingbag* — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:33:43 GMT

Regarding these ratings, I wont be relying on eBay Purchase History in future to rate Sellers on how long they take to send an item.

Could Sellers please tell me what they consider fair in regard to what is quick, and what is slow etc.etc. I will not ask other buyers as I realize some are unrealistic in their expectations. I would like some sensible and reasonable expectations from Sellers on this, and some sort of guidelines. I have asked eBay, with no results. Your input would be appreciated.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

protect*the*innocent — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:44:06 GMT

Check the seller's stated handling time. If they posted the item within the specified handling time then it should be 5 stars, no question.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

motherbear2003 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:46:14 GMT

Because I make 99.99% of what I sell I have a 3 business days handling time which is stated on every listing:-) however we all know a large percentage of buyers don't read the listing - they just look at the pretty picture:|

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

koalablue12 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:45:01 GMT

If I receive pmt for an order prior to 2pm - I send that day, after 2pm it is sent the next day, weekends of course, I send Monday. But that is because I am in a position to do so. The one thing all buyers need to understand is no matter how quickly we send, it is up to AP or the Courier we use, to get it there quickly. What makes me laugh is that if you were to buy from a mail order catalogue - 28 days for delivery is not uncommon, yet on eBay, 28 hours seems to be a punishable offence. Go figure!

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

*sparklz* — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:12:42 GMT

Same as KB except I will post items paid for the same day up till 4:45 as the PO closes at 5pm.

Some times I will do 2 or 3 trips to the PO as the moment payment shows I pack and post straight away.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

flotsam-jetsom — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:22:12 GMT

If I receive my item within 10days -2 weeks, in good condition - 5 stars and positive feedback, why does everyone have to be in such a rush, if it is that urgent, bye at a B&M

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

thesoulyearns — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:31:09 GMT

Could Sellers please tell me what they consider fair in regard to what is quick, and what is slow etc.etc.

It may depend on what you're selling. I have sold CDs and a DVD recently, within Australia, and all arrived within 5 business days. This coincides with the standard delivery time specificed by Aus Post.

As a buyer also, to be honest I don't mind too much about delivery time. If I was buying from someone in Australia and they shipped on Monday, I'd be happy if it was delivered by Friday but would have no qualms if it came early the next week. If the product is good, it can make things like delivery time seem less important.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

phorum_junkie* — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:31:52 GMT

I didn't know koalas suffered from PMT, my sympathies.

I don't expect any seller to have 5 stars for anything.

As a seller I post same or next day depending on what time payment is received and I do that because it is good customer service, it has nothing to do with how many stars they will or will not leave me.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

extra-keen — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:43:47 GMT

I mail out all items paid for before 10.30am that day, payment in later than that, following day. Our local PO has mail pick up at 2.00pm.

it is then up to Australia Post to do their bit, from 2 to 8 days depending upon where the item is going.

I have had a couple of items take a month to go from point a in Australia to point b in Australia - I think they might have gone via Venice....

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

banjo_99 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:03:48 GMT

If I receive my item within 10days -2 weeks, in good condition - 5 stars and positive feedback, why does everyone have to be in such a rush, if it is that urgent, bye at a B&M

Exactly,, I post 2 days week, Tuesday and Friday, as that is the only days we have a mail service.....but again it depends also on how long it takes Aust Post to deliver......I also make 99% of my items and have a 2 day postage time, ......

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

crypsynight — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:06:42 GMT

I also post same day if possible, otherwise the following day.

And I have always done this - even before DSRs were introduced, as it is good customer service.

But when a customer gives you 1 star for Postage Time for an item that was paid on Sunday, posted on Monday, and took 10 days to get from one side of Australia to the other (which, really isnt that unreasonable, even if slightly slow), it is utterly depressing - especially knowing that there is no way you can improve or fix the problem.

Maybe i do take my stars a little seriously - but they are my stars that reflect my selling performance (or so ebay leads you to believe).

From a buyer point of view, I would use a little of both.

See how quickly they post in their item description, and see if it is reflected in their stars - within reason ie. taking into account the twits out their that do leave unwarranted low stars.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

at_wicks_end — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:09:59 GMT

Thesoulyearns. You are a seller yet you too do not understand how the ratings work.

It is NOT how long it takes to get to you. It is how long THE SELLER TAKES TO POST the item. That is what buyers are being asked to rate. NOT how long Australia Post takes to get it to you.

With myself, I make up most of my items upon payment. They are posted asap. My buyers are notified of this.

I would think that, like stated up above, as long as the item is posted within the Handling time stated by the seller, then it should be 5 stars, even if Australia Post take 2 months to get it to you.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

thesoulyearns — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:33:49 GMT

Thesoulyearns. You are a seller yet you too do not understand how the ratings work.

It is NOT how long it takes to get to you. It is how long THE SELLER TAKES TO POST the item. That is what buyers are being asked to rate. NOT how long Australia Post takes to get it to you.

Thanks for reminding me and good point. Aus Post can provide tracking, Express, Registered Post and the like at an extra cost ontop of a standard mail item... but if an item is sent by standard mail without any additional features, can the seller or Aus Post provide definitive proof (to be related back to the buyer) of the exact posting date?

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

crypsynight — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:40:59 GMT

Thanks for reminding me and good point. Aus Post can provide tracking, Express, Registered Post and the like at an extra cost ontop of a standard mail item... but if an item is sent by standard mail without any additional features, can the seller or Aus Post provide definitive proof (to be related back to the buyer) of the exact posting date?

Not really, which is why i always notify the buyer when his item has been posted.

Plus i have a mail register that records everything i post each day.

Also, assuming the buyer gets his mail eventually, in most cases it should be date stamped as to when it was posted.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

digital*ghost — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 11:52:14 GMT

if it is that urgent, bye at a B&M

Sound words.

Perhaps interestingly, on the information pages with the announcements of all the recent and upcoming changes, particularly to the TRS requirements, one of the reasons eBay state for their push towards sellers offering express is so that buyers can get the same instant gratification that they do when buying from a B&M.

What can I say to that but *sigh*

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

thesoulyearns — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:41:02 GMT

Not really, which is why i always notify the buyer when his item has been posted.

Plus i have a mail register that records everything i post each day.

Also, assuming the buyer gets his mail eventually, in most cases it should be date stamped as to when it was posted.

Yes, I generally do that too. It's good for Communication stars too, not that that's the reason why - just nice to let them know.

I bought a bunch of CD mailers and they were all stamped (with something, not sure what) on the day of purchase. I don't think they get stamped again. So, if you want proof of postage on a certain date, it's probably get to make sure it's date stamped on the day of postage and not on the day of purchasing the packaging - if the dates differ. Otherwise, tracking should be added to your postage price for an extra $1 or so, so they have proof that it was lodged and can follow its delivery if it indeed does take longer to arrive.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:15:48 GMT

I believe what is reasonable is a seller posting within their specified handling time, whatever that may be.

Some sellers hand make their items to order, in which case what is reasonable will vary depending on how long it would take to make the item with some allowance for actual "handling" once it is complete. Other sellers may not live near a post office, so it is not cost effective for them to post more than once or twice a week. Others may have mobility issues and so forth.

In many instances a buyer wll have no idea when an item is actually posted, and will merely rely on a seller to post as stated in the listing. Click and send flags parcels as posted as soon as they are processed (a feature I dislike). This does not equate to an item being posted.

I find Australia Post are generally very reliable and for the most part deliver within the estimated timeframes. Unfortunately on the rare occasion items are delayed in the mail.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

protect*the*innocent — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:22:20 GMT

cryps : nothing wrong with taking your star ratings seriously. In fact any volume seller should take them seriously because any rating less than 5 stars directly affects your percentages which, in turn, affects your TRS which, in turn, affects your visibility in site search results.

On our selling ID we have had buyers leave us glowing positive comments about fast postage but ding our star ratings as low as 1 or 2 for postage time (!!) -- it's negging by stealth in my opinion. But what can we do really? Not much.. except keep giving the best customer service you can and improving when needed 😄

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

kayedonproducts — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:47:37 GMT

I have within 2 business days on my listings. My health sometimes lets me down so that is why I have 2 days - do try and post in one though.

I email buyers when they have purchased items and state my postage time and advise I will confirm postage & also if there will be a delay, which I do.

My stars go up and down like a yo yo, but have never had really low ones - well not yet anyway.

I do the best I can and hope buyers are understanding, which thankfully the majority of mine are.

Re: Feedback Star Ratings

davewil1964 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:31:45 GMT

Thesoulyearns. You are a seller yet you too do not understand how the ratings work.

It is NOT how long it takes to get to you. It is how long THE SELLER TAKES TO POST the item. That is what buyers are being asked to rate. NOT how long Australia Post takes to get it to you.

Unfortunately buyers don't seem to realise that, so de facto the ratings tend to be reliant on AP.

I quote 2 business days and generally post the same or the next day, depending on time bought and work hours.

I still don't have 5 for postage time, though.