Is eBay doing enough to protect mental health of eBayers from abusive people?

[bluestocking2]

The only things one appears to be able to report are matters associated with buying and selling. But it appears to me that platforms these days have responsibility for policing bad behaviour, and it is possible for eBay to receive reports and penalise abusive people, so why is there not a way to report abuse and vilification? Referring people on the issues page to "go to the police" is not appropriate unless threats are being made. But what about abuse? This platform is about buying and selling, and there are enough protections built in now that there is no need (never has been) for people to be abusive and nasty, all correspondence should be polite and reasonable. So when abusive feedback (alleging bad character) or abusive messages are sent to someone, and there is no way to report this as all the report options refer specifically to buying/selling issues, is eBay opening themselves up to litigation as negligent?  I'd hope mental health is being regarded as important these days, and eBay portray themselves as not tolerating bad behaviour. So where is the evidence of that? One abusive message to someone maligning their character should see you banned for a period or your account struck off. And is neg feedback left by these people, maligning character, legitimately left on? That's not feedback, it's abuse. 

[padi*0409]

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@bluestocking2 wrote:

And is neg feedback left by these people, maligning character, legitimately left on? That's not feedback, it's abuse. 

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Your feedback left for the buyer that gave you the neg breaches feedback policy, and could earn you a slap if the buyer reports it.

[jellybirddesigns]

Personally, I wouldn't get into any type of argument with the buyer (I did think there was a "report" button for abuse?). If contacted with disappointment, just apologise and tell them you'll refund once it is returned. It is a well known fact that buyers seldom read descriptions or look beyond the first 2 photographs. If they open a case for Not as Described, then just send a label and get your item back.

If it is not in the same condition you sent it out in, you are entitled to reduce the amount refunded. Look in the seller section for the flow chart of how to do this. You need to be rated Above Standard.

Also, I would definitely remove the blurb you have added into some of your listings about leaving Ebay. Other buyers don't care and it would put many off purchasing, which will make it harder to sell what you have left.

Some of your clothing is missing measurements. I looked at one skirt which was just "M", with no details.

Lastly, any response to negative feedback should take FUTURE buyers into account. It's too easy to have a knee jerk reaction, but if you have made a mistake, just own up to it and write something that the next buyer would be reassured by. 

[gutterpunkz05]

You can complain to ebay CS via live chat, about anything.  do some research about what is allowed in feedback and what you can get removed.

As padi said, re the false positive you left, the buyer can simply ask for your FB and/or comment to be removed.  (They can still keep the green dot).

Re the negs you have received, I have a vague recollection that you should request removal of  FB and/or comment, prior to replying to the FB.   I could be wrong on that point or it may have changed.

Anyway you have options provided by ebay, but if your mental health is somewhat fragile, then online trading might not be in your best interest.

[lezned-toycollector]

Saying you can't report abuse and vilification is not in the slightest bit true. There is an avenue offered for reporting anything you like... anything!

If you feel the need to report anybody, you can always do it through live chat - simples 😊

Now how on Earth did I ever think of that? 😯

[bluestocking2]

I offered full refund, she refused, because in the end this is not about what the garment is like, what it's not like, what went wrong, it's about anger, inappropriate behaviour, character assassination... does she have the right to do this? To tell everyone I did something purposely? That I'm dishonest? No - that's a potential civil suit.  It's in the public domain. I'm not fussed about future buyers, I'll take everything off and leave - I'm fussed about bullying. Someone has to stand up and she's done it to others. 

[bluestocking2]

The issues given to a seller to report abuse and character assassination don't exist. You can report only on sales issues. I will however be ringing them tomorrow - I don't mind the neg feedback, but noone has the right to assassinate my character in the public domain and I will be seeking redress if it's not removed. I note she's done same to others. She's a bully, and comments I'm reading about my being fragile are not true. I'm not fragile. I stand up to bullies.  

[bluestocking2]

My metal health is not fragile that I can't stand up to a bully - the last time I let them win was when I was a teenager. I don't think it's good advice to tell people to shrug it off. I know all about feedback and the policies. However character assassination is not pulled off feedback comments, and this is where the trouble lies. It's the public domain. Neg fb doesn't bother me. Being able to malign someone personally does. I'm running this all the way on behalf of other victims of uncontrollable anger. You should read the messages I'm getting from her. 

[padi*0409]

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@bluestocking2 wrote:

..........................it's about anger, inappropriate behaviour, character assassination... does she have the right to do this? 

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That's very much like the pot calling the kettle black.

Good luck with a law suit - you're going to need it, and have deep pockets................

Careful when you talk to eBay, if they see that feedback you left for the buyer it's you that'll get the slapping.

[bluestocking2]

I know all about ebay policy, I've been on for many many years.  I don't think you've read my complaint or issue carefully.  This is not about neg feedback. Or measurements on listings. Or not owning up. I always offer full refunds. It's about abuse. Folks - abuse should not be accepted!! I won't be told I'm fragile, or that we should turn a blind eye - NO!! Speak and write reasonably and politely, or face potential civil action if in the public domain. This would not happen on Facebook these days, personal abuse would be removed, I'll be making sure any feedback left is edited to remove abuse and I'll be asking what happens to people who send nasty messages. Ebay is about clothes folks, not my personal character, and I won't tolerate bullies - I'm not the only one she's targeted. Someone has to stand up.