Mutually fair feedback

[mewzishen]

It seems that sellers always want, expect or ask for 5 star feedback, and sometimes I find this awkward if I'm giving fair (to myself) and honest (with the seller) feedback. Quite often the item description is very little or even nothing, and sometimes inadequate or even useless, whatever length it is. That can only rate 1 star, and even that would be a gift in some instances. Communication -- well sometimes there isn't any. I pay for the item(s), they are shipped, I get an email to say so from the merchant, and eventually I receive it. Does that rate 5 stars -- very satisfied? At least 4 -- I am satisfied to the extent that it was adequate and I'm happy. So I am just simply "satisfied". And how quickly a seller posts and item varies quite a bit. Most of my content here relates to Chinese websites, where item descriptions are little or nothing, and often gibberish if anything of substance; communication between English and Mandarin doesn't always go too well; and postage can be within a day or two, or up to two weeks in one instance. So 5 stars are often not warranted, meaning not really fair to myself if I had difficulties -- but sellers expect 5 stars. I rate within a few days as "quickly", not "very quickly". That, to me, means same day or next morning. So in most, and nearly all cases, 4 stars is fair enough for the dispatch times I see. As with communication satisfaction, the dispatch times are adequate and I'm happy -- 4 stars. And then postage costs -- how can I determine if the cost is reasonable or not? I don't always know what the weight of it is, or probably didn't notice, and don't know the postage rates in their country. I have no idea if it is reasonable or not -- so a very neutral stance. So 4 stars for postage costs is generous when I don't have a clue. 3 stars would be fair to myself.
So, in most cases these sellers only deserve 4 stars for each of the feedback criteria, and if they don't get 5 stars every time they are not happy, and don't always give positive feedback to the buyer even when payment is made immediately through PayPal. Payback in kind it seems. They seem more concerned with having good feedback for the sake of their business, not whether they deserve to get 5 stars.
So giving fair and reasonable feedback ratings is very difficult when 4 stars IS fair and reasonable but 5 stars are always expected as a given, no matter how bad their service is. The star rating system is supposed to entice them to lift their game, and that doesn't happen if they get 5 stars undeservedly.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

Quite often the item description is very little or even nothing, and sometimes inadequate or even useless, whatever length it is. That can only rate 1 star, and even that would be a gift in some instances 

simple, don't buy from these listings that have such poor descriptions

[foxette-in-sox]

BBL :O:O

[shoesonthegoau]

I'm wondering if you understand just how detrimental giving low stars can be to a business. If you purchased an item the by the description that was on the listing then you made that call. No body held a gun to your head. In regards to communication ebay prefer we don't co music ate because appharently that is what they say the buyer wants. If we don't communicate with you we get an automatic 5 stars.  A business I only allowed to have 0.5 low stars that is 5 in every 1000. I think you will find yourself on a lot of bbl list for this post. I understand where you are calming from bto do i you understand the damage you are doing by over analysing if you got you item speedily you got what you paid for then you should be 5 stars happy. Over analysing every tiny bit destrobusinesses anget here ate a lot of sellers doing it tough he cause of is exact issueissue

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

mewzishen, you really should try selling some items.  It is a lot of fun and you can get some dosh for stuff you no longer use.  You get to deal with some really great buyers who will help you with tons of advice about what they look for in a seller.  That will make you a better seller too.  It will give you a sellers perspective of eBaying, which I find the best experience on which to rate a seller when awarding DSR ratings.  Go on, list a few things, just two for starters, you'll love the interations with buyers.

[jensmanchester-australia]

Ebay don't consider 4 stars fair and reasonable - they expect a seller to maintain an average of 4.4 stars otherwise sellers are penalised by ebay.

[shoesonthegoau]

Sorry dam auto correct hope you can make that out 

[lynnie3024]

You could save your save a lot of angst OP if you simply didn't leave any feedback or DSRs at all...they are voluntary...no-one, buyer or seller has to leave feedback if they choose not too.

Definitely one for the BBL..

[shoesonthegoau]

It's actually going to be 4.5 at the start of August so even hoarder for us sellers 

[eddierules10]

Same day or next morning = very quick!!

Not all sellers are 'businesses', not all sellers can get to the P.O every day.

If the listing says to allow 3 days to post...and it was posted on the 3rd day...that is still within the time agreed to when purchased...so why should a seller be penalised with lower than ebay accepted DSR standard...if they post when they said they would.