What feedback should I give?

[wifetoalfred]

I won some clothes. 9 days after paying with Paypal I got an email notifying me that the Seller had been to sick to send the items till that day. Should I give a neutral? I understand being sick and there being a few days delay but it was 9 days. She didn't say she had been in hospital but had been too sick to post till then.

[cq_tech]

I have just recovered from 3 weeks of the worst cold I've ever experienced, and for much of the time, I could barely move let alone leave the house, and whilst I understand your being slightly miffed that it's taken longer than expected for your items to have been posted, would it really hurt to give her the benefit of the doubt?

If you're still ambivalent when the goods arrive, consider not leaving any feedback at all.

[belindabargainhunter]

I've had the same happen. wait and see if posted today and you receive pretty quick and items as described I'd give a positive. I think that the fact they contacted shows they are trying to do the right thing and sometimes things do happen.

[nicole-n-daz]

Definetly give positive,especially if your items are as described,

[chezzy]

They must have been really really sick if they couldn't send a one line message via email/mobile explaining the delay. I would hate to keep people waiting and would

crawl to my computer to atleast send an update (something that is even easier for

people who have mobile email). It's a tricky one, sickness can throw a spanner in

the works but at the same time it is nice to communicate with your transaction

partner.

[a_beautiful_room]

Pretty tough to judge. Nine days is a bit too long .. I probably wouldn't give any feedback at all. Only a neutral if the goods were sub-standard.

[kayedonproducts]

If the clothes arrive soon and all is fine I would leave a positive. 

As a seller and chronic migraine sufferer I have a lot of sympathy for sellers who are ill.  I try and advise buyers ASAP but sometimes it's difficult to even think about getting to the computer, let alone send an email.  Sometimes, I will also ring.  My mobile is only very basic, so can't send emails with that. 

I have been blessed with my understanding buyers who leave me positive feedback, so would do the same myself for any seller who has been ill. 

[janeababe]

yeah, well I'm going against the grain here.

I think 9 days to post is understandable PROVIDING the seller informed the buyer first!

BUT, since they did not, and are only informing the buyer now that they have been sick and only posting items now, then that's just not good business in my books.

I would be peeved. REALLY PEEVED.

Unless they were hospitalised without any form of contact to the EBAY world, then ok, but since this was not mentioned, then I doubt they have been that sick, that could not turn on their computer even for 5 mins to contact their buyers! Their PAID UP BUYERS!

If clothes arrive as described, I would leave a Neutral: eg: As described, but seller delayed postage for 9 days without contact.

If clothes not as described, I would leave a Negative: eg: 9 days to post items. Uncommunicative seller. INAD.

Then take it from there. However, in the end, its up to you  🙂  Its your transaction.

[dotcomdotayu]

Umm, why are so many of you quick to say "don't leave any feedback" or "give the benefit of the doubt, leave positive".

Why have a feedback system?

That's what neutral and negative feedback and DSR are for.

This seller may have been unwell. That's unfortunate. It's also unfortunate that THIS transaction wasn't exactly a POSITIVE one. 9 days to even get the items in the post? That's not a positive transaction. Nor is it a buyers problem as to WHY it took so long.

Now I'm a seller, so don't jump on your bandwagons here but use the feedback system for what it was designed for.

OP, you asked is a neutral warranted? If you needed to ask, you already have your answer. Feedback is supposed to be based on how YOU felt the transaction went as a whole. Trust your gut. It's rarely wrong.

[pinktoedannie]

Umm, why are so many of you quick to say "don't leave any feedback" or "give the benefit of the doubt, leave positive".

Why have a feedback system?

That's what neutral and negative feedback and DSR are for.

This seller may have been unwell. That's unfortunate. It's also unfortunate that THIS transaction wasn't exactly a POSITIVE one. 9 days to even get the items in the post? That's not a positive transaction. Nor is it a buyers problem as to WHY it took so long.

Now I'm a seller, so don't jump on your bandwagons here but use the feedback system for what it was designed for.

OP, you asked is a neutral warranted? If you needed to ask, you already have your answer. Feedback is supposed to be based on how YOU felt the transaction went as a whole. Trust your gut. It's rarely wrong.

Back when feedback was just that, something people read to get an idea of the seller I would agree with you.

  Now it takes very little for a seller to be demoted in search results and to have limits placed on their account (either limiting numbers they can list, or preventing them listing altogether). 

This is regardless of having above 98% positive feedback.  Neutrals unfortunately do affect a sellers standing with ebay.

As such, buyers now need to ask themselves: Is this worth ruining a sellers business over? Possibly preventing them from having an income?

In this case the seller was at least honest - they could have come up with any excuse. And if you get the item now, it is still pretty good.  9 days would include a weekend, so 7 working days so far.  If you get it in 9-10 working days is that so bad?  Maybe it's best not to leave feedback in that case, so you don't add to their score, but you also don't negatively impact their business over something relatively trivial.