seller wants to "trade" feedback!

[11colin999]

I received a note with my purchase that included the statement "It would be great to trade positive feedback with you". The seller has not left feedback for me as yet. I have always assumed, based on feedback left for myself as a buyer, that feedback was based on how I conducted the transaction, and not based on the feedback I left for the seller, which I base on the manner that the seller conducts the transaction.

The inference that the seller will leave me positive feedback if I leave them positive feedback is abhorrent to me. I would be interested to hear other buyers opinion on this matter.

Colin.

[padi*0409]

If they tried that with me they'd get a neutral or neg with something like "Here's the feedback you demanded".

[sandypebbles]

If you find it abhorrent, report them for feedback extortion

Personally, I would ignore them

We all know feedback is voluntary , and we all know buyers can only be left positive feedback (or no feedback at all) so it is meaningless in any case 

[*casey*]

The feedback discussions / debates  have been around forever.

Who leaves feedback first ?

Is buyers' (only) feedback important ?

And then feedback became one sided in 2008 when sellers could only leave positive for buyers.

A seller relies on good feedback, feedback %, star ratings etc

Seller notes in parcels can also be misinterpreted.

We all read  into and write things differently.

Your  note  received

It would be great to trade positive feedback with you

Your reaction:

The inference that the seller will leave me positive feedback if I leave them positive feedback is abhorrent to me

And knowing the greater importance of feedback for a seller

A recent note in one of my parcels:

Please leave 5 stars and positive feedback

My reaction

Of course, why wouldn't  I ?

[countessalmirena]

I leave negative feedback when the sale itself has gone egregiously wrong. This is rare in my experience, but I have been careful in my purchases, which lowers the risk of a bad transaction.

A neutral is also rare for me.

In my view, this seller’s note is not worded as well as it could be. However, I would probably not give feedback at all. I might send a message saying “Thank you for my order #xxx.

Could I pass on a suggestion viz. the note included? When the words “trade feedback” are used, it may convey a idea of a quid pro quo instead of honest assessment, so I thought a more effective way of requesting feedback would be Thank you for your purchase. If you’re happy with this transaction, your positive feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you again.

Regards,

[name]”

But that’s iffy. Some sellers would undoubtedly take offence at even a hint that they might get better results by rewording a particular communication.

[*casey*]

In regards to wording,  let's  hope no  buyers  (new or otherwise)  take offence at

eBay's wording of their  messages and punish a seller in their feedback,  not realising  it hasn't been sent by the seller

Title of message

eBay

Please provide Feedback for your eBay items

Top of page in big bold:

There are items awaiting your Feedback

First Line

Leaving Feedback is an important part of buying and selling on eBay.

There's no mention of  the word  "voluntary" anywhere

[sandypebbles]

True (though we know better)

But it also says that is an important of buying and selling

Given buyers can only get positive feedback, it means nothing for buyers

Plus then there is the positive feedback that eBay bots automatically take it upon themselves to insert (again, means nothing)

And when a seller gets an unjustified neg, eBay will say yes, because it was the 'buyers experience'

(even if they buyer was/is lying through their teeth) 

[lezned-toycollector]

---

@*casey* wrote:

In regards to wording,  let's  hope no  buyers  (new or otherwise)  take offence at

eBay's wording of their  messages and punish a seller in their feedback,  not realising  it hasn't been sent by the seller

Title of message

eBay

Please provide Feedback for your eBay items

Top of page in big bold:

There are items awaiting your Feedback

First Line

Leaving Feedback is an important part of buying and selling on eBay.

There's no mention of  the word  "voluntary" anywhere

---

I have received 3 negs as a result of that message... all of which stated along the lines of - haven't received it yet, and/or here's the feedback you asked for. Each of those buyers had dozens and dozens of red dots with similar comments in their feedback left, showing a clear pattern of feedback abuse.

I also got a neutral once, saying the experience created by feedback begging is not positive.

From over 50,000 sales, I've never asked for feedback - nor do I leave it.

Given that the comments I received did not relate to any of my transactions, it took but a few minutes to have each unwarranted feedback removed.

[springyzone]

I think it is a case of clumsy wording.

I have sometimes (though not in recent years) received a note in my parcel that says something along the lines countess suggested-If you are happy with this purchase, we would appreciate it if you could leave positive feedback. If you are unhappy in any way, please contact us.

I have never taken offence because I think feedback is relevant for a seller and of course they would prefer positive feedback.

I suspect the seller in this case is saying-hope you are happy with your transaction and if so, leave positive feedback and I'll do the same for you. But it is a bit heavier handed than that,  and I can see why a buyer would get their back up.

I don't think you'll get any feedback until you have given it. In a way yes, jockeying for feedback. But there are many, many other sellers who do exactly the same (only give feedback after they have received a positive from that buyer) only they don't expose that.

I do think feedback is relevant for buyers too. For instance, say I make an offer on something that might be coming untracked, which is what happened with me recently. If I were the seller, I would have looked up the buyer feedback (and the buyer's feedback left for others) before I accepted such an offer, just to mitigate the risks a bit.

In your case 11Colin, I'd be inclined to send a message to the seller, along the lines the countess suggested.