An Effort to Alert Buyers

[cmcoins2000]

The problem is getting the message across to buyers.

They do not 'attend' these forums.

I am adding a message - with the understanding - most buyers do not read - to each & every one of my listings.

I am lost for another solution..

In each package sent I include a flyer with info on the  item etc will be adding this to the flyer.

Just alerting one buyer is an improvement on the current situation.

I am asking all for improvements to my message - any suggestions will be very much appreciated.

IMPORTANT: INFO FOR BUYERS

We as Buyers are having a decimating impact on Australian Sellers

The newly introduced 'defect' system ie: the Detailed Seller Rating Stars are now a great part of the Feedback System.

These ratings if not an honest reflection of a sale will see your favourite Australian Sellers disappear from eBay.

A score of 3 & below become a 'defect' & be aware these ratings are no longer anonymous & could cause a block from the seller.

When purchasing do as you would do if in a store.

Do not just go by the 'pic' read the description - all you need to know is usually there.

This will help you if your item is not as described & save a lot of time & effort in having to return the item usually at your expense.

Ask a question - before buying - communication is not only expected from the seller.

Consider the postage costs & time - if the postage seems too high or the time stated for posting does not suit you - do not buy.

Sellers do not control the postal system anymore than they control the weather.

Consider the Seller's previous Feedback - always a good indication of the experience of others.

Keep in mind purchases from China are cheap but expensive to return with proof of posting for PayPal protection.

[digital*ghost]

Re: succinct notes to buyers, one of my sellers included a sticker in with the package once. Printed on it was "Leave 5 stars".

[egglesdtp]

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@digital*ghost wrote:

Re: succinct notes to buyers, one of my sellers included a sticker in with the package once. Printed on it was "Leave 5 stars".

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Whoa - that's a bit TOO blunt!

[i-love-my-sheep]

I've only had a few buyers leave a little note. Most are business card size. One said "If you are happy with everything, please leave 4 or 5 stars. If you are unhappy, please contact us immediately to rectify the problem". 

If I was going to leave a note (which I wouldn't), I'd write something like "If you are happy, leave 4 or 5 stars. If you are unhappy, don't leave feedback at all and don't contact me". (my poor attempt at humour)

[egglesdtp]

If the purpose is to educate buyers about the new defect system, here's my take on it:

You may not be aware of ebay's newly introduced 'defect' system. A seller may receive a defect for the following reasons:

• a ratings score of 1, 2 or 3 in any category
• negative or neutral feedback
• two or more cases opened for an item not received or item not described without seller resolution
• transactions cancelled due to seller being out of stock or sold to another buyer.

These defects are translated into a percentage of transactions and calculated monthly. If a seller has 5% or more defects from at least 8 different buyers in a 12 month period (2% for a top rated seller from at least 5 different buyers in a 3 month period), the seller is permanently banned from selling on ebay. While this may rid ebay of unscrupulous sellers, it can also adversely affect good sellers through issues out of their control. Buyers therefore need to be aware of the impact of their feedback on a sellers defect rate. If a buyer has an issue, it is better to communicate with the seller first before leaving feedback, and giving the seller an opportunity to resolve the issue..

It's still very long-winded, but I can't see any way round this, as there is a lot of info to convey. But hopefully it will alert the buyers to the new system, and perhaps think about their feedback..

[digital*ghost]

My golden rule is to never refer to feedback / DSRs at all, and I pretty much ignore all references to it from buyers if they contact me as well (unless it's a direct question or otherwise needs a response). A few times I've had buyers mention feedback during the course of a conversation (generally when organising customer orders and the like) and they'll say stuff like "I'll definitely be leaving glowing feedback", which I feel needs to be acknowledged, but even then I usually respond with something like that it's appreciated and would of course be welcome, but that as long as they're happy with the item, I'm happy. 

If they ask about feedback, I just say they're welcome to leave whatever feedback they feel is appropriate, with no mention or request re: DSRs etc. 

Going back to what I said earlier, I just genuinely feel that feedback is eBay's problem (as in their creation) and my concern, but nowhere near my priority in an individual transaction, and none of my actions are dictated by what kind of feedback I may receive (that's not to say I don't get frustrated with the system itself, but that frustration is due more to the way eBay are handling feedback etc), so I'll avoid anything that has the potential to even make it seem like it is, and I've already decided to continue on with that philosophy, so to speak. 

I wouldn't ever mark a seller down for little notes or what have you, as I can understand why they do it (my stance is just a personal choice). That sticker I mentioned above did seem a bit tactless to me, and I always wondered where they thought I was going to stick it  

[i-love-my-sheep]

It's a shame that can't be a sticky thread on the buyers forum. It might still pay to post it over there though, at least the buyers who go in there might have a chance to see it.

It is long winded, but it's straight to the point and non threatening/offensive. It would be great if buyers saw that before they could leave feedback (as part of the feedback process).

[black*poppy]

Great idea - get buyers' opinions from the source!  I'll watch out for it as I want to hear what they say too.

[thecatspjs]

I think there are far more risks than any tenuous benefit of including a note mentioning DSRs or feedback in a buyers parcels.

I would never include one in my parcels no matter how cleverly worded.  I think the defect system is DEFECTIVE and the feedback system unfair, however I still respect that buyers can leave honest feedback for sellers and rate via the DSRs. 

I think a seller has an inherent conflict of interest in trying to "train" buyers on the use of eBay rating system, so should not attempt to do so.

Also as a buyer I use a sellers feedback and overall stars as one of the guides to determine if I will buy from that seller, I don't like to think that a sellers rating may have been compromised as the seller has been busy begging great dsrs and feedback.

[beach_and_home]

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@i-love-my-sheep wrote:

If I was going to leave a note (which I wouldn't), I'd write something like "If you are happy, leave 4 or 5 stars. If you are unhappy, don't leave feedback at all and don't contact me". (my poor attempt at humour)

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LOL !!! ha ha love it.

[bakeandfry]

As mainly a buyer, I've have got the occasional note with item saying " thankyou for doing buisness, any problems please contact me first". Why not add a note but also include this foram's web address and add to the note you can get great advice here. Just a thought.