Feedback system should be equal to both sellers and buyers

[simplewear777]

Hi guys, something just stuck on my head for a while and need to let it out!!

Is that just me or somebody got the same feeling that for somehow it doesn't feel right that ebay feedback system is not balance between buyers and sellers? translate~ sellers can receive negative feedbacks but not buyers.

Today I got a negative feedback( and now has been removed from a reasonable ebay consultant ) because the buyer thinks the postage is too long, when there is a describtion saying this item need 20 working days to be delivered, also there is a " me" page I have specific request buyers to read. The funny part is when I wanted to explain for myself, there is a character number limits.

If the purpose having this feedback system is to let everyone understand a bit more characters, history under this username, so buyers get protection, what's the protection here for sellers? If sellers can't leave negative feedback in some unreasonable transactions, what messages is revealing here? Buyers( In this pattern, I mean unreasonable buyers) can do anything they want to? After purchase they can change their mind and decide not to contact sellers and ignore emails? Buyers got no patience to read the describtion so it's sellers faults? The staff tried to explain that the fee will be rufunded by ebay, I know the fee will be refunded by ebay, of course you should, there is no transaction!! So, no lesson taught here??

 I would like to know what kind of people I'm dealing with, I would like to know the describtion that I wrote with my time is worth to do instead just another rule for sellers to follow, I consider when buyers push the purchase button that means you agree with the policy of the store, or don't buy it please. We are not only doing this as profit business, also for self-satisfaction.

Thank you for all the people who don't take things for granted and still being nice even you know I might will never meet you~

[book-of-hezekiah]

hi simplewear777

You have raised several issues and have inspired me to ask several questions of you.

First, you are not the only one who perceives inequity with feedback.  There are heaps of threads along the lines of "why can't I leave negative for a bad buyer?" One reason was because there were some bad sellers who left retaliatory negs and other reasons so the whole system was changed.  You are using the respond to feedback function well - your messages are clear with your follow-ups so it seems you are using your character limit well.

One remedy for sellers is what you have described such as asking eBay to review feedback and request removal.

Another remedy, when buyers seem to change their mind and don't respond, is for the seller to open a Non-Paying Bidder dispute.  I note in your me-page you state you will be forced to block non-payers due to fees... well, if an NPB dispute is closed in your favour, you will receive your fees back.  You are still entitled to block that buyer.  There is no need to give any feedback because that buyer will receive a strike for non-payment and that hurts them more than a red dot.  Sellers should ensure they have their buyer-blocks in place, usually for two more non-payments in 12 months.  This is the ultimate hurt to a buyer!

As an aside for others watching this riveting diatribe from me: sellers are not permitted to leave a negative response to a buyer next to a green dot.  This is called a false negative and the buyer is entitled to have it removed and the seller will be sanctioned for doing this.

It is frustrating when buyers waste time, I dare say all sellers have this feeling?  So it is natural that you want to say something about the buyer on their feedback - unfortunately, you can't, unless it is something nice.

As to your listings and descriptions - they are absolutely worth your time and effort.  I can see you have gone to a lot of effort and you deserve recognition for that.  I think there is room for improvement on your listings.  In my opinion your listings are very busy, a bit confusing and contain content or methods that are not allowed.

Why do you feel the need to have a link to somewhere else for information about Simple Wear?  A note - this link is off eBay and so is not allowed.  It is this link that is vital to that buyer's query about shipping times, particularly that in that link it says there is a combination of in stock and pre-purchase.  This information needs to be visible directly on the listing page.  Buyers should have no need to go anywhere except the description page and Postage and Payments tab.  So your descriptions are okay, but they are all over the place.  Some of it is to do with eBay rules, but some of it is general sales advertising best practice.

Embed the policy pictures into the listing the same way you do the images for the products.  But have two different ones - one for products that are available now and one for products that are pre-purchase.  That way there is no misunderstanding and buyers don't have to contact you before hand - you save time for yourself and for bidders this way.

Also, your postage costs - Why is the quote near the bidding box contradicted by the prices listed in the body?  The quote is for free postage and has the Free P&H orange sticker on the picture.  It is reasonable for buyers to expect free postage and not have to pay $6 for one, $9 for two, and then wait for free postage for three or more.

You are right that some buyers are too impatient to read the whole description, which is why it is absolutely vital that you include all the relevant information on the bid page.  Keep it simple and concise.

Others may come and give some advice on how to list effectively.  Another option is to look at other sellers and see how they make their page attractive and simple (but don't plagiarise!)  Keep up with your listings and hopefully your eBay business will be profitable and self-satisfying.

If you have any questions about anything to do with eBay don't hesitate to come back and ask.

>>DID YOU KNOW??<< There is a link to the site map of eBay at the bottom of the page where users can find all the information they want about policies and procedures about using eBay.