Inappropriate "Product Reviews" that are actually "Seller Feedback" ruin my auction.

[k_r_h]

I've started an auction [ https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/134153185655 ] and it's the only "Product Review" of what I'm selling and the "Product Review" is actually very negative "Seller Feedback" for another seller, but it looks like I'm the screwed up seller.

I just did a long chat with eBay Support and they said they can't remove a "Product Review" which is weird because there's a button for reporting that a "Product Review" contains inappropriate content:

What's the point of having a button that identifies inappropriate Seller Feedback in Product Reviews if they won't do anything about it?!

eBay Support told me to end the auction early and re-list it?! What would that do? I'd still get this one and only Product Review showing up under my auction. It would make any different to re-list unless I can disable the "Product Review" appearing below my auction.

[k_r_h]

I've politely asked the reviewer to remove the review as it doesn't reflect the product but the seller and makes me look like a bad seller. I know the rational view on this that people should notice that this is an erroneous "Product Review", however people should also notice stop signs and red lights but commonly drive right through them, so… I've had a very unusually low response on this auction.

[springyzone]

I agree with you 100%. That is seller feedback, not a product review. It should be removed from ther product review.

I'm reasonably familiar with ebay yet I had to go back a second time to check that product review, to see if it actually identified the seller.

Turns out it does, but I can guarantee most shoppers won't take note of that, they will see the review and assume it relates to you. I knew from the start it didn't, but still didn't notice the seller's name. What stood out was who gave the review and the title and comment.  It comes up very big on a computer.

I doubt you'll get an ebay rep to remove it. From what I can gather, a lot of them aren't very helpful.

What I would do in your place is at the end/bottom of your comments about the product, I would start a separate sentence to say something like: Please note: The 'review' of this product is NOT about me. I was not that seller as you will see if you check.

PS In your favour, I think most sensible shoppers, if they did get that far and check, would believe you as the review was 3 years ago and obviously about a seller who had multiple stock or was supposed to. Your ad, on the other hand, makes it clear that it is a one off product you ordered by mistake. If I needed it, I'd buy from you as it all seems genuine.

[tickford-t3]

I had the same issue on a couple of our listings we had, I found if I changed the wording of the Listings Title the Product Review disappeared - this may also work for you

[papermoon.lady]

I agree with springy (and you) that most buyers will think the bad seller is you, even if the name of the seller is clearly visible, but considering many buyers don't even read the description, it is unlikely most will notice (some experienced buyers will notice, but the majority probably won't).

Maybe you can ask to talk to a supervisor in live chat (after the weekend)?

[love_of_cars]

Goes to show how eBay has let buyers use a function the wrong way and it has caused issues for other sellers.

I'm surprised eBay won't remove it, it's clearly been used inappropriately.  Anyone can clearly see that.

If it's negatively affecting your sales potential then you should contact the buyer who left the "feedback" and ask them to politely edit / remove it as they will see what the problem it's causing for others.  Maybe point them to this discussion thread so they can better understand the issue.

[k_r_h]

Either the person that made the incorrect review has taken it down after I asked politely. Or eBay has removed the inappropriate listing as I'd reported it to them. So, the only thing I can say is, "Why did the support chat operator tell me there was no option to remove the inappropriate review? It's gone now and I've relisted the auction.

That's a positive result at least!

[folosite]

ebay will put reviews on the page based on UPC number

Easy fix - next time you list, change the title slightly and do not put UPC number and the review should not come up