Update to the .75 Ebay nut!

[kilee]

I usually look at the percentage. If the percentage is still pretty high- I don't usually bother looking too far into 1-2 negatives. I have 9- my feedback is still 99.4%. That is 9 over the last 3 years and I have 1000's positives, but you can't win them all.

 

[ChristyJ]

I'm going to take this all in and think about things-thanks sooo much to all of you for your wonderful advice!!!

Maybe I'll try to have some Christmas spirit in all of this-maybe this person really needs the extra little bit of money to get through Christmas....

 

[tinkwannabe2]

Okay, I sell on ebay (not big time, but just a bit) and would never say priority and then ship regular mail. I think that deserves an explaination from her. If she apoligizes and says it was a mistake, then I would be okay with that alone, only cause it was a $3 difference. BUT if you ignores your email or gets crappy with you... then I think it deserves a neg. I mean I think you need to "warn" any future buyers of the problem.

Also, if you get a neg out of retaliation, you can always respond and say "This is only because I gave her a neg, retaliation isn't cool!" Both comments will be shown on your feedback screen and I think that most buyers know about the issues with feedback and mean people! KWIM?

 

[DMRick]

Most people won't ship a way different from what they advertise.

The reason for the neg will only show as long as it's on the front page. My page scrolls fast, and I belive most people won't look at the past 10-20 pages to see why a neg was exchanged. I know I wouldn't. And just because someone says it's a retaliation, doesn't always make it so.
Again, I'm pulling on my flame proof suit, but my responsibility is to myself, and leaving negs, and getting them in exchange (only people who have gotten a few retaliatory negs will understand the pain..not those who say, hey, I'll take that neg, and have never had to) could affect my sales. Yes, MY SALES, (the sales I count on for numerous Disney trips), not the person with 3 feedbacks who has already moved on. I've left a few, but I won't be first anymore, to warn others. eBay feedback is a bad system. I have 99.9, almost 6000 feedbacks and 4 negs..but if you don't deserve negs, ya continue to hate seeing them there.

Also, if you get a neg out of retaliation, you can always respond and say "This is only because I gave her a neg, retaliation isn't cool!" Both comments will be shown on your feedback screen and I think that most buyers know about the issues with feedback and mean people! KWIM?

 

[MrsPete]

I recently had a bad experience that taught me a lesson about feedback:

I bought a large item -- well, the details don't matter -- let's just say that the seller was really a piece of work. After I finally received the item 3 months later, I left detailed, factual information along with a negative: it was something like "Paid on XXX day, seller failed to answer emails, finally resorted to official ebay dispute, received XXX days later".

Low and behold, the seller zapped ME with a negative as well. I'd paid immediately, and my only "crime" was insisting that the guy follow through on his end of the deal. He said in his negative that I "complained constantly" --yeah, I tend to do that when I've paid for an item and still have not received it months later. I left a response to his feedback and figured that was it.

Nope. A week later, he sent (through ebay) a request for mutual feedback withdrawal. SUDDENLY IT MADE SENSE. He wanted his well-deserved negative to disappear, so he sent me a negative as well. He hoped that I'd be so desperate to get rid of my negative that I'd be willing to withdraw his as well.

This is not how feedback should be used, but a sneaky seller can easily use feedback to intimidate a buyer.

 

[MrsPete]

so the feedback means nothing to me, and I won't leave a neg first

Due to my recent ebay problems, I definitely don't put much stock in feedback anymore. I won't say it means NOTHING to me, but I'd definitely be willing to overlook a couple negatives if the seller has a large number of positives. The 100 mutually-withdrawn guy, he was probably using the same technique I described in my previous post -- intimidation.

I WILL continue to leave negatives if they're deserved. That's how the system is supposed to work, and if we refuse to use it the way it was intended to work, then we're only hurting other honest people.

To the original poster -- I assume you have not yet contacted the seller? I'd suggest that you drop her an email, saying that you were disappointed that she'd said priority, then she shipped regular -- especially after you'd paid that piddly little fee. Say that you're sure it was an oversight, and you're sure that she wants to make it right . . . give her a chance to realize she's been a jerk and fix things. If that doesn't work, then zap her with detailed, factual negative info: Paid $10 for priority shipping, paid additional .75 handling fee later, received pkg via regular mail. (It's hard to respond to that without saying something childish like "Yeah, I know you are, but what am I?")

 

[ChristyJ]

Due to my recent ebay problems, I definitely don't put much stock in feedback anymore. I won't say it means NOTHING to me, but I'd definitely be willing to overlook a couple negatives if the seller has a large number of positives. The 100 mutually-withdrawn guy, he was probably using the same technique I described in my previous post -- intimidation.

I WILL continue to leave negatives if they're deserved. That's how the system is supposed to work, and if we refuse to use it the way it was intended to work, then we're only hurting other honest people.

To the original poster -- I assume you have not yet contacted the seller? I'd suggest that you drop her an email, saying that you were disappointed that she'd said priority, then she shipped regular -- especially after you'd paid that piddly little fee. Say that you're sure it was an oversight, and you're sure that she wants to make it right . . . give her a chance to realize she's been a jerk and fix things. If that doesn't work, then zap her with detailed, factual negative info: Paid $10 for priority shipping, paid additional .75 handling fee later, received pkg via regular mail. (It's hard to respond to that without saying something childish like "Yeah, I know you are, but what am I?")

I sent her an Email on Monday when I received the package and immediately saw that it was standard mail. I didn't state my expectations though-at the time, I was too irritated. Re-reading my Email to her, I don't believe I was overly emotional or anything like that. I did say that the auction stated Priority and one of her previous Emails said she shipped it Monday and the package clearly shows it was sent out on Wednesday and shipped standard mail.

I know there's been debate over Ebay being a business, etc. and comparing it to a garage sale-I don't want to get too into that except to say that I believe no matter what you do-whether it's selling things on Ebay or even having a garage sale, you should treat people well and be honest. I was just very put out that this person was so petty at first, then ended up being dishonest about the day she shipped and the method of shipment.

 

[cami89]

Okay, I sell on ebay (not big time, but just a bit) and would never say priority and then ship regular mail.

I agree!

I mostly always sell clothing, and list "standard" as my method of shipping. From there, I can either ship first-class or priority, depending upon the weight, and I list a fixed shipping rate, like $2, for a shirt. The item may indeed only be $1.75 to ship, but the extra pays for my supplies and time. I don't round up to a ridiculous amount - just a nominal amount - and I've never had a complaint.

 

[shades]

Maybe I'll try to have some Christmas spirit in all of this-maybe this person really needs the extra little bit of money to get through Christmas....

Great idea!

 

[C.Ann]

Just wanted to comment on the negative feedback discussion.. I have bought from sellers with negs after reading the neg and what the sellers response was.. If they're terribly nasty in their response, a red flag goes up - if they're professional and "to the point", I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.. While 100% is nice, it's not the "be all to end all".. There are some customers out there that just can't be satisfied - no matter what the seller does..

As for this lady.. I think it's a riot that she hounds the living daylights out of you over 75 cents and then doesn't hold up her end of the bargain.. Just for the heck of it, I'd email her back - mention the 75 cent fiasco and say that in all "fairness", she now owes you money for not shipping as stated in the auction..

 

[salmoneous]

Again, I'm pulling on my flame proof suit, but my responsibility is to myself,

Well, since you are just *asking* for flames.... Leaving feedback is something eBayers do to help others. For any community to work, at least some people have to think of something more than themselves. Without a feedback system, eBay wouldn't work.

I'm curious, do you look at feedback other people have left - i.e. use the negatives left by others to help you avoid bad transactions? Do you feed your are freeloading? If so, just start leaving negatives where they are deserved. Come on, with 6000+ postivies, a few more negatives are going to do *nothing* to hurt your sales. But you'll get that warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped others...

 

[DMRick]

I didn't ask for flames, I just said I'd have the suit on for those who think leaving a neg, when you are going to get a retaliatory neg back is the thing to do. I didn't say I'd never leave a neg (although I often feel like that), I said I wouldn't leave it first, when I anticipate a retaliatory neg. I also will buy from someone who has a few negs, depending on their percentage. I know some on this board (not this thread, but an older thread) have been very vocal on the need to give out negs, and they have posted their eBay names, and I go and look, and they have no negs, and have given none. I think you have to have them to hate them LOL. You know how many times someone posts on here..I have 100% and no negs. Well, come back and let me know how it feels to get some you haven't earned.

I have looked at feedback, but cynically, since I don't have a lot of faith in the sysem. No, I don't feel I am freeloading. Almost always negs are left by newbies, or low feedback people, so a lot of people must feel as I do. I guess I don't look at eBay as a community, but as a way to sell items. Even with 6000 feedback, it doesn't take long to drop your score with negs, and I've seen people's views on any amount of negs when buying on these boards (1cent cd has a very high score, but still people think it's awful because he has thousands of negs, which is less than 1% of his sales). I want to sell my stuff, not build a community, or give warm fuzzy feelings. I get those feelings when we donate to those who need it. Yep, if that is thinking of myself, well, that's what I am doing. Just like when I put an ad in the paper, I am selling for myself. I sell fairly, I buy with caution (I wouldn't buy something unless the description is good, the picture clear, shipping posted, and I can use Paypal with my credit card). I do the part that counts for me, since this is why I'm on eBay.
I belong to several eBay boards on Yahoo, and my views are the norm, not unusual. Most people who suggest you freely leave negs, don't have but one or two retaliatory negs at most. How many have you given and gotten? I do do what I think helps the most. I always file non paying bidders, in hopes to get out those who bid and don't pay.
All of that said, hopefully the OP will get some of her shipping back, since it was sent a way other than posted in the tos. If not, she has to decide if she wants to look at the retaliatory feedback. I won't encourage her to post one first, but if she wants to do as you mentioned, and help the community over a couple of dollars then good for her, she'll help out the next person, if the next person bothers to look, and hopefully won't hurt herself, if she has low feedback, and she drops her percentage way down, and no one bothers to look and see if it's a retaliatory neg.

Well, since you are just *asking* for flames.... Leaving feedback is something eBayers do to help others. For any community to work, at least some people have to think of something more than themselves. Without a feedback system, eBay wouldn't work.

I'm curious, do you look at feedback other people have left - i.e. use the negatives left by others to help you avoid bad transactions? Do you feed your are freeloading? If so, just start leaving negatives where they are deserved. Come on, with 6000+ postivies, a few more negatives are going to do *nothing* to hurt your sales. But you'll get that warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped others...

 

[ChristyJ]

You're not going to believe this...I just checked my feedback and the seller left me positive that says "Great Buyer...quick payment! Would love to do business again!"

I sent her the 1 Email, but she didn't respond (and I sent it from the Ebay site).

 

[DMRick]

Aha! An open field to leave whatever you wish LOL! Maybe she really was just mixed up and will make it right.

You're not going to believe this...I just checked my feedback and the seller left me positive that says "Great Buyer...quick payment! Would love to do business again!"

I sent her the 1 Email, but she didn't respond (and I sent it from the Ebay site).

 

[becky7953]

Normally, I'd say request that she make things right, and if she doesn't, NEG her. Sure she might give you a NEG in return, but I honestly don't think a 99% rating is bad in anybody's book. People are too worried about keeping their perfect record intact and don't help out their fellow ebayers by negging the people who need it.

I just had a bad ebay experience and thought I would just not leave feedback. But then I thought about it and went ahead and left neg feedback. This seller totally misrepresented the product as very good condition.... it was playstation games and both were VERY scratched and 1 didn't even work. I had to email him quite a few times before I received and when I got it, was so disappointed I just threw them away. So to stop babbling I left neg feedback....... he emailed me back stating "due to my silliness of leaving him neg feedback he left neg for me". I was at 100 percent now I am not.

 

[DMRick]

he emailed me back stating "due to my silliness of leaving him neg feedback he left neg for me". I was at 100 percent now I am not.

There has to be a better feedback system. It just isn't fair that the person who got junk, has to suffer the neg. I'm sorry. The first undeserved one hurts the most.

 

[OceanAnnie]

ChristyJ!! Hey girl! I just saw this post. That .75 lady is something else!

I would be disappointed too. I've been mostly a buyer on ebay just started selling some stuff now and then.

I haven't left any negs. And I've been disappointed too.

The one time I was really disappointed with something I bought, I contacted the seller and asked him to work it out. He agreed and said he'd work with me. I mailed it back this week and I'm waiting for the refund. I think he's being fair so when I get the refund, I will give him positive feedback. I'll word it that he was easy to work with or something like that. There is something positive in the transaction and I'm going to focus on that. Granted it was a pain in the patootie to have to mail it back and it was $ out of my pocket, but it could've been a total loss and he was willing to work with me. So what do you do? I want to be fair and I'll just focus on him being fair with me.

Your case is different. You have a nut on your hands. There have been times I just don't leave feedback at all. I was mildly disappointed and just don't want to deal with it. There were times I left a quasi positive by focusing on something mundane like shipped fast (no !). I think people can read between the lines. I know I do. If I see a seller with a lot of those type of positives I begin to wonder why there's no mention of the item they sold.

I don't know. You could say flatly, item as described (and if you want mention she didn't ship as indicated). But you know you are dealing with a nut. That's a wild card. The worse she could do now that she has left you a positive is say something snarky in a reply on your positive.

Well, you've told her you weren't satisfied with the raw deal. I'd wait and see if she makes good on it. If she is less than nice about it and doesn't make good, she'd be asking for it in my book.

And I thought the .75 deal was over!

 

[MrsPete]

I sent her an Email on Monday when I received the package and immediately saw that it was standard mail. I didn't state my expectations though-at the time, I was too irritated. Re-reading my Email to her, I don't believe I was overly emotional or anything like that. I did say that the auction stated Priority and one of her previous Emails said she shipped it Monday and the package clearly shows it was sent out on Wednesday and shipped standard mail.

I know there's been debate over Ebay being a business, etc. and comparing it to a garage sale-I don't want to get too into that except to say that I believe no matter what you do-whether it's selling things on Ebay or even having a garage sale, you should treat people well and be honest. I was just very put out that this person was so petty at first, then ended up being dishonest about the day she shipped and the method of shipment.

How'd she respond to your email?

I completely agree that regardless of what business you're engaged in, you should be honest and treat people well. It's the only way to STAY in business.

 

[ChristyJ]

I still haven't heard from her-I'm not sure whether I should send her one more Email or what...

 

[PooohBear]

Seems to me that she left you positive feedback because she DID get your e-mail and is trying to avoid you leaving her a negative and bugging her anymore! JMO, but that's what it sounds like !