Why aren't eBay sellers leaving feedback?

[Laurajean1014]

It used to be the seller leaves feedback and then the buyer leaves feedback upon remittance to successful end the transaction. Ahhh, the good ole days.

However, it seems that too many buyers were displeased with goods, services, shipping, etc., so sellers stopped leaving feedback until after they received feedback (I guess, once they know the buyer is thoroughly pleased with the transaction and the buyer leaves feedback, the seller does). Okay, I'll work with that.

Well, I've bought about 20 items in the past two months and I have over 12 auctions that I left positive feedback for, and they have left nothing. Every other day, I email the sellers, and still no feedback!

Why?

Has courtesy and business ethics been taken out by apathy?

 

[DemonLlama]

Sometimes sellers wait to do bulk feedback. Maybe that's become more standard, since it saves time.

The bigger problem is sellers refusing to leave feedback so they can retaliate if you leave a negative. One seller in particular has a nasty reputation for this. He does it so then he can get that negative "mutually withdrawn." He's done that nearly 600 times! And eBay doesn't do anything. (This is one of many complaints, too.) I wonder if the whole culture of eBay is still the kind of place I fell in love with years ago.

 

[Stitchfans]

I have bought many nice things from many nice sellers on ebay. But as far as ebay itself , the owners don't give two hoots about anyone. that is made clear several times when I was cheated and never got what I paid for. they are only out to make money off the sellers. Right now I am dealing with a very hostile horrible woman. I tried to be nice but she has a real anger management problem, so now I have started to act mean cause she ticked me off big time. I hate when someone makes me lose my temper. It is an awful feeling.

 

[winniedapooh]

I pay the day I win and send an email. Upon arrival I send an email and leave positive feedback right away and yet I have been jilted by some sellers by about 12 feedbacks...ticks me off because I am just starting out, I have a whopping 15 now all positive, and some buyers will not sell to me with under 20 or 25 feedback!

 

[mickey4ver]

I have to agree...I sell on ebay and ALWAYS leave favorable feedback for my winners and do it in a quick fashion....but like the OP stated, I have a bunch of winners who have not reciprocated. It is frustrating as I have a good reputation and good feedback, so why not take 5 minutes to return a good word about their experience with me as a seller? I ALWAYS mail items as soon as payment arrives unless it is an extenuating circumstance (which is rare), I don't wait until a certain day to mail. I feel that when I'm paid, the item should go out. I'm very good about answering email if the winner emails me with a question etc. or concern. I try to be very fair and help all.

On the other hand, I've had some doozies lately that I've had to get after to pay me for very small winning bids..if you can take the time to find an auction and bid, you can't take a few minutes to PAY me??? And while we are venting, why can't people read your terms? I get so much of this; "well, can I pay you this way or that way" "or my little brother used my ID and bid on this and I don't think I should have to pay you" .....READ MY TERMS before bidding...

 

[poohandwendy]

I have to agree...I sell on ebay and ALWAYS leave favorable feedback for my winners and do it in a quick fashion....but like the OP stated, I have a bunch of winners who have not reciprocated. It is frustrating as I have a good reputation and good feedback, so why not take 5 minutes to return a good word about their experience with me as a seller? I ALWAYS mail items as soon as payment arrives unless it is an extenuating circumstance (which is rare), I don't wait until a certain day to mail. I feel that when I'm paid, the item should go out. I'm very good about answering email if the winner emails me with a question etc. or concern. I try to be very fair and help all.

On the other hand, I've had some doozies lately that I've had to get after to pay me for very small winning bids..if you can take the time to find an auction and bid, you can't take a few minutes to PAY me??? And while we are venting, why can't people read your terms? I get so much of this; "well, can I pay you this way or that way" "or my little brother used my ID and bid on this and I don't think I should have to pay you" .....READ MY TERMS before bidding...

I am also a seller and I do the same thing, I ship the item within 24 hours of payment (and I contact the buyer if I can't). I also leave feedback within a day or 2 of payment received (I admit that I usually do a few at a time, so it isn't always immediate...but within a few days for sure). I don't wait until they leave feedback because they kept their end by paying me, I feel it is disingenous to base my feedback on theirs. If they leave me negative feedback, I can respond to it in my feedback.

This system has worked well for me, I have over 500 feedbacks, 100% positive.

 

[va32h]

I am also a seller on ebay, and I can understand the seller's mindset - that feedback is left when the transaction is over, and only the buyer can say when the transaction is over - by indicating that they have received the goods and are satisfied.

As a seller, I usually leave feedback after payment is received, just because it is easier for me. This has come back to bite me in the hiney - when a buyer waits for their feedback, then makes a complaint, and threatens to neg me unless I give them a partial refund or something.

But 99.9% of my ebay transactions are positive.

I will say, to the OP though, the feedback system is entirely voluntary. Neither seller nor buyer is required to leave feedback, and if you email your sellers every other day asking for feedback, one of them might get annoyed enough to leave you a negative.

If receiving feedback is important to you, you can always check a potential seller's record - on the same page that shows you their feedback received, you can check the feedback they've left. If they have a record of not leaving feedback, you may choose to shop elsewhere.

 

[Laurajean1014]

If receiving feedback is important to you, you can always check a potential seller's record - on the same page that shows you their feedback received, you can check the feedback they've left. If they have a record of not leaving feedback, you may choose to shop elsewhere.

I totally agree. I will start to incorporate this in my pre-bid review. I will now refuse to buy from a seller who appears to have the reputation of not leaving feedback. Thank you for the suggestion, it's a great one!

 

[Missy1961]

I am also a seller on ebay, and I can understand the seller's mindset - that feedback is left when the transaction is over, and only the buyer can say when the transaction is over - by indicating that they have received the goods and are satisfied.

As a seller, I usually leave feedback after payment is received, just because it is easier for me. This has come back to bite me in the hiney - when a buyer waits for their feedback, then makes a complaint, and threatens to neg me unless I give them a partial refund or something.

But 99.9% of my ebay transactions are positive.

I am more of a buyer than a seller, but I have had similar experiences with my selling....I usually sell baseball cards. Most of my sales have been in the $5-10 range, but every once in a while I've had a $100-$150 sale! But those are the ones that make me nervous--some of these people will find some kind of 'fault' with the card--a corner dented, etc.--to guilt me into giving them a refund. I know when I mailed the card it was in great condition. I use the proper packaging to protect the item. The first time I tried to reason with the guy, but since then I just throw a token refund at them. And then they STILL wait to give you feedback! I've heard that some of these buyers do this stuff on purpose. I still leave feedback when I'm paid because that the way I like it. But I understand why some of the big sellers wait.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think eBay should require buyers and sellers to leave feedback.

If the transaction went great - then posititive
If the transaction went with flaws - then work it out or leave neutral
If the transaction went badly - then work it out and if that doesn't work, then leave negative and respond.

What is so hard with that?

It's the simple things that we make difficult.

 

[Laurajean1014]

All of the transactions that I am speaking of went flawless. I pay when the auction ends through Paypal (cannot get any faster than that). When I receive the item, I leave feedback (positive). I have not yet left negative feedback (and yes, I have had fraudgulent purchases, but went through eBay and Paypal on those to resolve).

Once I left neutral feedback (out of over 300 purchases) and the seller sent me a very nasty email. (??????)

So, this request (in the OP) is not for wanting feedback, its for wanting closure. Just like getting a receipt when you pay for an item in the store! Wouldn't you want a smile after the transaction?