Oh feedback on EBay, it is almost as big of a game as finding what you want these days. Seems like half the people dont even leave feedback because they are afraid you might pop them unwarranted, so neither bothers... It is sad to say the least, but it is a fact.
The good thing about Retalitory feedback is that it is VERY easily noticed by an experienced EBayer, and usually anyone with common sense to be honest. You can usually verify by looking at who left feedback first, 9 times out of 10 the confident person leaving the feedback with nothing to hide will always leave it first knowing they are right. So make sure to actually read the feedbacks when you are dealing with sellers instead of running because some idiot fired back because they didnt pay.
In this crazy day of Ebay and all the feedback extorsion, it is hard to find a seller that will reflect positive feedback after your speedy payment. You hear alot os BS stories on why they dont leave feedback first, for instance, "We want to make sure our client is satisfied". What better way to make SURE they are satisified then to put them on blast with negative feedback if they complain, and in the same instance knowing that one negative really doe NO damage at all to them.
Plus not to mention that sellers have started banding together in packs, and if you make one of them mad, then guess what?? THEY ALL black list you, no matter who was at fault. Ebay does nothing about this either, because there is nothing wrong with it according to Ebay, they can block and threaten anyone they want to as long as it isnt thru EBAY email station :)
But on the flip side, sellers never would have had to stoop to these levels if Buyers werent crooks and cry babies who use feedback extorsion as well to reduce fees, and return items. This tactic really hurts the small new Ebayers trying to establish a creditible product and good selling ethic, and you will occasionally find sellers that will give in just to avoid the negative.
Here is advise to BOTH sides of the table, since I do sit on both sides myself.
As a seller..... Take pride in your product and back it. If you charge insurance cost, then insure the package, and if you gaurantee next day shipping, then ship the package... Dont make insurance optional, charge it to gaurantee your product makes it there, and that YOU THE seller are protected. And ALWAYS, ALWAYS spend the 30 cents and get delivery confirmation. By having delivery confirmation, you not only can ease a honest buyers nerves by showing you sent it, but it TOTALLY protects you from PAYPAL payment reversal.. If you give PayPal a delivery confirmation number that shows delivered, they can't do anything to your money for a false non-delivery accusation. And in your EBAY auction, be honest about how you leave feedback, say it is your policy to return feedback after it is left for you. The seller doesnt want some ellaborate story, just the truth.
As a buyer.... READ THE AUCTION from top to bottom. Know if the seller does or doesn't except PayPal, and what their return policy is before you bid. CONTACT, I said CONACT the seller if you have ANY questions or problems upon reciept. The seller can't fix it if they don't know it is broke. Feedback is a tool to tell other sellers how the transaction FINISHED, not how it is goin, remember that. And as a buyer, if you got a good product, in a timely manner as advertised, then say that in your feedback. Dont do the old "Good transaction, BUT>>>", you are setting yourself for a seller to fire back on you, and even if you left postive, expect a neutral or neg for not contacting the seller with a problem, which is legitimate.
99.9% of problems can be avoided if these simple things are done, and people act like adults, but we all know there is always a few in each crowd that just want to start a mess and be heard. If you get a negative, answer it honestly and move on. Anyone reading the response will know if you were in the right or wrong. Stop being afraid of feedback, and use it for what it was intended to be, a friendly jester of appreciation between grow-ups....
Let's all be grown ups and have fun on Ebay...
Till Then..............
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