Webuser Forums: EBay Pulls Feedback Option for Sellers

Actually it all happened on the 15th May, so whoever wrote the article is a bit behind.

We've debated this before since it was rumoured earlier in the year and announced a few months ago. I still feel the same way.

(So far still have the 100% so maybe that helps).

The Mutual Withdrawal system has gone too.

I think there is far too much made out of it to be honest. Buyers can be fairer, but on the counter they can also be unfairer (or usually just plain stupid). Luckily there are more good buyers than bad. However you do get the ones trying it on.

Example: Buyer buys 30 items from us in April. Gets it almost next day. Within a few hours of delivery they are complaining the parcel was 'crushed' and 11 are damaged. I was online at the time and within 20 minutes had emailed back instructions to return either the whole lot for a full refund (and return postage) or just the damaged ones for replacement or refund (and return postage).

They take it to a PayPal dispute. Why? They say they have chucked them away. Within a few hours of getting them? We can't even claim via the Post Office as they want to see the packaging............Eventually, brassed off, I offered £10 (with no need to return the items) which was roughly the value of the damaged items. But I can't refund this as they have taken out the PayPal dispute for the FULL amount. They email (via PayPal - after the first contact they would not respond to normal email) to say they want £15 which is well over half the value.

At this point I snapped and let it go to PayPal to review. I'd rather give them all the money back but make them wait a month. So 30 days on the decision is I have to refund in full....................IF the buyer returns the items. Oh dear. Exactly what I offered on Day One (except now they have to pay return postage).

This email came through at 6.30pm. At about 10pm the buyer uploads false tracking info (like they posted it between 6.30 and 10?). Currently waiting for PayPal to throw it out.

And will they neg when they lose? You bet. And what can I do about it to warn others?

Well, actually before the change I could do nothing either. It's too late when someone buys anything to judge them by feedback. And the trouble with Feedback is you can get all het up about it. It's like getting road raged to be honest. Drive on, and forget about it (but maybe drive better!).

EBay say they are introducing a Forum where sellers can lodge complaints about bad buyers. Not sure what that will do unless it means you can say 'XCXX' is a bad buyer and let others block them.

Some of the other changes:

Feedback ratings (%) will be based on the last 12 months NOT lifetime. Fine, if you have had a few negs a few years ago, but not so good if you get a twit and sell very little.

Before the changes feedback by one buyer who returned and bought other goods off you another time was only counted for the first time. Now you get a 'score' for each one. And eBay have just adjusted this to register back to 1996. As a consequence most sellers have seen their feedback numbers rise.

You can block 500 buyers now rather than 100.

Rumours are that neutral reduces % feedback - lot of chatter on the eBay forums.

EBay introducing other 'buyer' blocking tools but not until the end of the month.

Quite a lot of other 'small' changes but just as significant:

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200805071726242.html

And don't forget from the 3rd June you MUST offer PayPal as a payment method...........Monopoly anyone?

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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.

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