Feedback on eBay?

Question

What is the point of feedback on eBay?

If you leave negative feedback the seller/buyer just goes and leaves negative feedback on your account to get back at you, and counteracts your bad feedback by commenting saying you are wrong.

A seller knowingly sold me something that would not work in the UK, they were rude, unhelpful, uncooperative, stopped communication and did not fulfil their returns policy or warrantee on the product – I took it to Paypal and they decided in my favour fortunately, but the seller was so bad I would like to warn other people.

Answer 1

I have a score of 445 on Ebay and had I negative from an idiot. But when people thinking of buying off me see the feedback and the comments, they can feel confident everything is gonna be OK.

Answer 2

I totally agree as I have had the same thing just happen. I always sell items that are in good condition and describe them as accurately as I can - my seller record is therefore 100%

2 items out of 130+ however were really awful and when contacted seller they were both volatile/abuse/reluctant to refund.

Left first what I thought was a legitimate neg feedback and got a tirade of abuse back which I reported to ebay.

For the 2nd, I left neutral hoping to avoid conflict and still got negative back - yet as a buyer I paid on time and was always polite - it is so unfair.

As the system is not arbitrated it is effectively useless - I now feel intimidated and like I cannot leave honest response - yet I cannot leave a response I know to be incorrect either.

I now feel less sure of records than before too knowing that perhaps someone who does not have 100% may well have been the victim of an unscrupuplous seller who left vindictive negative reply.

Totally sympathise with you - it is horrible when this happens.

Great Q hoping ebay are watching.

Answer 3

Feedback on eBay is entirely voluntary but is there to share experiences good and bad with other eBayers.

I too have noticed that a lot of buyers don't like leaving negative feedback for a seller in case they receive a revenge negative from the seller. For this reason, I always read the feedback comments regardless of the seller's score.

I have also seen buyers leave unwarranted negative feedback for a seller simply because they didn't read the auction listing properly.

In your situation I woud leave negative feedback for the seller simply to warn other buyers of your experience. If they leave you a negative feedback you can always add a follow up comment along the lines of "Unfair negative - PayPal found in favour of my dispute". Unless you already have lots of negative feedback, one against you, should not mean that people cannot trust you.

I've come to realise that 100% feedback doesn't always mean that it's necessarily warranted.

I seem to recall that there was some talk of eBay revising how feedback was left, and separating it down in to categories, which would be a better option.

Answer 4

I have a 100% positive feedback on eBay and I'm proud of it, mostly as a buyer but I've sold a few items and I've always mailed them the same day or next day via Recorded Delivery. I haven't done anything to merit negative feedback as a seller. Some things I've bought have deserved neutral or negative feedback but because I know there are people who would leave negative feedback for me (although I always pay instantly with PayPal so they'd have no reason to) I leave very basic but positive feedback for them to avoid negative feedback being left for me. I shouldn't have to do that and if sellers deserve their criticism they should accept it and not respond out of spite. Gits.
(On a different subject, why are we allowed to mention eBay on this site, but not give other websites addresses as we'd be accused of advertisement?)

Answer 5

if a ebayer has a lot of good feedback you know that they are more trustworthy than ones with a lot of neg feedback.
I don't think there really is a way to warn others about the seller. they would just have to take their chances with that person if they decide to buy. If that seller continues to sell things badly and customers are not happy with them. they could eventually be taken off ebay.

Answer 6

Contact eBay and let them know the situation! They can probably help. Leave the comment As a Neutral comment instead of a negative and write what you just explained. They won't leave you A negative unless they're really an A**hole.

People like myself read the neutral comments more often for this exact reason!!! People like this really suck A** and give eBay a crappy rep.

Answer 7

Not that im aware of besides emailing ebay. I have been a memeber for about 10 years and i have ran into the same issues and i just gave up, but if you get any response i would surely be interested. Good luck with your venture. B

Answer 8

Hi there

Feedback basically gives you the opportunity to tell other ebay members what you think about a particular transaction with a particular seller.. If there feedback is good, you're more likely to get a good deal from them.

Scott

Answer 9

I bought a Christmas toy from a seller who ignored my emails, posted the item 6 days after she promised, used cheaper slower post than I had paid for and it stank of smoke when it finally arrived. When I emailed her to say I wasn't happy (politely) she told me I was a new E-bayer and wouldn't get far with that attitude then left ME neg feedback. EBay stinks!!

Answer 10

There is a live help option within Ebay. If you have proof that your right, that they false advertised then do the live help. You can mostly likely have the bad feedback taken off. I've done it once.