Question Re: The 5 star system is misleading in Member To Member Support DO NOT DELETE

The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:26:50 GMT

I purchased an item and when it arrived, it was not fit for consumption and I believe I had been misled. I gave the seller 1 star and an explanation. The seller contacted me to say ebay had removed my feedback. EBay did not contact me about this. I am now led to believe that the 5 star rating system is inaccurate. If sellers can have bad feedback removed, then I have no faith in ebay. Sellers cannot represent themselves as genuine when they can have feedback removed. I have purchased loads of items from ebay and after I receive my latest item, I will no longer be buying from them as this is totally unfair and misleading.

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

arkwebus — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:37:56 GMT

"Stars" are different to feedback. Your feedback may have been removed due simply to breach of eBay's rules. Stars are not - as far as I know - altered.

Such things as "abuse" "rudeness" "name calling" or more often mention in feedback of "refund" "case" "eBay" "Paypal" - other posters may think of more ... possibly even mentioning how many stars you gave

@ebe-454

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

tobiasd4 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:38:08 GMT

If you mention ebay, refund or something that was stated in listing, seller can ask ebay to remove it.

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:31:49 GMT

The items were vitamins, that smelled like ammonia. The seller refused a refund as I'd opened them. This is mis-selling as if the product is not fit for consumption then I should be able to return it.
Also, it is the fact that ebay did not contact me about removing my feedback. The seller now appears to have a 100% 5 star rating, which is false. So all you have to do is look at the wording of an honest review and have it removed? I've spent thousands of pounds on items from ebay and I will never use it again.

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Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:34:49 GMT

So the star system and feedback system are false as an honest review can be removed owing to one word. I am no longer buying from ebay as the star system and feedback portray a false ideal. My feedback was honest, not rude and very short. It was not abusive. I have spent thousands of pounds on ebay and will no longer be buying from them. What good is a star system or feedback when it can simply be erased if the seller objects?

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Re: The 5 star system is misleading

pixiesen2012 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:35:55 GMT

did you complete a not as described case?

opened items can be returned if they aren't as described

ebay will remove feedback if the buyer hasn't completed a case against the seller

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

arkwebus — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:40:00 GMT

You don't answer @pixiesen2012's reply. It is not a "return" case it is a "not as described case". It's not up to the seller to "refuse"

You do not contact him - for that reason - you simply open a not as described case. If he sends a label to return then well and good. If he does not then you escalate to eBay for a refund

@ebe-454

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:47:49 GMT

Thanks for that. I am no longer buying or selling on ebay. This whole process is so drawn out that I can't be bothered. I've just bought Prime from Amazon and they now have my loyalty. On Amazon, you contact a customer service rep directly and they deal with the seller for you. No long lists on their contact icon and no removing feedback. I'm finished with ebay.

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Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:55:49 GMT

HI and thanks for your reply.
The whole process of buying, contacting the seller and leaving feedback has taken11 days. The item was late and when opened, was not fit for consumption.
I gave feedback on Monday and it was deleted on Tuesday. This is my real issue. I have thrown the vitamins away. They smell of ammonia and I don't want my kids taking them. It is the fact that my star rating and feedback were removed that is the issue. I now believe that the rating system is false. I always thought that ebay was fair to the buyer and now I don't believe that the rating system is worth anything at all.
Whether I get a refund or not, is not the issue. Manipulating ratings and feedback is the issue.
I am now going to buy from Amazon. When you have an issue, you have an on-screen rep who deals with the problem. The issue is dealt with in a fair way, with both parties being involved and Amazon acting as a mediator.

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Re: The 5 star system is misleading

pixiesen2012 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:59:31 GMT

if you don't complete a case against the seller your feedback and ratings will be removed, if you want to leave bad feedback you have to complete a case against the seller, you shouldn't have thrown them away, you should have opened a case and returned them for a refund, your feedback would not have been removed if you had done so, you have to prove the seller deserved the bad feedback by completing a case, if you don't bother, ebay will remove the feedback.

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

red_magpie — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:33:43 GMT

EBay has rules and policies over what can be said in feedback. Buyers who complain that their feedback was removed almost never tell us what they actually said, which makes it hard to help.

Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:12:49 GMT

It does actually state in the introduction to the community that the comments should be general and no personal or direct information should be included.
As for stating what my feedback said, I gave 1 star and stated that buyers should note the best before date before deciding to purchase. Short, sweet, not rude or abusive.

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Re: The 5 star system is misleading

ebe-454 — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:19:49 GMT

I gave the seller 1 star and simply stated that buyers should check the best before date before buying. It was not bad, rude, abusive or demeaning.
The feedback and rating were removed without me being notified. This does not support the ethos of transparency. When I buy items from ebay, I do not expect to have to sit for an hour to read policies, rules, guidelines and protocols. I expect to buy an item and to give an honest judgement of it.

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