Feedback from buyers

[14dawnie]

Hi there, 

Has anyone else noticed that buyers just can't be  bothered to leave feedback? Of the last 9 items I have sold and that have been delivered, only 3 buyers have left feed back. I always reach out to the buyer when an item sells, to thanks them for their order and to explain that I have left them feed back and that I would appreciate if they can leave feedback for me when they receive the item. Some even reply and say thanks, will do but then they don't.

Is there anyway eBay can make it more of a compulsory thing to do? For example with Vinted they send an email to the buyer asking you to accept that you are happy so that the transaction is completed. 

I just wonder if other sellers find it frustrating too or if i should just accept that buyers can't be bothered and assume they must be happy as long as they don't leave negative feedback.  For info; I've never had any negative feedback and am trying to keep it that way  by giving detailed clear and honest descriptions and photos.

Thanks

Dawn

[podlingsmum2007]

There is automated feedback. Buyers can get a bit upset being asked to leave feedback. There is always a risk that some may leave a negative as a result. No feedback is better than a negative or a neutral.

[14dawnie]

Good point- thanks, I will stop asking an see if that makes a difference. It's just annoying as my feedback score takes ages to increase. 

I'm not sure what you mean by automatic feedback? Do you mean the fact that we get a notification when delivery is complete?  Perhaps eBay could considered adding that as a point towards our score somehow-maybe as a separate figure to show that we have completed a transaction? 

[sml192 · Accepted solution]

eBay automated feedback

eBay automated feedback is automatically added to the seller’s account when a transaction is successfully completed. This positive feedback gives other eBay users confidence in this seller and in our marketplace. We only do this if the following criteria are met:

• You didn't leave feedback within 7 days of delivery (as confirmed by tracking)
• We can’t see any indication of an issue with the transaction
• Tracking shows the item was delivered on time

Automated feedback from eBay will remain visible unless there is an indication that there was an issue with the transaction, for example the item was damaged or you opened a return. If this happens, we will remove the automated message.

You can still leave your own feedback within 60 days of delivery, in which case the automated feedback will be replaced with yours.

[14dawnie]

Thanks, that is good to know-I've been on eBay for about 20 years but didn't start selling until the last couple of years. I always leave feedback for others regardless of buying or selling so assumed others would do the same but it's good to know about automated feedback now.

[gnosemalf]

I'd say that as a buyer, the same applies to sellers, I get instant automatic feedback on purchases or on leaving positive feedback for them but rarely get feedback any other time.

To me, it appears that the redesign of the My eBay page some time ago may have had some effect - the status of transactions used to be a lot clearer - now the links next to transactions are inconsistent and the highlighted link sometimes says, 'Leave Feedback' and other times says, 'View seller's other items' (or something else) and 'Leave Feedback needs to be selected from a pop-up menu.

[eastern_standard_time]

Can I ask why you think getting feedback is so important? As a small scale seller, I'm perfectly happy when no feedback is left as that way the buyer doesn't give me a reduced star rating for not sticking the stamp on straight etc.

The reason I don't bother leaving feedback is that I have left negatives for bad sellers, only to have them removed by eBay. The system is worthless, so I don't waste my time participating.

[gjalp]

As a buyer, I don’t leave feedback unless I can see its a new seller/low feedback and they may need it for release of funds. I gave up leaving feedback when it all changed to giving the life story of the transaction. It was easier when it was just positive, neutral or negative and a brief line comment. Then ebay brought in new ways to slam the sellers with metrics and ebay wanted to know about delivery costs, time etc etc. I don’t have time for all that plus I was also buying a lot of items and it became incredibly time consuming plus I couldn’t say one way or another if it arrived on time as I am one of those weird buyers who will throw parcels to one side until I get a window to open them (I also work on the basis sellers are mostly good and  rarely had an issue).

As a buyer, I also get incredibly annoyed when Im spammed to leave feedback too. Its a ‘how to rub me up the wrong way’ scenario. So I don’t send reminders or ask for feedback as a seller and I really wish ebay wouldn’t send out communications on my behalf regarding this either. 

There was a time when feedback was voluntary and ebay was all ‘its voluntary’ and now it feels like ‘you must leave feedback’ from them too. 

As for this automatic feedback, just why? Its not necessary. Its another way for ebay to meddle in a seller’s business. Feedback is between the seller and buyer, there is no need for ebay to interfere.

[hettsville]

---

@14dawnie wrote:

Thanks, that is good to know-I've been on eBay for about 20 years but didn't start selling until the last couple of years. I always leave feedback for others regardless of buying or selling so assumed others would do the same but it's good to know about automated feedback now.

---

I'm surprised you haven't noticed you already have 17 automated feedback.

[14dawnie]

I wouldn't know where to look to be honest- so that is why I haven't noticed 😉 

I juts looked at my feed back score now- 968, and I can't see anything about automated feed back- just that it shows as a seller and as a buyer or All. 

[14dawnie]

Ok,  thanks,  each to their own, I guess.

I like to give to feedback and receive it- I feel it's a good polite way of engaging with other eBay users but understand you prefer not to.

I don't leave a story as a buyer , just a Thanks ,lovely item or very pleased. When I sell I just say, thanks for your order and fast payment. I feel this lets other sellers know that the buyer is genuine about purchasing and pays quickly. 

[lucy_farmer]

'I don't leave a story as a buyer , just a Thanks ,lovely item or very pleased'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that's ideal. I was always happier to get a brief (positive!) feedback, rather than nothing. This meant I knew the item had arrived and I wasn't slightly worried for the next 30 days thinking I *may* get an INR sometime...

I reckon feedback used to be very useful; in the days when ebay (and the internet in general) were a new thing, you needed to know who you were dealing with.  Nowadays people buy stuff online without a second thought knowing they are (mostly* ) well protected, and feedback is more of a rarity.

*unless you're buying off faecebook scammers inc.®

[14dawnie]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

To answer your question about why feedback is so important to me, I suppose because I've been on eBay for so long as a buyer and I thought that feedback was at the core of the values set, to promote trust.

I totally get your point about being happy not to get feedback at all, in case it's bad feedback, I see what you mean; sort of no news is good news and I do think that way after the 7 day period has elapsed.

I think it's because I try to be really honest when I sell and I actually put quite a bit of my time and effort when I list an item for sale. For example,  I don't/won't use AI for description, as I find an AI description worthless as it tells me nothing I need to know.  So I like to receive feedback (hopefully  positive) just to know that my buyer is happy as it validates that they feel my description was truthful. 

I take on board what you and others are saying so, I won't let it bother me anymore. I am more than happy to keep my 100% rating. 

thanks again

Dawn

[14dawnie]

Thanks for your reply

I always leave feedback for every transaction, as a buyer or a seller. The few times I have been unable to promptly leave feedback-e.g. the item was late or I am away and have not yet opened the parcel,  I get an email from eBay to remind me to leave feedback. 

Personally, I don't find it much of a bother to leave feed back -it takes less than a minute of my time but I appreciate for some it is an irritation, especially if they have lots of transactions daily, whereas I only sell or buy one or two things a week.

[14dawnie]

Yes, I'm learning from the replies that there is automatic feedback- I still can't work out where to see it! 

I hope nobody takes offence that I ask them to leave feedback, as it's not my intention to harangue anyone! I certainly only ask the once but I get your point, so I will omit asking now that I know there is no value to it. 

[14dawnie]

Thanks for this- i just can't work out how to see the difference between automated and human feedback!

[sml192]

You need to make sure that you have ticked the 'Show automated feedback' box at the top of your feedback profile.  The comment for eBay automated feedback will always show as 'Order delivered on time with no issues' and it will state 'eBay automated feedback' in the second column.  The 2 most recent feedbacks that you have received are eBay automated feedback.

[podlingsmum2007]

Buyers id is hidden on feedback. Other sellers won't be able to use the information to know who is a quick paying buyer. Only you can see the id of your buyer.

[14dawnie]

Thanks I will take a look.

[14dawnie]

Thank you for that info too.