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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 58
Location: west | This whole feedback change stems from ebay research that indicates that sellers left neg FB eight times more often then buyers. It's easy to see why. Anyone with a large FB rating with thousands of sales could leave a neg FB without fear of reprisal because the neg they received in return would not have a significant effect on their FB rating. But for a buyer with only 10 FB's, one neg would lower his/her score by 10%. Not very fair is it, and ebay says it is discouraging new ebay buyers.
Now the changes come and something to consider .. Now, as an ebay buyer it's going to be great. A negative can be left for a seller for any whimsical reason; and it can now be left without fear of reprisal. The new policy encourages buyers to leave negs and leave them more often. And hey, I'm a buyer too...
In light of this though, I wonder if I will ever perform as a seller well enough to never get a neg? My goal of perfect selling is now much harder; even though I always work my arse off to please buyers by offering honest product descriptions performing exceptional customer service.
Sure, they've instuted some new and additional seller protections. What remains to be seen is if they are all worthwhile or effective.
My take is that alot of "bad" sellers, probably very large volume sellers, have made ebay life difficult for all of us. Since ebay knows who they are why not punish them and leave the rest of us "good" sellers alone? Of course, you know the answer is revenue and cash flow. The large sellers make millions for ebay.
Why hasn't ebay thought of a FB weighting system? Maybe based on overall sales. To make the weight of each neg equal for all levels.
For those that aren't up to speed on what is happening please go and read the Jan 29 announcements on ebay from Bill Cobb and Jim Ambach, here's the link
ebay Jan 08 Announcements
Guess I'll just take a wait-and-see approach. Still I'm not selling for that week as I really don't have to. If I help I help, if not no biggie. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | " A negative can be left for a seller for any whimsical reason; "
You see that's what I thought... and I wondered about people just leaving negatives for everyone... But the ramification is actually worse. It will certainly look worse.
When I go to the page of the seller whom I left negative feedback... I see my feedback, and they didn't leave a comment. It's just noise on the screen. A few others had problems with this person also, but maybe they are bipolar cause they have lots of good feedback too.
If the new system was in place... when looking at this buyer... they would just have a very low number of feedbacks, but when you looked at their "feedback left for others" you'd see their negative comments and the "response" comments from the sellers. THAT would tell a real story.
I'm NOT saying the new system is perfect, or that it will cure all. I think some of the other idea's like a weighted system will help, and in fact, they are doing that to some extent with negative feedback over a year old no longer having an affect on score.
think what eBay really missed the boat on is explaining what ISN'T changing and also what are the "and other policies to protect sellers" are.
Again, even that notice they put out is catered to the BUYER even though it's the seller that makes eBay the money.
I actually think the biggest reason for the change other than the rates, is neither the sellers nor the buyers. It's the scammers. For most eBay is a pretty safe place to do business. Not perfect, but pretty safe for most. However, there are scam rings that are smartly making use of eBay, mostly from overseas.
Ordering things from buyers all over and not paying for them, or using bogus payments to get the goods strictly to resale in their home country. Then there are the groups that open several accounts, boost each others feedback, then open big bulk stores, sell 1000's in merchandise and deliver nothing. They go as far as they can, make as much as possible.. then wash, rinse, repeat. |
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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 10
Location: Dartmouth UK | I've used ebay for about 7 years, have 600+ feedback, 100% positive as buyer and seller, transactions worldwide in both cases.
All I would input here is if you dont like it, dont use it!
Any body going to die if ebay ceases??
I'll hang back on clearing a "few more attic items" and see what happens.Okay if you have an ebay business it may be not to your liking, so adapt or move on..change is inevitable - USA management theories for years :-) |
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Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Also agree Lisa's idea was great. I wonder how much the ebay people consider the sellers and buyers reccomendations before they make their decisions. The idea about 'a weighted system of feedback' would be quite practical. Ebay has been doing this a long time, so they must know the difference between the good sellers, the bad sellers and the scammers. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | The changes have apparently not yet been put into effect. I just received positive feedback as a buyer (coincidently, for my unofficial OFC gatherings Hawaiian shirt!). |
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Ebay stops Seller's Feedback of Buyers
