Ebay now allows Negative Feedback for items never included in auctions.

[palms_and_pdas]

Hi everyone

Have not posted on here for a while now but I thought that everyone should be aware of this one.

Not sure if it has been posted before and the new seller protection policies do not apply for this feedback scam.

Do not want to post this but I have to take an more active role on this despite the ribbing or comments I may get from others in here.

Ebay is now allowing buyers to leave negative feedback for items that are not listed as being for sale in your auctions.

They even allow them to complain in the feedback that the items are not included that were never offered for sale.

GET READY for IT !!!!, because if that buyer got that free food processor from the last seller or retailer, than you are expected to send that as part of the sale to meet buyers expectations.

I guess I have to send socks with that new pair of shoes I may sell to meet the buyers expectations even when I am not selling them in the details of the auctions listed.

Wow a new way to scam you for free product and trash your feedback and DSR scores in one swoop.

Before 99.6 now 99.5
DSR before 4.88 4.87 4.90 4.73
DSR after 4.84 4.83 4.89 4.67

Let's not stop there this buyer did the same to another seller the same day. WOW !!! In less than 10 minutes.

Ebay now expects us to send free product and keep the negative feedback for items requested or complained about in feedback that were never listed in the auctions details for sale.

They also expect a vindictive buyer's 1 scores in all 4 DSR categories for the auction to stay when it should have only affect the item as described section of the listing.

You communicate 5 to 10 times, ship in 2 days, are lower on shipping costs than most of your large competitors, and even offer shipping refunds and this is what you get.

You even leave positive feedback first as ebay keeps preaching as a good policy, and this is what you receive.

SCAMMERS !!!!

My DSR discounts will be decreased from 15% to now 5% with this buyer.

The seller protection polices do not cover this type of feedback scam and is another loophole for buyers to extort.

The trust and safety team indicates unless he stated he was going to leave a negative before he left the negative there is nothing they can do.

Have a great day as it is open season again for bogus feedback comments and buyers expecting free items that are not listed in your auctions.

Was ebay not supposed to take a more active role in protecting sellers from feedback abuse and extortion ???

Do I give everyone free product because they request it again when not listed in my auctions ???

Ebay is passing the buck again and telling us to suck it up and as the rep stated in a phone cal "it not that bad 😞 your feedback is still good."

Fitz.

[ampurtle]

The trust and safety team indicates unless he stated he was going to leave a negative before he left the negative there is nothing they can do.

That's a lot of self serving hog wash. It's software and a database, anything can be changed easily...:O

[moltencore]

OP - maybe I'm missing 'something' ... but I've read your post 2x and still don't have a clue WTH you are talking about.
?:|

[hhind_design]

The buyer negged them because there was no cover for the product

BUT the seller never indicated in the listing that the cover was included.

Moreover, cover was not even in photo.

Unfair neg.

[dipmicro]

It's just a neg, not like he stole money from you. Get over it.

- Dealer, I just bought this car from you and it has no backseats, no spare tire, no bulbs installed, no carpet.
- Where did you see these things in the ad?

[palms_and_pdas]

"It's just a neg, not like he stole money from you. Get over it."

I did not ask for a get over it opinion. I posted this for information.

Lets wait and see how loud you squeal when you get hit 4 or 5 times with the same issue and you seller discounts drop with one feedback.

The buyer says to you dipmicro in negative feedback "Did not send me any soldier or instructions with this item"

Or "seller sent me 10 of these transistors I only needed one" in the negative feedback.

Then leave 1's for your DSR scores.

"- Dealer, I just bought this car from you and it has no backseats, no spare tire, no bulbs installed, no carpet.
- Where did you see these things in the ad? "

We are not selling a car here and your comment is not useful in this threat at solving anything or bringing it to anyone attention.

As usual the comedians come in again to try water down any real issues that need to be addressed with inappropriate comments.

If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Fitz

[dipmicro]

Lets wait and see how loud you squeal when you get hit

It already happened. I squealed.

If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Looking for solution, where there is no problem in the first place. You do not have to agree with FB buyer leaves for you, it does not make it wrong.

We are not selling a car ...

Of course not, only certain accessories are assumed to be part of the purchase. If I buy a computer, you assume it comes with a box and power supply. If I buy a memory stick, I assume it comes with the cap. If I bought a handheld that is usually sold with a cover, I would expect it.

Your comments about clowns are either ironic or humorous. It's likable when people are able to joke about themselves 😉

[palms_and_pdas]

Sorry but this negative is not for late shipping.

You reply's seem to be done only to bother others and your logic is flawed.

Fitz

[lina-mallows]

fitzheuen_palms_and_pdas - Having read the auction in question- it is 100% clear to me:
You wrote- "NOTHING ELSE IS INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION."
And, NO COVER was mentioned in the list.

I will note that I personally would not have written the following caveat before the above WARNING:
"DO YOU HOMEWORK WHEN BUYING OR LOOKING AT OTHER SELLERS.

THEY ARE NOT SELLING THESE COMPLETE AND MAY REQUIRE YOU SPENDING MORE MORE THAN YOU WERE LOOKING AT SPENDING."
Just to point out- neither are you selling COMPLETE items- so I wouldn't be saying this.

BOTTOM LINE- so what!
Customers/Buyers are free to write whatever they want- expect that which eBay restricts. And, as I am always first to point out- you can do whatever you want, and even foolishly try to do some of the things eBay suggest.
HOWEVER- at the end of the day WE AS SELLERS have NO CONTROL over the things buyers write as feedback- or the DSR's we receive.

So, that's not to say give up- just don't loose sleep over the things you have no control over.

[palms_and_pdas]

Exactly 🙂

[golfrnman]

Fitz

Your comments hit home. I too have been hit with scamming buyers that report mis-measurements or damaged on perfect items. I know 100% that an item was a store return or over stock and they email back reporting the item is damaged or stained and want a refund or partial refund. They never actually state they will leave feedback they infer it with " before I leave feedback I thought I'd tell you about...." I was hit twice in one week and my rating went down so much that I was put on probation by ebay and was not allowed to sell for 30 days. When I complained to ebay about this they just ignored my comments.... I'm getting frustrated ... it is not good business to give things away for free.

Paul

[palms_and_pdas]

I keep getting those emails as well.

"before I leave feedback can you please help me with this item, or can you please explain something before I leave feedback"

The threat of a negative is also in that statement as the buyer is trying again to get something for nothing.

You are just waiting for the hammer to drop if you do not kiss a whole lot of Rear.

Fitz

[lina-mallows]

Here's our approach.

We believe that happy customers are a good thing, and we will go to great lengths to see that they are. THOUGH- there is a limit!

IN THIS CASE- we would indicate that if the BUYER is having a problem, they are free to use the eBay/PayPal mechanisms available to them. And, we request that they do so!

We will be happy to respond to any complaint they may have through these mechanisms.

We also ask that they PLEASE do not contact us further regarding this matter. (Yes- we are serious about this- complain to THEM, not us! We have even bounced e-mails to make that point.)

I know- comes off being rather harsh- HOWEVER- you cannot protect yourself from a NEGATIVE feedback, regardless of what you do- so give up on trying !!!!! BUT- you can compel the customer to put their concerns IN WRITING- and respond accordingly, where everything is neatly documented.

This way- as a seller you are protected in that the customer, regardless of what they ask for, can be accepted, or denied- AN IT IS IN WRITING for ALL to see. AND if they are really dissatisfied- then THEY WILL PAY to have the item shipped back to you- BEFORE they will receive a REFUND!
You can always offer to cover anything BEYOND what eBay/PayPal provides for- but you are not compelled to do so. AND eBay/PayPal will make it clear to the buyer the limits to which they may push.

REALITY CHECK......REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU WRITE ABOUT YOUR RETURN POLICY- eBAY/PayPal will hold you to THEIR chargeback/REFUND STANDARDS- NOT yours!

Make the buyer do the EXTRA work. It will make them think twice if they are trying to pull this scam with you, and possibly other sellers- most especially if a constant barrage of complaints is showing up logged through their eBay/PayPal account.

[lina-mallows]

On a totally tangential note: In our return policy- we make note of what we have done to the ONE customer who tried to pull a fast one:

"In over FIVE years- no one has ever asked to return an item!
We take great care in accurately describing, and very carefully packing, the items offered.
Should there be a problem- PLEASE let us know.
We believe our commitment to our customers* is reflected in our feedback profile.
Happy customers* are a good thing.
(*Except for that customer we're happy to be rid of! And, we would be less than honest not mentioning this unique exception.)"

[momoftwingles2]

Hi Lina,

Just curious...would you honestly shop at a store that had a sign up that stated: (*Except for that customer we're happy to be rid of! And, we would be less than honest not mentioning this unique exception.)

I know that I would not nor would any of my family members.

Just my opinion.
Susan
momoftwingles2

[palms_and_pdas]

HI Lina

I see the approach that everyone is getting at here but what is listed is what is for sale and as the auction stated nothing else is included.

This is complete and ready to be used and a case or cover is not required on a used item.

The feedback is still abuse and ebay is not willing to do anything.

There are many cases like this one and ebay does not stand behind their own policies on unwarranted feedback and feedback abuse.

This affects sellers ability to sell with false feedback in the best match when scores drop and lowered discounts on FVF fees to compensate the already high ebay fees.

Not sure what others spend in a month but my last months bill was $1250.00 on ebay fees only and the discount help a bit for the DSR scores discounts.

A case or a cover is not an essential part to getting this running and working.

To ad what is not included as many sellers do not, is a futile attempt because a buyer will always find something that is not listed that they thought that they feel should be there.

We have tried that in the past and it does not work as scammers will try another approach.

Fitz

[lina-mallows]

fitzheuen_palms_and_pdas I am on your side here- just a bit more brutal with the approach.

Accurate description are just that. And if an item is not included, most especially if some may feel that it should be, we go out of our way to specifically mention that the item IS NOT included.

Feedback is rarely honest, and short of a list of prohibited things, eBay doesn't really care.

Remember- every negative, and low DSR may SAVE eBay money in giving DISCOUNTS. So, as a seller, our interests are diametrically opposed to eBay's interest in MAXIMIZING revenue. Customers/Buyers/Consumers can only be educated so much. And, we ALL face UNFIAR, UNJUST, UNTRUE, and totally malicious feedback, without eBay caring at all. At the end of the day, yes it may mean dollars spent on fees, that need not have been spent if FB DSR's were higher. Plan on NOT getting a discount- ignore eBay's nonsense about FREE SHIPPING, and other ridiculous ideas- and charge what you can., where you can, based on THE REAL WORLD- and not what eBay believes it to be!

This is a quote from eBay:
"Why are you setting limits on shipping charges lower than my actual costs to ship?
We based our maximum shipping & handling charges on recent transaction data of what sellers are charging and what buyers have told us is reasonable. We know that what buyers consider to be reasonable will be less than sellers' actual costs in some cases. We believe that by offering buyers at least one shipping option that they deem reasonable, sellers will increase their overall sales and conversion. "

ASK yourself this- WHEN HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO PAY MORE FOR SHIPPING?????
Everyone generally WANTS to pay LESS!

What's missing in the equation is REALITY! Has ANYONE at eBay also realized that SELLERS want to PAY LESS fees?????
Well, maybe they have- but eBay left it up to the buyers to make the ultimate decision. And buyers cannot ever be predictable.

[dipmicro]

fitzheuen_palms_and_pdas, here is something practical for the future incidents:

Alienating customers generally does not work well. Are they frustrated, unhappy or just jerks? Sweeten the deal with store credit for the next purchase. That usually makes them happy momentarily and jerks ease-up a little.

You do not need to track the credit, just tell them to remind you and use it up by certain time.

Some will not ever use the credit and you will have time to place them in your BB list.

This will only work if they communicate their frustration to seller. If they just leave negs without warning, ... seller is out of luck.

[faerywishes]

lina-mallows

I just went and checked one of your listings. I looked at the non-tulip (daffodil) starbucks card. I have to say I was kind of intrigued.

Do you really accept Canadian Tire money at par? I stopped and thought about that for a few seconds and have to admit, you might be onto something there. Does Ebay see that this is an acceptable form of payment? Or is it just a joke?

Also, I was kinda confused on this part. Believe me doesn't take much to confuse me either.

AirMail SHIPPING $1.50 within Canada and the U.S.
Including Alaska and Hawaii,
for your ENTIRE CARD order !


ALL "OUT OF CANADA" shipments now sent with
an Official "Proof of Mailing". What is the official "Proof of Mailing"?

I am curious to know as it might be something I could use.

Thanks for your time.
Colleen

[faerywishes]

fitzheuen_palms_and_pdas

I am very sorry that you have gotten an unfair neg. Unfortunately many of us have. And we've learned that this is what can happen in here. But for me the good far outweighs the bad.

Make a comment on the neg feedback comment. Try not to leave an emotional comment. Your buyers will see through the buyers wrong feedback. And see that he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. I recently was given 30 neut and was very unfair I felt, and I thought I was done in here. Many in here made me see otherwise and the support helped me immensely. Obviously, I'm not done in here...lol. I was able to move on and the feed back got hidden fairly quickly. It hasn't hurt my sales at all as far as I can tell. I feel I am doing very well. And now that that person can't sabatoge my dsr's anymore they have shot right up and I'm close to earning the 15% discount this month. Please don't give another thought to that person as he doesn't deserve even one more second of you thinking about what he did. He did nothing, nothing at all. He tried, He failed. Because you will win in the end!!! I wish you all the best!!
Colleen