I recently received my 1st negative feedback which was very disappointing as I was unaware there was

[katlover1952]

I recently received my 1st negative feedback which was very disappointing as I was unaware there was even a problem till I read the feedback. Apparently the item was broken in transit - was a bit surprised as I always pack well but know that things happen. I contacted the buyer and indicated I was quite prepared to do a refund and that the item was insured. I asked that they send me a picture of the broken item so I could contact Canada Post. I also asked that once they received the refund that they retract the feedback. I wrote them twice but have never heard from them so am unsure what to do. I do not know if this is affecting my status with eBay much or not - ie I always got free listing offers but have not received one since this happened (maybe there haven't been any?). I note that there is a spot to report a buyer but assume this would not qualify? Also wondering how to go about making a comment under the negative feedback - have seen this on other sellers sometimes. Would appreciate some opinions on this situation from other sellers who have maybe faced something similar.

[mikal3141]

id say your stuck with the negative. given your high rating, it shouldnt sting you too badly. as for leaving comments after feedback, depends what you put. i did it with mine after my last neg as the guy wouldnt pay. silly me. i never filed a NPB. IMO< id just leave it.

[pjcdn2005]

To leave a response to feedback go to the bottom of your feedback page and click on Reply to Feedback Received. If you do put in a response, just stick to the facts and keep it professional. I probably would respond since you did make an attempt to satisfy the buyer.

One thing...I wouldn't mention anything about removing the feedback until after the refund was done and the buyer was happy or happier.

[pjcdn2005]

As far as reporting the buyer...you're right, there is nothing to report them for. It is nice when they contact you about a problem before feedback but there is not rule that they have to do so.

[rose-dee]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

As far as reporting the buyer...you're right, there is nothing to report them for. It is nice when they contact you about a problem before feedback but there is not rule that they have to do so.

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Sadly true.  I see so many sellers asking -- actually pleading -- in their listings for buyers to contact them to work out any issue before leaving negative FB.  Probably very few buyers ever do. 

The OP might as well leave a response to the FB since it sounds as if it's unlikely the buyer will make contact.  If he/she does, I agree with 'pj' -- I'd wait until it appears the buyer is satisfied before asking about FB revision.  

One question that occurred to me -- I assume that if the buyer were to remove his/her original negative FB, any seller response to the negative FB would also disappear? 

[katlover1952]

Thanks for the comments. When I first started on eBay about 10 years ago - sellers ruled the roost in my opinion and often held buyers hostage but the pendulum has swung too far the other way now in my opinion. As a buyer I will always contact a seller when there is a problem but sadly I guess most do not.

I would also assume that any follow up FB left by me to the negative one would disappear but have almost given up hope that the buyer will contact me anyway as it has been a couple of weeks now since I contacted them and have heard nothing.

I am curious as to how this neg FB affects my status with eBay - I used to always get a free listing offer of some kind once a month and always took advantage of as my items are fairly low profit margin so any profit from sales easily gets eaten up in listing fees.

I did not receive any offer in August and have read that they did have one - wondering if my neg FB has caused them to drop me from this?

[pjcdn2005]

I haven't received an invitation to the last 2 promos and most sellers do not recieve every listing promo so I doubt that the negative has anything to do with that. Your other numbers look really good so if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it.

I know..that's easier said than done.

[katlover1952]

Thanks PJ - just is upsetting not to see that 100% anymore - LOL!! Guess I am just too **bleep**.

I did just get an invitation to 500 free listings today but am gathering from discussions that everyone got this one. Guess we really don't know how many of these they have but I do know that I have had one every month for quite some time. I am a small seller though and certainly don't need the 50,000 free ones! Am grateful for the 500 this month.

[ricarmic]

Hi Rose-dee:

In response to your question, yes if the buyer revises the feedback your previous reply is also extinguished. This occurred on my last negative. The pre-revised negative had a response from me. (a long story behind that one but the revision remained negative because they discovered they were blocked).