MAKING FB FAIR FOR SELLERS & EDUCATING BUYERS

[whoscloset]

I was thinking about this and while I don't agree with the changes that don't allow sellers to leave negs I'm not delusional enough to think ebay is going to listen to our complaints any time soon.

I do, however, think that we should AT LEAST be able to state our case to a Buyer immediately prior to their leaving feedback. Why can't ebay implement a system whereby when a buyer is about to leave feedback for a particular seller, they will see a statement...prewritten by the seller...which offers the buyer some insight into their shipping charges, etc.

For instance a seller could put in a blanket statement such as...


Please note prior to leaving feedback for whoscloset...
* we use UPS to ensure fast delivery and your item was shipped within 48 hours of payment
* we pass along our UPS volume discount to our customers to save you money
* note that all your items were packaged well with bubble wrap and new packaging materials

Should you have any concerns with regard to you item(s) please contact us prior to leaving feedback.


I don't think that giving the seller SOME voice to reason with a buyer BEFORE feedback is left is too much to ask.

[katiusciav]

oh my gosh...i was thinking the EXACT same thing!! you have beaten me to it. i was thinking why can't EBAY create in their sell pages an area that a seller can sort of 'fill in' that the buyer sees while looking at the listing-so everything is in one spot-out in the open, disclosed and very visible, instead of the sellers including it somewhere in their description down below etc...

something like a chart before the description including all the basics ie...insurance costs, shipping costs, refund policy etc..etc...

ebay's defence is always that the seller needs to be accurate...i don't think this is always the problem, i believe most sellers are accurate for the most part, and we all know alot of the times its the buyers not reading...if ebay helps the seller get all the accuracies out there in a simple, sort of mandatory chart form, it would certainly help...

[jakeeangel]

There are changes in the works. One of the things they're going to be doing is changing the screen that buyers and sellers see when they go to leave feedback.

Right now, both parties see the same thing. Soon buyers will see a different screen reminding them to communicate with sellers, noting that items coming across an International border will take longer and stuff like that.

I had said this somewhere else but they said it today too, put notes like you've done above, which is great, in emails to your buyers. They said to advertise and sell yourself to buyers. Essentially tell them what they're getting for their money.

Let them know they're not paying big bucks to have their item shipped in an old cereal box basically.

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When you find doing what's right hard to do - you've got a problem.

[katiusciav]

In my opinion, its hard to convince some buyers of the actual shipping cost without them thinking that its overinflated...

..i say this because i don't believe it myself when i calculate it, right now, the only way i think is to actually send them the cp link showing the calculation...

[momoftwingles2]

I actually use recycled materials any time I can. I use cereal boxes, and any other that is appropriate for the items that I send. Our children's classes bring clean, crisp cereal boxes to school and each day our girls bring them home. Mind you there are times when I must use pizza boxes in either the 8 x 8, 10 x 10, 13 x 13 or 14 x 14 size. When this happens or when I have to use a cardboard mailer, I do pass those costs on to the seller. Buyers appreciate any thing that I can do to keep their costs down and that's what I do. In more than 7 years I've never had a complaint about using recycled materials. It saves $ and saves the enviroment. Susan

[pepinski9]

I agree momoftwingles2, I go to a local restaurant that does NOT recycle their boxes (city bylaw requires them to pay a weekly fee so they just throw them out). I take a good chunk of clean but used boxes for shipping to do my part for the environment and if a buyer complains because their box was not purchased at U-Haul I would be upset. I also do not charge handling, so I do what I can to save on packing costs and pass that savings to the buyer, but never at the expense of secure shipping. As long as it is packed well and secure I would hope buyers will not complain about materials.

I can see it now, though: "Seller used packing peanuts, I prefer bubble wrap. Horrible seller"

[whoscloset]

Dollar stores like Dollarama go through TONS of boxes every day due to their high turnover of stock. They are a great resource if you are looking for some larger boxes that are in great condition.