Negative Feedback: Managing Buyer Expectations for $1 items (probably including free shipping)

[momcqueen]

I don't even know what I was looking for when I stumbled across this.

My intention is not to draw attention (or poke fun at) the unfortunate seller in question but to question itself what buyers might expect from the absolutely cheapest items on the market.

When you spend $1 on a pair of underwear (probably free postage included) is it reasonable to expect it to be the best gitch you ever bought?

Or does that (value for price) not come into play? 

Which brings me to another point: it looks to me like buyers are happier to leave flaming awful feedback for cheap items than for expensive ones when/if things go pear-shaped with a transaction.

Why is this? I don't understand. 

[momcqueen]

Basically, the crux of each complaint is Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) so why not just open a case and get your $1 refunded?!

Is the pleasure to be found in leaving negative feedback equal to the pain you felt after giving your wife sexy underwear that was way too small? 

[mr.elmwood]

When living in Winnipeg, nearby, there was a 7-11, Sobey's, Superstore, and a Safeway.

7-11 attracts a specific level of denizen. The next level up, Sobey's, was not much better. Superstore was better, but, Safeway has a far higher quality of customer.

Here in Dauphin, there is the same hierarchy except that Loblaws and the Co-Op switch places.

I shop at Safeway. Better quality of customer.

[rose-dee]

Yup, 'Mr. Elmwood' is right.  It's an old marketing saw that those looking for $0.99 merchandise are most likely to complain about $0.99 quality.   

[rose-dee]

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@mjwl2006 wrote:

(a)  Basically, the crux of each complaint is Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) so why not just open a case and get your $1 refunded?!

(b)  Is the pleasure to be found in leaving negative feedback equal to the pain you felt after giving your wife sexy underwear that was way too small? 

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(a) Because these people's time is much too precious; and  

(b) It's far better.  Hadn't you heard?  Revenge is sweet, and a dish best served cold (according to taste).  

[mr.elmwood]

99¢ buyers think they are getting a $20 item. $20 buyers think they are buying a $20 item. I sell to the latter category of buyer.

[momcqueen]

I understand that from an academic level but not so much from a personal one.

If the iPhone charger I bought at the Dollar Store shreds in two months, I'm not going back to the Dollar Store to wave my arms in the air and holler that my $1.25 phone cord was crummy.

If the iPhone charger I bought at the Apple Store for $40 shreds in two months, I will go back to the Apple Store and wave my arms in the air and holler because my $40-cord was crummy.

Maybe they're both the same cord but in a case like that I do pin my expectations on the price point. Do all these people really not comprehend that you get what you pay for?

[momcqueen]

Or did I just contradict myself? 

[rose-dee]

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@mjwl2006 wrote:

Or did I just contradict myself? 

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You're over-thinking the question and ascribing far too much rational thinking to these types of buyers.  

[momcqueen]

You're probably right. 

[femmefan1946]

The feedback that starts "avoid asian stores..." made me think that maybe that was a selling point for most of their customers.

I think I am turning into that old lady.

[rose-dee]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

I think I am turning into that old lady.

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Ha-ha, well, you've got company here. 

[mr.elmwood]

Ole ladies are sexy.

[vintagenorth]

Really? We love you too, mr.e!

[mr.elmwood]

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@vintagenorth wrote:

Really? We love you too, mr.e!

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I'm 60 so any lady under about 55 is a kid. Whisper in my ear "I am retired with a pension" and I get goosebumps.

[i.am.vivian]

All fair questions but at the same time, Do sellers of cheap items deserve positive feedback when their items are junk, can't be used and are just a way to get people to buy them so the seller makes money? Should buyers not be allowed to give their opinion when the item does not match the description? Should feedback really only be allowed on items over a certain price like $20, spend less and we are all at the mercy of the seller? Should sellers who use false advertising be given a free pass with no feedback and then no one ever twigs on to what they're doing?

[block36]

And how do you know?  

[mr.elmwood]

Fairly meaningless as eBay attaches no importance to feedback. Seller at the top is running 98% selling **bleep**. That is fairly impressive. I like the neg from the guy complaining about the 99¢ panties were no good. Big spender.

[mr.elmwood]

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@block36 wrote:

And how do you know?  

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How do I know what?

[i.am.vivian]

I think I see your point but to say that eBay attaches no importance to feedback PERIOD is not the same as it just not having a negative and more immediate effect on the seller's record. Just because negs no longer count against a seller does not mean eBay attaches no importance to feedback whatsoever, at least I haven't seen that written anywhere by eBay. And that doesn't address any of my questions. 🙂