The Wholesale Forums

[lighthousedirec]

Anyone else noticing the rise in feedback blackmail on ebay?

Just had a client today email me regarding a chest of drawers she purchased from me, brand new. Loves the quality, etc all arrived safely but complains about a smell.

After a couple of emails it seems she was referring to the new paint smell, checked my other stock, nothing obtrusive, just fresh paint, she claims she is almost throwing up and it must be toxic paint.

To be helpful I offerred a full refund, and when asked on the return postage stated if found to be an obtrusive amount I would credit it, but no decision until it was returned. Obviously I am happy to credit the initial shipping as well.

Straight away she spits out her dummy and the feedback threats start, fortunately I can stand up to ten negatives this month without any worries but it is worrying that clients are happy to jump down seller throats when if a national company asked to investigate I doubt she would have said a thing.

She now reckons she will keep the item if I do not promise to refund the shipping and issue negs, which I'm expecting whatever I end up doing.

I've sold many of the same item and had nothing but complements regarding VFM etc.

[YNWA]

I had a buyer email me yesterday saying the received their item but its full of deep scratches. Even though the item in question is brand new, security sealed my the manufacturer and still in the cellophane shrink wrap.

I said he could return it and upon return the disc will be checked and scanned to see if it is the original disc that was supplied to him.

i am yet to receive a reply.

[lighthousedirec]

Just glad I state all returns are at the buyers expense, I knew feedblack blackmail was on it's way from the first email received.

[Tango34uk]

I recieved an email today, from a customer that signed for their package over 1 month ago, telling me they wanted a full refund. I have proof that the item was delivered.

They asked / told me that if I didn'r refund they would leave bad feedback - I told them that I have proof of delivery, and if they leave feedback stating that the goods went delivered, I would see them in court, for "obtaining goods by deseption" -(my bad spelling).

They have yet to answer!

[MathewLisett]

lol, this is what makes me laugh.... ist as though your feedback is now part of a ransom demand lol, give me another item, give me a refund, yeah so what if i didnt pay you give me good feedback or i leave bad feedback for you.

in all honesty why are people so scared about all these bribes,m becuase thats what they are, as long as you keep all emails etc then any court will be on your side, even paypal would have to agree to help out .

i had a seller complain to me that becuase i hadnt left good feedback even after he knew it was his fault the item never arrived and only asnwered my email (sent over 10) only answered after complaint to ebay and paypal, the cheeky git tride to whine like a little baby sying his life would be destroyed and reputation gone if i didnt leave good feedback, and i was like excuse me pal... i never got my item from you , your rude and not trustworthy what rep is it that you have to lose. and even told him that the feedback system was there to be for honest people .

[sellsimplestuff]

Originally Posted by lighthousedirec

Just glad I state all returns are at the buyers expense, I knew feedblack blackmail was on it's way from the first email received.

Have you seen the pop up box that comes up just before a buyer leaves feedback

It's something along the lines of

''buyers you can no longer receive negative or neutral feedback you should leave feedback without fear of a negative or neutral rating''

[Andy777]

I had an e-mail another day from one customer saying that the disc they received IS EMPTY!!!

Just to clarify - it was a brand new, factory sealed, Blu Ray movie. How can that be Empty??? Ha-ha

[geosamm]

feed back is just another stick for buyers to try to hit you with.... its ineffective if both sides have equivalent sized sticks... but very biased if only one side has a stick
Buyers can warn other buyers about a bad seller.... but sellers cant warn other sellers about a bad buyer.... true most sellers wont take a blind bit of notice as long as they make a sale but to be equitable it should be available.
The only real way to affect ebay is to give it a sharp kick in the pocket, the most effective way to do that is for the sellers [who provide the money] to withdraw from the site for a week or two... not just one or two, but an organised and well orchestrated boycott.... will it happen?........ NO

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Andy777

I had an e-mail another day from one customer saying that the disc they received IS EMPTY!!!

Just to clarify - it was a brand new, factory sealed, Blu Ray movie. How can that be Empty??? Ha-ha

.. And what was your response?

[lighthousedirec]

the most effective way to do that is for the sellers [who provide the money] to withdraw from the site for a week or two... not just one or two, but an organised and well orchestrated boycott.... will it happen?........ NO

No it won't whilst ebay still has the traffic, but I notice a group of powersellers have started to look into setting up their own venue, but it would take a long time if ever to truly get going.

Ebay is changing, they are looking for professional sellers and whilst the changes being introduced are causing a lot of problems for many, thankfully it is still a very small minority abusing the system.

I can't complain, breaking all sales targets through ebay and even with sensible shipping charges am over 4.7 dsr so getting my discounts as well. A lot of the powersellers who are moaning daily need to step up their game and improve or go elsewhere, cause ebay will not change back now.