I sell some stuff on ebay. a couple of times in the last month I've had buyers who have left neg feedback stating - "item arrived damaged'. which is fine as stuff can get damaged in the post.
I just don't understand why they don't attempt to reconcile the issue first. I'm happy to send a replacement at no cost. but they apparently have a broken item and I have their money. I don't see how it helps them.
the neg is soon swallowed up in pos feedbacks so that doesn't really bother me.
Make it clear in the description that if the item is damaged or not as described that there is a return policy.
I usually offer a 5 day return policy on things that may be DOA or faulty on arrival.
A children's watch I bought yesterday arrived with the watch face smashed. :/
The seller left a note that said, they hoped that everything was good and if it wasn't to contact them and let them try and sort something out.
I found that particularly helpful… so maybe you can do the same with your parcels and that also just gives your buyers reassurance about buying from you.
Maybe also look at the packaging and the way you post items if the same items are getting broken?
As for the negs maybe they needed it by a certain timeframe and reposting was too late, or they couldn't be bothered if cheap item, who knows.
I forgot to end one of my listings on ebay and somebody bought it… gave me neutral feedback even though i gave prompt refund… I thought that deserved positive at least for prompt refund! :|
Well technically you were selling something you didn't have and they bought it thinking you did have it so might be annoying for the buyer. I think I've only ever given out 1 negative feedback in my life
Why on earth do you think they should give you a positive doing the rightful thing? You could have wasted his time, he could have bought another one but chose yours instead and now the other one isn't available any more. You wouldn't be happy if a deal you get on here is cancelled due to seller not complying for one reason or the other.
I copy and paste a msg after each sale that goes something like "Hi and thank you for the purchase, your item has been sent today via Registered Post ref: ####. Once received and you're happy with the purchase I would appreciate an appropriate feedback, should there be any issues please do not hesitate to get back to me."
Takes a second, let them know there's someone on the other side of the line. 9 years selling and I've ~1700/0/1, the negative was some grumpy old guy who sent me 2 emails and tried to call me all within 10mins of receiving the item, so nothing could have helped imo.
Some people are just really sad and shallow people, I had a woman buy an exercise game with sensor off me 2nd hand , I used it right before I packed it to make sure it worked. About two weeks later I came across negative feedback from her stating if I even knew it was broken (uhh yeah it worked when I packed it…) So I sent her a moderately pissed message letting her know if she removed the neg feedback I'd help her with a refund. Browsing some cheap gaming sites the same game and sensor was cheaper importing than what I was selling second hand… Coincidence? Anyway, I got a really defensive message saying no way!!! not interested!!! Like I'd tried to foil her plans to take over the world… So I complained to eBay and got rejected with a huge essay, that I think was partly written by a human, long story short , unless you take them to court and their not rude or something they won't do anything, though they're happy to see you take being an eBayer so serious.
That said eBay are a joke, they removed a listing of mine and because I had a group of items I wanted gone I stated if you're not interested in certain items let me know and I'll remove them. eBay interpreted this as me circumventing the rules. I complained and said I wanted a written apology as I take considerable offence at being insinuated that I'm a cheat. Take down the listing, but no need to be rude! Anyway also said I wasn't interested in doing a survey, so what do they do in their infinite wisdom? Send me a survey!
My guess is your selling something really cheap and the effort required to contact you and get sent another one outways the value of the item itself and the easiest way to get some form of redemption is to leave you a neg.