feedback extortion

soolin

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100309402&tstart=0&mod=1278766344589

Just came across this on the community boards. I thought it was quite an interesting discussion about what does, or does not constitute feedback extortion.

In particular I was interested as I don't think we have ever come across an incidence here on MSE where a seller has been suspended for feedback extortion alone.

corbyboy

I would say that the comment that was posted counts as feedback extortion.

If a message contains the phrase "in exchange for positive feedback" I don't see how you defend against it.

A total suspension after one complaint seems a little harsh, but ebay have other things to be spending their time on rather than dishing out warnings to people.

lindseykim13

seems harsh if thats a first offence but imo it is extortion. should have phrased it better 'will refund you now, hope you can appreciate that the courier was at fault and you will be kind with regards to fb' would have been better.

George666

Hi I agree with some of the comments on the ebay forum that the OP is not telling the whole truth.
I think that the account had other problems as well not just the extortion.
Having said this I must say that the message sent to their buyer was clear feedback extortion and read as no positive then no refund.
I never mention feedback in any messages with buyers unless I am asking for a revision and then I make sure that any refund or replacement has been completed to the buyers satisfaction before asking for the feedback revision.

Strapped

Open and shut case. eBay are very specific about fb extortion and he used almost the only phrase that they would ever actually act on. (What a plonker).

Crowqueen

The posting ID that came to the boards has been suspended from trading (although I doubt it ever sold anything, seeing as it has been opened only very recently). Like most of the posters there (I don't post under the same name on the forums there and am reluctant to give away which ID is me) I can see why people think it was heavy handed, but it seems to be a fairly open and shut case, unlike some issues which can take a lot of research to deal with.

iieee

That does seem quite harsh on ebay's part, amazing though that after 3 pages of posts on the ebay boards they still don't recognise that they should be offering unconditional refunds when goods are damaged in transit!

Crowqueen

Just to update people on the situation, the OP of that thread has now been NARUd. The plot thickens...

soolin

Crowqueen wrote: »

Just to update people on the situation, the OP of that thread has now been NARUd. The plot thickens...

They were warned right from the outset that once one account was suspended they would lose all associated accounts. The OP (and several posters) didin't agree, although of course ebay are quite clear in the rule that once you get suspended you cannot use any other account (and that should include a posting id) on ebay.

By continuing to use an account whislt suspended they have at the very least lengthened their ban.

I was interested in this thread and didn't make any comments when I first posted as I wondered if i was being harsh. But looking at the statement sent to the buyer I can't see why the seller ever considerd that it was not feedback extortion. Basically leave me feedback and I'll refund can't be seen as anything other than FE surely? I think any seller that misunderstands basic selling and ebay to that extent is hardly likely to be a loss to the community.

Brooker_Dave

soolin wrote: »

I think any seller that misunderstands basic selling and ebay to that extent is hardly likely to be a loss to the community.

What happens when everyone's been NARUd?

soolin

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

What happens when everyone's been NARUd?

Dream on

Please don't all assume we have the IQ of a gnat. Some of us are quiet capable of reading and understanding the requirements for using ebay.