Ebay changes in March

martindow

Automatic 5* in some situations for communication, automatic removal of feedback from NPBs and messages for international buyers regarding customs fees.

I got an email today. Details here.

http://sellerupdate.ebay.co.uk/spring2012/seller-protection-fairer-feedback.html

Crowqueen

I'm not so sure that I like the auto-5*s for comms either as buyer or seller. As a buyer I object to feedback being taken out of my hands. As a seller, one message to a buyer ruins it (or as someone elsewhere points out, one 'thank you' message from a buyer) - I always send a polite note notifying of dispatch.

It is not an entitlement, of course, only a reward for those who really don't need to send out personalised emails, but it only really suits the people who sell completely silently and without human input into the process at all.

I don't see how it can be done differently as eBay cannot otherwise analyse each message and judge whether the seller 'deserves' 5*s. The ominous message is that they are considering other ways of automatically awarding 5*s. I just wish they would leave well alone on the auto-marks - good sellers have nothing to fear from the current averages and I don't like bad sellers being propped up like this.

RFW

I'm inclined to agree, the most annoying change for me has been the inability to contact customers with my own messages (I know I can add one to Ebay's message but no one reads that). The new message for a winning bidder "Enjoy your item.." is a bit stupid too. I'm all for a nice buyer experience, but let them know they are now obliged to pay for something before they can start enjoying it (not that every item you can purchase is enjoyable).

Some changes so that customers know they are meant to read a description and advice for sellers to describe an item rather than putting a load of pointless rules and regs in a description would be a way forward.

A more specific item description box that is readily visible on mobile phone apps would be good.

Essentially though they've just put the prices up for their better sellers (reducing discounts) so they've got to give them something else to talk about.

chemical.galaxy

I'm sorry that TRS seller discounts will be reduced from May!

marie-20

That's awful (TRS Discount) - we will loose 10% which is terrible. Thankfully I never based any of our prices on a discounted FVF however I imagine quite a few of my competitors did so either they will be taking the hit or prices are going to go up so on a £2.00 item I can see it going to £2.25-£2.50 to also cover the postal increase.

lovinituk

Crowqueen wrote: »

As a seller, one message to a buyer ruins it (or as someone elsewhere points out, one 'thank you' message from a buyer) - I always send a polite note notifying of dispatch.

It doesn't really ruin it - it just means you don't get the 5* automatically. If a message gets sent then you will be no worse off than now.

marie-20 wrote: »

That's awful (TRS Discount) - we will loose 10% which is terrible. Thankfully I never based any of our prices on a discounted FVF

I never used the discount in profit calcs either. I've always seen it as a bonus that could disappear and never relied on it. I'd prefer not to lose it but its not the end of the world.

marie-20

lovinituk wrote: »

It doesn't really ruin it - it just means you don't get the 5* automatically. If a message gets sent then you will be no worse off than now.


I never used the discount in profit calcs either. I've always seen it as a bonus that could disappear and never relied on it. I'd prefer not to lose it but its not the end of the world.

I agree - I think it's a silly way of operating your business model - all it takes is a few awkward buyers and you'd loose it all regardless.

steveE2

So if a potential buyer asks "Have you got a BIN ?" or "Would you take £6 for this?" and I reply, no sorry,they could go on and win auction then leave comms stars from1-5,but if I block questions from buyers and don't have any comms it's an auto 5* rating.
Doesn't seem right

sharpy2010

steveE2 wrote: »

Doesn't seem right

Nothing on eBay is right. There are too many factors to consider when creating an auto-feedback system, so it won't work.

lovinituk

steveE2 wrote: »

So if a potential buyer asks "Have you got a BIN ?" or "Would you take £6 for this?" and I reply, no sorry,they could go on and win auction then leave comms stars from1-5,but if I block questions from buyers and don't have any comms it's an auto 5* rating.
Doesn't seem right

It is a little odd but if you are receiving good DSRs for comms now, then there is no reason why you won't keep doing so if you don't qualify for the auto 5*.

I suppose their reasoning is, if you don't speak to anyone then you can't provide a reply that the buyer doesn't like, so 5*. Whereas if a buyer asks you something, you tell them to eff off or something similar, it certainly wouldn't be a suitable reply for auto 5*.

I'm pretty sure you can't block messages unless you block a user.

steveE2

lovinituk wrote: »

I'm pretty sure you can't block messages unless you block a user.

Manage your Q&A for buyers

Choose how you want to answer buyers' questions:
Allow buyers to contact you from your active listings
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Show your Q&A page when buyers click "Ask a question" on your item listings.

Uncheck the boxes above then buyers cannot contact you to ASQ