What counts as communication?

Rhymsta

I know that if I don't send any messages via ebay to a buyer I get an automatic 5 stars but what about sending payment details / invoice? Is that communication?

What if the buyer sends a message but you miss it and don't respond - perhaps sent after the auction end?

Rhymsta

The other scenario would be if you sent an invoice with a note on it and the buyer sends you a message in response. Could be something as simple as, 'Thanks' which doesn't need a reply. Does eBay see the one way message and not award automatic stars?

Crowqueen

Any exchange within 14 days either side of sale between you and the winning bidder counts (obviously someone who doesn't bid or doesn't win/purchase something can't leave feedback).

If you miss a message, that's bad luck, but it still counts - because eBay expect you to keep tabs on your selling account while you have listings running. The buyer may not bid if you don't answer - but it's pretty basic IMO to keep an eye on your account with active listings, particularly as BINs can be sold at any point over 30 days, but also because people may need to ask extra questions about auctions which will influence whether or not they bid on the item. I keep my selling account logged in in a separate browser to my buying account - I'm at my computer most of my waking life anyway, but accommodating at least a daily check on listings needs to be something you can do while selling.

If you don't communicate back, then you do lose 5*s - and I would argue, if someone didn't reply to a message (and I bid anyway, which I might not, particularly if it was a salient detail about the item that was missing from a listing) then 5* communication isn't going to be what I leave for a seller.

Sorry to be harsh. After auction end...are you not checking for payment etc.?

As for the one way message - yes, eBay would see that as comms, but in that case, I'm not sure it would impact on the score the buyer would otherwise leave, so you would be safer than you might feel. I'm not sure I would simply thank someone for an invoice, but there might conceivably be additional questions or comments and at least between auction end and payment, again, checking your account is a good idea. I've never knowingly experienced the messages glitch (never had a problem either way from not receiving a message, and although there have been times when I haven't got a reply to something I've sent, I think that is the PEBKAC issue not a software glitch ) - I think that is because I don't rely on being notified by email of a message, I always check the message inbox in My eBay.

Also note the dispatch needs as well - the item needs to be marked as dispatched within one day of listing ending, plus I think there is a 'one day dispatch' criterion involved where sellers only get auto-5*s if they have stated one day dispatch up front (in the correct pigeonhole for it, not just on the listing). But that is being tested and found that it sometimes doesn't apply. The one day to mark as dispatched does count, though.

Auto-5 is a reward, not an entitlement.

Rhymsta

Thanks for that. Yes I am also very unlikely to miss a message under normal circumstances. I've still stopped sending, Thanks for the order messages though. Just to be clear - sending an invoice counts as communication yes/no?

plumface

Crowqueen wrote: »

Auto-5 is a reward, not an entitlement.

Reward for doing what,ignoring and refusing any contact?

plumface

Crowqueen wrote: »

Also note the dispatch needs as well - the item needs to be marked as dispatched within one day of listing ending, plus I think there is a 'one day dispatch' criterion involved where sellers only get auto-5*s if they have stated one day dispatch up front (in the correct pigeonhole for it, not just on the listing). But that is being tested and found that it sometimes doesn't apply. The one day to mark as dispatched does count, though.

Well thats as clear as mud then!

oldone_2

Just to clarify : If you communicate you lose the auto award of 5 stars for communication - However - the buyer can still leave five stars in their own right.

No_Eye_Deer

oldone wrote: »

Just to clarify : If you communicate you lose the auto award of 5 stars for communication - However - the buyer can still leave five stars in their own right.

Yes.

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

Where a buyer has had communication with you, nothing changes: we’ll continue to ask buyers to give a communication rating and they can still award you with 5 stars.

soolin

Communication is an easy star to keep a good score on, it is rare to see anyone with low stars in that category- so I've decided to go back to my normal sales pattern and send despatch emails.

Rhymsta

Thanks for all the replies! However, the actual question was what is counted as communication? I'm still not sure if sending the payment details counts or if writing something in the message box on the invoice makes any difference.