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Act of clear DSR sabotage… can anything be done?
porto_bello
Posts: 1,828 Forumite
I’ve just had my DSRs sabotaged. I’ve gone from perfect 5.0 to 4.8ish in one easy swoop because I’m a private seller who sells here and there.
It's obvious where it came from and that it is, rather obviously, malicious (a buyer who bought the same thing from somebody else and didn't want to pay). I would like to appeal on the basis that it is both untrue and wilful sabotage, but I'm not sure if I'm on the right lines…
I'd appreciate the advice of anyone who has been in this position and been able to combat it - I’ve highlighted the important bits:
[I know for sure who the buyer is because I’ve only had one non-payer and done a DSR report with and without their item number and sure enough… it’s the one and only dodgy buyer! - I’ve immediately blocked them to stop any further damage].
Trying no to bore you too much, the situation is this:
…But my communication DSR has clearly been hammered.
[Particularly ironic that someone who always refuses to respond to communication, ends up criticising the communication of the party they refuse to communicate with!]
Most importantly, as a private seller, I haven’t got much to sell and as previous ratings ‘drop off’ the annual average, this sabotaged DSR will continue to drop the average, placing my entire account as risk.
And bizarrely, the only reason the buyer was able to rate my communication DSR is because they ignored the payment request, which forced me follow it up with communication, as eBay requires – thereby preventing an automatic 5-star rating. [What else could I do, other than follow eBay’s instructions?]
So the bottom line is that after many years, I’m going to lose my eBay account if this DSR is allowed to stay, simply because of a single malicious act.
I know (in theory) you can appeal against malicious DSR ratings and I’d like to appeal – but this is usually when there is a pattern, so is there any point? Has anyone successfully appealed in this kind of situation – and won? Obviously messages show I HAVE communicated – always promptly – always politely, making the ‘assault’ on my comms DSR a nonsense, particularly as the dodgy ‘impulse’ buyer never did!
I’ve found calling eBay is better than emailing, but would they appeal a DSR over the phone? I feel it’s unlikely. Any advice?
I’d particularly value the advice of sellers who have encountered this kind of situation, and maybe even got the DSR rating removed, rather than speculation as to what action ‘might’ be appropriate – I ESPECIALLY don’t want to find I’ve incorrectly launched a case and then find I’m stuck with the DSRs, simply because I invalidated my own appeal!
It's obvious where it came from and that it is, rather obviously, malicious (a buyer who bought the same thing from somebody else and didn't want to pay). I would like to appeal on the basis that it is both untrue and wilful sabotage, but I'm not sure if I'm on the right lines…
I'd appreciate the advice of anyone who has been in this position and been able to combat it - I’ve highlighted the important bits:
[I know for sure who the buyer is because I’ve only had one non-payer and done a DSR report with and without their item number and sure enough… it’s the one and only dodgy buyer! - I’ve immediately blocked them to stop any further damage].
Trying no to bore you too much, the situation is this:
- Buyer put in last minute bid and won. (only £5 incl. p&p)
- I sent invoice immediately.
- [Found out afterwards] Buyer also (subsequently) bought almost the same item from another seller.
- Buyer did not pay for 3 days.
- Buyer did not otherwise communicate.
- I messaged the buyer to ask for payment, advising that I would follow eBay’s policy and try to obtain a refund for my fees, if I did not get a payment after 4 days and asking if there was a problem.
- Buyer still did not communicate.
- Buyer suddenly paid, a few hours later.
- I immediately sent a follow-up message to thank them and advised that I would also despatch immediately.
- Buyer still never communicated.
- I despatched as promised and marked as such on eBay within an hour.
- And left positve feedback, incl. confirming despatch.
- Other than the paypal payment, still not a single word of communication from the buyer.
…But my communication DSR has clearly been hammered.
[Particularly ironic that someone who always refuses to respond to communication, ends up criticising the communication of the party they refuse to communicate with!]
Most importantly, as a private seller, I haven’t got much to sell and as previous ratings ‘drop off’ the annual average, this sabotaged DSR will continue to drop the average, placing my entire account as risk.
And bizarrely, the only reason the buyer was able to rate my communication DSR is because they ignored the payment request, which forced me follow it up with communication, as eBay requires – thereby preventing an automatic 5-star rating. [What else could I do, other than follow eBay’s instructions?]
So the bottom line is that after many years, I’m going to lose my eBay account if this DSR is allowed to stay, simply because of a single malicious act.
I know (in theory) you can appeal against malicious DSR ratings and I’d like to appeal – but this is usually when there is a pattern, so is there any point? Has anyone successfully appealed in this kind of situation – and won? Obviously messages show I HAVE communicated – always promptly – always politely, making the ‘assault’ on my comms DSR a nonsense, particularly as the dodgy ‘impulse’ buyer never did!
I’ve found calling eBay is better than emailing, but would they appeal a DSR over the phone? I feel it’s unlikely. Any advice?
I’d particularly value the advice of sellers who have encountered this kind of situation, and maybe even got the DSR rating removed, rather than speculation as to what action ‘might’ be appropriate – I ESPECIALLY don’t want to find I’ve incorrectly launched a case and then find I’m stuck with the DSRs, simply because I invalidated my own appeal!
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx
0
Comments
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I can't remember who appealed & got their DSR's removed but someone who was given +FB & then 1's across the board on here did get the DSR's removed.0
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Thanks, that's very encouraging to know.I can't remember who appealed & got their DSR's removed but someone who was given +FB & then 1's across the board on here did get the DSR's removed.
On the basis that I've found phoning eBay sometimes results in a solution, but emailing NEVER does, I'm inclined to start this initially by phoning, but I'll wait to see if anyone has any suggestions/advice here."The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx0 -
porto_bello wrote: »I messaged the buyer to ask for payment, advising that I would follow eBay’s policy and try to obtain a refund for my fees, if I did not get a payment after 4 days and asking if there was a problem.
This was a bit of a hostile way of communicating, regarless of whether you think the buyer was trying to avoid paying, so the buyer may have really taken offence to it.0 -
Sorry, but I don't think that it would be reasonable for eBay to remove this rating. It seems that the buyer genuinely did take offence at your messages. They may not have seen an issue with not paying immediately, as after all they do have a week to pay within eBay rules. If they've left "normal" DSRs in the other categories then it's not really "mallicious", although admittedly it is annoying.They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato0
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I still want to know if sending invoices with your messages on counts as communication?0
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I have had 3 lots of low DSR removed.
I phoned Ebay each time and twice the DSR were removed immediately and once they were removed a couple of weeks later once my 'case' had been reviewed.
I spoke to Ireland CS each time, the India (?) based CS is useless!
It would have been better if you had not sent that slightly hostile follow up email so quickly though, not sure you have a good case here.0 -
Correct me if I am wrong, but don't e-bay say 4 days, and not 1 week.
No, you can open a NPB case after 4 days but the buyer then still has ANOTHER 4 days to pay before getting a strike.
I accept cheques as a form of payment, so routinely have people taking longer than a week to pay (by the time it's posted, paid in & clears). Personally, I'm happy to put up with it as I believe that I pick up some extra sales this way.They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato0
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