Removing defamatory feedback - opinions please

Taadaa · 8 October 2012 at 1:13PM

Following on from my thread the other day, the buyer who made some ridiculous accusations post sale has left me a neg. I have contacted eBay and they have told me to complete the defamatory form. This will remove the comment but not the neg.

I have responded to the neg with the facts, been polite, no name calling and so on. I am fully expecting him to make some other silly retaliatory response.

My query is this: This is my only neg, and I have good solid fb and DSRs as a private seller. Shall I get the comment removed, leaving a neg and 'comment removed by eBay', or shall I leave it as it is? I am just wondering what is more damaging to sales - feedback from a buyer (who to be frank from other fb left appears to be mentally ill and has left false positives, has poor DSRs etc) that has a solid response from me, or leaving a red dot and buyers wondering what it is all about. Grateful for some opinions, please

Crowqueen · 8 October 2012 at 1:32PM

I would contact CS immediately.

I would not want anything to remain on my profile which would cast doubt on me or my items without good reason. Buyers can't see context and although a handful of people will tell you negs don't matter, I don't know how many people will look further than your feedback page when buying.

Your buyer is probably one of the latest round of people to be restricted or kicked off - from the sound of some of the people posting on Seller Central there are numerous people who can't handle the responsibilities eBay imposes on them and moreover wish the people who can ill out of spite. There are some ridiculous people on the loose right now and the sooner they are permanently removed from eBay the better.

Moreover the low DSRs they may have left will hurt more than the neg itself.

'Comment removed by eBay' looks worse than leaving the neg to stand. People will be raising eyebrows as to what it said and might doubt you rather than your buyer. I'd want the whole thing wiped.

Taadaa · 8 October 2012 at 1:59PM

Interestingly he hasn't left me any DSRs at all, or if he has, they aren;t ones or twos. I have completed the defam form, as he has left a feedback comment saying that 'I claim to be pregnant' which has got nothing to do with anything, and I am pregnant - complete fruit loop! So shall I send this off or shall I call CS repeatedly until I get an Irish voice? Or both?

Thank you very much for your help. I've never had such a thing before, seems there is an influx of right numpties on eBay at the moment, have had several problems of late after no significant issues for years really.

Do you have a number by any chance?

Crowqueen · 8 October 2012 at 2:09PM

No, I've never had to contact CS myself. Haven't sold much since it was possible to contact them directly by phone instead of being 'chosen' to receive phone privileges, and have only ever had one problem, about which I couldn't be bothered to phone anyone about. Live help helped me to retrieve a password once and that's it.

I think you can obtain something by going to 'Customer Support' (where the 'Help' link used to be in the top RH of the screen) and then using the onscreen instructions to get a phone number.

BTW DSRs showing on your dashboard don't update immediately so don't assume you haven't been left any lows.

Taadaa · 8 October 2012 at 2:12PM

Okay well I am on the phone to them now, not holding my breath but will see what happens.

purple321 · 8 October 2012 at 3:11PM

I'm not sure that would count as defamatory feedback but think they may remove it as it doesn't relate to the transaction? I'd follow the usual advice and phone and make sure you talk to someone in Ireland.