Ebay - am I doing something wrong?

Cilla65

I've just started selling bits and pieces on ebay. I've accepted that I can't access my money for 21 days, or sell more than 10 items a month etc and spent ages photographing, measuring and listing things.

I sold 3 items a week and a half ago, posted them by First Class post 24 hours later and... nothing. I charged exactly the right postage amount, not a penny more, posted earlier than I said I would, packaged nicely using new packaging at my own expense etc. Yet none of the buyers have left me feedback so I don't know if the items have arrived. I'm assuming that they have on the basis that nobody has shouted about not receiving their goods.

Is it up to me to leave feedback first? And what can I say in my feedback? Paid quickly is about all that comes to mind. I'm not very clued up on ebay so am not sure how it all works, and when I posted a message on the ebay community, people commented on what I was selling, which wasn't what I went to ask about.

So, do I have to leave feedback first in order to get it given to me? Ebay seems like a lot of hard work as a way of making a bit of extra cash.



Cilla

quietheart

As a buyer I leave feedback to let the seller know all is well.
If I'm not over impressed, ie recently received a leather coat, stunk of fags but it was a good price so overall I was happy enough. In this case I didn't leave feedback.
As a seller I usually leave feedback when I see it's been left for me.
It's not necessarily the correct way to do it but it works for me. I use my feedback score going up to remind me to return the favour.

Cilla65

Thanks, Quietheart.

I'm selling things which are brand new and have never been worn so people are getting bargains (I've just sold a top costing over £40 still with tags on for £2!) but nobody seems to want to leave feedback.

I'm already getting a bit disillusioned by ebay and it's only been 2 weeks!

Cilla

No_Eye_Deer

What is your reasoning behind waiting to give feedback?

You are the one that needs the feedback to get your money off the 21 day hold. If your buyers are waiting for you then its catch 22.

PHARR

Don't be worried too much, ebay is a massive market place. You will soon learn you deal with all sorts of people: some lazy enough to not leave feedback, some who don't have time and just forget because they have what they want now and others who are prompt and religiously on top of their giving and receiving feedback.

Alls i can say is be patient, welcome to ebay of course, you will soon get into it and hopefully enjoy it. It sounds like your a nice seller anyway taking you time photographing and packaging correctly.

If your still in alot of doubt do message them just asking if they kindly leave feedback once they receive the item, this will prompt them and help them to remember.

I tend to leave feedback to a seller once item is received and I'm happy and i get on ebay, sometimes this is 24 hours after i receive the item, which is just tough because of commitments with work etc.

I can advise one thing, others may disagree... don't leave feedback to a buyer until you have received feedback from them. Alot of buyers can be dimwits and out of line and iv come across a few in the past where iv left positive feedback once payment received but then had stupid threatening messages sent to me saying they were going to leave negative feedback. No reason what so ever, never happened but always cautious.

My point: message them asking politely to leave feedback and you shall do the exact same.

Cilla65

No_Eye_Deer wrote: »

What is your reasoning behind waiting to give feedback?

You are the one that needs the feedback to get your money off the 21 day hold. If your buyers are waiting for you then its catch 22.

My reasoning is that all I can say is that they paid quickly, which they did (one paid immediately, the others were paid later in the day). I'd at least like to know that they've received the goods and are happy with their bargain so that I can say something more expansive.

I'll leave them all their concise but accurate feedback but I do feel like I am being bullied into doing it even though I don't even know if they have the items yet.



Cilla

PHARR

Cilla65 wrote: »

My reasoning is that all I can say is that they paid quickly, which they did (one paid immediately, the others were paid later in the day). I'd at least like to know that they've received the goods and are happy with their bargain so that I can say something more expansive.

I'll leave them all their concise but accurate feedback but I do feel like I am being bullied into doing it even though I don't even know if they have the items yet.



Cilla

Don't then, i don't work that way nor do you have to. Do what you feel comfortable to do.

Id send a polite message reminding them to 'Leave positive feedback when item received so you can return the same favour' .

Leaving them feedback now will only keep you on edge and make you worry if the items got there or not. Remember next time you post to ask for a proof of postage (its just like a receipt - costs nothing extra) the post office should give you one if asked for no matter how you sent the parcel (standard/first class etc) this will keep you at ease if ever you had a situation saying you never sent it.

Cilla65

Paddy_H wrote: »

I can advise one thing, others may disagree... don't leave feedback to a buyer until you have received feedback from them. Alot of buyers can be dimwits and out of line and iv come across a few in the past where iv left positive feedback once payment received but then had stupid threatening messages sent to me saying they were going to leave negative feedback. No reason what so ever, never happened but always cautious.

My point: message them asking politely to leave feedback and you shall do the exact same.

Thanks for your reply.

I think I'll just leave feedback for all of them saying they paid quickly and leave it at that. I can't really say anything else if I don't know that they've received their parcels and are happy with them.

Selling off my unworn clothes on Ebay is far more work and more frustrating that I thought it would be!

Cilla

Cilla65

Paddy_H wrote: »

Leaving them feedback now will only keep you on edge and make you worry if the items got there or not. Remember next time you post to ask for a proof of postage (its just like a receipt - costs nothing extra) the post office should give you one if asked for no matter how you sent the parcel (standard/first class etc) this will keep you at ease if ever you had a situation saying you never sent it.

I got proof of postage for everything and I am reasonably certain that if things hadn't arrived they'd have shouted by now - I'd still like to know if they are happy with their purchases though.



Cilla

PHARR

It shouldn't be frustrating it should be simple and fun Cilla.

Don't feel pressured into doing anything, your new to it so take your time.

I would have waited till tomorrow afternoon, checked my feedback... if nothing i would of messaged them reminding them and then i would of left positive feedback.

Remember when you leave feedback on ebay you don't get a pop up alert or email saying somebody's left feedback for you, so the buyer still may be unaware they haven't left feedback.

Youl get into the swing of ebay I'm sure!

PHARR

Cilla65 wrote: »

I got proof of postage for everything and I am reasonably certain that if things hadn't arrived they'd have shouted by now - I'd still like to know if they are happy with their purchases though.



Cilla

Of course and I'm sure if it wasn't all well they'd have messaged you, so a message asking to leave feedback as necessary wouldn't hurt.

Wish you best of luck, don't forget theres lots help on this place.