eBay buyers with 'private' feedback.

StumpyPumpy

Vernier wrote: »

Another of eBay's invidious policies is that if a user changes their user name, as many 'private' users seem to do quite regularly, eBay will only re-direct feedback links for 30 days, so even if you have some private users on your blocked bidder list, unless you check regularly that they have not changed their ID, you lose track of them.

My blocked sellers list has several ids of people who after I added them have changed their user name. I have not had to do anything to change them myself, they have changed to the new name automatically.

SP

NewShadow

Flyonthewall wrote: »

The obvious assumption is that they've something to hide from sellers though.

That's the problem with making assumptions...

Why not have an account that others don't know about for buying presents?

Because I don't want to be faffing around with two lots of log in information, and having to check what I'm buying on what account

Some sellers leave negative feedback under positive because they can't give negative feedback.

Which is a policy I disagree with, but is also bad practice on the part of the seller - as a buyer, all I have to do is report the feedback to get it changed. I assume this would have a negative impact on the seller (breaching t&c)?

Some sellers also leave positive right away, but then have problems after and can't do anything about the feedback left.

so it wouldn't make a difference if it were hidden or not. It's there, it's positive, it can't be changed.

You as a buyer with private feedback know whether you're a good buyer. The seller, however, is highly likely to be very stressed and cautious about you because they can't possibly know for sure whether you're hiding something bad.

Not my issue. Just because someone has great (looking) feedback, it doesn't mean they aren't going to be a nightmare - as you say, most sellers leave generic good feedback at dispatch.

As to why... I might be buying items of a personal nature and dont want all and sundry knowing what I've purchased - imagine you buy a lot of underwear for example - Just because I might want my OH to see that kinky item, doesn't mean I want you to see it.

Or even just buying clothes - I battle with my weight, I don't want you to see it going up and down with my purchase history.

Or that acne cream I bought for a friend - honest

Sometimes people want their private life to remain just that - PRIVATE!!

Honestly though, as a professional seller, until there’s been a problem with a transaction how often do you look at buying or selling history?

As a buyer I don’t have time to check out the feedback of every seller I purchase from, if they have 100% (or close to 100%) feedback that’s all I really care about, after all I have the eBay Money Back Guarantee to cover me.

Flyonthewall

NewShadow wrote: »

That's the problem with making assumptions...

Yes, but when there's a possibly rather high chance they are hiding something bad you're best operating under the assumption that they do have something to hide and being cautious/prepared rather than getting scammed.

Because I don't want to be faffing around with two lots of log in information, and having to check what I'm buying on what account

It's not exactly difficult, thousands and thousands of ebayers do it.

Which is a policy I disagree with, but is also bad practice on the part of the seller - as a buyer, all I have to do is report the feedback to get it changed. I assume this would have a negative impact on the seller (breaching t&c)?

It's not a policy, it's a mistake made by many sellers who lack understanding of ebays system. Any bad buyer with private feedback would be stupid to report it and get it removed though, hence the problem of private buyers having loads of positive feedback and sellers not knowing whether they are positive comments.

I don't think it had any impact on the seller, but if they reported the buyer then leaving positive overrides that so they may as well not have bothered.

so it wouldn't make a difference if it were hidden or not. It's there, it's positive, it can't be changed.

No, but that's in some way a flaw in the system.

Not my issue. Just because someone has great (looking) feedback, it doesn't mean they aren't going to be a nightmare - as you say, most sellers leave generic good feedback at dispatch.

True, but at least you can see the feedback the buyer leaves and you can see the feedback from those who haven't left it on dispatch. You can also see any follow up feedback.

As to why... I might be buying items of a personal nature and dont want all and sundry knowing what I've purchased - imagine you buy a lot of underwear for example - Just because I might want my OH to see that kinky item, doesn't mean I want you to see it.

Or even just buying clothes - I battle with my weight, I don't want you to see it going up and down with my purchase history.

Or that acne cream I bought for a friend - honest

Sometimes people want their private life to remain just that - PRIVATE!!

Yes, but often private/personal items are listed as private listings and therefore don't show up on feedback.

What does it really matter if a stranger sees it, they don't know who you are and I imagine most people have better things to do than look through random peoples feedback. Friends and family I get.

Although if you're that bothered you'd probably do best shopping elsewhere. If you ever leave things logged in family and friends could possibly see what you've been buying anyhow.

Just to add on them items though, you could easily be buying clothes for other people which would be most peoples first assumption I imagine with varying sizes. Nothing wrong with needing acne cream either. I do get your point about personal items, but I think you're thinking about it far more than anyone else would.

Honestly though, as a professional seller, until there’s been a problem with a transaction how often do you look at buying or selling history?

I'm a private seller. I have been checking feedback recently as I'd rather know before sending if a buyer looks like they'll be a problem. I didn't used to, but then I didn't used to read about problem buyers. If I were a business seller I'd care less because you factor in possible losses. As a private seller that's not the case.

As a buyer I don’t have time to check out the feedback of every seller I purchase from, if they have 100% (or close to 100%) feedback that’s all I really care about, after all I have the eBay Money Back Guarantee to cover me.

I always check feedback. Always have. Every single time, regardless of what I'm buying. Even if it says 100% that doesn't mean they haven't had loads of negatives in the past that may be repeated. I like to know who I'm sending my money to!

While the Money Back Guarantee does heavily favour the buyer and is there for issues it's not 100% guaranteed that you'll always get your money back because the system is not perfect. For example, INR but courier shows delivered.

In the end, it's up to you if you want to make your feedback private for whatever reason. However, don't expect all sellers to be ok with it because they won't be. That's just how it is. They don't know who you are and private feedback means they've no indication at all of whether you're a good buyer or bad and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Vernier

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

My blocked sellers list has several ids of people who after I added them have changed their user name. I have not had to do anything to change them myself, they have changed to the new name automatically.

I 'lost' one of my blocked bidders recently because I had not checked recently for ID changes. Their entry in my blocked bidders list has changed to a 9 digit number followed by @deleted.

A seller should have the right to see the feedback of people who want to do business with them. If buyers insist on the right to hide their feedback from the seller, whatever the reason, the seller should have the right to choose not to do business with them.

eBay is a scary place these days for small private sellers, whose good feedback can easily be wiped out by one bad buyer. I sell maybe a dozen items a year, not for the money, which is negligible, but because I have no further use for them and don't want to chuck them in the bin. I want to be able to judge the integrity of who is buying my stuff. Big sellers can perhaps afford to take a more relaxed attitude.