eBay query by newish purchaser

peb

Morning good people

I'm new to eBay, I've just however acquired a new wardrobe mainly from eBay - weight loss and return to work in a formal setting.

Mainly no issues but one problem arising from a parcel that was badly packaged.  I only buy if click and collect is available - couriers are dire at finding the house.  I queried with a seller that I hadn't received an item that was dispatched first class after I'd received other items despatched subsequently second class and could she check from her end.  She said that she didn't use tracking and it had been delivered - very dismissive.  Pointed out that I hadn't received any notification from eBay, she sent screen shots from her end and I trundled off to the shop.  They found it and accepted my driving licence as evidence.  Apparently she hadn't put the number on (?) And the parcel was badly packaged so royal mail had to put new packaging on.  I didn't leave feedback because I was !!!!!! off with her attitude - all "you have it" then no apology when I advised what had happened - I did start to give neutral feedback when eBay emailed me to give feedback but the algorithms are set to dissuade this.   If I do give neutral factual feedback is this going to cause future issues for her? 

  Possibly I'm over reacting but I would expect an apology if a buyer had had to go to extra trouble due to not completing the documentation correctly and also that the packaging had come away - torn but complete.

Pollycat

I would have given negative feedback. That helps other potential buyers.
I checked feedback and there was a fair amount of negative feedback relating to inadequate packaging.
As the item I was planning to buy was glass, I decided not to buy.

peb

Noted.  Thanks

Bendy_House

Forget the 'algorithms', just leave honest, balanced feedback - that's what it's for. And you have space to make that quite detailed these days. AND you have the *star* points for the main categories of their service.

In this particular case, I think a 'negative' could be harsh PROVIDED the actual item was as described. Also, I think it would be unfair to leave a neg until you've given the seller an opportunity to resolve matters - a rightful expectation by eBay.

So, IF the actual item is fine, I'd probably go with a neut, and explain why; "Item as described - thank you. Unfortunately address was written incorrectly and contents poorly protected which resulted in delayed receipt which I had to pursue (seller unfortunately dismissive & not helpful)." Something like that - honest, fair, balanced, and it'll show YOU as being reasonable; don't forget, when folk check YOUR feedback, they can also see what YOU have left for OTHERS. If they sense you fire out 'negs' too easily, they might be wary about dealing with you.

I ALWAYS leave detailed and honest feedback, which thankfully very very rarely involves a neut or neg, and gives full praise when things are as it should be; everything is clear & justified.

Bendy_House

Q - was the address label hand-written/typed by the seller, or an eBay-printed label? If the latter, it will have been exactly as you provided it.

A long while back I had an "item not received" claim, and when I asked the buyer to confirm their address, found that what they had on their eBay account - which was printed exactly as seen - was not complete. Ie, their mistake. I think eBay still found against me! But that was a long time ago, and I personally find eBay to be pretty fair.

Norman_Castle

peb said:

  If I do give neutral factual feedback is this going to cause future issues for her? 

Probably not unless others leave similar feedback. Even decent packaging can be damaged while with Royal Mail.

soolin

Bendy_House said:

Q - was the address label hand-written/typed by the seller, or an eBay-printed label? If the latter, it will have been exactly as you provided it.

A long while back I had an "item not received" claim, and when I asked the buyer to confirm their address, found that what they had on their eBay account - which was printed exactly as seen - was not complete. Ie, their mistake. I think eBay still found against me! But that was a long time ago, and I personally find eBay to be pretty fair.

If the label had been printed from eBay it would automatically have had the collection number that was also missing.

TripleH

When I buy I leave as accurate feedback as I can. Even if positive I put in any negative points that help others manage their expectations.

peb

Thanks folk. I had no intention of leaving negative feedback but was considering neutral.   Coincidentally she's in touch, from what I can gather because it's not showing as delivered/received she hasn't been paid so she has gone to customer services, I certainly want her to receive the money so will confirm receipt so she can be paid!  I'm assuming that this because there was no bar code to scan when I collected.

Noting what was said about packaging tbh I can't remember if it was preprinted 

Pollycat

peb said:

Thanks folk. I had no intention of leaving negative feedback but was considering neutral.   Coincidentally she's in touch, from what I can gather because it's not showing as delivered/received she hasn't been paid so she has gone to customer services, I certainly want her to receive the money so will confirm receipt so she can be paid!  I'm assuming that this because there was no bar code to scan when I collected.

Noting what was said about packaging tbh I can't remember if it was preprinted 

I thought it was sensible for a seller to wait until they received payment before dispatching...
(speaking as an irregular user - buyer and seller)

peb

I've paid, I've translated her comment as eBay haven't paid her - I've tried to update the account but it's still showing as despatched, not ready for collection so not confirmed as collected