eBay feedback boycott

Tirian

The recent seller boycott (mainly in the USA) got me thinking.

How about getting a seller feedback boycott? The new restrictions on what feedback sellers can leave seems to completely undermine the whole point of the feedback system, from the seller's position - so why should sellers bother to leave feedback?

What if sellers agreed to simply stop leaving feedback at all - and sent out a standardised message to all buyers stating their reasons for doing so - e.g.

"In light of recent changes to the ebay feedback system, there is no longer any benefit to sellers in leaving feedback. As such you will not receive any feedback from your transaction with me. If this is problematic to you, please contact eBay
to let them know your concern. I would be delighted to leave feedback if and when a proper, fully reciprocal feedback system is reintroduced."

Thoughts?

asea

It's punishing the buyers when it is ebay that is wrong though. Surely it is still a benefit to sellers to be able to see what buyers are like - if every seller refused to leave feedback for buyers then how will you know which buyers can or can't be trusted?

Tirian

asea wrote: »

It's punishing the buyers when it is ebay that is wrong though. Surely it is still a benefit to sellers to be able to see what buyers are like - if every seller refused to leave feedback for buyers then how will you know which buyers can or can't be trusted?

This is exactly the point - ebay's changes to the feedback system mean that you will only be able to leave positive feedback for buyers, so they are forcing that situation, irrespective of whether sellers leave feedback or not.

frivolous_fay

asea wrote: »

It's punishing the buyers when it is ebay that is wrong though. Surely it is still a benefit to sellers to be able to see what buyers are like - if every seller refused to leave feedback for buyers then how will you know which buyers can or can't be trusted?

If everyone left positives for their buyers... albeit with a negative comment - who would ever notice?

No-one's going to know which ones are trustworthy either way.

poppyolivia

what can sellers not leave feedback????? My last purchase hasn't had any feedback.

sorry if I got the wrong end of the stick!!

Jakg

It will come into effect soon (ie hasn't yet).

TBH i wouldn't buy from a seller doing that if for a few pennies more i'd get another positive.

Tirian

Jakg wrote: »

It will come into effect soon (ie hasn't yet).

TBH i wouldn't buy from a seller doing that if for a few pennies more i'd get another positive.

Hmm .. that you would feel that strongly about it makes me think that my idea may have some merit. Personally, I wouldn't be fussed as a seller, since (a) I already have more than enough feedback, I don't really need any more - and (b) the items I sell are collectables and buyers don't necessarily have the option to buy elsewhere. Some of the items I sell just aren't available from anyone else

RFW

Tirian wrote: »

The recent seller boycott (mainly in the USA) got me thinking.

How about getting a seller feedback boycott? The new restrictions on what feedback sellers can leave seems to completely undermine the whole point of the feedback system, from the seller's position - so why should sellers bother to leave feedback?

What if sellers agreed to simply stop leaving feedback at all - and sent out a standardised message to all buyers stating their reasons for doing so - e.g.

"In light of recent changes to the ebay feedback system, there is no longer any benefit to sellers in leaving feedback. As such you will not receive any feedback from your transaction with me. If this is problematic to you, please contact eBay
to let them know your concern. I would be delighted to leave feedback if and when a proper, fully reciprocal feedback system is reintroduced."

Thoughts?

Stop worrying about problems that may/may not arise.

If you sell on Ebay, make sure the service you offer is good and that customers come back for more and tell others. Everything else will follow. This goes for feedback changes, DSR changes, FVF changes, etc.. If you can't earn money doing that, then change tactics or sell elsewhere. It will be almost impossible to get enough people to join in a 'strike' of any kind on Ebay to make a difference

If you stop leaving feedback, you'll stop getting customers.

gremlinuk

I have a magic rule which some will like and some wont like.

- Dont leave feedback until the other person has already left feedback for yourself.

In regard to the feedback issue, simply boycotting feedback isnt going to make a difference with Ebay, its going to take more than that. Feedback issues have already been sketchy and problematic, you cant keep everyone happy and if someone is in a bad mood one day they may leave negative feedback for pretty much no reason, it happens all the time.

I dont see what all the complaints are about, feedback2 had to be introduced to allow more information for potential buyers (And sellers who the potential buyer is bidding on the sellers items) rather than simply a positive or negative. Even if one or two give less than maximum points for each class, it evens out, and in all gives others a chance to more accurately analyse a seller or buyer.

Cheers

frivolous_fay

I think it's the principle, rather than the problem.

StaffsSW

Dunno about anyone else on here, but I do not buy or sell feedback on eBay, I sell for money, and buy for needs and wants. Feedback is merely a by-product that we are all guilty of stressing too much over.

Feedback does not pay the bills - sales do.