Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17241 Location: Texas

In a move to make feedback ratings between trading partners always transparent, eBay will ban users with "private" feedback from listing items for sale.
The private feedback features prevents other users from viewing the feedback comments left for a member when the feature is turned on, though they are able to see the number of positive, neutral and negative comments left for the member (http://pages.ebay.com/help/feedback/reputation-public-feedback.html). eBay offers the option to make feedback private for members who may have significant concerns about a comment left for them by a trading partner.

According to eBay's announcement, the new Private Feedback policy will go into effect on October 26, 2006, and will have the following restrictions:

Members who have private feedback profiles will no longer be allowed to list items after this change goes into effect. Only members with public feedback profiles will be permitted to list items.

Any items listed before the change will not be impacted. However, they may not be re-listed by sellers who keep their feedback profiles private.
Members who wish to make their feedback profiles private can still do so. However, they must cancel any existing listings, and they will not be allowed to create new listings as long as their feedback is private.

more.. link to news article

rockandjewelrysensations · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Fort Worth, Texas

While I wish eBay would do away altogether with private feedback, at least this is a step in the right direction. I never did see the point in having private feedback in the first place.

terryp · Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 540

I don’t see the point in having any feedback as it is mostly rubbish on most of the large auction sites
Couple of examples:

A)Non payment by winning bidders who use it as a blackmail tool , will leave neg if you do or if a UPI strike is made against them…you get neg back

B) The people who spend half their life making “pretty script”, or leave comments like, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++++++ :?:

C) Those who use it to complain about delivery time, price, shipping…when listings explain these points

Feedback would be much better if it was on a scale of 0-9 and no bull….I had my feedback destroyed by an Italian who bought 9 items from me…listing said up to 2 weeks delivery time, he waited 2 days then gave 9 neg…?he never answered any messages or emails.

After all Ebay do state that feedback is purely about the buying experience…Not about shipping etc

I don’t see why feedback can’t be private as you can still see the amount of feedback in the scores anyway.

On another related item…now ebay are trying to go Politically correct does this mean they will disclose the details of members who report others for so called violations of ebay commandments ……I don’t think so, just another load of PR bull
:butt:

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

There shouldn't be any privacy - not even for buyers, except perhaps in the adult section.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

I agree - if feedback is to 'exist', it shouldn't be private with exception to certain categories....

I am also of the opinion that feedback is highly overrated and misused. Many folks use it as a means vs. a tool... :D :? :(

On Yahoo, hardly anyone bothers - I do, cuz I grew up @ ebaY! But - I've sold more than 200 items, and have 'half' that in feedback (or close to it). It bothered me in the beginning, but now it's a non-issue!

UrbanRedTag · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 200

I also agree. However, to clarify further, even if FB is public, the seller can (and should IMO) keep certain items private for numerous reasons. Yes, the mature section items should be all private (protected from "sensitive" types), high-end items (protected from potential scammers) and things of those sorts. The FB will show, just not the item that the FB was left for.

Daikon · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 949

eBay should remove the possibility for non-paying bidders to leave feedback.
After all, npbs are in breach of eBay's own "a bid is a binding contract between seller and buyer" policy.

And as has been said earlier, I also have had my feedback destroyed by (mostly new) eBayers who failed to read the item descriptions before bidding.
If there was a mistake on my part in a transaction I have always rectified it and have never received a negative for it (just the odd well deserved neutral).

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

I think ebay should have guidelines for giving negative feedback. For example an item should have to be at least 30 days late and there should be proof that the seller was unwilling to work with the buyer before the buyer can leave a negative.

I know someone who got a negative from a buyer because he did not leave feedback for the buyer within 24 hours of being paid! Ebay let it stand...they're dead wrong and this is their system such as it is and they need to take some responsibility for it! You hear so many horror stories concerning feedback.

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

:-) I got a neutral once for selling a brand new item in the box for 2.50. The buyer was happy with the transaction but did not think a 2.50 item merited praise - so she gave me a neutral - saying "item was just as described". I gave her a well-earned negative!

damaradeaella · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 501

Oh no, now the trolls will be outed!!!

Whatever will they do???

Sorry, I know I'm a smart aleck, but I just had to say it... :)

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

I so agree that there should be guidelines for giving feedback and that NPB(s) should not be allowed to 'contribute'. The way it is right now, it's way too subjective. I know one seller who suggested they got a a negative or a neutral for wrapping a super delicate item up with bubble, then double boxing - using a cereal box as a layer for added protection.

Many just don't understand the intent of the feedback process, or blatantly decide to just abuse it - I suppose... :oops: :?