In every issue, readers soundoff about issues important to them. From feedback to payment services, from increased fees to posting policies, AuctionBytes Soundoff gives you a chance to air your views.
Ina,
We are seeing a disturbing trend in the new eBay feedback star rating system. We are watching our ratings drop hourly, but feedback comments are very good. While buyers are leaving us glowing positive feedback comments, it is obvious that those with issues are the ones taking the time to use the expanded star system. Since May 1 we have had 77 buyers leave positive feedback but only 31 have used the new star rating system. Many of these 31 buyers have issues and are leaving low star ratings, but not one buyer has contacted us.
The new rating system is skewed in favor of buyers, encourages buyer deception, and discourages buyers to contact sellers if they have a problem.
Normally we would leave positive feedback for buyers who leave us positive feedback, but in light of this disturbing trend by buyers who can remain anonymous we believe our only option is not to leave any feedback for any buyers. When eBay revises the feedback rating system to provide a fair platform for sellers as well as buyers we will resume leaving feedback for our buyers. For now we will not leave feedback no matter how positive the comments are.
Sincerely,
SJ
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Hello-
I am a long-time subscriber to your very informative newsletter; and I have always greatly enjoyed it. You have covered some very important and helpful topics that have been of great benefit to us, as long-time Ebay Powersellers; and we appreciate your work.
I am emailing to let you know about an online petition I have authored protesting Ebay's new feedback 2.0, mainly the "detailed ratings" that buyers can leave for sellers; the petition can be found at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ebayfdbk/petition.html
If you could include this information/link in your newsletters, it would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
A.J.
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Hi Ina,
I don't know if this is a trend developing but I thought I'd give you a tip in case it is. If you've covered it and I missed it, I'm sorry.
On the PS board, a lot of sellers say that they are moving to make all of their listings "private" so that the details don't show up in the new feedback. Some say it's to protect price levels for when things that they sell regularly go unexpectedly low in a bad auction. Others just don't like on principle that the details are spelled out.
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Re: " eBay, Amazon Sellers Brace for USPS Changes"
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y07/m05/i14/s01
Ina,
Thanks for posing the million dollar question of the weekend, but I guess even you are without an answer. Will they give us a grace period because they were printed before today, will they be returned to sender for insufficient postage, or even worse will they deliver them postage due to the customer. USPS should and couldd have programed the rate increase based on shipping date not printing date. At the very least keep the 800 number open on Sunday, or better yet, start the increase mid-week.
Jared
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Re: "eBay Takes Control of Its Sellers' Cross-Promotions"
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y07/m05/i11/s01
And therein lies the problem, Ina. Ebay has NO default logic! The "matches" they send for my favorite searches...DEFY logic. They get it right about 25% of the time. My favorite: "Venus Paradise Coloring Set" (you remember these old coloring sets??) They send me 15 auctions for a Venus Razor.
I'm glad they're now going to use logic.
My morning rant...
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Hi Ina,
I just had to tease you, the HTML version says to lick on headline to read the entire article. I enjoy your newsletter, keep it coming!
Pat
From the editor: Thanks to readers who noticed our typo in the HTML version of the last issue - you have a great sense of humor. We definitely recommend you click on the headlines!
