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Original poster

Hand written note with an Ebay purchase

101 replies

Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 12:58

I recently got my first ever negative feedback on Ebay after years of selling. Difficult buyer, long story. I'm just a private seller so I only sell a few items. I was worried it would affect my sales, but actually since then I've sold several items so maybe people aren't so bothered after all. It's frustrating though because none of these buyers have left me any feedback, which I could really have done with at the moment to dilute the bad one a bit.

As not many buyers leave feedback these days, I was looking through the Ebay forums to find some advice about getting more buyers to leave feedback, especially as pressing people for feedback is precarious and people can react negatively. One of the suggestions was to include a hand-written note with the item, saying thanks so much for buying, and I'd be so grateful if you could leave feedback as I really appreciate it etc.

How would you really feel if you received one? I'm not really sure if people really would appreciate that personal touch. I can see the potential for people to feel a bit weirded out by it, and it could feel a bit intrusive. Online selling has become so impersonal that I think I'd wonder what was going on.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 12:59

Also, would you actually be more likely to leave feedback if you received such a note?

OP posts:
PullingMySocksUp · 14/09/2019 12:59

I’ve had it a few times. Seems quite sweet to me.
It didn’t prompt me to leave feedback though, I just do it in batches when I think of it.

ScreamingValenta · 14/09/2019 13:01

I don't mind them. They don't affect my feedback one way or another, but I'm the sort of person for whom things have to be absolutely terrible before I'll leave negative feedback.

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YesItsMeIDontCare · 14/09/2019 13:01

To be honest OP they go straight in the recycling bin and I still don't leave feedback.

HappyParent2000 · 14/09/2019 13:02

I’m not on eBay for my job so I am not bothered about feedback. I just start all at £1 and package well. I leave the rest to the buyers.

I’ve had a couple of bad buyers but the key was not to get frustrated with them and keep being reasonable.

jackparlabane · 14/09/2019 13:05

I got a couple handwritten notes 20 years ago on Ebay, when it was all more personal. Now I'd assume it was printed to look like writing and bin it. I do leave feedback every few months.

Non-paying bidders get reported after 3 days and otherwise ignored. Large items requiring collection go on Gumtree now, first to collect gets it (as opposed to those hwo pay but then need their boyfriend's granny's friend's van to be free to collect...)

elfycat · 14/09/2019 13:05

I've sold on ebay and now on etsy, and I always include a little hand written thank you note along the lines of 'thank you for your purchase, I hope you like it.' I've had positive feedback that includes that they liked the handwritten note. I use the little 5x3 inch filing cards from Asda and they fit in little padded envelopes easily.

I look at it that in a real shop the person selling the item would say these things face to face, and it's an extension of that personal thanks. I don't feel weirded out by it if I get that. I've had deliveries with mini packs of love heart sweets in it and I think that's charming and might do similar.

Plasebeafleabite · 14/09/2019 13:07

It wouldn’t make me leave feedback, sorry

Are you leaving positive/personalised feedback as the seller? That would make me more likely to leave feedback. Maybe thanks for your purchase I hope you enjoy your xxxx etc

Have you looked into having the neg removed?

Plasebeafleabite · 14/09/2019 13:08

As long as it’s not a sex toy or anything Grin

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 13:24

No it's nothing rude Grin Just average stuff, mainly clothes. Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 13:26

To all the people who never leave feedback anyway, could I ask why not?

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 14/09/2019 13:35

Got a lovely note when buying someones Summer Trousers !(Cotton Beach style ) Didnt realise I should have left any feedback though !. (Quite new to Ebay )

Propertyofhood · 14/09/2019 13:37

I often buy second hand vintage clothes etc on ebay, so get this quite a lot, and I like it. I never leave feedback though, I always forget!

YeOldeTrout · 14/09/2019 13:40

I have a pile of old postcards, I try to put a thank you on one & include in parcel.
I find 'parcel dispatch notes annoying waste of paper but am afraid people won't understand (remember) what the parcel delivery is about if I don't mention Ebay inside.'

I see no reason to leave feedback unless I was quite unhappy with the transaction.

YeOldeTrout · 14/09/2019 13:42

... so I'm more likely to leave feedback if the other person is a git buyer, then I write something like "Sorry...
...the item went missing
...the item wasn't right
...there was a misunderstanding

which are really just me trying to warn other sellers that the person was a git.

There is no need whatsoever for satisfied buyers to ever leave feedback.

Evilmorty · 14/09/2019 13:45

I put notes in and I receive notes. I don’t find it remarkable or unremarkable really, it’s nice to get one but I don’t notice if it’s not there. It def doesn’t make me leave feedback promptly.

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 13:57

To everyone who's saying they don't see the point in leaving positive feedback, would you also be put off buying from someone who only had 97% positive, even though they were a low volume seller and only actually had one bad one? I wish you could understand that the reason the percentage is so low is precisely because five other people like you didn't see the point in leaving feedback.

OP posts:
WanderingMind · 14/09/2019 14:01

There are some people out there who like to be obnoxious, and will leave a poor feedback because they were asked to leave feedback - the majority of people are reasonable human beans and will leave you a good feedback if asked.

I would ask eBay if the feedback can be removed: there are circumstances in which they will do, have a read of the eBay help pages as it gives you advice on what is removable.

Don't forget to block that buyer from buying again!

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 14:03

I certainly have blocked this person! It won't be possible to remove the neg. It's complicated and I can't discuss it here.

OP posts:
WanderingMind · 14/09/2019 14:09

would you also be put off buying from someone who only had 97% positive, even though they were a low volume seller and only actually had one bad one?

No, because I would read the feedbacks and see what the feedback the buyer usually gives and decide from there.

IsadoraQuagmire · 14/09/2019 14:10

I buy a lot more than I sell on Ebay and I've frequently had that kind of note, some handwritten, some printed.
I always leave feedback as soon as I receive something anyway.

When I've been a seller, I always message to thank the person for buying, and tell them when the parcel will be posted (and a follow up message to say it's been posted today, hope you like it etc.)
I always leave feedback for buyers too.
Never had any problems, but I'm a very occasional seller!

DisplayPurposesOnly · 14/09/2019 14:15

I'm an occasional seller. I don't put in a note with my sold items (and find it mildly irritating to receive one with a bought item - more rubbish to dispose of).

I send a friendly message when I post the item - thanks for buying, I've posted it first/second class today so it should be with you soon.

I do think people have got lazy about leaving feedback. They want to buy from sellers with good feedback but can't be arsed to leave feedback... Feedback doesn't write itself!

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 14:20

I do think people have got lazy about leaving feedback. They want to buy from sellers with good feedback but can't be arsed to leave feedback... Feedback doesn't write itself!

Exactly.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 14/09/2019 14:27

I write people a short message via eBay letting them know I’ve despatched the item and depending what it is, a hope they enjoy it or some such. I get feedback more often than not.

zen1 · 14/09/2019 14:27

I have been buying on eBay for 15 years and almost always leave feedback, although like a PP I often do it in batches. I think it’s quite important so people can see if you’ve had a good or bad experience. When I’ve sold stuff (which I do occasionally), I normally put in a note saying thanks and asking the buyer to let me know if they have any problems with the item. I don’t ask them to leave feedback as I find that quite annoying when people do it to me. I also wouldn’t be put off by a low volume seller that had a couple of bad feedbacks.

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