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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:
CodenameVillanelle · 14/09/2019 14:29

It wouldn't make any difference to me leaving feedback. I do every now and then and just sweep through all my recent purchases.

somanyresusablebags · 14/09/2019 14:30

I give feedback in batches and feel nagged by requests to leave feedback quickly. It puts me off.

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 14:33

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.

I used to do this in the past, but stopped after reading some advice that people don't like receiving too many messages. Especially now that Ebay will automatically generate a message to the seller when you've marked it as dispatched. Maybe I should rethink this and start doing it again.

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o0 · 14/09/2019 14:51

I like the handwritten notes. The often say 'please do get in contact if you have any questions or if you’re not satisfied...etc' or something similar. I find I'm less worried about having to contact them if there is an issue.

They dont make me more likely to leave feedback as I always leave it anyway. I think it’s important that people can read positive feedback to balance out any negative stuff. But if I didnt leave feedback I think I’d be more likely if there was a handwritten note.

Daria32 · 14/09/2019 15:11

You’ve just reminded me- and I’ve gone and done several all at once. I just tend to forget and then do them all at once when I remember. I think the personal touch is nice though

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 14/09/2019 15:11

But sometimes you only need to read the negative feedback to know it's nothing to do with seller. Your percentage wouldnt bother me at all. Spent last night trying to let TripAdvisor know that a hotel I stayed in has fake 5 star reviews. All from people who have only written 1 review lol. The 1 star reviewers have reviewed loads and their history shows not all 1 star reviews. Most disgusting hotel ever lol. Hollyrood in donegal if you fancy a laugh at reviews

MaidenMotherCrone · 14/09/2019 15:15

I don't leave feedback. Once the item is delivered and is as described the transaction is complete as far as I'm concerned.

I don't pop into Tesco to say thank you after I've had a delivery either Wink

Starlight456 · 14/09/2019 15:20

I only bother if I feel strongly about something , lovely item or really bad..

i bought an item a couple of weeks ago .. had so much hasslte from the buyer..Even though I now have item and am happy, felt his attitude was off, so while i have no issue not happy enough to leave positive feedback

Alexel · 14/09/2019 15:23

OP
I try to leave feedback but reality is I am a single parent with a VERY busy life. It's just not a priority in life. (I mumsnet for a few days a year and disappear, because I can't keep up time wise too! No social media either)
If someone screwed me over on ebay then I'm all about that negative feedback.
With the notes if someone asked me for feedback I'd be a bit unimpressed that I get the note just for feedback. If someone wrote "hope you enjoy the item" or similar I'd think its cute and make a mental note to leave feedback but if I get around to doing it is another thing.

ShiftHappens · 14/09/2019 15:28

it would probably prompt me to leave feedback when I otherwise would not.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 14/09/2019 15:34

I'm lazier than I used to be another giving feedback, but I still appreciate a personal note in a package and would make more effort to leave feedback in an individual requested it.

Don't do what a seller recently did to me, and send ME a "question about the item" asking me to leave feedback, three times. I hadn't actually liked it very much, and i felt the size was a bit misleading but had been going to accept that might have been me not the manufacturer and just not leave any feedback, but three "question about the item" emails that I had to clear from Ebay and my own inbox really felt over the top and I felt a bit inclined to leave negative. I didn't, I figured it was more annoying to them to be ignored Blush

missbattenburg · 14/09/2019 15:35

I think there is more about the reducing feedback levels than just people can't be arsed. More and more sellers on eBay are professional sellers who are running businesses. This has changed the nature of eBay from an auction site to a business gateway. Therefore, buyers expect to be protected in the same way as they would when shopping direct with a business. This feedback is less important because they see protection is already in place.

It becomes less about a way to determine who is safe to buy from and more a way for businesses to compete with each other by having better feedback.

To me this waters down the point of feedback so I hardly ever bother anymore.

missbattenburg · 14/09/2019 15:36

Ps a handwritten note makes no difference at all to me, other than being another bit of packing to dispose of.

filka · 14/09/2019 15:36

I think you may have an option to respond to negative feedback - if appropriate, use it, because as a PP noted, I read the negs if the % is low (

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 15:40

Coffeeandchocolate9 I would never do that, I know that's huge risk of annoying people! Especially if they were slightly disappointed with the item but not quite enough to make a complaint, unless they were hassled. That's why it's such a precarious situation.

OP posts:
joblotbubble · 14/09/2019 15:41

I don't use eBay much these days so it can be ages before I even think about feedback tbh. The email thing wouldn't work for me as I just delete the emails from eBay anyway. A note won't have the impact you are hoping for I don't think. Usually I just look at the item and ignore bits of paper or whatever (invoice) that's in the package anyway. Sorry. I know it's crap but I think that's just how eBay is going. That said, if I was going to buy from a 97% feedbacker I would have a quick look at the timeline and comments and probably buy. It usually stands out if the negative feedbacker had a genuine problem or if they were just being a dick. Usually it's the latter. So no it wouldn't make me leave feedback, but I wouldn't be out of buying from you with the score you currently have.

Milkstick · 14/09/2019 15:49

I always leave feedback, regardless of whether it's a low key or professional seller. I mostly buy second hand stuff and I like to know someone's not a naff seller. I check feedback. I do it in batches too, like a PP said.

1forAll74 · 14/09/2019 15:51

It's ok for a seller to ask for feedback.by writing a little note, I have had that request a few times when buying stuff off ebay.. It might stick in peoples minds more then, to leave feedback.

Thatagain · 14/09/2019 15:52

Handwritten notes seems a bit ott for me. I am on ebay and I always leave good feedback when I despatch the item I have sold. If you give the byers positive feedback then if the item is as discribed they should leave you positive feedback. I have been on ebay for 3 years and had 1 neutral feedback.

1066vegan · 14/09/2019 16:00

I buy from ebay occasionally. I don't have strong feelings either way about handwritten notes.

I always leave feedback if I'm buying from an individual. I understand how ratings can affect future buyers' decisions and it would seem rude not to. I don't always bother if I'm buying from what seems to be a fairly big company.

Original poster
Whiskeinthejar · 14/09/2019 16:04

Weirdly I've just sold something! So it seems from this thread that maybe it would be a better idea to send an Ebay message saying thanks, rather than including a note. Should I send the message straight away?

If I leave feedback first, before I know the item has even been received, would that mean I wouldn't be able to report anything bad if it happened, because my feedback would be taken to mean I was happy with everything?

OP posts:
TheSandman · 14/09/2019 16:05

Thanks for the reminder. I just went and did a backload.

I've been on eBay for getting on for 20 odd years now. I see fewer paper 'thank you' notes than I used to and I don't send them any more - unless there has been some dialogue during the transaction. Questions about and answers, or generous discounting of postage for multiple purchases; things like that. But, most of the time, I'm selling buying stuff that come in at under a tenner. I don't expect it.

The few times I have sold stuff for more - like the Singer sewing machine I pulled out of a skip and sold for £200 - then they get a thank you note.

Sagradafamiliar · 14/09/2019 16:16

I wouldn't mind but then again I don't need prompting as I leave feedback as standard.
I once sold a load of brand new 'high end' baby clothes, most with tags still on and a bundle of baby coat hangers for something ridiculously cheap like 2.80. I received an inbox msg the next day saying 'I see you've posted my items. Don't forget my positive buyer feedback asap as I will not reciprocate unless provided with it'- lovely.

FamilyOfAliens · 14/09/2019 16:20

I try to leave feedback but reality is I am a single parent with a VERY busy life.

Goodness, how on earth do you find the time to search eBay for items you want to buy, pay for them and still find time for Mumsnet? You must be superwoman Grin

nonmerci · 14/09/2019 16:20

I’ve had them before and I’ll be honest, I just chuck it. The messages begging for feedback always make me think ‘fuck off’ too.