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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to leave negative feedback for an Ebay seller?

30 replies

cingolimama · 08/04/2014 17:56

Look I know this is hardly a problem, but would appreciate views, particularly from MNers who use ebay. I buy and sell stuff on ebay (not as a business) to keep costs down. For the vast majority of the time, I find people honest and kind. But occasionally there are problems. I've never left negative feedback before. It just seemed a bit petty. But I'm wondering if that's wrong - that particularly if you've had a horrible experience you should say so, in order to prevent another ebayer having similar.

I had a recent transaction where I was purchased something listed as "very good condition" which arrived with holes, a stain and stank. Also, as this was a high-end kids designer, it wasn't cheap. When I contacted the seller and politely asked her to consider a refund as I wasn't happy with the condition. She refused, and then was incredibly rude.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Wigglebummunch · 08/04/2014 17:57

Even if she's refused you can send it back for a refund as it isn't as described. I would send it back and leave a negative.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 08/04/2014 17:58

I'd open a dispute within ebay

SaggyAndLucy · 08/04/2014 17:58

did you pay via PayPal? Raise a dispute.

Aeroflotgirl · 08/04/2014 17:59

I would write her a message that if she does not give you a refund you will have no choice but to take matters through e bay, and file a claim with e bay, tgey are actually very good. Then leave her negative feedback.

WooWooOwl · 08/04/2014 18:00

YANBU.

I don't do ebay much, but DH does, and I have never understood this unspoken rule about not leaving negative feedback, even if you've had a negative experience. It just doesn't make sense to me, and DH tells me I just don't get it.

I think it's ebayers that don't get it, and if there's an option to leave negative feedback, then it's there to be used when you have negative feedback to give!

Jinty64 · 08/04/2014 18:02

I look at the feedback before I buy. If people don't leave honest feedback there's no point in having the system.

TeacupDrama · 08/04/2014 18:04

the unwritten rule is actually it is really bad form to leave negative feedback without giving seller chance to put it right, the OP has done this and had a "no" bad enough but seller was rude too so definitely open case and negative but not until case resolved

leaving neg without communicating with seller is bad as damage may have occurred in postal system maybe a mistake but giving them chance to refund or return is courtesy

I think ebay are thinking or not allowing neg unless there has been communication with seller or a failer of seller to respond

helenthemadex · 08/04/2014 18:15

I would as others have suggested open a dispute to give the seller chance to rectify the situation if they dont then send it back for a refund and leave negative feedback

picnicbasketcase · 08/04/2014 18:21

I'd leave a negative with 'Not as described, v bad condition, seller refused to rectify' or similar, but try opening a case first.

Chippednailvarnish · 08/04/2014 18:27

I bought a baby item once that was listed as "used once, in excellent condition". It arrived gray with dirt, stinking of cigarettes and complete with sick on it.

I raised a complaint with eBay, got a refund and left a really negative review...

inabeautifulplace · 08/04/2014 18:30

I would:

Raise a dispute through eBay.
Provide evidence (photos etc) ASAP to seller.
Be polite and stick to the facts in your communications.
Wait for dispute to be resolved.
Regardless of outcome, leave negative feedback.

As above, if something goes wrong with a transaction, you give the seller a chance to put it right. If they don't, neg away as it warns off other people.

Bowlersarm · 08/04/2014 18:32

Yes, of course you should leave a negative review.

If you don't, that seller gets away with it, and everyone else who deals with them after you is vulnerable to their shoddy ways unless you tell the truth.

Original poster
cingolimama · 08/04/2014 18:35

Woo you hit the nail on the head. I'm pretty assertive, but there is a kind of unwritten rule on ebay that it's bad form/petty to leave negative feedback unless something's really dire.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. I will raise a dispute and then leave neg feedback.

OP posts:
pinkie1982 · 08/04/2014 18:37

Definitely give them chance to refund or replace item. If they don't play ball take pics of it and open a dispute with ebay & PayPal. Don't leave negative feedback until you get a resolution

BrewsterBabies · 08/04/2014 20:10

open a ITEM NOT AS DESCRIBED CASE

you will then have to return the item at your own expense but make sure its sent recorded sign for delivery .
Add the tracking number to the open case as you will only be refunded by ebay once delivery has been proven as the seller can deny they recieved it back if sent standard

good luck :)

withextradinosaurs · 08/04/2014 21:27

I would use picnic's wording. It is factual and polite. The seller can add a response if they think you have been unfair.

Megrim · 08/04/2014 22:07

The DSR ratings you leave will be more effective than just negative feedback. If the seller won't refund voluntarily, raise a SNAD with eBay, get your refund and mark down the appropriate DSR. If you leave a low (1 or 2) DSR with a positive comment the seller may be able to appeal it. If you have to raise a case, this will also count against the seller.

wheresthelight · 08/04/2014 22:17

I would open a case with ebay as you should get your refund and then i would leave neutral and explain tbh

I have had a similar experience today, a pram liner I ordered arrived and stinks of fans and chip fat. Emailed seller tp explain and said I would be leaving negative feedback. She was polite enough but her excuse was that it had been stored at the back of a cafe??!!

I think as long as you give seller the option to rectify and let them know that you intend to leave negative/neutral feedback then you have covered your obligation under the unwritten rules

Eatriskier · 08/04/2014 22:21

I seem to follow the unwritten rule of no negative either, however I have a seller who keeps messaging me asking if I've received the item yet and can I pay them for it because ebay refunded me (I genuinely haven't received the item). Am contemplating breaking the rule and begging them just because there's only so many times I can say I will let them know if it ever arrives.

WooWooOwl · 08/04/2014 23:49

But surely if an item is blatantly not as described, then that's a negative thing?

It's not a positive experience if you've had to go through the hassle of giving the seller a chance to fix it, nor is it a neutral, because neutral to me would mean that it wasn't great but it wasn't bad either.

Something that is described as 'very good condition' should not arrive stinking and with holes and stains on it. Therefore negative is the only feedback that makes any sense.

K8Middleton · 08/04/2014 23:57

I would go so far as to say you have a duty to give a negative where the experience is bad and the seller has not taken action to put things right when given the opportunity. I'm not saying it should be done lightly, but fairly and with thought.

Surely the only unwritten rule is to be fair and reasonable in all your dealings on eBay?

PigletJohn · 09/04/2014 00:03

Feedback must be honest and truthful. No point otherwise.

tiredandsadmum · 09/04/2014 00:21

Definitely contact 1st without threats. Even good ebayers make mistakes. And sometimes very definitely a buyer is trying it on.

But then if no success in resolution, do leave a factual, polite, neg or neutral feedback.

tiredandsadmum · 09/04/2014 00:27

Sorry just seen latest comments. I have very good + feedback in 100's yet I made a mistake last year. I sold a pair of used children's winter waterproof trousers. Ebayer emailed and asked about the condition. I carefully checked all outside for holes, marks, fraying etc. So emailed back yes vgc. Apparently they were totally frayed INSIDE. I hadn't checked, DS had never said. So it was my genuine mistake. However I then made another mistake, I refunded before the goods were "returned" to me. Readers, I never did receive them back. But I would have been even more gutted to get a negative for feedback.

CrohnicallyChanging · 09/04/2014 07:05

I agree that it's only fair to give the seller time to put things right.

We got a DVD player free with our last TV. The store was out of stock so they gave us the ex-display one. We didn't need it as we already had one, so it went straight on eBay. We copied the description off the box.

When the seller received it, the DVD player didn't match the description on the box- the store had put the ex-display player into the wrong box. From looking at the DVD player, you couldn't tell, only when it was plugged in and switched on, as the box had a version 2 on it with added extra features, and we had been given the original version.

The buyer emailed us at approx 11pm to tell us, and at 6am the following morning left negative feedback and opened a case as we hadn't responded! The first we knew about it was when we got up at 6:30 for work. Obviously we were mortified when we realised what had happened with regards to the DVD player, but also furious with the buyer that we hadn't been given time to explain or put things right (OK they had emailed us, but 7 hours notice overnight? I always assume that people will read emails etc during business hours, and would wait one working day before escalating).