Ebay - Is it worth giving neg feedback if it affects your own feedback rating but not theirs?

[schnapps]

Hi

I bought a phone hanset on ebay. It was described as being in good condition but I've received it and it's actually very scratched up all over, with paint missing and the antennae has teeth marks in from being chewed. I personally wouldn't even sell it on ebay, as far as I'm concerned it's only fit for the bin, but obviously people have different standards as to what they would call good condition. I was also charged £8 for p&p, when it actually cost £1.50 and was wrapped in an old bit of jiffy bag BUT I know that's a completely different matter, it just adds to me being pissed off with the purchase!!

So, they have a feedback rating of 4 hundred and something with about 7 negs. I only have a feedback rating of 70 or so but 100% positive. Wherever the seller has been left with a neg or neutral he has repaid by giving negative with rather rediculous statements such as 'this guy left me neg, what an idiot, I'm well rid, BEWARE'. I'd really rather not have something like that on my feedback. So, shall I just put it down to experience or what?

No, I've not contacted the seller but with his atitude I;m not sure it's even worth it.

Go through ebay'e mediator service if needs be. You can report that you're unhappy with the sale through them and they will get involved without you having to deal with the seller yourself.

I'd email them and return the phone and ask for money back on the grounds of it not being in good condition. I'm sure you can buy another one that is in good condition from someone else.

I agree, it's not really worth giving negative feedback, for the reasons you gave. When I sell on ebay, i always give the buyer positive feedback as soon as they have paid for the item because I am confident what I am selling is as I described it, and if a seller doesn't do that, it makes me think that they are a little dodgy and ready for confrontation.

So I would contact them and say that you want to get a refund but that it won't affect the feedback you leave. Then they will realise it is in their best interests to accept your return of the phone.

Postage and packing costs are just something you have to be on the lookout for, I guess you knew it was going to be £8 so you can't complain too much there. Some sellers make all their money this way.

It's annoying when ebay doesn't work isn't it!

If the seller offers to refund me minus the £8 p&p should I accept that even though it only cost him £1.50?

I think that they SHOULD refund the lot, particularly as you will be covering the postage costs of sending it back to them. If they have a problem with that, it would be unreasonable I think, but in that case concede the £1.50 it actually cost them to send it, and accept that as a small loss.

I hope you're not dealing with someone that unreasonable - they have after all provided nearly 400 people with something they are happy with.

Thank you for the replies [smils]

The phone has no battery power at all and after having the phone on charge for a few hours (charger came with handset), I can't even turn the phone on. So, that should make things easier. I can just ask for a refund because it doesn't work, and not even mention the poor condition it is in.

What a disastrous purchase! Better luck with your next phone!

Contact the seller. You maybe surprised- a good seller should always give at least a partial refund. If not you can file an item not as described claim although be prepared for a fair amount of wrangling. Also if you paid using Paypal you can make a claim through them- they regularly side with the buyer.
As far as the negative feedback goes I would wait until the claims you make have been resolved. If they neg you go to the feedback part of the community tab and leave a calm and factual follow up reply. Don't worry about it, people look further than the red negative symbol. It really won't put people off you!