Re: Below Standard Projection..
I went projected below standard back on Nov 1st with over 250 cases INR cases opened against me in 1 month, 12% defect rate.
Most people told me, that account is toast good-- say goodnight... the month is a blur, but I managed to appease eBay by doing what I know they love best: the customer. I basically refunded everyone who had late shipping AND shipped their item for free (my items are not very expensive, but still a pretty big lost-- but this account was worth saving).
I sent everyone who left me negative a short but sweet message explaining the situation, letting them know the package was shipped for free, and kindly asked them to consider revising the feedback once everything checks out (over 80% did).
I ran 20-30% sales and basically sold as much as I could before the 20th, when I was going to be evaluated below standard, and I shipped every single order same-day.
Now the 20th came, and there I was, below standard-- I expected a suspension letter at any minute for the next 6 days, but then... "Keep it up! You're on track to exceed new minimum performance requirements that go into effect on February 20, 2016. To recognize your progress, we've upgraded your seller level to Above Standard in USA"
The account is still live and doing well. Mistakes happen, but when mistakes happen on eBay people tend to forget they really care about 1 thing: customer happiness. When you mess up, do EVERYTHING in your power make buyers who complained, happy (offer them something free, maybe a small gift card, anything, if you can't out-right refund them)
Respond to the feedback letting everyone know you did EVERYTHING in your power to make that buyer happy, and apologize.
This doesn't apply to an account you can afford to lose, I would never work that hard for that, but if you feel the account is worth fighting for, don't abandon it until eBay gives you the word 'Indefinite', there's usually a way.
But that whole situation taught me how bad it is to rely on one eBay entity for income-- I got too comfy and boom, almost lost my main source of income. The best you can take from things like this is ALWAYS have multiply stealth accounts, and always be maturing some in the background while you run 3-4 main ones.
|