We can take all the steps we want but it is what it is, sadly.
On my original member account (13 years of 100% positive feedback) that eBay suspended due to linking me to a bad account (of a family member not under my roof) had a 80% feedback-left rate.
So for every 100 items sold generally 20 or so buyers did not leave feedback.
For each and every auction I listed, I sent a friendly message giving the buyer their tracking number along with what shipping source was used, giving praise for buying and paying so fast and then ending the message asking for great 5-Star feedback once their item arrives and all is well. I also had mentioned how I have already left them Great Feedback.
My complete messages to each buyer were very personalized to prove my sincerity and not cookie-cutter one size fits all type messages.
On average maybe 15% (on a good month) would write back to say thank you, I received your message and appreciate your communication or something of this nature.
This is only 15 buyers out of every 100 taking the time to write back.
Today, running 2 (approx. 60 day old) stealth accounts I too am not getting the feedback I deserve for performance given.
Besides still issuing the very personal thank you message including the tracking information, I follow up after their item is delivered with another message tailored just for this specific buyer and item purchased that goes like this:
Hello "buyer's id". I am pleased to see that your "what they bought" has arrived on time and I'm sure you will be equally as pleased with your purchase. I am writing you once again just to say thank you for choosing my auction to place your winning bid and placing your trust in me.
Please remember to leave me positive 5-Star feedback when you can take the time. This allows me and any potential bidders to see how I'm doing and verifies that I can be trusted to perform as stated in my auctions.
If something is not as promised, please contact me right away so I can make things right with you.
My goal is to make your buying experience from me as pleasant as possible and hopefully placing me on your Favorite Sellers list and becoming a repeat customer.
Sincerely, XXXMEXXX
But sadly so far only 3 out of 8 sales on one of my new accounts and 1 out of 5 sales on my other account have left feedback.
http://www.aspkin.com/forums/images/smilies/pout.gif
I have been selling right to my limits on each account for 2 months now (5/500). I'm hoping eBay will raise my limits soon based on sales/price volume getting maxed out and not just my feedback count.
As sellers we need to understand that eBay is a completely different experience for a seller than it is for a buyer.
A seller doesn't really care what they sell so long as it is as described, profitable and legal.
A seller has multiple goals.
Capture as much feedback as possible. Perform fast and efficient once an item sells to get that feedback so limits can be increased ASAP and so he/she can get 5 Stars in each category.
As a seller I need to make money and then......more money !!
As a seller I must increase sales as required to receive better discounts on listings and shipping.
This is just to mention the most obvious.
The majority of buyers have a form of tunnel vision. "I know what I want and I want the best possible price on it, the cheapest shipping and I want it fast."
Most buyers don't care who they buy from so long as the seller's feedback is not a disaster ( a percentage rate low enough to catch their eye, varies between a specific buyers concern).
Most buyers loyalty only goes as far as which seller has the lowest price combining item and shipping costs if the item is popular and offered by many sellers.
As a buyer, I need to get the best deal....every time !! If it's cheaper on Amazon then adios eBay.
So compare what a seller wants out of eBay and what a buyer wants out of eBay and they are completely different goals.
The last thing most buyer's are thinking about is feedback.
Generally speaking I have found most of my feedback comes from buyers that also sell.
The majority of my buyers not leaving feedback have never sold anything.
No buyer will ever forget about feedback if anything is wrong though.
You can count on that.
My policy is if they don't automatically leave feedback within a few days of receiving their item then they get my follow-up message.
If they don't respond by leaving feedback after they receive my follow-up message then so be it.
Keep pushing and you may be sorry you kept asking for it. :boink:
