Quote:
Originally Posted by NoneOther  Exactly that, NO COMMUNICATION HAS TAKEN PLACE.
Buyers want to feel special
Send them a thank you message after they buy and after that have paid then send them a message when you have shipped their item.
No, It's not a fair system because it is subjective and open to abuse but that's how e/b want it so that it will keep you on your toes and if you slip then your history |
eBay says you will AUTOMATICALLY GET 5 STAR RATING if:
"From 29 March, you'll be automatically awarded a 5-star detailed seller rating for seller communication when a transaction meets all of the following criteria:
1) Tracking is uploaded or the item is marked as dispatched within 1 working day after payment has been received
2) Stated handling time is 1 working day or same day
3) The payment method is PayPal, making the payment date visible to eBay
4) No communication took place between the buyer and seller from 14 days before the transaction up until the point that Feedback was left. This includes messages within My eBay and any opened cases."
Btw, eBay automatically sends them an email after they have bought telling them congrats, you have won this auction and now all you need to do is pay. And also an email after you have marked as despatched to tell them that your item has been despatched.
Obviously the point of these automated emails from eBay is to make our communication work easier and less, so we don't have to do it.
BUT, in reality, it seems that these are not enough for the buyers as they know that these are automated emails from eBay and not from YOU.
After getting 4.6 communication rating, I changed my process to personally send buyers a message after despatch and let them know of the estimated delivery time. I also asked them to contact me after a stated timeframe if they did not receive the item and assured them I will send a new one or refund them. I also politely asked them not to give me a negative/neutral feedback or open a case without contacting me first as I will work with them to resolve their problems. And lastly, I requested them to leave me a positive feedback if they are happy with the item and I would do the same for them.
All this information in a single message and I've found that it has increased my number of positive feedback and ratings, and buyers contact me if they have issues instead of leaving negative feedback.
Now going back to the automatic 5 star rating, which I don't understand. Because I am doing this, I violate point 4. I fulfill all requirements from points 1-3.
Point 4 says "No communication took place between the buyer and seller from 14 days before the transaction up until the point that Feedback was left. This includes messages within My eBay and any opened cases."
eBay does innumeral absurd things but this is really beyond my finite understanding.
They say that in order to get a 5 star rating on communication, you need to have NO COMMUNICATION??!!?
Can anyone understand this and help to explain??
What about automated messages sent by Auctiva; does this count?
Does Auctiva send to email address or eBay messages? (have not used it yet)
Low DSR for Communication? 
