I just completed an eBay transaction that I thought would be a disaster.

The seller didn't have photos of the actual item -- posting generic photos
instead -- while claiming the item was in great shape. His replies to
questions were defensive and aggressive.

I heard all the alarm bells going off. Others must have felt the same way,
because this item -- though offered at an attractive starting price, had
garnered all of two bids. After careful consideration -- he'd been on eBay
since 1999, and though having been involved in only a few transactions, had
100% feedback -- and the quality of his responses was anything but slick --
I decided to bid. My bid, which was only the third, won.

Well...

When I hadn't heard from him "soon enough" after sending the check, I called
to see what was going on. His father (?) took my phone number, and the
seller actually called me back.

When he got my cashier's check (Monday), he raised the eBay "Payment
Received" flag, and -- get this -- immediately left positive feedback! A man
after my own heart! My eBay boilerplate text includes the following...

"Some sellers wait to post feedback, as an implied threat to dissatisfied
buyers. I don't play games like that. I post feedback when I ship the item.
If you pay promptly, you _will_ get positive feedback. Nothing else is
required."

How often have you run into someone like that? Not very.

Needless to say, the guy shipped the item Tuesday, and it arrived yesterday.
It was as-described. I will be calling him this morning to offer profuse
thanks.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
news
I just completed an eBay transaction that I thought would be a disaster.

The seller didn't have photos of the actual item -- posting generic photos
instead -- while claiming the item was in great shape. His replies to
questions were defensive and aggressive.

I heard all the alarm bells going off. Others must have felt the same way,
because this item -- though offered at an attractive starting price, had
garnered all of two bids. After careful consideration -- he'd been on eBay
since 1999, and though having been involved in only a few transactions,
had
100% feedback -- and the quality of his responses was anything but
slick --
I decided to bid. My bid, which was only the third, won.

Well...

When I hadn't heard from him "soon enough" after sending the check, I
called
to see what was going on. His father (?) took my phone number, and the
seller actually called me back.

When he got my cashier's check (Monday), he raised the eBay "Payment
Received" flag, and -- get this -- immediately left positive feedback! A
man
after my own heart! My eBay boilerplate text includes the following...

"Some sellers wait to post feedback, as an implied threat to dissatisfied
buyers. I don't play games like that. I post feedback when I ship the
item.
If you pay promptly, you _will_ get positive feedback. Nothing else is
required."

How often have you run into someone like that? Not very.

Needless to say, the guy shipped the item Tuesday, and it arrived
yesterday.
It was as-described. I will be calling him this morning to offer profuse
thanks.


.... I also post feedback when shipped, I do not hold feedback hostage to use
as retaliatory ... the buyer has paid, therefore has completed their
obligation ...

I also post feedback when shipped, I do not hold feedback
hostage to use as retaliation. The buyer has paid, therefore
has completed their obligation.

Would that more eBayers felt that way.

I agree 100%. This is a pet peeve of mine
When I (or someone buying from me) has sent negotiable funds, they are due
feedback for how they conducted themselves.




--
Carl
WA1KPD
Visit My Boatanchor Collection at
http://home.comcast.net/~chnord/wa1kpd.html

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
. ..
I also post feedback when shipped, I do not hold feedback
hostage to use as retaliation. The buyer has paid, therefore
has completed their obligation.

Would that more eBayers felt that way.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
news
When he got my cashier's check (Monday), he raised the eBay "Payment
Received" flag, and -- get this -- immediately left positive feedback! A man
after my own heart!

Good man.

I agree with you that it's a stupid game that sellers play whereby they only
give *you* feedback if you first give it to them.

The other incredibly poor practice I see are the sellers who outright state
the your leaving them negative feedback will result in their leaving *you*
negative feedback -- regardless of the circumstances! If I were eBay, I'd
immediately kick out anyone who'd claim something like that, as it's an
obvious attempt to get unhappy customers to just shut up... borderline
extortion, really.

I have something like 3 negative feedbacks on eBay, and 2 of the 3 were from
sellers that I left negatives for because they shipped me a different product
than what was shown in their ads. One said, "We shipped you a newer version,
why are you unhappy?" (Because the older version was a different shape and
color that I needed!); the other said, "Oh, sorry, it's an old photo; we'll
update them." And they give me negative feedback? Incredible.

(The 3rd negative was "deserved" on my part, though -- I'm not quite an
angel... :-) )

---Joel

But Bill, where's the PICTURE?

John H.