ebay Feedback
I recently read
this load of BS which is so focused on doing what was best for the seller that it made me sick and decided someone should speak up from a buyer point of view about what ebay feedback really means to the buyers. To put it simply if you as a seller want the rewards that come with having over a 4.5 average, you have to earn it by being an exceptional seller. An athlete doesn't get a lucrative commercial contract for getting a bronze medal. I think the best way to do this would be to explain what a seller has to do to earn 5 stars from me on each of the items.
EDIT: Oh and "contact me before leaving less than 5 stars" sounds okay in theory, but the simple fact is that if you don't send me a tracking number, or if the item takes 5 weeks to arrive, THEIR IS NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT. It already happened, you can't undo it, and I'm not going to pretend it didn't happen no matter what you say.
Item Description: This is probably the most ambiguous to me. So here is how I view it: It's not just a matter of whether or not the item is as the seller describes it. If a seller lists "Orange handled scissors" and I get a pair of pinking sheers with orange handles, technically that description was accurate. So what I am looking for to give 5 stars is both accuracy and completeness. "Klein brand, 6 inch, pinking sheers, with orange plastic handles, new in retail packaging".
5 stars - The item was described in detail and the description was accurate
4 stars - The item was well described, but a stock picture was used so my item looked a little different than the picture in the auction
3 stars - There was no real description of the item, just a name and a picture. I only bought it because I knew exactly what I was looking for.
2 stars - I don't think I've ever used this.
1 star - The item I received simply doesn't match the description in the auction (odds are I'll be wanting an exchange or refund).
Communication:
5 stars - I receive auction notices and a shipment tracking number (and any emails I send are responded to in under 3 days)
4 stars - I receive auction notices but no shipment tracking number (and any emails I send are responded to in under 3 days)
3 stars - Auction goes fine but I never get any notices from the seller
2 stars - Responding to an email I send between 3 and 5 days after I sent it
1 star - Not responding to an email I send within 5 days
Shipping Time: I have a good idea of shipping times. For the continental U.S. once a package is given to the shipper it almost always arrives in 5 business days or less. For international the norm is between 14 and 21 days.
Stars Days U.S. Days International
5 stars - less than 5 days U.S or less than 12 days international
4 stars - 5-7 days U.S. or 12-18 days international
3 stars - 7-10 days U.S. or 18-24 days international
2 stars - 10-14 days U.S. or 24-30 days international (this usually means it took the seller more than 7 days after auction close to put the package in the mail)
1 star - more than 14 days U.S. or more than 30 days international (these times are just not acceptable)
Shipping & Handling Charges:
5: Free shipping AND the item is still competitively priced (if your item costs $7 more than everyone else, but shipping is free, I probably wont buy from you).
4: Actual price to ship the item. I have a good idea of what real shipping charges are, if your charges are no more than what it really costs to ship an item you get 4 stars.
3: You added a handling fee. You decided you didn't want the price of bubble wrap to come out of your profits so you decided to add a couple bucks to the shipping price. Ok, I can understand it, but I don't have to like it.
2: You want your item to appear cheaper than everyone else's, but you don't want to cut into your profit, so you're shipping fee is $5 or $10 higher than the actual cost of shipping and your item is $5 or $10 cheaper than everyone else's. Believe it or not, most of us aren't that stupid and think your being an idiot.
1: Your selling pocket knives for $0.01 and charging $17 shipping. We all know that your making all your money with the shipping charges so why be such an jerk. Don't worry too much, since I'll never buy from you, you'll never get this rating from me.