need opinion on ebay feedback

[silverpoodleman]

The feedback given on ebay is important to sellers and buyers. I would like to ask the opinion of experienced ebayers about a delivered lot of games.

 

I just received a lot of smoke-infused games. There was obviously no notice on the ads. Based on this and this alone - is this worthy of a negative or neutral feedback?

 

OK - now consider this - I won the auctions and paid for the games on 9/26/05 and they just arrived today (11/3/05). Does that change your opinion? Is that now worthy of a negative feedback?

 

Normally I would say yes, but I've only left two negative feedbacks and one of them resulted in my only negative feedback. I was given a negative feedback as a direct result of me giving a negative feedback to a seller who tried to rip me off (quick situation - I ordered a DVD using Buy It Now. After about three weeks and no DVD, I contacted the seller (in Asia) who sent me the tracking info. I tracked it's delivery to Malaysia. I live in the good ol' USofA. After I informed him of this, he said he would look into it. That's the last time I heard from him despite another two months and six emails. Finally, figuring my money was lost anyway, I listed a negative feedback. He finally responded saying I was unreasonable. Uh-huh.

 

So, my question - is it risking a negative feedback to leave one under these circumstances?

[MrRetroGamer]

My rule is, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything.

 

You didn't day if you tried to contact the seller about this situation, you might want to explore that option first.

[Flojomojo]

Just my opinions -- don't blame me if this doesn't deliver you to Ebay nirvana with the 40 honeyed virgins eating giant Cheetos:

 

The smoke-infused cartridges aren't worth a negative in my opinion. Leave them out in the sun and they'll smell fine soon enough. You could also try wiping them with citrus cleaner in the meantime. Smokers generally don't know they stink and would likely not appreciate your telling them so. I've seen plenty of auctions that say things like "adult owned, smoke and pet free household." I guess that's a bonus if you get something clean, but you shouldn't necessarily expect it when buying someone else's old junk. As a pet person, I know that if a buyer found a dog hair on something I sold, I wouldn't appreciate a negative feedback.

 

The late shipment is more troublesome. It shouldn't take that long to ship. I had a similar experience a while back, buying from someone who used to frequent the rgvc newsgroups. He left retaliatory negatives whenever someone called him on it and acted like a prick in general. He complained that mail service out of his town was just slow, and that's the way it was, he couldn't control the mail. When my item took over a month to show up, I left him positive feedback. I noted that he used the paypal shipping service which does NOT provide a postmark, and that it took 30+ days to arrive.

 

Perhaps you could do something similar. Send a message to other bidders if you must, but don't give the seller a red mark unless you really got ripped off. You can be very damning with faint praise while still giving someone a green mark.

 

Was it at least a good deal?

[Mindfield]

My take:

 

1) With regard to smoke-infused or otherwise odoriferous items, bear in mind that smokers can't smell it. It's endemic to the habit; one who smokes won't be able to smell the smoke in the things it permeates and thus in most cases wouldn't even think to mention it in a sale thread or auction listing unless it was brought to his attention. If it were me and carts arrived with an objectionable (but, to the seller, ubiquitous) scent I'd bring it up to the seller, but wouldn't consider it worthy of a repremand.

 

2) Late shipping is certainly a problem, and I've been known to get upset at sellers who drag their asses on the issue. But to me, if I did get the items in question then that eliminates a neg -- you got your product, it was just late. Depending on how late, it may deserve a neutral at worst. I will always contact the seller first though and discuss it with them. If it was very late but the seller was accommodating then I will usually still leave a postive (or at worst a backhanded neutral). If they turn out to be a prick about it though, then I'll definitely consider a neutral. If they're downright shitty about it, then I'll reconsider the neg.

[shadow460]

First, did you get the games for collecting purposes or just to play them? If you got them just to play them, then I'd note the smoke in a positive feedback.

If you got them for collecting, call the seller. If you can't work the situation out, leave negative feedback and file the "item significantly not as described" form.

They probably were shipped via parcel post, the absolute slowest way to ship known to this man.

If you get a negative, respond to it. That makes the person who left it respond yet again, or else it becomes a neutral feedback.

 

Some or all of your money can be recovered even if you didn't use paypal (that is, unless you sent cash).

 

I always ask ask the seller how the item will be shipped if shipping isn't covered in the auction. I ask them to email me when the item is shipped. Most don't.

I send this in an email and I send a note with my money order with my address and the question above written on it. This way I know they have all the info they need in their hand when they take my payment to the bank.

 

See if I bid a couple of bucks on a lot with Rad Racer, SMB, Castlevania, and Top Gun in it, and won, I'd be disappointed if they smelled of smoke, but I would be glad I got my games.

If, on the other hand, I bid much more on a set of rares, like Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Mean 18 Golf, Tengen Tetris, and 2600 Ikari Warriors, I'd be calling the seller as soon as I got smelled the smoke on them. I'd also be trying to clean either set out.

 

By the way, most of my items arrive within seven days of when I put the money order in the outgoing mail.

[oldgames]

The only time I would even consider posting a neg for smoke smell would be if the auction stated that the item was from a smoke-free home. This implies that you should expect item to be free of smoke odor. Even then, if everything else was as stated, I would lean toward a neutral.

[jetset]

This is exactly the type of situation where you would want to leave a negative. Short of not sending the item at all, this seller was horrible. The smoke stench is one thing, but such a long time in shipping is wholly another. Did he explain the delay and/or communitcate with you during the wait?

Worst of all, if he did not give you your deserved positive shortly after you completed your one and only requirement as a buyer (that is to pay) then he knew you'd be pissed, and is just holding the feedback as a bargaining chip so YOU wont neg HIM.

 

I cant honestly think of any reason NOT to neg this jerk.

[Road_runner]

The feedback given on ebay is important to sellers and buyers. I would like to ask the opinion of experienced ebayers about a delivered lot of games.

 

I just received a lot of smoke-infused games. There was obviously no notice on the ads. Based on this and this alone - is this worthy of a negative or neutral feedback?

 

OK - now consider this - I won the auctions and paid for the games on 9/26/05 and they just arrived today (11/3/05). Does that change your opinion? Is that now worthy of a negative feedback?

 

Normally I would say yes, but I've only left two negative feedbacks and one of them resulted in my only negative feedback. I was given a negative feedback as a direct result of me giving a negative feedback to a seller who tried to rip me off (quick situation - I ordered a DVD using Buy It Now. After about three weeks and no DVD, I contacted the seller (in Asia) who sent me the tracking info. I tracked it's delivery to Malaysia. I live in the good ol' USofA. After I informed him of this, he said he would look into it. That's the last time I heard from him despite another two months and six emails. Finally, figuring my money was lost anyway, I listed a negative feedback. He finally responded saying I was unreasonable. Uh-huh.

 

So, my question - is it risking a negative feedback to leave one under these circumstances?

959819[/snapback]

 

 

OK... here's my take... The guy in ASIA... Rule number one. Never buy anything from those stores that are listed in ASIA, especially those who give you some BS location in the listing. They look to me as money takers.

 

The smell of cigarettes... As a former smoker, I know that it was always nice to be courteous to those who did not smoke like not lighting up in front of them etc...

I too have purchased items on ebay that once the box was open a nasty enclosed smell of cigarette smoke was truly evident. It's nasty. If he did not clearly state yey or ney on this topic, I would not neg him for that. I would send him or her an e email regarding that. Maybe you could get a discount or partial refund for your trouble, and time and "allergic reaction" to the cigarette smoke and smell. It's worth a shot. If he/she is reasonable, it might stick.

 

Over a month to receive the item, that's a long time for sure. I know the feeling; you have this urge to leave a neg. But what I would do is try communicating with the guy first and see what he says. If his answer were rude, short or no answer, I would then leave a neutral or negative.

 

The fact that he has not left you feedback yet could be his bargaining chip as others have said here. So the answer is yes. You risk getting a negative reprisal from this person, unfortunately.

 

Now the reply you had from the guy in ASIA, that's plain bull shit. I have a nice reply for him. I think you handled that one well, trying diplomacy first and then you resorted to a neg. just what I would have done.

 

The only negs I have ever left were for non-paying bidders and not even from ATARI. I have had no problems with game buyers. But there are many unscrupulous sellers out there that just prey on buyers out here taking advantage of a flaw filled ebay system.

 

That's my take

[Mendon]

I can only offer this: if the item wasn't as described and/or if the shipping wasn't as stated (you paid for priority and it came media, etc) and you can't work it out with the seller then a Neg is in order. But if the condition is as stated (seller said nothing about smoke smell and you didn't ask) and the method and/or timing of shipping wasn't stated or discussed then I really don't think you have room to give a Neg. In the end, it all depends on what was stated and discussed.

 

I've always tried to protect myself by sending Emails before making a purchase, asking the seller to confirm the condition (asking direct questions about condition, etc) and how they will ship. If they are evasive or don't answer I pass on the item. Even doing that I've still been burnt on several occasions and if I feel the seller is wrong and won't work anything out then I leave a Neg. But on a couple of occasions simple communication has worked out so both of us are pleased.

 

But at least try and work things out before leaving feedback of any sort and hopefully the end result will be satisfaction for both of you.

 

Mendon

[silverpoodleman]

* * * * UPDATE * * * *

 

I was refunded in full. I emailed the seller and said that while I loathe the prospect of giving negative feedbacks, given the situation and my desire to act truthfully, I would find it hard to give a positive review. I told them that I wanted to be fair and give them a chance to reply before I do anything.

 

The seller emailed back apologizing and claiming he was in the hospital. While there, he turned over his business/site to his adult children who screwed it up. As a result, he has been getting many negative feedbacks and is painfully watching as the business he built is being trashed. He apologized and told me he had already refunded the money (which I confirmed).

 

Given that he refunded the money, offered an apology and didn't request the games back, I gave him a Neutral feedback which pointed out the fact that the games took more than five weeks to arrive and reeked of tobacco smoke. If he would have not returned the money or had given me lip I definately would have gone the negative route.

 

Anyway, chapter closed!

Edited November 5, 2005 by silverpoodleman

[FireTiger]

I'd would have left a positive

 

"Delayed shipping (date x-date y) Issue resolved due to good post auction communication"

[YOK-dfa]

You get to keep the games, get your money back and you still give the guy a neutral?? Some people are hard to satify

[Mindfield]

I would have given a positive after that. The guy obviously went beyond and refunded the entire amount and you still got to keep the games -- that at least shows he was more than willing to work with you to make sure you were happy with your purchase even if it meant losing money. It's a little hard to do any better than that, really, or to ask for any better a deal. Whether or not his story is credulous, in the end he did all he could to make it right, and for that I don't think he deserved a neutral.

[+Omegamatrix]

Sure you're unhappy with the smell and slow shipping, but the seller has given everything to you for free. I'd take him on his story as most sellers will just tell you to piss off and dare you to leave a Neg before they leave their feedback. I've myself have bought lots that smelled horrible too, and can understand how that pisses a person off. Everyone has a different sense of smell though, and some people can barely smell at all. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and try to work it out before I leave feedback. If the seller fully refunded my money though I'd leave them a positive. What more can they possible do to make amends? They've lost everything in the deal.

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I can't believe that you left a neutral after he gave you a refund. That is horrible.

 

I do not smoke and I can't stand when stuff arrives that smell of smoke. That being said I have received packages from AtariAge members (who I won't name) that smelled of smoke.

[video game addict]

Your blocked bidder list has successfully been updated with the new information you submitted.

[Recycled]

yea, you should of left a possitive or nothing at all. He might neg ya now.

[Lost Monkey]

Items reeked of smoke...

 

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ2...sZfamilybizzzzz

[jetset]

You guys are incredible. Just because he left a neutral you give him crap, and one of you even blocks him from bidding???

Besides the fact that the "I was in the hospital" line is the oldest one in the ebay book, a neutral feedback is not bad considering what the buyer had to deal with time-wise, plus the carts stink like an ashtray. So he wound up with free garbage. Whoopy-do.

 

Some of you guys are truly a piece of work.

[Artlover]

Some of you guys are truly a piece of work.

961634[/snapback]

Is this is the last of your dillusional ebay drivel or should I just put you back on my ignore list now?

[video game addict]

Items reeked of smoke...

 

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ2...sZfamilybizzzzz

961622[/snapback]

 

 

Silverpoodle's probably just mad the seller didn't throw in any Marlboro miles with the purchases.

[jetset]

Some of you guys are truly a piece of work.

961634[/snapback]

Is this is the last of your dillusional ebay drivel or should I just put you back on my ignore list now?

961640[/snapback]

 

Hmmm...not exactly sure if I care or not. Let me get back to you on that.

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......

 

Ok, I'm back. Nope. Dont care. Ignore away.

[CPUWIZ]

Given that he refunded the money, offered an apology and didn't request the games back, I gave him a Neutral feedback which pointed out the fact that the games took more than five weeks to arrive and reeked of tobacco smoke. If he would have not returned the money or had given me lip I definately would have gone the negative route.

 

 

[Zwackery]

Is this is the last of your dillusional ebay drivel or should I just put you back on my ignore list now?

Beavis & Butt-head certainly had a lot of fun with dill-hole, dill-weed, and dill pickle.

 

Try "delusional".

[Recycled]

Besides the fact that the "I was in the hospital" line is the oldest one in the ebay book,

961634[/snapback]

 

 

Hey, I've had that same line used on me for an excuse for a broken date!!!