Jim 'Griff' Griffith

Having a Positive Attitude about Feedback

by Jim 'Griff' Griffith
eBay Staff Member

Q: Hi Griff, 

I'm a collector of coins. Recently I won a roll of 20 coins on eBay, from a seller with a 100% positive feedback rating. When he sent me the coins, the quality was clearly off. So I went to the Post Office & mailed them back without contacting him first.

When he received the coins, he refused them, sending them back to me. Then I contacted eBay, who told me that before anything could be done, I had to call the man and talk to him about the problem. Reluctantly, I did so. After I explained my side of the story, he agreed to accept the merchandise back. So I went back down to the Post Office mailed the goods back to him again. He got them.

Then he tried to say he would not pay me until I agreed with him on a price. I would not agree to that, simply telling him that my expenses in this outing were $ 282.29 After some squabbling, he paid me $280 My question is, what should I do about his feedback. I really feel like blistering him. I lost money. There was untold aggravation and much wasted time in e-mails, phone calls, etc. One problem I have is the guy told me that he is handicapped. But he cost me time and money. And I still need the merchandise - this transaction was a setback for me. I find myself asking myself—what should I do about this guy? Your thoughts/advice, O Wise One?

Bobby

A: Bobby,

Sorry to hear about this. Your experience with this seller is a perfect example of how a lack of communication between an eBay buyer and seller can lead to all sorts of unintended difficulties.

Unfortunately, the first mistake was sending the coins back without contacting the seller. Think of it from the seller's perspective. He sent the items to you. Then, with no communication from you explaining why, he finds the coins returned to his location marked "refused." If you were the seller, what would you think at this point?

The seller most likely immediately suspected he was about to be unfairly saddled with a non-paying buyer and an unpaid item. It isn't surprising that he wasn't accommodating when at last you actually did contact him.

Under the circumstances, I definitely would not use feedback to "blister" this seller (unless you don't mind being blistered in kind and trust me, you will be!). I would also not leave a negative since the seller eventually did refund your money. (By they way, most sellers charge the buyer for the shipping costs of returning the item, so the $2.89 cost to you isn't unreasonable at all). All things considered (the fact that you did not contact the seller immediately), I would say this transaction turned out well.

I would post a positive comment. Something like:

Unhappy w coins but seller sent a refund. Thank you

Short, sweet, and to the point, the comment states exactly what happened in a non accusatory or inflammatory manner.

Regards,
Griff