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I am writing this guide because I am disgusted with Star Ratings! First I must RANT a moment.
I have watched my ratings fluctuate for the last 2 months.
Items shipped have been Exact item shown - Brand New Items for the last 2 months. Explain to me how this can not be 5 Stars description??
I have sent emails when items end - when payment is received and when item is shipped. I also enclose a note with each package. This is DARN GOOD communication! Am I supposed to also email and call to say hello daily?? This deserves 5 Stars!!
I ship items most often same day as payment is received - maybe next business day if it is an evening or weekend payment. This is as quick as shipping can be! You are NOT supposed to rate me on POST OFFICE SHIPPING TIME. Check the date on your label!! This deserves 5 Stars!!
Last of all - Most my items have been FREE shipping or EXACT shipping cost - Many times I have charged less then the actual cost and if charges were more then expected you received a refund on shipping. Why would you even consider leaving less then 5 stars for shipping and handling then there is NO handling charge. Talk to the post office if shipping charges are too high!!! FREE and Exact shipping and handling is MORE then 5 Stars!!
Due to changes in the Feedback system I write this in hopes you will take all these factors into consideration before leaving feedback for your sellers. This is a permanent rating for your seller and should be left with consideration of how others will view YOUR feedback left for others. Keep in mind many sellers look at YOUR feedback left for others to judge YOU. This is written with my own listings in mind, but fits the majority of listings. Neutral Equals Negative in the new system. Contact your seller before leaving either! When your seller works with you then you should be happy.
- 5 Star description
Your item is pictured with offer of more pictures upon request and all information known to the seller is here for you - telling you to ask if you need more information. All questions answered - Keep asking if you need more information! All items have return policies - Please remember NO-Returns is STILL a policy. Most issues can be worked out to the satisfaction of both parties involved. Don't assume it is more or less then what the listing states.
READ the WHOLE listing - There is information that you might have missed or miss-understood.
Ask Questions! Please remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and we all see from different views. You may want another veiw. If you know more information about an item - SHARE.
- 5 Star communication
Your questions are answered as soon as possible most often with in a reasonable time of receiving them.
You receive an email when you win your item, an email with your invoice and confirmation when your payment has been received and your item shipped. You also receive a brief note with your item thanking you. Check your spam folder!!
If you communicate too you will find most communication is Excellent - But communication is a 2 way street.
Short of calling you at dinner (and who REALLY wants this?) That is considered EXCELLENT communication.
- 5 Star Shipping Time
Your item is shipped with in the stated time frame of receiving payment. Please remember to check the postal date on your package - the post office stamps it when it Leaves their building - Do NOT count the days the Post Office has your package against the seller - this is out of the sellers control and not a fair rating. Please also remember to take weekends and your payment date in mind.
- 5 Star Shipping and Handling Fees
Your item has been carefully packaged and delivered to the post office. Packaging materials cost money, Gas prices have risen drastically and yet shipping costs are Far Below Rates commonly charged for shipping/handling fees from large corporations. Delivery confirmations, insurance and any other added feature add $$ to the cost. Check some rates from Non-Ebay sites and see for yourself. Under $1.00 handling fee for any package is NOT unreasonable - It is pretty darned good!
- Feedback
I do not demand your feedback, but I ask that you respect me as a person and give me the opportunity to resolve any situation that arises before leaving a negative. Due to the New Feedback Policy in place many sellers are not accepting buyers who leave numerous negatives knowing that most are unjustified and left for sellers with out first allowing the seller to try and resolve the issue.
- Leaving your seller Negative because your item didn't arrive with in 5 days is NOT acceptable.
- Negative for your box being squished by the postal system is NOT acceptable.
- Negative for your item not being exactly what YOU expected but exactly as described in listing is NOT acceptable.
- Negative when you did NOT PAY ON TIME and your item is no longer available or now obviously late being shipped to you is just WRONG.
With the new system in place your apology for a neutral or negative when your item arrives the day after you left negative feedback does NOT make the seller feel better and will NOT remove that negative from the sellers feedback.
Many sellers who sell "Like" items communicate with each other and pass the word on of buyers who are unreasonable or un"pleasurable" and this earns you a space on many "Blocked Bidder" lists.
We also communicate when buyers change usernames to try and avoid this - and Yes this is happening more often then not. (for those of you who are familiar with this - you KNOW who I speak of)
Please remember Treat others as you would like to be treated. Reverse the situation and put yourself in your sellers position. Check your postage date - This is when your package was accepted and stamped by the postal worker when it leaves their building. Check your postage rates and add in the cost it would take you to run to the post office - this can be done online or ask your postal worker to give you an estimate of what the package cost to ship if postage is not printed on your package - Add on the cost of gas, packing box/envelope, tape, ink and paper. The last cost to figure into this transaction is the time it takes to list this item, package this item and safely deliver it to the post office.
Sellers - You already know these issues in depth.
Buyers I dare you to take the challenge!
Find an item in your house you like and properly package it to "ship it to yourself" I say this because of course you want it to arrive safe and in one piece. Now check cost to ship this item - at least 500 miles from where you live. Ah yes, please add in tracking number so you can not accuse yourself of NOT shipping the item - also add in insurance if you are concerned the postal system is not as concerned about your package as you are. Now RUN to the post office so you can not complain the item was SLOW in being shipped!
NOW Rate yourself on how you did.
- Did you describe your item you are shipping EXACTLY? In clear and simple words?
- Did you email numerous times to yourself about your item?
- Did you ship your item ON TIME?
- Did you charge TOO MUCH for shipping this item? Did you include ALL your costs to package and ship this item?
How do you feel about the ratings you just gave yourself?
Please Be HONEST
If you gave yourself excellent ratings on all of this then you should be giving your sellers the same!
Personally I think the Feedback system STINKS. The new rating system is faulty and more and more sellers are getting discouraged with buyers who "leave honest feedback" - Honest feedback does not need to be hidden and sellers should have the opportunity to respond and take action to correct the issue if need be. If a Seller can not leave Neg for a Buyer then there is NO reason to hide DSR scores from each poster.
Please check YES if you found anything interesting in this guide.
Guide created: 06/19/08 (updated 10/06/09)
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