Feedback! How to get a good one.

This is kind of an obvious topic, but just in case I will talk about it.

FEEDBACK

Ok, feedback is one of the most important facts of selling on ebay.
Why?
Compare this:

Seller 1 is selling a game for 30$ with 0 feedback.
Seller 2 is selling that game fro 35$ with 1250 feedback.

If you're a buyer, would you attempt a person with no feedback at all just for a measly 5$? No.

Sellers with low feedback unfortunately usually end up selling items for much lower than those with high feedback.

Unfortunately, because people cheat the system, a good feedback isn't enough. Many scammers manage to get 10-20 "good" (fake) feedbacks before turning on your back.

However, if you're an honest seller, you will slowly but surely work your way up to 100+ Feedback.

How to get good feedback (and not neutral or *gasp* bad):

1. Describe the item EXACTLY as it is. If there is a small, to you insignificant, scratch on the item you DO need to mention that.


• If you claim it to be mint (or don't mention the condition at all) and the buyer sees that it isn't, that could get you a neutral feedback.


2. Don't overprice on shipping!


• That means if it takes you 1.5$ to ship an item, don't charge 7$ for shipping. (I'm not saying you shouldn't try to earn from shipping, many people rely on that.)
• Don't charge more than twice what is needed. If the average shipping cost for an item is 2$, go for anywhere from $2-$4.


3. Offer free shipping for expensive items.
   
   • You're already making profit, be nice to the buyer and give them free shipping (especially if it costs you less than 10$).
   
   
4. Ship fast.
   • Once you receive a payment, make sure the item is ready to ship that same day (if possible) , or the next business day.
   
   
   • If bad things happen, make sure to warn the buyer
   
   
5. Gifts! Little gifts can save your butt in 3 instances!


• Getting more people to consider your item over another exact item. That gift can make it stand out


• Expensive items/shipping. A nice (obviously FREE with shipping paid for, so probably a small item) is very much welcome for the buyer


• Late shipment. If you're going to be late because of honest reasons (it happens), make the wait worth it to your buyer.


• Examples of gifts: related small toys, keychains, common but powerful/average cards, coupons, free/half-off shipping


6. Feedback the buyer! Buyers have feedback ratings they care about too!
• If you don't give feedback, they may not want to give you feedback in return. (the idea of you give me something I need, I give you something you need).


7. Make sure the item is secured when shipped. If you're shipping a rare card (I'm a card seller, sorry, I can't help it), make sure it's secured enough to hopefully prevent it from getting bent/wet/scratched/bit/tortured during its shipping time
   
   • Some people may think YOU were the one who ruined it, not the mail system!
   
   
   • Others will realize it might be the postal system, but will give you a neutral rating (or negative) if they don't see that you made an EFFORT in securing it.

The buyer forgot to leave me a feedback, how do I remind them without seeming like a nag?

First off, how long has it been since you SHIPPED THE ITEM? If it's less than a week (a full 7 day week), then they may not have received the item yet.

If it's been more than a week, here's what you can do:

-Send a nice mail-

Sample mail:"Hi, I sold you [insert item name] a while ago. I was wondering how the transaction went. I hope you have received it with no problems. Please leave a feedback, even if it's not a positive one. If it's bad, I can learn from it. I hope to hear from you soon."

Wait at least another week before sending another mail
If after 2 mails, the person still doesn't feedback, just let it go. You don't want to annoy the person.


-Check to see if you've left a feedback on their selling skills!-

If it doesn't show up on your selling reminders, you probably left a feedback ...HOWEVER...
Sometimes it won't show up if you deleted that item from your "Sold" list in your "My ebay"!

Go to "My account" ->"Feedback" and it will show you ALL MISSING FEEDBACKS! (Whether yours or your customers')

The buyer still hasn't paid me, should I give out bad feedback?
Yes and No.

When is it No?
If things can happen to you, they can happen to a buyer as well. Before leaving a bad feedback, attempt to contact the buyer finding out WHY he/she hasn't paid yet. If you have already sent out the item (I hope not), tell them to send it back if he/she changed his/her mind.
If you haven't sent the item yet, wait for the buyer's response. If the buyer DOES respond and gives you a (good) reason as to why the payment hasn't come yet (like a family tragedy happened and unfortunately they need the money), then ask them if they would like to cancel the trade. If so, be understanding and give a neutral rating, then put up the items for second chance offer (or relist if you want to). Be sure to ask Ebay to be paid back final value fees. (I will discuss this in another post).

When is it Yes?
Let's say you contact the buyer and the buyer NEVER responds back, or gives you an unbelievable answer (or gives you a plausible answer but acts like a prick about it...Consumer attitude is important and needs to be reported as well), send another mail to the consumer saying that you won't give them a negative feedback as long as they give you a positive rating in return for "being understanding" (and don't forget to ask..and WAIT for the shipment to come back if you already sent it). If the person refuses to contact you, or gives you a negative rating (which you so obviously don't deserve) or refuses to give the item back if you've already shipped it, be sure to give a negative rating! Be sure to mention WHY this is negative! and be sure to ask Ebay to be given back your final value fee!
Then, just put the item up for second chance offer or relist it.