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These are the Big Changes that began May 19th!
DSR ... Detailed Seller Rating Stars
This is probably the most misunderstood of all the new eBay policies ... for Buyers and for Sellers! eBay tells Buyers that 4 stars, out of the maximum 5, is wonderful. eBay tells Sellers that 4 stars are terrible! eBay even "reminds" Buyers that, since the stars are anonymous, YOU can be HONEST. You can! That is always your right, but you should have all the information and eBay isn't supplying that to you.
ITEM AS DESCRIBED: Did you receive the item you expected? Were there plenty of pictures? Were all the flaws stated in the auction? Did the Seller put everything you wanted to know in the description? If not, did you ask the Seller for more information before you bid and did you receive a prompt answer? If you can answer YES to those questions, your Seller deserves 5 stars.
COMMUNICATION: If you asked the Seller a question, did you receive a prompt answer? Did the Seller contact you quickly (and personally) after the auction ended? Did you feel that the Seller cared about YOU? If there was a problem, do you feel the Seller made every attempt to rectify the problem? If you can answer YES to those questions, your Seller deserves 5 stars.
SHIPPING TIME: Did the Seller state how quickly your item would ship after receiving cleared payment? Did the Seller ship the item in the stated time? If "Life Happened" to the Seller, did the Seller promptly contact you about a delay? Do you understand that the Seller has NO control over Shipping Time after the item has been shipped? (The US Postal Service does NOT guarantee delivery time of Priority Mail items. Priority Mail is estimated to arrive in 2-3 business days.) If you can answer YES to those questions, your Seller deserves 5 stars.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES: Did the Seller clearly state the cost of shipping and any handling fees that might be included? Was the stated cost the actual cost you were charged? Do you understand that there are some items which require extra packaging materials? Do you understand that eBay allows a Seller to charge a handling fee in those instances? Do you understand that the Seller has NO control over what they are charged by USPS or any other carrier? (FYI ... USPS rates were raised again on May 12th!) If you can answer YES to those questions, your Seller deserves 5 stars.
FEEDBACK CHANGES
As most of you have heard by now, as of May 19, Sellers will no longer be able to leave negative feedback for Buyers.
NON-PAYING BIDDERS aren't Buyers. They didn't "buy" anything. They bid and they won an item, sometimes outbidding YOU.
I believe Communication is the single most important part of an eBay transaction! I understand that Life Happens ... it happens to Buyers and to Sellers. However, even if a Seller happens to "sell" to a NON-paying bidder, there are now only 2 feedback options.
1. File with eBay to have the listing and Final Value Fee refunded ... or don't. Some of these fees can be extremely high but Sellers often won't file because the chances of receiving negative feedback from a NON-PAYING BIDDER is extremely high. YES, even NON-PAYING BIDDERS can leave Negative Feedback for a Seller!
2. Leave NO feedback at all ... and risk receiving negative feedback from Buyers who believe they are owed feedback in every transaction.
Of course, for promptly PAYING BUYERS who are happy with their purchase, I believe positive feedback is appropriate. However, as a Buyer, please remember ...
FEEDBACK HAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE VOLUNTARY!
SO ... I will continue providing excellent Customer Service, making every attempt to have nothing but happy, satisfied customers, while offering you interesting items, well and honestly described, at an excellent price. I treat MY customers as I'D want to be treated ... with fairness and honesty.
Here's to many more years of Happy eBaying!
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