From a buyers standpoint I will pay more and will more eagerly pursue a sale with someone who has a proven track record. I used to deal a lot on Ebay as audiobeer but finally just couldn't take it anymore. But it didn't take long to figure out who you could look forward to dealing with and competing with on the last second sniping. I had over 200 positive feedbacks without one negative. I easily could have had 10 negatives simply by posting the truth about the way the other party handled the deal or the crap they sold. The bottom line is after a while you can get a good feel on how a deal will evolve by the way the other party answers questions and is willing to give his/her phone number on a higher dollar item. I have never been ripped off to this day but I have purchased items that were misrepresented. In the end if you do have 2 similiar items on sale and one seller has more positive feedback and the other is a newbie here like me, I'm going with the feedback.
Feedback does not alway tell all
I meant to post this under 'Misc.' instead I put it under Music.
I'm sure a moderator will catch it, so here it is:
I'm starting this thread because recent exchanges here have demonstrated that I am not the only with these experiences. It might also serve as a warning to the initiated. I do not think that the problem as an easy fix, but I do feel it's important we are aware of it.
Heck, it's ultimately more of an annoyance than a danger. But most people here behave in a polite and honorable fashion, and have a sense of community very rare anywhere on the net, so anything we can do to encourage these positive attributes we must do.
The feedback system is very good, but it is no the tell-all. Feedback generally applies when a transaction completes, therefore the situations below would not be feedback-worthy. Besides, leaving negative feedback can always prompt a retaliatory tit-for-tat.
I've had sellers with 'good feedback' drop off the face of the earth, after we'd agreed (to asking price, mind you) and even to shipping costs. I've also had simple questions not answered (such as 'is it under warranty').
One time, I was interested in an item, exchanged emails, found out the fellow was local, discussed the gear I had. He then offered to drop by and demo it for me (he gave 'airs' of being a dealer or broker of some sort, based on AG info, and had many items listed).
I then informed him I had decided against the item, as I was going another route. I asked him what other lines of gear he specialized in. No answer, not another peep.
So, these fellows have excellent feedback here, but I will NEVER deal with them again. Period.
I now have a folder where I keep 'orphaned' emails from people I do not want to deal with. I look at that list when I'm interested in an item. If they are on there, well you know.
KP
I'm sure a moderator will catch it, so here it is:
I'm starting this thread because recent exchanges here have demonstrated that I am not the only with these experiences. It might also serve as a warning to the initiated. I do not think that the problem as an easy fix, but I do feel it's important we are aware of it.
Heck, it's ultimately more of an annoyance than a danger. But most people here behave in a polite and honorable fashion, and have a sense of community very rare anywhere on the net, so anything we can do to encourage these positive attributes we must do.
The feedback system is very good, but it is no the tell-all. Feedback generally applies when a transaction completes, therefore the situations below would not be feedback-worthy. Besides, leaving negative feedback can always prompt a retaliatory tit-for-tat.
I've had sellers with 'good feedback' drop off the face of the earth, after we'd agreed (to asking price, mind you) and even to shipping costs. I've also had simple questions not answered (such as 'is it under warranty').
One time, I was interested in an item, exchanged emails, found out the fellow was local, discussed the gear I had. He then offered to drop by and demo it for me (he gave 'airs' of being a dealer or broker of some sort, based on AG info, and had many items listed).
I then informed him I had decided against the item, as I was going another route. I asked him what other lines of gear he specialized in. No answer, not another peep.
So, these fellows have excellent feedback here, but I will NEVER deal with them again. Period.
I now have a folder where I keep 'orphaned' emails from people I do not want to deal with. I look at that list when I'm interested in an item. If they are on there, well you know.
KP