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crass to ask for feedback after a transaction?

i have been building a system for the last year, and have bought almost everything on audiogon. somehow, i have had extremely fantastic luck, in that the folks i have bought from have just been the absolute nicest people, very willing to answer questions, and freely sharing info and their vast knowledge. really coming out to help me learn more about the equipment we all share such a strong love for.

as a new member of the community, i can see the importance of the feedback system. i have always left positive feedback for the people i have dealt with. so far, two members i bought from have not left feedback for me, even tho i know they are sent a notice when my feedback is submitted, and even though we got on well together during the course of our dealings with each other...

in terms of general politeness, positive feedback would be much like a compliment, which one would never want to solicit, or "fish" for. in the context of our community, or "family", if you will, feedback could also be viewed as a courtesy, tho it seems as though the folks who established this system for us expect that we will do this small thing for one another.

do you think it's crass to ask a person to submit feedback after a transaction? i wonder why it seems not to occur to some folks, who seem completely nice and polite in every regard? ultimately, does it truly matter all that much?
tommycosmo
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Politely negotiate this as part of the transaction beforehand. This is added value for both parties with an eye toward the future.

I usually just indicate that I look forward to providing positive feedback and hope the other party will too. This way you can get an idea of the other's intentions. IF they agree, you're set, if no response, I just ask gently if this is something they are also interested in.
usblues
1,217 posts
 
I also like the polite squeaky wheel routine.Speaking just for myself,feedback doesnt mean much to me,its the phone call that makes or breaks the deal.I spend so much time here,I feel I know half the guys already,so its no problem on any level to feel good.....let me say Merry Christmas to all my friends.I believe I feel like Mickey Rourke in "Barfly" after that....have a large day,Bob
grinnell
1,077 posts
 
As a newbie to Audiogon last spring when I started to put my first real system together i always asked for feedback so i could build my rep. Everyone was great and as far as I can tell everyone left me feedback.

Thanks
dougmc
105 posts
 
My policy is a little different from Rja's. So far, I've been a buyer exclusively. Sometime before the purchase arrives, I'll check the feedback of the people who have left feedback for the seller. If there is a pattern of the seller not leaving feedback for the people who left him feedback, I simply won't leave feedback for the seller. Even though it has been watered down somewhat, feedback is an important part of the AudiogoN marketplace and deserves to be supported by ALL who buy and sell here. I won't provide any feedback benefit to someone who doesn't support the system.
photon46
1,076 posts
 
I think it's perfectly ok to be a bit of a squeaky wheel about feedback. I've had experiences similar to those of Metro04. More than once, I've conducted what I think is a squeaky clean, upfront and honest transaction, leave feedback for the other party, and get diddlysquat in return. Thankfully, those types of individuals have been in the minority.
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