If you're afraid to try something new on eBay, remember the acronym: F.E.A.R.
You may have heard this before...but F.E.A.R. stands for.... "False Evidence Appearing Real."
I didn't make that up - but it's a great acronym for anybody who is facing a little bit of paralysis when it comes to trying something new on eBay, or anyplace really.
So, if you're wanting to try something new with selling stuff on eBay - but are a little afraid it won't work - just realize that the assumptions you're making about why it might not work are very likely wrong.
You don't have to put all your eggs in one basket - don't be afraid, give that new idea a try.
Showing posts with label eBay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eBay. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
It's easy being green on eBay
Don't believe the hype!
You can be a good eBay seller AND be kind to the environment at the same time. Being green on eBay doesn't necessarily mean you have to reuse boxes you found in a dumpster and old crumpled up newspaper for packing materials. Frankly, most customers aren't going to like receiving their purchases like that.
Instead, consider using "new" materials that are recycled. In truth, the right materials are going to weigh less, and whichever shipper you use is going to spend less energy to ship your package.
It may be worth a few cents per order to be truly green. If you do go that extra mile, make sure you let your customers know how you are being environmentally friendly. Some folks will buy from you for that very reason.
Anytime you sell something used, or something that is an antique - that's green too.
Just some things to think about in terms of being friendly to the Earth...
You can be a good eBay seller AND be kind to the environment at the same time. Being green on eBay doesn't necessarily mean you have to reuse boxes you found in a dumpster and old crumpled up newspaper for packing materials. Frankly, most customers aren't going to like receiving their purchases like that.
Instead, consider using "new" materials that are recycled. In truth, the right materials are going to weigh less, and whichever shipper you use is going to spend less energy to ship your package.
It may be worth a few cents per order to be truly green. If you do go that extra mile, make sure you let your customers know how you are being environmentally friendly. Some folks will buy from you for that very reason.
Anytime you sell something used, or something that is an antique - that's green too.
Just some things to think about in terms of being friendly to the Earth...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Red chicken printer tea cup new on eBay
Over the years, many things have changed on eBay. However, the strategy behind listing titles is one thing that hasn't changed very much.
Its a little counter-intuitive - but often times a good listing title doesn't make any sense on its own. Of course, it's ok if it does make sense - but its not the most important factor.
The MOST important factor in your listing title are keywords. Let's say it all together now, "KEYWORDS"
You get 55 characters in your listing title - and each one of them is gold. Why? Because that is the real estate that is searchable.
So, the idea is, pack that 55 character space that of course relate to your product being sold (the words must be related, otherwise its keyword spamming, which eBay will nail you for) but are also likely to attract buyers attention. Use them all - all 55 characters if you can.
Red chicken printer tea cup new! If you had a new tea cup that had a red chicken on one side and a printer on the other - that would be at least part of good listing title! Got it?
Its a little counter-intuitive - but often times a good listing title doesn't make any sense on its own. Of course, it's ok if it does make sense - but its not the most important factor.
The MOST important factor in your listing title are keywords. Let's say it all together now, "KEYWORDS"
You get 55 characters in your listing title - and each one of them is gold. Why? Because that is the real estate that is searchable.
So, the idea is, pack that 55 character space that of course relate to your product being sold (the words must be related, otherwise its keyword spamming, which eBay will nail you for) but are also likely to attract buyers attention. Use them all - all 55 characters if you can.
Red chicken printer tea cup new! If you had a new tea cup that had a red chicken on one side and a printer on the other - that would be at least part of good listing title! Got it?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tell a Story on eBay
When you list something on eBay, you can talk about the features and benefits of whatever you are selling - that's fine.
But if you REALLY want to knock the socks of your customers, tell a story.
People remember stories. Stories are entertaining. Stories can give huge meaning to the most mundane items.
I recently purchased a Moleskine notebook. I'd never heard of Moleskine - frankly, I wondered if the cover was made from mole skin - and it kind of freaked me out.
But check this out...this is the story of the Moleskine notebook - they put a little pamphlet in each one so you can find out about what makes this notebook special:
"Moleskine is the legendary notebook used by European artists and thinkers for the past two centuries. from Van Gogh to Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin. This trusty, pocket-size travel companion held sketches, notes, stories and ideas before they were turned into famous images or pages of beloved books...In 1986, the last manufacturer of Moleskine closed it shutters forever...in 1998, a small Milanese publisher brought Moleskine back again...the the adventure of Moleskine continues and its still-blank pages will tell the rest."
WOW! I can write in the same kind of notebook that Hemingway used? WOW! WOW! WOW!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
An eBayer for All Seasons
When you're trying to figure out what to sell on eBay, remember the seasons.
If Easter is coming up, sell bunnies.
If it's getting cold, sell coats. If it's getting warm, sell coats to customers in the other hemisphere.
If a Batman movie is coming out, sell Batman stuff.
This is over simplified of course - but sometimes holidays, the weather, human events, etc are as good a guide as any about what you should try to sell if you can find it.
If Easter is coming up, sell bunnies.
If it's getting cold, sell coats. If it's getting warm, sell coats to customers in the other hemisphere.
If a Batman movie is coming out, sell Batman stuff.
This is over simplified of course - but sometimes holidays, the weather, human events, etc are as good a guide as any about what you should try to sell if you can find it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Try something else on eBay
So, if you've been trying to sell stuff on eBay, and it's going ok - but you think you could do better, then do this...
Try something else.
If you've got an idea about what to do next, great. But if not - it doesn't matter. Just try something else.
If that one thing makes things better - GREAT! Keep it. Now try something else.
If it doesn't make things better, drop it - and try something else.
Try something else.
If you've got an idea about what to do next, great. But if not - it doesn't matter. Just try something else.
If that one thing makes things better - GREAT! Keep it. Now try something else.
If it doesn't make things better, drop it - and try something else.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Get your refund when you issue a refund on eBay
When you issue a refund on eBay, definitely get your fees back from eBay. eBay actually makes this pretty easy to do...
If your customer pays you via PayPal, when you issue them a refund - the paid mark on the corresponding transaction page within eBay turns into a symbol like this:
...once that happens - assuming you're sure that your buyer will agree to a mutually agreed auction cancel request - all you need to do is go to the corresponding listing page and click the report unpaid item link.
This is the confusing part because, "report unpaid item" sound scary - but that's the link you want.
Then you simply file the unpaid item report as a mutual request. Once your buyer indicates that they want to cancel the listing - you get your fees back.
If your customer pays you via PayPal, when you issue them a refund - the paid mark on the corresponding transaction page within eBay turns into a symbol like this:
...once that happens - assuming you're sure that your buyer will agree to a mutually agreed auction cancel request - all you need to do is go to the corresponding listing page and click the report unpaid item link.
This is the confusing part because, "report unpaid item" sound scary - but that's the link you want.
Then you simply file the unpaid item report as a mutual request. Once your buyer indicates that they want to cancel the listing - you get your fees back.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The pen is mightier than the sword on eBay
You know what is really rare these days, and only getting rarer?
Pen
That's right: actual genuine bona fide honest to God handwriting - it's rare. Once upon a time, back in olden days, people actually wrote letters, took notes in class by hand, hell they used to even keep their checkbook in order - with a pen. But no longer.
So, if you really want to get your customers' attention - why not write "Thanks!" in pen, on an actual piece of paper, someplace in the package you send them.
I guarantee you - it will shock the hell out of them - they'll remember you, and they'll think you're awesome because you took the time to care.
Pen
That's right: actual genuine bona fide honest to God handwriting - it's rare. Once upon a time, back in olden days, people actually wrote letters, took notes in class by hand, hell they used to even keep their checkbook in order - with a pen. But no longer.
So, if you really want to get your customers' attention - why not write "Thanks!" in pen, on an actual piece of paper, someplace in the package you send them.
I guarantee you - it will shock the hell out of them - they'll remember you, and they'll think you're awesome because you took the time to care.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cash is king
Here is a multiple choice question for you...
When selling items on eBay, you should accept this form of payment from your buyers:
a) cash
b) money orders
c) checks
d) PayPal
e) all of the above
What is the answer? Look at the logo on my uniform... e) of course .... all of the above!
Why?
Because different people pay for things in different ways. You want more customers? Accept every form of payment you can.
Now a lot of folks will tell you (some even at eBay) that PayPal is only safe way to accept payment.
They're wrong.
Might a check bounce? Sure.
Can PayPal come up with some reason why you don't receive a payment from a buyer? Yep.
Which happens more often? Well...I'll just leave that one out there...but neither happen very often in my experience.
No fear. Accept all forms of payment.
Don't want to? That's fine. Your competition will.
When selling items on eBay, you should accept this form of payment from your buyers:
a) cash
b) money orders
c) checks
d) PayPal
e) all of the above
What is the answer? Look at the logo on my uniform... e) of course .... all of the above!
Why?
Because different people pay for things in different ways. You want more customers? Accept every form of payment you can.
Now a lot of folks will tell you (some even at eBay) that PayPal is only safe way to accept payment.
They're wrong.
Might a check bounce? Sure.
Can PayPal come up with some reason why you don't receive a payment from a buyer? Yep.
Which happens more often? Well...I'll just leave that one out there...but neither happen very often in my experience.
No fear. Accept all forms of payment.
Don't want to? That's fine. Your competition will.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Good Vibrations
Some people need total quiet to work, others need a little noise. I'm one of the later.
If it's completely quiet, I'm useless. A lot of times while I'm doing eBay stuff I'll listen to a podcast or an audiobook. But one of the easiest and quickest ways to get noise out of a computer that you may not know about is http://pandora.com
If you don't know about it - check it out. It's totally free - you just tell it a song you like and it goes from there in kind of a netflix-esque sort of way. Hope you dig it as much as I do.
If it's completely quiet, I'm useless. A lot of times while I'm doing eBay stuff I'll listen to a podcast or an audiobook. But one of the easiest and quickest ways to get noise out of a computer that you may not know about is http://pandora.com
If you don't know about it - check it out. It's totally free - you just tell it a song you like and it goes from there in kind of a netflix-esque sort of way. Hope you dig it as much as I do.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Can I have the receipt please?
This is such a basic thing. Maybe so basic that a lot of eBayers just forget to do it.
When you go to a store and buy something - what does the cashier almost always give you at the end (and if they don't, and you're like me, you ask them for it)? A receipt!
So when you mail stuff to your eBay customers...do you include some kind of receipt in the package? If you don't, you should.
Not only will it help the buyer remember that they received the package from you - but it makes it a heck of a lot easier for the buyer to leave feedback for you...not to mention find your store again if they want to make a repeat purchase.
I think a good eBay seller should put all kinds of free stuff and marketing propaganda in everything they send out - but a receipt is the bare minimum. eBay makes it easy to print one out for every order....so there's no excuse not to.
Did you find this interesting? If so, sign up for the Evenger Secret Library and find out lots more!
When you go to a store and buy something - what does the cashier almost always give you at the end (and if they don't, and you're like me, you ask them for it)? A receipt!
So when you mail stuff to your eBay customers...do you include some kind of receipt in the package? If you don't, you should.
Not only will it help the buyer remember that they received the package from you - but it makes it a heck of a lot easier for the buyer to leave feedback for you...not to mention find your store again if they want to make a repeat purchase.
I think a good eBay seller should put all kinds of free stuff and marketing propaganda in everything they send out - but a receipt is the bare minimum. eBay makes it easy to print one out for every order....so there's no excuse not to.
Did you find this interesting? If so, sign up for the Evenger Secret Library and find out lots more!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Be Nimble, Grasshopper
So this is very Sun Tzu - or if Yoda is more your cup of tea - its something he might say to any good eBayer too: "be nimble, grasshopper!"
What do I mean? I mean - if your competition includes giant massive sellers with all kinds of power, and you're small, and the whole situation seems daunting - think like this:
They are big and lumbering, you are small and nimble
They are mammoth and slow, you are gazelle-like and fast
They are impersonal, you provide a personal touch to your customers
The have a huge inventory, your inventory is small and very niche
They have the lowest price, you provide tons of value
...as with so many things, size matters - but bigger isn't always better on eBay.
Is this useful? If so, sign up for the Evenger Secret Library and find out lots more!
What do I mean? I mean - if your competition includes giant massive sellers with all kinds of power, and you're small, and the whole situation seems daunting - think like this:
They are big and lumbering, you are small and nimble
They are mammoth and slow, you are gazelle-like and fast
They are impersonal, you provide a personal touch to your customers
The have a huge inventory, your inventory is small and very niche
They have the lowest price, you provide tons of value
...as with so many things, size matters - but bigger isn't always better on eBay.
Is this useful? If so, sign up for the Evenger Secret Library and find out lots more!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Moment for Momentum
Have you ever noticed that it is usually easier to get a lot of things done when you're really busy than it is when you have all sort of time on your hands?
I find this to be very true when listing new items on eBay.
If all my orders have been shipped and the PayPal payments are just rolling in, its harder to bear down and list even more - though that is exactly the time when a good eBayer DOES list a ton more.
On the other hand, if things have sort of stalled, there is a big pile of orders that need to be shipped, and a bunch of customer emails that need to be answered - being productive is much easier.
Watch out - don't fall prey to the easy going times. Be disciplined (it takes practice - work on building the habit) and list a ton of stuff regardless of whether things are feeling productive just then, or not.
I find this to be very true when listing new items on eBay.
If all my orders have been shipped and the PayPal payments are just rolling in, its harder to bear down and list even more - though that is exactly the time when a good eBayer DOES list a ton more.
On the other hand, if things have sort of stalled, there is a big pile of orders that need to be shipped, and a bunch of customer emails that need to be answered - being productive is much easier.
Watch out - don't fall prey to the easy going times. Be disciplined (it takes practice - work on building the habit) and list a ton of stuff regardless of whether things are feeling productive just then, or not.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
God's True Light
Do your eBay photos look like this?
If so, you’ve got a LIGHT problem! I don’t know about you – but I’m a person who likes light. One of the reasons I’m not a huge fan of winter is not because of the cold, but because of the light! It’s not just that there are fewer hours of light, but winter light has a narrower spectrum (that’s one of the big clues trees use to know when it’s time to shed their leaves).
I digress. The point is that in order to have great photos on eBay, one big thing you can do is to take photos with a full spectrum of light. What is one of the best sources of the full spectrum? You guessed it – that big yellow thing in the sky…..the sun.
If you’re eBaying in a cave – take some of that stuff outside, find a nice plain background, and try taking photos in sunlight – you’ll be surprised how well they turn out.
Is this useful? If so, sign up for the Evenger Secret Library and find out lots more!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Ask and ye shall receive...feedback on eBay
Feedback got you down?
You do everything right - you ship like a superhero, you do everything perfect...and then your customer leaves you no feedback? Bummer right?
Well let me ask you this...did you ask your customer to leave feedback?
Now I don't want to encourage you to be one of those sellers who sends like 10,000 emails saying - "please leave me feedback! I beg you, please leave me feedback!"...because frankly, that's just annoying.
But how about, when you send your final "thank you" email (you send one, right?) you include just a simple line like this:
"We strive for 5 star feedback from all our customers! If you had a great experience, please let me know. Or, if things could have been better - please contact me ASAP so we can make it right! I want you to feel good about leaving 5 star feedback across the board!"
...something like that. If you'd like feedback from your customers, make sure you ask for it.
You do everything right - you ship like a superhero, you do everything perfect...and then your customer leaves you no feedback? Bummer right?
Well let me ask you this...did you ask your customer to leave feedback?
Now I don't want to encourage you to be one of those sellers who sends like 10,000 emails saying - "please leave me feedback! I beg you, please leave me feedback!"...because frankly, that's just annoying.
But how about, when you send your final "thank you" email (you send one, right?) you include just a simple line like this:
"We strive for 5 star feedback from all our customers! If you had a great experience, please let me know. Or, if things could have been better - please contact me ASAP so we can make it right! I want you to feel good about leaving 5 star feedback across the board!"
...something like that. If you'd like feedback from your customers, make sure you ask for it.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Selling other people's stuff is easier
You know, most people (not everybody, but most people) have a lot of s$#t.
They've got stuff they don't even know they have. Boxes and boxes of it.
Have you been to an Estate Sale lately? Every time I go I swear to myself that by the time I'm ready to check out - I'm not going to have all those books and all those boxes of stuff.
Why do people collect so much stuff over their lives? Well...memories of course. Each item a person owns has a memory attached to it - so there is always the fear that if I get rid of this item, then I'll lose the memory I have attached to it. Of course, that's not true....and of course - who is to say that you won't forget the memory even if you hold onto the object?
The other thing is - the longer a person owns the item - the more they have "invested" into keeping it - and the harder it is to get rid of!
Think of all the piles of stuff that people don't use, that they could sell and get $$$ for - but they are reluctant to get rid of extra stuff?
Try this mental exercise:
Think about selling your extra stuff. Stuff that you never use, but is really border-line in terms of your willingness to give it up. Got that feeling?
Now - pretend a total stranger owned those exact same items, and asked you to sell them. How does it feel now?
My point is that it's a lot easier to sell stuff that you are not emotionally attached to. So, if you've got stuff that you know you should sell but are emotionally attached to - just understanding the dynamic that is happening can help you get to a place where you can pull the trigger on that auction (and then the cool thing is - once that auction is going - you won't think about it a bit...much less when you've shipped the item and you have $$$ in hand).
Or, if you know somebody who is wanting to sell some stuff but having a hard time breaking up with it - offer to swoop in and do it for them. It'll be much easier for you to do it than it will be for them to do it.
They've got stuff they don't even know they have. Boxes and boxes of it.
Have you been to an Estate Sale lately? Every time I go I swear to myself that by the time I'm ready to check out - I'm not going to have all those books and all those boxes of stuff.
Why do people collect so much stuff over their lives? Well...memories of course. Each item a person owns has a memory attached to it - so there is always the fear that if I get rid of this item, then I'll lose the memory I have attached to it. Of course, that's not true....and of course - who is to say that you won't forget the memory even if you hold onto the object?
The other thing is - the longer a person owns the item - the more they have "invested" into keeping it - and the harder it is to get rid of!
Think of all the piles of stuff that people don't use, that they could sell and get $$$ for - but they are reluctant to get rid of extra stuff?
Try this mental exercise:
Think about selling your extra stuff. Stuff that you never use, but is really border-line in terms of your willingness to give it up. Got that feeling?
Now - pretend a total stranger owned those exact same items, and asked you to sell them. How does it feel now?
My point is that it's a lot easier to sell stuff that you are not emotionally attached to. So, if you've got stuff that you know you should sell but are emotionally attached to - just understanding the dynamic that is happening can help you get to a place where you can pull the trigger on that auction (and then the cool thing is - once that auction is going - you won't think about it a bit...much less when you've shipped the item and you have $$$ in hand).
Or, if you know somebody who is wanting to sell some stuff but having a hard time breaking up with it - offer to swoop in and do it for them. It'll be much easier for you to do it than it will be for them to do it.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Is it pretty?
As a cyber superhero, I'll be the first to admit - I'm usually not too worried about whether most things are "pretty"
The thing is though, some of my customers - actually most of my customers - well, let's be honest - ALL CUSTOMERS like things to be pretty when they open their order.
Let me give you two scenarios:
Scenario 1: You buy something on eBay and open your order. The box kind of smells funny (someplace between mothballs and cigarettes) and is filled with strips of yellowing newspaper. On some of the newspaper there is some kind of stain - is it blood? Looks like blood. Oh! There is the thing I ordered - it's fine I guess - but was that blood? And what's that smell?
Scenario 2: You buy something on eBay and open your order. The box has that nice new plastic smell and is filled with fresh bubble wrap or foam or stuff that looks cool. My order is wrapped in fresh tissue or papyrus - I don't know what it is but I'm so glad I bought this cool thing.
I'm kind of exaggerating, but you get the idea. Don't use newspaper to stuff your packages. I understand the environmental argument - but honestly...using the right packaging makes your item weigh less which means less energy is used to transport it - and if you purchase recycled materials - you're still being pretty green.
The thing is though, some of my customers - actually most of my customers - well, let's be honest - ALL CUSTOMERS like things to be pretty when they open their order.
Let me give you two scenarios:
Scenario 1: You buy something on eBay and open your order. The box kind of smells funny (someplace between mothballs and cigarettes) and is filled with strips of yellowing newspaper. On some of the newspaper there is some kind of stain - is it blood? Looks like blood. Oh! There is the thing I ordered - it's fine I guess - but was that blood? And what's that smell?
Scenario 2: You buy something on eBay and open your order. The box has that nice new plastic smell and is filled with fresh bubble wrap or foam or stuff that looks cool. My order is wrapped in fresh tissue or papyrus - I don't know what it is but I'm so glad I bought this cool thing.
I'm kind of exaggerating, but you get the idea. Don't use newspaper to stuff your packages. I understand the environmental argument - but honestly...using the right packaging makes your item weigh less which means less energy is used to transport it - and if you purchase recycled materials - you're still being pretty green.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Repeat Repeat Repeat if you can!
So when you're looking for stuff to sell on eBay, if you have the choice to get 10 different things to sell or 10 things that are exactly the same to sell - all else being equal - definitely choose 10 things that are exactly the same...
Why?
First of all, instead of having to write 10 listings descriptions and taking 10 photos, you'll be able to use one listing description and one photo 10 times!
Second, you'll only have to figure out the best way to ship that item once. No need to get a bunch of different sized boxes and so forth.
Third, if its a really hot seller and you have multiples of the same item - you can always offer second chance offers to bidders who come in just behind your highest bidder.
So re re re repeat if you can!
Why?
First of all, instead of having to write 10 listings descriptions and taking 10 photos, you'll be able to use one listing description and one photo 10 times!
Second, you'll only have to figure out the best way to ship that item once. No need to get a bunch of different sized boxes and so forth.
Third, if its a really hot seller and you have multiples of the same item - you can always offer second chance offers to bidders who come in just behind your highest bidder.
So re re re repeat if you can!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
13 is the Magic Mailbox Number
13 oz - when it comes to USPS, that is the magic number when it comes to the mailbox.
Before 9/11, USPS would accept any parcel through a mailbox that would fit in a mailbox. In other words - you could have a very heavy envelope and, so long as it would fit in the mailbox - you were good to go.
However, in recent years - they have added a decal to the top of mailboxes explaining that only items weighing 13 oz or less can go in the mailbox.
Which means...if it's over 13 oz - you've got to go to a post office.
But bear in mind - you can still put international items, flat rate envelopes, even small boxes in a mailbox - just as long as they don't weigh more than 13 oz.
You'd be amazed at some of the things I've managed to fit in a mailbox - I sometimes wonder if I have a "Wanted!" poster out there in some post office someplace.
13! It's magic!
Before 9/11, USPS would accept any parcel through a mailbox that would fit in a mailbox. In other words - you could have a very heavy envelope and, so long as it would fit in the mailbox - you were good to go.
However, in recent years - they have added a decal to the top of mailboxes explaining that only items weighing 13 oz or less can go in the mailbox.
Which means...if it's over 13 oz - you've got to go to a post office.
But bear in mind - you can still put international items, flat rate envelopes, even small boxes in a mailbox - just as long as they don't weigh more than 13 oz.
You'd be amazed at some of the things I've managed to fit in a mailbox - I sometimes wonder if I have a "Wanted!" poster out there in some post office someplace.
13! It's magic!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Don't Freak If You Get a Negative Feedback on eBay
"I got negged!"
to get negged: the circumstance where one receives negative feedback from a buyer on eBay
It happens. Sooner or later, the longer you stay on eBay - its going to happen to you. I went 7000 feedbacks before I got my first one. When it does happen to you, depending on your particular disposition, you will have one of the following reactions:
1) "Oh Well"
2) Damn - that sucks.
3) Oh my good Lord the world is coming to the end. I'm sick to my stomach. I'm going to quit eBay.
You may get a negative feedback because you deserve it, you may get one because you don't deserve it. But when you get one - here is what you should do.
1) Don't panic and put it in perspective - if you have one negative feedback out of many, many transactions - it's not the end of the world. Actually, one (or even several) negative feedbacks out of many positives aren't going to matter in the long run.
2) If you messed up and the buyer justifiably gave you negative feedback, reach out to them - apologize. Do whatever you can to make it better. Then, once you've made it better - ask the buyer if they would consider withdrawing the negative feedback through the system eBay has set up to withdraw feedback.
3) If you think the buyer is crazy and you didn't deserve the negative feedback - reach out to them - apologize. Do whatever you can to make it better. Then, once you've made it better - ask the buyer if they would consider withdrawing the negative feedback through the system eBay has set up to withdraw feedback (yes, this is exactly the same advice as described under #2).
4) If you get the feeling the buyer is just playing around or gaming the system or breaking an eBay rule with their negative feedback, reach out to eBay and see if they will remove it. Chances are, if the feedback is truly inappropriate, they will.
In the end, if you do get stuck with a negative feedback - wear it like a badge of honor. Not that you should be glad you got negative feedback. Rather, use the few negatives you do get as a way to contrast all the many many many positive feedbacks you receive and use it as a reminder to do better if you messed up.
A negative feedback will live in your feedback tally for a full year. If you do have a negative feedback - watch it crawl across: feedback left in the last month, feedback left in the last 6 months, feedback left in the last year.... See if you can work that negative off without getting another for a full year.
Don't freak out about negative feedback, it happens to everybody - but don't take it lightly either. Rather - use it as a reminder make you a stronger eBay seller.
to get negged: the circumstance where one receives negative feedback from a buyer on eBay
It happens. Sooner or later, the longer you stay on eBay - its going to happen to you. I went 7000 feedbacks before I got my first one. When it does happen to you, depending on your particular disposition, you will have one of the following reactions:
1) "Oh Well"
2) Damn - that sucks.
3) Oh my good Lord the world is coming to the end. I'm sick to my stomach. I'm going to quit eBay.
You may get a negative feedback because you deserve it, you may get one because you don't deserve it. But when you get one - here is what you should do.
1) Don't panic and put it in perspective - if you have one negative feedback out of many, many transactions - it's not the end of the world. Actually, one (or even several) negative feedbacks out of many positives aren't going to matter in the long run.
2) If you messed up and the buyer justifiably gave you negative feedback, reach out to them - apologize. Do whatever you can to make it better. Then, once you've made it better - ask the buyer if they would consider withdrawing the negative feedback through the system eBay has set up to withdraw feedback.
3) If you think the buyer is crazy and you didn't deserve the negative feedback - reach out to them - apologize. Do whatever you can to make it better. Then, once you've made it better - ask the buyer if they would consider withdrawing the negative feedback through the system eBay has set up to withdraw feedback (yes, this is exactly the same advice as described under #2).
4) If you get the feeling the buyer is just playing around or gaming the system or breaking an eBay rule with their negative feedback, reach out to eBay and see if they will remove it. Chances are, if the feedback is truly inappropriate, they will.
In the end, if you do get stuck with a negative feedback - wear it like a badge of honor. Not that you should be glad you got negative feedback. Rather, use the few negatives you do get as a way to contrast all the many many many positive feedbacks you receive and use it as a reminder to do better if you messed up.
A negative feedback will live in your feedback tally for a full year. If you do have a negative feedback - watch it crawl across: feedback left in the last month, feedback left in the last 6 months, feedback left in the last year.... See if you can work that negative off without getting another for a full year.
Don't freak out about negative feedback, it happens to everybody - but don't take it lightly either. Rather - use it as a reminder make you a stronger eBay seller.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
