eBay seller feedback - need advice

[DavidS]

I recently sold my 8gb iPhone to a buyer in France. After he won the auction, he asked me to declare a value of $200 and gift status to help him with customs taxes. I refused, as this is illegal. I declared it for the selling price and mailed the package after his PayPal payment cleared.

He did not pay for insurance, so I did this on my own and upgraded his shipping from 6-10 day International Priority to 6 day International Express mail. This is the first time I have actually lost money on shipping an item. For the last 2 weeks, since I sent it, he has been constantly harrassing me about sending the item, the tracking number not working, why he has not received it, etc. He accused me of not sending the phone.

On Friday, he threatened to leave negative feedback and file a payback with PayPal if he did not receive it today. I sent him a copy of the tracking notice stating that it LEFT Miami for France on 5/23. After that, it is in the French postal system and completely out of my control.

He emailed me today to let me know that it was held up by French customs and he had to pay another $140. No apology for the false accusations. He did leave me postive feedback that was in French, but I assume was fine.

I would normally leave neutral feedback, as I followed my auction instructions to the letter and he was a total PIA. Should I just not leave feedback, leave positive with a neutral or truthful statement, or lie and say something positive?

And, no more international auctions for me.

[Mr645]

I would leave positive feedback. I think it's just the way the French are.

[wurm]

First of all, I'd get that French translated.

If it were me, I'd leave no feedback. If he later questions why you didn't leave him positive, you can explain that you didn't appreciate being falsely accused and that you figured no feedback would be better than neutral. If you're feeling generous, just leave positive with no comment or with a simple. "All's well that ends well". or something similarly generic.

[Chupa Chupa]

You can translate here (just cut and paste): http://babelfish.yahoo.com/?fr=avbbf-us

If the translation isn't derogatory then leave him pos feedback because, after all, he did pay for the item promptly, and he was not operating a scam. Customers can be PITAs, dems da breaks. You just have to suck that part up. Just state something like "fast payment."

[The Grim Ninja]

You can't leave neutral feedback.

It's positive or nothing. I'd leave nothing, plus I'd block him from my future sales.

[DavidS]

Thanks for the Babelfish link. I could tell it was positive. Here is the translation (which is totally opposite of his emails to me).

bon ebayeur envoie rapide super a recomander = "good ebayor sends fast super has to recommend"

I'll probably leave him positive feedback. in my last email to him, I told him I would if he left me positive feedback. However, I may not leave a comment, or just something generic like wurm suggested.

[jardster]

and this is why ebay feedback is such crap... you hated dealing with him, he hated dealing with you, but you both lie just to have positive feedback. why would i ever believe feedback? ebay is stupid.

[Chupa Chupa]

[quote jardster]and this is why ebay feedback is such crap... you hated dealing with him, he hated dealing with you, but you both lie just to have positive feedback. why would i ever believe feedback? ebay is stupid.
Where is the lie? I think you are going too far with that characterization. Seller got his product (probably faster than he paid for), Buyer got paid. Successful transaction.

There are plenty of antsy, hair trigger buyers on eBay, and life in general. I take it you never worked a retail job when you were in high school or college. As long as they are not trying to steal my money or item I take 'em as they come and don't make it personal. I think the people that take feedback too seriously need to get a life and a few friends. You can't pick and choose your customers.

[threeprong]

Leave positive feedback with a really derogatory comment.


"Worst ebayer ever!"

[threeprong]

Leave positive feedback with a really derogatory comment.


"Worst ebayer ever!"