Problem Buyer? What Would You Do?

I sell on ebay but I am far from a high volume seller. I take a lot of pride in being honest and accurate. I have had 24 transactions with one buyer over the last year and I just discovered tonight that he has never given me anything other than 4 stars on item description. I am quite offended and frankly don't think I need that kind of customer and may block him.

What would other sellers do? As far as I can tell, he is the only buyer who has ever given me anything other than 5 stars in any category.

The stars at this time mean absolutely nothing.

How much has he/she bought and have there been any other issues as far as late shipping defects, etc.

If you can live with the 4's and the sales warrant, continue to let him/her buy.

If you can't live with then 4's and can afford to lose the business, block the buyer.

I have one that does that on shipping costs but over the years, he has bought a lot so I don't let it bother me.

Dont's sweat the little things as it will drive you crazy and ebay has enough other serious issues and pitfalls for sellers.

I agree with dutchman. The stars are pretty meaningless. I've never decided against buying something I wanted because the seller only has four stars.

That same buyer is a judge at the olympics. The gymnasts hate him.

I see the feedback comments, as they pop into view on the new "Overview" page, but I don't think I've ever looked at individual star ratings given by an individual buyer. And I can't imagine that many buyers would. My recent experience since largely moving away from "free postage" is that most buyers don't even read my "please wait for an invoice if buying more than one item" notice!

I reject ebay's brainwashing attempts to get users to myopically believe that their badly flawed rating system has meaning. A buyer making repeat purchases is a strong indication that they are satisfied.
Don

I agree with most other responders here.

As a buyer, I only look at the positive feedback score for any neutral/negative feedback, and never look at the star ratings.

As a seller, I don't care about the star ratings and as long as the positive feedback is received, am quite satisfied with the feedback. ebay's feedback system is very flaw/myopic as Don says.

Dave

Why waste time looking at the feedback, etc. There are better things to do with your life. You got his money, but happy that he's willing to buy from you. Isn't that the reason you sell on ebay? Or it is to gather 5 stars?

In all fairness, at one time star ratings could have a MAJOR impact on sellers. Ratings of 1 or 2 stars could effect sellers' fee rates, get them suspended, etc.

ebay keeps moving the goalposts against sellers: It's the feedback rating, no it's the star ratings, no it's the "defect rate"... whatever the important metric to target is today, you can be assured that in 6 months it will be a different metric to monitor. It's no wonder that many sellers can't keep track of the metric they are actually supposed to follow or attempt to boost.

That said, 4 stars vs. 5 stars is meaningless other than for public perception. It's as meaningless as buyer feedback.

P.S. I love how when I get an email from ebay with a buyer offer, it has in big bold type "Buyer feedback: 100%!". *** Edited by Staff | The bad word filter is in place for a reason. Bypassing the filter and making the intended word obvious anyway is completely unacceptable. *** Buyer feedback can never be lower than 100% now! It's a relic from a bygone era when buyer feedback actually meant something. Get rid of it. It's useless.

HARUMPH... and stay off my lawn! Meddling kids...

Dan now calling everyone under the age of 30 'chief'.
Don

If this is a repeat buyer he/she has to be pleased with you as a seller. This person could be one of those who simply don't give out the highest rating because "nothing could be perfect." I met a few of them over the course of a 30+-year career in government who would never give anyone the highest performance rating possible because "there is always room for improvement." I say ignore it--he/she is a crank.

In the grading procedures for the lab section in my Physics For Engineers and Scientists class, you could only get a "B" if everything was done "completely and correctly". If you wanted an "A" you had to show evidence of "original perceptive thought". I had know trouble giving them the middle finger salute.

Some people can be counted on more than others to make incendiary remarks rather than constructive commentary. You are one of them, Glenn. If buyers see that I only get a 4.8 out of 5 for "item as described" there are some, perhaps many, that may choose not to buy from me. I am far from being a well established seller on ebay and my model doesn't insulate me from such issues. If you don't understand my concern, perhaps you are unable to see things from my perspective.

Hi Winston to me the answer is clear. If a buyer annoys me I block them and I've never regretted it once. I get 40% new buyers each month so a bothersome bidder won't be missed. You sell "needful things" so block away!

Another option is to write him a friendly note, explaining what you noticed, and saying you are concerned it might affect other buyers' perception. WOuld he be wiling to explain what he feels has been a problem with your descriptions or perhaps willing to consider giving 5 stars in the future.

I always vote for communication. A nice, considerate note will probably be appreciated. I've found that people appreciate it when you put in that extra effort.

RS

Pure buyers perspective here - I've never sold anything.

Last comment is the one I agree with most - write to the buyer & ask if he/she has ever had any issue w/one of your IDs or description. My guess is a discerning buyer who gives 4 stars whenever they are happy, but can't see their way to give 5. Most buyers likely have no idea that stars are important - if they are at all. I know at one time they were - they determined certain status/fees for powersellers etc - no idea if that is still the case.

In any event, I would absolutely not block them - seems a good customer. I'd just ask them & see what they say. You're likely to get 5 on all future purchases if you just give a friendly nudge...