eBay Feedback Padding

[kstar]

I've had a generally good experience on eBay as a seller and buyer since 1999, but have only recently come across something that's bad and seems fairly widespread.

Some of you experienced eBay folk may already know about feedback padding, but it's new to me.

Check out item #110195479515 or item #110171368265

Basically, these are items that cost one cent and have no shipping costs and they allow an eBay member to quickly get positive feedback - positive feedback farming.

These transactions are almost always private as well, so always be suspicious of buyers with all private feedback and try to cross-reference the feedback with the sellers/farmers of the feedback. You can usually find a public feedback from one of the farmers if you scroll through all of their feedback.

eBay has a policy on feedback manipulation, but to my chagrin they do not really enforce it as they have loopholes in their policy.

I had a "buyer" from France with -0- feedback the day they won my auction. I only accept PayPal from int'l buyers and they came up with all kinds of excuses why they couldn't use PayPal . . . and they wanted to send me a money order.

I said no.

In just a few days, this buyer has farmed over 100 positive feedbacks and has won almost $10,000 worth of stuff and has at least tried to pay with a money order on two of those transactions - I contacted those two sellers.

I also reported these events to eBay and they have so far not taken action. It's a shame that some folks will probably get burned by this and eBay is so far ignoring my warnings.

I believe in caveat emptor, but it would be nice if eBay would more aggressively go after the feedback farmers. And, I am not totally soured on eBay; for the most part my eBay experience has been excellent.

Sorry for the long rant, but I had to get it out.

Best and be careful out there!

Kurt

[notfarnow]

I agree. I used to sell used car parts on ebay, but it became such a crap-shoot it just isn't worth my while. At one point I was getting over 50% flakes.

I now sell on car forums where members tend to stick around and help each other out. I set a price I think is fair, and stuff tends to move quickly. I don't always get as high a price as I used to on ebay, but it's exponentially easier and less frustrating. I'm also much more comfortable taking a cheque or money order when it's coming from a long time forum member with many posts. I'll usually just ship stuff out and just tell them to send the cheque.

The other benefit is that if I'm ever in a pinch, these folks are quick to help out. My father in law just cooked the turbo on his Jetta and I can't find one locally. Some guy I send parts to in Michigan last year is going out in the snow to pull one off his parts car tomorrow. You don't get that on ebay.

You see the same thing all the time here on Pelican. Parts typically sell for less in the classifieds than they would on ebay, but it's easier for the seller & buyer, and they feel better about helping out another forum member. Good karma

Could you imagine parting out a car on ebay? I'd go out of my fking mind.

[NICKG]

i sell alot on ebay..944 stuff, it's worthless stuff that i get more on ebay for than anywhere else. I don't sell on forums anymore, too many "expert" commentaries on pricing and such

[M.D. Holloway]

I have got'n a few things on e-bay and for the most part it is positive. Every so often I get a seller who is a tool - now mind you, I pay cash and I sennd payment via a fed ex envelope and I provide a pre-paid fed ex mailing label. After I get the item I will post feedback which is honest but I don't put in that the guy was an ass over the phone. Maybe I should.