Did I do the right thing by giving this seller a neutral?

Question

I bought something on Ebay and and paid for it right away with Paypal. I didn't hear anything at all from the seller so I emailed him 8 days after the sale and he sheepishly told me that he hadn't mailed it out but would that very evening parcel post which should take about 5-6 days from him to me. After 6 days I emailed him back and he said that he still had not mailed it out! I was totally PO'd but I didn't say anything I just waited. He actually did mail it out the next day but priority which he had to come out of pocket for a few bucks. I received it but left a neutral beacuse it was an insanely long time and he lied to me the first time. He emailed me yesterday and basically scolded me for giving him a neutral and thought that he had redeemed himself by sending it Priority at the extra cost and he also said that I saw the glass half empty (Whatever that means) and that he had a life outside of Ebay. I answered that I thought it was just because it was less than satisfactory experience. Who's right?

Answer 1

You are right, you should not have to chase up a seller to send you something. If I sent something 15 days after someone had paid for it I would expect a negative!

Answer 2

I agree with you.  I might have even given him negative feedback after he didn't send it the first time, said he would and didn't again!  Some people!  They just think they are always right.  I guess if he has a life outside of ebay he shouldn't commit himself.  Don't feel bad.  I'm proud of you.

Answer 3

You are, of course, the guy was a total a$$hole and trying to blame you for his shortcomings; this is why I detest ebay, too many idiots to deal with. He's d**n lucky it wasn't me I would have left the most negative feedback possible.

Answer 4

I've been in your shoes more times than I would care to admit. You are absolutely 100% right. There is a disclosure that you agree to when you become a seller that states that you agree to ship items within 3 days of the sell, not to mention that it's common courtesy. I would respond that if he can't play by rules of ebay then he shouldn't play and he should be greatful that he didn't get negative feedback or a file with ebay.

Answer 5

What stinks about that is that since eBay's recent changes a neutral counts exactly the same way as a negative does in the seller's feedback percentage.  Ebay has made it so a buyer is unable to say they were a little unsatisfied with the transaction without seriously hurting the seller's business.  Being a seller and a buyer I can see both sides of this.  You should be able to express your dissatisfaction, but his sales for the next year will be decreased by your neutral feedback.  I guess next time that seller won't drag his feet for so long before mailing :)

As long as he showed remorse I probably wouldn't have left him a neutral.  If something comes up and I can't mail something right away, I always apologise and provide a good excuse for not doing so.

edit--

To the responder above:  As an eBay seller I have let people off for not paying me.  I realize that they are individuals not companies and things do come up.  And most sellers are the same way.  I treat others the way I would wish to be treated.

edit--

To the responder below me ... there is nothing that says a seller must ship within 3 days of sale.  Or payment for that matter.  The seller sets up their own shipping schedule, and a responsible seller will state in their auctions how long it takes them to ship.  I have seen some sellers that plainly state that they only ship items once per week.

The 3 day rule you're thinking of has to do with contacting the buyer after a sale.

Answer 6

I would have given him a negative, not a neutral. He didn't mail the package for two weeks! That can't be fixed by mailing it priority out of his own pocket, because he's the one who caused the delay in the first place. If he'd mailed it when he was supposed to, it would have still gotten to you faster than by priority.

I wonder if he would have talked about life outside EBay and half-empty glasses if you'd decided you couldn't be troubled to pay for two weeks.

Answer 7

He's lucky you didn't give him a negative.  I probably would have done the same thing as you.  Sending it Priority ups him to neutral, not to positive.  If he wants to get positive ratings he should try sending items on time.