Let's hear your Etsy Feedback Horror Stories!
So, yesterday I received my second instance of non-positive -- in this case, neutral -- feedback in my Etsy shop.
Whenever someone purchases from my shop, they receive an email which contains a statement in which I ask for their understanding because I am committed to using recycled shipping materials. (This is not true in my handmade shop, only in my vintage shop. In my handmade shop, I make a real effort to provide pretty packaging for my art.) 'Year-round, I package my vintage linens in plastic because I know that one ill-timed rainstorm is all it takes for cardboard box or envelope to soak through onto the purchased item.
So, I received this wonderful feedback today from the US customer for the tablecloth:
But, she also checked the box for "neutral" rather than "positive" feedback. So, I emailed her to ask what I could have done better to garner positive feedback. Here is her reply:
Hi,Yes I love the tablecloth.The retro design is really my favorite although you did very fast sipping for me. Thank you very much. So you wrote about the tablecloth"bears several areas of discoloration",but I feel many stain on it. I wanted to watch more zoom photo. And it was poor wrapping. I was disappointed because it'sTJ-max parasitic bag.
I will use it every Christmas! I feel a great deal of fondness for the retro Christmas tablecloth.
Thank you so much!
If I read it correctly, it seems she was unhappy that it has stains (which were photographed/described in the listing) and that it was wrapped in a plastic bag, which, although it might not be deemed real classy, was also disclosed prior to shipping. (I am selling junque, after all!)
I find this kind of thing disheartening. The only other non-positive feedback I've received in all my years of online selling was also on Etsy, from a woman who was disappointed that the bowls I sold her did not have lids. Although I never said they did, showed none in the photos, gave an item count which should have told her no lids would be forthcoming, and sold them as bowls, not storage containers.
So -- those of you who sell online, tell me your favorite cracked customer stories. I know you have them, and, especially today, I'd like to hear them!
The customer purchased this vintage Christmas tablecloth. For $22.
Tablecloths like this, of this age, are going on Etsy for two or three times the price.
This one was priced lower because it has some areas of discoloration that may or may not come out in the wash.
I felt that it was still fun and iconic, and had many uses -- either as a tablecloth or to be re-purposed into pillows, etc.
This is how my listing description read:
This is a wonderful tablecloth that is probably from the 1960s; it is white cotton with a bright red, olive-y green and metallic gold printed design. The design elements are ribbon topped and tied, stylized Christmas trees; and fancy glass decorated Christmas ornaments hanging in holly garlands. I really love it all! It is bright, cheery, and very retro!
This tablecloth has been used and bears several areas of discoloration; the low price reflects these flaws. It measures ~58.5" x 53.5". Please look closely at the photos to be sure you love it in this condition; vintage and sold as is.
This tablecloth has been used and bears several areas of discoloration; the low price reflects these flaws. It measures ~58.5" x 53.5". Please look closely at the photos to be sure you love it in this condition; vintage and sold as is.
So, I received this wonderful feedback today from the US customer for the tablecloth:
I love it! Thank you so much.
Hi,Yes I love the tablecloth.The retro design is really my favorite although you did very fast sipping for me. Thank you very much. So you wrote about the tablecloth"bears several areas of discoloration",but I feel many stain on it. I wanted to watch more zoom photo. And it was poor wrapping. I was disappointed because it'sTJ-max parasitic bag.
I will use it every Christmas! I feel a great deal of fondness for the retro Christmas tablecloth.
Thank you so much!
If I read it correctly, it seems she was unhappy that it has stains (which were photographed/described in the listing) and that it was wrapped in a plastic bag, which, although it might not be deemed real classy, was also disclosed prior to shipping. (I am selling junque, after all!)
I find this kind of thing disheartening. The only other non-positive feedback I've received in all my years of online selling was also on Etsy, from a woman who was disappointed that the bowls I sold her did not have lids. Although I never said they did, showed none in the photos, gave an item count which should have told her no lids would be forthcoming, and sold them as bowls, not storage containers.
So -- those of you who sell online, tell me your favorite cracked customer stories. I know you have them, and, especially today, I'd like to hear them!
Comments
She then told me to cancel my other auction where I indicated everything correctly. I explained to her I couldn't as there was nothing wrong with her auction.
She then told me she wanted the pink one. I explained I didn't have it. She then dropped off the face of the earth. She didn't pay for it either so she left me in limbo for over a week.
I mad ethe mistake and felt bad so I sent her $10 as an apology via paypal. She then after she had the $10 contacted me and demanded that I give her the dress for free! I told her i would be happy to when she refunded my $10.
That went back and forth for several days. I then said you can either send me the $10 back and I will send the dress or you can keep my $10 and there will be no dress. I think the big light finally went on and she refunded my $10.
I sent her the dress and she gave me positive feedback. I held my breath for days!
Don't know if Etsy has it, but I block bidders that give me drama from my auctions so they cannot bid on them. Cause the whackos always come back!
Dont sweat a couple of neutrals as your feedback is overally positive. :O) Look at it collectively!
PS: Have a nice Thanksgiving!!
Happy Thanksgiving you are doing a good job!
Hugs Marilou
Happy Thanksgiving!
Next thing I know I get an email from someone else at the company who forwarded a nasty note from another person (presumably their boss). I think he or she didn't realize it, because the subject line was not for public viewing, if you know what I mean. Turns out they were a design firm, who needed the old camera equipment for their client, Instagram! Oops!
Felt bad about it, but if you don't read the not-so-fine-print, then buyer beware.
(we have to pay the price for it too though).
When I sold on eBay, I had a similar situation. eBay backed me completely against the customer.
Although frustrating, try to keep it from upsetting you. It's not worth it.
You have a great shop! Your business is a reflection of you... fun, honest, and detailed-oriented.
Although we had shipped in good faith within 24 hours the buyer left a neg - asserting that we (in Europe) had promised to deliver to her (in USA) in 3 DAYS. She stated she had recieved poor customer service when in fact she got prompt shipping and great communication.
She also got a return negative - the first I have even given on Etsy. It took her down to 50% while I stayed at 100%.
Nowadays I never leave feedback til the buyer does unless its one of my regulars whom I can trust to contact me first if something goes wrong.
I know this happened quite some time ago but reading what happened just burned me!
"Parasitic TJ Maxx bag"? WTH? So if you pitch it it's wasteful and if you re-use it it's "parasitic"? Ugh!! What a wench for giving you a neutral for NO REASON! I think it couldn't have hurt if you had tried to contact Etsy to see if they would remove the feedback altogether. Although I can imagine how they would have reacted...