Thread: Sellers can't leave buyers negative feedback, but they can ban

That's right, I have been banned from buying from a particular seller. Here's what happened.

I won a razor in an auction that ended on a Sunday. The shipping fee listed was $5.
The following Tuesday (a week and two days later), I messaged the seller, asking if the razor had been shipped and via what method. I also asked for tracking information if there was any.
Wednesday (the next day) I received a message saying that the buyer thought it had been shipped the previous Saturday, and the seller was surprised it had not arrived. Note the lack of information I requested. But the razor also arrived that day.

So I left positive feedback. I mentioned that shipping was overcharged (the envelope it arrived in said $1.51) and that shipping was delayed, but that the razor arrived as described.

Subsequently, I received a message from the seller asking why I bid knowing that was the shipping charge, why I said the shipping charge was too high, and why I said the shipping was delayed (the seller seemed to thing that receiving an item within ten days was satisfactory). The seller asked if I thought I was being fair and remarked that he/she was glad I didn't leave a negative feedback, since the stars affect his/her fees.

I responded. I noted the difference in the actual shipping charges and what I was charged. I mentioned that I assumed the razor would be shipped in a manner that spent the $5, such as a box, or with more protection that would cost more money (padded envelope and a little bubble wrap were used). I commented that a I considered shipping an item five business days after an auction ends to be slow shipping. I mentioned that I wanted to make sure my feedback reflected my experience, and I tried my best with the limited number of characters ebay allows.

I received another message from the seller. He/she remarked that expecting to pay actual shipping charges is unreasonable because gas and time are not free where he/she lives. He/she asked if they were free where I live. I was informed that receiving items within ten days was good, and that I could expect to be leaving a lot of negatives if I expected items faster. The seller said that he/she thought my comments were unwarranted and that he/she would have asked me not to bid on his/her items. But he/she thought that is was not a fair person, so he/she banned me from bidding on his/her items. The seller said I should not have bid if I thought $5 for shipping was too high, and concluded by wishing me good luck.


I must say, I was rather taken aback. Regarding the shipping costs, I expected to get what I was paying for, but the seller did not come through on that point. The seller also took a whole week to ship the item, which is unacceptable to me. I've shipped many razors, and I always have them out the day after I receive payment unless there is some serious reason I cannot do so. I notify buyers when I expect to have razors shipped, and again when I actually ship them.
I'm also not sure why the seller thought I was being unfair. It's not as if I left negative feedback without explaining myself. I didn't even leave negative feedback; it was positive! (Though looking back on it, neutral would have probably been more accurate, and after his/her responses I wish I could change it to negative.) I posted about the transaction as I thought it occurred and explained myself in response to the seller's questions. Based on the seller's response, I don't think he/she paid much attention to what I said; his/her response disregarded my attempts to explain my feedback and was unnecessarily sarcastic. On top of that, I've never heard of banning an ebay member from bidding on auctions.


Had this transaction occurred on SRP, or any other forum I have bought/sold items on, I would promptly contact the moderators. Seeing as this is ebay and I'll likely never even want to buy from this seller again, it's really not worth it. Should any of you want to know this seller's account name, I will provide it via PM. I don't want to trash anyone's reputation, but I believe the truth should be known. This seller clearly has low expectations and does not understand the point of feedback.

Banning has been an option for sellers for several years at eBay. I've used it a couple of times. It can make things so much easier. You could try contacting the better business bureau if it's a legitimate gripe that you want to put out there for moderation It's more of a business ethics thing than anything else though, I don't think the seller is breaking ebay policy there

Yeah, I'm not really concerned by the ban; I was mostly surprised because I didn't know it was an option and I really don't think the seller had reason to ban me. All I did was leave honest feedback.

I agree with the seller

What a bummer! I think that the seller's reaction was definitely unreasonable. That said, I don't agree with you about the shipping charge in the sense that the seller sets the charge to what he wants and you know that upfront and just have to accept it, or not, but not demand that it be accounted for. All in all, the seller is an absolute idiot.

I think the seller had a valid point with the $5 shipping. You knew what it was upfront prior to bidding. Sadly, using the cheapest supplies possible is very common on ebay. I expressly state that I ship using USPS priority and a BOX in my auctions so at least you know it's protected.

I agree with you on the time to ship though. 5 business days is really too much. 1-3 I can live with. 5 is excessive unless they state that they only ship out on ______ (Friday for example). Then in that case you knew the shipping time frame also prior to bidding.

It's too bad that the seller banned you and also too bad that it took IMO an unreasonable amount of time for you to receive the item.

Regarding the shipping; the actual shipping cost and the shipping charge a seller assesses on Ebay are two totally different things. Should they be? To a point, possibly. But nonetheless, the seller can set shipping fees of $50 and ship something using a .42 cent stamp if the item fits and as long as the seller states the $50 fee in the listing......that's the shipping cost.

I have decided NOT to bid on many an item because the seller's shipping fees IMO were either too excessive or even ridiculous.

So, my two cents, given the seller's shipping was listed with the item, I don't think you can fault the seller for that. I can agree with the seller's argument about gas/time/packaging to a point.


Chris L

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Had this transaction occurred on SRP, or any other forum I have bought/sold items on, I would promptly contact the moderators.

We've had this before, but we try to get the seller and the buyer to sort it out amongst themselves.
We do not get involved, other than as neutral mediators. We will not take action unless one of the parties has done something that is against the site rules and we have clear proof (i.e SPAM or things like that).

We provide a place where transactions can occurr, but we do not become part of the transaction process. The reason is that it would make us liable in case of problems, and it could bring all sorts of legal troubles to SRP if we would become an active party.

We are also not a legal arbiter, so we cannot judge on who is right or who is wrong. Only a civil court can do that. Suppose we ban someone from using the classifieds because we are convinced he defrauded someone, but we are wrong. Then that person could sue SRP for defamation of character (did I say that right?). So we cannot do that either.

The only thing we can do is to get people to talk to each other, and if someone does something that is against site rules, we can take action. But other than that, our hands are tied. They have to be if we don't want to risk SRP.

EDIT: 3000

It's not just E bay.

Amazon deal with some bad guys.

You really must read the feedback and be warned if you see any negativity. It usually mans a customer was really ****ed off.

To be honest, I don't enjoy spending money today. There seems to be a lot less integrity out there now days.

Bad or dishonest descriptions. False photography. Overpricing on postage. etc.,etc.,

If you sense any lack of integrity listen to your senses and back off the purchase. Your senses will be correct.

Just remember the golden rule........"Let the buyer beware".

The fact is on Eboy many sellers use shipping as an alternative to increase their profit. I would rather they be upfront and say I'm charging 4x the shipping cost to make more money. personally I think if they want to add fees thats fine, they can do it but to charge $10 to ship a razor when it costs $2.00 and they try and justify is is garbage. In the end you just don't bid on those auctions. if enough people do that they will get the message when they realize they are getting fewer bids which will cost more than what they make in shipping fees and then the fees will come down.