Leaving thoughtful feedback for buyers completes a transaction and fosters goodwill. But staring at that feedback box, many sellers struggle to articulate the perfect message. This guide provides practical tips and examples to help you craft effective buyer feedback.
Forget Generic Grades: Avoid simply writing “A++++++++”. This outdated practice lacks meaning. Instead, opt for descriptive comments that highlight specific positive aspects of the transaction.
Praise Prompt Payment: If the buyer paid swiftly, acknowledge this. Use phrases like “prompt payment” or “instant payment.” This is highly valued by sellers, demonstrating reliability and efficiency.
Highlight Excellent Communication: Did the buyer respond quickly and clearly to your messages? Mention their “great communication” skills. This is especially important if you encountered and resolved any issues together.
Acknowledge Smooth Transactions: If the transaction was seamless, state that the buyer was “a pleasure to deal with,” or describe the experience as “the way eBay should be.” These positive affirmations leave a lasting impression.
Recognize Repeat Buyers: If the buyer has purchased from you before, acknowledge their loyalty. Mentioning “great as always” reinforces their positive buying history.
Embrace Descriptive Praise: Maximize the limited feedback space by incorporating as many positive attributes as possible. Don’t overthink punctuation; focus on conveying genuine appreciation. For example: “Instant payment, great communication – excellent buyer!”
Nuanced Feedback: You can also use concise feedback to subtly indicate minor issues without leaving outright negative feedback. For instance, “Paid quite quickly, communication fine” implies areas for improvement without being overtly critical. Be mindful that very short feedback, like “OK,” can be misinterpreted as negative if that wasn’t your intent.
Streamline the Process: Avoid overanalyzing each feedback comment, especially if you handle numerous transactions weekly. Create a set of standard feedback templates for different situations and leverage tools like eBay’s Selling Manager to automate bulk feedback.
Before leaving feedback, ensure the buyer has paid. Fortunately, eBay simplifies the payment process. In a future discussion, we’ll explore eBay’s checkout system in detail.