The MLP Arena
TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Libelle on September 26, 2017, 05:17:30 AM
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I won some MLP accessories in an ebay auction. The seller delayed the shipping, but I wouldn't have complained about the delay until I realised the strategy behind it:
I received the accessories 1 day prior to the German general elections. (In Germany, the post takes between 1 and 2 days to arrive, so you are able to calculate very accurately when an item you are sending will arrive.) The package included campaign advertising for one particular party.
It is illegal for parties to leave campaign advertising in your mailbox or to pester you with emails or calls if you have objected to receiving any campaign advertising at a registry office. However, if private citizens send campaign advertising to you directly, they act in a grey area of law which is open to abuse.
Elections say a lot about your ideologies, your beliefs, your identity etc. Consequently, you might find receiving unsolicited campaign advertising expressing certain opinions very explicitly extremely offensive. I am sure you can all think of examples in your own culture relating to this.
In my opinion, my political views and personal beliefs are not the business of a random ebay seller whom I have bought some MLP accessries from. They have abused the system to send unwanted and unsolicited mail to me which their party wouldn't have been able to send to me legally. I find their behaviour outrageous.
While I have no complaint about the sale otherwise, I feel they deserve negative feedback ... but I would really love to hear your opinion on this. I tried to be as general as possible and did not hint at any political views, so I hope this is allowed. :)
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I agree that spam/junk mail of any kind can be really annoying. I've filled out forms to stop junk mail coming to my house but it still arrives which is really annoying! I agree that's outrageous and kinda bursts the bubble of My Little Pony stuff being a fun and gentle pursuit as well. As a pony seller I would try to join in with the fun and maybe send sweets or nice packaging to give the buyer a nice experience of receiving the package, not anoying junk mail that they don't want! However I'm not sure about negative feedback. Maybe have a look at the Ebay guidance on the kind of things that would justify negative feedback. If you think they charged extra for postage then give them a low score maybe, or give them a low score for communication?
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I agree solicitations are annoying! All you bought were pony accessories, not someone's political beliefs. In this day in age EVERYONE has an opinion and they want it known! And I don't blame you for being angry about it. Here, in the U.S., we are having issues of our own with our own political parties and it's nice to get away from all of that here.
So, with that said, I agree a negative or neutral with the reason you are leaving it would be sufficient. And ding them in stars for delayed shipping as well. Once you do that and other people have seen you have left a negative with your explanation, I wouldn't be surprised if others follow in your footsteps.
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Id leave a negative !!! Putting in this kind of advertising is totally not to tolerate. It might not affect the stuff you bought but packaging is part of the transaction, so Id leave negative or at least neutral.
Reminds me of back then... it was an Arena Swap years ago (random pony swap) and instead of a card or a note, that normally goes with a swap package, I got a PETA flyer with really unpleasant photo material. I didnt say anything about it and Im still kicking myself that I didnt open my mouth and let people know how rude I found it!
-> People REALLY need to be TOLD NOT to DO things like that!!!
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I'm surprised to hear this happens! Did I understand correctly that it was a purchase you made from within your own country? I'm not sure how I would feel if someone had sent me opposing political propaganda during our elections last November.
If I was otherwise happy with the sale I think I would leave positive feedback but send them a message privately. However, if the information they sent was offensive I think I would just leave a neutral and mention in the comment that the item was fine, but you didn't appreciate the "extras".
This is definitely a gray area that.
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Definitely negative feedback, since this activity is very frowned upon in your country by private citizens! :( Ooooh that would infuriate me too!
Einhornbaby : that is totally disgusting!!!! I am so sorry that happened to you!
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So many answers in such a short time! Thank you! ^.^
Did I understand correctly that it was a purchase you made from within your own country? I'm not sure how I would feel if someone had sent me opposing political propaganda during our elections last November.
Yes, that is what happened. I'm not sure how "aggressive" campaigning is in other parts of Germany or in even in other countries, but I can honestly say that I have never received any kind of advertising prior to any elections before.
Reminds me of back then... it was an Arena Swap years ago (random pony swap) and instead of a card or a note, that normally goes with a swap package, I got a PETA flyer with really unpleasant photo material. I didnt say anything about it and Im still kicking myself that I didnt open my mouth and let people know how rude I found it!
I completely agree with you! I'm all for animal rights (heck, I'm a vegan), but I would never do anything like that ... in a swap of all things! I'm going to hint a little bit at the kind of stuff I received, because you'll easily understand what I'm referring to ... ;) Let me just say that I firmly believe that a certain part of German history should not repeat itself. Receiving that kind of material deeply affected and offended me, all the more because I'm a historian. :(
I'm going to sleep about the whole thing and decide what I'm going to do tomorrow (or the day after as tomorrow is packed with appointments). I really appreciate all your input!!! And I'll let you know what I ended up doing. :heart:
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I once bought a band tshirt on Ebay and it came with some sort of Jesus pamphlet. At first I thought maybe they were trying to make me see the error of my ways (It was a band that some christians might not approve of) But then what are they doing selling it??
I left a neutral and wrote I did not appreciate the religious propaganda
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I've received religious propaganda before too, and its so frustrating!
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^ Same. From sellers here actually, twice. But it was when I was still a newbie and didn't want to step on toes or anything.
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Ick! A business card or catalogue is fine, provided it doesn't increase the shipping excessively, but religious or political material is a huge no-no. If it isn't related to the sale, it shouldn't be in there! I'd leave a neutral, and ding stars for shipping and communication.
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How awful! I've never had anything like this happen to me personally but yes I've heard of others having religious, political or other junk mail/ spam leaflets etc included with their ponies or other items and its really inappropriate. Of course everyone has a right to their own beliefs etc, and people like to share them, but they should be kept separate from ebay or other business transactions! . And to delay shipping to time it right for political junk mail makes it worse :( .
The toughie is how to rate the transaction : if the transaction and the items were good apart from the "extras" they included then normally I would suggest leaving a positive (maybe dinging some stars ), but privately messaging the seller about the political stuff and letting them know you did not think it appropriate. However, because the seller deliberately delayed shipping your parcel to specifically send political stuff that makes it a bit different :awake: . I would be thinking about neutral feedback since the items were good... but it's up to you. Also it depends how offensive the material was that they put in your box, as it might deserve a negative if it was really bad stuff . If it was really bad then I might also contact ebay first - live chat or on the phone is good, to see if they can advise you on what best to do, or report the seller to them for what they did and sent, then see eBay's reaction before you do your feedback.
I'm sorry this happened to you :hug:
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I've received religious propaganda before too, and its so frustrating!
I have too and it's just so weird to me that someone would try to use an ebay sale to try and push their religion onto another person...
It's not enough to warrant poor feedback, but it is DEFINITELY unwelcome...
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I've received religious propaganda before too, and its so frustrating!
I have too and it's just so weird to me that someone would try to use an ebay sale to try and push their religion onto another person...
It's not enough to warrant poor feedback, but it is DEFINITELY unwelcome...
You should send back information on the gay agenda/mafia!
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I've received religious propaganda before too, and its so frustrating!
I have too and it's just so weird to me that someone would try to use an ebay sale to try and push their religion onto another person...
It's not enough to warrant poor feedback, but it is DEFINITELY unwelcome...
You should send back information on the gay agenda/mafia!
So tempting.
If only I had an extra pamphlet around the office- I really need to print some more...
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Brilliant! Maybe post slogans as their feedback.
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Brilliant! Maybe post slogans as their feedback.
Actually THAT is brilliant!
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Brilliant! Maybe post slogans as their feedback.
:snicker: it would be deserving.. and tempting!!
- but we don't want Libelle to get into trouble for going against ebays policies instead of the seller who sent the political stuff in the first place ;)
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So strange to me! When I send out my packages I like to decorate them with stickers. Lately I've been using this awesome mixed Lisa Frank sticker book, but one whole section is full of peace stickers... now I know that may not seem inflamatory, but what if I'm sending a package to Israel, the Mid East, or South Korea (which I've all shipped to). Or heck, even the wrong American who thinks me putting a peace sticker on a package means I support one political party or another? Frig, I'm all worried about offending someone with a peace sticker...
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Send the Peace stickers. We all need more peace.
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I've gotten my fair share of unsolicited weirdness from sellers over the years. I've even gotten a few Chick Tracts, and anyone who's seen those knows *exactly* what I'm talking about. I'm of the opinion that it's very poor form to do that, but it's a free country as they say. They have just as much right to their opinions as I have to mine. I may not agree with their beliefs, they have a right to them. They may have chosen a totally inappropriate way to express their opinions, but if I don't like it, I'm free to just throw it out. Heck, I'm free to set it on fire and dance around it as it burns if I want. They sent it to me, I can do what I like with it!
I'd never put anything like that in anything I sent out, and I think it's poor judgement on any seller's part who does that to me, but I'm not going to ding their feedback over that.
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I can't speak to any of the asian/african/middle eastern cultures, but for european and north american / US folk, I can't see peace stickers going awry. There's also the concept of intent, not just content. Propaganda material is pretty far off from decorative stickers, even if they had similar themes.
I'd never heard of Chick Tracts, had to goggle that one!
I always find it funny when the evangelists show up at the door. I derive much enjoyment out of loudly proclaiming "oh delightful! The fire starter people are here. We were close to running out." And yes, we do use their lovely propaganda booklets in our stove. They burn great. :P
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Goodness, Chick Tracts would get you arrested here!
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Negative feedback because you don't like the seller's political views? Seems harsh.
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Goodness, Chick Tracts would get you arrested here!
o_o really? I mean I didn't investigate them too closely; are they more than just religious themed cartoon strips?
Negative feedback because you don't like the seller's political views? Seems harsh.
Did you read the OP's post fully? Their shipping was delayed so the seller could time their delivery with an election, and there's a difference between having a 'X' view and shoving it down other people's throats. Nobody is complaining because of a mere difference of opinion.
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Negative feedback because you don't like the seller's political views? Seems harsh.
Well, it's not negative feedback because they don't agree with the seller's views, it's because they tried to push them onto the buyer in an inappropriate way. A seller has no business in a buyers political views. ETA: Also, they purposely delayed shipping to do so!
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Goodness, Chick Tracts would get you arrested here!
o_o really? I mean I didn't investigate them too closely; are they more than just religious themed cartoon strips?
Sorry, I was joking!
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Goodness, Chick Tracts would get you arrested here!
o_o really? I mean I didn't investigate them too closely; are they more than just religious themed cartoon strips?
Sorry, I was joking!
Oh, okay. :blush: Don't mind me then!
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It sounds like the pamphlets they sent you violates their offensive materials policy if I'm understanding your hint correctly. If they can't list it on the site to sell then they should not be allowed to include it in your package.
I would probably leave a neutral or ding stars for the shipping delay but follow up by contacting ebay regarding the unsolicited materials you received.
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So strange to me! When I send out my packages I like to decorate them with stickers. Lately I've been using this awesome mixed Lisa Frank sticker book, but one whole section is full of peace stickers... now I know that may not seem inflamatory, but what if I'm sending a package to Israel, the Mid East, or South Korea (which I've all shipped to). Or heck, even the wrong American who thinks me putting a peace sticker on a package means I support one political party or another? Frig, I'm all worried about offending someone with a peace sticker...
don't worry about the stickers - they aren't anything offensive :hug: If you think you might be sending a parcel to someone in a country that wouldn't appreciate the peace sign sticker then use a different one for those? honestly I think it's nice to send stickers or little things like that, it's not like sending offensive material ,political or religious stuff, or propaganda.
The situation the OP was in is very different ;)
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I'd report them to ebay for trying to advertise for their party.
I would also call that out in the feedback. Something like "seller sent me -name of the party- material". Other buyers should be aware of that.
Negative feedback because you don't like the seller's political views? Seems harsh.
:lol:
She has the right to complain about getting unwanted political propaganda in the mail no matter where it comes from.