eBay Eliminates Purchase Details from Feedback System

[ponylady]

I noticed yesterday I could not view buyers ID's on a sellers feedback page. So I did a Google search and sure enough....

eBay is making its feedback system less transparent by removing purchase details from the feedback page in a move that has already shocked some users who noticed the change start to roll out to the site right before their eyes on Wednesday.

Because eBay did not announce the change, many wondered if it was a glitch or a test. But eBay spokesperson Ryan Moore confirmed it was a deliberate policy change.

"Based on customer feedback from both buyers and sellers, we have made the decision to remove the view item link and item ID information on Buyer and Seller Feedback profiles pages," Moore told EcommerceBytes. The move is one of the most controversial changes to feedback since eBay introduced anonymous Detailed Seller Ratings and stopped allowing sellers to give buyers neutral or negative feedback ratings.

Buyers are particularly concerned about the lack of transparency on feedback pages of sellers from whom they are considering purchasing. They will no longer be able to see the types of items sellers have sold in the past, and some say they will be hampered in attempting to gauge the honesty of sellers receiving complaints from past buyers.

"I imagine that such a move would make it difficult for diligent buyers to get a better picture of what the seller is really like," wrote an EcommerceBytes reader. "Did the seller accumulate their feedback by selling individual paper-clips? (And then, once a ''respectable'' amount of feedback has been earned, the seller turns out to be some sort of scammer.)"

Or, she asked, "Did the seller earn a negative because the mystery-item is something that typically attracts persnickety buyers? (Wouldn't it be nice to know if the item description really WAS incorrect? Wouldn't it be nice to know if the seller's photos DID show the flaw after all?)"

Some sellers were concerned that they would not be able to see buyers' history. "Well, you can't see any evidence of a SNAD scam if you can't see the item or the description that contradict the buyers statements," wrote one seller. Another seller was happy that shoppers would not be able to see what he had sold items for in the past, explaining he routinely adjusted prices and haggled with buyers.

Moore explained that buyers and sellers would continue to see the link and item number for transactions they are involved in as long as they are logged in.

Sneaky Sneaky Ebay...let's protect dishonest buyers and sellers just a little more 

[blondee1982]

I saw this too about a week ago and it was very frustrating to say the least and why they ever took away the ability to leave anything but positive for a buyer is beyond me, it is so unfair.

[Shiromisa]

Well that's bothersome. When buying from sellers that do many kinds of items, I like to know whether any potential negs come from pony stuff or not. Or say, if a buyer thought they were getting a FS pony when the listing said a brushable, which wouldn't be the seller's fault. Hmmm.

[himmie]

I noticed that as it was happening... Grr. I am tired of eBay's changes...

[Ice Crystal]

Huh. I can still see the 'View Item' link on other people's feedback pages for items they've sold (feedback left by buyers) but not for items they've purchased (feedback left by sellers). Buyer's usernames are also starred out now.

If those are the only changes then I don't think it's so bad? Especially since many people use eBay solely to buy and not sell and you could previously see everything they've bought in the last 90 days which is not really necessary imo.

I agree that the 'View Item' link should remain on feedback left by buyers though so you can see exactly which items received negative feedback and figure out if there's a trend like what Shiromisa was saying.

[banditpony]

*face palm*

I also thought it was a weird glitch.

I have no words right now.

[Sunshine]

I'm confused, I too can still go to anyone's profile and see the "View Item" link on their feedback... but, most of the usernames are hidden, there are still some that I can see and click on though...

[ponylady]

I'm confused, I too can still go to anyone's profile and see the "View Item" link on their feedback... but, most of the usernames are hidden, there are still some that I can see and click on though...

It's just starting to roll out across the site. I think some can still see it, while others cannot. The way I am reading it is that by the time it is over it will be the same for everyone.

I know I have noticed in the past when they have made changes it doesn't effect everyone at once. That's Ebay for ya!

[tulagirl]

Okay well this will keep all of us from catching those shill bidders won't it? 

[HawaiianRain]

Okay well this will keep all of us from catching those shill bidders won't it? 

yep. I don't like it one bit.

[bluerose9978]

Okay well this will keep all of us from catching those shill bidders won't it? 

yep. I don't like it one bit.

That was my fear too. It's bad enough eBay does nothing about it. Now we can't do anything to protect ourselves.

[tulagirl]

Guess what else is missing:

Advanced search BY BUYER.  That means you can't check on those shill bidders anymore because you can't look them up by name anymore. 

[banditpony]

Guess what else is missing:

Advanced search BY BUYER.  That means you can't check on those shill bidders anymore because you can't look them up by name anymore. 

:/ for real?

u__u; I just WISH there was a good alternative. I give up, ebay is turning into some sort of amazon. Fine. What I'm not ok with, is that there isn't a good alternative to buy/sell used stuff.

[bluerose9978]

Guess what else is missing:

Advanced search BY BUYER.  That means you can't check on those shill bidders anymore because you can't look them up by name anymore. 

:/ for real?

u__u; I just WISH there was a good alternative. I give up, ebay is turning into some sort of amazon. Fine. What I'm not ok with, is that there isn't a good alternative to buy/sell used stuff.

I don't know why they want to be another Amazon. They really should want to be their own entity. There is already an Amazon. And I bet they treat their sellers better than eBay does.

[banditpony]

They make more money with sellers that sell large volumes of merchandise. And if they can guarantee buyer happiness, then more buyers will supposedly use ebay. And ebay can make more money.

evil star rating, no feedback for buyers, returns for pretty much any reason...