Have you ever left feedback on eBay only to later wish you could add more context or update your comments? eBay‘s follow up feedback feature allows exactly that.
This 2500+ word guide will explore:
- What follow up feedback is and why it matters
- How to successfully leave follow ups step-by-step
- Revising feedback via seller requests
- Constructive feedback writing tips
- And more to master this useful eBay feature
Let‘s dive in to the intricacies of eBay follow up feedback.
What is Follow Up Feedback and Why is it Important?
Feedback acts as a reputation score between eBay community members. Positive ratings help attract business. One survey by PowerSeller found 93% of buyers consider a seller’s feedback score before purchasing.
eBay feedback also enables transparency for future transactions. Public comments document issues encountered so other users can better evaluate risks.
Originally eBay allowed members to directly edit feedback. But concerns over lack of editing history and potential abuse led eBay to disable edits.
Now the follow up feedback system aims to balance security with necessary flexibility.
Follow up feedback means leaving additional comments or ratings to add context to your original feedback. For example:
- A buyer could update a negative review if an issue got resolved
- A seller may improve their score if they accommodated a buyer complaint
Without this capability, initial feedback would permanently impact reputation – even if problems were addressed afterwards.
Follow ups enable clarifying outcomes from disputes and providing closure. This helps sustain confidence in the community.
According to eBay’s own research, over 65% of users feel more trusting in a seller when follow up feedback indicates issues were eventually resolved satisfactorily.
So whether you want to upgrade a negative review or give added insight around a transaction, the follow up feedback mechanism is invaluable.
Step 1 – Locate Your eBay Feedback Profile
Let’s get started with actually leaving follow up feedback. First you need to access your Feedback Profile.
Go to: www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/ + [Your eBay Username]
For example:
www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/powerseller123This displays your profile overview showing recent feedback scores:
Overview of feedback profile – scores and ratings.
Check your 12 month feedback rating. Remember this tally impacts visibility in eBay search results. Maintaining a high positive score signals you are a trusted community member.
Now let’s view the granular feedback data.
Step 2 – Filter to See Feedback You’ve Left
Scroll down and filter to only see feedback you’ve left for others:
- Click Learn about your eBay profile
- Choose Left for others
This displays feedback and ratings you’ve posted towards sellers or buyers recently.
Filtering to view comments left for other users.
Feedback sorted newest to oldest including:
- Item name
- User you left feedback for
- Date posted
- Your rating and comments
Study your feedback history and patterns. What areas could be improved? How frequently do you revisit transactions later?
Now we can leave supplemental feedback.
Step 3 – Locate Transaction and Click “Follow Up”
Scan the list of feedback left and locate the one you want to follow up on.
Common scenarios warranting follow up additions:
- Resolving shipping problems
- Receiving replacement items
- Clarifying vague initial feedback
Are your past comments clear for future readers? Do they reflect how issues concluded?
Once you find the feedback needing a follow up, click the Follow up link on the right side:
Follow up link next to feedback entry.
Now we can augment the existing feedback.
Step 4 – Enter Your Follow Up Comments
Post click, a pop-up appears to enter supplemental feedback (max 500 characters):
Text area to provide follow up feedback comments.
This space allows adding details on:
- How the seller responded after your initial feedback
- Extra context around the transaction
- Updates if problems were resolved
But resist the urge for venting. Follow eBay’s feedback policies prohibiting:
- Personal attacks
- Name calling
- Sensitive remarks around politics, religion etc.
Focus purely on transaction details. Here are examples of constructive follow up feedback:
- “Seller reached out apologizing for shipping mishap. Sent a replacement product which meets expectations. Happy to amend my original critical comments.”
- “Item arrived damaged but buyer responded quickly sending a replacement free of charge. They handled this issue professionally.”
Use an objective, positive tone covering what transpired. Balance any negatives with resolution details.
Step 5 – Submit Your Follow Up
Once satisfied, click Send to officially log follow up feedback. It instantly publishes alongside initial comments.
Transmit follow up feedback via Send button.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully left supplemental feedback.
Buyer Feedback Revision Requests
In some cases, sellers can petition you to edit existing feedback via revision requests:
- eBay emails you have a pending request
- Within 10 days choose:
- Accept – Revise feedback as guided by eBay
- Decline – Initial feedback stands unchanged
- Non-response after 10 days keeps original feedback intact
- eBay reminds you after 7 days if no decision made yet
Sample revision request email from eBay.
If accepting, your initial feedback gets replaced completely. If declining, everything remains.
eBay limits sellers to one revision request to prevent repeated badgering.
So why might someone request a change? A seller may work hard to accommodate an issue and provide resolution after you left the original critical feedback. Replacing with positive feedback seems fair after problems were properly addressed.
But use your discretion. Decline if you experienced unresolved issues or felt coerced by the seller in any way. Protect future buyers from risk.
Constructive Follow Up Feedback Writing Tips
Here are some tips as you craft follow up feedback comments:
1. Be solution-focused
Emphasize the final positive outcome rather than dwell on initial problems. Keep comments balanced and impactful for readers.
2. Improve clarity
Follow ups let you add context missing in quick initial impressions. Share details helping future buyers evaluate appropriately.
3. Keep polite and professional
Avoid emotional tangents – stick to transaction facts. Taking the high road preserves your own reputation.
4. Follow eBay policies
Don’t include prohibited personal digs, politics etc. Keep strictly focused on order and item details.
5. Consider also revising ratings
If issues were truly resolved excellently, consider upgrading previous negative review ratings in alignment.
Why Follow Up Feedback Matters
eBay’s community depends on trust and transparency reinforced by buyer/seller feedback.
But initial feedback can occasionally be:
- Premature (left before outcome known)
- Vague (lacking needed context)
- Unfair (if seller resolved issues responsively afterwards)
Follow up feedback addresses these problems for more accuracy.
It provides closure on disputes, clarity around unspecified criticisms, and better documentation when problems get fixed responsively.
While eBay eliminated direct editing to ensure security, buyers and sellers still need some flexibility improving past comments.
Follow up feedback delivers that balanced capability. The result is greater confidence in making purchases according to enriched feedback profiles.
Constructive supplementation ultimately enhances transparency for future decisions.
Conclusion
We explored the critical role of follow up feedback in providing necessary visibility into how eBay transactions conclude.
The steps outlined equip you to professionally clarify previous experiences through ratings adjustments or added commentary.
With great follow up feedback power comes great responsibility. Draft respectful, detail-rich updates showcasing your fairness and integrity.
So next time you need elaborating initial reactions to an eBay purchase, remember the follow up option. Proper usage maintains community health while preventing lasting damage from reversable miscommunications.
Have something to add around revising eBay feedback? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
