Feedback....To Leave or Not

[#1]

Hi! I was reading some advice, a little while back, that I thought was interesting.....Wait a month, to leave feedback, so that the customer has time to leave feedback, first.

However, I was wanting advice about this....
If a person still hasn't left feedback, after a long time, is it tacky to convo them, and ask if they are happy with their purchase/ if they are, could they leave feedback?
Or is it better just to leave feedback, without contacting them?

I also just tried asking if they were happy, and had many come back and say, "Yep!"
(But no feedback.:) I then asked if they would mind leaving feedback, and they said that they would be glad to, but didn't know how. I helped them, and they left great feedback.

I just didn't know if it was worth "pestering" people...:)

[Former_Member]

:)
Well, as I said, I wasn't so worried about it...I actually have lots of feedback.
It was more a matter of this:
I tried this waiting to leave feedback, thinking it may have had some merit, and my feedback page was so cluttered, because I wasn't getting feedback very fast!
But I didn't leave messages too pestery, and only a few. I just asked if they enjoyed their purchase, etc...
It's a little different, for me, because I sell patterns, mostly, and things aren't shipped....but I suppose I could do the feedback link....If I did it, when I notified them that I had emailed their pattern...??? I would worry that that is too pushy...I would have to word it very carefully. I always thank them for their purchase, and tell them to let me know if there are any concerns, questions, or if their email didn't go through. I suppose that I could do a gentle feedback part, to the email. I'll have to give it some thought.:)

[ncCrafts]

I have lots of feedback on bboth my supply stores.. agree withthe 60-70% numbers.

I have only one negative out of 4300ish items and five neutrals... but they sure get me hehe.

I want to be a perfect seller and make my customers happy all the tiime.

unfortunately not evveryone reads descriptions or directions or titles or sizes or whatever. and thats the nature of dealing with the public. So we have to find ways of making them happy with what has happened. I only hate it when I get a bad feedback with no chance to make it right before they leave a feedback.

I really am fair and if you dont like your order, I fix it or let em retrun it... it says so in my policies! hehe. again that pesky reading thing. So I can go thru the kiss and make up and try to fix it that way with convos and worries .

I think if I wait to leave a feedback, I am protecting other sellers though, from the occasional buyer that is just out to zing sellers or is very very very particular.

there have been friends who have gotten zonked with a negative 4-6 months after a sale, long past leaving feedback.

Once looking into the persons feedback, the buyer had 80% transactions she rated as negs for being too somethings.. too red, too green too soft etc. Those poor sellers. Maybe one or two or three deserved neutrals or negs, but 80% I cant believe anyone would be that unlucky to find bad items like that over and over again... ( and still keep buying)

I sometimes wish I could see what kinds of feedback a customer has as a history from other sellers... just so I know how to handle them...

BTW.. there is a tool that shows you who has left feedback and who hasnt and if you have..

http://tools4etsy.com/

[Rt9NJvintageFun]

Thank you,lux metal beads cindy, what a great link. tools4etsy.com/

Feedback is definitely a hot topic, and unfortunately the way it is set up right now, it is a win or loose situation.

Of course we all want to give incredible customer service and have the customer be a repeat buyer.

I always look at my feedback and am thankful for the customers who take time and talk about their experience. At the same time when I am contemplating buying an item from another Shop, I want to read their feedback.

Like numerous sellers,I go over the top, wrap in vintage papers and ribbons enclose a thank you note, enclose business cards and hope the buyer realizes the purpose of feedback.......... to give future buyers confidence.

During the holidays , I had many new buyers to Etsy and did not leave any feedback, I definitely understand if you are a new buyer.I still left them positive feedback.

Feedback is an important factor in running a successful shop here in Etsy, but at the same time, doing some research when possible on your buyer gives you more ammunition in dealing with a problem, if one should arrive.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their thoughts and links.

Moving forward is the life blood of running your business.

[Indounik]

I began selling before Etsy went down the social networking path, when you used to be able to read feedback left for your customer by other sellers. I always checked and it was a feature I found useful.

I generally leave feedback for my customers after I ship their item.

I think Etsy could improve the feedback feature for buyers as I've found a number of my customers have not known how to go about leaving feedback.

Maybe first time buyers on Etsy could get an automatic message thanking them for making their first purchase with an explanation of the feedback system and a link.

[Former_Member]

I always leave feedback... :) No matter if I got one or not.... :)

[Indounik]

Forgot to add that when I get super positive feedback, I'll sometimes head over to Twitter and tweet a line from it. Never hurts to let potential customers know what your existing customers think of your products.

[ncCrafts]

thats an excellent idea! Indounik..

that site www.tools4etsy.com is going to have bulk editing eventually ( if not already) but I can spot my feedbacks by item with their feedback and mine ( or if mine is missing) so I can correct it quickly.

I have barely explored the site to find out all about the tools it has.